In Hospital, Arjun was sitting in a corner covering his face with his palms. Suddenly, he felt someone’s hand on his shoulder. Arjun looked towards the person. Rajat could not believe his own eyes. Arjun’s eyes are red. He sat beside Arjun & tightened his hold on Arjun’s shoulder.
Arjun ( in a low voice)- Why Parmeet did not listen what I told to him. I said him to follow Nandini & Rana without taking any risk. Always stay in touch with the team. But see? He was the most junior of our team. How he expected that he could handle emergency situations alone without any backup? It need years of experience. He did not even call me or you. Can’t he at least pressed the emergency button of his phone? Why I sent him in this mission?
Rajat- You need rest Arjun. You are taking too much stress. How can you blame yourself for sending Parmeet in a mission? Come on, It’s his duty & also yours.
Arjun- But he was new & inexperienced. After knowing how much dangerous these people are, why I sent him? I did not even call Parmeet & checked that he is fine or not. Hell, how can I? It was also my duty.
Rajat- Arjun please, stop blaming yourself.
Arjun (sighing)- no Rajat. It is my responsibility.
Rajat did not say anything.
Arjun- Please you stay here & handle everything. I am leaving.
Rajat- We already informed Parmeet’s parents. They are on the way.
Arjun- I don’t want to face his parents. I don’t have guts to stand in front of that mother who just lost her only child & when somehow I am also responsible.
Arjun stood up. He again felt the sharp pain & dizziness. He somehow managed to stand supporting the wall.
Rajat ( in a tensed voice)- Arjun… Are you okay?
Arjun only nodded his head.
Rajat- Where are you going now?
Arjun- In office. Everything is messed up, need to sort out things.
Rajat- Before you go, just meet with Samaira for once. She is tensed. First, Samrat’s death, then you were not answering her calls. So, she called me & I took her here with me. She is waiting for you in reception.
Without saying anything, Arjun went towards the lift & pressed the button. Once the door is closed, he leaned towards the wall & closed his eyes. The medicine effect is wearing off & the pain is getting unbearable. Arjun somehow came out from the lift & started walking with unsteady steps towards the reception. Again, he felt the sharp pain & clutched the wound. He can feel wetness. He looked at his hand which became red with his blood. “Dam, it’s bleeding again. This time, he tried to walk but he can’t move anyone. Everything started spinning around & darkness engulfed him.
Arjun slowly opened his eyes & looked at the surroundings. He noticed Samaira looking at him with a worried look on her face. He blinked his eyes & remembered that he fainted in hospital corridor. His hand automatically touched his wound.
Samaira ( in a broken tone)- It is paining too much naa?
Arjun- No.
Samaira- At least don’t lie in front of me.
After sometime, Samaira- How are you feeling now Arjun?
Arjun- much better.
He tried to get up & Samaira supported him to sit, but she did not allow him to leave the bed. “Don’t you dare. She supported the pillow on his back to sit comfortably. Arjun angrily glared at Samaira.
Arjun- I have important works Samaira. So, can’t sit here uselessly. I can manage myself.
Samaira- sshh, don’t raise your voice here. This is hospital.
Arjun- I know. I am just saying I need to go now. I can handle this minor cut.
Samaira hold his hand & lightly kissed it.
Samaira- Relax Arjun. Just sit here & listen to me…
Arjun- What to listen? I know you will ask about Samrat’s death. If he is dead, then how can you going to know about your mother? But let me tell you, I am now not going to give you any information.
Samaira sighed. ” Arjun, neither you trust me, nor you till now able to understand me. So, better don’t predict anything. I trust you Arjun, when you said you will find out about my mom, I believe you. I know, I just don’t need to nag every time. You think, I am selfish. Yes, I am. I was worried about you when I did not able to contact you. When Rajat told me about your accident, I just did not stop myself to see you with me own eyes. I am now always living in a fear. I will not survive if I lose you.
Arjun- You are not that weak that you can’t survive without me. In fact, a weak person also survives if they lost their partners or any near & dear ones. Life never stops for anyone & life is also very uncertain.
Samaira- Arjun please, enough of your rude talks.
Arjun- not rude, it’s practical.
Samaira- I know. Leave it. I don’t think now I am in a mood to listen your practical & sensible talk.
Arjun- fine. I also don’t have time to listen to your any emotional useless talks.
Samaira- Arjun, you are fighting with me for no reason. Please Arjun, don’t blame yourself for your Officer death…
Arjun narrowed his eyes & looked at Samaira.
Arjun- None of your business. That’s my professional life.
Samaira bites her lips to control her anger. “Okay, let’s talk about yourself. Talking & caring about you is my right Arjun.
Arjun (angrily gritted his teeth & in a dangerously low voice)- Samaira, you already wasted my precious time with your useless talk. Now, shut up & leave. Will meet with you later, then you will get enough time to exercise your so called right on me. Now, it’s an emergency situation. Need to join my duty as soon as possible.
Arjun stood up & grabbed his shirt. Samaira tightly hold his arm. She angrily looked at him.
Samaira- So called right? Really Arjun?? Please tell me today, what is my place in your life? We are not married. Then, by which right you touch me everytime? You spent night with me in my bed? You made love to me? Are you thinking me a Pros…
Arjun ( shouted, cutting her words)- SAMAIRA…
Samaira- Don’t shout IPS Arjun Mehra.
Arjun sat on the bed holding his head. Samaira was crying. Arjun looked at her, pulled her towards him. Samaira struggled & tried to distance herself from him. “Leave me Arjun. Just go & do your duty.
Arjun- How dare you uttered such nonsense about our relationship? I love You Samaira.
Samaira did not say anything. Arjun lovingly wiped the tears from her cheeks with his palm. ” Please don’t cry.
Samaira ( still crying)- You don’t love me. You don’t care about me.
Arjun- No dear, I love you. I am sorry. Please don’t misunderstand me.
Both remained silent for sometimes. Arjun sighed & stood up to leave. Samaira hold his hand & he stoped.
Samaira- You are injured & lost blood. You did not eat anything after that, did not take medicine, even forgot to change the bandage & the result you fainted. Now, you tell me how you will able to do your duty in this condition? You are upset & angry. Are you now able to think anything properly Arjun? You once said there is no place for mistake in your profession. This is what I wanted to told. First you relax yourself.
Arjun- I failed to save him.
Samaira hugged him & pampered his back with her soft hands. After sometime, Arjun broke the hug. “Bye
Samaira- Wait. Sit here. I will just be back in five minutes.
Arjun- But…
Samaira already left the room. Arjun sat there & checked his phone. After sometime, Samaira came back with a bowl in her hand. “Now eat this first.
Arjun looked at her & then the food in the bowl. He made an irritated face & crunched his nose.
Arjun- Oh no. Its daila. I don’t like it disgusting taste. So, I am not going to eat this.
Samaira- Arjun please. Don’t behave like a child. Accha, tonight I will prepare all your favourite dishes. Now, eat this.
Arjun still made a sad face. Samaira placed the bowl in his hand. “, what are you waiting for? Finish it.
Arjun- You feed me. Then only I will eat this tasteless thing.
Samaira rolled her eyes & started feeding him. Arjun looking at her. After finishing, Samaira placed a tablet in his hand.
Samaira- Take this medicine & please you have to finish the course. ( Samaira gave him a glass of water).
Arjun took the medicine & smiled at her. “Anything else dear?
Samaira- No, now you can go. All the best & take care of yourself. I will be waiting for you in dinner. So, come soon.
Arjun pecked her on the cheeks. Bye & I love you.
“Love you too Arjun. Take care.
Arjun came out from the cabin. He dialed a number on his phone. “Follow Samaira & call me in case of any emergency.
Arjun entered in IB office. He can sense tension in atmosphere. One of his officer rushed towards him. ” Sir, IG Sir is waiting for you in your cabin. Oh, so, this is the reason for tension. Sashank Bhargav, his boss, the Inspector General & one of the Joint Director of IB, is here. Arjun rushed towards his own cabin & knocked at the door. “Come in, Arjun entered & saluted the man sitting in front of him in black suit. He closed the file in his hand. ” At ease Officer & gave Arjun a stern look.
Sashank- IPS Arjun Mehra, You will no longer lead Mission Chaturanga. You are dismissed from this mission & from now on Ministry decided to put you in compulsory waiting.
Arjun was shocked beyond words. He took time to register his Boss words.
Arjun- Sir, I agree Samrat Khanna’s death is a big blow for our mission. But, it’s not dead end. We still have many clues to crack the mystery. Please Sir, give me some time.
Sashank- We are doubtful about your honesty & dedication, not about your capability Officer.
Arjun mind went completely blank hearing his Boss words, they are doubtful about his honesty & dedication???
Sashank- What you did after knowing Samaira Khanna’s bank account was used in terrorist funding? You gave clean chit to her in your previous report. Now, you hide this fact from Department & also did not take any steps. Whatever your relation with her is completely your personal matter, but when this kind of situation appears, then we have to interfere. I just hope you are not in a honey trap.
Arjun face turned red due to anger, but he remained silent.
Sashank- Do you know who forwarded this information in Ministry? A late officer of your team, Parmeet Kaur, whom you sent to follow Nandini Pandey. So, now, you can understand why Ministry wants to put you in compulsory waiting. We are setting up an Departmental Inquiry Committee to investigate Parmeet Kaur’s death.
Arjun was lost, his mind blank. But he is seething with anger. He took sometimes to calm himself a bit.
Arjun- Sir, it’s a trap for me. Please Sir, give me a chance to prove myself innocence.
Sashank- Looking at your previous records, I can only give you four days, but not as team leader, only as an officer. If you prove yourself, then only you can lead the team. Hope, I made myself clear. Now, dismiss.
Arjun saluted back & stormed out from the cabin.
That’s all for today. Waiting for reviews.