After meeting Amit & Mr Patel Chaits was now restless. Alisha saw him restless & sat next to him & hugged him to comfort him.
“Don’t worry Chaits, I’m with you on every step & we’ll win this battle for justice. It’s a matter of few days – everything will be alright”
Chaits felt a bit of relief as Alisha hugged him & assured success. He got up & brought his laptop, put in on a charge & switched it ‘ON’.
“Alisha! I want you to memorise the faces of Vicky & his friends. Most of the time I’ll be driving & may not be able to get the eyes off the road – so you’d be the one who’d have to keep a watch on the road & around.”
Alisha nodded as Chaits opened the pictures from his college days. Alisha was amazed at Chaits’ photo-shop skills as Chaits opened those photos, cut the necessary faces out of the groups & paste them in a separate folder, changing the attributes to make them more clear & recognizable.
Then he got a pen drive & copied them into the pen drive “Tomorrow, morning, the first thing – I’ll get you the prints so that you’ll have copies at all times.”
Alisha was checking the photos Chaits had saved trying to memorize the faces. She looked at a photo – she recalled the feeling of dread that she’d experienced when Chaits had shown her these snapshots in Delhi “Who’s this?” she asked & Chaits realized, he’d not put names for Alisha to identify.
“He’s Vicky – he’s the one we need to get “said Chaits clenching his fists. Then he opened those again & typed out each person’s name in bold. Then he turned to other folders – maybe he might get a better photo that’d identify them more clearly.
“Alisha, it’s been just about 2-4 years for these photos & I’m sure the features wouldn’t have changed drastically for us not to recognise them, but it’s possible, they may have altered their features by changing or sporting their styles in beards & moustaches to avoid easy identification…
“Ya – that’s possible – but, don’t you worry – my profession has taught me to recognise criminals in any makeup or makeover” said Alisha confidently.
“I’ll try to work further on these photos with different kinds of makeovers so it’ll be easier for you…”
He opened other folder for looking at more photos of these criminals – the photos of his friends started appearing & Alisha put a comforting hand around him. As he clicked on – Priti’s photo popped up on the screen & Chaits stopped clicking & blankly stared at her face, tears overflowing. Alisha patted him comfortingly & disappeared in bedroom to sleep – leaving Chaits to with his memories of Priti…
Alisha woke up – they’d slept late & she’d been uncomfortable. She was not yet accustomed to the hot and humid climate of Sundernagar – further the events kept on popping in her mind as Amit had described vividly & she was concerned about Chaits. It was about 9:30 am when she looked at her watch.
She was feeling guilty – she should have been sitting with Chaits & not leaving him alone with his grief & memories of Priti… She got up & peeped in hall – Chaits wasn’t there – there was a note scribbled out for her.
‘Thanks: Alisha – I needed that time alone to refresh memories of my Pinky and to decide on my plan to action. I’m going out to get the prints of the photos & will return by 10:00 am – I’m glad – I’ve a staunch best friend like you & do really feel proud to have won over a nice person who does understand my needs & is ready to stride in any dangerous situation without even thinking of the risks involved. I’m greatly indebted please do not misunderstand me – I’m a bit stressed out & cannot rest till I get those bastards…’
Alisha read the note & smiled.
“Hmmm – Chaits is getting over the shock & coming around to his original self.” she said to herself as she started freshening up & ready for action that’d follow – but a portion of her thoughts was concerned & feared for safety of Chaits…
Soon Chaits returned with a folder & the printouts of the photos he had saved on the pen drive. Alisha was ready & all dressed up in comfortable top & jeans that’d allow free movement. She handed over a cup of coffee she’d brewed which Chaits sipped gratefully while Alisha neatly arranged the prints in a folder.
Chaits fished out his revolver from the bag & checked it for its free operation. Filled in the bullets & hung it on the shoulder holster which he hid under the jacket he wore…
“Chaits…” Alisha’s tone was firm & stern, “You promised – you’ll not kill them, but hand them alive to the law”
“Yes! Dear Alisha… I remember my promise… I’ll hand them over to the law… ALIVE”
Yet again Alisha was concerned when Chaits stressed on the word – alive. She wasn’t convinced but decided not to stress the issue & looked questioningly at the revolver that Chaits was strapping into his shoulder holster.
“Don’t worry – this is for self-protection. The college days were different they used to be armed with hockey sticks & chains – but now they’ve graduated & use weapons like, iron rods, knives & locally made pistols – so I don’t wait to take the risk – I know even you’ve a revolver with you – please do carry it with you – just in case…”
Alisha thought on what Chaits said & decided that Chaits was correct in minimising risks & got out her revolver & loaded it before tucking it in her hand bag.
Soon they were in Shushrusha hospital wearing those operation theatre masks showing Amit the folder & confirming that they’d be able to recognize the gang members as well getting information about places frequented by them…
They left the hospital in quest of Justice for Priti & her friends who had perished in flames of madness…
Chaits parked the car to the main market near Pooja’s Youth Cafe. They ate a hearty breakfast knowing they’d be late for their meal as they’d be going toward the outskirts of Sundernagar driving through shanty establishments looking out to meet at least one person who would give them a clue where to hunt for those bastards…
Alisha tied a scarf on her face & put on sunglasses to avoid easy recognition. They had hardly stepped out of the cafe’ when Alisha tapped Chaits & pointed “Raj…” she said.
Chaits got a glimpse of him & made a sudden dash to get hold of him. Raj unaware that Chaits was rushing toward him was waiting impatiently for someone – smoking & letting out circles of smoke in air.
A car stopped beside him. He waived to the people inside & sat in… Chaits had almost reached when the car started & zoomed off with Raj. Chaits stopped short huffing & puffing of his mad dash & looked back – Alisha had just stopped running & was walking briskly toward him.
As she neared Chaits wistfully asked, “What? You chicken?”
Alisha looked at him angrily… he could sense her anger even if he couldn’t see her angry eyes “No one calls me a chick or a chicken” she flared up, “I’m sorry, I couldn’t run fast – these shoes aren’t comfortable – I need shoes that are comfortable so that I run along with you…”
“Hey! I’m sorry I said that,” said Chaits realizing he may’ve hurt Alisha’s feelings, “maybe, I reacted a bit more than I should have for the frustration of not being able to get him…”
“It is okay.” said Alisha, cold in her voice… obviously she was still angry about Chaits’ remark, “Let’s find a pair of shoes that’ll help me keep up the pace with you.”
They shopped for shoes till Alisha got a pair she was comfortable with… and she packed another pair similar to those… they walked back to the car… “Hey! I said I’m sorry”
Alisha’s temper cooled down a bit as she said, “That’s better – Chaits. I’m here to help you fight for your friends’ justice – so please do believe me”
Chaits nodded & held her hand “I do believe you – more than I do myself” and started the car and they neared the shanty establishments…
Chaits slowed the car & started driving carefully not to miss any lane while Alisha kept a careful watch not to miss any face that was visible… They waited patiently at those peculiar Chai Nukkads’ in their car waiting for some character to show up – but in vain…
Finally they gave up about 8:30pm & started on their way back – dejected at an unproductive day. On the way back Chaits stopped at a shop – he wanted to buy a powerful torch. He finished the transaction and handed the packet to Alisha who kept it in the car. She was pondering over what next when she saw Chaits’ expression change.
She looked in the direction which Chaits was gazing. She saw a face she recognised as a novice who was trying to get into Vicky’s gang & she looked at Chaits.
But Chaits was not there & looked around to see Chaits rushing out across the road…
They were sitting there casually smoking & chatting at the Chai Nukkad when one of them saw Chaits run toward them. He mentioned this to the others who turned around to see who it was… The novice immediately recognised Chaits & raised alarm to his friends who got up in anticipation. Like a destructive tornado that enters to destruct a town – Chaits entered their ring of defence and in swift moves Chaits tackled three of them who didn’t have a chance to understand what hit them. One of them ran away from the scene while the novice watched his eyes full of fear as he saw his ring of defence broken by Chaits within seconds & terrified started running away from Chaits.
Chaits followed him as a cheetah would follow the ill fortuned prey & soon gained the lead in the race as he shortened the distance between him & the novice…
The novice was now running at full speed fearing his life & looked back momentarily to gauge the distance between him & Chaits and that exactly was his mistake as he lost his momentum & Chaits gained access. Since they were running hard Chaits instead of grabbing the novice pushed him hard further & he lost his balance & hit the lamp post in a dirty impact & bounced… He & fell right in front of Chaits who stood there like a towering death…
He rolled over – blood streaming from his nose & forehead. He looked at towering Chaits standing in front of him & lost all hope of escape. Then from corner of his eyes, he saw his friends approach Chaits from behind & saw a ray of hope & started rolling away from Chaits to get his attention & not allowing him to look behind. Chaits took a step toward him but did nothing – he was keeping enough distance to plant a kick if need be…
The others who came up from behind thought they’d easily ambush Chaits from back & would gain as he wasn’t aware. Suddenly, they heard a girl scream warning to Chaits who turned around in time to avoid the ambush & repel the attack with firm kicks & boxes. They lay in a heap – motionless they had not expected the impact that Chaits’ punch had… Chaits turned around in dismay… he realized the novice had run away.
He saw him disappear round the corner of a building, but suddenly reappeared reeling holding his stomach in pain… Chaits rushed toward him and he saw Alisha appear behind the novice & plant another firm kick on his stomach… He staggered & reeled under this sudden attack & fell down…
Chaits picked him up by his collar & he stood – still stunned…
“I saw Raj today…where’s he?”
The novice looked dazed at Chaits & muttered “I don’t know…”
Chaits planted a heavy box between his wind & water He gasped & buckled up. He slowly moved & rolled over Chaits planted a powerful kick on his shin & he cried out loud in pain even as Alisha heard a snap of his bone. Then another powerful kick in his ribs and again the snap of broken bones…
“Listen you” said Chaits in a threatening tone,” I got nothing to do with you – I don’t want to hurt you – Gimme the information I need & I’ll drop you at the nearest police station – safe. But don’t gimme the information I need & I’ll keep breaking your bones – one by one – which is painful – it’s your choice…”
The novice looked petrified at Chaits & sensed his doom. He could see no hint of any mercy in Chaits’ eyes. He looked at Chaits who was about to deliver another kick…
He threw up his arms interior & begged for mercy. “I’ll tell you whatever I know – please don’t hurt me anymore.”
“Talk” said Chaits & the novice rattled out everything he knew as a parrot just learned to talk…
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