Alisha was concerned… Chaits had promised to be back by midnight – it was past one & he hadn’t yet returned…
She was wondering what she could do – she thought of calling Chaits but then decided not to – he may be riding back. She felt better when she heard Chaits’ bike vroom in – it was quiet out there & every vehicle that passed could be heard.
She heard the door bell & peeped thru the keyhole – she saw Chaits & opened the door. He looked gloomy.
“Hey! Chaits! What happened?”
He shook his head & sat dejectedly… he related what happened at the lodge…
“I think, I’m going to be escorted back to Delhi – Inspector Sharma seems to be stern… I’m sorry, Alisha – but I’ll need your help again to escape from Delhi to return to Sundernagar”
Alisha sensed his dejection & hugged him to comfort him “Not much to ask for – if we could do it once – we can – again” Chaits put an arm around her & hugged her for comfort…
Sharp a 3 pm; Chaits entered the main police station of Sundernagar. He asked for Inspector Sharma & was promptly escorted to his cabin. Chaits sat, uneasy at the feeling that he was going to be escorted back to Delhi by police, waiting for Inspector Sharma to arrive…
Soon Inspector Sharma sat in front of him & smiled smugly – shedding his stern expression for the first time.
“Well – I’ve been thinking a lot since I met you yesterday. I’d like you to answer few questions first & I expect straight & honest answers…”
Chaits nodded nervously & looked expecting grilling questions to be hurled at him…. Inspector Sharma started firing his questions…
Q: “How did you get a revolver – the one that you pointed at me?”
A: “I’m a national champion for pistol shooting & I got a license for it…”
Q: “Why didn’t you fire it when you got assaulted… Yesterday”
A: “I’m not a killer to shoot any person – I’d rather fight with my fists than shoot with my revolver.”
Q: “How did you manage to evade police in Delhi & reach Sundernagar?”
A: “I travelled by road & shifted in at least 3 vehicles then by train & bus reached here…”
Q: “Did Ms Alisha fire help you escape the police?”
A: “She received me at airport (here Chaits avoided eye contact)”
Q: “How did you know that Raj was staying in that lodge?”
A: “I got hold off a person who was close to Vicky’s friends & managed to get this information…”
Q: “Do you know how many broken bones did that poor bloke have?”
A: “Frankly, Sir, I didn’t count & I don’t care – I want justice for my Pinky… and I have promised my best friend Alisha that I will not kill them – but hand them alive to police…”
Inspector Sharma paused for a moment & looked at Chaits & gave his smug smile again “I’ve decided – I’ll not send you back to Delhi – and you can stay here & fight your battle for justice – but on one strict condition… I must know everything – every bit of information that you receive about Vicky or his gang. That’ll ensure two things. One, I can ensure your safety, Two – I know what’s happening under my nose….”
Chaits seemed relieved at this generous gesture by Inspector Sharma…
“I liked the way you tackled Inspector More yesterday I liked your steady hand on the pistol & your calm mind that was alert & not wanting to pull that trigger in hurry. It took my force almost 3 weeks to know Raj’s hideout which you did in 3 days – I can use your contacts & information…”
A relieved Chaits got up & thanked him for his generosity. As he walked out Inspector Sharma reminded him of his condition that every piece of information must be passed over to him & they exchanged their phone numbers.
Alisha rushed to the door – she wanted to know what happened with Chaits’ meet with Inspector Sharma. She looked at relieved expression on Chaits – she knew he’d managed to convince Inspector Sharma and would be staying in Sundernagar in his quest of justice for Priti.
“Chaits” Alisha said a bit excited as Chaits looked expectantly at her knowing that she had some information about Vicky or his group “By the time you met Inspector Sharma, I looked around on the internet & coordinated with my colleagues in Mumbai office…” Chaits waited patiently for her to blurt out her research… “Pakya – one of Vicky’s closest members of his gang can be tracked – at least we have some hope of getting hold of him…”
Now Chaits was interested in what Alisha had found about Pakya… “How?”
“Well – it seems he’s too soft hearted for hard core crimes but is now neck deep in crimes and this has steadily been taking toll on his psyche… he’s been in touch off with lots of psychiatric therapists to get out of his mental stress. The news is – he’s currently being treated by a psychiatric based in Pune …”
Alisha could see expression of Chaits change as he looked at this opportunity “That’s real good news Alisha – if we can get hold of him – we can get the rest of them easily… but, the question is we need more information…”
Alisha smiled, “I’ve the required Information – I got the doctor’s name & address – all we need to do is – visit & get information. What I understand is – the place’s about 4-5 hours from here – we can leave tomorrow morning & return by evening…”
“Yes! We can definitely do that – let’s go by car…”
“I’ll suggest we take the early morning train that reaches by 10 am. That’s fast & safe… I don’t mean to say I don’t trust your driving skills “she added hastily…
“Why do you want to go by train? In fact if we drive – it’ll hardly take us about 3 hours to reach – especially now that the express way is functional…”
“Hold your horse Chaits what I heard is – Pakya normally takes that train & returns by the train that starts about 3pm reaching here at about 7pm – he’s due for his appointment – I’m keeping my fingers crossed – we may bump into him tomorrow–”
Chaits could not hold his whistle – there definitely was a ray of hope on the horizon. He agreed to Alisha’s plan & started packing the things he would need to carry along for train to Pune… Next morning they boarded the train as planned. Alisha was travelling on this route for the first time & was breathless as she watched the beauty of nature when the train crossed over the Sahayadri mountain range – passing through lot of tunnels amid breath taking views of mountains & valleys.
They reached Pune on time & hired an auto to the psychiatrist’s clinic. They had about 2 hours to kill when they realized that the doctor’s visiting hours were 12pm to 4pm. They decided to grab lunch by the time. They got an appointment to meet the doctor at about 2 pm.
They wandered around the area looking around at the city’s shops in the neighbouring area. Sharp at 2 pm they were waiting for the doctor to meet them.
They entered the consulting room – the doctor looked agape – her eyes not ready to believe – she was looking at the famous Alisha Fire sitting across the table with a tough looking handsome guy…
“Oh! Hi! What brings the famous Ms Alisha Fire to my consultancy…?” she beamed at Alisha.
Alisha fished out the photo of Pakya that Chaits had printed & held it in front of the doctor, “I want to know all the details about this person – I know – he’s your patient & takes consultancy from you…”
The doctor looked at the photo & immediately recognised Pakya “I cannot give you any details – it’s against professional ethics…”
Alisha explained the situation & Pakya’s role in the event that had shocked the world. Doctor looked aghast as Alisha finished relating the events & the motive of their search… “I simply cannot bring myself to believe what you say – but knowing you as a reporter & your reputation of fighting crimes – fearlessly – I think, I should let you know whatever I know…”
Alisha & Chaits now had all ears to the doctor – they didn’t want to miss out on any clue.
“I knew or was rather told by Prakash that in his college days he had been close to Lucky & Vicky who are the main culprits… however… he had started distancing himself from them as they had deviated from petty college politics & were on the verge of becoming hard core criminals…
The doctor looked at their attentive faces & carried on “I’m treating him for a ‘fear psychosis’ he fears that Lucky’s going to kill him…”
“Lucky?” Chaits asked in disbelief, “He is dead…”
“That’s the point – he fears that Lucky – who is dead – is going to kill him. He believes that Lucky is still alive & it’s Vicky who’s protecting him from Lucky. Now that’s a dangerous mental disorder…. I get to meet him only once in 2-3 months. It’s his brother who visits me to tell me his current state of mind & to get a prescription for his medical dose – if I feel a need to change his medicines. He normally visits me once a week or once a fortnight.”
“You said – you get to meet him once in 2-3 months – but all this happened just a few weeks ago…” said a confused Alisha.
“Yes – I know that this happened just few weeks ago – but I’ve been treating him since last year. He was repentant to have been so close to his friends who were on the verge of becoming hard core criminals & wanted me to help him with mental strength to leave their gang. He was close to them & knew they would kill him if he parted ways. Now I believe they’re holding him captive – they cannot afford his freedom”
“Why do you believe so?”
“For one reason – his friends know he has a soft heart & he could easily be pressurized by police & he’d rattle out everything he knows – and that can be dangerous for them… secondly… the prescription for change of medicines was collected by his mean looking friend today & not by his brother…”
Chaits was trying hard to remember if Pakya ever had a brother, but came back to reality in a moment. Pakya’s friend had collected the prescription TODAY!
“When did be collect the prescription”
“Around 2 pm today – why?”
Even as doctor spoke – both Chaits & Alisha were up in a flash & gone. Someone had been there & they had missed him in matter of few minutes – here & there… They looked around to see in a desperate hope to see someone but couldn’t – dejected – they came back & entered the doctor’s cabin…
“I think – we missed him…” said. Alisha,” when’s the next meeting fixed?”
“Next Thursday – I’ll call you & let you know what time” said the doctor.
Chaits gave her his mobile number & they left.
Both of them felt dejected on missing this opportunity. Now they were supposed to wait till next Thursday to get hold of one of them.
They entered the railway platform and at the saw the 3 pm train & watched the train slowly move out. It was not moving at a very high speed. “C’mon Chaits – let’s board this train” Alisha started running parallel to the train & Chaits followed. They managed to jump into the last bogey of the train even as it started gathering speed.
Chaits looked at the passengers, the bogies were interconnected & they started moving & crossing bogies. Alisha had wound her dupatta around her face to avoid recognition. They had about 18 bogies to cross and search the passengers.
They train was crowded & they could make their way slowly. In about 30 minutes they had crossed about 5 bogies which were heavily crowded. They were bogies where one could travel without a seat reservation.
Once they entered the section where only those passengers with valid seat reservations could travel – they could move ahead easily…
The train was slowing down to a red signal as they crossed over another bogey. Chaits stopped & turned around. He removed the small sack off his shoulder standing still… “Alisha hold this bag…” said Chaits & Alisha took the bag from him. Chaits turned around & swiftly started moving ahead. Alisha looked in the direction Chaits was making.
“Oh! My God!” she exclaimed trying to recollect the name of person she saw sitting at the other end of the bogie… “Suraj!” she recollected the name even as Suraj saw Chaits advancing toward him… The train had started gathering momentum now as signal turned Yellow.
Suraj knew he was trapped & ran toward the door & calculated the speed. He felt comfortable as he realized that the speed was not at all great & jumped out. Chaits saw him jumping out & yanked the door nearest to him open and jumped out behind him.
By the time Alisha reached the nearest door – the train had now reached a speed where it was dangerous jumping out.
Passengers travelling in that bogie looked first in disbelief when Suraj had jumped out & then with amazement when Chaits followed… They looked expectantly at Alisha to follow them. But Alisha coolly pulled at the emergency alarm chain of the train and it started slowing down again.
Alisha jumped out even before the train screeched to a halt. She was a good half a mile away from the place where Chaits had jumped out & started running toward the back of the train.
She looked around & saw Chaits running behind Suraj on the other side of the track… Soon Chaits gained on him & tackled him… they both fell & Alisha started running toward them.
Chaits got up & planted a fearful box on Suraj who fell down again & screamed in agony… Chaits pulled & twisted his arm & Suraj screamed in agony again. “Why do you scream now – you bastard you watched the fun when my friends died – now it’s your turn…” and Chaits planted a powerful kick in his ribs. He could hear the snap of Suraj’s rib cage’s broken bones above the heart rending scream of agony from Suraj…
Alisha could sense Chaits’ fury & could imagine the snaps of Suraj’s broken bones even as she hurried toward them. She stopped as she saw Chaits in his fury. “Oh! God! Please stop Chaits from killing him” she murmured a prayer.
Her heart missed a beat as she saw Suraj’s body suddenly shiver & jump towards Chaits & then go limp. She saw Chaits falling flat to avoid something & crawl around to nearest rock. He then sprang from the rock toward Suraj & grabbed him.”
He was almost dragging Suraj who was numb & limping along with. They reached the rock where Chaits had crawled. To her horror she saw the flying chips of rock & understood that someone was firing bullets at them. She could see Suraj hit by few more bullets & knew he was dead…
Chaits now was holding Suraj’s dead body as a shield when she saw Chaits shudder & fall down. Someone had shot him from other side. Then she saw three men running away & jumping in a parked jeep. They drove off in hurry. She looked out toward other side to see if someone was still lurking around…
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