She pulled out her revolver from her hand bag & rushed to the spot where Chaits & Suraj lay – motionless…
Her eyes filled with tears as she looked at Chaits soaked in blood lying there she quickly acted and called her correspondent colleague from Pune who acted quickly. Within five minutes – an ambulance stood there with primary lifesaving measures.
Even as they lifted bodies of Chaits & Suraj – a police van belonging to rural Maharashtra sirened in – They wanted the bodies to be shifted to Sassoon Hospital at Pune. But then Chaits’ mobile rang & Alisha picked it up. It was Inspector Sharma who’d called Chaits to know if he had any info about Vicky & his gang.
Alisha introduced herself & related the incident to Inspector Sharma who then asked to speak to the attending doctor & the inspector. Soon the ambulance sped on the express way & in about go 120 minutes – they were at Shushrusha Hospital in Sundernagar.
The 120 minute travel to Sushrusha Hospital was the longest for Alisha who sat in the ambulance holding Chaits’ hand & anxiously watched the doctor & the nurse clean the blood on Chaits & identify points where bullets had pierced his body.
She could not control her tears as they identified at least 5 different spots on his body. In fact of those, she could still see bullets half pierced & protruding from 4 spots on his chest & stomach. She couldn’t watch them being pulled out & blood oozing out along with them.
It was about 2 hours in the operation theatre when a tired looking doctor came out to announce that Suraj was dead even before he would’ve been put in the ambulance & that – Chaits was safe.
They had fished out about seven bullets out of his body of which 4 were fished out in the ambulance.
“Fortunately” said the doctor, “the bullets had not harmed Chaits much. Most of those bullets had passed thru Suraj’s body & pricked him like a thorn would… There were two bullets that had pierced & pricked his back after hitting a rock & the splinters of that rock had also pierced his back – “It’s a miracle – I’d say they’re just bruises…”
“But, I know him well – he’s not someone who would pass out due to bruises” said Alisha in concern.
“My dear lady – he first must’ve passed out due to something hitting his head hard – it must have been the rock & then he started losing blood & obviously the pain would have been of a high degree… Further the doctor who rendered first aid on the ambulance injected a pain killer which must have soothed him.”
“Can I meet him?” Alisha pleaded “No – not now he’ll be under observation till tomorrow evening. If everything goes well we’ll release him in 2-3 days.”
Alisha looked helplessly around but knew that she won’t be permitted. She suddenly recollected meeting Dr Chaitali & proceeded to meet her Dr Chaitali assured that she’d watch keep a watch on Chaits’ health personally & keep her informed every 4 hrs.
Alisha then left the hospital & met Mr Patel who was concerned about Chaits…. Looking at Mr Patel’s stress, Alisha decided to stay with him till Chaits was released from the hospital… She’d ensure that Mr Patel’s health won’t go down in his concern for Chaits…
Inspector Sharma was fuming angry that Chaits had not informed him about this development & his visit to Pune. Had he known – he’d have arranged someone to go along with Chaits to protect him.
He was also furious to know that Alisha Fire was in town & knew more about this issue than the police… He hated news reporters, they had a knack of letting the cat out of the bag – even before the action could be taken – thus helping criminals indirectly by letting them know what’s happening around…
But he secretly admired Alisha’s guts. She was different than all others from press… Alisha worked to fight the crime – sincerely – and was not a normal news hounding reporter.
He waited patiently for Chaits to regain… He sat next to the bed where Chaits lay – almost in a sitting position. He looked angrily at Chaits who knew that this anger was directed for not informing him about his trip to Pune.
“Son – I think – I made a mistake by allowing you to stay on I thought – you’d provide me the info & I’d be doing all the action… I think that’s what we agreed upon – right?”
“I understand what you say, Sir – but it was not intentional – we had a clue – so we went there trying to know – when Pakya’s appointment would be with the doctor. I had no idea Suraj would be travelling in the same train. When I saw him – I tried to grab him but he jumped off the train – I followed – I had him captured & was going to get him here & hand him over to you. What I didn’t know – he’d be covered by his men or Vicky’s men who’d fire to kill – I had been there on a hunch & to get correct information to give you…”
Inspector Sharma looked at him & decided he was speaking truth… “I’ll believe you this time. By the way I don’t want you to let your information to news reporters… ”
“Why should I share any information with them?” asked Chaits bewildered
“Pray – then tell me how the hell did Ms Alisha fire know what you’re doing & where you were going?”
“Oh! Inspector – she’s my best friend & is helping me in my quest for justice – she’s not reporting any of this to her newsroom…. She’s here with me to help me…”
Inspector Sharma shrugged & said, “Whatever – but see to it that no information is leaked to the press.”
“Don’t worry about it, Sir – but I’ve some more information about Vicky for you…”
Inspector Sharma had his ears to Chaits now, “Shoot”
“It seems that Vicky has now parted ways with the Kingpin & has started his own setup. Kingpin is angry about this and has promised reward to anyone who kills Vicky. His men are combing different areas to get to Vicky. He may know Vicky’s hideout… I can get you the information about Kingpin’s whereabouts as soon as I’m released from this place…”
Inspector Sharma took this bait & reminded Chaits – rather warned him that if he tries likewise stunt again – he would be escorted & held at Delhi till investigations are over… All Chaits could do was – agree.
Alisha tried meeting Chaits but in vain – the police cordon was heavy and the orders were strict – even Dr Chaitali was not allowed to see him.
Chaits was dismissed on 3rd day. He was all strength, back after 2 days of rest though the healing wounds still ached. But he could live with them – they seemed like normal pain that he endured many a time after a tough football match. He was used to it. He was glad – Amit was being released as well along with him…
Amit didn’t want to go home… he wanted to be with Chaits. The fire of revenge was burning strong within… They first went to Pooja’s – a joint they regularly visited over a healthy snack & coffee Amit explained as much as he could about new friends of Vicky. They sat there & devised a plan to find & interrogate all contacts of Vicky to who Amit knew…
They caught up the local paanwalla who was in regular touch with Vicky & Kingpin’s men. Two tight slaps from Chaits made him talk like a parrot.
Within minutes, Chaits & Amit were sitting across Inspector Sharma’s desk. The police had started their interrogation of the ‘paanwalla’ in another room.
“I’m glad – you kept your word Chaits. Now I’m going to speak to the Kingpin – my way” said Inspector Sharma and got up from his seat…
“I’ll join you…” said Chaits.
“No – son – I cannot risk your life”
“Do not worry, Sir, I can take care of myself – further you’d need me to identify Vicky’s close men from the entire band that Kingpin hires – I’m sure you’d want such people – unharmed – most important – alive…”
Inspector Sharma nodded & waived him to follow him…
Chaits handed his mobile to Amit & said, “If Alisha calls – ask her where she is and join her – I’ll join you by evening – I’m going with Inspector Sharma…”
“Please take care, Chaits” Amit almost spoke to the closed door as Chaits hurried out of the cabin behind Inspector Sharma.
Chaits joined Inspector Sharma who’d finished briefing his men. Chaits looked at them – they looked mean, determined & all were in plain clothes – not in uniform. Even Inspector Sharma was in plain clothes.
“Don’t look amazed, Chaits I’m sure you’d have seen such scenes in movies – but, now you’re going to experience it… We’re going in plain clothes so that no alert is sounded to the Kingpin. The plan is like this…”
Soon Chaits entered a murky resto-bar toward outskirts of Sundernagar.
He saw Inspector Sharma already seated on a table – seemingly sipping a glass of hard liquor. He ambled across carelessly around the bar & finally approached the table where Inspector Sharma was seated and sat there… He waived to the bar boy for a bottle of beer. The bar boy kept the beer in front of Chaits & waited next to him with some expectation…
Chaits took out his wallet & fished out a Rs100 note & offered his tip. The bar boy looked at the wad of notes in his wallet & ambled back to the bar counter. He waived a signal to somebody who moved in and tapped Chaits on his shoulder…
“Never seen you around – new to Sundernagar?” he asked casually
Chaits nodded but was alert for any sudden moves.
“What brings you here in such an outside place – away from Sundernagar?”
Chaits looked at that person casually & said, “Someone told me that I could gamble in this area – I tried searching that joint – but it seems they made a fool of me…”
The person pulled up a chair next to him & sat beside him & said in a low voice “Well – your info is correct – there’s a gambling den in this area – since it’s illegal – they’re careful… how much do you have – I mean what kind of money are you willing to gamble?”
Chaits looked at the man & smiled “I have about 10 grand with me today but I plan to play around with a sum about a 100,000. That’s something I can arrange from my bank.”
“Follow me…” he waived on to Chaits. He stopped & looked sceptically at the old frame of Inspector Sharma who got up & started following them…
“Not you – old man!” he said
“Why not?” Inspector Sharma asked as he pulled out his wallet & showed the money he was carrying “I have twice the amount than him with me & I love to gamble – if his 10 grand are good – I believe my 20 are better – what say?”
The guy looked at him & waived him to join them. They entered a lobby. Inspector Sharma stubbed his cigarette out to notify his force that the contact was successful.
Soon they were seated at separate tables, gambling, but keeping a wary eye around to check if any familiar face can be seen.
Chaits lost about 2 grand in as many tables – he never had gambled before. The table was about to be redefined when Chaits from corner of his eyes saw 3-4 thugs moving stealthily toward Inspector Sharma.
He raised his little finger to others and said he will join them on the next table & stood up. Inspector Sharma noticed Chaits standing up & realized something was wrong. Chaits signalled him with his eyes to watch his back. Inspector Sharma nodded & started playing again. Chaits could see a door next to the table where Inspector Sharma was gambling… He made his way toward the door & deliberately paused to ask direction to the toilet.
Even as he took directions, those thugs moved near Inspector Sharma… One of them tapped him on his shoulder. Inspector Sharma turned to look who tapped him the other thug quickly moved to other side & raised his club to hit Inspector Sharma.
The thug at first couldn’t understand why his club felt suddenly heavy & turned around to investigate. He saw Chaits firmly holding the club.
“Hey! It’s not nice to attack someone from behind – especially – an old man…” said Chaits yanking the club from his hand.
Inspector Sharma realizing this stood up & looked at the thugs & said, “The young man’s right if you want to fight – challenge me – I still have the guts & the strength in my old bones to take any challenge like this… and now I know, your gambling den is eyewash – you only want people to loose & if someone like me starts winning – I’m unwelcome – right?”
The thugs closed in on Inspector Sharma… Chaits was in two minds – if he joined the melee, it would give them away – if he doesn’t would the old Inspector Sharma fight on his own?
Chaits decided to wait for a couple of minutes to check the situation…
He was amazed at strength of agility displayed by Inspector Sharma… in less than a minute those thugs lay in a heap even as Inspector Sharma turned around and picked the money on the table & put it in his pocket; he found about 10-15 more advancing him from all sides…
“Be ready, Chaits” he muttered as he tackled 2 thugs who rushed on him. Chaits saw about 5-6 rush toward the melee to attack Inspector Sharma from behind…
They closed in – they didn’t have a chance even to understand what hit them as Chaits moved swiftly & planted his well calculated boxes & kicks. Soon they lay in a heap as well…
“I admire you,” said Inspector Sharma “I have seen you tackle my colleague – but – by God – you fight well…”
“I admire you for the strength & agility that you possess at your age” said Chaits
They went through another few minutes of melee as more thugs joined the heap of already injured thugs…
Suddenly 2 thugs who looked real menacing & cold blooded drew locally manufactured crude pistols & pointed one each at Chaits & the Inspector… with equal vigour both Chaits & Inspector Sharma pulled out their guns & pointed them back.
There was an eerie silence around for a couple of minutes – when they heard a door next to the billing counter open…
Chaits looked around to see at least 10 more thugs join in with crude pistols He looked at Inspector Sharma for next move & braced himself for any eventuality. Both he and Inspector Sharma had pulled out their guns in response…
“We are not here for a shootout” said Inspector addressing everyone in that room, “for you to believe I’m going to put my gun back in its holster.” He did that slowly & signalled Chaits to do the same Chaits reluctantly obeyed & put the gun back in its holster. “We wanted to have a little chat with the Kingpin “said Inspector Sharma.
At the mention of Kingpin the thugs were taken aback but maintained their stance of pointing their guns at the duo that stood there.
“I’d like to know who wants to meet the Kingpin. I want to know who has the courage to invade Kingpin’s den & fight a dozen of his men & point guns at others” a pompous voice boomed from the door behind the counter…
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