Reshimbandh~Silken Threads

24. Hush lil baby don't you cry

Note : Disturbing and distressing portions ahead, reader's discretion advised.

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ETF 

Noon,

Chotu knocked on Sameer's cabin and walked in. "Sir, there's a consignment of arms, scheduled to land in Mumbai tonight."

"I will talk to the Coast Guard and -"

"Sir, my informer said we should involve as few outside people as possible."

"It will be a conflict of interest if we interfere in their territory. Let me see what is to be done, meanwhile, get me more details."

"Yes sir."

Sameer called Arjun as soon as Chotu left. "Rawte, in my cabin, now."

After the briefing, Arjun asked. "Consignment? Tonight? What are they planning?" 

"Something big?" Sameer wondered.

"We don't have much time, then."

"Where's Neha?"

"I don't know." Arjun sighed. 

"What is going on with her?"

"Good morning, Chief! Missed me?" Neha chimed in.

"Morning?" Samer glanced at his watch, "It's noon!" 

"It's morning when you awaken..." She said in a sing song manner, earning glares from the two commanders. 

"Where were you?" Arjun asked.

"Tried to run away with my girlfriend, unsuccessfully," she pouted.

Sameer shook his head, "We are preparing for a raid tonight."

"Noice, who are we busting?"

"I'll share the details soon." Sameer picked up a file.

"Cool." She nodded and left.

~

Neha's desk

"Is he the friend you were trying to run away with?" Arjun showed one of the pictures Sakshi shared. 

"What?" Neha burst into an awkward laugh, "it was a joke, bhaiya. I don't even know this man."

Arjun put forth a packet, "I haven't opened this, you're free to do so and let me know if you need to talk about it." he walked out. 

Neha took a deep breath before opening the packet, her hands shivered as she pulled out the pictures. Her eyes reddened in anger shuffling through the pictures of her time with Sikander. 

~

Neha walked into Arjun's cabin, "Bhaiya, those pictures are fake." 

Arjun tilted his head, "You sure?"

"Yeah," she nodded, "the ones in the hotel and club are real. I had some small talk with the man while waiting for my friend in the lobby and we happened to meet again in the club where I was, with my friend."

"So, he's your friend?" 

"No, I don't even know his name. We had a small talk while waiting. So these pictures are from the few minutes of interaction we had, out of courtesy. But I'm not sure why someone would want to edit those pictures like that. By the way, who gave them to you?"

"Sakshi." 

Neha narrowed her eyes. "I'll handle this, don't worry." 

"It is okay to go out with friends but you have to be careful, Neha. If someone tried to manipulate a few minutes of random interaction like this, then you're in trouble. Whoever edited this has some motive to do so and you can't fall prey to it." Arjun sighed. "Let me know if there's anything I should help you with, although you are very much capable." He said with a hint of sarcasm.