Secrets of the Past (Completed)

18. The Undercover Cop

Finding no words to describe their shock, Ranvijay asked, “so this changes the whole plot. Definitely, it’s a surprise. But for now, let her be hidden Vasundhara. No one should know her real identity. Her life is in danger, especially from Arnav.”

************************

More than 10 days had passed, but there was nothing progressive. The family were their usual self, except for some daily soap drama between Devyani Raizada and her daughter in law.

But there was someone, waiting for a chance to get his hold on her and finish her off. Except that she was always surrounded by either the family or the officers.

*************

26th February 2020, night at the guesthouse

Kushi was sitting in the living room reading some book. She was so engrossed that she didn’t realize the whole family was sitting in the dining hall waiting for her to join them for dinner.

Anjali came towards her and kept her hand on Kushi’s shoulder, when suddenly, she was pushed away.

Before she could fall, Shyam held Anjali and made her steady. Looking at Kushi, Shyam asked in a barely controlled temper.

“Kushi, what is this, Anjali came to call you for dinner, but you….”

Hearing his disappointed voice, Kushi apologized “I'm so so sorry Di, I was so engrossed in the story that I thought the ghost character from the book was trying to pull me.”

Laughing at her silly excuse, the 3 of them reached the dining hall.

Arnav was seriously discussing something with his PA Aman, when the phone was snatched from him abruptly. Furious at the intervention, he turned to see his beloved wife standing with a sweet smile on her face.

Controlling his temper and anger, he composed himself and asked her in a calm voice.

Arnav “Kushi, I was discussing something important. Please give my phone, I promise I’ll finish the call soon and join you. And one more thing, tell NK that I want to have a chat with him privately.”

Pouting, she gave the phone back and went towards the dining table and sat near NK.

“NKji, Arnavji wants to talk to you alone tonight. He told me to inform you that he will be waiting for you at the terrace.”

Whispering these words, Kushi casually started serving Arnav’s and her plate with the dishes.

NK was perplexed. If Arnav wanted to talk to him, he could have told him directly, why did he send the message through Kushi? He thought of clarifying his doubt with Arnav when he returned to the table.

********************

27th February 2020, early morning, terrace garden at the CBI guesthouse

Wondering why Arnav suddenly changed the time and wanted to meet him early in the morning, NK arrived at the terrace garden and was waiting for him.

He was walking to and fro when the door to the terrace opened. Someone was walking towards him. Sun was yet to rise, and the lights had been switched off.

“Arnav, why did you call me suddenly? Any problem with the CBI officers again?”

Getting no reply, he neared the person, only to get shocked. He moved back several paces and was at the edge of the terrace, when the person spoke.

“what happened NK? Shocked to see me?”

The person pouted and spoke, “I thought you would be happy to spend some time with me. In past, you remember? You were the last one to , you know, I feel shy to even say it. But you worshipped me. Why are you going away now?”

Nk looked fearfully at the person and was finding ways to escape when he found himself being bound by a rope.

He started stuttering, “please, ll…leave me, how can you, didn’t you….noo, please….”

He became hysterical and started to shout but was unable to open his mouth.

“tch..tch… don’t you remember darling? You had shut my mouth the same way. Now I want to repay you. Come on, come to me, my baby, my sweety, my love”

The person cooed the words and took slow steps towards NK. Not able to move, he looked at the figure come near him and the last thing he remembered before closing his eyes, the person’s eyes turning red.

***************

Morning 9 am, 27th February 2020, guesthouse

The whole family was waiting for NK and Arnav to appear for breakfast, when Ranvijay and Vasundhara came running towards the dining hall. Not wasting time, they enquired urgently.

“where are ASR and NK?”

Confused at their question, Kushi replied, “Arnavji was in washroom when I came down. NKji must be in his room. We didn’t see him after dinner last night.”

Without waiting to hear other’s reply, they sprinted towards NK's room only to find it open. The bed confirmed their suspicion, it was neat, prim, looked as though no one slept on it.

“shit, shit shit!!!”

Ranvijay cursed and started looking for some clue in NK's room.

The family rushed behind him and started asking questions.

Shyam “what happened Mr. Ranvijay, why are you searching the whole room, what happened to NK?”

Vasundhara took the family to the living room and explained.

“We have been fooled. Nk is kidnapped. We thought he will be the next victim and kept a vigil on him, and we guessed that he would be taken only on 6th march, but ….”

Arnav arrived on time and Kushi ran towards him and hugged him.

Giving a confused look, he saw his family who were looking pale and seeing him with fear.

What happened?”

Shyam broke the news, “NK is kidnapped.”

Closing his eyes, he breathed deeply and made Kushi sit on the sofa.

“Kushi, stop crying. I'm safe in front of you. Lets see what to do now. Can you get me a cup of coffee?”

Wiping her eyes, she nodded her head and went towards the kitchen.

Everyone turned towards Arnav, except Anjali. She was looking at the garden, moved towards the window and looked closely.

Anjali waited with a bated breath. She started hyperventilating.

“I have to inform Shyam!!”

*********************

28th February 2020, morning 10 am, guesthouse conference room

“Chief, forensic reports clear, fingerprints, none, clues, checked and rechecked, no progress. The only hope we have, our doubts on Arnav and his dead friends, except NK. No offense, but I think we have to put the plan into action.  NK has been kidnapped. They is no more time to waste.” Lavanya was talking worriedly while Ranvijay was going through  the details  and then looked at Lavanya.

Just then, Neil and Dev entered the conference room with Arnav.

Not wasting time, Ranvijay started.

“Will you tell the truth now or are you going to build a story again?"

Arnav "I don't know what you are talking about. Whatever I knew I informed you guys. NK was the one who got us all in trouble. We didn't do anything. "

His denial infuriated someone else in the same room, who was listening to the interrogation without showing her presence.

Restraining herself from strangling Arnav, she continued her duty.

"Oh, are you sure you don't have a hand in any of the allegations which we have put on you?"

Arnav replied in an irritated tone "how many times do you want me to....."

The rest of his conversation was downed by the voices from the video which Vasundhara played on the screen.

In a fraction of second, Arnav's face turned pale.

"This is not me. I mean, I didn't talk all this. It's not my voice"

His panicky stance gave away the truth.

Ranvijay smiled "Ok, so let's face the truth.

Drugs, sex racket, child trafficking, any other business which I have left out Vasundhara?"

Vasundhara "Oh yes, how about murder and organ theft?"

"Yes, all these have been busted. My colleagues are currently arresting your so called managers."

Not wanting to give up so soon, Arnav still maintained his fake angry demeanor and spoke "I still don't understand what will you gain by putting all these false allegations on me. I wish to speak with my lawyer. I won't answer any of your questions from now on."

A few minutes later, Vasundhara said “you may go. But this is not over”.

******************

Flashback

She turned her back. Her breathing was irregular, as though she had run a marathon. He took slow predatory steps and gently turned her. Not able to withstand the onslaught of emotions, she hugged him.

He hugged her and kissed her nape.

She shivered at his gentle touch. He carried her towards his bed without breaking the eye lock. Laying her gently on the bed, he got over her and kissed her eyes, nose, cheeks and finally, her petal like lips.

When they came up for air, she realized that she was almost naked.

Her wide eyes, fearful stance brought him back from the dream. She tried moving away when he held her hand and pulled her towards himself without hurting her.

“Don't you trust me?”

His sad eyes with that question melted her heart. Nodding her head, she hugged him and said those two words, that brought her destruction.

“I do”.

********************

29th February 2020, evening 6pm, guesthouse

Frustrated with the investigation, Arnav went towards the garden in the guesthouse. He jogged around the house for sometime and after completing the required lapses, he went towards his room, only to be stopped by Kushi.

“Arnavji, can I sleep with Dadi today? It's been so long, I would like to catch up with her.”

Swallowing his ire, he just nodded his head and went towards his room.

Sensing a presence behind him, Arnav turned to find no one.

Shrugging his shoulders, he went towards his room.

***********

Same day, night 11pm, in a remote area

They reached the old haveli and surrounded the building as silently as possible. Signaling his junior to take charge, Ranvijay went towards the backyard along with a few of his trusted officers.

Ajay gave the clearance signal and went towards the steps when he stopped. In a few seconds, the sounds were getting clear.

Counting his fingers, Ajay waited with bated breath for the signal from his boss.

  Ranvijay commanded "NOW!"
  The entire team broke through the building at the same time, shooting the enemies left right and center.

  In a matter of 10 minutes, their mission got over successfully.

  After making sure that the coast was clear, Ranvijay and Vasundhara went towards the girls who were huddled in a corner and crying.

  A bullet passed suddenly, almost tearing Vasundhara, when a strong arm clasped her and pushed her down.

  Before Vasundhara could recover, the owner of the arm ran swiftly behind the left over assassin and tackled him in her way. Punching him, She twisted the assassin's arm and kicked him where it should not be named.

  The kick was so powerful that the officers present in the crime scene doubted whether the assassin would be able to father a child in future.

  "Keep him in your custody, he is the only survivor who will show the way to the dark secrets. Keep it confidential."

  Her commanding voice forced the juniors to abide by her.

  "Officer Gupta!! What are your doing here?"

  Turning towards the furious voice, Officer Kushi Kumari Gupta stood before her senior official Mr. Jay Singh, saluted him and updated her findings.

  "Sir!! Just got a confidential information regarding the child trafficking and sex racket trade.

Before I could inform Vasundhara, they left for this mission. It was important. So I followed them."

Furious at her, Mr. Jay Singh blasted "Are you aware of the consequences this will lead us to? Your identity was supposed to be hidden!!"

"Sir! It was important to keep the team updated. I had to reveal myself, the situation demanded. Rest assured, no one else knows my real identity. The mission is on the verge of completion."

Sighing, he nodded at her.

Finishing the formalities, the entire team left the place, with Kushi in a burkha.

"The forensic team is working on the finger prints. We'll get the arrest warrant issued once it gets confirmed that our suspect is the real culprit."

Ranvijay  was seriously updating his higher official while someone from the team was looking pale with anxiety at Kushi.

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Hey guys, hope you all are doing good. Be safe, keep yourself healthy.

Never ever lose hope.

Take care.