2 days later, 6pm
"It has been two days since the politician Raghav's murder, but the picture is still not clear. According to our sources, Raghav's body, along with 42 two other bodies, have been found in an old factory approximately 80 miles north to Vadodara. According to the postmortem examination carried out on the bodies by the police, traces of struggle and fight have been detected. It is safe to say that other persons were involved, although at this moment, their identities remains unknown.
Police had also confirmed the identity of the other person found at the crime scene, Sanyukta Agarwal is indeed the famous hacker Falcon, as she herself declared it on her public statement two days ago.
When interviewed about the whole matter, DSP Manohar Khan said that the investigation is going on and they will not rest until they reach the bottom line of the story. However due to the political nature of the situation, several scenarios can be envisaged. When asked about Sanyukta Aggarwal and her implication on the crime, the DSP replied that Sanyukta Aggarwal aka Falcon is known to land a helping hand to the government in various cases. So far, her story is coherent and no proof of her direct involvement in the murders has been found. However they are still keeping her into their custody for further investigation. Cameran Mohit Mehra, reporter Sana D'Souza, Running News. " the reporter announced before Randhir switched the television off.
"Hey ! I was watching that." Sahil complained.
"Go pack, it's almost time..." he ordered, frustration evident in his tone.
It had been already two days since that fateful day, two awefully long stretching days. Randhir was getting more and more moody with each passing days. All this while he had been cursing non-stop that one moment when he agreed to her non sense, what was he thinking ?! Or rather what was she thinking ?!!
Only he knew what the dreadful scene of her arrest had done to his heart. A rush of panic and helplessness had engulfed him. Like a bony hand was clutching his heart and squeezing it... reducing considerably his air supply. He was left speechless for a moment... as if an important piece of him had been taken out... an important piece without which he couldn't function properly.
Flashback
"It's all my fault that she's into this" Randhir broke into tears as Vidushi left with a bowl in her hands.
Parth was lying in the bed, leg freshly wrapped up in bandages. Vidushi had taken out the bullet and applied first aid on his wound. With his injured leg, it was even a miracle he came out of the building alive. If not for Sahil's quick reflexes he would have died in the blast.
Parth tiredly brought his hand forward and caressed his friend's head "It isn't" he told him.
"You didn't ask her, she knew what she was getting into." He tried explaining him.
"No she didn't !" Randir lashed out."All the time she thinks with that pea-size brain of hers and messes up. And I being the fool always agree to her demands" he angrily ran his fingers through his hair.
"You're no fool" Came Vidushi's voice from behind. "She made a decision and you choose to trust her decision."
"But how could she do that to me ?!! How ?! Didn't she think about me ?!" Randhir looked at Parth and Vidushi, desperately searching for answers.
Vidushi handed Parth a tablet which he gulped. "Or may that's exactly what she did... she thought about you" whispered Vidushi.
"No, no, no ! She had no right ! I didn't ask her to !" Randhir cried.
" Did she asked you... when you took a bullet for her ?" Parth asked Randhir, following Vidushi steps.
Randhir didn't reply.
"You did what you thought was best for her and she did what she thought was best for you" added Vidushi.
"She loves you just as must as you love her" Parth concluded, patting his friends' shoulder.
End of flashback
He needed her at his side. Without her he was bound to lose himself in the darkness. She was like an anchor to his drifting ship... Until now he only survived...but now he wanted to live. Before meeting her he never expected anything from life... but then he met her... he met her and she showed him things... she smiled at him... that genuine smile that was solely for him... She worried and cried for him with those beautiful eyes of her... she cared about him. ...And he found himself doing the one thing he had never done... he hoped. He hoped and now he expected.
He found himself recalling each and every moment spent with her. Their more than unique first meeting...her kidnapping... the clashes that followed... their running into each other time and again... their first ,once again, unique kiss... their disastrous first work together... the several intimate touches and situation that followed... and during all those moments he had witnessed so much feeling in her doe like eyes. Those big light brown eyes glaring at him in anger... skeptically looking at him when in doubt... full of mischief when she had some crazy idea in her mind... dripping of concern when saw him in pain... glued at her screen in concentration... Oh god how much he missed her.
His whole body was literally tingling to feel her in his arms... there was no words to describe what he felt without her.
Did that foolish woman even know how important and needed she was in his life ? He angrily wondered.
And then two days ago she had made that public declaration on tv...
2 days ago
"For the third time, who are you and why were you there ?" asked the annoyed police officer."You better reply before I incriminate you in a case of willful malice aforethought" he warned her. His scowl was deepening with each passing second.
Sanyukta had no idea was the heck was malice aforethought. But honestly she didn't want to know, because she was sure anything with the word "malice" in it, was not healthy for her mind to know.
She had been arrested a while ago and immediately taken to the nearest police station under tight security for further investigation. And now, she sitting in your typical investigation room. Four brown-grey walls were caging her, two old chairs and a equally old table were placed in the center, table which by the way was barely standing on his four legs, accompanied by a dim dying light awkwardly hanging above them, providing just enough light to see the coutour of the room. Welcome to Creepy Hollow ! Everything was designed with the purpose to creep you out and increase you distress. Because it was only then that the truth came out.
Unfortunately for them Sanyukta had a degree in sociology, and had studied human behavior long enough to handle dire situations like that. Their purpose was to mess with youe head enough to make you break. But when had you had analyzed and dissected the whole process in every way possible, you knew which questions had which purposes and which answers held which consequences. One wrong word and you could end up in jail... and unfortunately sometimes the only way out was within a body bag ! What you had to do was to meticulously measure your words... you had to say just enough to satisfy some of their inquiries but not enough to hold anything against you. And that's exactly what Sanyukta did.
"And for the third time I am telling you, I will gladly reply to your every question. But I'd like to give a public statement in the presence of the media, I believe people have a right to know about what happened" said Sanyukta. She didn't blatantly refused to give him anwsers, she only bend her refusal to make it look like an agreement. Because a semi-cooperative 'Yes, but...' was always better perceived that an aggressive 'NO !'.
Her face held no emotion...Even though internally she was as irritated as the officer, if not more...but externally she was showing a cool attitude telling him that between the two, she was not going to break first. Driving people crazy washer specialty, she would be damned before someone used the same tactic on her. Copyright, people.
"We cannot just bring you out in front of the media, god damnit !" he said irritatingly while his palms slammed against the table. "Not like that" he huffed. "Not without knowing who you are and what you are going to say ! Public statement are not given out of the blue ! Their a process to go through !" he shouted.
Okey point taken, admitted Sanyukta to herself. She could very well go up there and crazily shout that five hidden bombs were scattered around in the country and plunged to whole country in a state of pure panic... That could be problematic indeed. But she absolutely need to make a public statement. Not for the sake of the investigation, no... but for the sake of her beloved short tempered devil. Knowing him he was probably beyond furious and readying his gun and other toys for a commando mission to get her out of here. Therefore she badly needed to convey a message to him before he does something stupid.
"It does make sense, indeed." She told him. She saw some of the hostility leave the officer's eyes upon hearing her agree with him.
"So here is the deal, you prepare a list of questions to which you want answers, and I'll gladly reply... if I can that is. You can read it before we go in front of the media. That way the whole script will be pre-programmed as per your wishes, what do you think ?"she paused. "Besides, you can take me out the moment you feel like things are not going as per the script" she added.
The officer looked at her for a few seconds trying to see if she was lying or not. Well he could scrutinize her all he wanted he wouldn't find a trace of lie in her eyes... because for the first time, all she was saying was the truth. Not even 1% of lie or drama. Momma would have be proud of her !
"In any case, I need your name to confirm your identity, without this information you can forget about the public declaration" he told her sternly.
Sanyukta tought for a second. Revealing herself as Falcon was a huge step in her life. It meant putting a face to the famous hacker. It meant revealing her identity for everyone to see...for everyone to hunt ! But there was no other way. Telling them the truth was the only way to get out of it clean. Revealing herself as Falcon would give her the credibility she wouldn't have otherwise and a valid reason of her involvement in the case. Not to mention the support she could get from the numerous people she had helped with her skills. Yup, her good reputation will definitely tilt the balance in her favor.
She held her fac in her hand, thinking about her option. There was- her thoughts came to astop as she looked down to her feet. Her eyes grew wide. ...She was wearing a black sock on her right foot and a dark brown one on her left foot ! She sighed tiredly... since she had started spending time with the gangsters, the divorce rate among her socks had considerably increased. Of course she was too busy watching her back to pay attention if Mr.BlackSock was holding Mrs. BlackSock's hand or his hand had wandered toward Mrs.DarkBorwnSock. Anyway...
So, as she was saying there was no evidence of her direct involvement in the murder, she hadn't killed anyone... curtesy to Randhir and Vidushi. And the only gun that had her DNA on it was probably safe in Randhi's backpocket... tightly pressed against his yummy backside, if she might add. ...And she had already taken care of the cameras and devices in Raghav's den. No, their was no proof that could incriminate her. ...Although it would endanger her life even more than before, revealing her identity was by far her best shot at coming clean.
"Fiiine." She sighed. "Sanyukta Aggarwal, famous hacker Falcon, nice to meet you" he smiled at him extending her hand, taking U-turn on her attitude.
The police officer paused at her words, surprise obvious on his face. Bet you weren't expecting that bro, Ha ! But if his face had shown surprise, he didn't comment on it. "We will see about that" saying that he went away.
Present day
What had she said during that public declaration?! Randhir recalled bitterly. A lot of things actually ! But among those things she had taken the liberty to taunt and scold him.
She had revealed her identity. She had unveiled and listed all of Raghav's illegal activies, children traffic being the most prominent and outrageous one. She had admitted investigating on him for months now after the call of help from a client. She had put forward his bank transaction as a proof of his wrong doings. She had recounted how she had traced him and found his hideout. She had declared that she was the author of the video telecasted before the murder, which by the way she had made with the help of a colleague'.
As for what she was doing there when she had been arrested, she had replied that she wanted to ensure that the police will catch them before they flew away... One of the female journalist hadn't look convinced by that and asked her if she seriously thought that she could handle a bunch of corrupted outlaws alone ? to which she had haughtily replied Pu-lease sister ! You must not know about Falcon and its achievements. But never mind, it is never too late to acquire knowledge, right ? Therefore I strongly invite you to do some research on the net, you might be surprised to learn just how much Falcon can do' ...In that one she sentence she had depicted herself as a strong not-to-mess-with girl, she had also belittled the woman and her meager knowledge and above all she had skillfully dodged the main question...her answer was neither a confirmation nor a total denial. Clever !
Overall she had skillfully answered each and every question thrown her way. The speech had been well structured and consistent. Suffice to say, she had convinced almost everyone.
The last stroke came from a famous singer's statement in her favor, he had disclosed having hired Facon's services while he had been wrongly accused of plagiarism. He had emphasized on Falcon's selfless and good nature, embarking with him thousands of fan.
But the climax came at the end of her speech. At the end, she had requestedher family not worry for her, saying that she was a big girl and she could handle herself just fine. She had said that she would be back in a few days. She had added a special message for her very sweet, thoughtful and caring boyfriend.She had asked him not to do anything stupid or reckless, because despite his calm temper and well-behaved personality she knew his helping nature andsense of justice would get the better of him. She finished by saying that in a few days, she will be exactly where he wanted her to be, just as promised. She had then kissed the engagement ring he had accidently given her and retreated back to the police station.
Randhir had been left speechless at her public apppearance. She had spoken diplomatically and so full of confidence. He had totally been enthralled by her personality. ...And then, then she had had the nerve of openly mocking him. The corner of his mouth had lifted up despite her taunting words... for he knew it was her own way to tell him that she was perfectly fine ! ... And then she had kissed his ring...warmth had instantly filled his heart. It had felt like she had kissed directly him instead of the ring.
That public appearance had lessen some of his fears. And now that he knew that she was somehow safe, his fear had turned into irritation. Irritation at her thoughtless actions. How dared she put herself in danger ? Did she not know what meaning her life was to him ?
His mood improved a bit thinking about how he was going to punish her when she returned. He won't leave her until she was not screaming his name again and again in rage or...in pleasure.
***
Later that day, after seeing off the gang, Randhir had received a text from Karan asking him if he could babysit Tara for night as he was going out. Randhir had been surprised at his text, not only he wondered how Karan got his number... but he was taken aback by his indifference toward the whole situation involving his supposed best friend. He was strangely calm and composed for someone whose best friend was in jail...
Ringing the door bell, Randir waited for Karan to open the door.
"Hello man !" Karan greeted him.
Randhir shook breily Karan's extended hand.
"Thanks for coming on such short notice !" he said, scrathing the back of his neck.
"Hmmm" was Randhir's short reply.
"Come. Tara is already sleeping... but I couldn't leave her alone." Karan explained.
"Hmmm" said Randhir looking at him apprehensively. His lack of concern towards Sanyukta was slowly unnerving Randhir. How can he act as everything was fine when Sanyukta was in jail...
"Not very talkative tonight are we ?" countered Karan. He knew he was bothered because of Sanyukta. If what Sanyukta had told him was anything to go by, Randir was one hell of a possessive man. He hated not being in control of the situation. He could understand his concerns for Sanyukta.
"Don't worry man, she'll be alright" Karan told him.
"How do you know that ?" growled Randhir. "For a supposed best friend, you sure look like at ease with her behind bars" he bitterly told him.
Karan chuckled.
"Nah man, nothing to worry about, she can handle law and police just fine. To be honest, I was more worried when she was you guys than where she is now" he told him matter of factly.
Ranhir glared at him.
"No offense bro, but law, rules and regulation she can totally handle. She is pretty good with words and she can be pretty convincing when she wants to be. Plus being Falcon, she has high connections. Give her predefined work environnement and she instantly analyse each and every scenario, the advantages and drawbacks, the risks and the opportunities, that's how she is."
"But in your world... there is now rule, no law. It's anarchy. These are the situations where I am worried about her. She can be pretty reckless sometimes... " he tried explaining his point of view.
"Believe me man, she will be fine" he reassured her.
"If you say so..." said a defeated Randhir. He could understand Karan reasoning. He was right. Sanyukta was a calculating person by nature. Finding loopholes in static situation was what she did best, her being Falcon was the proof of that. He will have to trust her on that, he sighed.
***
Sanyukta rounded Karan's flat. She had been released just an hour ago... all she wanted to do was crash in Randhir's arms and stay there two or three whole days... rubbing against him and basking in his scent just like a kitten. Rubbing against him like a human was a also a nice alternative.
But before she wanted to see her daughter, make sure she was fine. In the past weeks she hadn't even spent a whole day with her. Such mother she was ! She could already picture Tara whining and complaining about her disappearance. Lucky for Sanyukta, she was the mom. And no matter what, no matter right or wrong, moms were always right.
She rang the door bell and waited for Karan to let her enter.
What she didn't expected however, was to see the tall, dark gangster standing in the doorway instead of her best friend. Now standing in front of him, looking at the expression on his face, she didn't know if she wanted jump in his arms, or take to her heels and ran away as fast as possible.
As suicidal as she was, she chose the former.