Secrets are like puzzles. One can't sit still until it is solved. Even when one is distracted, the puzzle finds its way to crawl back on surface.
- -
She won't ever learn to knock, Director Kapoor thought to herself as ACP Mukherjee banged the door open w/o any warning and stood across the table in the middle of room. She eyed the door as it closed itself, and then looked at her.
"Its for you." she handed over a brown sealed envelope, which the ACP took, narrowing eyes. she tore it open, and her eyes ran over quickly on the documents inside. She then raised her eyes to meet the other woman.
"It came directly from Raghu sir this morning, his PA personally delivered it." she leaned on the table, resting her frame on elbows, "and he said to see if there is anything you need, and make sure you have it on hand."
"I need the day off." ACP said without missing a beat, to which the other frowned.
"What's this?"
"He didnt tell you." she frowned, posing the statement as question, then gave a smirk to which the other woman rolled eyes.
"I am asking you. what's this about?"
she didnt answer, adding more to the annoyance and curiosity.
"Riya." she warned, but at the same time there was a knock on door. she narrowed her eyes yet again as the ACP swiftly but with quick efficiency put all documents inside, not letting the Director to see anything by mistake. The latter gave permission, and Rawte entered inside.
"We have a case." this was directed more to ACP than Director.
"She is not available." the latter stated, "She is running some errand for me."
The man looked suspiciously to the ACP, who was looking straight to the Director.
"Is there anything else, officer?" The Director more like dismissed him by the rhetorical question. he shook his head and left, closing the door quietly behind him. immediately after him ACP Mukherjee headed for the door.
"Are you going to tell me whats this about?" The Director tried one more time, though knowing very well whats going to be the answer.
"No." the other woman answered, opened the door and headed outside, banging it close behind. The Director sighed, not feeling very well about the whole arrangement, then glanced at the phone, making up her mind to call and ask Raghu sir about this little arrangement.
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
"VT station." Aslam got inside the taxi in a urgency, looking behind through the glass. the taxi driver started the vehicle w/o any word, heading toward the city cutting through the darkness and slums.
Aslam was so engrossed in his thoughts that he completely missed the way the taxi was going, instead heading for city it went more deeper into slums. as he started protest about the way, demanding it to stop, the taxi headed for a field in middle of nowhere, finally stopping.
"Who are you? where am I?" he immediately started shouting as he opened his side of door. he was barely on his feet, when the taxi driver came out, punched him on jaw and then kicked in the shins. he was kneeled down the next moment, fearful for a moment the news of his running away from city has reached his head of gang and he sent his best to kill him here. but he frowned as he looked up, the taxi driver was not a boy or man, but a girl, barely of mid 20s, holding a gun whose cool metallic barrel was now touching his temple, with fire in eyes.
"I just need to know one thing, and I will ask it once. Where is Johny?" The girl asked, talking slowly but with weight, each word carrying threat. Aslam tried to tackle her, but he barely squirmed as she pressed the gun more against his skin in a warning.
"I dont know." that earned him another punch, taking out a tooth. he spit away the blood, hissing in pain.
"Wrong answer. Lets try once again, where is Johny?" her voice was quieter now, but somehow it made the question sound more dangerous. he gulped, making up his mind not to ask or say anything. after several moments, the girl pulled his hair and banged his head against taxi door.
"Silence will only make it worse, trust me."
"He is not in town." He managed to say as he tried to take breath.
"Good, now we are making progress." she left the hair, slightly backing away, "Where is he?"
"We dont know. I swear none know." his eyes pleaded for her to believe him. she did so, he guessed.
"When he will be back?" she asked.
"This month. we dont know when." He gulped, eyeing the gun, "Who are you? Why you are asking for Johny?"
"None of your business." the fire was gone from her eyes, instead there was a coldness which made him shiver. he was sure she was going to kill him, as she leaned down so that they were face to face now.
"Now, I am going to leave you outside the slum. If anyone ask you how you got these injuries, what will you say?" her voice became unnaturally. . . conversational. he blinked, not believing his ears heard her right. she will let him go? she raised her one eyebrow, silently urging him to talk.
"I. . . fell. on stones." he mumbled.
"Good. Do you know me?" she asked once again. he shook his head.
"Glad we settled it then." she was now on her feet, brushing near the knees even if there was no dirt, "get inside the taxi."
he did so, panting and grunting in pain, and watched as she started driving again. true to her words, she left him outside the slum and drove away, letting him believe he will live for some time after this interaction.
of course he didnt notice the shadowy figure behind him. his belief cost him his life, and next day local PS found him dead inside the gutter.
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
ETF team was watching the news next day in the discussion room. the day was slow and mostly paper work based. Sakshi looked on as Shree Chotu and Sameer stimultenously watched news and completed paper work. she exhaled, making up her mind to visit her news paper office. Suddenly she jumped, as ACP Mukherjee banged the door open and entered inside, behind her Rawte was glaring at her as he walked inside, eyes still on her as she sat on her chair as if nothing happened. the three men didnt even so much as blinked, Sakshi noticed and frowned. as Rawte busied himself to further paper works and she busied herself with her cell, nobody noticed the way ACP Mukherjee's jaw clenched or eyes narrowed watching the news, the shooting of a member of local criminal gang, Aslam. some police officer was giving statement to media, dismissing the case as the crossfire between some local gangs.
The receptionist knocked on door and asked Rawte to visit Director in her cabin immediately. he did so, and after 10 minutes he came back, informing the team they are going to investigate that petty criminal's shooting case.
"Local police already doing this, why us?" Sameer asked as the team headed for SUVs, him Rawte and Mukherjee in one SUV and Shree Chotu Sakshi in another, with the forensic team in another van and Director's car already shooting forward.
"its an order." Rawte shook his head, remembering the way Director didnt give any explanation about it, not that she needed to. its just Director Kapoor hardly make it obvious she is the head or order around, she is the sensible and practical one, explaining whys and hows before urging the team to go on. he started the car and followed the convoy, heading for the outskirt of city.
the local PS had already moved the body from gutter by the time ETF arrived. Liza and her team started checking it, as rest of team scattered to take informations from police and examine the crime scene further.
".22, shot in head. maybe the local PS was right, it was a gang related shooting. mostly this type of bullets are used by local criminals, cheap and easily available." Liza hold the shell of bullet in between of her palm, kneeled on ground as the team stood tall around her, hearing each details.
"TOD 11.30 PM. The killer was not using silencer, that man," Shree pointed to a side where a 50 year old man, dressed in pajama and white t-shirt was giving statement to local Police, "heard the gun going off and he was the one informed police. he didnt see anyone after he came out, as usual." he finished, and looked on as Rawte walked away from the group, noticing some tire print on the wet ground.
"Maybe the killer escaped in some vehicle, bike?" Chotu suggested, noticing the tire print as well.
"He didnt hear any vehicle." Shree said, eyeing them both.
"its not bike's tire prints. four wheeler, most probably car or van. SUV's tire prints would have been different." Rawte went on, ushering the forensic team to take a sample of this.
"Wow Arjun, you can say so much from a tire print?" Sakshi was impressed, smiling cheekily, what the man ignored. the Director turned her head and found ACP Mukherjee still glancing at the bullet shell.
"No theory to share?" she asked, to which the latter snapped out of it, looking blank for a second, then shook head. the Director frowned at this odd behavior, but didnt ask more about it.
"from the tire print," Sameer kneeled down beside Rawte and met his eyes, "looked like the four wheeler was heading out of slum."
''how can you say that?" Liza was interested as she got up, putting the bullet shell inside a plastic bag and handing it over to her team.
"the arrows," Rawte answered, pointing on the small arrow prints all over the mud, to which the other man grinned proudly, "its all heading toward that side." he pointed out of slum, "if the arrows were inside, the van would have been coming in."
"Genius." she murmured in awe, and Rawte gave a tiny smirk.
"What we know about victim except for his name?" the Director asked after a while, letting the light moment linger for some seconds.
"Name Aslam. no family. as his all friends are criminal for now we have none to ask more about him." Chotu answered, sighing.
"Get some of his friends." The Director ordered, to which he nodded.
"He was going to Kochi." Sakshi noticed the forensic team pulling a ticket out of the victim's pocket. she took it, showing to others, "there was someone else with him too. female, 29?"
"he has none." Shree frowned, asking for Chotu to confirm to which he nodded back.
"Maybe girlfriend? planning to escape this gangster life to start a new life?" she supplied, hopeful for an interesting story. almost everyone rolled their eyes, but Mukherjee took the ticket and stared at it longer than usual, but then gave it back at once, her eyes stony.
after more information exchange with local PS, they informed there was no bag or luggage with the body. nobody in the slum had not taken the luggage either. some constables went to check VT station, hoping to find it in the waiting room there. Liza and her team along with Shree took the body and headed for ETF, Director headed for some place as well, telling the team to inform her about all leads. the rest of team divided work themselves, Chotu along with Sameer went to ask some of the former's informer to get their hands on some friends of Aslam, Sakshi stayed back with the local police, to get more infos for the case and for her story as well. Rawte and Mukherjee headed inside slum to know more about the van.
"maybe the van was not linked with Aslam." Mukherjee said after some minutes as they continued to walk, "maybe someone else took a ride in it."
"These people in these slums, have you seen them?" the other retorted, raising eyebrows, "they cant afford four wheeler or taxi for journey. someone was here. Aslam was heading for VT, maybe it was his taxi or van. the killer must have took it after killing."
"None heard anything after shooting." the former informed quietly.
"something is missing. Aslam should have been in VT, but 30 minutes before his train was supposed to leave he was in this slums." he moved his hand around, "why was he here? who and where is the female who was supposed to travel with him? did she leave for Kochi or he was here to take her? and why kill him?"
The slums had seen many killings and police over the years, but never any force as much important or authoritative as ETF. they were more than eager to give any information to them, and one 9 year old with over enthusiasm informed there was a taxi heading out around 11. Mukherjee suddenly remembered Raghu sir's daughter, Sheen's kidnapping, how Sakshi tipped the boy in the lane with 100 rs after he gave some valuable clue. she was half expecting Rawte to do something like this, but pleased to see he just gave the boy a smile and ruffled his hair.
they found the taxi tire once again in the wet mud and following the trail, reached a field more deeper into the slum and in middle of nowhere. Rawte's suspicion turned right when they found a broken tooth and traces of blood on the ground.
"It cant be co-incidence, can it?" he asked rhetorically as he called the forensic team to come to the scene to collect these evidences. he finished his call, turned to her side and frowned as she continued to glance at the sight of blood with a unreadable expression. they stood in silence, she brooding looking over the blood and he staring at her, just noticing her body language. she was till now crossing her arms over chest, but finally she shook it off, looking to him as if she sensed his gaze on her.
he then noticed the bandage on her left hand. his eyes widen at it, and hers narrowed.
"what happened?" he was not sure if he should ask that, because of their non-existent relation of any kind, but the question came out w/o any control over his lips.
"spilled milkshake on it." she answered.
"you dont drink milkshake." he said faster before his mind can catch up. she raised one eyebrow on that.
"i dont look like the milkshake type?" she asked sarcastically.
you don't look like any type, his mind said to itself, but then he remembered she almost always drink McDonald's caffeine or coffee with half spoon sugar. . . where did that come from?
"you expect me to believe that?"
"I dont expect anything from you." her expression was as if expect word personally insulted her. his temper rose at this.
"do you have to be rude and offensive at every step you can manage?"
she smirked arrogantly, "part of my trait i am afraid, Arjun."
he frowned, tilting his head as he took one small step toward her, "why is this you can call anyone with their first name, but you get angry when Sakshi addressed you by your first name?"
she looked at him with some unreadable expression which she wore often today, before answering, "that have to do something with the stupid comments she keeps making, not because of my name, I assure you."
he opened his mouth to say something more, when she beat him to that, "she is here, btw. your GF."
as if on cue, he heard Sakshi, "Well done Arjun, you found another crime scene." he exhaled, then frowned yet again, saying in mind she is not my GF, and then thought why she thought that?
and then he shook his head, because what she thinks and why, is out of anyone's reach.
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
ACP Mukherjee got the call from Raghu sir when team was having its first discussion, along with Director. she and Rawte frowned when she took the call, and when she got up he took a step foward her, as if it can intimidate her.
"Its my astrologer, telling if today I will can use some ninja move and make someone land on their feet, third time."
she could hear the team mates snickering behind her as she left the room. she didnt go far, watching the team through glass and making pattern on it with her fingers.
"Your excuses, Riya." she can actually see Raghu sir shaking his head at it.
"You called for chit chat?"
"You dont even try to give one." he sighed, then came straight to point, "you can talk?"
"I am talking." she rolled eyes.
"How close the team is to find the taxi?" he asked, with an edge of steel in voice.
"Are you going to keep it from them? because your second in command is totally sure taxi driver killed him, and he is a stubborn man."
"Why I am stuck with the same species?" he muttered to himself, then rose his voice, "I am not sure Aisha will appreciate going behind her back and do some digging on your own."
"what you told her?" she was amused.
"You are running some errand for me." he sighed. she stopped making pattern on glass, lips curling into a smile.
"she didnt buy it, but she didnt press either." he explained, "I take it you dont want them to know about this?"
"I dont." she straightened her back.
"Then I have to do some digging so that they look somewhere else." with that he cut the call, leaving her to clutch the phone tightly.
The ETF later got a hold of the friends of Aslam, who let them know their Boss was not too pleased with him recently, but they didnt think the dislike was extended to this extent. they refused to give a name, thus police didnt have any offical suspect for the case. They also found the four wheeler, a taxi just like Rawte predicted, thanks to traffic camera and people who didnt see too much taxi in those poverty stricked areas. they didnt get a face from those footage though, and found the taxi dumped some 20 KM away from crime scene beside a quiet bypass road. The forensic got some prints from the taxi and took it for testing, as the team discussed possible theories.
"I am telling you, this time I am right. it have to be some whirlwind romance in middle of gun fight." Sakshi chimed in middle of serious discussion one evening in discussion room. before anyone can mock her or chastise her for it, the door of room was banged open (nowadays the door was being banged too often) and entered, for some reason furious, Director Kapoor. everyone looked at themselves, silently asking whats this all about, but before anyone can say the door was open once again and entered, to everyone's shock, Raghu sir, along with his PA.
after the formalities the Commissioner motioned to his PA who took out a file and spread some pictures on table, handing them over to everyone.
"Iqbal, the boss of the gang which Aslam was part of." he started, looking over everyone, "this surveillance picture was taken 4 nights ago outside the same slum where you found the crime scene, some 7 KM away. he was seen forcing a woman to come with him, and left with her. they are currently arranging to flee the state, we have information."
"So this is the female passenger Aslam was supposed to travel with?" Rawte asked as he dropped the picture on table. the PA nodded, glancing at Raghu sir once before continuing, picking another picture from the file.
"this picture was taken some 30 minutes after Iqbal left. as you can see, Aslam was there."
"He must have seen she was not there, thats why heading out." Sameer concluded, "But how Iqbal knew where he was? did she give him up?"
Raghu sir, who was silent till now, took a step so that he was in middle of room, "Your primary suspect is Iqbal, so an interrogation is must now, is not it?"
"Why he was under surveillance?" Director asked, and everyone could hear the ice in her voice. he gave her a soft look, but the PA answered instead.
"We are expecting a cross firing between some gangs, his one of them. its procedure."
"These photos really helped." Shree picked a photo, "I took out the phone records of him, and noticed he called same number several times. The number is still on, it must be of this female. I can pinpoint her location."
"You think she still has her phone?" Sakshi frowned.
"Well if Iqbal killed Aslam, then there is no need for him to think we can link his phone to him. worth a try." he shrugged.
The team went off after the meeting was over, leaving behind Mukherjee, Raghu sir and Director Kapoor. she eyed to both of them, the PA behind them looking guilty. he left the room after his boss eyed him, feeling relieved.
"Since when you help us with information and personally deliver them?" the Director asked, crossing her arms.
"we are all part of team. we help each other." Raghu sir leveled her gaze with his own, "maybe you dont appreciate the help, Director."
she flushed in embarrassment, but then composed herself, "I do, thank you." she paused, "But I feel something else is going on. I feel you and she going behind my back, and you are saving her back."
her bluntness never surprised Raghu sir or Mukherjee, while the former tried to look surprise, she was keeping a straight face.
"Why do you think so?"
in reply she took out a paper and put it on table. Raghu sir picked it up and sighed, giving a look to Mukherjee to which she frowned.
"it cant be co-incidence, she running errands for you and this? then you personally delivering surveillance photos." the Director went on, narrowing eyes on the ACP who looked confused.
"What is this?" she asked, still standing away from them in the same space where she sits.
"Forensic found you fingerprint in the taxi." The Director replied, ''imagine my surprise when Liza personally delivered me this, blabbering that how she is 90% sure she messed it up."
Raghu sir kept his gaze on Mukherjee, as if silently asking her to carry on whatever she is doing till now. she rolled her eyes, as if every day she leave her print on crime scene and forensic find it.
"I must have accidentally left it." she said keeping it casual.
"Accidentally?" The Director tested the word, still not convinced.
"What, now I am a suspect or something?" she countered back, to which the frown vanished from her face. both the ladies stared at each other, and the Director looked away only when Raghu sir started speaking.
"I guess that settled it then. just a mistake, be careful next time, Riya." his word somehow felt graver than this small accident.
"I will be." she nodded head, eyes still on Director. the latter suddenly felt as if she was witnessing something entirely different than one misplaced- fingerprints- on- evidence convo between the two of them. the ACP headed out after a last nod, leaving the two of them alone.
"I dont know why you thought she and I are into some kind of deal," Director opened her mouth but Raghu sir cut her off, "but I will appreciate next time you think before you jump into conclusion."
she closed her mouth after being chastised, her voice softer than usual, which only Raghu sir draws from anyone, "I apologize. It wont happen again." but she was not finished yet, and even the older man sensed it.
"I am not an idiot. i can feel something is going on."
"why is that?" the old man asked casually, not angry or disappointed, mildly curious.
"Why she is back? what was inside that envelope? and I dont buy this accident either." she pointed at the forensic report on table.
"whatever she was doing, it was none of your business." the commissioner dismissed, and she nodded.
"Fine. I wont ask again." she took a breath, "I hope you know that you can trust me. And I will help, by any means possible. I owe her that." her eyes met the ACP, who along with others were near Shree's desk, might be examining the call record of that female. Raghu sir stared at her for a second, then exhaled.
"I think I cant change your mind about this." he waved his hand in air, shaking head, "Fine, I guess thats all for now then. Keep me updated."
"of course sir." she replied as he left the room.
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
The ETF got the location of Iqbal the next day, thanks to Shree's hacking and the extra help from Raghu sir's office. tonight, along with local police and other law enforcement agencies, they were in a safe warehouse in the middle of city to take Iqbal and his bunch of goons down.
"Why she is here?" Mukherjee asked, pissed, as they were getting ready and Sakshi was just dangling around, screwing all protocols and endangering lives of everyone. the latter frowned at her tone.
"You cant talk to me like that." she replied, voice stern. the former glared, to which she looked intimidated. they all heard the gun fire as snipers took down the guards in the first floor and she cursed.
"Screw this." she removed her bullet proof jacket and thrashed it on Sakshi's palm, "do us all a favour and wear this." then along with others, she headed inside just like this plan.
it was going as good as expected. they had covered the house from all sides and were trying to get into 1st floor, snipers making it easy as the goons stood baffled, not sure if they should locate the invisible shooters or kill police under them. the confusion made things much easier, but then one of them shot toward Sameer, the bullet would have hit him in the head if Mukherjee had not pushed him away, barely going over his side. they both were on floor, adrenaline feeling the body, the crime fighters attention was divided and goons suddenly had the upper hand. Before Sameer could react, she shot the goon on his limbs, then kicked him in the shin, angrier than anyone had ever seen him.
after 109 minutes of shooting, the ETF and other agencies caught 9 goons and Iqbal, along with the female, Ruby. He confessed killing Aslam, using one of his gang members who was dead in the encounter tonight. amidst the flashes of media and police protection, they were escorted away from the warehouse.
"I cant believe Sakshi's words came true." Shree said to Chotu as they both headed for the SUVs, calling it for the night. the latter chuckled, disbelieve in his laugh as well.
Sameer walked to Mukherjee who was away from all the chaos, just like she does every time they close some case, to thank her for saving his life, but she cut him off, some of the usual sassiness coming back which is part of her charm, as everyone agreed, "Dont. I save lives every Friday."
He laughed, eyes warm and serious, "Thank god its Friday then."
when he walked away, she groaned as Rawte stood in front of her, looking all glare-y and pissed.
"Did you take a vow to make my job tougher?" he said through gritted teeth, and she narrowed her eyes.
"How can you just walk into a room where shots are flying w/o any protection? are you out of your goddamn mind?" some people become quieter while pissed, some shout. he was surely the second category.
"I just did that, walking into room and all that." she answered in her usual self but patience was wearing thin. he obviously didnt approve of her tone, taking a step toward her, violating her personal space.
"I am your Boss, and when I say this, you should take it very seriously, next time, you dont listen to my order and I will suspend you, hear that?"
"Don't threaten me." she said after a while, voice much more in contrast to him, "and i just lent my jacket to your GF so that it can save her life."
"She is not my GF." he spit out, for some reason her replies bringing out the worst in him, "and what about your life? what do you think of yourself, some superwoman made of metal whom bullets cant affect? people die, all the time!"
"I am very much aware of that." he was taken aback by the ice in her eyes, its like he just stepped on some invisible border. he composed himself, voice somewhat softer.
"Then stop thinking that you are invincible." he paused, suddenly aware of how close he was to her. he never does this, using space to intimidate, because usually his glare and growl-y voice is enough to make anyone scared. apparently, not for her. but he didnt take step instantly, "and i was not threatening. Just try me."
with that he walked away, leaving her with her icy stare and quiet angry voice and stiff posture, who was just looking back at him with some unreadable expression on her face which was so easy to associate with him. as if she dont understand him.
maybe she dont. not that she wants anyway. she has much to think now.
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
It was nearly midnight when Aisha found ACP Mukherjee in the Gym, running on trade mill. she was so engrossed in whatever she was thinking that she only noticed the former when she started talking.
"Why you are so late in here?"
"What, Gym is only for one day per week basis?" The ACP stopped the machine and stepped down. the Director sighed in frustration, shaking head.
"Sometime I think its better to ask you any question."
"Then why do you?"
"Because we want to know what goes on in that mysterious head of yours."
The ACP rolled eyes, gulping down water and wiping sweat from neck with the white towel beside the mill. the Director crossed her arm, and opened her mouth after a moment back.
"I heard what you did for Officer Rathore." she paused, voice softer, "You did good."
"Is not this the part of whole team thing? saving each other?" The former answered in an uninterested voice.
"Yeah, it is." the Director agreed, "I am glad you are becoming part of team then."
the latter smirked, "Can't refuse the Director now, can we?"
The Director gave a look, then asked sincerely, "When you are going to tell me what exactly is going on?"
the ACP stiffed, but offered no explanation. the Director sighed, running fingers through her hair.
"Look I know you are back for a reason. I can guess what is it," she paused, gauzing the latter's reaction, "but I dont know what you are doing. I know even Raghu sir is onto this, he has your back. How much you or he deny it, I know it."
"i didnt deny anything." the ACP answered quietly.
"I just want to let you know I am here, ready to do any kind of help. you can trust me. I maybe a Director now, maybe thats why you are so weary of me, but I am the same girl whom you met, whom you helped so much to reach this level. a post doesn't change anything." the Director went on, the desperateness in her voice evident. she just dont understand why the ACP is not trusting her enough to let her in, when they had shared so much things in past.
"I am not weary because of your post." The ACP answered after some beat, voice much more serious than anyone has ever heard, "You are our boss. You lead this team, you are here for that team. so i insist you focus that only, dont bother about me."
"why you dont trust me?" she lost her patience.
"its not about trust." the ACP clenched her fist, as if physically restricting her to say the next things but her lips moved anyway, "i dont want you into my mess."
the hurt in the Director's eyes were too raw. the former sighed, closing her eyes.
"Have you ever thought," she paused, struggling to find exact words to say, "that maybe I am too deep into this mess? That I can't come back at all?"
The Director stood stunned as the words hit her. before she had time to process it all, the ACP went on.
"I am not sure where I am heading, or what I am doing. It will be incredibly selfish of me to let anyone bear my burden, so dont tell me to trust you with anything, because I dont trust myself right now." she paused, "However, I can give you my words."
The Director's eyes said she was listening.
"On my first day you said this team is important. they work well, in a group. I can give you my word not to mess that up, and try my best to work with them. this is the closest thing i can give near a promise."
both the ladies continued to look each other, the ACP's eyes serious, calm, but a storm was growing within. The Director understood the sincerity in her voice, nodding to it.
"I am going to hold onto that." she said after a while, clearing her throat, "go home, get some rest."
she bid goodnight and left the ACP behind, and the latter went back to her trademill, running faster than ever. both of them failed to notice the lingering figure of Second in command Arjun Rawte in the darkness of hallway. He was not planning on eavesdropping, but then the ladies started talking and he was unable to walk away from it. So he was right, there was something between them. the ACP, though give an impression to give a damn about everything, take the Director seriously. she said about the efficiency of team and since the first day she was working to make her place in team, working with them as best as she can with her attitude and temperament. she didnt only manage to work, but charmed the members, maybe he is the only one on the receiving end of her dark nature with her sarcasm and glares. she even gave her words to not mess this up, the closest to promise. that was something, he concluded, also, their dynamic was too strong to overlook anyway, but something else completely took over his mind as he watched the ACP running on mill.
she is here for something.
whatever it is, he didnt know, but before he can let his mind linger on it he heard her voice and froze.
"Should I call it creepy or harassment?" she had stopped running by now, some of her playful nature coming back. he straightened his back and watched as she stepped down from mill, tilting her head on side as she gave him a look.
"Why you are not home?" he asked.
"These Gym equipments were begging me not to leave them alone." she answered sarcastically, to which he rolled his eyes.
"cant you answer straight?"
"Part of my traits."
"your traits only consists of negative things i assume." he retorted, now getting inside the Gym. she narrowed her eyes.
"you assume too much." her eyes suddenly turned steely, "eavesdropping is a bad thing."
he tried to keep his face straight. even if he succeeded in that, he should have ask what eavesdropping. that was the slip, and she was surer, that he heard it all, if she was not earlier. her nostrils flared and she looked away, then turned her eyes on him yet again, her expression wicked.
"Want a rematch of that day's self defense?"
he was half dreading- half competitive at the prospect, also sensed this was her way to pay him back for the eavesdropping, "Are you always this much . . . . physical?"
she grinned, moving her head, ''trust me when I say this, only for you Arjun."
and he was right about the payback when she pinned him on the floor after some 4 minutes, her weight and strength keeping him down. he struggled for a while, then stopped, letting her think he gave up. his too loud sigh was only to convince her, and when loosened her grip on his wrists, he used the opportunity and used both legs and hands to push her off him. she landed straight on her back, surprised, and he was more than pleased to keep her pinned down by holding both of her wrists and keeping his weight on her, much like she did. he could see wheels in her mind running even if she gave a surprise look, but it only lasted some seconds. she didnt struggle or squirm, and he knew she was trying his way to push her off.
then he noticed the bandage on her left palm, felt guilty and loosened his grip.
that was the second mistake.
that loosening grip was all she needed. again he was on floor, this time on his back. her hands were on his wrist yet again and with agonizing wait he saw her slowly putting both of her legs on his side, effectively keeping him trapped. all he could hear was his ragged breath and all he could see her deep brown eyes who were both bored with this too easy game and pleased that he was defeated. once again he thought how she does that, showing different emotions at once. giving impression of something but doing something else.
"Eavesdropping." she said out of blue, and he sighed, closing eyes.
"It wont happen again." this was as close as apology she was getting. she smirked.
"Glad we settled it then."
he waited for her to get up and free him, but looked like she was enjoying this all too much of herself as the time passed.
"Why you are still on top of me?" Geez, why does that sound something entirely different? he thought to himself and rephrased it, "why you are still holding me?", grunting. she mistook it for his frustration being pinned down by a female.
"Because I can, Boss." she answered. smug about her ability, he scoffed, if thats even possible in that situation.
"It sound like you are mocking me."
he stilled as in response she leaned on to him, her face barely some inches away from him. he was, after all this time, suddenly aware of how close they were, not only because she was on top of him, but there was something too intimate about this whole situation. now that they both were breathing into same air, it was not helping anything. he could see too clearly the color and shape of her eyes, and how they turn almost black when her mood shift from playful to something unfathomable. light to dark, just like her mood. he also noticed the lines on face, something that should not have been on a face of a female who was almost his age, but somehow it fitted. the smug attitude, the sarcasm, the recklessness, the eye rolls, the occasional playfulness, the change in the color of her orbs, the lines on her face, this devil-may-care body language, this surprising strength, this domination without being threatening. this all fitted perfectly, and suddenly he cant even imagine her w/o it. he doesn't want to. it all made her look more. . . attractive.
"Now we are communicating." she was doing it again, echoing both emotions at once, not letting it know which one is coming from her heart. her voice feigned surprise, but her eyes were mocking. she talks a lot, with the taunts and careful observations, but her eyes talk a hell lot more.
Where are these observations coming from?
he was surprised at himself, then at her when she finally let him free, getting up and walking toward the table. as he watched her gulping water, he chastised himself to think something. . . so different about her. he was surprised he noticed small things about her, and somehow his mind stored it all far from its conscious self. he frowned, not liking how he cant control his mind, something he always been proud of.
"I guess you made it your bed then." he didnt notice he was still staring and time had passed. she was now buttoning her white shirt over her tank top as she gave him a look. she only left it half open and took her gun, ID card, Wallet and phone from a side table, putting them all inside her pocket, "Have a nice sleep on floor."
He realised after 5 minutes she left, while getting up, that this was the 3rd time she pinned him down. her astrologer was right, but little late.
somehow, even if he cursed, he could not bring himself to be angry at this action. he was determined to fight back with more efficiency next time though.