Mish' Fiction

“Tujhe dikhta nahin hai ki woh apna kaam nikalwane ke liye har ladki ke saath flirt kar sakte hain. Malvika ho ya koi socialite jise woh interview karna chahte hain. Yahan tak ki mere aur Trisha ke saath bhi. Jab tak saamne waala samajhta hai ki kya chal raha hai, tab tak it is harmless fun. Lekin… Tujhe pata hai ki unka divorce kyon hua tha?”

“Mujhe nahin pata, aur mujhe pata karna bhi nahin hai. Chup kar ab tu.”

“Nahin. Main teri dost hoon, aur tujhe meri baat sunni padega. Unka divorce isliye hua tha ki unke extramarital affairs the. Poori duniya ko pata hai ki apni ek junior ke saath… Tarini naam hai uska. Ab bhi unke saath hai. Jo sting operation kiya tha unhone Nidhi Kapoor ki story ke liye, usmein wahi thi video mein. Kya pata? Shayad aaj bhi uska use hi kar rahe hon? Kyonki shaadi to ki nahin usse! Lekin shayad ek bachcha bhi hai unka.”

“Mujhe nahin pata ki main ye sab at all kyon sun rahi hoon. Richa. Main apni life se hi bahut pareshaan hoon. Mujhe doosron ki pareshaani apne sar par nahin leni hai.”

“Mera irada tujhe pareshaan karne ka nahin tha, Ananya. But I just hope for your sake ki tu sahi decision le. Main chalti hoon.”

Ananya still had an hour to go before she had to leave for her next assignment. So she stayed put. Ronnie joined her there after a while. He didn’t bring up the topic. She wondered if she should stay silent too. But that would have meant keeping a cruel hope alive for him.

“Ronnie!”

He smiled nervously, reading in her voice what she meant to discuss.

“Ronnie. Hum best friends hain, aur ye rishta mere liye bahut maayne rakhta hai. Kya hum ise aise hi nahin rakh sakte. Main ise complicate nahin karna chahti.”

The crestfallen look on his face brought tears to her eyes.

“Ronnie please!”

“Wajah jaan sakta hoon, Ananya? Is rejection ki?”

“Rejection? Ronnie – ye rejection to nahin hai. Hamari dosti to hamesha ke liye affirmed hai na…”

“Kabir ki wajah se?”

“Ronnie, please! Koi aur ho na ho meri zindagi mein, jo teri jagah hai woh koi aur nahin le sakta…”

“Thanks, Ananya! Mujhe zyada din suspense mein na rakhne ke liye.”

“Ronnie, please, mujhse baat kar–”

But he left without glancing back at her.

Dejected and tired, she buried her face on the table.

“Ananya!” She looked up on hearing Kabir’s voice, “Kya baat hai? Are you okay?”

“Ji.”

“Do baj chuke hain—”

“Yes Sir. I’m sorry, Sir. Main nikal hi rahi hoon.”

“Are you unwell?”

“No Sir.”

Kabir looked on, concerned, as she left.

On the way to her desk, she saw Richa with Ronnie. The hostility in her eyes made her feel all alone. For the first time in her life!

—

“Office ka mahaul kaafi rangeen bana hua hai aaj kal,” Malvika walked into his cabin.

“Kya matlab?” he had just noticed Ananya trying to talk to Ronnie, while he seemed angry and rebuffed her.

“Vinod aur Shirin ka kuchh chakkar chal raha hai. Ananya aur Ronnie mein lovers’ tiff chal rahi hai.”

Kabir controlled his expressions with difficulty.

“Tum mujhe office ki gossip sunane ke liye yahan aayi ho?”

“Sab tumhari tarah professional nahin hote na, Kabir. Khair. Khalid wants to meet both of us. To discuss the recruitment progress.”

“Chalo.”

—

People from all departments had gathered to discuss the coverage of a controversial breaking news related to the rape of a minor.

“Given the sensitivity of the issue,” Kabir addressed them, “Main ye chahta tha ki hum sab log kuchh basic guidelines par clear ho, is news par kaise report karna hai uspar–”

His phone vibrated and when he looked at it his face softened. “I am sorry, but I must take this,” he said apologetically and picked up the phone. He moved away from the group, but did not leave the room.

“Anurag beta. Kya baat hai?” he was audible as he talked.

Despite herself, Anaya looked at Richa and found her staring back with an accusing look in her eyes.

“Okay, okay. Let me find out. Agar abhi kahin se deliver ho sakta hai to mai karwa doonga. Otherwise shaam mein. Abhi ke liye pizza bhijwa doonga. Fine? Please apna homework kar lena. Bye. Be a good boy.”

“Guys!” Kabir turned towards the people assembled for the meeting, “I know this is ridiculous, but aap mein se koi jaanta hai koi aisa restaurant jo baingan ka bharta delivery karta ho. South Delhi mein?”

A few people chuckled, while others stared at Kabir, expecting him to explain that he was joking.

“Ananya!” Trisha spoke, “Tu layi thi na kal baingan ka bharta.”

Anaya flustered and replied angrily, “Meri Ma ne banaya tha. Mujhe nahin pata ki koi restaurant deliver karta hai ya nahin.”

“Okay. Sorry everyone. Let’s get back to work,” Kabir ended the discussion.

—

“Ronnie. Please mujhse baat kar, ek baar…” Kabir stopped short at the canteen door on hearing her voice.

“Ananya. Mujhe akela chhod de, please. Feelings ka koi switch nahin hota ki jab man ho on kar diya, jab man ho off kar diya.”

“Ronnie main jaanti hoon ki maine tera dil dukhaya hai, lekin kya aaj tak jo bhi tha hamare beech–”

“Ananya. Don’t!”

Kabir hastily stepped behind the door on hearing Ronnie approach. He left and a distraught Ananya ran to the washroom. Perhaps to let her anguish take form of tears in privacy.

‘Lover’s tiff,’ he recalled. If only he could take Ronnie’s place! He would never leave her to cry.

—

“Tum?” He was surprised to find her at his doorsteps.

“Ye. Baingan ka bharta hai. Agar chahiye ho to–”

“Andar aao, please.”

“Kaun hai?” Anurag asked from inside.

“Tumhare liye to fairy hi hain,” Kabir told him, smiling, “Ananya. Baingan ka bharta layi hain.”

“Aap hain Ananya Didi? Maine aapke baare mein bahut suna hai.”

Ananya smiled, uncomfortably.

“Achchhi flattery kar lete ho, Anurag. Ananya, tumhein itni taqleef uthane ki zaroorat nahin thi–”

“Maine bas Ma se poochha to unhone jhat se bana diya. Unhein aadat hai, dikkat nahin hoti.”

“Aapki Mummy ko aur bhi cheezein banani aati hain?” Anurag asked, excited.

“Haan,” Ananya gave him a more relaxed smile this time, “Tumhein aur kya-kya pasand hai?”

“Ananya, rahne do. Iski farmaishein shuru ho gayi to–”

Ananya’s smile disappeared and she looked embarrassed, as if she had been adminished for overstepping a limit.

“Main chalti hoon.”

“Nahin—”

“Aap meri banayi coffee nahi piyengi?” Anurag interrupted the awkward conversation.

“Tum banaoge coffee?” she could not help a warm smile at his innocent question.

“Haan.”

“Iska matlab hai,” Kabir said sheepishly, “Ki iske kahne par main banaunga. Tum please baitho.”

“Nahin, kaafi raat ho chuki hai–”

“Please, Ananya Didi.”

“Ruk jao, thodi der, Ananya.”

She sat down and he brought two cups of coffee, which they sipped in silence.

“Maine sapne mein bhi nahin socha tha ki tum meri is request to itni seriously logi,” Kabir spoke after a long pause, “Warna main–”

“Lagta hai mere yahan aane se aap bahut uncomfortable ho gaye hai. I am sorry.” She ran out and Kabir could only look on, helplessly.

—

To be continued

“No Richa and Trisha! You can’t take off. Ananya madam already nahin aayi hain. Ronnie ne bhi bas ek text bhej diya hai ki woh nahin aayega. Ye koi college nahin hai ki tum log mass bunk kar ke movie dekhne chale jaoge. Jao wapas apne kaam par.”

“Malvika, please aap hamari baat to suniye–”

“No means no–”

“Malvika!” Kabir entered her cabin, “Jaane do in logon ko. Aaj koi emergency nahin hai. Aap log bas apne news padhne ke time par yahan aa jayen.”

“Yes Sir. Hum dono ko hi evening mein news padhna hai. We will be here well before that. Thank you so much, Sir.”

“Ye kya tamasha hai, Kabir–” Malvika burst out at him as soon as Richa and Trisha had left.

“Ananya ko kal raat pata chala hai ki uske father, jinka woh aath saalon se intezaar kar rahi thi, zinda nahin hain.”

“So?”

“So? Ye log uske dost hain, Malvika. Abhi use unki zaroorat hai.”

“Tumhein nahin lagta ki tumehin uski kuchh zyada hi chinta hoti hai–”

“Malvika please. Main bahut thaka hua hoon. Kal main der raat lauta tha sting operation se, aur tab se soya bhi nahin hoon.”

“I’m sorry,” Malvika suddenly took a placating tone, “Main thoda stressed out thi. But tumhari halat bahut kharaab lag rahi hai. Tum mere saath mere ghar kyon nahin chalte, Kabir? I will take care of you, I promise!”

“Malvika. Abhi to tum aise behave kar rahi thi ki Richa aur Trisha ke ek din ki chhutti lene se KKN band ho jayega. Aur ab tum chahti ho ki hum dono bhi office se nikal jayen.”

“Kabir. Tumhein aaraam ki zaroorat hai. I just care for you.”

“Na to tum naadaan ho, Malvika, na maine tumhein kabhi koi galat hint diya hai. Hamari relationship professional hai. I am haapy to be friends with you, kyonki jin logon se saath hamein din-raat kaam karna ho, woh agar hamare dost ho to achcha hota hai. Lekin isse zyada main kuchh aur nahin dekhta hamare beech. I am not looking for a relationship, Malvika. I am sorry that I have to spell that out for you. Anyway. Main tumse kuchh prodcution changes dicuss karne ke liye aaya tha. But let’s talk tomorrow.”

—

Kabir saw Ananya coming to his cabin. These days he had made it his habit not to speak to her alone. So, he made his way out so that she ran into him in the corridor itself.

“Kabir. Dr. Sinha ne finally apna statement de diya hai. Unhone admin-in-charge, Dr Kapoor, ko confront kiya tha, kuchh major irregularities ke baare mein. Unki beti ne apne Papa ko bachane ke liye Dr. Sinha ko is controversy mein phansa diya. Phir Dr. Kapoor ne unhein unki beti ko le kar threaten kiya…”

“Hamesha ki wahi kahaani hai!”

“In dinon admin-in-charge ki beti, jisne accuse kiya tha, woh bhi college nahin aa rahi. Tinu ne pata lagaya hai, woh aaj kal shahar ke bahar ek farmhouse mein rah rahi hai.”

“Hamein woh papers chahiye, jisse irregularities clear ho. Phir hum news break kar sakte hain.”

“Ji. Hopefully hum Dr. Sinha ko persuade kar lenge hamare saath woh share karne ke liye.”

“Theek hai. And Ananya.”

“Ji?”

“Hamare kuchh field reporters chhutti par hain. So I need you to do live reporting for sometime. Hamare investigative projects abhi hold par rahenge.”

Ananya knew he was lying. Nobody was on leave. She was aware of his attempts to keep her away from him. Now he was sending her back to live reporting to keep her away from the office too. But what was she to do about it?

“Ji,” she acquisced without confronting him.

—

“Ananya! Kahan hai tu?” Ronnie called her in the evening.

“Field mein thi yaar, poore din. Chai peene chalna hai?”

“Haan, chalte hain. Mujhe tujhse kuchh baat bhi karni thi. Tu seedhe wahan pahunchegi?”

“Haan. Aadhe ghante mein.”

“Done.”

—

“Itna thak gayi hoon main, Ronnie. Waise bata. Tujhe kya baat karn ithi.”

“Tera mood theek nahin lag raha. Baad mein karte hain.”

“Arre nahin, yaar. Tere saamne kya mood theek nahin hoga. Bol na.”

“Pakka?”

“Itna format kyon ho raha hai yaar, Ronnie? Ab kya stamp paper par likhwa ke lega?”

Ronnie chuckled, “Nahin. Lekin… Ananya. Dhyaan se sunna…. I… I love you, Ananya.”

“Arre to? I also love you.”

“Nahin. Tu samajh nahin rahi…”

He went down on his knees.

“Ronnie!”

“Ananya. Tu mere liye sab kuchh hai. Jab se tujhe jaanta hoon, tab se tujhe pyaar karta hoon. Rah nahin sakta main tere bina. Jaan de sakta hoon tere liye. Tu… tu sun rahi hai na meri baat.”

She barely nodded, staring at him in confusion and indecision.

He stood up and sat beside her again, “Maine tujhe surprise kar diya hai. Tujhe abhi jawaab dene ki zaroorat nahin hai, Ananya. Tu time le, jitna time lena hai le. But promise kar ki tu sochegi iske baare mein.”

She nodded, barely.

“Tujhe bata kar hi main itna khush hoon. Jab… Khair. Ghar chalein?”

“Main scooter layi hoon,” she finally found her voice.

“Dhyaan se jaana. Good night.”

—

“Ananya. Tu theek to hai?” Richa caught up with her in the canteen the next day.

“Pata nahin.”

“Kya hua?”

“Ronnie ne mujhe kal propose kiya.”

“Really? Finally!”

“Finally? Tujhe pata tha ki woh…”

“Don’t tell me, Ananya, ki tujhe pata nahin tha.”

“Woh mera best friend hai, Richa. Lekin maine kabhi–”

“Kya bola tune use?” Richa grew alarmed.

“Abhi tak kuchh bola nahin hai, lekin main ye nahin kar sakti…”

“Kyon Ananya? Ronnie itna achchha ladka hai. Tum dono ek doosre ko itne achchhe se samajhte ho–”

“I know, Richa. Lekin maine use is tarah se kabhi nahin dekha. He means a lot to me. Lekin–”

“To ab dekhne ki koshish kar le. It will be good for you.”

“Nahin Richa. Ye nahin ho sakta. Mujhe use mana karna hoga.”

“Kyon Ananya? Kiske liye? Kabir ke liye?”

“What? Kabir Sir beech mein kahan se aa gaye.”

“Main andhi nahin hoon, Ananya. Ronnie ke man mein kya chal raha tha ye bhi dikhta tha muhe. Aur tere man mein kya chal raha hai, ye bhi dikh raha hai. Lekin tu andhi hai. Na tujhe Ronnie ki sachchai dikhti hai. Na Kabir Sir ka fareb.”

“Kya fareb? Tu Kabir Sir ke baare mein kya bole ja rahi hai?”

—

To be continued

“Bathroom kidhar hai? Main pahle ise dho leti hoon,” she said on reaching his home.

He motioned towards the guest bathroom and slumped on the sofa. He could feel exhaustion in his bones. While he waited for her to come out, he remembered the locket and took it out of his pocket. A small piece of paper peeked out of it. Curious, he picked it out and unfolded it. The content made him sit up. What could this possibly mean? He heard the bathroom door open and quickly folded the paper back.

When Ananya came out, she looked as pale as him. She was so distraught that she hardly noticed his state. “Mera locket…” she felt for it around her neck, “Woh jungle mein–” Her eyes fell on his hands and she let out a cry of joy. “Thank God! Ye aapke paas hai.” She snatched it from him and pressed it close to her heart.

He looked away for a moment to control his expressions, then asked. “Ye locket… Ye itna important kyon hai tumhare liye?”

“Ye locket mujhe mere Papa ke kareeb rakhta hai, Kabir. Woh mere strength hain.”

“Tumhare Papa? Kahan hain woh?”

She became somber, “Aath saal se gayab hain. Duniya ke liye villain hain, lekin mere liye to hero hain. Shayad aapko yaad ho. RG Pharma waala case. Aath saal pahle…”

“Tum Sudhir Kashyap ki beti ho?”

She nodded.

“Excuse me,” he said and strode towards his bedroom.

—

“Annie!” he hissed at his image in the bedroom mirror, “I should have known!”

‘Maine ek bahut hi ordinary life ji hai, Kabir, lekin meri beti ke liye main hero hoon. Agar mujhe kuchh ho jaata hai to kam-se-kam Annie ko bata dena ki main galat nahin tha. Lekin usse pahle ye ensure kar lena ki use ya meri family mein kissi aur ko koi khatra na ho.’

He took a deep breath, grabbed the first aid box and went back to her.

He was aware of her penetrating eyes on him as he dressed her wound. He paled, but was not surprised, when she finally asked, “Aap ka hi likha hua hai na woh article? Aap the Delhi Kranti mein, hai na?”

He didn’t reply and continued dressing.

“Mujhe nahin pata ki aap kyon nahin maanna chahte ye. Ye aapka aakhiri article tha Delhi Kranti mein. Shayad aapka bhi vishwaas uth gaya hoga Papa se. Shayad aap apne is article ke liye sharminda hain ab. Lekin main aapko kuchh vishwaas dilane mein interested nahin hoon, Kabir. Main aapko sirf isliye dhoondh rahi thi itne dinon se kyonki shayad aap hi hain jo Papa ko dhoondhne mein meri madad kar sakte hain. Aath saalon se hum unka intezaar kar rahe hain. Even if aapko lagta hai ki woh galat the, phir bhi hamein unse milne ka, unse baat karne ka haq to hai na?”

He finished dressing and stood up. She followed the suit and stood in front of him, stubborn and insistent.

He held her close and looked into her eyes for a long time.

“Annie!” Him calling her by that name brought tears to her eyes. “Tum aath saalon se apne Papa ke lautne ka intezaar kar rahi ho?”

She nodded.

“Main tumhein thodee si khushi dene ke liye dhokhe mein nahin rakh sakta. Tumhare Papa is duniya mein nahin rahe. Aath saal pahle hi…”

She stepped back from him, looking crestfallen.

“Aisa nahin ho sakta. Ma ko poora bharosa hai… Nahin. Aap jhooth bol rahe hain. Aap abhi tak mujhse apne baare mein jhooth bol rahe the. Ab Papa ke baare mein bhi bol rahe hain. Mujhe nahin pata ki aap aisa kyon kar rahe hain, lekin…”

“Annie–”

“Mat bulaiye mujhe is naam se. Aapko iska haq nahin hai.”

She made to run out of the house, but Kabir yanked her hand and stopped her.

“Main tumhein ghar drop kar raha hoon.”

“Mujhe jaane dijiye.”

“Ananya!” On a whim he turned her towards himself and pulled her in a tight hug. She broke down and sobbed for a long time in his arms.

He sat her down on the sofa after she stopped crying and sat across from her. They sat in silence for a long time.

At last she said, “Mujhe ghar jaana hai.”

“Chalo,” he stood up and picked the car keys.

They drove to her home in silence.

She broke it only to thank him for dropping her.

“Ananya,” he responded in a trembling voice, “Please take care.”

She nodded and left. He waited until she entered her home, then turned his car around.

—

Kabir paced in his study, while Ananya sat on her windowsill with her father’s photograph pressed to her bosom.

Ananya felt her father’s presence again.

“Papa. Aaj bharosa toot gaya mera.”

“Par tu nahin toot sakti, Annie beta. Tujhe Ma aur bhai ko sambhaalna hai.”

“Main kya karoon ab, Papa? Itne dinon se bas isi maqsad se jee rahi thi ki aapko dhoondhoongi.”

“Sach ki khoj to baaki hai na abhi, beta? Sach tujhse aur mujhse bahut bada hota hai. Uske liye hi main mara aur use liye hi tujhe jeena hai.”

Kabir directed his restless ramblings to an absent Ananya.

“Annie! Kaise mod par mili ho tum mujhe? Kitna sach bataun tumhein aur kaise? Jitna samjha hoon tumhein, sach bata diya to tum kood jaogi uski ladai mein. Khatre mein daal logi khud ko. Aur mere haath aise bandhe hain ki main tumhara saath bhi nahin de paunga. Mujhse nafrat karogi tum. Dono hi baatein mujhe manzoor nahin hain. Tumhein poora sach to main nahin bata sakta. Kam-se-kam abhi nahin. Tumhein mujhe maaf karna hoga iske liye.”

—

“Kabir Sir?” Armaan opened the door for him. The boy looked tired and forlorn.

“Armaan. Ananya hai ghar par?”

“Ji. Aap please baithiye. Maine bhejta hoon Didi ko.”

His stomach churned on seeing Ananya’s condition. Disheveled hair, puffed eyes, dispirited walk – he had never seen her like that. Not even last night. It looked like as the reality had sinked in, life had been driven out of her.

“Armaan. Paani laana,  Kabir Sir ke liye,” she asked her brother.

“Nahin!” he objected hastily, “Uski zaroorat nahin hai. Ananya – tum… Tum beemar lag rahi ho–”

“Meri hi bewkoofi thi. Deep down, jaanti to thi main, ki Papa agar zinda hote to itne dinon tak humse mile bina nahin rahte. Lekin Ma ki zidd thi, aur samay ke saath maine khud ko bhi unki zidd ka bharosa dila diya tha.”

“I’m sorry. I’m really sorry. Agar main kuchh bhi kar sakoon…”

“Ma ko aapse mil kar achchha lagta. Aapka woh article… But I am sorry. Abhi woh aapse milne ki condition mein bilkul nahin hain.”

“That’s fine. That’s totally fine. Tum bas ye ensure karo ki woh theek rahein. Aur tum bhi…”

“Ananya!” Ronnie was at the door.

“Ronnie!” Ananya ran to him and broke down in his arms. A pang of jealousy and a stab of guilt hit him simultaneously. For a short while last night, she had sought that comfort in his arms. Now she was distant from him. It was hardly the time to grudge her the support she really sought. But he felt lonely, isolated, forgotten. He tried to slip out quietly, but Ronnie called him.

“Kabir Sir!”

He looked up, “Ananya aaj office nahin aa payegi…”

He nodded and left.

—

To be continued

Their captors left a young boy to supervise them. He looked out of place in that gang and his nerves were obviously frayed.

“Bandhe hue to hum hain,” Kabir decided to strike a conversation with him, “Pareshaan tu kyon ho raha hai?”

He didn’t reply and tried to appear stern.

Ananya helped in the game Kabir was trying to play, “Kabir. Ye kahan phans gaye hain hum? Kaun hain ye log? Unhein humse kya dar hai?”

“Pata nahin, Ananya. Phansa hua to ye bhi lag raha hai. Tera naam kya hai, bhai?”

“Tum log baat karna band karo,” his attempt at intimidating them was clownish at its best.

“Sun. Hamein zinda to rakhna hai na. Thoda paani pila de. Bahut zoron se pyaas lagi hai.”

He looked uncertain, but gave in. “Laata hoon.”

As soon as he was out of earshot, Kabir turned to Ananya. “Sit still, Ananya,” he hissed and closed in on her.

Confused, and her heart beating absurdly hard for the dire circumstances, she sat like a statue and expected a kiss to land anytime on her cheeks. Instead Kabir removed her spectacles, threw it beside him and grinned at her. “Chashma suit nahin kar raha tha tum par.”

“Abhi aapko mera chashma…”

“Hush!” he shifted around to smash her spectacles with his sole. Then picked up a piece of broken glass and shifted once again to position their backs against each other. Soon he had cut the ropes off her hands. She began to untie him, but could not finish it before the boy appeared with water.  She put her own hands behind her and pretended as if they were still tied. Kabir struggled with his half undone bonds and by the time the boy reached them he was also free, but continued to pretend like Ananya.

“Ab haath to bandhe hain hamare. To pila bhi de paani,” he told the boy.

Uncomfortable, but resigned, the boy leant forward towards Kabir. Kabir used this opportunity to jump on him. He held him captive with one of his hands, while his other he pressed around the boy’s mouth to keep him from screaming. Ananya fetched the rope, whose one end was still tethered to the tree and tied it around the boy’s feet. Now Kabir only needed to make sure that the boy didn’t scream and draw attention to himself. With the seocnd rope, Ananya also managed to tie his hands despite his struggles.

“Meri side pocket mein ek rumaal hai,” Kabir told her, “Nikalo use. Iska munh bhi band karna hoga.”

She hesitated. For two reasons. “Kabir. Bachcha hai…”

“Abhi hamari maut hai ye. Aur munh hi band kar raha hoon. Maar nahin raha. Jaldi nikalo, please.”

Utterly aware of touching him this close through the tight jeans pocket, Ananya wriggled the handkerchief out.

Once they had the boy all trussed up, Anaya wondered, “Ab kya karein?”

“I hope Vinod aur uski team hamein GPS se track kar rahi hai. Itna time ho gaya hai to shayad police ko bhi bula liya ho aur woh hamein dhoondh lenge. Lekin yahan se jaane ki zaroorat hai.”

“Aur ye ladka?”

They saw him struggling and whimpering.

“Tujhe yahan dar lag raha hai?” Kabir asked him.

He nodded, fear evident in his eyes.

“Inke liye kaam karna hai, ya hamare saath chalna hai? Police ki madad karni hai?”

His gutteral response was undecipherable.

“Hamare saath chalega?” Kabir simplified his question.

The boy nodded.

“Chal phir.”

They didn’t untie or ungag him immediately.

“Hamein yahan se thoda door jaana hoga. And then let’s hope ki police hamein dhoondh legi,” Kabir explained.

“Ji. Chaliye.”

As they made to leave, Kabir noticed an open locket lying on the ground. He didn’t want to stop just then. So, he picked up the two parts of the locket and pocketed them without asking Ananya about it.

They walked away from the area for about half-an-hour, then stopped. They ungagged the boy and asked him questions about himself. His name was Suraj. He was recently orphaned and one of the neighbors had enrolled him in the gang. He was scared of staying with them and equally scared of running away. Kabir assured him that he would place him a children’s home he volunteered at and he would be taken care of there.

Vinod’s team and police soon found them and escorted them out of the jungle.

—

They went to the police station first. Then Khurana took the responsibility to dropping Suraj to the children’s home.

“Ananya. Maine tumhein ghar drop kar deta hoon,” Kabir offered.

“Ji,” she climbed into the passenger’s seat. “Ouch!” she yelped when she tried to pull the seat belt.

“Kya hua?” He examined her arms and they found long scratch on it. “Ye kab hua?”

“Mera dhyaan nahin gaya tha abhi tak,” she said, looking shocked.

“Hospital jaane ki zaroorat to nahi padegi. Lekin ghar jaate hi iski dressing kar lena.”

“Ma ghabra jayengi, Kabir. Hospital hi chalte hain, dresing karwa lete hain. Please.”

He hesitated for a moment, before proposing, “If it’s okay, mere ghar chal sakte hain. Wahan thoda fresh bhi ho jaana aur…”

She thought for a moment, then agreed and smiled, “Thank you.”

“Iske liye thank you ki zaroorat nahin hai. In fact, I am sorry, Ananya. Maine tumhein itne dangerous situation mein daal diya tha.”

“Hum sirf apna kaam kar rahe the, Kabir.”

He smiled, “Adrenaline junkie ho tum bhi. Mazaa aata hai tumhein?”

She tilted her head and returned his smile, “Bas Ma ki chinta rahti hai. Isliye unhein mat bataiyega. Lekin mazaa to aata hai.”

He chuckled and drove off.

—

To be continued

“Sir. Dr. Sinha ke case ne ajeeb turn liya hai.”

“Yes?”

“Jis student ne unhein accuse kiya hai, Neha, woh hospital aur medical college ke admin-in-charge, Dr. Kapoor, ki beti hai. Ye baat kahin bhi saamne nahin aayi hai poori story mein, aur Dr. Kapoor bhi gayab hain poore scene se. Jab maine Dr. Sinha ko is baat ko lekar confront kiya to woh bahut ghabra gaye aur bole ki I should stop pursuing it. Unhein apni prestige se zyada apni family ki safety ki chinta hai. Unhein koi threaten kar raha hai aur woh isliye apni taraf se koi safai nahin de rahe hain, mera conclusion to yahi hai.”

“Do you think it is the time to involve the police?”

“I think so, Sir. Jab tak involved logon ko apni safety ka khatra hai, tab tak I don’t think woh kuchh bolenge. Aur unse kuchh bulwana sahi bhi nahin hai.”

“Theek hai. I will take care of it.”

“Sir. Aap kuchh discuss karna chahte the.”

“Sir, Sir, Sir! I think humne ye discuss kiya tha.”

“Abhi hum office mein hain.”

“Aur office mein bahut se log mujhe naam se bulate hain.”

“Fine. Kabir! Aap kya discuss karna chahte the?”

“Apart from the things maine editorial meeting mein aaj discuss kiye, mera ek pet project hai. I want to create a team of investigative journalists. Ye team exclusively breaking news ki jagah, deep investigations par focus karegi. Maine Vinod aur kuchh aur logon se already baat ki hai. Khalid and KL bhi is idea se sahmat hain. To main ye jaanna chahte tha ki kya tum interested ho is team ko join karne mein?”

“Wow! KKN mein aisa group? Maine imagine nahin kiya tha.”

“Cheezein change karne ke liye hi main yahan aaya hoon, Ananya. Tumhara jawaab kya hai?”

“Neki aur poochh-poochh. Main zaroor join karoongi.”

“Good. To ghar par phone kar ke bol dijiye ki aap aaj raat ghar nahin aayengi, ya der se aayengi. Team formally to banti rahegi. Lekin hamein apni pahli story par aaj se hi kaam shuru karna hai. Hum chaar logon ki team aaj kaam karegi.”

“Hum? Aap bhi chalenge, Sir? I mean, Kabir.”

“Haan. Kyon?”

“Aap editor-in-chief hain. Reporters hain aapke paas on-field kaam ke liye.”

“Tumhein lagta hai ki main on-field kaam nahin kar sakta? Tum apne arms dealer ko bhool gayi? Kaun pahuncha tha wahan?”

“Woh emergency thi. Aur main ye nahin kah rahi ki aap nahin kar sakte. Lekin aapko karne ki zaroorat nahin hai.”

“Position se main editor hoon, Ananya. Lekin dil se reporter hi hoon, aur hamesha rahunga.”

She peered at him for a long moment.

“Kya?” he asked.

“Mujhe kabhi-kabhi lagta hai ki aap mujhse jhooth bol rahe hain.”

“Kaisa jhooth?”

“Kya aapne sach mein kabhi Delhi Kranti mein kaam nahin kiya hai?”

His face stiffened, but he tried to laugh. It was a sorry attempt. “Tum kyon iske peechhe padi hui ho?”

She shook her head. “Aise hi. Main aapse shaam mein milti hoon. Aur aap please Dr. Sinha ki story ka dekh lijiye.”

“Okay.”

He followed her with his troubled eyes. What was her obsession with Delhi Kranti?

—

Following Kabir’s plans, Ananya and he entered the forest area, where illegal trees were being felled. It was just as Kabir’s lead promised. Vinod and Sahir, the other two members of the team were to watch out for trouble and call police if Kabir and Ananya didn’t return within stipulated time or if they spotted any other danger.

They could see the trees being cut from far away, but it was night time and they had to rely on a spy camera. So, it was necessary to get closer to the spot to capture any usable video. Taking the cover of the trees, they crept closer.

“Do you think abhi capture ho jayega?” Kabir whispered to her.

“Shayad. Lekin I think hamein ise differently handle karna chahiye.”

“Kaise?”

“Nikal kar batati hoon.”

They heard the sound of thunder in distance and retreated.

“Ye jungle ki footage kahin ki bhi ho sakti hai. Koi pahchaan hai is area ki jise hum capture kar sakein? So that it can be proved ki ye unauthorized jagah par ped kat rahe hain.”

“Haan. Ek purana temple hai, well-known. Keep your camera on. Hamein dheere-dheere yahan se right khisakna hai.”

They reached the temple spot in a few minutes. There was clearing around the temple. Suddenly a flash of lightening illuminated the area and they found themselves exposed to two men conferring nearby. They were from the the gang involved in cutting the trees. Before they could run away, one of the men pointed a pistol at Kabir, while the other got hold of Ananya.

“Hamein jaane dijiye,” Kabir said, “Kuchh confusion ho gaya hai. Hum yahan galti se aa gaye the.”

“Itni raat ko galti se jungle mein kaise aa gaye the sahab?”

“Hum log… darasal – ye meri girlfriend hai – bina ghar par bataye bahar nikle the hum log, aur gaadi kharaab ho gayi. Abhi kissi ko phone bhi nahin kar sakte to socha mandir mein raat bita lein.”

“Theek hai, phir. Bitao raat mandir mein. Chalo hamare saath.”

“Ka… kahaan?” Ananya asked, her voice trembling.

“Mandir mein,” her captor grumbled.

“Please hamein jaane dijiye. Hamein nahin pata ki aap yahan kya kar rahe hain, aur hamein koi matlab bhi nahin hai.”

“Goli chala doon tere yaar ke oopar?”

“Na… nahin, nahin. Please.”

“Chalo phir.”

In a few minutes that weny by in blur for Ananya, they managed to call two more people, procure a rope, tie their hands behind their back, and tether them to a tree. Ananya and Kabir sat down uncomfortably, with their back against the tree trunk.

—

To be continued

“Sir. Thank you. Aapne woh sting operation ke saath statement air kar ke story ka impact hi kuchh aur kar diya.”

“You are welcome, Ms. Kashyap. Aur main aapko ek baat bata doon ki aap ek achchhi reporter hain. Lekin agar thoda dimaag thandha rakhengi aur thodi maturity se kaam lengi to iconic reporter ban sakti hain.”

“Seekh rahi hoon aapse, Sir.”

“Flattery ke marks nahin milenge performance appraisal mein. Aap kaise aayi hain? Scooter se?”

“Nahin Sir,” she gave an embarrassed smile, “Armaan ko zaroorat thi. To maine aaj cab li thi.”

“Main aapko drop kar doon?”

“Ji. Agar aapko problem na ho to.  Mujhe aapse kuchh discuss bhi karna hai.”

“Chaliye.”

—

“To bataiye. Kya discuss karna tha aapko?”

“Pahli baat to ye ki maine Dr. Sinha se baat karne ki bahut koshish ki lekin woh baat karne ko taiyaar hi nahin hain. And it doesn’t look like he is embarrassed. Woh dare hue lag rahe hain. To mujhe lagta hai ki aapka shaq sahi hai. Baat yahan kuchh aur hai.”

“Aap us student ke baare mein pata lagayiye… Nahin, hum kuchh bhi indiscriminately air nahin karenge. Lekin real story us direction mein ho sakti hai.”

“Theek hai, Sir. Aur ek baat poochhni thi.”

“Zaroor poochhiye. Dil mein mat rakhiye sawaal. Kyonki maine notice kiya hai ki aapko sab kuchh explain na kiya jaye to aapke bhadakne ki propensity kaafi zyada hoti hai.”

“Sir, please embarrass mat kijiye. Maine aise hi bahut sharminda hoon.”

He chuckled, “Uski zaroorat nahin hai. Poochhiye.”

“Aapke paas Mahi ke videos the na? Sunny se liye the aapne.”

“Haan the.”

“Phir aapne air kyon nahin kiye?”

“Maine dekhe videos. Aur main… aapke judgment se sahmat tha. Hamein woh nahin air karne chahiye, especially jab Mahi apni consent dene ke halat mein nahin hai.”

Her eyes widened and she stared at him, “Aap sach kah rahe hain?”

“Main jhooth kyon bolunga?”

“Aap mujh par itna gussa the.”

“Kyonki aapne ise responsibly handle nahin kiya, Ms. Kashyap. Sahi kaam karna itna aasaan nahin hota. Uske consequences se bhi deal karna hota hai. Sirf ye kah dena kaafi nahin hota ki woh footage air nahin kiye ja sakte. You should also have come up with an alternative plan for the bulletin.”

“Aapko itni jaldi raid ke liye information kaise mili?”

“Jiske through aapko Mahi mili, usi ko maine follow karwaya tha. Ji haan. Main aap par nazar nahin rakh raha tha. Rather mujhe lah raha tha ki Mahi se badi story break ho sakti hai is lead ke through. Isliye use follow karwa raha tha. Halanki maine ye expect nahin kiya that ki mujhe next story itni jaldi mil jayegi.”

“Agar nahin milti to…”

“Main Mahi ke videos air nahin karta.”

“Thank you, Sir.”

“Next time–”

“Responsibly handle karoongi. I promise.”

He smiled.

“Waise aaj Mahi ka phone aaya tha. Agar hum chahein to she is willing to give an exclusive interview. She is not fully recovered. Medicines ki wajah se lethargic hai. But she is in her senses now. She has also said ki selected footage pahle ke videos se hum include kar sakte hain. She hopes ki woh un logon ke liye deterrent saabit ho jo vulnerable hain drug ke chakar mein padne ke liye.”

“That’s excellent. Pahle batana chahiye tha. Ab mujhe saare bulletins replan karne honge ise accommodte karne ke liye.”

“Sorry Sir. Mujhe pata nahin tha…”

“Mazaak kar raha hoon, Ms. Kashyap.”

She smiled.

“Waise, Ms. Kashyap, hamari dosti to pakki hai na?”

“Aise kyon poochh rahe hain aap? Main aapse jhagda to nahin kar rahi.”

“Isliye poochh raha hoon ki ab jab hum dost hain to aap mujhe Kabir kah ke bula sakti hain, nahin?”

She blushed hard. “Mushkil hai. Aadat ho gayi hai. Lekin koshish kar sakti hoon. Par aap to mujhe Ananya bula sakte hain. Jab gusse mein daant rahe the to naam se hi bula bhi rahe the. Aapko to dikkat nahin honi chahiye.”

“Nahin. Mujhe koi dikaat nahin hai, Ananya.”

“Sir, I mean Kabir, bas next waala left. Yahi mera ghar hai.”

“Okay then. Good night.”

“Andar aaiye na. Ma se mil lijiye. Aur apne fan se bhi.”

“Fan?”

“Mera bhai. Armaan. Jab se aapne uski help ki hai, woh to aapka bada fan ho gaya hai.”

To her surprise, he blushed, “Aaj bahut der ho gai hai, Ananya. Phir kissi din aaunga. Mujhe neend bhi aa rahi hai.”

“Aisa hai to main aapko pareshan nahin karoongi. Good night.”

“Good night.”

—

“All right everyone. Pichhle kuchh dinon mein humne short term changes discuss kiye hamare content mein, jinmein se ki bahut kuchh implement bhi ho chuka hai. Kuchh slots mein hamari ratings skyrocket bhi kar gayi hain. Leki hum abhi bhi seocnd and third position ke aroud hi hang kar rahe hain. That is not disappointing. That is as expected. Kyonki number one ki position par jaane ke liye hamein medium aur long term mein changes karne honge aur unhein regularly monitor karna hoga. So today we will discuss those potential changes in our programming, which can bring us closer to our desired number one position. Main abhi ke abhi necessarily decision nahin loonga. This meeting is for putting forward ideas and discussing them. Mere kuchh ideas hain, jo main aapke saamne rakhoonga. Aur aapke ideas bhi sunna chahunga. Does that sound right?”

Nods and murmurs went up in assent.

He explaied his idea of creating programmes around themes. These themes could be slot-based, or could be about a certain time period. For example, the month of march could be devoted to women related programmes.  Then he put forward some specific programming ideas.

“I know ki hum yahan first mover nahin hain, but we need a programme based on real life crimes. And we can differentiate by choosing the stories according to a theme.” After a while he asked for ideas from others.

“Sir. I think national media par rural areas ki stories sahi se cover nahin hoti. We can dedicate some programmes to it,” Vinod proposed.

“That’s a good idea. Anything else?”

“Sir, I think hamein ek programme positive stories ke oopar karna chahiye,” Ananya added, “Ye almost compusion hai hamare profession ki, hum almost always negative stories report karte hain. Scandals, bribery, sexual abuse, murders. Ye sab sachchai hai. Lekin saari sachchai negative hi nahin hai. Duniya mein positive cheezein bhi h rahi hain, jo ki sensational ya breaking news nahin banti. Kyonki achchhe kaam karne mein time lagta hai. Overnight news nahin break ho sakti. Hamein aisi stories bhi karni chahiye ek programme mein.”

“I’m afraid, it will get boring too quickly,” Malvika objected.

“I don’t think so, Malvika,” Kabir said, “It needs to be produced carefully. But we must not dismiss the idea.”

“Sir ek idea mere paas bhi hai,” Ronnie said next, “Thoda ajeeb hai. To be honest main sure nahin hoon–”

“It’s okay, Ronnie. Go ahead. Abhi hum bas ideas collect kar rahe hain.”

“Sir. Aaj kal kai saari sites aa rahi hain, jo ki campus news report karti hain, from all over the country. They are getting popular among the young students. Websites par to, of course, kitna bhi content ho sakta hai. To ye directly translatable nahin hai TV ke liye. But agar hum campuses mein ho rahi intereting cheezeon par select news ka programme karein, to it might win us some young audience.”

“Another great idea. We need to flesh it out further, but I will definitely keep this in mind.”

After discussing more ideas coming from almost every corner of the meeting room, Kabir turned to Khalid.

“Plans finalize karne mein time lagega, Khalid. Lekin it is clear that we may need to hire aggressively. Hamein zyada slots mein fresh programmes karne honge, aur inmein se kai ideas ke liye hamein specialists bhi hire bhi karne padenge. So we need a good recuirtment and hiring budget.”

“Don’t worry about that, Kabir. Let’s create a recruitment requirement plan and get started on it.”

“Great then. Let’s get back to work.”

“Ms. Kashyap,” he addressed Ananya separately when everyone was dispersing, “Please meet me in my cabin. There is something I need to discuss with you.”

“Yes Sir.”

—

To be continued

“Kal Armaan ki help karne ke liye thanks,” she said after they had driven some way.

He pulled up, tapped her shoulders making her turn and looked at him full in face.

“Aur aaj tumhari jaan bachane ke liye?”

“Meri jaan se kya farq padta hai?” she looked away.

“Kissi ko to padta hoga. Suni nahin unki baat. Khoobsoorat ho tum. Vishwamitra ki tapasya todne aayi Menka ki tarah.”

“Ab ye din aa gaye hain mere? Gundo ke munh se sunna padega ki main khoobsoorat hoon?”

“To mere munh se sun lo.”

“Ye hum aisi bekaar ki baatein kyon kar rahe hain?”

“Take a guess. Meri wajah se to nahin kar rahe hain. Ye kaisi bewkoofaana harquat thi, Ms. Kashyap? Bina kissi backup ke, bina kissi ko bataye aise aa jate hain kya kahin bhi string operation karne?”

She took off one of her ear-rings. “Backup camera tha. Unhone button mein laga camera pahchaan liya tha. But ismein bhi kuchh to record hua hoga.”

“For God’s sake, Ananya. Maine camere ki baat nahin kar raha. Ek tareeka hota hai story investigate karne ka? Editorial discussion karna hota hai aisi leads par? Risk level ke hisaab se decisions lene hote hain? Tumehin pata nahin hai kya?”

“Main suspension par thi.”

“Job ke saath-saath apna dimaag bhi suspend kar liya tha kya? Mujhe nahin pata chalta aur police ko information nahin milti to?”

“I am sorry,” she finally said.

“You better be.”

“To kya main job par wapas aa sakti hoon?”

“Yes, please!” he growled, then added more gently, “Itna har baat ko dil par nahin lete, Ananya. Maine gusse mein kah diya tha ki suspend kar raha hoon. It wasn’t official. Maine HR ko kuchh bola bhi nahin tha. Lekin tum gayab ho gayi. Aur ab Malvika se jahgda kar ke maine tumhari naukri bachayi hai. So, yes, please. Job par wapas aa jao.”

“Malvika ko mujhse kya problem hai?”

“Mujhe kya pata?”

“Jab se aap aaye hain, tab se hi hai. Usse pahle to shayad jaanti bhi nahin thi ki koi Ananya Kashyap hai office mein.”

“To kya tumhari saari problems ki wajah main hoon?”

“Lagta to hai.”

“Ananya. Apne saath tum mujhe bhi bachcha bana dogi. Kya bachkani baatein kar rahi ho?”

“Maine bachchi lagti hoon aapko?”

“Main tumse jhagda nahin karna chahta, Ananya. Please? Hum saath mein kaam kar rahe hain. Kya hum dost nahin ban sakte?”

She fell silent, then said sorry once again.

“So friends?”

“Ek boss aur ak junior kabhi friends nahin ho sakte.”

“Excuse me?”

She grinned. “Mazaak kar rahi thi.”

He smiled, “Waise for the records, khoobsoorat ho tum bahut. So please, thoda soch-samajh kar jaya karo dangerous situations mein.”

She smiled sportingly, but a shiver went down her spine.

—

“Kabir. Dinner par chalein?”

“Aaj nahin, Malvika. Meri wajah se bechari Ms. Kashyap ke paas aaj unka beloved scooter nahin hai. To main unhein ghar drop kar deta hoon.”

“Ananya to…” she gestured outside.

Kabir wondered if Malvika had timed her entry into his cabin so that he could see Ananya leaving with Ronnie.

He smiled at her, “That’s great, then. I am free. Kahan chalna hai?”

“Tumhare ghar?”

“Kuchh khane ko hai nahin ghar par.”

“Don’t worry. I know just where to pick up food and wine from.”

—

“May I come in, Sir?”

“Yes. Ms. Kashyap. Good morning.”

“Good morning, Sir. Aapne mujhe bulaya?”

“Aapne aaj woh news dekhi hai? Medical college waali. Jahan ek student ne–”

“Ji, dekhi.”

“I want you to investigate it.”

“Investigate for what, Sir?”

“Main Dr. Sinha ko jaanta hoon, jin par sexual abuse ka ilzaam laga hai. Mujhe yakeen hai ki woh aisa nahin kar sakte. Koi aur baat hai…”

“Sir, sex offenders aksar hi jab pakde jaate hain to aas paas waalon ko hairaan kar dete hain. Kissi ke chehre par to nahin likha hota–”

“I know. Maine sirf aapko apna view bataya hai. Aur apne bias ki wajah se hi main ye khud nahin kar raha hoon. Aapko main Dr. Sinha ko innocent prove karne ko nahin kah raha. Sirf investigate karne ko kah raha hoon, is assumption par ki story thodee zyada ho sakti hai jitni nazar aa rahi hai. Waise bhi Dr. Sinha ka statement abhi tak kissi ne liya nahin hai. So that is right up your sleeve, isn’t it?” he eyed her mischievously.

Before Ananya could answer Malvika barged in, “Kabir! Kal raat mera bracelet shayad tumhare ghar par chhoot gaya tha…”

Before she could even finish, Kabir produced a pearl bracelet from his pocket.

“Oh, you found it! How sweet… Pata nahin maine neend mein thi, ya itni drunk thi. Main nikli kab? Kaafi der ho gayi thi na? Oh! Ms. Kashyap yahan hain?” she had pretended not to notice Ananya until then.

“Main chalti hoon, Sir. I will follow up with Dr. Sinha.”

“Sure, Ms. Kashyap. Keep me in the loop.”

“Excuse me, Malvika,” his friendly manners to Malvika disappeared as soon as Ananya stepped out, “I need to finalize the bulletin content for this entire week. To agar kuchh urgent baat na karni ho to baad mein milein?”

“Yeah. Okay.”

He stared after Ananya’s receding form. ‘Farq to padta hai tumhein, Ms. Kashyap,’ then  he saw her stopping at Ronnie’s desk, ‘Ya phir tumhein read karne mein main completely wrong hoon?’

—

That evening’s bulletin brought another surprise for Ananya. Kabir had aranged for a sting operation on the businessman and hotel owner involved in Nidhi’s case. The woman in the sting operation was called for a modelling assignment, but in the hotel the man tried to take advantage of her. This was preceisly what Nidhi had also said. After airing this sting operation, he played Nidhi’s statement.

“Ye fabulous hai na, Richa? Agar sirf Nidhi ka statement play karte, to log kitna bharosa karte uska. Lekin is sting operation ke baad to… Maamla ekdum saaf hai, nahin?”

“Baat to sahi hai.”

“Kabir Sir brilliant hain, yaar.”

“Khadoos se brilliant tak ka safar badi jaldi tay kar liya unhone.”

“Main unhein thanks bol kar aati hoon.”

—

To be continued

“Kabir. I think that was atrocious. With all that money too. Use fire karne ka total sense make karta hai,” Malvika whined.

“I agree, Malvika. But do din ka suspension kaafi hai. We can’t just keep firing people for every small transgression.”

“Tum kuchh zyada hi use sar par chadha kar rakhte ho, aur woh aur bhi sar chadhti ja rahi hai.”

“Look, Malvika. Mujhe bhi logon ke bachpane se deal karna ka shauq nahin hai. Lekin Kahlid aur KL mujhe yahan kissi purpose ke liye le kar aaye hain. Aur agar mujhe is channel ko number one banana hai, hard-hitting stories karni hain, to hum achchhe journalists ko chhoti-chhoti baaton par fire nahin karte rah sakte.”

“Junior reporter hai woh. Kya koi kami hai achchhe reporters ki market mein?”

“Bahut. Bahut kami hai. TV par aane ka glamour sabko chahiye hota hai. Lekin ground par ja kar, khatre utha kar, actual reporting ka passion bahut kam logon mein hota hai.”

“Lekin–”

“Malvika,” Khalid intervened now, “Dekho. Reporters se deal karna Kabir ka kaam hai. So I think unke baare mein faisle hamein use lene dene chahiye. All right? To Kabir. Uska suspension tum khatam karna chahte ho?”

“Yes, Khalid.”

“Theek hai. Maine HR mein kissi ko bol kar call karwa doonga.”

“Nahin, Khalid. Main khud phone kar loonga. We don’t need to make this suspension official. Maine HR ko bola bhi nahi tha.”

“As you wish.”

—

“Hello. Kya main Ananya Kashyap se baat kar sakta hoon? Main unke office se bol raha hoon.” Something stopped Kabir from revealing his identity when he called at her home number.

“Main Ananya ki Ma bol rahi hoon. Ananya to subah hi nikal gayi thi kaam par. Usne kaha tha ki koi lead follow kar rahi hai.”

“Lead?”

“Ji. Office mein bata ke gayi hogi na? Aapne uske mobile par phone kiya?”

“Unreachable hai. Main pata karta hoon. Kissi ko to bata ke gayi hogi. Sorry to disturb you, Mrs. Kashyap.”

“Koi problem to nahin hai?”

“Nahin, Mrs. Kashyap. Please don’t worry.”

But he was worried! Something about her worried him. She had that stromy, reckless temperament that pushed people towards danger. He was there on the spot the night she had obtained Bhat’s illegal wedding’s footage. It was a dangerous affair. Fetching Mahi from drug dealers or fooling jail authorities to get to Nidhi Kapoor couldn’t have been easy either. And right now she was angry with him. God knows what danger she would jump into.

“Ronnie. Ms. Kashyap kahan hain?”

“Pata nahi, Sir. Office nahin aayi hai.”

“Woh to main bhi dekh raha hoon. Hai kahan woh? Kissi ko bata kar gayi hai?”

“Mujhe to nahin bataya, Sir. Koi problem hai?”

“Woh ladki hi problem hai.”

“Woh to hai, Sir—“

Kabir glared at Ronnie and he apologized, “Sorry, Sir. Main Richa se poochhta hoon.”

Richa and Trisha didn’t know Anaya’s whereabouts. She hadn’t called Sunny either.

“Phone nahin lag raha. Kaise pata chalega kahan gayi hai?” Kabir fretted.

“Sir. Uske stinger ko pata hoga.”

“Jaante ho tum use?”

“Haan Sir.”

“To phone karo. Kiska wait kar rahe ho?”

“Ji, Sir. Karta hoon.”

—

“Tinu. Bata de yaar. Dekh boss pagal ho raha hai. Aise bhi pahle din se usse jhagda kar rahi hai woh. Agar Kabir ka dimaag sanak gaya to na uski job bachegi, na teri,” Ronnie pleaded with Tinu on phone.

“Acchchha. Batata hoon, Sir ji. Lekin aap na Madam ji ko mat batana ki maine kuchh bataya hai. Warna woh to meri–”

“Abhi to, Tinu, tu meri aur Kabir ki chinta kar. Tune nahin bataya to hum dono teri…”

“Achchha, achchha, Sir ji. Suno…”

—

Kabir peeked through a high window into the delipidated warehouse. Ananya had gone in to talk to an arms dealer, pretending to be representing a buyer. And she was alone! When his eyes adjusted to the darkness inside, he saw his worst fears coming true. Two men had grabbed her and she was struggling to free herself. Her cover must have been blown.

His instinctive reaction was to enter the warehouse immediately. But he restrained himself. He could not clearly see how many people were there. He had to wait for Khurana. Getting himself caught inside before the police came would help nobody. He just had to keep an eye and make sure that something catastrophic didn’t happen.  By now he was also able to overhear the going ons.

“Badi mushkil hai. Insult karte hain aaj kal ye TV waale bhi hamari. Aisi shakal ke logon ko sting operation karne bhej dete hain ki maano Vishwamitra ki tapasya todne ke liye Menka aayi ho. Na ki arms dealer ka sting karne koi reporter.”

A chorus of laughter followed.

“Karein kya iska? Maar dein?”

“Maar do!” Ananya’s voice took him by surprise. Was this girl on some suicidal mission? Couldn’t she keep quiet?

“Aise kaise? Rakhte hain, boss. Hamare bhi kaam aayegi. Aur agar kabhi zaroorat padi to iske badle apna kuchh kaam bhi ho sakta hai.”

“Sahi bol rahe ho, Viru. Maarte nahin hain.”

One of the goons yaneked her hair and a small scream skipped her throat. Kabir could not sit back any longer. He perched down from the window and entered the warehouse.

“Chhod do use,” his commanding voice echoed in the almost empty warehouse.

“Ye kaun hero aaya, bhai?”

“Woh mere liye yahan aayi hai. Use pakad ke tumhein koi fayda nahin hoga.”

“Aur hamara fayda batane waale tum kaun ho?”

Kabir walked in, as slowly as he could manage without looking deliberate. He needed to buy time until Khurana reached here.

“Tumhara dost hi samajh lo,” he picked up as corny and vague a statement as he could.

And then came the sound which couldn’t have been soothing in any other circumstance. A pistol fired in the air. Police!

The goons were distracted for a moment, and Kabir used the opportunity to drag Ananya away from them. Soon, Khurana and his men were all over them. The goons were outnumbered and were quickly captured.

Kabir didn’t let Ananya stray from his side and was about to push her into his car, when she protested, “Main scooter se aayi hoon.”

“Bhaad mein jaye tumhara scooter. Office chalo abhi.”

“Lekin main kaise le jaungi baad mein use?”

“Tinu jaanta hai tumhara ghar?”

“Ji.”

“To woh le jayega” he called Tinu, “Chabhi do use.”

—

To be continued

“Anaya!” Sunny sounded scared on phone.

“Haan, Sunny?”

“Tu office mein kyon nahin hai.”

“Kabir Sir ne mujhe suspend kar diya hai.”

“Kya?”

“Chhod na, Sunny. Tune kyon phone kiya?”

“Woh Ananya. Mujhpe gussa mat karna.”

“Kya hua?”

“Kabir Sir ne mujhse mera camera maanga aur…”

“Uspar Mahi ki footage thi?”

“Haan.”

“Ab mujhe bata kar kya fayda, Sunny?”

“Really sorry, Ananya.”

“Theek hai, Sunny.”

“Mahi kaisi hai?”

“Uski Mom aa gayi. Use le kar gayi hain. Ek hotel mein rah rahe hain woh log.”

“Achchha Ananya. Ye suspension ka kya chakkar hai, yaar? Tu unse maafi maang le aur baat khatam kar na.”

“Main kyon maafi maangoon? Maine office ke paise liye the, main woh jaise bhi hoga waps kar doongi. Maine kuchh galat nahin kiya hai. Jounralism mein ethics ka bhi course padhate hain. Main maafi nahin maang rahi.”

—

Armaan was not at home. Her mother was busy in the kitchen. She sat stiffly in front of the television as the time for the bulletin neared. The promos for drug addiction related bulletin were still going on. Kabir would air the videos from Sunny’s camera, Ananya rued. She should have ensured that all the recordings were deleted.

He didn’t air Mahi’s videos. The news was about a raid conducted by the police using a tip from KKN’s team. Inspector Khurana was on the phone with Kabir, while two of the KKN reporters were on the ground.

‘Wahan mujhe hona chahiye tha,’ Ananya thought. But at least Mahi’s videos were safe. Her suspension was not for nothing!

“Ananya,” her mother called, “Dinner bhi taiyaar hone waala hai. Ye Armaan kahan rah gaya? Mujhe tension ho rahi hai.”

“Maine phone kiya tha, Ma. Usne uthaya nahin. Thodi der mein phir try karti hoon.”

Just then her mobile rang. It was Vinod, the reporter on the raid scene, “Ananya. Jaldi se yahan aa ja. Woh jo raid hui thi abhi, wahan Armaan bhi tha. Police le gayi hai use.”

“Kya?”

“Kya hua Ananya?” her mother asked, “Armaan hai kya?”

“Nahin Ma. Mujhe thoda kaam aa gaya hai. Main thodi der mein aati hoon.”

“Ab tu bhi ja rahi hai. Chal kya raha hai? Armaan kahan hai?”

“Bada ho gaya hai, Ma. Doston ke saath party kar raha hoga. Main dekh loongi. Ma tum wait mat karna mera. Der ho jayegi.”

“Lekin–”

“Bye, Ma.”

She called Ronnie, Richa and Sunny on the way and made straight to the police station. Inspector Khurana recognized her.

“Ananya Kashyap, right? Woh Bhat waale case mein tumse baat hui thi. Yahan kaise? Abhi to Kabir ko statement diya hai maine.”

“Inspector. Ye kaam ke liye nahin hai. Woh–” she hesitated, “Mera bhai tha wahan, jahan raid padi thi. I’m sure Inspector uska isse kuchh lena-dena nahin hai. Woh to bas doston ke saath party karne gaya tha…”

“I’m sorry to hear that, Ananya. Lekin— Kam-se-kam medical tests to mujhe karwane honge sabke. Kitne log jo arrest hue hain, unke relatives baithe hain bahar.”

“Mujhe ek baar usse milne dijiye, Inspector. Woh ghabraya hua hoga. Please–”

“Tum log wait karo. Maine dekhta hoon… Unfortunately ye bahut high-profile raid hai, to mere liye bhi situation tight hai. Tum baitho.”

Despite herself, she could not stop tears from flowing down her eyes as she waited on the bench outside Inspector’s office.

“Mujhe wahan hona chahiye tha, Ronnie. Agar maine Kabir Sir se jhagda nahin kiya hota to aaj main ye cover kar rahi hoti, aur main use pahle hi bacha leti.”

“Aise mat soch, Ananya. Tu har jagah to nahin ho sakti. And don’t worry. Kuchh na kuchh ho jayega. Abhi turat raid padi hai, situation tight hai. Khurana will definitely help us.”

“Ananya!” Richa shook her, “Kabir Sir!”

“Kya?” she sat up and her eyes met Kabir’s who was walking down the corridor. Without stopping for them, he walked into Khurana’s room.

When he came out, Armaan was with him. Armaan ran to her, sobbing, and she pulled him in a tight embrace.

“I am sorry, Didi. I am really sorry. Lekin meri koi galti nahin thi. Hum to bas doston ke saath party karne gaye the. Hamein nahin pata tha…”

“I know, Armaan. Don’t worry. Ab sab theek ho jayega.”

As she broke the hug with Armaan, her eyes met Kabir’s again. But before she could speak, he walked off. Inspector Khurana escorted them out through the back gate of the police station.

Armaan told her how he was released on their way back. After speaking to Ananya, Khurana had called Kabir. Kabir spoke to Armaan and confirmed that he was not involved with drugs. Then he gave a statement that Armaan was the one keeping an eye for him in the party and that’s how he had been able to give the tip. So Khurana could release Armaan.

“Aaj agar Kabir Sir nahin hote, Didi, to pata nahin mera kya hota.”

Trembling, Ananya held her brother tight.

—

“Ananaya. Aaj office nahin jaana kya?” Ananya, who usually went through her morning chores with the restlessness of someone about to miss a long-distance flight was sitting listless at the breafast table. She hadn’t even changed into work clothes.

“Nahin Ma. Aaj chhutti par hoon. Thakaan ho rakhi hai.” She was suspended “until further notice” from Kabir. She wasn’t going to tell her mother that yet. Was he going to get her fired, after all? Malvika had been oddly hostile to her recently. If it was to be decided between Malvika, Kabir and Khalid, firing her won’t be difficult.

Then her mobile rang.

“Madam ji,” it was Tinu on phone, “Woh arms deal waali lead thi na. Abhi hot hai. Milengi?”

“Tinu. Main–” she paused. Did she even have a job now? But what if she didn’t? She would need some way of earning money. She might as well go freelance until then and sell the story to whosoever will pay the price. And since she didn’t have a job, she didn’t even need to inform anyone or take the permission of the editor-in-chief to follow the story. Life was better this way! “Tinu. Main aadhe ghante mein tumse milti hoon. Usual jagah par.”

—

To be continued

Kabir entered the office to find Malvika and Khalid holding a all-hands meeting.

“Kya chal raha hai yahan?”

“Humne abhi-abhi announce kiya hai, Kabir, ki within two weeks of your joining, hamari TRP has shot up. And we are at number two position among news channels.”

Everyone clapped.

“That’s good,” he agreed.

“It is. Isn’t it? Congratuations, Kabir,” Malvika chirped.

“Congratulations to everyone here. Our reporters – Vinod, Shirin, Ananya, Pravin, Shehnaaz, Sunny. Our presenters – Richa, Manav, Rohan. Our entire operations team – Ronnie, Kunal, Geeta, and you, Malvika. And congratulations to Khalid and KL for allowing us to air difficult stories without caring for political pressure.”

“Celebration to banta hai, Kabir.”

“Nahin Malvika. Number two par pahunchne ke liye celebration nahin banta. Uske liye hamein number one position par pahunchna hoga aur use maintain karna hoga. Celebration abhi nahin.”

“But–”

“No but, Malvika. Abhi hamein low-hanging fruits mile hain. Kuchh sensational stories break kar ke. Abhi audience ki loyalty secure karne ke liye hamein bahut door tak jaana hai.”

“Okay, then. No celebrations. Lekin main chocolates to bantwa rahi hoon office mein.”

“Sure. Aur haan. Kyonki hum apni position behtar karne ki baat kar rahe hain, let me also announce something. Abhi tak humne mera bulletin introduce karne, aur thodee aggressive reporting karne ke alaawa koi major editorial initiative nahin liye hain. I think this is the right time to look at our content strategy from scratch and do it right grounds up. Agle ek week ki editorial meetings main is par focus karna chahunga. Does that sound good?” he scanned the room and got a resouding clap in response.

“Great then!”

—

“Kaun hai ye?” Trisha nudged Ananya when she spotted a gorgeous woman clad in a red saree being escorted into the office by Kabir.

“Nice office, Kabir,” the woman said.

“My cabin is nicer,” he smiled meaningfully.

“You are naughty, Kabir.”

“I am very professional!”

“He can’t stop himself from flirting, can he?” Richa whispered to Ananya and Trisha.

“Ye Shalini Mehta hai. Woh industralist ki wife. Mehta Foundation chalati hai. Kabir Sir ne mujhse iska interview lene ko kaha tha. But respond hi nahin kar rahi thi.”

“Lekin ab to Kabir Sharma ka charm chal gaya, haye!” Trisha sighed dramatically.

“Kaafi peechhe padi hui thi tumhari team mere. Kaun thi woh ladki…” they heard Shalini saying in a flirting tone that quite matched Kabir’s.

“Meet her,” Kabir led her over to Ananya’s desk, “Ananya Kashyap. Hamari firebrand reporter.”

“Persistent to hai.”

“Lekin aapke saath to successful nahin hui, Ma’am,” Ananya blurted.

“Tumhein pahle batana chahiye tha ki tum Kabir ke liye kaam kar rahi ho. Phir koi dikkat hi nahin hoti.”

Richa pressed Ananya’s hand and taking the hint she refrained from replying. But Kabir’s reponse left her fuming.

“Sab log tumhari tarah meri value nahin samajhte, Shalini.”

“Their loss!”

“Ye taunt karna zaroori tha! Unki problem kya hai?” Ananya grumbled after they left.

“Teri problem kya hai? Tujhe kyon Kabir Sir ki har baat se itna farq padta hai. He was just flirting with her. Jaise har kissi ke saath karte hain. Waise tune dekha Malvika ko? Ooopar khadi ho kar glare kar rahi thi.”

“Ye bade logon ke games woh hi jaane. Chhod, mujhe field mein jaana hai.”

—

“Paanch lakh rupye liye hain aapne office se iske liye. Hum promos chala rahe hain drug addiction se related. Aur ab aap kah rai hain ki footage nahin hai.”

“I am really sorry, Sir. Nahin hai footage.”

“Kyon nahin hai?”

“Sir, kuchh problem ho gayi.”

“Aur main kya karoon? Promos jo run ho rahe hain?”

“Kyon promos run kiye aapne footage milne se pahle? Aisa to nahin hota hai na kabhi?”

“Aapne confirm kiya than ki Mahi mil gayi hai, tab humne promos run karne shuru kiye the. To kya ab apne reporters par channel itna bhi bharosa nahin kar sakta hai ki uska subject saamne hone par woh uske saamne ek camera on kar dega. Kya Mahi nahin mili aapko? Agar paise galat haath mein chale gaye hain, Ms. Kashyap, then you need to talk now.”

Ananya stayed silent.

“Look. We understand the risks. Hum aap par koi misappropriation ka ilzaam nahin laga rahe hain. Kya Mahi aapko nahin mili?”

“Nahin mili, Sir. Lekin mil jayegi–”

They were interrupted by Kabir’s phone ringing.

“Batao!” he barked into the phone. His listened silently to the other person, his expressions not giving anything away. His eyes were blazing by the time he disconnected the call and he stared at her for a long time.

“Woh aapke ghar par hai, Ms. Kashyap?” his voice sent a chill down her spine, when he finally spoke.

“Aapko kaise pata? Aap mere oopar… aap mujhe follow karwa rahe the?”

“Main aapke ghar ja raha hoon. Aur aapne prove kar diya hai ki agar main follow karwa raha tha to kuchh galat nahin kiya tha.”

“Sir, please. Mahi ki halat bahut kharaab hai. It is not ethically right to shoot her right now and show the footage. Let her get better, Sir. Let her give consent and then we will do her story.”

“Hum yahan charity chala rahe hain? Deaddiction center chala rahe hain? Who gave you the right to decide ki hum kya air kar sakte hain kya nahin?”

“Sir, maine aapko Nidhi Kapoor ke statement ka bhi footage diya hai na. Woh bhi important hai. Bahut mushkil se layi hoon main. Mujhe jail ke food suppliers ke saath setting kar ke laana pada hai woh. Aap please uski story air kijiye aaj.”

“Woh story aaj air nahin hogi, samjhi aap?”

“Kyon Sir? Hum do dinon se uske arrest ki aur prostitution ki news chala rahe hain, bina uska statement liye. Isn’t it only fair ki hum uska statement bhi run karein?”

“Har chor yahi kahta hai ki usne chori nahin ki hai. Nidhi ne bhi prostituion deny kar diya to kya gajab dha jayega? Anyway, I am not answerable to you, Ms. Kashyap. You are answerable to me. Aap Mahi ke videos mujhe de rahi hain ya nahin?”

“Videos nahin hain, Sir.”

“Main aapke ghar ja kar videos shoot karoonga.”

“Sir. Aap mujhe naukri se nikaal sakte hain, mere oopar misappropriation of funds ka ilzaam laga sakte hain. Aap mujhe police ke hawaale bhi kar sakte hain. Lekin aap mere ghar mere permission ke bina nahin ja sakte, meri family ko pareshaan nahin kar sakte.”

“Don’t try my patience, Ms. Kashyap.”

“I am sorry, Sir. Ye hai Nidhi Kapoor ka statement. Phone ke camere se record kiya hai. Quality achchhi nahin hai. But story achchi hai.” She kept a card on his table.

“Aapko fire karne ka decision mere haath mein nahin hai. But you are suspended until further notice, Ms. Kashyap. Collect you belongings and leave the office immediately.”

“Yes Sir.”

“Ms. Kashyap?” he called when she was at the door.

“Yes Sir?” she turned back.

“Sunny ne Mahi ko shoot kiya tha?”

Her face clouded only for a moment before she said, “Nahin.” But Kabir knew that she was lying.

—

To be continued