“After a long 7-10 days desisting, I finally step out of my home. It is evening and it always appears depressing to me. Still, I keep aside my preference and follow my Papa’s instructions. He wants me to be strong, so, I have to be strong. For him, for my family. As I come to the park with Papa and Rishi I could feel some penetrating eyes on me. I know they are judging me by my character, by my intention and of course by my uncertain future. I gulp the uneasiness and ask Papa if I sit on a bench. Papa agrees. However, Rishi starts nagging for play and Papa has to accompany him. I know he is in dilemma to leave me all alone. But I nod in a confident way and he smiles with relief. I occupy a side of the bench and start gazing at the children playing and running all over the park like butterflies. Unknowingly a satisfying smile comes to my lips. However, it doesn’t last long. Suddenly some catcalls invade my ears.”

“How shameless people! After so much drama, they have the guts to roam around so casually.”…… “They have now plenty of money in their bank account… To whom do they care? Money can wash every dirt.”… “Tell me one thing, after this scandal who will be ready to marry this girl? She even puts her sister’s future in uncertainty.”

All the jeers make Nandana’s every muscle tensed. She closes her eyes and prays to pass this time as soon as possible. Suddenly, someone unknown calls her name. She gets startled and turns to her left side. A man is sitting just beside her.

“Ms Nandana Basu. This letter is for you.”

He forwards a folded paper and before Nandana can react or ask anything he disperses like a storm. Nandana looks here and there and carefully unfolds the paper. It seems like a letter but is very short and to the point.

Madam Nandana,
Please meet me tomorrow at CCD, opposite the Macaw Movie hall. It’s a request. Someone’s life is dependent on it. I will be waiting for you at 2 pm. Please…Please I beg of you.

Signed,
Until tomorrow it’s an unknown requestor.

Nandana skirts her eyes all over the letter a couple of times. A ‘V’ forms between her brows.

“Life depends on it. Who?”

She mumbles while gazing at a far distance, adrift in her thought. Suddenly, a voice breaks her reverie.

“Nandu, Rishi wants to have ice cream. Let’s go. Even I want to have. Thankfully your Maa is not around. Otherwise, I couldn’t even utter the word. Ha…ha..”

Nandana knows her father is trying his best to normalise all things. This evening walks, ice cream, casual talks are all part of it. But Nandana even knows these efforts can’t less her pain. Aditya snatched a precious part of her heart. She doesn’t even know if time can replace it. Nandana looks at her father and reciprocates with equal zeal. At least, she can try to not show that vacant part of her heart to her beloved ones.

“Yes, Papa. I also want to have. My favourite mango flavour. Let’s go…”

She gets up enthusiastically. Before that, she doesn’t forget to hide the letter in her fist. Somehow, she doesn’t want to disclose it to her father right now. Vivek smilingly approaches the ice cream vendor holding both of his children’s hands. He wishes the last 4 months had never come into their life and they would have remained the same. Sun sets on the horizon surrendering his crown to the Moon.

........................

SP Bhosle is sitting in his living room. It’s almost 12 am. His wife and 7 years daughter have already gone to sleep. However, he doesn’t feel like sleeping. Aditya Oberoi’s case is continuously running through his mind. Somehow, he is not being able to understand this man. Sometimes he seems like an evil monster and sometimes he behaves like a puppy lover. What he did today with the lawyer Rajiv Ahuja is totally unpredictable. This man is deliberately shutting all the doors which can lead to his freedom. It seems like he doesn’t want to free himself. Why? Any bigger plan? Insanity? Remorse? Or love? Once he kidnapped Nandana Basu. He planned so much to keep her with him then why suddenly he freed her? As per his knowledge, Aditya Oberoi is a person who always tries his level best to fulfil his plan. If Nandana ran away from his captivity, then why didn’t he try to get her back…by hook or by crook? That is his actual instinct. Why this defeating attitude? SP Bhosle puffs some rings of smoke. Suddenly, his mobile rings. He lifts it up from the centre table. An unknown number is flashing.

“Hello…!”

He answers the call. An unknown voice comes into life.

“Aditya Oberoi shouldn’t get the bail. If he gives any statement regarding the political party he belonged to, just strike them out. Make sure he shouldn’t be in his sense before producing in front of the magistrate. I am sure you have understood my point. I am glad that you have already shifted him to the underground cell. The rest is easy. Just instruct your officers. They will do the rest. I repeat, Aditya Oberoi shouldn’t be in his full sense during his bail session.”

The voice pauses for a second. Meanwhile, SP Bhosle’s jaws become hard. Being in the police force for the last 10 years, he has understood every point of this unknown manipulator. Still, he wants to ask something more. He carefully counters,

“May I know who are you talking? And how can I make a person mad? Till now, he has not overruled anything in my custody. I can’t beat a person unnecessarily.”

In reply, a burst of hoarse laughter is heard from the other side. The unknown person sneers and replies,

“Don’t try to teach me what the police can do and what they can’t. Your every hit on his body will be rewarded. Just decide. Your rulebook or my offer?”

Suddenly the person cuts the call. SP’s eyes flicker with rage. He murmurs,

“Aditya Oberoi….it won’t be easy for you.”

..........................

“You delivered the letter to her only? Did she read it?”

Ayan restlessly questions while Ravi Shetty sits on the sofa in an attentive posture. He nods in positive and affirms,

“Yes, she read it but I don’t know if she will come or not. But Sir she is the only hope to get the bail for Aditya Sir.”

He pauses for a moment and continues,

“Sir, I want you to listen to something. If it is true then Aditya Sir’s life is in danger.”

Ayan furrows his brows while Ravi Shetty switches on a voice recording on his mobile.

“I have told the SP to give him third degree-torture inside the cell so that he won’t be in his sense during his bail session. No…no…he didn’t commit anything but if he is not then I have other sources. In any case, Aditya has to be in jail for the rest of his life as a mental patient. He is so gone…”

Ravi Shetty switches off the recording. Ayan looks agitated. He asks restlessly,

“Who is this guy? Who wants to make Aditya Sir a psychotic?”

Ravi exhales sharply and replies,

“Manu Mathre. Aditya Sir’s rival in the party. He always wanted to pull him down but Aditya Sir’s money and power always overshadowed his presence. Now, he has the ball in his court and he wants to use it fully.”

Ayan thinks for a moment and says in a thoughtful tone.

“Ravi, send this recording to me. I need this. By the way, did you get the property papers of Aditya Sir? Before going to meet Nandana Ma’am, I have to have everything in my hands. This is my last hope, Ravi. I have to convince her. In the meantime, you try to collect news of Aditya Sir. I heard that SP Bhosle is not allowing anybody to meet him. Keep on trying. We have to save him from every direction.”

Ravi Shetty nods and gets up to leave. Suddenly, he says,

“Nandana Madam looks very innocent, Sir. Aditya Sir shouldn’t have done this to her.”

Ravi purses his lips and counters,

“Perhaps for that only he is punishing himself.”

Ayan sighs and mutters.

..........................

Nandana is standing in front of the CCD as was instructed in the letter. After a long mental battle, she decides to meet the person. Her Papa and Manvi are not at home and Jaya and Rishi are sleeping. She eventually took the chance and stealthily came out. She doesn’t know whether she is doing right or wrong but at least she is listing to her heart. The Sun is scorching and the place is devoid of any shade. Nandana looks here and there in a search of any tree but can’t locate one. She has forgotten to carry an umbrella in hurry. Nandana glances at her watch and realises she is 10 minutes before the time. She looks at the CCD and thinks to sit inside but if the person goes back after not seeing her in the decided location? Nandana exhales in agitation. Suddenly, a familiar voice grabs her attention.

“Ma’am. Thanx for coming.”

Nandana turns and sees Ayan standing with an indebted smile. Nandana’s forehead forms a V between her brows. She didn’t expect him. Gradually, her jaws become hard. She rigidly replies,

“I should have thought before coming.”
Saying this, she tries to leave the place but Ayan’s next words compel her to stay.

“Aditya Sir’s life is in danger. Please listen to me once. After that, you are free to make your decision. But please give me a chance to talk to you. Otherwise, you may regret it in future.”