01
~The Beginning ~
Mornings have to be chaotic when it comes to AE-18 Block- 5, Highlands Society, Bandra, Mumbai. The loud voices of a girl wailing can be heard from the ground floor even though the house was on the 15th floor. The flat owned by the Rising Star Arushi Sethi is not just a house, but home to the three best friends: Arushi Sethi, Anupriya Mahajan and Shreya Thakur.
The Highlands was one of the most posh areas of Mumbai and though the girl was crying as if someone died, the people who heard didn't care much about the situation.
Reasons are many but two most prominent ones because of which the watchman doesn't even care about the situation, which would be a big deal as the woman might be suffering from some disastrous event, is because he noticed the entry for flat AE-18.
The people residing in the society know, by now, that this one girls group brings chao
s as well as resurrection with them, some don't like them and some don't care but those who know them and mind their activities just smile at those wailing sound because they know that it is The Notorious Praveena.
"yaar...woh mere calls hi nhi utha raha...." A shrill cry of a 25 year old woman was heard making a pigeon sitting in the balcony lose its balance. Her cry rewarded her with a flying cushion straight at her face. "Damn woman....keep your voice low...people want to live...atleast I want to....your voice is harming my eardrums..".
Well, it's nothing new for them because Praveena Ahmed has a damn good or might say great habit of unnecessarily worrying and making others go through her drama session. Most of the time the theme and summary of her theatrics is her oh-not-so-amazing boyfriend Amir. It has become a ritual now, every time they are at home their friendly dramatist neighbor fills in the missed out gossip and though they get annoyed by her most of the time, they love her.
"Praveena yaar woh flight mei hoga na..." Arushi tried to softly knock in some sense in Praveena's overthinking mind, but as always she wasn't buying it and they knew she wouldn't until the man himself braced them with his presence. "what if his flight got crashed...what if he got someone else there...or worse...what if-what if....hedoesntlovemeanymoreandisignoringmenow...." she said it in one breath, mumbling and then breaking into severe sobs.
"Aye yedi...how is "he doesn't love me anymore and is ignoring me " worse than his death?" Shreya asked her finger quoting her words that sounded more preposterous than Pakistan being an innocent nation. "Shut up...I am not listening to you....you heartless bitch...you broke that poor guy's heart and all you feel is nothing..." Praveena spat at Shreya making Arushi's eyes go wide. "How can you Praveena...Shr-" she looked at the person receiving the hurtful words who was absolutely unbothered and busy on her phone.
"Shreya she is in pain...dont correct her now...at least" she whispered the last two words.
"What pain" Shreya said so, whether it was her arrogance or irritation, that's still a mystery to both the girls present there, but after saying so she left and went to her room.
The door of the house clicked open and a 5'6" tall, slender and beautiful young lady sauntered inside wearing a chikankari pink long kurti and beautiful embroidered leggings hugged her slim legs. Her giddy smile turned into a small 'o' when she gasped seeing her darling friend crying sitting on the sofa. Her nose runny, eyes puffed red, nose turned pink and lips chapped. Her heart beats increased seeing such a condition of her friend.
"Kya hua Praveena..." She asked worry laced from her words, her thick brown perfectly shaped eyebrows knitted in agony, her beautiful ocean blue eyes glistening and seemed to twinkle as the calm seas do when they reflect the sky . Her pink full lips slightly open to take in more air to stabilize her breathing.
Anupriya Mahajan was an absolute work of art. Her long thick hair had the shine of diamond and lustre of gold. Her voice seemed to give competition to the sweetest honey in the market. Her body slightly curvy, not much, not less. Just perfect, her clear glass skin and a constant natural blush always adorning her adorable face could give any model a run for money. A soul so pure, so clean that her friends always compared her to the colour of swans, a blank canvas which they presumed to be their duty to keep safe and clean.
"A-Amir...ph-phone...nhi utha rha..." She cried more.
Anupriya immediately rushed to her side and started rubbing her arms. "When was the last time you talked..." She asked after some time.
"Yesterday 8 O'clock.....it's 12 pm yaar ...it's more than 12 hours and mai pichle 2 ghante se phone try kar rhi hu....and 4 ghante se text kar rhi hu...." She broke again and Anupriya pulled her face into her neck. Praveena cried more.
"Send me the ticket, I'll track it..." Arushi asked and Praveena started searching while her hiccups weren't stopping, so Anupriya got up to get her a glass of water.
Arushi immediately grabbed the cell when Praveena forwarded it to her. Everyone was anxious seeing Praveena's condition. Except Shreya, but as everyone believed that SP of Mumbai was kinda heartless thus didn't bother to care about her wailing friend.
While Arushi was going through the ticket details she completely froze. Just then she felt an arm around her shoulders "don't kill her....you have a beautiful voice and an amazing career ahead.....and I can't prove that you didn't kill her cause a murder by rage is easily convicted....." Shreya whispered and went to the couch set and turned on the television. "Fuck you bitch.." Arushi spat at Shreya's smart comment, "Anytime love" and the latter flirted back with a wink making Arushi roll her eyes. She focused on more pressing matters as of now.
"Praveena Ahmed" Arushi yelled, all worked up. Anupriya looked at her with complete confusion. Praveena however was clueless too.
"This says that Amir Sulaiman's flight will depart at 7:30 hours in the morning of 8th September 2023 and arrive at 13:00 hours at the Mumbai airport...." Praveena's whole being halted at this piece of information. No tears flowing, no tremors, no hiccups, just everything stopped. She was statued, it seemed.
Suddenly a laughter embraced the awkward silence. Shreya was watching Tom and Jerry and was laughing at their antics.
"You knew right....why the hell you didn't tell us..." Praveena accused Shreya. Her voice filled with sorrow, confusion and rage "I don't know....maybe because you weren't listening...." She spoke in a monotone.
"I did tell her..." She spoke again looking at Arushi. The latter just nodded. She knew the former did tell her.
"Okay... okay.....all settled now....right..." Anupriya spoke standing between the three and hugged Praveena while swiping her tears off.
"Yeah...right..." Praveena said giggling and hugging her back.
Praveena Ahmed was Anupriya's prized possession because since any moved in with Arushi Praveena had been a constant in her life. Though no one can compare to Shreya and Arushi's place in her life, Praveena still makes a great place among them. They are family. Anupriya doesn't trust anyone just like that, she is quite aware to not do it in the future too.
Shreya rolled her eyes and got off, grabbing her keys, and stood at the apartment door "I have night patrolling...I'll come tomorrow morning...see ya....Good night..." She closed the door behind her.
"Isn't it afternoon right now...." Praveena wondered aloud. Anupriya chuckled "woh Shreya hai...." Anupriya and Arushi started at the same time.
"Lunch guys..." Arushi asked. "Yeah sure...pet mei chuhe kabbadi khel rhe hai...and ha please fast...Mujhe nikalna hai....3 bje se sessions hai..." Anupriya replied, Arushi saluted and left for the kitchen. Soon a Korean song started playing, and judging by the person standing in the kitchen. It was Anpanman. Arushi can die and kill for BTS.
The two friends sat gossiping with each other about each other's life, when after an hour Arushi came with roti and paneer ki sabji "hmm....smells delicious..." Praveena dug in as soon as she kept the plates on the tea table.
The three savoured their food for 20 minutes with lots of laughter and chats.
Around 2 O' clock the door bell buzzed and Arushi went to check who is it. It was Amir. As soon as he entered Praveena clinged to him as if he came back after months, when he was just gone for a day and half. Arushi rolled her eyes at them. "Tumhe pata hai isne aaj kya kiya...." Arushi spoke glaring at Amir, he gulped. "Woh sab choro.....why weren't you picking my call....kahan the tum.....mujhe laga you are cheating on me......you left me.....tumhara Phone swtich off kyu aa rha tha.....hotel mei bhi checkout kyu dikha rha tha 10 bje ....where were you Amir....." By the end of her long questionnaire Amir held his head, "aye pagal aurat kya kuch bhi bol rhi hai....cheating....left.... aye kya pilaye ho tumlog isko....konsa sasta nasha krke baithi hai yeh..." He was absolutely irritated. "Enjoy....hamara ho gya hai ek trip subh se.....1 ghanta dimag khayi hai yeh humlog ka...." Arushi told him in style, draping her hands on Anupriya's shoulder. "Arey baithne toh do usko ...thak ke aaya hai bechara...." Anupriya scolded Praveena lightly. The later nodded and atleast let him sit. "Once and for all Parveena I am not cheating on you....I love you for fucks sake yaar....mera phone Pani mei gir gya tha....isiliye kaam nhi kar rha....and air port dur tha hotel se isiliye mai 10 bje hi nikal gya..." He informed them, he was hurt and disappointed though.
"Aaj toh Praveena gyi..." Arushi whispered to Anupriya, they both giggled at Praveena's cost. As usual, Praveena started pestering Amir for her stupidity.
At 2:30 Arushi and Anupriya left for the studio and hospital respectively while Praveena and Amir left for their place.
Anupriya reached the hospital and checked in, swiping her card. Entering her office she started going through the files of the upcoming cases.
Anupriya Mahajan wasn't just a pleasing sight to eyes but a brain that could dig into yours and swoop things out like ice cream. Though too amazing to be true, the Psychiatrist chose kids for her speciality and became a Child Psychologist. She loves kids, her love when turned to passion made the Mumbai AIIMS to inaugurate a special wing for child and teenagers Psych treatments. Head of the Mumbai AIIMS Psych Rehabilitation Centre and working under WHO's Psychological Fitness and Wellness Program as well as the founder of 'Man hai toh Tan hai' program that treats psychological issues of rural areas with minimal charges, the 28 year old woman has proven herself way enough back to back.
Being surrounded by her friends, she never got exposed to the dark side of the world which included every adult knowledge-manipulation, deceiving, double meaning nonsense and sex. The brilliant woman is unaware of how really sex works. Never attracted to any gender she doesn't know what love or like means. Though the beauty knows biology but she is just aware of that only. The only worry of her friends is her nativity, so they protect her. They are with her all the time. Letting her live her life on her terms and guarding her from shadows.
A born orphan was trying her level best to change the world as much as possible. The Bethune Alumnus had always dreamt of having government psychological clinics in every district of India and is working towards her dream in a pretty efficient fashion. Her 'Man hai toh Tan hai' program is heavily funded by the government of Maharashtra and it's one of the baby steps towards her goal.
"Hii Anu..." Nitigna Vats was her colleague and partner in crime since the college days. "Afternoon Nitu... Had lunch?..." Nitigna nodded to her friend and handed her over the file of the current case.
"The kid's a victim of physical abuse by her mother's lover...." Listening to this Anupriya's heart constricted. "He's mentally numb and has been suffering from PTSD for 6 months. He's also a bit malnutritioned but the kid has a great IQ of 97. Dude's a genius. He's 4 btw" Anupriya's eyes were filled with tears, who are on the verge of breaking, a single blink and she wouldn't be able to stop.
Nitigna saw her condition and sighed. Her friend is a bit sensitive. Cupping her shoulders she said "His mother left him....he's safe now....the man divorced her...." She didn't say anything when she took the file. She left without a word and Nitigna too went to her desk.
Anupriya flipped the file open and saw Dr. Ishani's recommendation letter with the case authorisation stamp. Which means that this case has to be completely handed over to Anupriya now.
Dr. Ishani was the one of the senior Psychiatrist of this facility, Anupriya was still baffled as to what made her senior think of her in this case. She's glad to have this case though, she is hell ready to help the child.
While walking down the corridors she found a boy sitting silently on one of the benches outside Dr. Ishani's office. He seemed lost, not lost as he can't find his guardian but lost as he can't find himself. Lost as he is in the dark even though the room is fully lit. Lost as his soul has forgotten its existence and only his body is living like a corpse. He looked lost.
Anupriya couldn't hold back.
"Hii bacha....aap akele yahan kya kar rhe ho beta..." She asked with utmost politeness, her heart was beating so fast with every passing second this child had been through something horrendous in his little life. He wasn't even looking at her.
She came on her knees, sitting in front of him. "Hey handsome...." She whispered.
He looked up. The afternoon sun shone through the window behind her and made her features glow with the effect. Her bright smile made his heart beat fasten and his grey lost eyes shined with excitement. His lips couldn't help but spread into a smile. A smile so beautiful that made Anupriya's heart skip a beat.
"ANGEL..." His soft soothing voice sent chills down her spine and her body felt a jolt when the boy jumped into her arms hugging her tight.
She felt complete at that moment. Unusually complete
02
~ The Hunt ~
Mumbai—the city of dreams and hopes—looks just like it, like dreams. Beautiful, inspiring and busy. Time is always running a marathon in this city, the city of Mumba Aai—Mumbai.
This city never sleeps and the live example of how sleepless and restless this city is, is being telecasted on the TV. The huge fest of the inauguration ceremony of 'The New Order' game house was going on. The biggest corridor for e-gamers is finally standing firm on Indian soil. The greatest gamers from all over the world are present here, going through 150 sections of the mega game zone. Each section contains a new surprise, a new world. The top gamers of the world NOtail aka Johan Sundstein, JerAx aka Jesse Vainikka and Ceb aka Sébastien Debs are the foreign Chief guests of the event where as Mortal aka Naman Mathur and ClutchGod aka Vivek Aabhas Horo are the gems of Bharat in gaming world who have blessed the event with their presence.
But the man who made the dream of an Indian gaming hub become a reality is missing from the event as of now. He welcomed the guests as an amazing and enthusiastic host and then left them to feast on the new edition of fun and virtuality. Now, as an ex PubG addict his dream to build India's biggest gaming hub is achieved, he can go and tick this one on his bucket list and move on to the next one.
All the shimmer and glitter of the event is getting recorded in a young mind. Which, though is pretty sharp, for the instance is numb. Similar to a coma patient.
A little soul of 4 years old is watching his favourite human on the TV but he is unable to feel excited. His house is huge and so is his want to scream, giggle and create ruckus all over the house. But he just couldn't feel anything anymore. The other kids sometimes made fun of him saying that he can't speak when he would go to the park, though it is a rare occasion, but how do he make them understand that he doesn't feel like speaking anymore. He can speak but he can't. It's confusing for him and the three huge men who always stay by his side no matter what. He wants to talk to them, play with them and do mischief but he just couldn't muster up the courage anymore. He sees his father cry everyday but couldn't make his feet move towards him. He can walk, but he stays seated in one place for hours. He can talk, but he stays mum whenever someone comes to talk to him. All because of the fear. The fear of his Ma'am.
They say she isn't here anymore, nor will she ever come back but what if she does. He doesn't want to take that risk, he doesn't want to get thrashed or want to hear those venomous words she used spat at him. He doesn't want those bad uncles to touch him. So he behaves as much as he can. He stays still, doesn't make a sound, if not given food, doesn't eat or asks for food, he just tries to hide himself so that she doesn't see him.
"Hey bacha....kya dekh rhe ho..." A gruffy yet kiddish voice resonated in his eardrums. He looked at him. The guy from the TV just popped out in front of him.
He came forward to pick him up but the kid flinched just a moment before his skin touched him. The man frowned and then realized his mistake "Sorry beta....ek second..." The man rushed and wore gloves in a hurry and came back. The boy however didn't show any facial expressions after seeing the man standing with his arms spread to pick him up and pull him in his embrace. The boy came forward and the man pulled him up, settling him on his biceps.
"Luv..." A loud and heavy voice suddenly resonated in the drawing room. The two got startled. "Yeh saala awaz bhi deta hai toh lgta hai chilla rha ho...." The man mumbled under his breath while the kid in his arms still seemed unfazed.
"Kabhi toh Shanti se baat krle bhai..." Luv replied with calmness while swinging the kid in his arms. ‘Hmm’ was the reply from the other side.
"Chal beta khana kha le....nhi toh yeh sandh chilla chilla ke hamare kaan phod dega...." The kid still didn't react. The man sighed and started moving towards the dining table. "Tune banaya..." He asked the other man standing with a bowl in his hand who ignored him as if no one exists in this room except him. "Siddharth I am talking to you.....you moron..." He growled irritated. Luv hates being ignored. "Mind you language Luv. " His voice wasn't loud but the intensity of his baritone could send shivers down anyone's spine but it was Luv in front of him so he didn't even 'mind his words' . The three sat eating, the penthouse again hugged silence.
After eating Luv took Aarav to his room.
"Good night Sunshine...." Luv kissed the head of the boy in the air , being careful not to touch him and then left the room with tears in eyes and hope in heart.
He has hope still alive, today that little bacon of hope took full fledged form becoming a volcano after the lady touched him. Hugged him. He smiled at her. He spoke. His Aarav became alive for a moment.
He entered his room and saw the big guy sitting on his bed. "Yeah now you got the sense to talk...." Luv scoffed. Siddharth Bharadwaj is a multi-million MNC's owner and Luv's business partner. They are family. "What's it?" Siddharth spoke without acknowledging Luv's annoyance.
Luv sighed and sat on the couch opposite to Siddharth. "He smiled today.....talked....touched without gloves....Aarav was alive agai-" he was immediately cut off by Siddharth "thats...thats a great news....you-you touched hi-" his voice which is always bland was filled with excitement which didn't last long when Luv completed from where he was cut off "it's not me Siddharth...koi aur thi....ek lady....seemed a doc though...usne hasaya hamare bache ko..." Siddhart couldn't comprehend anything.
His little Sunshine hasn't talked to him, hasn't looked at him since that day-that black day 6 months ago and now he is smiling and talking to a stranger. This wasn't believable but alas he trusts his partner.
"At the hospital?" Siddharth asked to which Luv nodded.
"Who is she...?" Before Luv could answer, the door of the room opened.
A tall guy of height 6' 1" stood at the door, wearing an ultramarine colour polo t-shirt and white trousers. His broad taut chest and broad shoulders looked strong as the mountain's base and his slim waist gave him a perfect V-shaped body. His body wasn't too bulky but was ladened with the right amount of muscles which was a dream for many around. His t-shirt hugged his body perfectly leaving the ladies to imagine how great he would look without it. His dusky skin and sharp jaw line was complimented with plum pink lips, which were proof that the guy didn't smoke, were the point of attraction for many, irrespective of the gender, but his eyes and voice, they held command over many. His hazel eyes were enchanting like a witch's spell and his voice held the command of a leader. But when looked into his soul. He was broken. Just simply into pieces.
Ahaan Garanayak. Neurologist in AIIMS Mumbai. A 32 year old man made of principles and ethics who lives on the borderline of his ego. He is nice only until he likes being so. Padma Shri awardee for his contributions to his field as well as the society. Second head of Indian Neuro-Psychologist Council of Bharat, which governs, directs and develops the Neuro-Psychotic clinics and their cases all over the subcontinent.
"Kya ho rha hai..." His low tired voice made Luv stutter. Luv wasn't sure how he should tell a father that his son, who doesn't even look at him was happily smiling at a stranger lady, that she touched his skin through hers and did not have to wear gloves like them.
"You remember you asked me to take Aarav to the doctor today...." Luv started looking straight in Ahaan's hazel orbs.
Ahaan nodded, signalling him to continue.
Being rich was always Luv's plan B, plan A was to be human, which seems lost in the hospitals nowadays. Health and life becoming business isn't something appreciable at all. As soon as he entered the Chairman walked towards him with an unnatural and annoying smile stretched across his dark lips, the man has tons of health issues yet can't stop smoking.
"Mr. Khanna, such a pleasure to see you.." the old man spoke. Luv just nodded. "Let me esc-" "I'll be fine on my own....I know my ways..." Luv immediately cut him off and the old guy stood stupefied. Luv hates this boot licking thing, and when these people come from such higher organisations, like hospitals and executives, it irks him the most. The best he can do is ignore them. That's what he does all the time. Ignorance.
He walked towards the doctor's chamber. Dr. Ishani Sehgal is Ahaan's old friend and currently she is taking care of Aarav's case. This is a regular meeting, as Ahaan was busy in some emergency case Luv took Aarav to her. It's been 5 months since his therapy started, they do not stand in favour of prescribing drugs to the kid.
They entered the doctor's cabin. "Hey Luv....kaise ho..." Dr. Ishani asked, shaking hands with him. She noticed the gloves he was wearing and sighed. Her gaze shifted towards the child. "How are you Aarav..?" She asked him and as usual he didn't reply. She sighed and told him to sit outside. He obediently, mechanically, nodded and left to sit outside.
"Mr. Khanna he isn't improving at all.....his past therapists have shared their reports and I was going through it. His past 3 therapists have 3 different theories and none of them seem plausible to me. I am not pointing out their incapability but the complications are too much. Though I have a doctor in my mind. I'll talk to her today and then we will have a discussion with Ahaan on this, I would have it today only but woh aa nhi paye. I am sorry I can't share it with you, I hope you understand." She finished and Luv sighed and nodded.
"Send him inside while you go out." He thanked her and moved out. Hope is something he just clings onto hopelessly. When I strode out he saw Aarav staring into the unknown. "Baby... doctor is calling you inside...." He said with his best efforts to reflect positivity through his voice. "Pani.." yeah that's how he communicates, one word answers. Luv nodded and left to get water for him. He forgot his bottle in the car. Meanwhile he asked Aarav to go and meet the doctor.
It took him 10 mins to go and come back. As he reached the lobby he saw a woman, in front of Aarav on her knees. Her long voluminous hair was flowing swiftly due to the light air current and she seemed like talking to him. He couldn't see her face as it was getting shadowed by her hair but he can see her hands touching Aarav without gloves. HER SKIN WAS IN CONTACT WITH AARAV'S. AARAV WASN'T FREAKING OUT. "OH SWEET LORD. WHAT IN THE HEAVENS" He muttered under his breath. Aarav said something to her smiling. His eyes were pooled by tears of joy.
Before he could go and talk to the woman his cell phone started buzzing. The caller ID flashed 'Ahaan' . He instantly picked up. "Bhai" his voice was shaky "bhai....A-Aarav....Bhai...." He inhaled deeply and turned to the opposite side from the public so that no one could see how he was on the verge of crying. He sniffed "bhai....mil gayi woh....jo hamare Aarav ko thik karegi....mai baad mei baat krta hu....I need to talk to her.....bhai finally...." He said and without taking any response hung up.
He turned towards the source of his current jolt of happiness to witness that she was gone. He checked the whole lobby, he went to ask Dr. Ishani but she wasn't there. After 20 minutes of searching he left. He has an important event to attend. While moving out he noticed the CCTV cameras and got the idea of finding that lady.
So after explaining to his friends the whole scenario he looked at their faces hopefully. The two knew what was going on in his mind. Siddharth looked at Ahaan's face. He seemed lost. His baby, his son who hasn't spoken to him in 6 months, was talking and smiling at a stranger lady. It was too much for him to take. "Ahaan..." Siddharth called him slowly. Ahaan inhaled deeply and looked at Luv and nodded.
"Do you know how she looks...." Ahaan asked in a whisper and looked up to Luv's blue grey orbs. Luv shook his head. "Itne der se kya kar rhe ho tab...." Siddharth growled keeping his volume low yet making the younger guy flinch. Ahaan and Siddharth are older than Luv by 2 years, so he thinks that they take advantage of being the older ones and sometimes, times like these, they kinda prove his allegations true. "Usi ke liye tumse baat karni thi....kabse baat karne ke dhoondh rha hu. but you are playing ignoring-ignoring game..." Luv shouted, pouring his stored anger on Siddharth.
"Hack the hosp-" before Siddharth could complete Luv spoke "Already done....due to her hair none of the images show her clear picture...." Both of them left to get their laptops. Luv's one was in the room itself whereas Siddharth left for the drawing room where his office suitcase was lying on the stand.
Meanwhile in the room Ahaan asked "did you check other departments too" Luv shook his head, Ahaan asked him to check those through his expressions. Ahaan wasn't in a good condition so Luv just took the sign and decided to use his tongue later. He doesn't like this studding of the chin, rolling of eyes, showing the palm stuff. He prefers words. Always.
Luv instantly looked through all the departments and finally found the same kurti and those 'hair' around the Psych Rehabilitation Centre. "Got her..." Luv exclaimed. Siddharth who was just entering the room rushed to his screen.
"I still can't see the face...." Ahaan stated. "Ahaan got this department’s employee list" Siddharth commanded and Ahaan turned to call for the required information. "Luv get the footage of this Centre...." Luv nodded and accessed it within seconds.
Within a few minutes they got a clear image of the woman. "That's our lady..." Luv whispered and took a screenshot. "Now we need to get intel on this face....though it ain't perfect we can get one.... right?" Ahaan asked the techies and they nodded. "Great..." He muttered under his breath, "what's the issue guys..." Ahaan asked the two. Though they nodded, Luv not giving any amazing speech-cum-dialogue that would cringe him out didn't sit well with his personality. "We need to hack the AIIMS data server without being tracked..." Luv gave a tight lip nod and Ahaan made an 'o' expression.
"Well then we'll use ZOTA..." Siddharth announced. He took out his phone and dialled a number.
“Miss. Mathur….I need the access code of ZOTA…” Luv looked at him like he had committed a sin, if it was any other day he would give Siddharth a lecture on how he should and must be polite while asking someone to do something that you clearly are incapable of, but today he would let it slide there are more pressing matters on the table.
“I don't think I pay you enough to teach me the regulations Miss. Mathur……yes I'll totally appreciate it…..and also from the next time I need the service done without you using your brain or mouth ....” He hung up once he was done.
Luv nodded and plugged in a pendrive on which ZOTA was written. ZOTA is a software program that hides the identity of its user and also of any device and network the user accesses. It not only hides the IP address but also deletes its trace like it never existed. One can use it to hack into any system without being tracked, it even diverts the inspecting server to a location where they won't find any clues of the user. Basically it fools the system it hacks.
It was made for the government so that they can hack in the terrorist or criminal’s database without leaving any trace. As of now it is only given to RA&W.
"Got it...we got an address and phone number....let's get her..." Luv said.
Name : Anupriya Mahajan
Age : 27years
Date of Birth : 3rd January 1999
Parents : Orphan
Schooling : St. Mary's School (& orphanage)
Qualification : BSc. Psychology, Msc. Clinical Psychology, PhD. Child Psychology
Graduation : Bethune College, Kolkata, West Bengal, India
Post Graduation : Queen Mary University of London, London, United Kingdom.
PhD : National University of Mental Health & Neuro Sciences, Bengaluru, Karnataka, India.
Currently working : AIIMS Mumbai. Member of WHO’s Psychological Fitness and Welfare Programme.
Relation Status : Single.
Address : AE-18 Block- 5, Highlands Society, Bandra, Mumbai.
Phone no : xxxxxxxxx
Founder : Man Hai Toh Tan Hai Programme.
Her biodata was amazing, it gave hope to the three lost souls. The search began the next day itself.
They got nothing. Her cell phone was out of network coverage. The address listed in her details wasn't any fruitful, no one was found at that address when asked about her whereabouts from the neighbours they knew nothing. Her floor and 4 flats and none of them saw anyone leaving. The society's guard didn't see her coming or going, the CCTV near her house couldn't spot her either. Her social media wasn't active to be tracked. Siddharth's people couldn't find her in the whole Mumbai and Luv couldn't find her in the virtual dimension of the said city.
For 2 days they were trying to reach her out but weren't getting any success.
"Abey dharti kha gyi ya aasmaan nigal gya usko...." Luv said exasperatedly, Sidharth reflected no emotion whatsoever. Ahaan was feeding Aarav, while the three were sitting on the sofa in Ahaan's drawing room. They haven't left for their places for 2 days.
"I'll see what I can do....I'm going to the office as of now..." Luv got up, taking his coat and briefcase. "I'll stay with Aarav today ...yahi se kaam kar lunga...." Siddharth offered and Ahaan nodded while calling Aarav's nanny.
Luv walked towards the door and as soon as he was about to open the door someone rang the bell. Luv who was opening the door anyways, stood shocked when he saw the woman standing in front of him.
A melodious voice was heard "Angel..." The voice held innocence and glee which even the devil couldn't ignore but melt on. Luv felt a bit push on his calf and his little Sunshine was next seen in the arms of the lady.
They got her.
Or, better
She found them......
03
~The Meet ~
Anupriya meets loads of emotionally and mentally challenged kids daily, but the kid she met today was beyond comprehension. He was blank and empty and for a kid so young that's highly threatening and bizarre. The kid seemed unloved, uncared, unattended and mostly that instant he looked un-bothered about breathing too, that shook Anupriya to the core how can a child be so, so drowned in darkness that he is stripped off his childhood.A child should have sparkle in his eyes no matter how much he is scolded or suffered but that kid's eyes were a dark damned pit. The absurd it sounds, the horrific it is. But she couldn't do anything. Or maybe she could. She just needs to know about that child but she didn't ask his name. She'll ask Shreya to find him, yes she will find him. She had to leave that time due to the emergency call from her cabin asking for her presence because of a kid who was having panic attacks. She needs to meet Dr. Ishani, she had called her for some case discussion. Though she is a psychiatrist, she often asks Anupriya for her input when it comes to cases of children.
Anupriya loves her job, but she hates seeing those little lives suffer for someone else's deeds. It is really heartwrenching to hear their stories, but all she can do is treat them. Treat them with love. Love is their medicine. She can never understand how the hell parents can't love their kids. It's just impossible for her to not love those innocent lives. But alas! Not everyone is human enough, that's what her friend told her when she encountered her first case.
Her chain of thoughts were broken when a nurse called her to inform that Dr. Ishani was waiting for her. She immediately went to her.
"Dr. Mahajan, how are you..?" Dr. Ishani asked her with her ever so vibrant smile "I am doing great Dr. Ishani, and please mujhe Anupriya bulaiye...." Anupriya's humble request made Dr. Ishani's smile stretch towards her eyes and they twinkled with fondness. "Okay Dr. Anupriya....by the way I have a case for you..." Anupriya smiled and they started discussing the case. "Ma'am I want to handle this case...mai iss bache se mili abhi....I really really want to help him....please ma'am let me take this in my hand...." Anupriya insisted after the discussion. "Are you sure...kyuki iske father isse yahan leke nhi aayenge....they want someone to treat him at his place....." Dr. Ishani asked her cautiously, she knows Anupriya's passion but she can also sense that it's more than her passion speaking, it seems like she knows the kid. " I am positive ma'am. Mai yeh case single handedly operate karna chahungi as of now...." Anupriya's tone seemed professional now. Ishani sighed and nodded at her. "Ma'am I am taking leave for 2 days...mai aate sath iss case par lag jaungi..." Ishani nodded and Anupriya took her leave.
As she left the cabin, she got a call. The name flashing on her cell brought a hundred dollar smile to her face.
"Hey Love....kidhar ho...?" A girlish voice asked from the other side. "On my way darling..." They talked till her own cabin arrived. She hung up and started packing her bag.
Today morning Praveena had called her saying that Arushi cracked the deal, as Anupriya was talking to some parents she couldn't attend to Arushi's ring and when she got free Arushi didn't pick up. So she directly called Praveena, she knows everything in terms of news and gossip, that's when Praveena told her about Arushi's big breaking and asked Anupriya to apply for leave. As Anupriya never takes one she got a leave almost immediately, Praveena called her to check if she had left the building or not and then she told her to stand outside the premises where they would pick her up.
"Nitu....take care haa mai parso aaungi okay...." She hugged her colleague. Nitigna told her to enjoy to her fullest and then went back to work immediately after she left.
Outside the premises a big black Tata vanity van stood with fluorescent pink designs on it emitting the vibes of the person it belongs to, Arushi Sethi. It was massive yet gave a homely feeling, because it belonged to her friend. Anupriya never knew what her real parents looked like. Born as an orphan she had no one to call family still she accepted whoever wanted to be one and Arushi was the 1st one to become her family.
"Arey Chutki jaldi kar..." Amir called at Anupriya.
Anupriya loves to watch cartoons, recently Chota Bheem has engrossed her very much, thus Amir calls her 'Chutki' making fun of her. "Ek padega na tereko gandu ek baar bhi usko chidhaya toh...." Shreya hit Aman's head from behind, scolding him.
Shreya is the over protective brother of Anupriya. Until she is there no soul on earth can even think of Anupriya in a harmful way, not even in jokes and dreams. She will deep fry them alive and feed them to her pets.
Anupriya hugged everyone and the two of them entered the van which Anupriya has nicknamed 'Pinky'.
"Anu...my darling..." Arushi welcomed her with open arms.
"How was your day bacha...." Shreya asked while patting Anupriya's head lovingly. "It was fun...but.." a small frown appeared on Anupriya's forehead remembering the kid. The same expression reflected on Arushi and Shreya's face.
"But kya Anu..." Shreya asked her. Anupriya narrated the whole story to her friends.
"Seems like the little soul is tormented...." Arushi couldn't stop herself from converting her thoughts into words. 'Not just mentally but physically too....' Shreya thought to herself but as soon as she noticed Anupriya's face she signalled Arushi through her eyes and they both decided to divert the topic.
"Oye yeh Amir aur Praveena kidhar hai re..." Shreya spoke in a lighter tone. Arushi smirked "busy honge janeman....BUSY..." Arushi's smirk widened while pressing on the word 'busy'. "But kya kar rhe dono yaar....bahar kafi dhoop hai ..." Anupriya asked innocently. Shreya's eyes softened while gazing at her. 'bhagwan mai janti hu iska yeh innocence aaj na kal tutega....bas kisi aise ke hatho tute jo iske hisso ko pyar se jod sake......bhot nazo se rakha hai hamne isse....isse jo mile woh ham sabse zada pyar de isse....' Shreya thought while gazing at her.
"I am getting tensed yaar ...mai jaake dekhu kya....kahi unhe meri help chahiye ho toh....mai aati hu" both were enjoying till now but as soon as she stood up they both pulled her back, their faces reflected horror. Pure Horror.
"Bache thodi hai woh Anu....aa jayenge....and they don't need your help anyways yaar.....chill...." Arushi tried to make her understand. Shreya also nodded hurriedly, expeessing the urgency of the moment. "Pakka na...." Anupriya asked again. "Pakka pakka.....ekdum pakka...." Shreya replied her immediately.
She sat down still contemplating to go. Arushi noticed and started talking to her about her new album's release and promotion events. As usual she did succeed in that.
After 15 mins the couple boarded the van. Amir's perfectly gelled hair seemed to have fought a war within themselves , a civil war, and Praveena looked no different than a malnutritioned tomato. "Aur bhai ho gya sab..." Shreya teased. "Hey kitne thake lag rhe ho dono.....aur yeh kya hua hai Praveena ...." Anupriya went towards her and tilted her face holding her cheeks lightly. "Yeh kaisa daag hai....tumhe dard ho rha hai kya....yeh kaise hua...." Praveena's already flushed face became more flushed and red, tomato red. Amir, who was drinking water, started coughing like a mad man. Shreya was patting her back whereas Arushi was shocked her jaw fell listening to Anupriya. Arushi was becoming mad thinking how to make Anupriya understand the situation.
Shreya gazed towards Arushi smirking in a challenging way 'now tell her what a hickey is sweetie..' Shreya challenged Arushi through her eyes. Arushi rolled her eyes at her audacity.
"Praveena cover it up fast....and Anu listen to me....it's a hickey and yeh boyfriend girlfriend mei chalta hai....it doesn't hurt much....it's a sign of love between romantic partners...." Arushi explained careful not to give chance to her to ask more questions.
Anupriya made an 'o' and was about to ask something else again when Shreya interrupted.
"okay okay....now let's get going..." Shreya announced taking Anupriya to another section of the van where they open the sunroof and peek outside enjoying the gushing wind and the smell of forest which eventually calms down their nerves.
Meanwhile Amir and Praveena get a good scolding from Arushi for being reckless.
They reached the airport some time later and boarded Arushi's private jet. Jimmy. Everyone took their seats and started munching after switching off their electronic devices.
"Acha suno abhi 2 din ke liye hamare signals ko jam Kara rhi hu.....except mera tum sab ka phone not reachable aayega.....okay....if you wanna talk to anyone use my phone...." Shreya announced "but why Shreya..." Anupriya asked. "Anu, Arushi ke fame ke wajah se uske personal life ke moments ko secret rkhne ke liye Krna padega bacha...." Shreya made her understand.
A few years ago Arushi just escaped a huge scandal because of her gut feeling. Later the SP set up an investigation and it turned out that someone hacked one of the friends phone and traced her and caused a huge nuisance which Arushi just escaped. After that she only hangs out with people who Shreya approves of. Perks of having an IPS friend.
"Hey by the way ham jaa kidhar rhe hai...." Anupriya asked, pouting, looking no less than a 5 year old kid who wasn't aware of her parents planning a surprise visit at night on Christmas Eve to keep her 'Santa's' present.
Everyone smiled looking at her. Amir walked towards her taking her in a side hug, holding her shoulder, "ham jaa rahe hai...." He looked towards everyone “LAKSHDWEEP ..." The 4 of them shouted simultaneously and fell into fits of laughter.
As they have been chatting for hours now all the gossip and updates were over and there was silence on the aircraft, until Praveena spoke.
"Okay so let's play truth and dare..." Praveena chimes with a champagne bottle in her hand, which she had already asked from the stewardess. Everyone joins and she rotates the bottle on the table.
"SHREYA...." Praveena exclaims when the bottle stops spinning with its mouth pointing towards the SP. "Yo bro....now it'll be fun...." Arushi exclaimed and extended her open hand towards Amir. Amir instantly gave her a high five with a huge grin adoring his face.
She sighs. "Truth..." She chooses to be uninterested. The answer brought a huge grin on Arushi's face. "Okay so tell me....what do you love the most in men....." Arushi asked innocently. Shreya shot her a death glare almost immediately 'i'll choke this woman with my bare hands....bitch..' Shreya cursed, throwing glares her way. She will take revenge soon. "Loyalty" she answered, which wasn't a lie. "Tughe ladka chahiye ya kutta...." Arushi laughed. Shreya pulled her arm with a jerk. Their faces just inches apart, if either of them moved then their lips would brush against each other. "What if I say I want you Bub...." Shreya whispered in a low husky voice, yeah the woman can do such a stunt. Arushi pulled back horrified, her face pale and heartbeat erratic. Shreya sat back spreading herself on the sofa like a 'King' with her usual smugness plastered on her face. "Chutiya..." Arushi growled. While the whole group is rolling on the floor laughing. After a few minutes Shreya and Arushi glanced at each other, with a smirk Shreya winked at Arushi teasing her while the latter rolled her eyes and they also fell in fits of laughter.
Soon they got composed and spinned the bottle again. This time it landed on Praveena. "Truth or dare..." Anupriya chimed "truth....." Praveena replied almost immediately.
"Hmm .. okay....so .... who's your present crush..." Anupriya asked in a single breath and looking around at her friends' wide eyes she felt proud of her question. Arushi jumped from her seat and sat beside her. Rotating her hands around her forehead and then curling her palms at the side of her own head, taking off evil eyes. "Thu thu thu...." She spat slightly, covering her lips from one side by her palm "nazar na lage meri Anu ko..." Shreya just rolled her eyes at Arushi's over-acting.
"I-I...umm..I d-dont have a crush.." Praveena stammered but still tried to look confident with her answer, she failed miserably. "Out with it Praveena" Amir stated with a blank face and intimidating voice. Praveena visibly shivered. Amir is usually a chill guy, a legit chocolate boy but he is hella possessive about Praveena. "Tiger Shroff" as soon as these words left Praveena's lips everyone's face twisted to that of disgust and they unanimously sang "CHI....". Praveena looked at them baffled. She snorted at their reaction.
"Arey yaar....tereko usme kya dikha...." Anupriya asked, still in disbelief of her friend's choice. Anupriya knows what a crush is, even though she had one but when she told her friends about it the straight away disagreed with her saying that what she is saying and for whom she is saying so is not what crush is. Isn't crush a person whom you like too much but they don't know, she told them she has a crush on her senior doctor Dr. Neel Oberoi. She really likes him, she is a fan of his thesis and work. The way she treats patients she really wanna learn it from him. But her friends say that it's not what a crush means, she begs to differ though.
Anupriya knows that there are a lot of things she is unaware of and she wants to know them but her friends, especially Arushi always answers her questions so complicatedly that she just couldn't understand. Then comes their favourite dialogue on most matters "your husband will let you know..." God knows if she is destined to have one or not.
Shreya once took initiative to teach Anupriya the adult stuff she gave her all the book version of things like sex, male and female genitals, it's not enough and all of them are aware of it, but somethings they really can't help though Shreya tried a few times to teach her vulgarity but Arushi always steps in as Anupriya starts shedding tears when Shreya explains things to her. So once the duo decided to meet a psychologist, he told them that maybe it's some of her trauma that gets triggered every time they talk about such stuff. So they collectively decided to not go down that lane and just protect her always. Anupriya knows what's taught in school and intermediate level of schooling and whatever her friends told her.
Anupriya has always been a curious and open kid, she asks doubts as nonsense as 'why day is called day' very innocently and seriously but sometimes her question take a wild turn like -
"How do sperm enter the female body and how does it comes out?"
Where do sperms come from?"
What happens to the ones which stay in the tract and don't fertilize the ova?"
Her teachers always had trouble teaching such things to her, so they stopped teaching her these. It's always been her friends. Though her past didn't have a good friend list, thus her innocence in most mundane matters.
"Yeh dekh rhi hai yeh...." Anupriya grabs Amir's face between her soft little palms "yeh hai dekhne layak chiz.....pta nhi tujhe usme kya dikha...." With that she left his head with a jerk. Though proud, Amir still was registering whatever happened with his head.
"Anyways spin again..." Arushi announced.
The next time the bottle pointed towards Amir. "Dare" he announced without asking and the required people understood the task "seven minutes in heaven with Praveena" Arushi said, bored with their tactics.
As soon as the words left Arushi's lips Praveena was swooped off the floor, to the room on the plane. "Huh....we don't even have to lock the door...." Shreya muttered annoyed seeing this over PDA couple.
Anupriya looked towards Shreya about to say something, Shreya immediately pointed her fingers towards Arushi giving her a flying kiss and then blocking her ears with airpods she turned on her favourite playlist. Arushi gave her a murderous glare before turning to Anupriya and sighing.
"They went to do a couple's business.... Anu...come let's catch some sleep...." saying so Arushi asked the stewardess to give them some blankets which she brought almost immediately.
Anupriya sighed and laid on her recliner and slept almost immediately engulfed her.
They reached the hotel in the evening. It was just on the beach giving a mesmerizing view of the beauty of sea and its shore.
Anupriya and Arushi shared a room as usual, it's their thing whenever they are out they share a room.Shreya had a single room whereas Praveena and Amir shared the couple suite.
Arushi's telephone rang....
"Dinner karne chale.......mai abhi aayi 15 min mei...." Shreya called asking them to join for dinner.
"Anu get ready in 15 mins .." Arushi said and went to change. Anupriya entered the room from the balcony and started taking out her dress. They left soon.
"Where the fuck are these 2 chutiyaaas...." Shreya groaned frustrated. A hungry Shreya is dangerous but a 'HANGRY' Shreya is death herself.
"In dono ko sath lana hi band kar do....I mean yaar kya din bhar gond ke tarah chipke rhte...bloody assholes..." She was calling their number frantically and cussing them, grinding her teeth. She looked ready to kill, they knew she was hungry so as soon as Arushi told Anupriya that Shreya called them she hurriedly got changed and came down to the reception in just 10 minutes. Generally her SP friend doesn't curse in front of her at all but when is irrittated or hungry she doesn't give two damns of who is around she knows only 1 thing that time. Her Target. For now it was Amir and Praveena. Poor souls.
Well the couple came 15 minutes late and the whole dinner was getting taunted, scolded and cursed by Shreya. Arushi being a darling was trying to save the couple from the walking, talking and cursing disaster sitting beside her. Anupriya just sat enjoying it. Yeah she enjoys this one time, when Shreya scolds someone. It's very funny actually.
After dinner they all went to their rooms and unsurprisingly sleep engulfed them like their lover.
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"You....you took my everything from me.....you don't deserve to live you little brat.....I fucking hate you ...... I'LL KILL YOU.....AAAARRRRGHHH....." A feminine voice filled with angst and vengeance screamed through that starless stormy night.
The thundering wasn't making things any better. Though it wasn't pouring, the woman in a green hospital gown was sweating like hell. Suddenly a child's cry resonated in the hallway. Anupriya found herself shivering with the shrill voice. Her heart ached to hold that little kid and soothe whatever pain he was going through.
Anupriya moved closer to the room and saw a woman standing and holding an infant in her hand which was raised in the air. A shiver ran through her body, 'she's going to throw THE KID....KILL THE KID..."NOOO..." Anupriya screamed and pulled the baby from her hands. The lady pushed Anupriya. The baby fell from her arms but before she could do anything everything turned white. She swung her head in front and saw a kid's feet there she looked up and saw the same kid she met in the hospital.
His one side of face covered with blood and dark maroon patch of wound on the same side with blood flowing through it non stop.
He forwarded his hands to touch her cheek and she froze. "Angel" he spoke, and she found herself falling in a dark pit.....
Noooo
Anupriya woke up. Someone was banging on the door, she was panting and sweaty. He again heard some voices from the other side of the door. It was faint, thanks to sound proofing everything nowadays.
She got up and opened the door. "You fine bub..." Arushi asked, cupping her face. "Yeah...just stupid dream..." Arushi nodded, not being convinced but didn't push the matter much.
"Okay, wear this bikini and then this undress we are going to the beach..." Anupriya nodded and went to get ready for the day.
The women were wearing the same sundress with different colours, Anupriya wore pastel blue, Arushi lavender, Shreya wore pastel green and Praveena wore a yellow one.
They had super fun, though Anupriya was zoning out too much due to the morning dream. Shreya even beat a guy too badly because he behaved inappropriately with her. But her mind was all stuck on the kid. Her friends even asked her many times but she didn't say anything. She wasn't sure she didn't remember the dream well but the kid she met yesterday was bothering her.
His quietness was bothering.
Him being so lost was bothering.
Him being so distant was bothering.
These overwhelming emotions were bothering her.
It was bothering her so much that when Arushi announced the trip cutting short and then returning today night she felt relieved.
And the first thing she did after reaching back was going to the hospital and checking for that kid. She asked everyone but couldn't figure out who he was. A whole 2 hours pass with her wandering around the hospital in search of that kid.
When she came back to her cabin she found a file on it with a note. It was Dr. Ishani's signed note. It read-
"I was looking for you to talk about this case....though now that I can't find you and I have an urgent surgery to assist I am leaving this note here....this case is officially yours....all the best ;) "
She sighed and turned the file. As soon as her eyes laid on the picture of the boy her eyes twinkled and a beautiful enchanting smile creeped on her face. His name is "Aarav Garanayak..." The Lost Kid.
As soon as she saw the address she punched it in the taxi app and in an hour she was literally punching the door bell of a penthouse.
A man opened the door, she grew nervous thinking she maybe got the wrong house but when she heard his voice another enchanting smile adored her facial features and she hugged him tightly and all her restlessness flew away.
She felt peace.
He felt at Home.
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