•••

Oh fish! It's gonna be hard for me from now on. I seriously need some superhuman strength to tolerate these guys. One is an angry bird while another is such an irritating fella. God!! Please help me. Why does Nethra had to do this to me? I thought while sipping my hot chocolate.

I screamed all my thoughts so loud in my brain for I can't shout in reality. Nethra and others had already switched in to serious mode. So all I could do was scream inside my own mind and rampage my own thoughts. I was sitting there with them but was completely in another world. Physically present, mentally absent.

"DHRUV IS INNOCENT NETHRA. WE KNOW THAT, AND SO DO YOU." The army hunk shouted again which brought me back in to this world. This guy has some serious anger issues! Jeez man, how are Dhruv and Nethra even friends with them? Well , however I had a feeling I was missing out something important .

"I do too", I said trying to get into the conversation. They all glared at me whereas I stared at them confusedly. What is wrong with these people? I was agreeing with them, Dhruv is innocent and I knew it a bit atleast . So I said it out....then why these glares ?

"Well, whatever! We need to go meet Dhruv. What we do after that, will be decided by him..." Anirudh said breaking the silence . Well that was definitely a considerable option right now. "He is in the Indian embassy now, we can go meet him now in the visiting hours" Arjun said agreeing with him. I looked at Nethra just like them, who were awaiting her opinion. She nodded in assurance. All three of us smiled slowly at her .

"Well then we will leave now" Anirudh said getting up. Arjun followed him. They were leaving, so I could have some peace for sometime . Well this is a good sign. Myself and Nethra got up and walked to the door with them .

"Bye...." Anirudh said looking at Nethra. He turned towards me and said "That was the worst hot chocolate I ever had..."

Fhat The Wuck???? "Well, that worst hot chocolate you had... is my signature drink for the guests I hate! Congratulations you are one among them now! Welcome to the club!" I chirped enthusiastically clasping my hands. He glared at me as if it would effect me in any way.

Arjun and Nethra chuckled at us . Anirudh attempted to say something but was cut off by Arjun ."See you in the evening!" He said to us and walked out of the gate dragging Anirudh. I scoffed, "Silly punk" I said to myself.

We both went inside and I sat on the couch, continuing to sip my hot chocolate. "Gravity is pulling me hard. I'll hit rest for a while..." Nethra said with a tired look. I nodded and she walked wearily in to the bedroom. Poor Nethra !!! She didn't deserve this pain or agony . That bastard Mr.A is going to pay the highest tax for giving us all this pain.

I stood drowned in my thoughts for a while and then got ready for my work and left our home but not before leaving a note for Nethra.

•••

I barged into the bedroom and collapsed on the bed. I wanted to sleep but I couldn't. Because every damn time I close my eyes I see him smiling, I feel his warmth,I hear his words that gave strength to me until now.

The day that I considered to be my luckiest day until now is the one that l wish I had never lived one. The day that we met was playing again and again in mind. Drops of hot tears trailed down my cheeks .

Why did it have to be me ? I wish I never lived that day. The day I met him. I wish I never lodged the complaint in first place. The more I wanted to forget it the more it came back to me. Such a boomerang these memories are!

Our past was moving in front of my eyes. I remember everything as if it happened just yesterday, the memories- as fresh as daisy.

"Sir... things are going out of hand! We should take steps at least now!" I rushed to my senior's cabin as soon as I saw the news on tv. 1 archaeologist died in 'accidental fire' at the recent camp. This is not new! 2 weeks back the same news was on tv but with an additional news that they had put up a camp at an absolutely useless area. But no, it wasn't! It was my colleague, who died later there, had sent me the most beautiful sculpture remains and also passed me the message of an anonymous person threatening them to hand over the 75% findings there.

He didn't look at me, and continued to lean on his chair with his face facing the ceiling. Lines of worries constituted his forehead. His fingers tapped the glass table in a rhythm. "It's time to talk Sir! There is no work for fire there Sir!" I cried once again to gain his attention.

He still didn't look up. The limit line for anger is slowly getting erased in me. Before it gets fully erased, I need an answer. "Sir.... it's not just about the individual who died, but also about three more people who got injured while saving and among them... one is your daughter, Mithra!" I placed my hands on the table and leaned in front. I didn't raise my voice, but that sure did rise his BP.

The rhythmic tapping on the table stopped. The lines of worry vanished. The face got more pale, his neck had movement. The leaned back got straight as he looked at me with disappointment. "After all the chaos, you think I'm selfish to only think about my daughter?" His low tone comment was accompanied by a short living sad chuckle.

"Then share your thoughts on this sorrow Sir! We can't tend to lose more of our efficient people! We can't become extinct!" I worried as I sat on my chair opposite to him.

"I don't know what to do, Nethra...." he paused, as his thumb massaged his temples. "Things are really going out of hands. We need to stop it, but I don't know how!" His words and voice depicted his depression. I sunk into my chair in deep thoughts. My fingers supported my forehead as I thought about what next.

"Sir... there is only one solution." I said, still sunk into the chair. "What is that?" His faint voice approached me. "We get even with that anonymous group. We are seeking the police now!" I said looking at him and got up from the chair. "That is going to cause only more harm, Nethra" more harm Nethra, and only 1 year later I realized that.

"It will cause harm Sir, if we remain silent. But not when we strike back!" I stormed out of the room. I collected my bag and the photos of the sculptures which my colleague sent and are now missing, and rushed to DCP's office.

My Chepauk to Kilpauk journey turned even more wearier as I couldn't put up with the constable any more. "Sir Sir romba romba romba important aana confidential aana case Sir! Oru 15 minutes en-na vidunga podhum!(Sir Sir! Its a highly important and confidential case, sir. Just let me in for 15 minutes)" I pleaded him for the umpteenth time.

My inner-me so badly wanted to hammer his balded head beneath his cap, but I couldn't.

The name plate in front of the room, made me grunt in frustration.

'Dhruv Vishwanathan, IPS

"Adhaan solren la ma.... ayya romba busy...(I am telling you right? Sir is very busy)" his talk was silenced as his eyes got stuck somewhere behind me. I turned back to see an officer arriving tensedly and just nodding at all the salutes he received. His index finger occasionally rubbed his forehead and his plastered a smile.

"Idhu....(This is...)" I dragged looking at him, and by that he reached us. The constable quickly saluted him. He just nodded and entered the room. Oh My God! He is the DCP! How I did I miss talking to him! I glared at the constable for lying to me that he was inside. "Naan ippo avara paathe aaganum. Illana nee ellaraiyum avaru busy nu solli thirupi anupuradha potukuduthuruven." I threatened him. (I should see him right now, otherwise I'll tell him how you're sending back everyone telling he is busy)

"Naan anupina thaane potukudupa?"(You can tell him only if I send You, right!?) He celebrated his short living victory. "Haha! Enakku vaai illa nu nenachiya!? Illa kaththa theriyathu nu nenachiya?" (Haha! Do you think I don't have mouth or I don't know to shout?) I asked him sarcastically making him look at me puzzled. "Hey DCP! SIR! DCP SIR!" I shouted, making him pacify me. "Adhu.... poitu unga ayya kitta inform pannu po...."(Hmm... now go and inform your sir that I'm here) I ordered him.

"What's all the noise here!?" The DCP came out grumpily. "Who are you ma? What do you want?" His voice still maintained the same grumpiness. But then his reaction changed on completely noticing me. His fingers pointed at me in realization. "You're Nethra... from Archaelogy Department right?" He asked me. I was surprised. "Yes Sir.... how do you know!" I exclaimed.

Signing Off

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