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Abhi enters the DC office and all the other police officers greet him by saluting. Viraj followed him nervously.

"Has Ravi arrived?"

"Yes sir. He is waiting in your cabin." One of the constables said.

Abhi went to his cabin, followed by Viraj.

Abhi entered his cabin and saw Ravi waiting for him. Viraj also came inside.

"Take your seat, Mr. Arora." Abhi said, pointing to the chair.

Glancing at both Abhi and Ravi, Viraj sat on the chair. "What do you guys want to know?" Viraj asked impatiently.

"Why did Nikkil kidnap you?" Abhi asked.

"As I told you, I don't know."

Abhi went towards Viraj and sat on the bench, beside Viraj. "Mr. Arora, I don't want to be rude. Before I could do something I regret, tell me the truth." Abhi asked with a stern and firm tone.

"As I told you, I don't know."

Abhi closed his eyes and took a deep breath, controlling his anger.

"Is there anyone working along with Nikkil?"

"I have never seen anyone other than Nikkil and some of his goons. But at times, I have heard Nikkil talking with someone, discussing some business deals with someone."

This caught Abhi and Ravi's attention. "Have you seen his face?"

"No, I was never allowed out of that room. But while sitting on the door side, I heard some of their discussion, but didn't understand what they were up to."

"Do you remember any of the conversations?"

"Not much. But..." Viraj thought for some time, whereas Abhi and Ravi were waiting for him to give them some lead. "They used to talk about some US business dealers. They would say that the deal is cracked. We have to deliver the product in a week, something like that. I don't remember much."

"It's okay. This will help us a lot." Ravi said.

"Okay. Do you know about Gaurav Thappar?" Abhi asked.

"How do you know about Gaurav?" Viraj asked, shocked, making Abhi suspicious.

"It's none of your concern. Do you know him?"

Viraj sighs with disbelief. "He was my college friend. Our college friend."

"You mean, you and Nikkil?"

"Yes. During our college times, we three used to hang out together. Nikkil and Gaurav were my juniors. Everything was going normal. Then one day, I met Pragya and we both fell in love with each other."

Abhi grits his teeth, hearing that part. He can't help himself but feels jealous, hearing Viraj.

"On such a day, Pragya came to me and told me that Gaurav is trying to misbehave with her. I confronted Gaurav about this, but he acted innocent. Nikkil defended Gaurav, accusing Pragya of breaking our friendship. We had a fight.

After two days, I caught Gaurav misbehaving with Pragya. I bet and warned him to stay away from Pragya. As Nikkil was not there, he didn't believe me. After that, mine and Nikkil's relationship was not good. And I don't know what happened to Gaurav too." Viraj completed.

"I think everything is making sense now." Ravi said, looking at Abhi, who was in deep thought. "What do you think?"

"You may be right. Everything is making sense now. You can go now, Mr. Arora. Thank you for your time." Abhi said.

"Anytime. I'm taking Pragya for a date. There are many things we need to catch up on. I thought of informing you."

Abhi's face became harder, hearing it. He clenched his jaws in anger.

'Is he doing this on purpose to irritate Abhi?' Ravi wondered.

Once Viraj went from there, Abhi turned towards Ravi.

Ravi gave a 'are you okay look. "Don't ask." Abhi said.

"Okay." Ravi said, lifting his hands, surrendering.

"Got information about Gaurav?" Abhi asked.

"Yes, but it's shocking and confusing." Ravi said, handing over Abhi a file and Gaurav's photograph.

"As per the reports, he died two years before." Abhi was shocked, seeing the reports. "It's like he never existed on earth for the past two years. Did that bastard trick us?"

"After I cut his finger? Maybe, maybe not..." Abhi said, keeping the file on the table. "Were you able to pull out his call records?"

Ravi handed over the call records of Gaurav to Abhi. Abhi looked at the records and something in it got his attention. "Ravi, look at this." Ravi stood beside Abhi and looked at the records. "Other than his office and his family, there are continuous incoming calls from this particular number for the past month before Gaurav died. And this is the number to whom he spoke last before he died. I mean, as per he died."

"I will get the details about this number." Ravi said, taking his mobile from his pocket.

"And, let's go and meet his parents. We may get some clues."

"Okay."

In Abhi's House

Pragya and Rachana were sitting in the living room.

"I'm glad that you are not leaving. I mean, it was so sudden, and I felt sad that you are leaving without a proper goodbye." Rachana said and Pragya gave a pale smile, which was noticed by Rachana. "I can understand what you are going through Pragya."

Pragya sighs and Rachana holds her hand. "It's too overwhelming for me to accept what is happening in front of me. And at times I feel suffocating. I don't know what to do, Rachana." Pragya said, looking at her helplessly.

"All you need now is space to think. So, just take a break from all this."

"Ya, probably you are right." Pragya said, nodding with a smile.

Pragya's phone starts to ring, getting her attention. Pragya took her mobile and saw Gauri's name flashing. "Hello, Gauri."

"Pragya, are you free?" Gauri asked from the other side.

"Yes, what's the matter?"

"I'm planning to go shopping. Will you accompany me?"

"That sounds like a good idea. I also have a lot to talk about."

"And we have a lot of time. So, come soon. I will Whatsapp you the location."

"Okay." Pragya hangs up the call and looks at Rachana. "Gauri asked me to accompany her to go shopping. So, I will go."

"Ya sure. Take care. And take one of the constables along with you. Otherwise, Abhi will blast everyone here." Rachana said and Pragya chuckled.

Ravi was driving the car and Abhi was sitting in the passenger seat, engrossed in thoughts. His mind was filled with what Viraj said today. 'Is he telling the truth? Are they really going on a date? It's not like I'm jealous about it. Why would I be? It's just that, I don't trust him. I don't feel that Pragya would be safe with him.'

The car came to a halt, breaking Abhi's thought. Both Abhi and Ravi get down in front of a house. With a stern face, both entered the house.

Abhi and Ravi were sitting in front of an old couple. The man was sitting there broken, whereas the lady was sobbing silently. Abhi and Ravi looked at each other helplessly.

Clearing his throat, Abhi starts talking. "Sorry for the inconvenience. But we need some answers and it would help us with our case."

"I'm sorry. I got a little emotional." The man said with a sigh. "Please ask me whatever you need to know."

"When was the last time you talked to Gaurav?" Ravi asked.

"Two years before. He went on a business trip to Mumbai along with his colleagues. Before the day of returning, Gaurav called us. Next morning, we heard the news that he had met with a terrible accident and died."

"Did you know about this trip?"

"I don't know anything much about it."

"Did you see his dead body?"

"No, I didn't." Abhi and Ravi were shocked, hearing his response. "The police officers told me that they weren't able to rescue his body." This statement made Abhi and Ravi suspicious.

After asking a few more questions, both came out of the house.

"So, we are gonna search for a man who doesn't even exist." Ravi said in a sarcastic tone. "What to do now?"

"Circulate his photograph around Delhi as wanted. Fax it to Mumbai police stations too. We have to wait until he comes out."

"Do you think that he will come?"

"Do we have a choice?" Abhi asked and Ravi shrugged his shoulders tiredly.

Abhi heard his phone ringing. "Yes, Rachana?" Abhi asked, attending the call.

"Pragya went shopping along with Gauri. I want you to pick her up."

"Wait... Pragya went shopping?" Abhi asked, surprised.

"Yes, and she took Constable Khanna along with her. But Khanna has to leave it seems due to some emergency. That's why I ask you to go and pick her up."

"That means, she didn't go out with Viraj."

"No, Viraj is in the guest room. Pragya went along with Gauri."

Abhi's face breaks with a big smile. "Okay, I will pick her up." Abhi said and hung up the call.

Ravi frowns, seeing Abhi smiling. "What happened to you?"

"Nothing. I'm going now. I want to pick up someone." Abhi said, trying to hide his smile and excitement.

"Is this someone Pragya?" Ravi asked.

"Who told you?" Abhi asked.

"Your smile is telling me." Ravi said and Abhi tried to keep a stern face. "Go and have fun." Ravi said with a wink and went from there.

Pragya and Gauri come out of the shopping mall, chatting happily.

"Shall we?" Pragya hears a familiar voice. She turns towards the owner of the voice and gets surprised, seeing Abhi, standing at the entrance, leaning on the car.

"You?" Pragya asked.

"Rachana called me to pick you up."

"Where is Khanna?" Gauri asked, looking around.

"He is not here. He went due to some emergency." Abhi said and both nodded.

"Okay, then let me leave. Bye." Gauri said.

"Aren't you coming?" Abhi asked.

"No, my hostel is within walking distance. I can manage." Gauri said and went from there.

Pragya turned her grace towards Abhi. "Shall we go?" Abhi asked and Pragya nodded.

In the drive, both steal a glance of each other, but none of them spoke anything. An awkward silence prevailed between both of them. Suddenly the car stops. Abhi tried to start the car, but the car didn't start. He got down from the car and opened the engine. Pragya peeps out through the window.

"What happened?" Pragya asked.

"I don't know. Let me call the mechanic. You wait in the car." Abhi said and Pragya nodded.

Abhi calls the mechanic and informs him whereas Pragya was sitting inside the car, waiting for him. She saw Abhi coming, hanging the call. "I asked the mechanic to come here. He will be here in a few minutes." Abhi said and Pragya nodded.

After a few minutes, the mechanic came and checked the car. Pragya was sitting in the car, waiting for them. She saw Abhi coming towards her.

"The mechanic wants to take the car to his shed it seems. The house is a few minutes away from here. If you don't mind, can we go for a walk?" Abhi asks with an apological look and Pragya nods with a smile on her face.

Abhi and Pragya were walking together. "I'm sorry." Pragya turned towards Abhi, hearing his apology.

"Don't be. I'm enjoying this. I like night walks." Pragya said and Abhi smiled, hearing it. "Did you get any information from Viraj?"

"Yes. I got a lead. Viraj told me about Gaurav Thappar." Abhi hesitantly said Pragya was shocked, hearing it.

"Gaurav is involved in this case?"

"I think yes."

"But I heard that he is dead."

"Maybe, maybe not." Abhi said.

"Do you think he is alive?" Pragya asked, confused.

"I'm not sure. But if you want to hide your original identity from the world, making people believe that you are dead is the best way." Abhi said, making Pragya understand.

After a few minutes of silence, Pragya asked.

"Can I ask you something?" Pragya asked and Abhi nodded yes. "I can see that you are not okay with Viraj's sudden return. But why?"

"I don't believe him, Pragya." Pragya was taken aback, hearing him. "He is strange."

"He has gone through a lot. Maybe because of that he is behaving strangely."

"Maybe... He told me that he is gonna take you on a date."

"Really?" Pragya asked, shocked.

"Yes, he told me while leaving. You don't know?"

"No. Gauri asked me to go shopping. So I went with her." Abhi nods, hiding his happiness. "Anyways, it would have been awkward if I went with him."

"Why?"

"I don't know but for some reason, I was not able to connect with him. It's too tough for me to handle things. That's why." Pragya said smiling at Abhi and he smiled in return.

To Be Continued...

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