The last few chapters missed Neil's POV. Hence an attempt to bring it out here.
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Neil was just out of the meeting and already he was getting another call. However DD came in as neil picked up the call. Neil gestured DD to wait which he did patiently while Neil talked on the call.

It seems Neil was talking to some village police station officials.

Neil -"inspector. Don't forget Jaguda is a small district. It'll take us time to get so many resources. Are you sure about this news?"

He heard what was said by the other person and then said -"this is a very sensitive issue. I've talked to the politicians and it seems they have agreed to cooperate. They've given me full authority to act independently to deal with the naxalites. However we need to realise it is a very murky area. We are not sure who's the terrorist and who's the victim. We don't want to hurt innocent villagers. We don't want to kill naxalites also. We just need to ensure no body is terrorizing the villagers or abducting their kids to become child soldiers!"

DD was very well aware of the fact that Neil was very busy. But he had to put forward Avni's point to neil. So he waited.

Finally Neil kept the phone and turned to DD.

Neil -"bolo DD. What's the news?"(Tell DD..)

DD -"sir I met bhabhi this morning. She was sad sir. "

Neil raised his eyebrows. -"speak clearly DD. Also since when has avni started using you as her messenger.. "

DD went quiet at this.

Neil -" DD don't waste my time. Speak quickly and clearly. "

DD -"sir. If I have to speak quickly. To phir main ye bolunga ki.. Ki you've changed sir "(..I'll say this that..)

Neil didn't expect this. He became a little angry.

To Neil's credit he had been overworked and irritable since he had come to Jaguda. He was the senior most police officer in this place requiring a lot of police intervention. He had not only to manage all criminal incidents but also had to manage various political factions.

Neil had been pushing himself too hard. Getting too little sleep. And also he had been hardening alot. Seeing a lot of innocents being killed in the skirmishes between police and naxalites made him wonder about his work. He had always wanted to save people...and inability to do so was affecting him. Jaguda was a socio political hotpot prepared to erupt at any time when neil had reached here. With his efforts he had managed to calm down various factions and he had even tried to reach out to naxalite commanders to come out and talk.

He knew it was hard and was not possible so quickly. But it was his conscience that pushed him to work so hard and keep trying. In all this neil forgot one important thing in his life.

Avni.

Avni used to be the most important person in his life before Jaguda. Now Neil didn't have time for breathing only. Last Sunday evening spent with avni went in a blur. He realised she was bored even when with him. Maybe distances had grown. He had thought he would talk to her on waking up. But when he woke up she was still asleep.

Neil had just caressed her forehead and left for office after that. He had received a message for an urgent meeting and had to leave even skipping his breakfast.

Neil sighed on listening DD saying this. Clearly avni had talked to DD about her feelings and issues. To neil, DD was a part of his family only. And he could understand why avni would reach out to DD.

Neil had become snappy and couldn't help it as he talked rudely to DD again.

Neil -"dd what do you mean that i have changed! You know I've been so busy. What did avni say to you?"

DD -"Neil sir. Forgive me for intruding but bhabhi...avni loves you alot sir. If you came here for your duty then she came here just for you. This place we now know is one of the most dangerous districts in india. It's a hot belt of killings of innocents and political drama. Police parties are attacked by rebel naxalites funded by foreign governments and police tries to defend themselves and simultaneously try to defend innocent poor villagers who are not naxalites but are forced to serve them. Lots of innocents are recruited by naxalites by force. We know it is very complex. But sir. Please realise you can only do as much. Neil sir..to protect the villagers and people of this district you're putting avni bhabhi at risk of alienation from you. She has done so much for you sir. You can give her some quality time in a week at least. She has no one to talk to and I could see she misses you terribly sir..."

Neil sat down and put his head in his hands. He was trying to absorb all this. What DD was saying was the absolute truth that Neil knew. He knew he had to take care of Avni's needs and he knew that serving the people will not yield any additional results just by giving it more hours. He needed a breather himself. He was almost burnt out.

Neil looked up -"dd.."

DD prepared himself for more scolding from Neil.

Neil -"thanks DD"

DD was surprised.

Neil -"I'm tired DD. I just need to be with avni. I'm leaving. Ask my deputies to send me detailed reports by evening on what cases came through. Ask the village police posts to report to deputies by evening on conditions.."

DD smiled and saluted Neil smartly. Neil was late in realizing but he was doing it right now.

Neil had always been a go getter. He was a warrior who would go in each raid and plan with his team. But now he was realizing that managing teams is a different ball game altogether and more effective from a distance at times. It was probably more important to build sustainable systems than try and jump in each situation himself.

Neil took the jeep and left for home to meet avni. He tried calling her phone but she didn't pick up. Neil realised she was probably angry with him or had just kept her phone away. He smiled. He would take care of her anger very soon. He would make her happy again.