She is basically a coffee addict but that day even a sip of coffee couldn't interest her mind. It was Friday afternoon and Brindha found it hard to get her mind focus on work. That afternoon was lazier than she had ever felt in her entire life. Maybe it was because of the arrival of the weekend holidays, she thought. She was struggling hard to push every minute of the working hour and finally, she decided to postpone her work to Monday. Her eyes were tired of the work pressure the whole week and were begging her to shut them peacefully for hours.

Brindha is working as an Investigation Journalist for "The Current Progress" magazine. The magazine ranks number 1in the popularity list because of its quality of information and up-to-date data on the real situation of the nation's development. Brindha's work is mainly to analyze the reality behind problems and sensations occurring then and there in the country. Owing to its popularity, the workers were subjected to massive workloads especially when there is sensational news.

Something is bothering Brindha. Maybe it is the absence of her close friend Ananya in the working environment as well as in-home. Ananya is also an investigative journalist. At present, she is on some other location for her present investigation. She left last Saturday and informed Brindha that she would return either this Friday or Saturday.

Brindha and Ananya first met in their college. As both were fond of shining as journalists, fate united them in the same classroom. Both are from two different districts of the same state. Their college is far away from their home and they were compelled to become hostellers. They greeted each other as classmates in the morning and fortunately became roommates in the evening. They slowly became close friends and started to care for each other like family. Brindha's parents considered Ananya as their second daughter. Similarly, Ananya's parents treated Brindha as their second daughter. During college days, the holidays seemed like hell to these girls as they were forced to leave each other for a short duration. Ananya is a calm and sensitive girl, whereas Brindha is talkative and fierce. Ananya used to seek Brindha's help for solving issues. Brindha treated and cared for Ananya as if she is her younger sister. In the final year, they wished to get placed in the same company through campus recruitment. God was with them at that point. They both got a job offer from "The current Progress" magazine through their knowledge and determination. They were glad on that day and they excitedly waited to work and achieve together. In the workplace, they were happy with their fortune and worked together enthusiastically all these days. They got fame and promotion together. Now they both got promoted as senior investigation journalists and each had a small group of juniors working under their supervision.

They both rented a house near their office and their rooms were filled with articles, papers, and notes of their investigations. Two years passed successfully and energetically. Brindha's life was awesome until when Ananya said she is after something very sensational and interesting on their Friday night walk on the streets. Because of their busy schedule, they shared little or no information about their work with each other. They helped each other when in need, but they carried out their work with caution not to impose a burden on each other. With Ananya's words, Brindha simply sensed that she is after something important. This is common in their life. They often were forced to stay in outstation for their investigation work. On Saturday morning when Ananya was about to leave she turned to Brindha,

"Brindhu, you have been with me all these years through thick and thin. Apart from being my best friend, you are like my elder sister too because it is you who have helped me all these years to get out of complications. It is your duty to help me in case if I need your helping hand in my current work."

"Ha!! Ana just give me a ring when you are in need of my help in your so mentioned interesting work..." with these words Brindha hugged Ananya and waved her goodbye. Brindha doubted her best friend's weird behavior because these sorts of words are unusual from Ananya's mouth. "Is she in danger?" thought Brindha. "No, if so she might have taken me along with her. She said those just because of the complications are hidden in her present work" Brindha consoled her questioning mind with this answer and focussed on her work. Seven days passed without Ananya. Ananya used to call Brindha every evening and everything went normal.

The office hour came to an end and finally, the working hours of Friday came to an end. She was glad and left the office and rushed to her room. She slept for three hours and was waked up suddenly as if disturbed by something. Her stomach asked her to feed something to digest. She slowly stepped out of her bed and entered the kitchen. She prepared noodles. With a bowl in one hand and a mobile in the other, she sat on the couch in the living room. She searched for the remote and switched it on. The reporter was delivering the News of the day. Bored of hearing news all day, she changed the channel to watch a movie. While eating noodles, she realized that she is spending a boring Friday which is unusual from the rest of the past Friday nights. Brindha and Ananya used to wander on the streets every Friday night tasting their favorite street snacks enjoying every second of the night. This Friday Brindha is spending it all alone with noodles and a movie. She missed Ananya and looked at the clock hanging on the wall. 9.30 pm. She checked her mobile for calls and messages. No call or message from Ananya. She thought of giving a call. But she didn't call her. A wrong call at the wrong time could interrupt or disturb the investigation. "Busy girl" Brindha's mouth uttered these words. She left her mobile on the couch. She entered the kitchen washed dishes and then she went to continue her sleep.

She slept for some time....

"Ringing of the calling bell"

Brindha woke up as if she was subjected to electric shock. She searched for her spectacles on the table near her bed. She switched on the lights of the room. She checked the time. It was 11 pm. "Who could this be at this hour?" she was completely annoyed by the calling bell. She yawned and went near the front door. Before opening it she checked who the visitor would be through the lens on her door. To her astonishment it was Ananya. Brindha opened the door quickly and rushed to hug her friend. But Ananya stepped back.

"This is not the time for cherishing my presence. I need your help immediately, right now. As you said 'Give me a ring if you need any help.'(she pointed out the calling bell with her finger). Take your bag and accompany me. I will tell you further details on our way to the bus stand. "

"But..." before Brindha could utter further, "we are running out of time," Ananya said in a hurry. Brindha could sense some tense situation but definitely could not frame a clear idea of what that would be. She went in, took her bag.

"Would you like to eat anything?" asked Brindha.

Ananya nodded her head mentioning NO.

Brindha came out, locked the door, and followed Ananya. She has never seen Ananya like this before. Tensed and weird, Ananya lacked her key signature of being calm even in a hectic situation. Brindha's thoughts completely filled her brain and she was eagerly watching her friend's face to know the answers through her mouth.

But Ananya was silent.

"Panipuri" Brindha broke the prevailing silence. Ananya stopped and turned back. There was a man selling Pani puri opposite the road.

"I am not in the mood of eating. If you want to eat I can wait for you...I will stay here. You go and come" Ananya answered. Brindha was confused because it's Ananya who is fond of Pani puri more than her. "Is she in some danger?" doubted Brindha.

Without any further words, Brindha crossed the road and reached the Pani puri stall. She got two plates and came to Ananya. Brindha forced Ananya to eat but she refused. Brindha happened to look at the person selling Pani puri. He was starring at her. Brindha suddenly realized she came out with her Pyjama as Ananya didn't offer sufficient time for a dress change. Brindha was irritated by his look and said,

"Let's go"

Brindha saw a Taxi on their way. She rushed to stop it.

"No, let's walk. It is a Friday night and we used to do that right? Moreover, I can tell you everything in detail on our way to the bus stand" with Ananya's words Brindha dropped her hand down.

Brindha just stared at her friend. She behaved like an unknown mysterious girl. Her activities are weird.

"Brindha...." Brindha came to reality with the voice of Ananya.

"We are after something important. We have to hurry. Keep in mind every second is precious from now!!" continued Ananya though she assumed the questions in Brindha's mind. Brindha was happy and confused at the same time. She was happy because her friend has accompanied her on a Friday night but she was confused about the task her friend is going to assign her.

"My help will always be there for you. Now, enough of all the confusion. Be straight with me. Tell me what is that bothering you and how can I help you in getting rid of that" saying this Brindha looked at Ananya's face.

"I need your help in accomplishing my new project. It is almost over."

"Tell me the outline of what had happened"

"Last week Monday as you know, Rishi and I got the opportunity to interview the famous Textile Industrialist Mr. Raghunath residing in Vishupur. "

"Yeah!!! I still remember how excited you were on the day of interviewing that enthusiastic person."

Ananya was silent for a few seconds after Brindha's words and slowly said,

"Everything began with that interview"

"What?"

"The next day after the interview I took leave for preparing a detailed report of the interview..."

"I remember that too"

Ananya watched Brindha for a second and continued... "I have the practice of taking complete video document of the interviews I have done so far. In a similar manner, I took the video of my interview with Raghunath. I played the video once him and also to include the excluded points. The interview lasted for an hour and at the near end of interview, his manager interrupted saying that Raghunath has to sign some urgent papers. That was also recorded in my video. Raghunath signed the papers after which he thanked us and left the place as he got an important issue that needed his attention. I paused the video at the place where he was reading the papers just to take the pen that fell on the ground. When I lifted up I noticed something weird in the glass at the back of the seat in which Raghunath was sitting during the interview. I happened to notice the letters in the papers in which he signed....it looked like NUCLEAR TESTING...I was confused and zoomed the screen to clarify my doubt. On zooming the exact words were there on the paper. My doubt increased when I noticed the file in which the papers were filed. It read TEXTILE EXPORT REPORT. My mind searched its sources to know whether there is any relation between nuclear and textile. But was in vain. Then I used google to clarify my confusion. Even it didn't mention the use of nuclear testing in the textile industry. I sensed something suspicious and immediately called Rishi who accompanied me on my day to Vishupur. "

"Yeah!!! Rishi entered our editor-in-chief's room while I was explaining my report on 'Poverty alleviation 2018' and got an hour's permission saying that he has to go to the hospital nearby but reached only in the evening" interrupted Brindha.

"I asked him to lie for permission. I didn't want to make it an issue before proper confirmation. He came and I narrated what I found. He analyzed the video once and was stunned to see that. We both wanted to find the answer to this doubt. So we decided to visit Vishupur once again but this time not Raghunath's home instead we reached his factory. We got permission from the manager to take some pictures of the factory for displaying in the magazine. He granted us permission without any denial. We wasted no time, wandered all over the factory took pictures of every place at the same time checking for nuclear activity. No signs. We thanked the manager and came out. While walking out of the factory we saw a barren land at some distance from the office with an arc displaying Raghunath Textile Industry. We looked at each other. We reached there but the barren land was secured by a fence and a watchman was sitting outside. We noticed a cottage at one corner of the land. We approached the watchman and asked what is that place for. He simply replied that the place is used for dumping solid waste of the industry and transform it into compost. His words increased my doubts. Compost is responsible for the flourishing growth of the plants, but this land is devoid of even grass. We looked at each other and left the place. We reached our home and Rishi asked me not to get much confused with a paper. I nodded and he left for the office. I on the other hand completed the report that I have to submit the next day. "

"So what is the problem? You have submitted the article which is going to get published the next month..." before Brindha could complete her interruption Ananya paused her saying "Listen completely..."

"The next morning that on Wednesday I submitted the article and focussed on my next work. Rishi entered my cabin and showed me some research articles of various scientists and research scholars of India. All papers focus on one central thing... Vishunathi of Vishupur. Vishunathi is a lake that is where the people of Vishupur used to fetch water for drinking purposes. But for the past two years, people were banned from fetching water from it owing to some harmful nuclear radiation created under the water surface. There is no note on the Textile industry in any of those papers. Raghunath's textile industry has a mechanism for purifying the wastewater or effluents of the industry and they use it for watering plants in the garden around the industry. This is what Raghunath is celebrated for. His environmental awareness stands out on stop in inspiring other industries of the nation."

"But where do these nuclear chemicals come from. We both exchanged looks. We decided to get permission from our editor in chief for creating a documentary of how the people of Vishupur are affected by the fate of Vishunathi. So we both packed bags on......."

"Last Saturday" the words came out of Brindha unknowingly.

"Yes" replied Ananya. She continued,

"We interviewed people in and around Vishupur and came to know that Vishunathi was the main source for their drinking purpose. The activities of the people were affected a lot. Now they are forced to walk a long distance to fetch drinking water from another village nearby. Many children are affected by radioactive chemicals when they accidentally drank water from the lake. Because of this, the lake was completely banned from the reach of people. Raghunath's textile industry is supplying drinking water in bottles for these people. One boy brought an unopened water bottle from Raghunath's industry and handed that over to me. The water was so clear just like other mineral water. I exchanged the bottle I had in my bag with this one. This Tuesday we reached a laboratory located in Ramnagar which is 10 km away from Vishupur. Rishi's father was the in-charge of the laboratory. Rishi gave the water bottle of Raghunath's industry and asked his father to give the report as soon as possible. Rishi's father immediately analyzed the components in water and prepared a complete report by the next morning. I stayed at Rishi's house on Tuesday night. On Wednesday morning Rishi's father waited for us with a shocking truth. The water was dangerous as a slow poison. Though it is clear in color and odor, still retained some chemicals mainly used in the textile processing unit. We soon realized that the water in the bottles is nothing but the purified effluents of Raghunath's textile industry. "

Brindha stopped walking hearing this. "What kind of creature he is?" she yelled forgetting that they are walking on the road. "Then?"

"Then we focussed on finding the mysterious source of Nuclear chemicals in Vishunathi. We both suspected the barren land near the textile industry. We decided to analyze inside that cottage as it is only a few miles away from Vishunathi. To our luck, there was a temple function in Vishupur today and Raghunath was invited as the chief guest of the function. Everyone gathered there and hence no human was sited near the Textile industry and not even the watchman. We thought it as the correct opportunity to enter the cottage. I was about to touch the fence, but Rishi pulled me back and pointed out the electric wires running all along the fence. A barren land secured by an electric fence? Doubt increased. Rishi had an electric shock proof glove pair in his bag, with the help of which he opened the door like structure at the front of the barren area. We rushed in through the door and could feel the heat arising on the ground. We reached the cottage and to our surprise, the lock was not strong enough. We entered in without making much noise and were disappointed by the waste papers and files related to the textile industry. Disappointed by our suspect, I turned back but some erect joystick like structure attached to the ground. We were shocked when a path opened leading the underground. We slowly went down and after reaching some distance we heard voices of humans. Rishi took the camera and started to record the happenings. There was a massive glass wall and we stood at the corner of it to see the happenings inside. There were people wearing white lab coats like scientists and were gathered around a familiar person, Raghunath himself. He was shouting at them for something. The secret laboratory clearly indicated activities related to nuclear works. Raghunath is illegally carrying out research in nuclear chemicals and there may be exports also that gained his profit in the black market. There were several guns and bomb-like structures which indicated his trade with terrorists. Rishi was clearly taking the video and I stood a little behind him checking the movement of other people through the underground canal. Suddenly my phone rang. The eyes caught Rishi."

"Catch him" Raghunath shouted...

"We ran and reached up but Rishi didn't come out. He gave me the camera, asked me to close the underground way and run quickly. He said this because they all saw only him. He forced me to say that I must survive to save the life of innocent people in Vishupur. I was crying. He then pretended as if he slipped. I heard footsteps hitting the ground. I was scared and ran away without closing the underground way. I ran into the forest near the industry without turning back. I realized that my bracelet fell down in the cottage while getting the camera from Rishi. This could lead me to trouble. So I decided to hide the camera in the safest place. I saw a huge tree with a bird whole in the center. I wrapped the camera and the bag which got the report on the quality of water in Raghunath's water bottle with my dupatta and kept it inside the whole. No one followed me but still, I was afraid to stay there. I ran and finally reached a road. I got into a bus and reached you...."

Brindha was shocked by the risk of her best friend. She thanked God for getting her safely to her. "Bu...But what happened to Rishi?" asked Brindha.

"No Idea. We have to get the bag out from there which is the main evidence to get Rishi out."

"Let's do it quickly" replied Brindha.

They rushed to the bus stand and found a bus to Vishupur. Both entered in. The seats were almost empty because it was midnight.

"I prefer separate window seats because we both are in need of fresh breeze" saying this Ananya took a window seat.

Brindha sat in an empty seat at the back as she was also in need of fresh air to prepare her mentally for the risk. As the conductor reached her Brindha gave him the money and said,

"Two tickets to Vishupur" she pointed out the seat where Ananya was sitting. The conductor starred at Brindha and asked again for a confirmation

"Two tickets to vishupur"

"Yes"

He gave her the tickets and walked away. Brindha completely turned her attention to the outer world to keep her mind in a normal state. After an hour travel, the bus reached Vishupur at 1.30 am. They both got down and Ananya showed the way towards the large tree standing erect and majestic a few miles from the road. Brindha got afraid "Ananya I think we should seek the help of the police"

"No that is important evidence to save the lives of thousands of people. No bad hands should get it."

Brindha thought Ananya was correct and the bright moon in the sky showed their path in the forest. On reaching the tree, Ananya stopped and asked Brindha to get the camera and bag out of it. Brindha without waiting any further rushed to the tree and took the things wrapped by a yellow dupatta. By which time Ananya was checking in all directions for the presence or movement of humans. "Here it is" Brindha showed Ananya the parcel. "Keep it inside your bag and let's get out from here," said Ananya. Brindha kept it inside her bag and both ran towards the road. After 10 minutes they reached the same place where they stepped out from the bus. To their luck a bus they soon got a bus back to their home. Another man also entered the bus along with them. "Two tickets," asked Brindha. The conductor gave her the tickets and as her heart was beating faster than usual she sat silently focussing entirely on the outer world. She felt relieved after some time.

They reached the bus stand after an hour. Both got down. Brindha called a taxi home. Ananya and Brindha were not in the mood of talking with each other. On reaching home, they got down; Brindha paid the taxi driver and thanked him.

She checked the clock on the wall as soon as she switched on the lights of the living room. It displayed at 3.45 am.

"OMG!!!!!"

"Longest night walk with you" laughed Brindha after finishing a liter of cold water from the refrigerator.

Ananya simply nodded her head and smiled back.

"Don't worry dear this evidence is enough to bring Rishi safely out of that mysterious cottage. For now, I need some rest and I hope you too. Good night. Haha, I am sorry... Good morning" saying this Brindha entered her room and closed it.

Ananya stood starring at the door... "Good morning and thanks for your help....." with these words she entered her room. The bag with the yellow parcel lay on the couch.

Brindha slept for long hours. Her sleep was disturbed by the rays of sun hitting her face through the window. She got up and searched for spectacles. She was shocked to see the time. It was 10 am. The time she has to be in office. She got ready at once. By 10.30 when she was about to leave the home, she unlocked her phone she left last night on the couch. To her shock, there were 30 missed calls from the editor in chief. She called him at once...

"Sir..... sorry I just......."

"It's okay. Come to VKD hospital first-floor room number 34. Be quick..." The editor in chief hanged up. "What is he doing in the hospital?" thought Brindha. She checked Ananya's room and there was no sign of her presence. Brindha thought she might have gone to the police station. She then locked the home. The yellow parcel was still on the couch.

She started her car, reached VKD hospital, and opened the door of the room as mentioned by her editor in chief. As soon as she opened the door, Ananya's mother rushed and hugged her crying. Brindha was shocked...

"What happened ma??"

"See this" he showed a dead body covered with a white cloth.

Brindha was shocked "who could that be?" She pulled the white cover and was terrified to see Ananya covered with blood. Her mind lacked words for seconds...

"She met with an accident last night around 10.30 pm on the road near Vishupur...." said Editor in chief. The timing terrified her a lot more than the news. She met Ananya at around 11 pm. Brindha fainted. She recovered to consciousness after 15 minutes. She silently left the place to her home.

On the way back to her home, she recalled things one after the other.... that panipuri seller's confused look while she was forcing Ananya to eat.....the bus conductor's annoying look when she pointed out the seat where Ananya was sitting..... the Vishupur conductor didn't collect the ticket for the man who got in with her as she asked for two tickets.......she was with Ananya's ghost the whole night. She stopped her car. Drank water. She was sweating despite the chillness offered by her car's AC. She cried thinking of fate to her friend.

She then decided to accomplish her friend's wish of saving the future of the people of Vishupur. She rushed to her home unwrapped the camera and Ananya's bag. She prepared a detailed report on what Ananya and Rishi have seen in Vishupur. She then called her editor in chief and asked for an immediate meeting with him. The editor in chief agreed. Brindha rushed to her office and presented the entire report to her editor in chief. She didn't mention the happenings of the strange night. She simply said that she got these pieces of evidence from Ananya's room. The editor in chief deeply analyzed the report and was shocked.

He saw the video that Rishi took inside the cottage.

"To save Rishi's life and to secure the future of those innocent people we must act immediately sir," said Brindha with tears flowing down her cheek.

The editor in chief wasted no time. He immediately called the Commissioner of the city who was his dearest friend and asked for his appointment. The commissioner agreed. Both the editor and Brindha rushed to the Commissioner's office and submitted all the evidence regarding the illegal activities happening in Vishupur. The commissioner at once ordered the officers of Vishupur to save Rishi. Policemen got Rishi safely out of the cottage. He was injured but Brindha was glad that he is alive. With strong pieces of evidence, the court ordered to seal Raghunath's textile industry forever and declared his arrest for his illegal activities. Scientists were appointed for removing nuclear chemicals from Vishupur. After several steps, the environmentalist ensured safe drinking water from Vishunathi. Medical camps were established to give proper treatment for the affected people. The people of Vishupur were happy and so would be the soul of Ananya believed Brindha......