Sanskar is at the wheel. Next to him sits Swara.  She stares out at the passing scenery.

Swara: "Thanks for the lift, by the way"

Sanskar: "It's no trouble."

He looks to her, smiles.

Swara : "You can just let me off anywhere along here is fine."

Sanskar : "There's a village not far from here. I can drop you off there."

Swara :"There is? Uh sure. That would be better.

Sanskar : "Before that I just need to make a quick stop off at my place first."

Swara : " Okay then."

SOMEWHERE ELSE 

A small, grey-stone building with a 'Police' sign that hangs over the doorway. Ragini  approaches the building, makes note of the sign and enters inside.

INSIDE THE  POLICE STATION 

The room is empty. This is a small, community police station with a single desk set up in a corner.

Ragini : "Hello? Is anybody there? "

Filtered noise emanates from a back room. Ragini  steps into the workspace, peers past it into the room. A pair of young, male officers sit huddled around a television set, watching a local sporting match. They heave a collective groan as a goal is scored.

Ragini : "Excuse me "

One of the officers looks up and notices her. He scrambles to his feet.

Officer : "Uh, yes. Can I help you Miss?"

Ragini : "I'd like to talk to someone about a missing person."

Officer : "A missing person? Right – Well, uh...have a seat."

He steps out and gestures her to take a seat at the desk. He sits down across from her.He shuffles through his papers, finds a pen.

Officer : "So, tell me then – who is this missing person?"

Ragini : "It's my Friend. Her name is Swara. We were hiking together but we had this argument and split up. There was this man following us as well and now she's missing."

He makes a note of something.

Officer: "Right - a man, you say? What man?"

Suddenly Ragini  tenses as she looks right past him.

Ragini : "(Eyes fixed) Him."

She rises from her seat as the stranger enters from out on the street.He comes to a halt in the doorway as their eyes lock on one another. The officer notices this.

Officer: "Do you two know each other by any chance ?"

Stranger : "It's alright. I'll take it from here."

The stranger steps over to them.

Officer : "Sir? Are you sure? "

Stranger : "Just do as you're told."

Officer : "Yes sir."

The officer rises from his seat and retreats back into the room. Once gone, the stranger addresses Ragini who is still in shock. 

Stranger : "Now, I believe I owe you an explanation."

Ragini : "You're an officer?"

Stranger : "Inspector Laksh Maheshwari"

He removes a badge from his pocket, hands it to her. She looks it over. His face is pictured on it.He takes it back from her.

Laksh : "It appears as though you and I have a mutual adversary.Please, if you could come with me – there's much we need to discuss."

He gestures her towards the exit.