CENTRAL JAIL

The Jailer gave a sarcastic look at Daya, who stood silent behind the bars. The jailer said, “Daya, I never thought that you would be here, one day. Do you people think that, you’re Gods, who never make mistakes? Time has brought you, here. But you still have some good luck. Because, in few hours, you will get released from my clutches.”

Daya remained calm, but his eyes, reflected the rage within him, as his eyes turned red. He didn’t speak a word, as he had controlled every emotion within him. Somewhere in his heart, the guilt had been crumbling him. All he could do is staying silent.

Jailer continuing to taunt, “Oh, will you kill me by your stare? Thank the God, as you will be moving to another jail. Otherwise, I would have shown you the hell.”

All those words from the jailer were out of sheer hatred as Daya, before joining CID, had been one of the officers, who exposed the jailer’s corrupt activities when he was in crime branch, because of which he got transferred as a jailer.

Daya didn’t utter a single word, and slowly walked towards the stone bench. He sat on it and looked at the jailer. Jailer, said with a sarcastic smile, “Good bye, Daya.”
Daya could hear nothing, as the only thing he could hear was, the last voice of Abhijeet, screaming “Daya!” which still kept ringing in his ears.

NIGHT 12:30 AM

ACP Pradyuman had reached the jail, to shift Daya to another jail. Daya was unaware neither that ACP Pradyuman was in-charge of shifting him to the other jail nor about his plans. ACP Pradyuman met the jail superintendent to take Daya’s custody.

Daya came out of the cell, and got shocked to see ACP Pradyuman there, who had not visited him in the past six months in the prison. ACP Pradyuman saw the lifeless eyes of Daya, and those two eyes exchanged numerous emotions in a second. Daya tried hard to avoid the eye contact of ACP Pradyuman.

Pradyuman moved silently, with Daya towards the jeep. ACP Pradyuman’s heart was like the stormy sea, as he was completely broken by the fact that Daya must be killed by his own gun. The jeep started and got drove towards the jungle.
Every moment was a nightmare to ACP Pradyuman, as he was not ready to accept that Daya was a killer. Daya’s silence was killing him and his lips were waiting to scream to Daya that he was not a killer, if Daya had asked him, “Sir, did I kill Abhijeet?”

But Daya never uttered a single word. His eyes, were completely away from Pradyuman’s contact, as he never had the courage to face him. But his presence was somehow consoling to Daya. An honest officer who is bound by the law was at one side, whereas another man who was celebrated for his honesty and bravery was at the other side. But this time, both didn’t discuss about any case, rather they were going to face their fate, which made them stand opposite to each other.

The jeep approached towards the jungle. ACP Pradyuman received a call in his mobile. He quickly fixed the Bluetooth in his ears and said, “Yes, Sir.”
The voice of DIG was heard the other side. “Is everything going on according to the plan?”

Pradyuman replied in a lifeless voice, “Yes, sir.”
DIG continued, “I will stay on the line. I need the confirmation from you, once your work is done.”

Pradyuman gave a blunt reply, “Yes, sir.”
The jeep reached a part of the road near the jungle, where the light was too dim.

ACP Pradyuman had seen many encounters in his life. He had courageously faced the situation when he had to kill his own son who proved to be a threat to his nation, with a principle that an enemy is always an enemy no matter who the person is, whatever relationship the person might share. But this time, he was not ready to accept Daya as his enemy, because his heart believed that, even if the world was against Daya, he couldn’t stand against him. In his dictionary, Daya meant for honesty and loyalty.

A conflict began between the trust he had upon Daya, over the years and the immediate responsibility he got in the name of duty. ACP Pradyuman made million prayers silently in his heart and mused the darkness to accompany him, as he should miss his target upon Daya.

At one point, the driver stopped the jeep, with a sudden break. He turned towards ACP Pradyuman, asking for his approval. ACP silently nodded looking the driver. He slowly moved towards Daya and unlocked his handcuffs. He spoke in a soft tone, “Get Down, Daya.”

Daya looked deep into ACP Pradyuman’s eyes, with many questions in his mind. The weather was too cold outside and the cold wind pierced into their body, which made them shiver. Daya got down and stood like a lifeless statue, at a medium distance from the jeep. The cold wind never affected him, because it became nothing when compared to the pain he had in his heart. The loss of his friend, respect, duty and the concern of his colleagues, who were his family, made his world dark.

ACP Pradyuman, on the other side, took his gun slowly and aimed at Daya. Daya’s heart skipped a beat, as he saw the gun aimed at him. ACP Pradyuman’s worst nightmares were about to come true in few minutes. He exclaimed, “I’m sorry, Daya.”

Daya’s shock had vanished and slowly he prepared himself to face his fate. He didn’t have a second thought of asking him the reason, as the guilt in his heart, gave him an unusual courage to take the bullet which was going to claim his life. He couldn’t take the pain anymore. His life was a hell, over the past six months. He felt like he is going to be relieved from everything. With a painful smile on his lips, he screamed, “You can shoot me, sir.”

Pradyuman got astonished by hearing Daya’s reply. In front of him, Daya stood like a strong mountain. The very thought of killing Daya sent chills down through his spine. What on earth made him feel like that? ACP Pradyuman alone had the answer. Only few minutes were left, for the bullet to claim Daya's life. DIG was on the line. Suddenly ACP Pradyuman received a strange anonymous call from a private number. His hand was almost ready to press the trigger of the gun. In his heart, he thanked silently for the call, which postponed his attempt of shooting, but he never knew that it was going to be a turning point.

ACP Pradyuman pressed the Bluetooth, and answered with a hello. The voice spoke with an urge, "ACP Pradyuman, listen whatever I say, right now. Just move out of the place where you're. You're in Danger...." the call didn't complete.

Suddenly the jeep blasted with a huge sound, and the whole place was lit by the flame of the fire. The place became too smoggy and ACP Pradyuman was lying unconscious, in an injured state.
TWELVE HOURS LATER...

CITY HOSPITAL

ACP Pradyuman was lying unconscious inside the ICU of the hospital. Freddy was crying outside, as he could see his boss through the door. Dr. Salunkhe was sitting shattered by seeing his friend's condition.

Tarika said in a sad tone, "Sir, why such things are happening to us? Everything began with Abhijeet's death, and I couldn't come out of it. Now we couldn't know anything about Daya and ACP sir is also... Her voice broke and she cried...

Salunkhe replied, "I couldn't understand anything. God, please... Don't do this to us. We need Pradyuman alive... Please save him..." and he expressed his grief through tears.

Meanwhile, the doctor came outside and said, "We are trying our best, his response is positive. Anything can be said after six hours. Please be patient and hope for the best."

DIG reached the hospital, and came near Salunkhe to ask about ACP's health condition. Simultaneously he took out an order of medical leave for ACP Pradyuman for three months.

He said, "I know that it's difficult, but we are not ready to lose an officer like Pradyuman at any cost. So the department is ready to support him. Please take care of him."

Salunkhe never spoke anything and DIG left the hospital.

SIX HOURS LATER...

The nurse called Salunkhe and informed, "The patient had gained some consciousness. If you want, you can see him. But please don't disturb him."

Meanwhile, Purvi got a call from the reception, that someone had come to meet her. Within few minutes, Purvi rushed to the reception and asked, "Did anyone come here to meet me?

"The receptionist replied, "Yes ma'am, the man came here but left before you reached here."

Meanwhile, Purvi noticed a paper on the table, which had a note on it.

"EASY AS IF SAID - REMOVE THE EYES"

To be continued...
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So what does the note say? Guess it if you can... 😉😉😉 What happened to Daya? Stay tuned to know the rest.