HINDUSTHAN BROADCAST NETWORK
The conference hall is bit busy with incoming and outgoing crowd for the upcoming meeting. Rahini comes inside the room with a handful of paper stuffs.
"Hello everyone" greets Rahini with a smile to everyone
All of them in the hall greet her again "Hello Mam"
Rahini goes to the computer and plugs a pen drive in it. The projector displays the contents in the pen drive on a white screen and Rahini turns to the gathering.
"This is one of the important meeting today and we are here to discuss about an another story. Before we start our discussion I would like to show you all something."
Rahini opens a file in the computer and a video clip starts to play one of the recent sensational news running in the city. After a few minutes play the video ends. Rahini looks at the gathering who all look terrified on seeing the video clip.
"Guys, Whatever you have seen now is nothing but a chilly, scary real life movie. One another dark side of our society."
The gathering listen to Rahini's sppech.
"An unbelievable fact is, in last one and half years approximately, around 10 children were got kidnapped in and around Mumbai, Thane areas. All of them are girls. The kidnapped child's maximum age is 13 and the minimum age is five hours at the time of kidnap" says Rahini in a rigid voice.
The crowd turns shocked and look at each other.
"These are all recorded incidents. May be there might me many more not recorded. For the past one and half years, there was not sufficient co-ordination to relate these kidnap incidents and the police were making their investigations limited to their jurisdictions. But two months before, a 9 year old girl child got disappeared. Since the girl belongs to a rich Marwari family, her parents are giving pressure at political level to find their daughter. Based on the investigations which police department done till now, they were able to find out that including this Marwari girl, totally 10 girls got disappeared. Another important information is that they got is that, a political VIP is aiding and backing the mass mafia gang who are responsible for the kidnaps."
The door of the conference hall opens suddenly distracting her speech and Pratik stands at the entrance. Rahini looks at his disheveled hair and heavy breathe. She looks at her watch and then looks at him.
"Come in" she says in a blank voice. Pratik's eyes shows a surprise.He enters and sits in a chair quietly.
Rahini continues "Now our target is to gather evidences against the mafia gang and the political VIP who supports them to expose him to the world. The evidences should be so strong that these gang should not find even a small hole to escape from the law. For this, a team who has courage to face the threat, hatred, enmity and come up with the proofs successfully is required. It is a matter of security of children and violence against them. The sensation shall be very big and so is the risk. If the story is covered successfully, our magazine's reputation shall go to highest and also many innocent children shall be protected. The organisation shall provide you with all necessary facilities to finish the task with no political interventions. Now from your side, who is going to take up this risky task?" asks Rahini and looks at everyone to answer.
None of them answer her and all of them look at the other's face. Pratik too looks at everyone's face.
"What? Why you are all silent? Come on, answer me. who is going to take up this task?" asks Rahini to them again.
Again there is a silence in the room and all of them look at each other in discomfort. Rahini gets irritated by their silence. Pratik behaves like something not irrelevant to him is happening.
"Very disappointing. I really did not expect this. I was thinking that all of you would compete with each each other to grab this opportunity and I am going to struggle whom to choose. But here everything is happening in exact opposite. No one is coming forward to take this up. Why? What is wrong with you all?"
A guy opens his mouth "Mam, Whatever you have said is not wrong? But what else we can say? With this much of risk involved, what type of support we can expect from the channel. It is something about powerful politicians."
"So? What matters that? Hope you all remember that a simple journalist only exposed truth against former president of United States of America and made him resign from his post which has not happened in their history before. Our job is to expose the truth to the world. Irrespective of who it is.When he can do why can't we? I told you that our organisation shall provide with all support.What else you require? Moreover, there is an offer here. Those who complete it successfully shall get promoted and they can get 200% hike. I guarantee you. " says Rahini
"Fantastic offer really.Guys why are you still waiting for? This is once in a lifetime offer but a limited period offer. Promotion and 200% hike who else can give us other than our Rahini mam. Unimaginable. Come on.Hurry Up.Don't miss it. Grab it before you regret.Come on fast." Pratik opens his mouth and cheers up.
Rahini looks at him in her usual irritating look. Pratik continues his mocking.
"But Terms and conditions apply. That is, the person should be alive at the time of promotion and hike. Because I have never heard of any dead person getting promoted and increment in his job. May be the channel shall avail your services post your life too. After all, ghost is assumed to penetrate wherever it wants. Isn't it Rahini mam?"
Rahini does not reply to him. "What you are trying to say finally?"
"I am not trying to say anything. You felt very bad that no one comes forward to cover the story. That is why I was telling them to grab it. I was just trying to help you. That is it.You always get mad at me even if I try to help you. This is not fair." says Pratik.
"Oh really. Thanks for your help. But instead of helping me, why don't you take up this assignment and help the society, help the innocent children who are all suffering? After all, you always imagine yourself as if you are a hero."
"Sorry Mam. You are absolutely wrong. I never imagine.I am already a hero only. If you want, you can go to Chandigarh and ask about me and my heroic stories.You will not know how many days you will require to know about my complete history" replies Pratik in a anger tone.
"Fine. If it is the case, then I can surely let our Punjabi hero to take this task and complete. Let us see what our Chandigarh Superman shall do?" says Rahini in a mocking voice.
"Challenging me?" asks Pratik looking at her. "Well, I thought of giving others the chance. What else I can do, if I am the only one destined to be the hero, the only hero."
Rahini looks at him with controlled annoyance. "Too much of arrogance is not good for health darling. This is not any movie script by the way. You probably more underestimate your enemy and his power?"
"I am not underestimating anyone madam. But it is you who is underestimating my power. Just watch what I am doing" says Pratik
"Whatever," says Rahini "Don't get dead. And these are the details." She gives him some files and then looks at the gathering. "Well, the meeting is over. Disperse."
All of them rise from their seats the disperse from the conference hall. Pratik looks at the files and glances the contents. Rahini watches his acts seated.
Pratik finishes the glancing and looks at her. "Not a big deal. Seems simple."
Rahini looks at him as though she admires him. "Then?"
"Will fetch the required evidences in two to three days maximum one week, may be." says Pratik casually.
"Superb. Then?" says Rahini
Pratik looks at her and catches her mocking expression. He looks at her irritatingly, "What then? Perhaps your tone shows your fullest disbelief on me."
"Definitely not. Rather, I really admire your confidence of fetching the information within a timeline."
"Well, that is my style. Promising a deadline and fulfilling it is my favourite challenge." replies Pratik proudly
"Yeah. I can see that." says Rahini. "So, what is your plan? You have promised two days and how are you going to make it?" asks Rahini with a real curiosity but she does not show that in her voice.
"Simple" replies Pratik. "A small clue. 'Deep throat'"
Rahini shows a bored look "Deep throat?"
"Yes"
"Be careful. These people will slit all of your throats in one stretch.They are very dangerous." says Rahini and rises from her seat.
"I am more dangerous than them." replies Pratik.
Rahini looks at him like 'God alone can help you' and leaves the place.
-------
Apartment complex is preparing in full swing for the holi festival celebration. Serial sights are hung at all the places and whole complex was filled with colorful lights everywhere. All the people are getting ready to welcome the Spring season with colors and happiness. Rahini looks at the apartment complex from the balcony as she removes the dried clothes and feels very happy inside. Tommorrow the whole apartment people will play holi happily applying colors to their friends, beloved ones, run here and there, chase them, mock them, dance, sing etc etc etc. There is going to be lot of fun. Rahini and the family generally don't celebrate the festival but they participate the events in the celebration. Arjun is fond of colors and he did lot of mischieves last time with Chithi and Chitappa. This year also Arjun shall have lot of fun.Rahini comes inside the room and looks Arjun seated quietly on the bed. She looks at him in surprise but she does not ask him anything.
"Dinner is ready. Everybody come to the table." says Radha in a raised voice.
Arjun does not get up from the sofa and stays silent. Rahini looks at his silence in surprise again.
"Arjun, paatti is calling. Go and have your food" says Rahini to him.
Arjun looks at her sadly. He slowly gets up from the bed and leaves the room. Rahini looks at him and his behaviour very strange.
At the dining table, Arjun does not eat his food properly.
"Today is Arjun special. Arjun's favourite dish is prepared." says Radha happily. "Tommorrow is holi festival, isn't it? Though we don't celebrate it like them, we shall celebrate it in our own style.For next three days only special variety food shall be prepared in our home for our Arjun kutty. We got some reason to celebrate."
Arjun does not respond to anything. He stays quiet and calm without eating his food. Rahini looks at him worriedly.
"Kuttima, what happened? Why are you so dull? Paatti has prepared your favourite dish but you are not eating it. Are you not feeling well?" asks Rahini. She keeps her hand on his forehead and neck to check for fever.
Arjun does not ansswer her. Radha too finds him so sad. "Pattu Kanna, What is the matter? Amma is asking you isn't it? Tell her. Did teacher scolded you in school?"
"No" came a crisp answer from the boy.
"Then what? What is wrong, kanna?" asks Radha
Arjun does not answer them. Rahini holds his hand and says "Kuttima, if you don't say anything, then what can we understand? If you have any problem, tell us.Only then we can help you. Come one speak up"
Arjun looks at his mother sadly "Amma!!!" Rahini looks at him to tell.
"Amma, Trisha..."
Rahini looks at him and says "Yes Trisha. What is up with her? Did you both fight for anything and you are so sad for that?"
"No Amma. Trisha did not come to school today."
"Oh" Rahini smiles at him feeling relieved. "You did not see her today and so you are sad"
"Kannu, let him finish first" says Kannapiraan. He looks at Arjun "You tell da chellam."
Arjun looks at Kannapiraan and says "Thaatha, Trisha did not come to school today and yesterday she was not feeling well. She told me that she has got fever.I am worried."
Rahini gives a compassionate look at him and says "Yes Kanna. Though it is Spring season, Sun is very hot in our city. It is natural children gets infections and fever. She will be fine in a day or two. Don't worry."
Arjun looks at her sadly. "No Amma. She was not at all good for many days. She told me that her father is coming home and she is going to have a lot of fun. Her father has come home. But she does not look happy. She was very dull. She only told that her father is coming back and going to live with her.Why isn't she happy then?"
"Look here Arjun. As I told children catch diseases very easily in all seasons. Since she was sick she looks dull. That is it. Nothing else. I am sure she is going to be fine soon and play with you. Better you do one thing. You have her number with you?"
"No Amma. I don't have her number"
"OK. No problem. Tommorrow your school is half a day working isn't it? I will come with you and take her with us for the holi festival here. May be she will feel good and be better. OK?"
Arjun's face turns bright. "Really Amma. Nothing is problem, right?"
"Nothing" she hugs him tightly "Don't worry your friend is going to alright soon. Now you eat the food and be happy. Tommorrow Trisha is going to be with us in our home"
"Yippy" screams Arjun. He starts to eat his food. Rahini and Radha look at each other. Radha looks like 'What is going on?' and Rahini looks her like 'Nothing. Everything if fine.'
Rahini looks at him with controlled annoyance. "Too much of arrogance is not good for health darling. This is not any movie script by the way. You probably more underestimate your enemy and his power?"
"I am not underestimating anyone madam. But it is you who is underestimating my power. Just watch what I am doing" says Pratik
"Whatever," says Rahini "Don't get dead. And these are the details." She gives him some files and then looks at the gathering. "Well, the meeting is over. Disperse."
All of them rise from their seats the disperse from the conference hall. Pratik looks at the files and glances the contents. Rahini watches his acts seated.
Pratik finishes the glancing and looks at her. "Not a big deal. Seems simple."
Rahini looks at him as though she admires him. "Then?"
"Will fetch the required evidences in two to three days maximum one week, may be." says Pratik casually.
"Superb. Then?" says Rahini
Pratik looks at her and catches her mocking expression. He looks at her irritatingly, "What then? Perhaps your tone shows your fullest disbelief on me."
"Definitely not. Rather, I really admire your confidence of fetching the information within a timeline."
"Well, that is my style. Promising a deadline and fulfilling it is my favourite challenge." replies Pratik proudly
"Yeah. I can see that." says Rahini. "So, what is your plan? You have promised two days and how are you going to make it?" asks Rahini with a real curiosity but she does not show that in her voice.
"Simple" replies Pratik. "A small clue. 'Deep throat'"
Rahini shows a bored look "Deep throat?"
"Yes"
"Be careful. These people will slit all of your throats in one stretch.They are very dangerous." says Rahini and rises from her seat.
"I am more dangerous than them." replies Pratik.
Rahini looks at him like 'God alone can help you' and leaves the place.
-------
Apartment complex is preparing in full swing for the holi festival celebration. Serial sights are hung at all the places and whole complex was filled with colorful lights everywhere. All the people are getting ready to welcome the Spring season with colors and happiness. Rahini looks at the apartment complex from the balcony as she removes the dried clothes and feels very happy inside. Tommorrow the whole apartment people will play holi happily applying colors to their friends, beloved ones, run here and there, chase them, mock them, dance, sing etc etc etc. There is going to be lot of fun. Rahini and the family generally don't celebrate the festival but they participate the events in the celebration. Arjun is fond of colors and he did lot of mischieves last time with Chithi and Chitappa. This year also Arjun shall have lot of fun.Rahini comes inside the room and looks Arjun seated quietly on the bed. She looks at him in surprise but she does not ask him anything.
"Dinner is ready. Everybody come to the table." says Radha in a raised voice.
Arjun does not get up from the sofa and stays silent. Rahini looks at his silence in surprise again.
"Arjun, paatti is calling. Go and have your food" says Rahini to him.
Arjun looks at her sadly. He slowly gets up from the bed and leaves the room. Rahini looks at him and his behaviour very strange.
At the dining table, Arjun does not eat his food properly.
"Today is Arjun special. Arjun's favourite dish is prepared." says Radha happily. "Tommorrow is holi festival, isn't it? Though we don't celebrate it like them, we shall celebrate it in our own style.For next three days only special variety food shall be prepared in our home for our Arjun kutty. We got some reason to celebrate."
Arjun does not respond to anything. He stays quiet and calm without eating his food. Rahini looks at him worriedly.
"Kuttima, what happened? Why are you so dull? Paatti has prepared your favourite dish but you are not eating it. Are you not feeling well?" asks Rahini. She keeps her hand on his forehead and neck to check for fever.
Arjun does not ansswer her. Radha too finds him so sad. "Pattu Kanna, What is the matter? Amma is asking you isn't it? Tell her. Did teacher scolded you in school?"
"No" came a crisp answer from the boy.
"Then what? What is wrong, kanna?" asks Radha
Arjun does not answer them. Rahini holds his hand and says "Kuttima, if you don't say anything, then what can we understand? If you have any problem, tell us.Only then we can help you. Come one speak up"
Arjun looks at his mother sadly "Amma!!!" Rahini looks at him to tell.
"Amma, Trisha..."
Rahini looks at him and says "Yes Trisha. What is up with her? Did you both fight for anything and you are so sad for that?"
"No Amma. Trisha did not come to school today."
"Oh" Rahini smiles at him feeling relieved. "You did not see her today and so you are sad"
"Kannu, let him finish first" says Kannapiraan. He looks at Arjun "You tell da chellam."
Arjun looks at Kannapiraan and says "Thaatha, Trisha did not come to school today and yesterday she was not feeling well. She told me that she has got fever.I am worried."
Rahini gives a compassionate look at him and says "Yes Kanna. Though it is Spring season, Sun is very hot in our city. It is natural children gets infections and fever. She will be fine in a day or two. Don't worry."
Arjun looks at her sadly. "No Amma. She was not at all good for many days. She told me that her father is coming home and she is going to have a lot of fun. Her father has come home. But she does not look happy. She was very dull. She only told that her father is coming back and going to live with her.Why isn't she happy then?"
"Look here Arjun. As I told children catch diseases very easily in all seasons. Since she was sick she looks dull. That is it. Nothing else. I am sure she is going to be fine soon and play with you. Better you do one thing. You have her number with you?"
"No Amma. I don't have her number"
"OK. No problem. Tommorrow your school is half a day working isn't it? I will come with you and take her with us for the holi festival here. May be she will feel good and be better. OK?"
Arjun's face turns bright. "Really Amma. Nothing is problem, right?"
"Nothing" she hugs him tightly "Don't worry your friend is going to alright soon. Now you eat the food and be happy. Tommorrow Trisha is going to be with us in our home"
"Yippy" screams Arjun. He starts to eat his food. Rahini and Radha look at each other. Radha looks like 'What is going on?' and Rahini looks her like 'Nothing. Everything if fine.'
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