Chapter 25

My feet were sprightly the next morning and I had found a new enthusiasm and excitement about the most mundane of things in life. My introspective bua did not miss a beat and did enquire the reason for my excitement. I was tongue-tied. There was no reason to be excited, I wasn't looking forward to anything later in the day. I mean yesterday was a disaster and with Mansi put off by Agam's behaviour, I had called in more trouble for myself than ever. I should have been sick worried fearing the worst of Mansi, but contrary to it I was excited about going to the office. I wanted to meet Pooja and Prashant and narrate my ordeal of yesterday and I wanted to meet Agam...

There it was. Agam was the reason I wanted to be in office as early as possible. This was bad. I was acting like a fool. What were these chemicals that were driving me crazy? Could it be my pheromones? Whatever it was I had to gain a sense of control around him otherwise I would be a laughing stock for crushing on a senior so blatantly.

My myriad contemplations were visible on my face because if not for that why would bua bother about my mental state?

"Are you okay Abhi? You seem to be stressed out and talking to yourself." She asked me lovingly.

My reply to her was more passionate than my raging pheromones.

"No, everything is fine at work."

"Okay, but I didn't mention work at all? Is there something you need to talk about? I know I won't understand much about your work but I do understand the underlying emotions surrounding it. I am sure I can help on that count."

I looked at her wondering whether is this something I would want to reveal to anyone. My mind and my heart were at constant war to a point I could not decide what was right and wrong with me or for me.

"Bua, I love you. Thank you. I am stressed about work but it is nothing serious and nothing I cannot handle." I grinned at her thanking her for being so concerned about me, while I still had no sense of attachment to her the way she had for me. I am selfish. Plain fact.

"I saw you creeping in late last night. I was worried for you but then..."

"I know you are bua and I am so thankful to you for looking out for me and yet not worrying too much for me and making me worried in the process. I got caught up in the rain last night in the midst of Aarey. I went on to narrate the entire ordeal to her barring out the details about Agam and me headed for shopping or having dinner. Though I did inform her about my eating out. Was this lying? But I convinced myself that this was the truth and I spoke nothing but the truth.

My bua did panic on hearing my story but was relaxed when she heard how my colleagues helped and were with me throughout. Fufaji came in with a bagful of vada pav and I could not resist the smell of the patty dipped in love to deliver us an aroma and a taste that could beat anything in this world. I had started growing fond of vada pav and fufaji too. Though the man grumbled but loved me and cared for me secretly in his own way. My morning was well spent conversing and eating fried monsoon delicacies listening to tales narrated by bua and fufaji of their early days of marriage and their subsequent romance.

By the time it was twelve, I was still not ready to go to work. My bua insisted I could rest for a day but I declined citing important work in the office. I rushed to get ready and did not leave until I was satisfied that the result would not be a girl in a kurta. I carefully chose my outfit and avoided the kurta, instead I donned a T-shirt that had a more feminine appeal and looked cute. Frankly, that was the most hated T-shirt in my wardrobe-one I had received by my sister to spite me. Somewhere deep down I was still the conventional girl who concentrated on looks the moment there was a guy in her life. Though there was no boyfriend in the scene I desperately wanted Agam to take back his words for me.

My bua didn't notice anything wrong with my dress and bid me adieu just like the usual, asking me to call her if it would be a late night and should she wait for me at dinner.

"I will call you and will try to come as early as possible," I assured her and left with numerous butterflies flying in my tummy. There was no possibility of taking a taxi and reaching faster. Instead of taking the train, I took the bus and reached later than my usual reporting time. I walked into the office to find the entire team being briefed by the Editor. My late arrival didn't go unnoticed but there was no reprimanding for it. I blended in with my team.

The Editor announced a crucial week ahead for all of us with two very important stories breaking out from the region. Firstly, the judgment on the murder case of a tv producer, and the other being the auction of the IPL team. Mihir and Mansi were asked to work on the story closely. Nia, the sports reporter was to take care of the technical aspects of the auction story and Sugandha the entertainment (IPL auction was more about Bollywood and less about cricket).

We had started working our head around on whom to approach to be a part of this big story when Rohit announced that Rasik would be assigning interns to the concerned reporters and not the other way round. All hopes to secure some good work were dashed. Post my first-day tiff, Rasik had avoided me like a plague, neither acknowledging my talent nor presence. I resigned to the fate which was in the mighty hands of Rasik and decided to see what could be done. I wanted to work on the murder case of TV producer Neeraj Goyal. It had been seven years and I had been closely following the case. I decided to let go of my ego and pride and approach Rasik to work on this post the meeting.

Rohit left everyone excited for the coming week. Preparations began in full swing and those entrusted with the jobs did not want to leave any stone unturned. Pooja, Prashant and I wanted very different things to do and so we were sorted. I decided to go to Rasik and have a word with him but before that could happen I was called by Rasika. I went over to her desk and she asked me to wait as she was on a call. Before she could finish Rohit joined her. I was standing quite close to them and overheard them clearly.

"I need you to assign an intern to go and interview the RBI governor. Ask the intern to prepare a few questions on the recent growth statistics and RBI's move concerning black money." Rasika simply nodded her head in agreement. Rohit saw me standing and looked at me from head to toe and continued speaking, "And please make sure to send a smartly dressed intern." That was downright insulting. Within two days I had been pulled up by two people for my dressing sense. What is wrong with wearing long kurtas and less of the flowy dresses? We are bloody reporters, not fashion models. I turned red and if Rohit saw it on my face, I cared the least about him and his reaction. I was about to erupt in protest when Mihir called me.

"Fucking balls he has," I muttered under my breath.

"Abhilasha, I want you to track the entire case of Neeraj Goyal. Read every bit of information on him available, check out footages and prepare a stock video to be used for this week in case of any breakouts, and prepare a list of people we can interview as soft targets." Mihir fired all of these in one breath.

"Yep, working on it right away. I was so happy that I did not have to approach Rasik and plead to him to let me work on this case. This is exactly what I was looking for. Before I could head to the library for my research, a loud shriek from Mansi brought all of our attention to what she was pointing on the screen. Our rival channel had already started reporting on the Neeraj Goyal, churning out soft stories. Rohit looked at the story coverage and stood rooted but fired instructions immediately about how to take the competition head-on.

"I want us to go live today in the evening with a similar story. Our prime time debate live from the Delhi studios will cover the human aspects of Neeraj; let's fashion the story as to how he was wronged. I will call Anurag (Kanwa, Chief Editor and Director) and discuss the possibilities of going live tonight on this. I want the entire team to buck up."

Mihir fired a new set of instructions and for the first time, the entire group of interns were buried dead deep with work. We could not spare minutes to breathe, eat, drink or piss. The day passed quickly in a blur. The yellow lights of the office over rid the yellow light of the sun. The atmosphere was charged, what mattered in that minute was our energy and our dedication towards our work, because this story was about to prove the mettle of the new interns in this business.

Kanwal had confirmed his availability and approved of the topic. A list of the panellists on the debate was finalized and Rasik was asked to make calls to approach them. I wanted a peek at the list but approaching Rasik was a complete no. Prashant was the best person to get the information out of Rasik and so I went to coax him to do me a favour.

"Hey, Prashant! How is it going?"

"Hectic." One word that described all of ours day today.

This man was so dedicated that he was ready to work double shifts. His overenthusiasm was a killer.

"Umm...what are you working on?"

"Boring stuff. I have been tasked to find the footage from the lady's film."

"Sanaya Daruwala's?"

"Yeah. She looks so innocent. I just can't believe she conspired to murder Neeraj."

"She didn't conspire to murder him. I am sure this was an act of passion from Darius. But she was stupid to have helped Darius in hiding the evidence and disposing of the victim's body. And...I believe it was foolish of her to play mind games with the police when she could have easily become the state witness and got off easily."

"What about Darius?" Prashant asked.

"He is the biggest lunatic in this entire episode. He threw away his life for a fiancé who was cheating on him."

"I mean I am simply amazed why a man would murder another one for a dumb wit like her." I sighed.

"You are sympathetic towards him."

"Yeah...anyway, there is more to the story than meets the eye. There is something fishy in this entire episode."

"Well, you should read their official statements," Prashant suggested.

"It's in the archives section of the case file in the library."

"Sure. I will find some time out. By the way, who are you assisting and which guest do you have to attend tonight on the debate?"

"I haven't got an update yet."

"Any clue?"

"Nah. If I find out anything I will keep you posted." I nodded my head in acknowledgement.

_X_x_X_x_X

"My neck is aching," Pooja complained. I smiled at her and turned my attention to the steaming cup of filter kaapi and vada pav in my hand. It wasn't delicious but it was comforting. The day was yet to end and this was the first break we got after lunch which we had to cut short by forty minutes.

"Where is Prashant?" I asked.

"Overworking and making our lives difficult," Pooja grumbled as usual. "He is such an ass Abhi, he breaks the ground rules for us. We have to suffer because of his overzealousness. The man just can't strike a balance." She continued whining.

"It's okay Pooja. If he feels he is going to be the star intern by putting in the extra hours let him be. We need to care about our work which should not be mediocre but top-notch."

Pooja continued to feel upset while I poured all my energy into resting my mind and eating the food.

She stopped chatting and seemed to be concentrating on some commotion taking place outside the cafeteria.

"Something isn't right." She announced.

"Well, let things be."

"I am going to go check."

"And I am going to enjoy my coffee in peace."

Pooja moved out as fast as possible but hurried in even more quickly.

"What happened?" I enquired.

"Let's go she beseeched me with her eyes."

"Okay." I agreed to look at her frantic imploration.

On our way out we collided with Mansi who stormed in angrily. One look at her and I knew she was out for my blood.

"Meet me at seven sharp at the gate. We have to get a byte from Chetna Pandit." Mansi told me with deep resentment in her voice. And before I could respond, she fired back, "and make sure to do the groundwork on Chetna Pandit and please for god sake keep things to yourself."

I could not comprehend the underlying threat in her words. Why was she so ruffled? I walked behind Pooja and before we could go out Agam walked in through the same door. I turned back to see Mansi gawking at every move I made. I ignored him and quickly headed out avoiding him at all cost.

"That was cold," I uttered to myself then Pooja.

"They were fighting on a story."

"Who?"

"Agam and Mansi."

"But why would they. They are on two different sides of the business. I don't see how any of her stories would collide with his interest."

"Must be something that the lovebirds were at loggerheads."

"Oh! Let me narrate you an interesting scoop." And Pooja was all ears in a minute.

"Agam came to pick Mansi at Filmcity, last evening. I think they are serious."

"Good lord!" Pooja screamed and continued her theatrics causing everyone to turn and look at us.

I was embarrassed and asked her to mind her tongue and the volume.

"Sorry." She said giggling. "I lost all sense of propriety after hearing this hot piece of gossip."

"I am so excited." She squealed with delight.

"What for?"

"For them and their love story."

"God save you, Pooja." And I walked off hurriedly avoiding any more talk with her on this topic.

Why did I do that? I mean gossiping in the office when I clearly have no clue about their relationship status. But I just stated facts. I reasoned with myself. It was Pooja who misconstrued or made up the entire affair thing. I just hope I don't land myself in any trouble because if any of them finds out that I let this piece of news out, I am surely going to be dead.

There was not much time left to seven. I packed off my belongings, ready to meet Mansi. Prashant was long gone. I decided to put the time in hand to use to do some research on Chetna Pandit.

Chetna Pandit was the woman who had written a book on this case. While she had fictionalized the events entirely, she seemed to have met everyone involved and associated in this case. She could give us an expert opinion on the case.

I waited for Mansi at the gate. It was a different cameraman today. He must be in his forties and totally a don't mess with me, type dude. I however did ask him his name, to which I got a one-word reply as Chiranjeev. His name was different, could be a South Indian, I deduced. But his accent was perfectly fine and he spoke fluent Marathi with the driver on duty. Possibly a localite, mother could have been a fan of Chiranjeev and named him after. I controlled my beatific smile and concentrated on the interview at hand.

Bini walked out with Mansi in tow deeply engrossed with some papers in hand. I waited for her instructions but she got in the car and asked Bini to take a seat beside Chiranjeev. The OB van was small and there was no place for me to fit in. Mansi turned to me and without any remorse told me to back off because there was no place in the car. The insult stung me and deeply entrenched my guts. I could neither speak nor react to her acidic behaviour. I just stood and held the ground knowing nothing how to react in such a situation. The car wheezed past me leaving me alone in front of a few spectators who felt deeply sorry for me and some who just could not control their laughter.