Chapter 14 Featuring Politics

Life is for real, day and around things were dotingly taking a new shape. These little celebrations contoured the small beauties of life. The moment was natural, the joy, the smile that comes to the face when your loved when is getting engaged is special. The heavens fall down, the flowers scent the aroma of gentility, the sky goes all purple, and life becomes a pleasant voyage of love. Since the start of the day, I was skipping with joy and excitement. I carried around thirty boxes filled with sweets in order to celebrate and share this news with my colleagues. This news excited them and in their excitement the news spread all over the office.

“Here you go Ishita, this last box is for you,” I said as I gave her a piece of Laddo.

“Thank You Avi, so nice of you,” Ishita said as she thanked me. The rest of the day went by as more of my colleagues congratulated me. Everything seemed to be going alright now, I could feel all the negative thoughts being replaced with positive thoughts. I opened my phone and browsed through some pictures of Aparna, Dad and Utkarsh. I truly felt blessed to have them in my life. Ishita had seen me glancing towards my phone.

“It feels so good right, when you have a family, they help you in every possible way,” Ishita said

“Yaa, after six years in exile I finally feel relaxed, my life feels like it’s once again back on track” I blurted out my feelings. Ishita didn’t reply, just gave me a big smile.

“Ishita I never asked you, how’s your family? Where do you live now?” I asked her.

She went quiet for a moment and then replied, “Avi I am a orphan, I was born and brought up in a boarding school, I was very lucky that the headmaster of the school supported me and my education, I am standing here today because of her.”

Her story came as a shock to me, I went speechless. I didn’t know what to say anymore. I only knew that I have to help her. “I am so sorry Ishita, I didn’t know, “ I said as I held her hand.

“No worries Avi I know it’s tough, every person has a different life. We never know what is going on with another person’s life. But one thing is for sure we both have one thing in common, we both have our own share of struggle, “ she said.

“Yes you are absolutely right,” I said. I asked her, if she could accompany me to the party that was happening later tonight.

“For sure Avi, I’ll go with you”, she said as she happily accepted my offer.

We then went back to work. I had a presentation about the presence and impact that social media had while busy with her investigation about the party. And by the time we noticed it had already been two p.m. and it was time for our lunch. Our team had gathered in the canteen area. On TV, we saw another news channel highlighting the history of Lokshakti party. It was a worthwhile to see and know a bit about them as Ishita was also covering the same story, which was planned to be telecasted next week.

“Janata party is making way in politics. I think they are doing good,” Vikas said.

“Yes, I agree with you, Vikas. They seem to be proceeding in a very efficient and effective manner. If they continue this effort, they can win for sure,” Dilshan said in support.

“I don’t know about that. They are just making a name for themselves,”, Saanvi said as she entered. Everyone immediately got up from their seats and congratulated her. After congratulating her we all went back to the discussion.

“We cannot judge them simply as good or bad, I think they are just trying to fool the common man,” Rohan said in a loud voice.

“What’s your opinion Avinash,” Ishita said.

“I didn’t want to talk about this subject, no one really knows if they are as progressive as they sound at the same time I don’t feel like blaming the ruling party. But the most important thing is at the end of the day we have the choice to implement whoever or whichever party we want to help make changes to our country, and we can do this by making our vote count,” I expressed my thoughts.

“Fair Enough,” Everyone said.

...

A pleasant company, people with who you can have a healthy conversation and a durable friendship feels like a great pleasure. Ishita was like one of those good friends. Her unending talk, her beautiful smile, and jovial nature made her a perfect blend for a genuine friend. We went to the party that was held by Jaghdheer Mehta, it was a precursor to the upcoming elections campaign.

He had also invited Utkarsh and Saanvi with me and we were standing there together when Jaghdheer saw us and came forward towards us.

“How are you Sir” I greeted him.

“Oh Avinash! Thanks for coming. You too, Utkarsh,” he said, “And what is this, Sir?”

“You are going to be the chief minister of the state and it is only appropriate that I address you as Sir.” I sugar coated my words, and then, noticing his two bodyguards, added,

“Now you have got police protection as well,”.

“Thanks for your noticing, it’s important for a leader to have some police protection,” Jaghdheer said. I was looking toward his security guard, I noticed that, among the two guards the tattooed one couldn’t be seen. I asked him.

“Jaghdheer, where is that guard whom I had seen that day?” I said curiously. Jaghdheer got confused for a bit, a small grin ran through his face as one of the guards whispered something to him in his ear.

“Oh! You are talking about Pardeep Kumar, I guess he went back home. Something about his mother not being well,” Jaghdheer replied, and tried to change the topic. I found it a little unusual. I didn’t pay any particular heed to it and then we went on to have a in-depth discussion regarding the upcoming election. Jaghdheer seemed confident by the way he talked presented himself. I was pleasantly impressed. The conversation went on, and the girls excused us and went on to enjoy the party. After some time, Chhavi joined us. I resisted talking to her much. I only greeted her and nothing else. I really wanted to speak with her, but my sub conscious mind didn’t allow me to do so. Then I resumed the talk with Jaghdheer. After five minutes, I got a call from Dilshan. I ignored it but it rang again. I just ignored it. I didn’t want any calls during my conversation with Jaghdheer. After sometime had passed Ishita came towards me and whispered in my ear.

“Avi, it’s an emergency. Dilshan is in danger.” “What happened?” I asked scared.

“I don’t know what happened, when he called me he sounded tense but before he could say anything the line got cut. We have to help him,” that got me tensed. I was now in a hurry to go and help. Since Jaghdheer was standing right beside me, I had to set give a good excuse to leave early.

“Sorry, Jaghdheer we have to go now, Ishita’s brother met with an accident,” I told him.

“Oh, my god I hope he is alright?” Jaghdheer said.

“Ya, we have to go to the hospital immediately, “ I said. Utkarsh also got tense after hearing this. He wanted to go along but I snubbed him back because I wanted someone from our side to stay here in this party. I assured him that I would be back soon.

...

“Where is he now?” I asked Ishita while driving the car.

“His phone is switched off, but I have his last location. It’s near the Powai area.” Ishita replied and showed me the way there. I increased the speed as I wanted to reach him as soon as possible.

In about fifteen minutes, we were there. We reached a deserted place near the ship dockyard. I couldn’t see anyone there. Even the street lights were not working. It was all dark, I asked Ishita to stay in the car, as I went on to find him. The last known location as shown on the mobile was the entrance of the parking lot, I couldn’t find him there, but I found his mobile. I picked it up and started looking everywhere but I couldn’t find anyone. I ran inside the parking hoping to find him close by. As I was searching, I saw a man driving a car out of the parking lot. I asked him about Dilshan. But he seemed to be in a hurry and left. After moving a few steps ahead I saw something on the floor, as I got closer I found out it was bloodstains. It caught my attention and scared the hell out of me. I kept on looking for Dilshan, hoping to find him closer and safe. I decided to follow the bloodstains to see where it leads. But it didn’t lead anywhere as the blood had started to dry up. I thought there might be some CCTV here, but there were none. I didn’t know what to do next.

I retraced my steps and searched the area again. This time I was able to notice a door leading from the back of the parking lot. I sprinted towards It. It was locked from the inside so I had no choice I but to push it, but I wasn’t able to get in. I searched for a rod and I found a small one around the corner, I quickly picked it up. I banged on the door handle couple of times till it was finally unlocked. I entered and the room and saw Dilshan with a boy in his arms lying pulse less.