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Recap: Mansi revisits her past through her dreams where she meets Rajiv and is back into the present to find him dead again. Mitali is worried about Mansi who's phone is switched off and she has no idea about her whereabouts. Meanwhile Vidyut arrives home to find a disturbed Ratna. Mitali and Vidyut have conversations about Mansi and Rajiv and they both realise that Mansi is not traceable and set out to enquire her whereabouts. Ratna overhears all of their conversation and is deeply lost in her own world..
“Mitali tell me what was the family name of Rajiv?” asked Vidyut while boarding the bike. “ It was… Aish I feel… No.. Aich…Yes.. perfect.. it is Rajiv Aich.” “Ok then just look at this photograph and tell me whether this person is your batchmate Rajiv Aich” asked Vidyut by handing Mitali a photograph. Mitali carefully observed the photo. The person in the photograph had facial features similar to that of Rajiv but was still very different. The spectacles that Rajiv wore were replaced by goggles here. Besides his face seemed a bit disfigured. His nose seemed like it was a prosthetic one and his cheekbones looked a bit enhanced. Mitali handed the photograph back to Vidyut “ His facial features are much similar to Rajiv dad but I am not sure whether he is Rajiv. Where did you get this photograph? Do you suspect Rajiv is still alive?” asked Mitali. “ If the person in the photo is Rajiv then let me tell you that he was never dead. This is his most recent photograph captured in Los Angeles.” Hearing this from Vidyut, Mitali was taken aback. Still lost in thoughts she occupied the back seat of the bike and was all set to en route for Mansi’s home. It was a 10 mins drive from Mitali’s home to Mansi’s residence. The moment Vidyut applied his brakes, Mitali rushed towards the front door of Mansi’s house. The doorbell was rung 3-4 times but nobody answered. Vidyut too arrived at the door only to find that the door wasn’t shut properly. It was as if someone had just closed the door in jiffy and it hadn’t locked up properly. The door opened with a slight jerk from Vidyut. Some conversations could be heard from the room inside. Mitali suspected the voices to be emanating from Mansi’s room. Mitali entered Mansi's room only to find conversation was from the television set. The entire house was empty. There was no Mansi, no Namrata aunty or Vikrant uncle. There was something which was not right. Vidyut observed that the landline was disconnected and the wire lay on the floor. The wire seemed to be forcefully disconnected. Even though the house looked tidy and clean, Vidyut's sixth sense warned him against some mishap. There was no sign of any forced entry that was indicative of something wicked but still Vidyut's instinct was never wrong. " Mitali... Do you have Mansi's parents contacts?" Asked Vidyut. " I only have Namrata aunty's number dad. I tried that but it is also switched off" said Mitali.
Vidyut quickly ordered his colleagues to track the numbers of Mansi and her parents. " Mitali.... try and recollect everything Mansi told you. What was the reason she didn't meet you today?" Mitali actually revisited yesterday's conversation when Mansi told her that she needed to solve the puzzles engulfing her. Rest there was no information which could give Vidyut a breakthrough required now. Vidyut's team arrived at the place and investigated around the nook and corner of the house. The neighbours were also interrogated but nobody seemed to know anything. There was no noise or such other thing anybody could suspect. Vidyut was completely lost in thoughts as to why this might have happened. He sat in the Verandah thinking of all the possibilities. Mitali could take it no longer. Vidyut was lost in thoughts just when Mitali approached him.. " Dad.... Dad!!!" She was a bit louder this time so as to interrupt Vidyut's thought process. Hearing Mitali Vidyut was thrown out of his thoughts into the present world. With a flash he replied " yes.. yes beta?" " I can take it no longer dad. Tell me everything right now .. why is this happening??? Who is Rajiv ? Where is my Manu dad?" Mitali was on the verge of breaking down. Vidyut held her tightly and pacified her. “ I will tell you everything Mitu but I don’t know how much of it is relevant here in this context” said Vidyut. “ What are you trying to tell me dad? I am really not able to understand a damn thing” said Mitali who was now confused to the core. “ Ok… do you know anyone named Jisthi Aich?” asked Vidyut. “ Not really dad… who is she?” “ She is Rajiv’s elder sister and the first ever youngest dean of the medical hospital and Institute in Mumbai named “ The Pride Hospital” said Vidyut. “ What had she to do with all this Dad?” asked a frustrated Mitali. “ She is involved in one of the biggest blood and organ trafficking rackets in the country and we suspect Rajiv to be a part of it too” said Vidyut. “ What!!!! How’s that even possible. Rajiv is a mechanical engineer. How can he be a part of this? Besides he is supposed to be a very simple person who is only involved in his rituals and studies. Nothing of this sort is expected from him…. There might have been some… some …confusion dad” said Mitali. “ You doubt me Mitali??? Anyways not your fault. ' A veil of goodness always hides the explosive truth beneath it. Don’t take things emotionally. It takes lifetime to know a person and even then you might wrongly analyze him/her.” “ I am confused dad… first Manu says Rajiv is back from dead… now you say.. he was never dead.. furthermore you link him with an organ and blood trafficking racket.. and I am trying to figure out how is Mansi connected to all this..” saying this Mitali stared blankly as though lost in space. The very moment Vidyut’s officer in command arrived “ Sir!! We have traced their location. The entire Bhist family is in Chota Kashmir……the cell phones were switched off all at the same time … so we don’t know…” “ Ok officer let us go there right away.” commanded Vidyut. Before Vidyut turned to Mitali, she had already rushed near to Vidyut’s bike and was ready for the visit. “ Where do you think you are going young lady?” asked Vidyut with a raised brow. “ Dad!!! I am not going home without Mansi.. whatever you say and let me make it very very clear… I AM COMING WITH YOU”.. Mitali had inherited many negative traits of Vidyut and being stubborn was one amongst them. “ Ok…fine…whether you like it or not.. this is the last time you I am listening to you… after this you are heading straight home with no more tantrums.. Am I damn clear?” Mitali obliged though unwillingly. The team headed to Chota Kashmir. Every area around the lake were thoroughly screened. Swimming experts and divers were informed and they were asked to trace mobile phones and/or any trace of human bodies if any .Mitali had her fingers crossed. She was full of fear as to what might have exactly happened. She did not even show a speck of emotions on her face as she knew she would be parceled back home if she did so. Mitali thanked God when the search operations were complete and the divers were out with 3 mobile phones… all belonging to Bhist family. There was no sign of any dead bodies which meant that there were equally likely chances of her best friend being still alive. Vidyut was observing Mitali. She stood expressionless but beneath those were a sea of emotions and confusions which was ready for eruption. Vidyut decided Mitali should be sent home which can help her clear the mind. He turned to Mitali “ Mitu… come lets go.” Mitali realized she was being sent home. She wanted to be with Vidyut and keep a track of each and every minute details she could get about Mansi. “ No Dad!!! As I said… I am going nowhere until and unles….”
Vidyut closed her mumbling mouth with his hands and gawked at her making it very clear he meant what he said earlier and no more nonsense will be tolerated. Looking at Vidyut Mitali gulped down her anxiety and realized it has to be Vidyut’s way now. With her mouth shut she quietly boarded the bike like an obedient child and they were both set to reach home.
It was almost dawn. Meera and Ratna were quite worried as to when Mitali and Vidyut would return. They both sensed something is terribly wrong. Ratna was still lost in her thoughts as to what might have happened there. She still was under the dilemma whether she should tell Vidyut all that she visualized. That would mean telling Vidyut a biggest secret that she hid from him till now. Her thoughts were interrupted by Meera, “ Ma!! Just had a call from Vidyut. He is coming home to drop Mitali.” “ Did he tell you what happened? Why both of them were at Mansi’s place yesterday?” asked Ratna curiously. “ He just said that Mansi and her parents are missing and he will now be moving to trace their whereabouts. He didn’t want Mitali there, as it might have caused him delays, so he is dropping her home” said Meera. “Hmm.. ok Meera do one thing just make a quick breakfast.. both of them have not eaten since yesterday I presume.” “ Yes Ma!!” Saying this Meera quickly progressed towards the kitchen. Ratna was now waiting for Vidyut to arrive. It was time he should know things or else Mansi’s life would be in danger.
Vidyut arrived within a couple of minutes. He dropped Mitali at home “ I want you to stay home and no detective activities in my absence…” warned Vidyut. He was all set to turn back and return to work. Ratna stopped him right away.. “ Vidyut.. wait.. don’t go like this… have something to eat first.” “ No Ma! I can’t stop, Mansi and her parents are in danger. I can’t just sit here having breakfast.” said Vidyut. “ Where will you find them?” asked Ratna. “ I don’t know Ma… I will take help of my sniffer dogs or some other clues I get on the way…I have no time Ma!! I have to go.” Vidyut turned around to move. Just then Ratna said something which made Vidyut stop on the way.. “ Vidyut!!! Mansi may be at Ma Ganakshi devi’s den…” “ What!!! Where???” exclaimed a confused Vidyut. “ Ma Ganakshi Devi’s den…in the middle of Aryavan.. about 2 kms from Netra Village.” said Ratna looking at Vidyut, knowing what is going to come out next..Vidyut raced his steps into the house. He went near Ratna and looking in her eyes he asked “ How do you know it Ma?” Vidyut stressed each of his words which meant he needed every bit of explanation from Ratna. “ First ask your officers to search in and around Netra village I will explain you everything Beta .. trust me..” Vidyut understood his mother knew much more than him. He ordered his officers to thoroughly search in and around the Netra village within its 2 kms radius…Mitali was shocked at what her daadi told just now.. she was ogling alternatingly at Ratna and then at her dad trying to figure out what was happening. Meera quickly dragged Mitali to kitchen sensing that her daughter just looked like an owl watching blankly at Vidyut and Ratna.
“ Ma!!! I am waiting….” said Vidyut still gazing at Ratna. Ratna cleared her throat and started.. “ Do you remember Vidyut the circumstances under which your father died…till date we are trying to figure out what went wrong and how did he leave us… You are a brave DIG, but still you closed the case just clarifying that it was an accident. Do you really think that son?” .. “ Yes Ma!! It was an accident. Don’t you trust your son Ma!!! I have been through every details… the day there was fire outburst in his office was all due to a short-circuit. He always carried herbs and oils with him some of which were inflammable. That lead to his untimely death Ma.. There was no one who was envious of my father. It was a mishap, an accident that had a greater impact on us Ma!! But you cannot blame anyone for it.” “ It wasn’t just an accident… alright.. it was a planned accident... he was killed … a brutal murder of such an decent man!!!” cried out Ratna. “ Who told you all these stuff Ma?? asked Vidyut confused “ Ma Ganakashi… she told me.. and she said she had talked with the spirit of your father… he wanted me and you to find out who actually is behind all this..” said Ratna “ What rubbish Ma!! Have you really lost it?? To hell with your Ganakshi devi.. come right to the point… who told you about her and how did you find Mansi there…”… “ The only person in this house… Girija..she understood my feelings and took me to her. Ma Ganakshi is a God sent angel… She took refuge in Netra village a decade back and since then the residents there are flourishing and the village is happy as never before. She has solution of anything and everything.. She has freed the village of many diseases, bad spirits and ill luck. I have been visiting her place since 4 years only on the condition that those who don’t believe her should not know about her…that is why she was kept a secret..” “ Ma!!! Mansi…..” Vidyut had already lost his patience and now he started fuming with rage…“ Yeah!!! Right…Mansi… Normally I go with Girija to the place to meet Ma or collect the herbs that she asks me to keep, from the Netra village. But yesterday Girija’s phone was out of network and also she didn’t come home for work. I urgently needed some herbs for the rituals so I set out all by myself. When I was about to reach I found a girl standing there blindfolded. When I had a careful look I found that it was Mansi. I believe she was near to Ma ganakshi’s den. Then she disappeared…. Supposedly she might have been in Ma’s den..” “ Who else was there with her?” asked Vidyut. “ I could see nobody else there….” said Ratna…
“ Ma how can you be so irresponsible??? You could have called me yesterday.. told me what you saw? Your silence might have cost us 3 lives.. do you understand!!!!” Vidyut was literally out of his control now… “ Why are you yelling at me Vidyut?? I didn’t even know she was taken there. I thought she also might be a visitor at Ma Ganakshi’s place… the moment you told me she was missing I preferred telling you didn’t I???” “ You still trying to justify Ma!!! Tell me who welcomes visitors blindfolded???” “ Why don’t you understand Vidyut… the visitors at Ma Ganakshi devi’s den are all taken blindfolded that’s the way to make them feel good while they meet her…” Ratna simplified the confusion.. “ Ok!!! Fine!!! Got the point that your so called Devi greeted her deities in such a unique manner… I am astounded.. You are my mother… still you believe and carry out all such nonsense… anyways I don’t have much time left.. Come with me and tell me the exact location…” “ Vidyut I and Mitali will accompany you both.. let me drive the car that we have.. you need not take the trouble to drop us again home we can manage it ourselves.” Said Meera.. “ Ok whatever just do it fast my officers might have investigated something as of now..”
The entire Dhir family reached the exact spot where Ratna was a common visitor. Meanwhile Girija was also out of sight since yesterday, Vidyut had her mobile number on surveillance to trace her whereabouts.Vidyut’s officers were nowhere in sight. May be they were investigating the other side of the area. “ Ma!! quick tell me where is the den?” .. “ I…. I… don’t know.” said Ratna.. “ What do you mean you don’t know… you said you come here often…” “ I said that but if you remember I told you people visiting the den are blindfolded while entering. I know the place,... over here... I am asked to stand and chant some hymns… meanwhile I hear a door opening and then I enter.”
Vidyut banged his head with his fist… “ Dad!!!” Yelled Mitali…. “over here….” Vidyut rushed towards her. “ Dad… some kind of a lever I suppose…” both of them applied force to pull and push it but it ceased to budge. Frustrated Vidyut kicked it with full force, the lever didn’t budge but they heard something moving. “ Vidyut…. the door here….” Ratna screamed pointing towards some bushes in front of her.The door was beneath the bushes and wasn’t any ordinary wooden door but something more concrete. The door didn’t fully open. Mitali and Vidyut started rigorously searching as of what did Vidyut exactly hit. They found the lever to be a support and at its backside there was a small switch which was responsible for opening the door. The bushes moved along with the door and it was completely opened making the path clearly visible… it was just like a tunnel carved at the basement.
The things were very crucial now... he couldn't risk taking his family inside the den... he expected the worst going on inside. He asked Meera to take others home, in the meantime his team had arrived at the place and they were ready to enter the den. The officers had Girija with them who was caught in the Netra village trying to flee. Girija had many things to unveil but at present what Vidyut was concerned was only about the safety of Mansi and her family. " Quick answers Girija...Are Mansi and her parents inside?" asked Vidyut.. Without eye contact Girija nodded in agreement." Officers fast get in... now..."
Vidyut and his team found many chambers leading to spacious rooms. There was a big space where idol of some goddess was kept. It was a weird looking idol with a face of a decomposed body, a human skull in one hand and garland full of bones... animal and human both inclusive. Some of the rooms had the door sealed. It was a small colony in the basement. What the hell was going on here!!! Vidyut did not want to witness nonsense as he had seen in the hospitals and blood banks he raided. What a weird site!!!! Mummified bodies of people missing vital organs and huge pouches of blood packed..... Vidyut was brought back to reality when he heard some sound. The officers carefully proceeded towards the place of noise... it lead them to a fully furnished place which looked like a mini hospital. " Damn!! not again!!" exclaimed Vidyut. The place was completely empty and it seemed it was cleared out in a jiffy. " They might have cleared out just now... officers just spread over the entire basement.. they still might be somewhere near..." They could hear noises of someone running but it was difficult for them to figure out from where?? Scanning the entire area Vidyut found another exit which lead to the inception of The Aaryavan forest...Vidyut gestured his officers to follow him... He was for sure now, that Ganakshi was somewhere out here with the entire Bhist family...
But Vidyut never expected what he had in store ahead.....
" Stop there DIG Vidyut... you will not only lose Mansi but your entire family if you try and stop us now... I have had enough.... don't you dare step ahead." Ganakshi stood there holding a knife over Mitali's neck. Ratna and Meera were tied in their car with Ganakshi's devotees surrounding them . Even now there was no trace of Mansi... Mitali's mouth was closed shut with Ganakshi's left hand. Mitali's eyes were directing to something behind the broad and dense trees. Vidyut realised Mansi and/or her parents to be present nearby. He had to do something very fast. Before he could react, with a lightning speed Mitali did something unimaginable. Mitali raised her right arm by slightly bending towards left side and with her left hand caught hold of Ganakashi's right hand which held the knife. Within fraction of seconds the scenario changed. Ganakshi's wrist was twisted towards her back and the force Mitali applied was so harsh that Ganakshi's grip over the knife eventually loosened and the knife fell over the ground. It was unbelievable, Mitali had executed the self defence technique that Vidyut taught her, with such a precision. The officers caught hold of Ganakshi and her team who held Meera and Ratna captive. Vidyut ran towards the bushes and found Namrata and Vikrant tied up and unconscious. There was no trace of Mansi. Mitali held Ganakshi's face and having an eye to eye contact she demanded a clear and direct answer.. " Where is Mansi Ganakshi???... answer me.." Mitali's eyes were wild with rage and she now just looked like her father.. ready to strike. This rage had no effect on Ganakshi.... she laughed hysterically which brought goosebumps to all the people standing out there. " She's gone Mitali... to lead a new life... a much better place to be in... forget her." saying this she laughed even more. In a fit of rage Mitali slapped Ganakshi right through her face... " I am asking you one last time Ganakshi.. WHERE IS MY MANSI??" Ganakshi's mesmerizing eyes had now turned red... " Mansi... will never come back to you...did you hear that!!!! she is with Rajiv... Yes... Rajiv... now go... find them if you can....."
...... to be continued in the last conclusive part