“How can it be possible Rane? How can all the CCTV footage be damaged at a time? Did you ask them?”

The SP yells at his junior Inspector Rane.

“I did, Sir. I thoroughly interrogated all the administration department of the Mall but all said that day some renovation work was going on and due to some water leakage the main operator of the camera became damaged. I checked all the footage but all are scarred. Not a single clipping is there from which we can recognize any person.”

Rane states and wobbles his head in despair.

“Hmmm…and you think that I am gonna believe in this cooked up story? Now, I am hundred per cent sure that some very influential man is involved in this case. I just can smell it. Shit…he always beats us by a whisker.”

The SP fists his table with frustration while grinding out.

“What to do now, Sir? We don’t have any other lead.”

Rane asks in confusion.

“No, we still have hope. Let Mr Thapad come. After that, we will proceed further. This case seems a challenge for me.”

The SP pauses for a moment and continues,

“By the way, do you see Rajesh’s PM report? Any suspicious angle?”

“No, Sir. It was a clear gun-shot case. He was shot by a Browning automatic rifle. The killer must have shot him near about 100 meters distance. He must have used a powerful telescope and he must be a sharpshooter. Because of the distance, our force couldn’t trace the man. But the bullet came from any terrace or the top floor of a building.”

Inspector Rane explains. The SP purses his lips in despondency.

“He must be a hired criminal. The main crook is some other one and we have to reach him. Okay, you can leave now.”

Rane gets up from his chair holding the packet of the CCTV footage and turns on his heels after saluting the SP. All of a sudden, the SP halts him,

“Rane…give me the packet. Let me see the footage too. I want to cross-check them once.”

Rane rests the packet on his table and exits. The SP starts watching every footage. It’s a huge task. There are almost 70 to 80 footages and all are about 30 to 40 minutes long. After 15-16 clips the SP loses his patience and slams the table in frustration.

“All are damaged…all are corrupt…Damn…how do I get the lead?”

Just then Mr Viresh Thapad enters with the sketch artist. The SP gazes up with hopeful eyes and Mr Thapad nods in positive. His face is beaming with hope. The SP leaps up with excitement.

“He described the face? You got the sketch?”

His voice is exhilarated.

“Yes, Sir. I have made a sketch but it was very difficult to communicate with that boy and he described so vaguely that the sketch is not that prominent. I mean it doesn’t give us any clear picture of a particular person. You see…”

The sketch artist fishes out a rolled paper from his bag and forwards it to the SP. The SP immediately unrolls it. It’s really a very vague sketch of a man. But it is clear that the person is around 25-26 yrs. He has sharp features and bright eyes. He places the paper on the table. Suddenly on the laptop, the footage clipping starts making sound and the picture gets cleared. All three fix their eyes on the screen. For a fraction of a second, a face flashes on it.

“Sir, this man is very similar to this sketch. Please rewind it.”

The sketch artist yells. The SP immediately moves the curser and plays it again. As the face again flashes on the screen, he pauses the screen.

“I know this man, Sir. He is Aditya Oberoi. A young politician and a businessman. I met him in Dr Kamalesh Nikhanj’s chamber. A very bright personality. But how is he involved in Nandana’s case? I mean apparently, he has nothing to do with this girl and her family.”

Mr Thapad states his confusion.

“That we have to find out. Thanks a lot, Mr Thapad. You don’t know how helpful you became in this case. You almost revived this dead case. You both can leave now. I think I got my lead. By the way, don’t discuss it with anyone. This time, I don’t want to return from home and dry situation.”

Mr Thapad nods in affirmation and leaves.

“But how do I approach? He is a very powerful person. I can’t get a search warrant so easily against him. This CCTV footage is not sufficient. Anyone can visit a Mall. Nandana is not seen with him in the picture. This sketch is also not full proof to put an allegation on him. I have to think from another angle. Hmmmm…Mr Thapad said what is his connection with Nandana?”

The SP mumbles while pressing his temple. Suddenly a lightning thought flashes in his mind. Head Master Narayan Prasad. He told that Aditya Oberoi visited his school and Nandana used to work there as a teacher.

“Wait a minute. Now, some connection is visible. But to be sure I have to keep a watch on Narayan Prasad and of course on Mr Oberoi. Don’t worry Mr Politician. This time I won’t hurry and won’t make you alert. Now, the real hide and seek game begins.”

The SP utters under his breath. His jaws harden in determination.

............................

“Since we have come to our farmhouse Nandana is busy with her Snowy and Moose. She asked me about our sudden move to this deserted place and I smartly convinced her by saying that I need some private time with her and my bungalow is quite crowded. In response, I only got her blush. As much as I started to know her as much as I became surprised about her innocence. Sometimes I feel she doesn’t belong to this pragmatic earth…this ruthless world. I am observing her while she is fondling her both bunnies. Good that she has two of them. Otherwise, she will be bored in this place. According to my instructions, Ayan has fired all the house helps of this farmhouse. Those goons have been handed over to Pappu and the CCTV footage of that day got destroyed. With a sigh of relief, I recline on the bed rest. Now, my angel is secured in my place. I have cut all the possible ways which could have snatched her from me. I gaze at her. Nandana, now only you and me and our world. You are my priceless possession and I know how to protect it.”

All of a sudden, Moose bites Nandana’s fingertip and she hisses in pain, jerking off her hand to lessen the sensation. Aditya gets up with a jerk and rushes to her, pulls her to rise from the floor and holds her hand to observe the wound. A drop of blood is there. Without thinking anything he puts her finger inside his mouth and starts sucking it. His full concentration is on her comfort. On the other hand, Nandana is gazing at him with sheer surprise. In this one month, she never felt this care and love in his attitude. Though he is always concerned and cautious about her existence his expression of showing emotion is very subtle and suppressed. Her lips curve. Aditya gazes up and their eyes meet. Aditya immediately feels the love her eyes emote and he leaves her hand. Embarrassment is palpable on his face.

“Oh…actually…you should be cautious around these pets. They sometimes…I mean…they may bite.”

He tries to cover up his awkwardness.

“Yeah, they may bite…”

Nandana says and touches her side neck. Her tone and eyes have some suppressed jest. Aditya scrunches his brows. His eyes fall on her side neck. There is a prominent mark of a hickey. He looks into her eyes with confusion. Suddenly everything becomes clear to him. She is making fun of him. His brows arch. Nandana giggles.

“You!...”

Aditya tries to reach her but she dodges his access and runs toward the bed.

“I will catch you…just wait and watch…”

Saying this Aditya rushes to her but she again slips his hands and continues to duck out. Both are running, jumping and giggling in the room like two kids. Even Aditya forgets what he is doing.

“You are not gonna win this game…”

He again says and again follows her like an adamant kid. This cat and mouse play continues for a while and suddenly Aditya clutches his left side chest and starts gasping. His face is distorted with pain. He stretches his hand to Nandana for support.

“Aditya…”

Nandana screams in fear and storms to him. She holds him tightly and tries to make him sit on the bed.

“Aditya…what happened? Is it paining? Should I call Dr Nikhanj? Please tell…”

Nandana is almost in tears. Aditya is panting, gasping for air. Nandana is continuously stroking his back and furiously searching for his mobile. She has to call the Dr.

“Dr Nikhanj can’t be able to treat my pain. Only you have the medicine to cure it.”

Nandana hears his words and absentmindedly replies,

“Don’t be stupid Aditya. You need immediate consultation…You might….”

She halts as she suddenly realizes the normalcy in his voice. She looks at him. A mischievous smile is lingering on his lips. Her mouth gradually opens wide.

“Aditya!.... You are such an idiot. You almost killed me…you..”

She starts fisting his chest.

“Ouch….if you keep on beating me like this then I will surely get a heart attack.”
Aditya yanks her while mouths with pretentious self-pity. Nandana dashes on his chest and he envelopes her frame in his arms. Her open hair curtains his face. He tenderly uncovers them and tucks them behind her ear. His eyes are drenched with unknown emotion…at least to him.

“It’s better to give me the medicine..”

He utters softly.

“Medicine?..”
Nandana replies unmindfully still lost in his eyes. Aditya’s gaze crawls down and stops at her luscious lips. He touches her lower lip with his thumb and rubs it sensuously.

“My medicine…”

His voice is husky and grave. With another hand, he pulls her closer. Now, their lips are only inched apart. Nandana closes her eyes in anticipation. His hot breath is lapping her skin. She feels the feather touch of his lips on hers when the mobile ringtone plays the villainous role. Nandana distances herself immediately and bends her head with a flushed face. Aditya pulls out the mobile with an annoyed expression. The screen is flashing Ayan calling….