On the next day Nitish woke up and prepared breakfast for both him and Shringar. Shringar woke up after a while. She saw Nitish standing with a comforting smile in front of her. "Good morning. Ready for the day?" He said. Shringar nodded with a smile. She felt that she does not deserve such happiness but she feels glad for it a lot. While eating breakfast Nitish told Shringar that he will come back home late tonight. So she should not stay up waiting for him for long. Shringar agreed. Shringar got ready for the day and Nitish took her to the school by his car. Looking at the school made her a bit anxious. Nitish smiled and said, "You absolutely hated school. You are a bit different than others and that is why you do not really have friends. Also the teachers does not like your rebellious nature as well. So you never really feel welcome at school." Shringar looked at him but she could not remember a single thing. Though an uncomfortable feeling was always their. At school the teacher welcomed Shringar for being back to school after a while but she could feel that he only said it because it was courtesy. Otherwise he does not have much interest. School seemed pretty much boring as no one was their to talk. Even if she tried to talk to the others, but her vibes did not really match. After school Gaurav and Lalit showed up. Gaurav asked, "How are you feeling?" Shringar said, "I am fine. Though I wondered if Dorothy sent the recording to the police or not." Lalit said, "I bought my mobile to school and I had a chat with her. She told me that she gave the recording to Officer Rani this morning and she heard the entire thing. She said that she will give it to Dep. Superintendent later." Shringar got confused and said, "That is very absurd. I thought this recording needs immediate action." Lalit put his finger on his chin and said, "I agree. Maybe you should contact officer Prakash and get to know about the scenario their." Shringar nodded. Gaurav said, "Don't worry, everything will be fine." Shringar noticed a pamphlet in Gaurav's hand and asked, "What is that?" Gaurav blushed and said, "Well… It is an art institute. Actually, after Isha's case I started to feel down quite often. So that is why I am trying things out. You can also join. It is not that expensive. I have another pamphlet." He took out the pamphlet and gave it to Shringar. Lalit said, "Our Gaurav is all rounder whenever it comes to art and culture. He plays guitar, sings well and now art. He has been engaged in such activities for a while. And he is doing great. Well Shringar you are already good in art. But you will freshen up if you get engage in it." Gaurav left before them and Lalit told Shringar, "Well Shringar, do you remember about your crush?" Shringar got confused and asked about it. He said, "You had a crush on Gaurav before this whole incident. Shringar got shocked and said, "I can not believe this. I do not have any recollection of that." Lalit said, "Yeah, I can see that. I think it was not that serious that is why you do not remember. But you used to feel bad since he had crush on my sister Isha." Shringar heard it but could not feel anything. Gaurav looks more like the rebel kid of the class. He usually prefers leather jacket and tight jeans. Maybe Shringar liked that bad boy nature of his. But she does not really feel any attraction towards him at this point. If there is a question about attraction, then Shringar feels a bit attracted towards Sanskar instead. Though he is completely different from Gaurav. Thinking about him made her want to meet him. In the evening she will have to go to the counseling session so she will be able to meet him. After that Dr. Nitish arrived and apologized for being late. Both of them went home. In the car Shringar told him about the art institute and he agreed. He said, "Well the free counseling trial is suppose to end by the next month, so I think it will be good for you to do participate in more things."
After fresh up Shringar took out her phone and messaged Officer Prakash about the recording Dorothy sent to the police. After lunch Shringar checked her phone, but he has not seen her message yet. Shringar thought to herself, "Must be very busy." She sat on her the chair of her study table, kept the phone on it and started doing her homework. On the other hand Officer Prakash was getting a scolding from Rathod for not getting a single clue about Ragini Tandon by hacking her social media account. It seemed he was frustrated to not get much information in this case yet, and was scolding everyone for that. And a new problem has also arrived that Raghuvendra Sinha was killed last night. He suspended the two constables who were on guard that time. Rathod mocked Officer Rani for taking holiday soon last day. Her presence would be beneficial at least in some ways. He also scold Asst. Inspector Puja for being an idiot. Even though she did not do anything wrong. He wanted to scold the hackers as well but Officer Prakash gave him a good reason to not scold them, "Sir, with our failure of finding nothing in the social media accounts shows that this person Ragini Tandon might not really exist." Everyone looked intently towards Officer Prakash and he continued, "It shows that these are fake accounts created by a person with a fake name and email. Id. It is imperative for us to work on finding the real person now." Rathod's anger went down a bit and said, "Still Prakash. It does not lead to much. We have to work quickly. Talking to the witnesses and victims also did no good for us. It feels as though we are just wasting our time. Everyone! Bring out any new information which seems crucial to you." "YES SIR!!" Everyone proceeds towards their chair and started working. Hawa called Prakash and when he picked his phone, he noticed Shringar's message on the notification bar but he ignores it for now and received Hawa's call. She asked, "Sir, Dep. Superintendent must be very angry right now.. Right? Does he want to meet us as well?" "No, I managed that part." Said Officer Prakash calmly. Hawa asked, "Sir, any new orders for now?" Officer Prakash said, "Hack out the original handler behind this Ragini Tandon masquerade." "Roger that." Hawa said.
Then Officer Prakash started writing his mail about adding "Swara" the "Enigma" in this case as a clue on the computer to Chief Varnika. Here Dr. Nitish entered Shringar's room and said, "Well, I talked to a regulator of the art institute and then I submitted your registration card as well through mail. Now I got a reply that you can attend from tomorrow only." Shringar smiled and said, "That is a really good news. Thank you. Thank you very much." Dr. Nitish smiled and his mobile buzzed. He noticed that it was Officer Rani's message. It was written on the notification bar-
{I did not give it to them. Tell me what to do now.}
Dr. Nitish smiled at Shringar and said, "I wanted to talk more with you Shringar but work calls." Shringar said, "It is alright. I have to complete my homework as well." Nitish went back to his room. After pressing the send button Officer Prakash felt a bit relieved. He sent the mail to the Chief. The only thing he have to do now is to wait. Asst. Inspector Puja approached Officer Prakash. He looked up and noticed that her eyes are numb. She said, "Sir we found out about Raghuvendra Sinha's son. Rohit Sinha. I sent that information to Dep. But he has not given any orders about it… He just asked us to continue our work." Officer Prakash sighed, "Asst. Inspector Puja, you are not suppose to rely on deputy's orders. He will only wait for the end results, or give us advice. We have to do the rest. Talk to your immediate seniors when you need orders. Like you will notice your colleague, Asst. Inspector Chanakya. He is usually with Officer Rani, since she is his immediate senior. He always takes her orders. He only goes with Deputy Superintendent when he needs him. You should also rely on her." Officer Prakash filled his glass with water on the jar on his table and gave it to Puja. Telling her to drink it up and wash her face in the washroom. He added, "Public relies on police. And a police needs to be strong both mentally and physically. You are a strong police officer. Always remember to take only the positive part of a criticism and not the negative part. You proved to be the strongest among all in our department. And due to which we respect you." Asst. Inspector Puja's eyes widened and with a smile she said, "YES SIR!" Everyone looked at her due to her loud voice. Chanakya and Rani started laughing and made jokes on her. But while ignoring them she went to the washroom. Officer Prakash picked his phone and opened Shringar's message. He reads it intently and with disbelief he got up from his chair. Officer Rani noticed him. Officer Prakash slowly said, "Recording…?" Officer Rani was good at lip reading and realized what he said. Officer Prakash moved towards the window. He messaged back to Shringar. Shringar completed her homework and felt tired. That is when her mobile buzzed and she immediately picked it up.
{Recording? What recording are you talking about Shringar? And did Dorothy came to the station this morning?"}
Reading that text made her realize that something wrong must be going on. She had the feeling that Officer Rani has some problems. Before messaging back to Officer Prakash she called Dorothy. She picked up and asked, "What is it Shringar? Do you need something?" Shringar immediately answered, "I want you to tell me about this morning at the station. I asked Officer Prakash about the recording and he does not know anything about it." Dorothy got confused and started panicking. She said, "What??? I …. I can not believe this.... I went to the station! And…. and before entering I found Officer Rani. She asked me to give her the recording. With her ear phones she heard the entire recording and then she asked me to not worry about it. She will send the recording to the Deputy Superintendent. And then I went back." Shringar asked, "You mean to say that you did not enter the station? This whole conversation happened outside the station?" "Yes…" Dorothy said. Shringar asked her to not worry and cut the call. She texted to Officer Prakash.
{Dorothy went to the station. But before entering their she found and officer to whom she entrusted the recording. The officer told her that the recording will be sent to the Deputy Superintendent.}
Officer Prakash texted back.
{What is this recording about?}
Shringar answered.
{It was about our experiences and tragedies that took place due to those ultra violet colour dressed people and the connection of "Swara". Dorothy and Elina took the initiative of recording the entire conversation because she was feeling better enough to talk.}
Officer Prakash reads her message and thought, "This might bring crucial changes in our case." He replied back.
{Who did she entrusted the recording to?}
The reply from Shringar popped up to Officer Prakash's phone quicker than usual, as if she was waiting for this question.
{Officer Rani.}
Officer Prakash looked back and noticed Officer Rani looking intently at her phone as if she was also having a chat with someone. Officer Prakash asked Shringar to not worry. He will ask Officer Rani about it after today's shift ends. Shringar went to the counseling and got inside the elevator. She went to the top floor and walked towards the roof. The roof was filled with flower pots. The flowers looked pretty and the evening sky made it look fantastic. The entire roof felt like heaven. She came to the roof because she was feeling very lonely. She realized that school is not for her. It is a depressing place. She sat on the floor and looked at the butterflies. Suddenly someone entered the roof. And it was none other than Sanskar. He smiled at Shringar and she smiled back at him. She asked, "Why are you here? Session is about to start right?" He said, "Well I was feeling a bit lonely and the counseling session is not that fruitful to me. I come here everyday because I know I can meet you here…." Shringar's eyes widened and Sanskar realized what he just said and added, "And also Elina. She is a really funny girl. Honestly love her jokes." Shringar smiled and got up. She asked him, "Did you read the message sent by Dorothy in our "Secret Mission" group chat?" Sanskar nodded and said, "Yes, this is strange. I wanted to talk to you and Elina about that. Shringar said, "Well Officer Prakash will confront Officer Rani about it. But I am scared if she finds out about him being in contact with me. Then what will happen." Sanskar said, "Maybe he will have to explain himself to the higher-ups and will not be able to stay in contact with you. Shringar took out her phone and messaged Officer Prakash.
After their shift ended Officer Prakash approached Officer Rani who was walking with Asst. Inspector Chanakya. She smirked and said, "Well this is unusual. You never really approach me. What is it? You need something from me?" Officer Prakash smiled a little and said, "Well, this morning when I was having my first morning Coffee. I saw from the window that you were talking to miss Dorothy. Why didn't you bought her inside. What was she talking about?" Officer Rani stopped walking and Officer Prakash looked back with a confused expression. She said, "Well… well it was nothing really." Officer Prakash smiled again and said, "Well, their must be something. She has PTSD. So I do not think that she will get interested in coming to the station just to meet an officer and have a chit chat with them at least." Officer Rani got irritated and said, " Yes, she did come to me. But she was here to ask me about the progress of the case. Because she was feeling better. But I told her that most of the things are confidential so I won't be able to tell her about that." Assistant Inspector Chanakya could feel the heated argument between the two senior inspectors. Though they were talking with a calm tone. Officer Prakash got serious and said, "I don't think you need more than 30 minutes to have this whole conversation with miss Dorothy. And if she was feeling well then weren't you suppose to bring her in, to have the interrogation? That was what Dr. Vanessa told us to do. When Dorothy will feel better then we can have a whole interrogation of her." Officer Rani glared at him and said, "Now stop interrogating me. I know my job very well Officer Prakash. She has not fully recovered just yet, that is why she does not want to do the interrogation right now. You think I did not ask her?" Officer Prakash stopped in his way and paused. Officer Rani did not stop walking and did not look back at him but kept walking. Officer Prakash interrupted the sound of their foot steps and said, "Cut the chase now. Where is the recording?" Officer Rani stopped as well. Asst. Inspector Chanakya felt scared since he could see that both Officer Rani and Officer Prakash has the same expression of anger on their face which made them look really dark and scary. Officer Rani asked without looking back, "Officer Prakash. I really don't have a single clue what you are blabbering about. What recording?" Officer Prakash said with his monotone voice, "The one Miss Dorothy gave you this morning. I saw it all." Officer Rani paused a little and talked in her usual baritone voice, "You are telling me to believe that you saw the whole scene from the window above our heads while having your morning coffee? Not impossible though. But I have never heard about you having a morning coffee in the office. In fact as per I know, you never really eat in the office. Is it a new hobby of yours just like visiting a plain coffee shop?" Officer Prakash said, "I don't know what is going on with you. But tampering with the evidence is a violation. You are not suppose to do that." Officer Rani approached Officer Prakash and got a bit closer to him. "Bravo. Listen up, I know everything. You got to know about the recording from a spy of yours. I saw you chatting with that person. Who was it? Shringar?" Officer Prakash's eyes went wide and he asked about it. She answered, "Well yesterday I went to the Tingle Coffee Shop and checked its surveillance cameras. I found you talking with Shringar about something." Officer Rani and Dr. Nitish went to the coffee shop's manager after getting suspicious about Officer Prakash's visit. Officer Prakash said, "This is exploitation of authority officer Rani. You are not suppose to go around use your power of being a police officer to extract surveillance footages for your personal needs." "I NEVER EXPLOIT MY POWER OFFICER PRAKASH! DO NOT THINK THAT I HAVE ANY SORT OF INTEREST IN KNOWING ABOUT YOUR PERSONAL LIFE JUST BECAUSE I AM JEALOUS OF YOU!!" Officer Rani screamed right on officer Prakash's face. The scream echoed through the empty alley and both officer Prakash and Asst. Inspector Chanakya got shocked. Officer Rani continued, "I went to check surveillance footages from all the shops around the pandel where we found Raghuvendra Sinha. I wanted to check if I can get anything else from their. But could not find much clues their, that is why I did not inform this to the Dep. Superintendent. Their I found the footage of yours with Shringar."
Officer Prakash stared at Officer Rani with the same shocked expression. But he soon got composed and started, "I really apologize for that. But since you are hating the situation of me trying to bring your personal life in between our conversation, in that same manner I am also hating you bringing my personal life in between. Talking to Shringar has nothing to do with this case. I knew Shringar's father personally so she just wanted to know about him. So I only told her about the part I remembered and nothing related to the case. There's nothing to it. And me knowing Mr. Abhigyan Das personally is not really a secret. If I really need to have a contact with a spy, then I would have done it better. In a much more private way rather than sitting in public having a cup of coffee. So for that reason my behavior is absolutely natural. But yours isn't. You have to come with me to visit the dep. Superintendent tomorrow morning first, and I hope that you will bring the recording as well. If not, then we can check the surveillance footage of that time outside the station." Officer Rani smirked and said, "Well Officer Prakash you really are amusing. But you will still become answerable tomorrow for having a sweet coffee conversation with Miss Shringar Das in between such a huge case where she is an important factor. And you took off from work earlier to meet her personally. Off duty. Your behavior will be questioned tomorrow if I bring that topic up. If… I… Bring… That… Topic… Up… Tomorrow. As you can see my friend both of our stances has loops, so it will be better if you do not bring this recording topic up to Dep. Superintendent. Also Chanakya… Don't you dare." Chanakya nodded and Officer Rani kept on staring right towards Officer Prakash's eyes with her constant smirk on her face. Then Officer Prakash sighed and put his hand in his pocket. Officer Rani got confused and when Officer Prakash took out his mobile and showed screen to her. She got shocked. Dep. Superintendent Rathod was already on the call. He was listening to the entire conversation between Officer Rani and Officer Prakash this whole time. Officer Prakash tapped the speaker button and Rathod said, "Meet me at the office with the recording tomorrow at 8:30 am straight Officer Rani." Then he cut the call. Officer Rani also noticed that this entire audio was recorded as well. Officer Rani's face turned historic. And Chanakya could not comprehend that what just happened. "Officer Prakash are you stupid? You will be answerable too…" Officer Rani said. Officer Prakash said, "Officer Rani, I knew I could have just recorded it and send it to Dep. But I did not take that risk. You are a smart officer. You actually realized that I would be recording this conversation in my mobile and that is why you kept on approaching me closer while we spoke. I might just be physically stronger. But both you and Asst. Inspector would have out power me. Cause both of your strengths surpasses mine. You were planning to take my mobile and delete it if needed. And send the recording you were taking through your phone by editing it to the part where you started accusing me." Suddenly Officer Rani onto her pocket in fear. Officer Prakash continued, "That is why I already talked to Dep. Superintendent and made this pact. Also about me and Shringar in coffee shop. Well I already sort that with Dep. Superintendent just in case today. He just warned me not to do that again without informing at least one member from the task force. I noticed you walking with Asst. Inspector and keeping your phone in your pocket which you never do and that made me suspicious. You might have noticed me having a chat with someone related to the recording. That was Shringar who wanted to know about it just like Miss Dorothy, Lalit and others wants to know. I even told that part to Dep. So no worries their. I guess just as you know me well, I know you too." Officer Rani clapped and said, "Bravo. Bravo. You are way too spot on that I am getting afraid. But you are not the bold actor. You are more of the defensive kid. Where did you get the idea of doing this. I am sure it was not your idea." Officer Prakash said, "I am no longer answerable to you. It is your turn." Then he left. He reached his house, freshened up and sat besides his window with his coffee cup. The rain started and he started thinking of the earlier conversation he had with Shringar.
[[Officer Prakash picked his phone immediately when Shringar messaged him again.
{Are you there Officer Prakash? I need to talk about something.}
Prakash texted.
{What is it Shringar?}
Shringar was standing with Sanskar on the roof full of beautiful flowers at the "Devki Psychiatric Institution". Sanskar was absolutely clueless about what was Shringar up to. She texted and sent.
{If you confront Officer Rani then there is a good chance that she will start to search for something about you in the future. And due to that if our connection gets exposed then what will happen? Please tell me about Officer Rani.}
After a minute a message in her phone popped up.
{Officer Rani is very intelligent. She usually is very dominating and aggressive when it comes to work. Very often she overthink things. I hate to say this but she absolutely hates me. She claims that she is jealous of me. Though I can possibly say that I am more of an intellectual rather than intelligent, she might have more IQ than me. She likes to butter the higher ups. Shringar, if our connection gets exposed, even after that nothing much will happen. I will be able to manage.}
Officer Prakash got another message from Shringar.
{Please tell me you are not going to confront her without any precautions… cause as you said that she is very intelligent and hates you. She might do something against you in the future. Right now her behavior is mysterious so let us expect the worst. What if she might already anticipated about you or any other police officer suspecting her? Since her conversation with Dorothy happened just outside the station. She must be alert the whole day.}
Officer Prakash looked at Officer Rani just in case. He did sense something off the whole day, but could not quite point out. He texted.
{Well, I would say it is highly possible. I guess I know her too well. She always looks for ways to taunt me or the lower post officers except Chanakya who is a sycophantic. But today was different. She did not do such a thing. Whenever she get scolded by the higher ups, she always starts to bad mouth about them. Today Dep. Superintendent scolded all of us but she did not say a single thing about him today. Fine Shringar, I will record the audio of the confrontation in my phone.}
At first Shringar typed "Ok" but after a second thought she erased it. And texted.
{Wait, I am not doubting you. But since you said she is smarter than you and you know her well then she might know you well too. You should do something smarter and bolder. Something that will guarantee your victory.}
Officer Prakash asked.
{And what exactly do you suggest?}
After a bit of thought Shringar sent.
{Contact the higher ups. Keep their call on and keep your phone in your pocket. They deserves to hear your whole conversation with her on live.}
Reading that idea made Officer Prakash shocked and sent.
{This is really a bold move… Not to mention risky. She might just caught on to it. But I can absolutely try it. So I am planning on recording the audio as well as keeping the higher ups through call by making pact with them earlier.}
Both Shringar and Sanskar agreed with the plan. When Officer Prakash was about to enter dep. Superintendent's office he stopped. He thought that he should just come clean with his one and only issue which might cause him trouble in the future as well right now. "Time matters. My contact with Shringar has a strong chance of coming out in the near future. Let me just clarify this myself before a third party does that. If everything goes well then at night I will inform the details of the day to Shringar. She definitely deserves to know the scenario since she helped me." Then Officer Prakash entered Dep. Superintendent's office.]]
After remembering the events, Prakash focused on the sound of rain, his coffee and the sound of typing since he promised Shringar to make her updated about the case in the secret chat which can not be retrieved even by the owner of the app which they use. Prakash's slowly started to respect Shringar. He can see her father Mr. Abhigyan Das in her.
On the next morning before going to school she read all the messages in her phone. Then in the evening after coming back from school she got a paper under her plate on the dining table stating (I will be late tonight, so don't wait up for me. Driver is being booked for you to go to the counseling and art institute By- Nitish). Shringar smiled while reading that note. She went to the counseling session where Elina talked about her anxiety to Shringar and Sanskar. "Dorothy was called by the police to the task force today after her classes in college. Not sure what is happening their." Sanskar asked Elina to calm down and listen to the counselor. After a few minutes in the session, she felt a bit relieved. Sanskar whispered to Shringar, "These sessions are mostly fruitful for Elina. I am glad. I am sure Dorothy will definitely tell about today's events in our group chat." It was 5:00pm when the counseling session ended and Shringar's arts classes will start at 7:30pm. So she proceeded with the driver who was old and a quite man. But he was answering gently whenever she asked any questions. Both Gaurav and Shringar are in the same batch. But Shringar was not particularly much excited about it. In fact she was feeling a bit uncomfortable about him after hearing her crush story from Lalit. Shringar reached very quickly in the institute. She talked to the regulator who took her to the room where already a few students were sitting. A friendly girl waved at Shringar so she sat besides her and besides the window. The girl introduced herself as Sophie Konar. She has long hair and a bright smile. She wears similar clothing as Elina. But for some reasons some of her hair strands were white. "Are you Shringar Das?" She asked. Shringar answered, "Yes, I was about to introduce myself but I guess I don't need to do that." "Well, I saw you on the news… I am sorry for your loss though. I never really expected you to be here." Shringar said, "No worries Sophie. But why did you never expected me to be here?" Sophie said, "Well, because I wanted to meet you in person. On news it was said that you live with your cousin who is a doctor named Nitish Das." Shringar nodded. Sophie said, "It is just that I did not expect a person on news to be here. Will you be my friend?" Sophie offered her hand for a hand shake. Shringar shakes her hands with her without any hesitation. Shringar noticed Gaurav entering the classroom right before the teacher entered and sat without looking for Shringar. "Guess he does not really care about me and due to that he must have forgot that I am suppose to be here. But I am not really sad about it because he is part of my school and I do not like school." Shringar thought to herself. After classes the driver was waiting for Shringar with a smile and she smiled back as well. Before she could reach her car Sophie approached her and asked for exchanging numbers with her. So she did. Shringar went back.
Sophie came back home and immediately approached her mother, "MA! MA! You have no idea whom I met in the art institute today." Sophie's mother looked at her in confusion. She looked a lot like Sophie except she does not smile, instead her face always seem anxious. She wears a cream colored kurta pants and an apron on it. Sophie said, "Shringar Das. Yes ma, she is in my art institute. I even have her phone number now." Sophie's mother became very surprised to hear that. She started messaging someone named Dr. Janki about this incident. Then both Sophie and her mother went down to the basement which was as beautiful as the above floors the only difference was that the basement has a dim light. Other than Sophie and her mother there is another person in the basement who is bedridden with saline, medicines and a vital sign machine.