Chapter : 3

2013: Jungle ka Darinda episode :

The scent of damp earth and decaying leaves. A relentless downpour beat down on the Motidungri jungle, the sound like a million tiny hammers pounding on the leaves. Daya, a weathered and weary CID officer, stood in the heart of the storm, his walkman abandoned in his hand. The music had abruptly stopped, mirroring the unsettling silence that had descended upon him. Abhi was on the trail of Shreya who had gone missing in the jungle. Abhijeet walked beside him, placing a comforting hand on his shoulder.

Abhi :(held his hand)Daya kaha jaa rahe ho?

Daya, his eyes fixed on a hidden path through the dense foliage, could only think of Shreya, the young scientist who had gone missing while investigating the notorious Vikram. Memories of the case flooded his mind, each detail a sharp prickle against his skin.

Daya : Abhijeet shreya ko bachana hain.

Abhijeet assuring Daya though his own brow furrowed with concern as he stared at Daya.

Abhi : Haa bachayenge na yaar, wo saathi hain humari, usse kuch nahi hua hoga.

Daya:(he shook his head, a dark shadow falling over his features)Hua hain..

He glanced at his watch, his breath catching in his throat. "It's 2013," he whispered, his voice heavy with a sense of dread. Abhijeet's confusion deepened. He looked at Daya, his eyes wide with disbelief.

Abhi : Daya kya keh rahe ho?

Daya: Ye 2013 hain na?

Abhi : Haa lekin saal ka iss case ya Shreya se kya lena dena.

Daya didn't answer. He felt a chilling wave of dread wash over him. He knew something was terribly wrong, a sense of impending doom pressing down on him like a physical weight. A time-warp, a forgotten incident, a chilling conspiracy - he couldn't shake the feeling that he was caught in a loop of terror.

Daya : Boss, main samjhuga wahi baatein aur tum wahi baatein nahi samjho ge isse acha hain ki main hi dhundta hu (turns to leave but turns back)Rajat, Nikhil aate hi honge dhayan se suno tum sab log iss jungle ki dusri taraf ek guffa hain waha jao aur Tarika se jaldh se jaldh contact karo..

Abhi :(rub his head)Daya kya keh rahe ho kuch samjh nahi aara.

Daya: Samjhane ka waqt nahi hain tum Boss(the eagerness to stop things reflected in his eyes)bas jaise main keh raha hu waise karo, Shreya ko abhi tak wo dose laga nahi hoga aur nahi tarika ko, main shreya ko dhunta hu tum kisi bhi tarha iss jungle se bhar niklo aur tarika se contact karo kaho usse ki wo uss scientist Vikram ke ghar na jaaye please.

Abhi :(sigh)Kabhi kabhi itni ajeeb baatein karte ho na.

Daya:(stare at him)Ajeeb cheeze ho rahi hain aur baatein usse bhi ajeeb hain(rub his palm)pata nahi iss baar mere pass kitna waqt hain isliye please baat samjho aur bas karo..(he pats Abhi shoulder)Abhijeet fikar maat karna sab theek hoga, iss baar main sab theek karduga.

Abhijeet, confused and worried, watched as Daya turned and disappeared into the dense foliage. The rain continued to pour, the jungle a tapestry of dark green and swirling grey. Abhijeet felt a sense of unease creep into his heart. Daya's cryptic warnings hung heavy in the air, leaving him with a chilling feeling of dread and the unsettling certainty that something terrible was about to unfold.

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The humid air hung heavy in the jungle, thick with the scent of decaying leaves and the cacophony of insects. A chilling fear had settled over the team, a quiet dread that something was terribly wrong. Daya, a seasoned CID officer, felt it most keenly, his intuition screaming at him that they were in grave danger.

Daya: (Muttering to himself)Shreya pichli baar iss dose ki wajha se tumhe aur tarika ko side effects jhelne pade the. Hume laga tha salunke sir ke antidode se sab theek hoga lekin nahi tum dono ko kitne dino tak hospital mein apni jana pe khelna pada tha. Par iss baar aise nahi hoga, main hone nahi dunga.

Abhijeet, following Daya's instructions, was running on his back. He stumbled upon Rajat, Nikhil, and Pankaj, their faces etched with worry. They looked at him, bewildered.

Nikhil : Abhijeet Sir Daya sir kaha hain?

Rajat : Sir, shreya ka pata chala?

Abhijeet, catching a glimpse of Daya's prediction in his mind, felt a wave of shock wash over him.

Abhi :Tum log jungle ke wo taraf ek gufaa usse dhuno aur waha pahucnho main aata hu kuch der mein.

Pankaj : Par sir..

Abhi : Maine kaha na suno meri baat jaldhi.

Abhijeet, unable to share Daya's vision, turned away, leaving the others to decipher his cryptic message. He watched as they exchanged worried glances and hurried off towards the cave.

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Meanwhile, Shreya lay unconscious on the forest floor. Daya knelt beside her, his brow furrowed with concern. He checked her hand, relieved to find no trace of the virus, and carefully lifted her into his arms. He needed to find a safe place to hide, to protect her.

The cave was damp and cold, the only sound the dripping water from a crack in the rock face. Shreya stirred, a throbbing pain in her head forcing her awake.

Shreya : Daya sir?

She whispered, blinking at the dim light filtering through the cave opening. Daya was nestled against the wall, his face etched with worry. He jumped up, relief flooding his features as he saw her awake.

Daya : Shreya!Thank goodness tumhe hosh aagaya, kaise lagra theek ho?

She looked at him, her gaze lingering on the dust and scratches marring his face.

Shreya: Sir kya hua, hum kaha hain?

Daya: Wo.. hum log ek guffa mein hain. (his voice chocking in his throat)Hum yaha phase hua hain kuch der ke liye.

Shreya : Sir, par case aur Abhijeet sir aur pankaj kaha hain?

Daya :(nodding)wo log theek hain, Abhijeet sab shambhal lega iss wat mujhe tumhe shambhlna hain. (he held her by shoulder)Shreya aaj ke baad please meri aankhoein se dur maat hona. Janti ho kya ho sakta tumhare saath.

Shreya :(slowly staring into his eyes)Sir, hum CID officers hain, khatra humare saath chalta hain aur(hold her head)Main bas phone karne gaayi thi lekin kisine mere sher pe..

Daya : Janta hu main..

Shreya: Kya?

Daya: Shreya, ye baatein samjhne se samjhne wali nahi hain.. aaj raat yaha ruko.. jaise hi sab theek hoga Abhijeet yaha aajayega.

Shreya felt a wave of panic rise in her throat. She withdrew her hand, her heart pounding as she avoided his eyes. Her head spun, her ankle throbbing with pain.

Shreya : Meri kuch samjh nahi aara..

Daya :(held her hand as she was confused with his behavior)Please agar tumne kabhi bhi mujhe apna senior mana hain aur tumhe aise lagta hain ki maine kabhi kuch galat nahi kiya hain to please trust me, sab theek hoga.

Shreya felt a wave of panic rise in her throat as she withdraw her hand, her heart was beating fast as she avoid his eyes. Her head was spinning while her ankle throbbing with pain.

Shreya : Hum yaha karenge kya?

Daya, ever the reassuring one, smiled faintly, but Shreya couldn't shake off the feeling that something was off. She saw a new intensity in his eyes, a look she hadn't seen before.

Daya :hmmm kya kare?

He looked deep into her eyes, making her uncomfortable. She shifted her posture, trying to avoid his gaze.

Shreya : sir..(he looked at her as she stared back at him)Sir, thankyou for saving me par please aap mujhe uncomfortable feel karwa rahe hain.

Daya :(rubs his hand and resting them against the cave wall)Kal bhi..(jerks his head)I mean 1 saal phele bhi yahi khaa tha na tumne?

Shreya hesitated, biting her lip, trying to recall the moment. He watched her intently, a faint smile playing on his lips. He shook his head, lost in thought for a moment before speaking. His voice, when he finally did, was hushed, filled with a newfound sincerity.

Daya : Shreya thankyou..

Shreya: (confused)Thankyou??kisliye sir?

Daya: For everything.. (she stare at him as he smiles)itne salo mein main tumhe se kabhi keh nahi paaya lekin thankyou meri life mein aane ke liye meri..(hesitatingly smiles)i mean humari team join karne ke liye.

Shreya:(Interrupting)Sir.. mujhe yaha aaye sirf 1 saal hua hain.

Daya:(nodding)Haa woo..(hesitatingly quickly think something and looks at her)wo tumne pichle case mein mera saath diya tha na Abhijeet ko bachane ke liye uske liye thankyou.(she nodes)Shreya shayad tumhe sach na lage lekin main tumhe leke worried tha iss case mein, tumhari jaan ko khatra mein(he meet her suspicious eyes)nahi dal sakte..(he clear his throat)i mean as a team.

Shreya, unaware of the unspoken sentiments behind his words, smiled back. Daya couldn't help but stare, lost in her beautiful smile. He hadn't seen her smile like that in a long time. It had faded from her life, a consequence of his own hesitation, and now he had to make the most of the time he had left.

Daya : Ek baat puchu..(she nodes)Tum mujhe impressed thi na(produly smiling)i mean tumhare dil mein mere liye ek soft corner ban raha tha na...(she stare at him narrowing her eyes)mera matlabh pichli baar tumne kaha tha ki main tumse dur rahu aur phir dheere dheere tum mere raste chalne lagi to..

Shreya :(shaking her head)You mean aapko lagta hain mujhe aape crush(raising her eyes brow)and all hain?

Daya :(nodding)Tum tension maat lo.. ismein koi buri baat nahi hain, dekho (he adjusted his collar)Main itna handsome hu, acha kaama leta hu, nature acha hain and you know mere kafi zyada fans hain(leaning towards her, whispering)ladkiya marti hain mujhepe.

Shreya's jaw dropped, her cheeks flushed. She chuckled loudly, the sound echoing through the cave. Daya, watching her, reveled in her smile and the sparkle in her eyes.

Daya(playful glint in his eyes): Tum has rahi ho?Ye mazak nahi hain? sach hain, dekho instagram pe mere fan accounts hain.

Shreya: haha..(confused)Instgaram itna popular nahi hain sir...

Daya:(biting his lips, chuckled)Hoo 2016 mein hit hua tha Instagram..

Shreya:(laughing)Hahaha..kya kaha?

Daya:(smiling staring at her)kuch nahi ..

Shreya, still chuckling, leaned back against the cave wall as she caught his gaze and her smile softened.

Shreya:Sir aap bohut funny hain..(he smiles at her)lekin haa(controlling her smile)i will admit main impressed zaruri thi par jaise apane socha waise crush type to nahi tha sir, wo main dave ke satah keh sakti hu (Daya's smile vanished as he locked eyes with her. She cleared her throat, a sudden wave of nervousness washing over her)Sir i know mere joining ke din maine aapse thodi rudely baat ki lekin aap hi sochiye koi bhi meri jagha hota to wahi karta, infact you know uske baad jab maine aapse baat karne ki kosish ki aapne mujhe avoid kiya tha aur aise react kiya jaise main aapko impress karna chati hu.

Daya :(hitting his head)Ullu ka phatha hain 2013 ka Daya..

Shreya:Kya??

Daya:(nodding)kuch nahi.. bas main phele samjh nahi paya aur phir der kardi thi.

Shreya:(giggling)Sir, ye kya baatein karte ho.. meri kuch samjh nahi aata?

Daya : Tumhe samjhne ki zarurath nahi hain bas meri baatein sunti jao aur(mummer)iss baar der nahi karunga main.. (he looked at her as she stop smiling and looked at him)

Shreya: Sir.. aap bohut alag hain, upar se introvert dikhate hain lekin andar se itni baatein karte hain... (Daya try to interpret her but she was still continuing smiling)aapko pata hain siddharath bhi bilkul aise hain.

Daya's world seemed to tilt on its axis. He knew Siddharth had met Shreya in 2016. But how did he know her here in 2013? And how comfortably she was taking his name, the sparkle in her eyes, the cheer in her voice... it reflected a familiarity he couldn't comprehend.

Daya :(hesitating)Tu..Tum siddharath se kab mili?

Shreya stared at him, her heart pounding with questions. The confusion in his eyes, the hesitation in his voice... it was clear he knew Siddharth too. She was confused. Daya, the stern, professional officer who always maintained his distance, was different now. She felt as if she knew him from a long time ago.

Shreya:(whispered jerking her head)Wo mera family friend hain par aap kaise jante ho usse?

Daya was shocked, his words caught in his throat. He didn't know what to answer. The time lapse baffled him, and he struggled to make sense of the situation.

Daya:wo.. main.. nahi main nahi janta wo main puchraha tha tumse ki tum kab se janti ho usse?

Shreya bit her lip at his explanation. Daya sat in silence, lost in thought. Shreya felt a pang in her heart. Why was he acting like this? What was happening? She watched him, confused, but strangely comfortable. They had spent a lot of time together during cases, and after the Abhijeet case, she had been truly impressed by him. But the new emotion she was feeling now, towards Daya, was different. She hesitated, her mind racing with thoughts.

She was currently seeing Siddharth. She enjoyed talking to him; he showed interest in her and made her smile with his silly jokes. But now she was drawn to Daya, a man who clearly cared about her as a teammate, who made her feel safe and had saved her from an unknown danger.

Daya was lost in his own thoughts, wondering why things had changed. Siddharth was supposed to enter Shreya's life in 2016. Why had things changed? Why hadn't Shreya developed feelings for him? What was happening? His mind calculated the timelines and their relationship.

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As they sat in the cave, sharing stories and laughter, a sense of normalcy returned. For the first time, Shreya spoke freely about Siddharth, how she met him, how he was always there for her, her future husband.

Shreya : Sab bohut jaldi hua lekin Siddharath is good and funny, he helps me everytime and supports me and aapko pata hain siddharath hi tha jisne mujhe samjhaya ki aap mere liye ek officer hi hain aur mujhe usse respect karna chaiye and aapko ya apne aapko uncomfortable feel nahi karau.

Daya : Siddharath ne kaha tumse?

Daya's brow furrowed with confusion. his voice betraying his growing unease. Shreya nodded, her cheeks flushing a rosy red.

Shreya: Sir, ye baat main sirf aapko hi bata rahi hu, main Siddharth se shaadi ka soch rahi hu.

The words hit Daya like a physical blow. He knew, deep down, that his feelings for Shreya were more than just friendship. He looked at her, her eyes sparkling with love for another man, and a wave of despair washed over him.

Daya : Itni jaldi?(she looks at him)I mean abhi to mili ho tum usse phir ye..

Shreya : I know.. lekin aise lagta hain ki wo mujhe humesha kush rakhega.

Daya (trapped in his own thoughts, muttered) : Abhi to humare rishta shuru hua tha lekin abh siddharth ke aane se kya hum dono mein phele jaise pyaar nahi hoga?(he held his head)Kya iss baar mere yaha aane se wo sab gayab hojayega..(jerks his head)Main aise nahi hone de sakta aise hua to main shreya ki life se hi gayab hojaunga phir usse bachunga kaise?(hit his head)Mujhe shreya ke pass rehna hain aur pata nahi kitna waqt hain mere pass.

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A dimly lit cave, lit by a crackling fire. The scent of woodsmoke hangs heavy in the air. Shreya and Daya are sitting on a makeshift bed of blankets, their faces illuminated by the flickering flames.

Shreya, noticing Daya's distraction, gently touched his arm with concern in her voice as Daya as he was lost in his own imagination, he looks at her while she meet his confused gaze.

Shreya :Sir aap kaha khogaye the?

Daya, startled, looked at her. He nodded, his voice betraying a hint of desperation.

Daya :(nodding)Hmm.. (he stare at her)kuch nahi bas itni jaldi shaadi karogi tum..(hesitating)i..i mean ki...

Shreya:(confused)Shaadiiiii?kisse??

Daya:Siddharath se??

Shreya:(shakes her head)Main abhi to mili usse, hum dost hain..haa mujhe acha lagta hain uske saath time spend karna lekin iska ye matlabh nahi na ki main usse shaadi karlu.. (Daya's jaw dropped)agar aapke logic ke hisab se to main har uss insaan se shaadi karlu jisse main comfortable hu, jaise ki aap..

Daya :(A wide grin spreads across his face, his eyes twinkling)Main??(She smiles as he realized that he was imagining her stating that she would marring Siddharath,He throws back his head and laughs, a lighthearted chuckle that echoes in the cavern)To karlu mujhse shaadi??

Shreya :(wide open eyes)kya???

Daya :(giggling)Mazak kar raha tha...

Shreya lets out a sigh, her confusion deepening. Daya, still chuckling, turns away, a mischievous glint in his eyes.

Daya :(thinking)Kya ho raha hain, ek hi pal mein khushi cheen bhi li aur de bhi di..(looks at her asking)Shreya matlabh tumhara abhi shaadi ka koi plan nahi hain?

Shreya: (Shrugs)Nahi sir..Abhi to mujhe bohut kuch sikhna hain.

Daya: (nodding again lost in thinking)Iss baar sochna nahi hain Daya,bas karna hain. Mujhe iss baar aisa kuch nahi karna jisse main regret karu aage chal ke.

A sudden chill settles in the air. Daya quickly removes his jacket and offers it to Shreya. She hesitates, but accepts it under his gentle insistence.

Daya : Shreya,Hum dost bansakte hain... i mean mera Abhijeet ke alwa koi dost nahi hain.

Shreya:(raising her eyes)Par sara bureau hi to aapka dost hain na?

Daya trails off, his voice barely a whisper. He looks at her with a soft gaze, then lowers his eyes, lost in thought.

Daya : Koi ladki Abhijeet ki tarha friend nahi hain aur kehte hain dosti har rishte ka phele kadam hoti hain.

Shreya stares at him intently. He clears his throat, running a hand through his hair, his gaze meeting hers again. She sees a new side of Daya, a softened, almost vulnerable version.

Shreya : Daya sir.. (smiled)Mujhe nahi aap ye aaj ajeeb ajeeb baatein kyu kar rahe hain(he lower his head)lekin mujhe bhi aapse dosti karni hain(She extending a hand towards him)I think... I think I can be your friend.

Daya's face lights up, a smile spreading across his features. He takes her hand, his grip firm and warm.

Daya : Thank you, Shreya. This... this is a new beginning for us and it will beautiful, i will make sure that happens.

Shreya smiles back. In the cave, the warmth of the fire combines with the heat of their newfound friendship, a sense of normalcy slowly washes over them. Shreya speaks freely about her family, how much she loves the CID, her casual friendship with Siddharth, and her relationship with Daya.

Shreya : Hum market mein mile the(smile playing on her lips)uss waqt main nahi janti thi ki wo Siddharth hain, mere haath ki sari haldi Siddharath pe girgaayi aur wo sirf smile kar raha tha.. pagal hain. Phir dusre din ghar aaye wo to pata chala wo ramesh uncle ka bete hain, wo mere dad ke dost ka beta.

Daya nods, a feeling of unease settling in his heart. There's something off about Shreya's description of her meeting with Siddharth. Daya listens intently, his gaze fixed on her. He can't shake the pang of jealousy at the mention of Siddharth, but he can't help but smile at the joy radiating from Shreya.

Shreya : Sir, aapko pata hain siddharath hi tha jisne mujhe samjhaya ki aap mere liye ek officer hi hain aur mujhe usse respect karna chaiye aur mujhe aapse duri bana ke rakhni chaiye,

Daya : Siddharath ne kaha tumse?(she nodded which made Daya confused)

Confusion clouds his thoughts, yet a strange intuition whispers in his ear. He needs to find out more, but before he can, he needs to make sure Shreya is prepared for the 2013 Daya, the one who is unaware of their friendship. It could cause confusion and upset her.

Daya :(Looked at her)Shreya.. mujhe tumse aur kuch kehna hain.

Shreya :(Her eyebrow shoots up)Aap to aise behave kar rahe hain jaise ki abh koi criminal ka confession karwarahe ho.(he stare at her as she blink her eyes narrowing)Sorry sir..boliye na..

Daya:(takes a deep breathe)Shreya..phele to hum dost hain to sorry and thankyou ki zarurath nahi hain..(she smiles)dusri baat wo... agar main achanak se humare beech ki dosti bhul jaau to tum upset maat hona.

Shreya:Bhul jaau matlabh?aap kya bol rahe ho..?Mujhe laga tha baatein sirf Abhijeet sir bhulte hain wo bhi isliye kyu ki..

Daya :(shaking his head)Uska dost hu na..(she stare at him)isliye mere saath bhi ye hota hain. Main kabhi kabhi baatein bhul jaatu hu isliye agar main ye dosti bhul jaau to tum kosish karte rehna.. dekhna tumhari baatein se ek na ek din main tumhare raste chal hi padhunga so please agar main aaj ki baatein ya yaha ki sari yaadein bhul jaua to tum mata bhulna ok??

Shreya: Aap duniya ke sabse ajeeb insaan hain, kuch samjh nahi aata aap kya kehna chatein hain?

Daya : (nodding)Maan.. lekin Shreya, Raaste khoobsurat hai tumhare saath, Filhaal manzil ki baat nahi karte hain. Bolo promise karti ho na bhulne ki.

Shreya looks at him, her confusion mounting, but she nods, her lips forming a slight smile. Daya's eyes reflect a new determination and hope. He knows he needs to be patient, to earn her trust and show her he's worth the risk. He's determined to protect her, to be there for her, and to win her heart, one step at a time.

As the day melts into night, they play games by the fire, their laughter echoing through the cave. They share stories and dreams, revealing their deepest fears. The cave becomes their safe haven, a refuge from the harsh world outside.

That night, under the watchful gaze of the moon, Daya watches Shreya, her face bathed in moonlight. She's asleep, her breath coming out in soft, rhythmic sighs. He reaches out, his hand hovering over her cheek, but quickly draws it back.

They huddle closer, the flickering fire illuminating Shreya's face. As he looks at her, he knows he's found something special, something worth fighting for. He travelled through time to save her, and now, he's determined to win her heart - not just from the clutches of fate, but from the depths of her own uncertainty.

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Next day at the bureau:

The Mumbai skyline was awash in the soft hues of dawn, painting a backdrop of normalcy after a night of frantic chaos. Abhijeet, his team, and Daya were finally back at the police station after a successful rescue mission. The air was thick with relief, but a lingering tension hung over Abhijeet. He had questions for Daya, questions he needed answers to.

Daya sat in the dimly lit bureau, fiddling with a worn walkman. It was silent, refusing to play any music, despite his repeated attempts. He looked defeated, the weight of the previous night still clinging to him. Abhijeet, who had just walked in, watched him with a keen eye.

Abhi: Daya...(Daya turns to him, worry etched on his face)humne Vikram ko pakad liya lekin(his voice soften with relief)sab theek hain. Tune jaise kaha waise hi hua. Ye sab uss scientist ka hi kiya dhara tha..

Daya smiles weakly, relief washing over him. Abhijeet nods, a flicker of amusement dancing in his eyes.

Daya: Sab sachmein theek hain isse zyada kya chaiye Boss..

Abhi :(nodding)Haa, tere kehne pe maine Tarikaji ko waha jaane se roka, wo criminal pakada gaaya wo zehrili dawai bhi jisse...

Daya pats Abhijeet's shoulder, letting out a deep breath that releases the tension from his body.

Daya : Tumne sahi samay pe mera vishwas kiya aur sab theek raha.

Abhi : Haa pichli baar ki tarha vishwas nahi karta to, tarika ki jaan, Acp sir ka suspension sab tere kehne pe rok nahi paaya tha.

Daya stares at him, shocked. Abhijeet hesitates, biting his lip before continuing.

Abhi : Tu 2020 se wapas aaya hain na,(looks at the walkman in Daya hand)iss walkman ki help se.

Daya is stunned, his eyes widening in disbelief. Abhijeet notices the flicker of fear in his friend's gaze and throws his arms around him in a tight hug. His eyes close, a mixture of concern and relief flooding his face.

The two friends stood in a silent embrace, the weight of their unspoken understanding heavy in the air. They had weathered countless storms together, their bond forged in the crucible of danger and shared success. They knew they could always rely on each other, to face any challenge, no matter how daunting. The walkman's secret remained untold, but its presence whispered of a past they weren't ready to confront yet. The future, however, was theirs to write together.

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2020 :

The air hung thick with unspoken tension in the CID office break room. Tarika, Sachin, Nikhil, Purvi, Freddy, and Pankaj sat huddled around a table, stealing anxious glances at each other. Only Abhijeet, their team leader, seemed oblivious, his eyes glued to the computer screen, playing a grainy footage on loop.

Tarika :( whispering)Itne der se main yaha bhethi hu aur Abhijeet waha kaunsi foortage dekh raha hain?

Purvi : Tarika ye footage uss din ki hain jis din shreya ki death hui thi.

Tarika: What?? par wo case to..

Sachin : Abhijeet sir ne secretly ye case handle kar rahe hain.

Tarika(stared at him):Meri to kuch samjh nahi aaraha hain Daya achanak gayab hogaya aur ya Abhijeet pareshan hain. (she bangs the table)this is not happening..

She sprang up, storming towards Abhijeet, who was now staring intently at the footage. He looked up, a flicker of annoyance crossing his face as she shut down his laptop with a sharp click. The team watched in silent terror as Tarika's anger threatened to boil over.

Tarika: Abhijeet enough please tell me what's happening?

Abhijeet sighed, his gaze sweeping over the team's concerned faces. He nodded, a heavy weight settling on his shoulders.

Abhi :(his gaze unwavering.) Hume Siddharath tak pahunchna hoga.

Tarika: Matlabh?

Abhi (his eyes fixed on the laptop): Siddharath ka kuch lena dena zarur hain shreya ki maut se..

Purvi(disbelief): Sir aap kya keh rahe hain, wo shreya ka husband hain.

Abhi :(firmly) I know Purvi, isliye keh raha hu Siddharath tak pahunchna bohut zaruri hain usse ya to kuch pata hain ya usne hi ye sab kiya hain.

Freddy:(doubtfully) Sir, aap siddharath pe doubt kar rahe ho?

Abhi : Hum CID officers hain Freddy, doubt to karna hi padega, waha Daya samay se bazi laga raha hain shreya ko bachane aur hum yaha rishte ki mariyade ke chalte apna kama bhi na kare to nahi chalega.

Tarika:(confusion in her voice)Tumhara kya matlabh hain Abhijeet? Kaha hain Daya?

Abhi(sadly): iss waqt kuch kahunga to bhi tum samjhogi nahi Tarika isliye please mujhe karne do, main Daya ko shreya ko wapas khone nahi de sakta.

The team stood stunned, their faces a mixture of confusion and fear. Abhijeet, his features etched with worry, continued to stare at the footage. He saw Siddharth, his face pale and strained, hurriedly leaving Shreya's office. A cold dread crept into Abhijeet's heart. This was no ordinary case. He had to find Daya, and he had to find the truth, even if it meant facing the darkest secrets.

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In 2013:

Shreya sits by the window, lost in thought. A gentle smile graces her lips as she remembers her recent encounter with Daya, the stoic police officer. The day had been a whirlwind of emotions - surprise, joy, and a growing sense of warmth. She had never seen this side of Daya before, and her heart skipped a beat at his unexpected vulnerability.

Shreya: (muttering to herself) He's so different from what I expected.Unki baatein mein ghehariya hain, aise lagta hain main kabse janti hu.

A notification pops up on her phone as she glanced at it. It's a message from Siddharth.

Shreya: (reading the message)Dinner tonight? Same place, same time... (she smiles, a touch of amusement in her eyes)Siddharth bhi na.

She replys back to Siddharth's number.

"Hey Siddharth, Sure..why not.

She immemedetly recieves respons as she smiled at the phone.

"Great! See you then."

Shreya leans back in her chair, a slight frown creasing her brow. The warmth of her encounter with Daya is still fresh in her mind. She reaches for her walkman, a comforting habit, and presses play. The gentle melody of "Yeh roshni ke saath kyoon????Dhuaan utha chiraag se...Yeh khwaab dekhti hoon main.... Ke jag padi hoon khwaab se. Ajeeb daastaan hai yeh" fills the room. Shreya hums along softly, lost in the rhythm of the music.

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On the otherside at breaue, Daya and Abhijeet are seated at a table, sipping their tea, They're deep in discussion, reliving the time travel and details about what future hold to Abhijeet.As they continue their conversation, a faint melody begins to play softly in the background.

Daya(Turning his head) : ye awaaz..

Abhi :(looked at the walkman)Daya walkman chalraha hain.

Daya: (Squinting) Lekin ye abh tak chal nahi raha tha.

Abhi :(raising an eyebrow) Phir achanak..

Daya picks it up and, without hesitation, sticks an earbud in his ear. The moment the music fills his ears, a flicker of recognition passes across his face.Abhi held the other side of the earbud and stuck in his ear.

Daya :(Turning to Abhijeet) Abhi ye wahi gaana jo 2020 mein suna tha.

Kahan shuru kahan khatam, Yeh manzile hai kaunsi... Na voh samajh sake na hum, Mubaarakein tumhe ke tum.. Kisi ke noor ho gaye.

Kisi ke itne paas ho,Ke sab se door ho gaye.. Ajeeb daastaan hai yeh

Abhi : Wahi hoga na Daya continue chal raha hain.

Daya stares at Abhijeet, a bewildered expression on his face. The melody seems to have transported him back to a distant memory, a blurred vision of a time long gone.

Daya: lekin abh tak ye chal nahi raha tha.

Abhi shook his head as his phone buzzed, he removed the earbud while Daya clenched the walkman hearing the lyrics hummed the lyrics as Daya tries to grasp at the fading memories, the lights in the cafeteria begin to flicker erratically. They dance and swirl around Daya, creating a dizzying vortex of light and shadow. The music intensifies, wrapping them in its strange, hypnotic rhythm.

Abhijeet closes his eyes, shielding himself from the blinding lights. The world around Daya seems to be spinning, the music a relentless force pulling him somewhere else. With ins econds, The lights settle down, leaving the cafeteria bathed in an eerie, unnatural silence.

Abhi :(Shaking Daya's shoulder) Daya tu theek hain?

Daya opens his eyes slowly, blinking in confusion. He looks around, his gaze landing on Abhijeet.

Daya :(looked at him confused)Main??Mujhe kya hua hain Boss..(looked around)Main yaha kya kar raha hu?Hum to Motidungri ke jungle mein the na?

Daya was cofused as Abhi loosen his grip from his hand, he noticed the walkman is missing and he quickly understood that Daya had travelled back in his own timeline yet Abhijeet was confused with the reason of him travelling back.

Abhi(thinking)Daya wapas gaaya lekin uska jaane ka tarika kya hain? kahi walkman ke chalne se wo wapas to nahi chala jaata?(shaked his head)Lekin abh mujhe shreya ka dhayan rakhna hoga.. shreya ko siddharath se dur rakhna hoga aur usse daya ke kareeb lana hoga.

The mystery deepens. The walkman holds the key to unraveling the enigma of time travel, but the question remains: what will happen now?

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Here i end the 3rd chapter, Hope you liked the 3rd chapter of Playlist (A time travel story)

Stay tune to know how the story will unfold and drop in your views and comments and what do you think about link about the story.

Lots of love.

Dareians rocks!