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Delhi Headquarters

A lady in her late 20's was seen standing outside the DGP's cabin waiting to be called in. She got inside and took off her cap and held it in between her left arm and did a formal military salute with her right hand.

"IPS OFFICER Sharon Singhania reporting sir."

DGP-" Sharon, good to have you back on the port. Well we have a very critical case which has just been transferred to us by the central government and I would want you to take it up. It's a hit n run case but it's not as simple as it seems. I want you to get the truth out." He said in an commanding voice.

Sharon-" Yes sir, can I get all the details and the prime suspects? Also I would be needing all the evidences which have been collected as of now."

DGP-" You will get the file of the case in your cabin in sometime. You may take it over from here.

**********************

The cabin was a spacious one with well furnished furnitures along with a sofa on the extreme right of the cabin and a working desk on the left side. The table had some files kept open. The Indian national flag along with that of an army flag in a cris-cross manner was at the back of the wall where the desk was kept. On the desk was a name plate kept which read-

SHARON SINGHANIA (IPS OFFICER DELHI)

It was raining like cats and dogs outside and the reflection of raindrops falling on the glass window was getting reflected on her face. Her eyes were having a storm of emotions which was clearly seen and giving away the tension she was already having in her mind.

*How can he be the one, I really need to be careful and have a control over my emotions. Huhhhh... Sharon this is not the time to think irrational. The case is tricky and there are many suspects, so just calm your head.* She looked at her ring finger which adorned a beautiful diamond ring. When she was engrossed in her own thoughts she heard a knock on her door.

Sharon-" Come in." Her authoritative voice was heard and in came a constable informing her that the prime suspect is present in the enquiry room.
Sharon nodded her head in agreement and with her hand gesture asked him to leave. She closed her eyes for sometime and prayed to her God and opened her eyes and sighed.

       *****************

In a dimly lit room a man in his late 20's was sitting with his head buried in between his hands. From afar he looked well off, with a black shirt and denim jeans and a titan watch on his left hand.
The door of the room got opened and so did the man's head raised with the sound of it. His dark brown eyes met that of a black orbs. His eyes held pain, confusion and anger while the other person's eyes were neutral.

"Sharon, what is all this? I have not done anything. Why am I being called here?" He asked Sharon who had entered the interrogation room.

Sharon-" Mr. Rathore can you please maintain some silence. And this is not the way you talk to an officer on duty. I am IPS officer Sharon Singhania not your relative. And about you been called here, so its simple you are the prime suspect of the hit n run murder case." She said in a calm but cold manner. The man understood that this was not his fiance Sharon but the Police officer on duty.

Sharon asked him to take his seat while she did the same.

Sharon-" Where were you on the 2nd January?"

Rathore-"I was with one of my friend at his house."

Sharon-" Where and at which friend's house?"

Rathore-" Prakash Mehta, my college friend and business partner. He lives in mallad west."

Sharon-" Were you drunk that night? That you went with your car and hit an old man who was sleeping on the pavement." She asked looking straight into his eyes.

Rathore-" I didn't leave his house only that day. And I'm no where involved in this case. You know I never drink n drive--" He said in frustration looking at her. While Sharon just showed him her hand stopping him to say further.

Sharon-" Mr. Rathore I told you, here I'm no one to you other than an officer. And CCTV footage of that area clearly shows your car that night with the same number plate." She got up and switched on the projector which showed the CCTV footage of the accident night.

Rathore-" I agree that the car and number plate is mine, but the driver in it is not me. I was not driving that day, I didn't leave the house. Someone is trying to frame me. Please believe me." He pleaded in front of her. His eyes said that he was saying the truth. Sharon (his lover) who had known him all her life could read his eyes to say that it was true but the Sharon( the officer) didn't had any proof to accept that he was not lying.

Sharon-" Mr. Rathore, your mere saying won't be a proof of your innocence. Here all the evidences are only pointing at you. If you are so sure that there is someone who is conspiring against you so you let us know. We need proofs and without them we are sorry to not help you." She turned her head towards another direction. Her strong demeanour was breaking inside. She could not see him in this way but her duty was making her do things that she never dreamt of in her worst nightmare.

Rathore-" I dont know who is this? But all I know is that it was not me on that day driving. You can ask Mehta. He will say the truth."

Sharon just nodded and asked a constable who was standing outside to get in. The constable came and handcuffed the man.
The man looked at Sharon with some deep pain.

Sharon-" You will be in our custody till this case is solved." She just walked out of the room with the same expressionless face with which she entered but stopped at a distance and turned back to see the constable taking away Mr. Rathore.

She whispered-" I'm sorry Ishan, I trust you but the court won't, without any proof." She closed her eyes while a tear drop trickled down her left cheeks. The conflict between her heart and mind and the love and duty was making it difficult for her to hold on the reins of her emotions.

***********

The same evening Sharon entered in the interrogation cell to see two guys sitting there. She sat on the front chair and kept her cap and stick on The table between them..

"So you both are Ishan's friend??" She asked the guys who nodded their head to the IPS Sharon who is not their friend's fiancee but The IPS officer...

"I am Prakash Mehta and he is Amit Trivedi we are Ishan's friends" The Prakash guy spoke first pointing at himself and then the other guy who just looked at her and Sharon nodded her head..

"So where were you both on 2nd of January at around 11 pm??" Sharon asked entangling her hand and keeping them on The table leaning forward...

"We were at Prakash's House only" Amit spoke Pointing at Prakash. 

"Why?? I mean was there some party or some occassion?" Sharon asked them firmly..

"No, not any occasion we just decided to set a get together." Prakash spoke at which Sharon nodded and glanced at Amit.

"Who else was there??" Sharon again asked.

"Only we three.. Me, Amit and I
Ishan.  Actually Sanket our one more friend was also going to come but he got some work at last moment and ditched the plan. " Prakash answered this time and Sharon nodded and stood up from her chair and taking a round around them again questioned them.

"So, that day you three must have taken drinks too"

"Yeah we did." Amit replied..

"And then??? Ishan decided to leave And he left too right??" She again questioned them.

"Look Officer we have told this earlier too that we all were drunk, so both Ishan and Amit decided to stay at my home as they didn't wanted to drive when drunk. And then I passed out, but when I woke up next day Ishan wasn't there so I thought he left at morning only" Prakash spoke with a confident face.

"And Mr. Amit what about you??? Mr. Mehta passed out you were Sober or...?" Sharon spoke leaning towards Amit who looked in her eyes and then looked at Prakash

"I too passed out. So even I don't know" He replied in the same tone..

"Hmmm Interesting... Anyway thanks for the cooperation you both may leave.." She spoke while again sitting on the chair.. Both the guys looked at each other and then at her before moving out of the Cell. Sharon saw their retreating figure untill they vanished...

"Now I am 100% sure that it's not Ishan. Just Need to Look after the proofs again." She spoke to herself with a new determination in her eyes, determination to prove her Love innocent and to unmask the real culprit and put him behind the bar..

*******

Same night the clock struck 12. In her apartment Sharon was sitting in the living area on the sofa with lots of files on the table, one in her hand. Laptop was placed infront of her which she was checking again and again... She was studying the Case from start. She was noting Each and every minute detail of the case. She played the clip of The Accident place where Swayam's car hit that old man. She paused and zoomed the clip to find any clue or face of the person sitting in the car but didn't got any. 

Sharon inserted the pendrive in the laptop which a constable gave of the intersection point of Prakash's house.

Sharon:(to herself) This is my last H
Hope Ishan. Please prove my heart right. Please."

And exhaling a deep sigh she pressed the button and the clip started. She was looking at it with great concentration not wanting to miss a single thing even. When she saw a tall figure same as of Ishan's height. His Features were same as of Ishan's but his face was not visible completely as the person was wearing a hoodie too. And then she saw the person sat in the car standing at the side of the road at the parking on the driving seat. And the car drove off to the highway road. Sharon shut the laptop off With a tired face and leaned back to her leather chair.

"Everything, every proof is against you Ishan. My heart knows that you are innocent but you can't be proved innocent just because my heart is saying this. And this CCTV was my last hope. But this clearly shows that You are the Culprit.. God Please help me! Help me to prove Ishan's innocence. Please."

 She looked at her engagement ring and caressed it remembering the Day of their engagement. How he specially ordered to make a Couple ring which have both their choices. A small smile appeared on her face remembering that day and at the same time a lone tear escaped from her beautiful orbs at her unsuccessful attempts to prove Her Love's innocence. She was caressing the ring lovingly when suddenly something hit her mind and she jerked up and sat straight and again played the clip of the intersection road and zoom at the guy's hand and a smile appeared on her lips. She then noticed something else and zoomed at it and frowned. Looking at the thing she was sure she have seen something like this somewhere but where??? Nevertheless she was happy that no matter small but a ray of hope was lit that she can prove Ishan's innocence. Just a little hard work more.

She directly called Shinde who was the sub inspector assisting her in this case and ordered him something at which getting a positive reply from him she hung up the call.

************

High Court:

Outside the Court there was lot of crowd. Media reporters were also present there in search of some good bytes what news can be better than this that The Swayam Rathore, son of a prestigious family who himself is a great business man and have a big name in the society will be presented in the court for a hit and run case.

A big blue colour police van arrived there and some constables stepped out and guarded the van as all the Reporters surrounded the van to get a glimpse of Ishan Rathore.. And then he was taken out from the van with handcuffs in his hand. The Reporters started bombarding him with Questions when The Police team was taking them inside the court..

"Mr. Rathore Why did you killed that poor old man??" One of the reporter asked while trying to come near him..

"Mr. Rathore were you driving after drinking??" Again another reporter asked from him while he was looking down and walking with the police team...

"Mr. Rathore what do you think, you will be saved just because you are a business man and have a big name in the society?" One more reporter asked at which Ishan looked at him for the first time.

"If I have done this, then I do deserve punishment, BUT I haven't done this. And I'll repeat this till the end. I Am just being framed here..." He replied confidently with fearless face and looking in his eyes everyone can see his honesty but it's not enough.The police took him inside the court. He was looking here and there as if his eyes were finding someone with deep frowns on his face.

"Where are you Sharon??? I know you won't let anything happen to me. I Trust You. Come Soon.."  Ishan spoke to himself as they entered in the court room.

Ishan was made to stand in the stockade  where usually the culprit stand. His lawyer Mr. Desai was present there. His gaze fell on the spectator area where his parents and sister were settled while Sharon's family was also there. He looked at his mother who had tears in her eyes, seeing her one and only son standing there like a criminal. His father have frowns of worry on his face. His sister was also crying seeing him like this all dull. His face was all pale and he was looking weak too. Sharon's parents were sitting supporting his family and even they were feeling bad for him. He again roamed his eyes all around the courtroom to get a glance of HER but drowned again not finding her anywhere.

That's when they heard the bailiff saying loudly "ALL RISE" which was an indication of the judge arrival and Everyone present in the courtroom stood up from their seats which is considered as the Token of respect to the Justice System. The judge entered in the courtroom and took his seat before gesturing Everyone too sit. The Judge spoke in his authoritative voice "Proceed" .

And taking the orders the Prosecutor lawyer stood up and handling the files to the clerk sitting there to handover them to the Judge spoke in his authoritative voice..

"Your Owner, there is nothing in this case which isn't as clear as A Crystal. Mr. Ishan Rathore was drunk and was driving the car which can be seen in the CCTV footage of 2nd August clearly. It is a clear case of Hit and Run..." He cleared out his thoughts in front of the Judge who went through the Files and footage..

"Defence wants to say something??" The judge asked looking at the Lawyer appointed by Rathore's for Swayam's case. He stood up and bowed down in front of the Judge.

"You Owner, my client Mr. Ishan Rathore is a well mannered and a good citizen. He doesn't have any records of drinking and driving infact in that case he doesn't have any records of breaking the law. And as my dear friend Mr. Khatri (prosecutor) said that It all happened on 2nd August when my lient was In his friend's house all night on that date. Yeah they did drink but he didn't left the home as he was drunk." The Defence Lawyer spoke looking at the Judge..

"Objection You Owner, if that's the case then how come Mr. Rathore's car was at the accident spot Mr. Desai??? Did the car turned out to be the Tarzan: The Wonder Car??? " The Prosecutor chortled at which many people in the room chuckled..

"Order Order.. Prosecutor should remember it's a Courtroom not a place to joke." the Judge spoke in his authoritative voice with a firm face..

"I apologise you Owner, But Mr. Desai is just trying to save his client with no proofs.."  The prosecutor apologised by bowing his head down.

"You Owner, Mr. Rathore belongs to a well recognised family, why will he do such things??" The defence spoke...

"Am sorry but this is a Courtroom Mr. Desai here Proofs speak more than tongue. Do you have any proofs to proof your client's innocent except for the thing that He is a Well settled Businessman..??" The Prosecutor spoke. The judge also looked at him to saw him standing with a blank face giving all the answer. The judge was about to speak something when a Voice echoed in the room from the entrance...

"I Have Proofs" Everyone looked at the entrance where They saw Sharon, the IPS officer standing there. She was in her uniform. People started whispering something or other. Ishan's face was lit up with a smile finally seeing her. He got a hope that now he will be saved. Sharon came and stood in front of the Judge section and bowed down in respect. She then looked at Ishan who was smiling a little  with hope in his eyes at which she just blinked her eyes and looked at front... There still was whispering in the room.

"Order Order, silence in the Room.  Officer Please talk to the lawyer if you have any proof. The Court is adjourned for 40 minutes." The judge spoke first looking at the Spectators and then at Sharon who gave him nod. Then the judge stood up at which Everyone else too stood up again and the judge left the courtroom and soon people too started moving out for the break.. The police team was taking Ishan with them when Sharon went near him,

"Don't worry I'll make everything alright, and it's Not IPS officer Sharon speaking, it's Ishan's Sharon promising." Sharon spoke looking in his eyes at which he nodded and passed a smile to her. Sharon moved towards Desai's cabin and showed him all the proofs she collected whole night and Mr. Desai was shocked hearing and going through everything.

"This is something else Officer" Mr. Desai spoke being shocked...

"Yes Mr Desai. It was all planned..." Sharon spoke at which Mr Desai nodded.

"Don't worry Sharon, now we have everything we need. Nothing can happen to Ishan now. Good Job Officer Sharon." Mr. Desai spoke to her and she just smiled ..

Soon The judge again arrived and Everyone stood up and sat when he asked everyone to sit.

"Prosecution may Proceed." The judge spoke looking at the Prosecutor who bowed down once and passing some files and clip to the clerk who passed them to judge spoke.

"Here are the proofs You Owner.. The Clip has the answer that Mr. Rathore wasn't the one. No doubt the car was his but the person driving wasn't him." Mr. Desai spoke while connecting the pendrive to the projector And the on the big screen the video appeared.  They saw that A Guy wearing a hoodie who was looking exact like Ishan was moving on the road, his face wasn't clear. Then he sat in the car parked at the side of the road and drove off.

"Are you Seriously on Mr. Rathore's side Mr. Desai??? Coz this clip completely shows that the person looking like Ishan who in real is Ishan came and Left in his car??" The defence lawyer spoke with a bored look at which Mr. Desai smirked.

"I think you are busy today, what's the haste Mr. Khatri?" Prosecutor spoke looking at defence and then he rewind the video and paused at the part where the person was just going to sit in the car and his right hand was on the car door and zoomed to his hand..

"You Owner, My Client is engaged so it's obvious that he wears engagement ring which he is still wearing (looking at Ishan) Mr. Rathore???"

Ishan nodded and raised his right hand and showed the diamond ring and looked at Swaron.

"See You Owner Mr. Rathore always wears this ring in his finger but that night he wasn't wearing it which is a proof that the person in clip is not Mr. Rathore.." The prosecutor was speaking when interupted by Defence..

"How does it prove his innocence?? It can be possible that he had taken his ring out on that day" the defence spoke...

"You mean to say it was planned and he intentionally took out the ring? But was'nt it Hit N Run Case? What's the need to take out the ring?" The Prosecutor asked.

"How would I know that? Maybe he didn't wore it that day." The defence spoke..

"Hmm That's possible.. So let's zoom more" The prosecutor spoke and zoomed the video to a small visible part of his hand where it was seen a unclear Small tattoo of something like Dragon was there.

"Now what will you say Mr. Khatri because my client doesn't have any tattoo on his hand. (At which Ishan showed his right arm) See, now please don't say that he even removed that tattoo so that he can drink and drive." Prosecutor spoke and there were again whispering sounds in the courtroom which were silenced by the Judge. Ishan looked at the tattoo and realised he have seen it somewhere and as soon as he realised where he widen his eyes and looked at Sharon who was looking at him only and blinked her eyes. Ishan looked at Mr. Desai when he nodded his head..

"I know a person having same tatoo." Ishan spoke looking at The Judge..

"Who Is It Mr. Rathor?" Judge asked..

"Him" Ishan pointed at someone in the spectator area and Everyone gasped when the person stood up and was about to run when felt someone holding his collar from back. He turned around and saw Sharon holding his collar from back and pulled him out and took him to the witness box.

"What's the hurry Mr. Prakash Mehta?" Sharon spoke looking dangerously at him holding his right arm and pulling up his sleeves exposing the same tattoo which was visible in the video making Everyone gasp and Everyone start muttering something or the other...

"Silence in the room" the judge spoke...

"So, you were the one who planned all this right Mr. Prakash Mehta?" The Prosecutor spoke. Prakash didn't spoke anything just was looking down.

"Why the hell you did this to me, you Traitor??? To ME? We are Friends For God Sake." Ishan spoke out in his anger loudly..

"Friends? Seriously Ishan? You call me your friend.What kind of a friend threaten his friend to give him to police haa just For the type of work he do.." Prakash asked loudly at which Everyone present their got confused while Ishan just shakes his head in disbelief..

"I thought that thing was over  6 months ago only" Ishan  asked..

"No, How Can This Get over??? That was My Job and you pressurized me to leave that work, from past 6 months I am living a life of a beggar just because I don't get a job and the work I chose to do was snatched by you.." He (Prakash) shouted out in frustration.

"Order order, it's court not your home. Mr. Desai Please Proceed.." the judge spoke to the Prosecutor who nodded and giving some files Tom him spoke..

"You Owner he is Prakash Mehta six months ago he used to be a drug dealer. (At which the People their gasped) He used to work for a Mafia gang. But when His friend Mr. Ishan came to know about this he warned him that if he will Continue doing these illegal stuff then he will complaint against him. At which He (Prakash) got afraid and reluctantly stop drug dealing. But as It's a Mafia gang he was connected with, they started to threaten him for life. He wasn't even able to get any job. So he decided that the only way he can continue this illegal work is destroying Ishan Rathore. So he decided to do something which will destroy Ishan's life and his coast can be clear. So that day on 2nd August finally he got that chance when Ishan with his another friend came to his house. He made both of them drink and when they passed out he took Ishan's car keys and wearing his clothes with a hoodie he drove his car. He was the one who drove the car and intentionally hit that Old beggar sleeping On the Pavement so that Mr. Rathore can be put behind the bars and he could continue his drug dealing.(looking at Prakash) Am I Right Mr. Mehta???" The Prosecutor told all the story and at the end looked at Prakash asking him..

Prakash just nodded his head in yes Accepting his crime.  The Judge Saw all the files which clearly shows that He was a drug dealer.. He wrote something on the notepad and looked at the Front before keeping the pen back at the pen stand..

"After going through all the proofs and evidence The Court comes to the decision that Mr. Ishan Rathore is innocent and was just being framed and he is proved innocent. And Prakash Mehta is found the culprit, he not only killed Someone, he is also involved in Drug dealing. Prakash Mehta will be put behind thr bars on the case of hit and run and also drug dealing. Ishan Rathore will be released. That's it for today. The case is adjourned." The judgement was passed and Ishan was released.

Outside the courtroom

Ishan was being greated by the family members and media was clicking his pictures as finally the truth was prevailed. Ishan who was hugging his mother, was constantly searching the person because of whom this was made possible. He looked at front to see HER standing at a corner smiling at him with glittering eyes.

Ishan went towards her and spoke,

"Thank you Sharon, thank you for going extra miles for me and saving me from the crime I never did." He hugged her with a smile.

Sharon-" You don't need to thank my LOVE. I did all this for myself not for you. After all who will look after me like a Queen all my life if not You? With this engagement ring we promised eachother to pass all the hurdles together all our lives. So I had to go this extra mile for our love." She interlocked their hands in which their engagement ring was shining.

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An old but a new Os. Well I had written this one a long time ago but never posted.

Do let me know how you liked this OS. 

With love,
Satakshi  (Neha)