Chapter- 8

Sameera

I hurry up my pace to boss's cabin. This is a very crucial matter. I can't just leave it be as it is.

"May I come in sir?" I asked for permission.

"Yes you may, only if you have completed the task I gave you yesterday." He replied.

I sat opposite to him and placed the report I wrote last night on his table. With an ' I am impressed' look on his face he looked into the contents for 2 seconds before keeping it aside.

"I feel that you have learned your lesson. Now back to work. I want all the details on the murder case you mentioned tomorrow till noon." He ordered. But that can wait. Here goes nothing.

"Yes sir I will. But there is something else I wanna discuss with you. It's related to the slum case. I think we have missed something during our investigation. It's- "

"The report on the slum case is crystal clear and the investigation was unbiased, if you are pointing to that particular aspect. You know Anwar better than me. He is strictly professional in all his projects. I hope you are not doubtful of his expertise, are you?" He interjects before I can finish my part.

"No sir, I have no doubts regarding his expertise. But I think we have overlooked something very important. I request you to not publish the news yet without properly looking into the matter. That can hamper our reputation in public eyes. I want you to permit our crew to conduct a proper investigation on the matter before drawing any conclusions." I say.

He summons Anwar using the office intercom. I know what's gonna happen next. The cabin door opens and before Anwar bhaijaan asks for permission, boss asks him to come straight in.

"Formalities can wait. I called to inform you that Sameera wants a further investigation on the slum case cause she thinks you have overlooked some important information. Sameera, please enlighten Mr. Anwar of his ignorance."

Before I could speak Anwar states, "But sir I am sure there has been no mistake. I personally looked over the case. Plus, you have gone through the details yourself. And it's already been published in today's morning news. You have watched it yourself, Sir. The couple complained about a huge animal in there premises but there were no evidence to favor their statements. And Sameera was their yesterday. What probably could have we missed." Anwar bhaijaan stated as a matter of fact.

Hmph. So the news is published already. But it's not late yet.

"Of course Anwar. I consented to publish it myself. But Sameera thinks something is missing even if she was there with you for the investigation before disappearing in thin air." I do recognize the tone. Boss is trying to be sarcastic.

Keyword 'trying'. He thinks yesterday's incident did a number on me, but he knows I don't speak unless I have evidence. And if they are true his channel's reputation will be in jeopardy. I think he will at least consider giving me a chance.

"Sameera what is it you think we missed? You were the one who believed first hand that the couple were delusional and attention seekers. You nearly concluded their statements were false. What has changed?" Asked bhaijaan.

What should I say? It's only an assumption.

Both are curiously waiting for my answer, mirroring each other's posture, their eyebrows up, arms crossed, eyes centered on me.

"My perspective has changed. I am guilty enough for assuming them as liars but my yesterday's forest trip indicates otherwise. When I was following that girl into the forest I heard howling of an animal. Many times. It scared me too much. I wanted to take the girl out and leave but she went missing and I met Officer Arav. When we were walking to the murder scene, we came across a waterfall."

The image of the enchanting waterfall flashed in front of my vision and I remembered the reason I am sitting here contradicting myself.

"We we were headed in the opposite direction of the waterfall. I took a side glance for a last time to capture it's natural beauty and I saw something that wasn't there previously. It was a 'wolf'. A dark furred wolf that appeared there within the minute I wasn't paying attention. Then he looked in my direction and maybe saw me staring him as he left cliff in a hurry, more like dashed out."

I accidentally addressed the wolf as a male because of the dream. Hope no one catches on that little bit.

I wasn't paying attention to my audience when I narrated my story. When I finally met there eyes, those were filled with disbelief.

"Why are you saying this just now and not yesterday?" Asked boss.

"Look I know you don't believe me but trust me this is true. Somehow I forgot that particular detail yesterday. I know that's not like me to forget such a thing, but somehow it slipped out of my mind. Maybe I was too exhausted that I couldn't believe myself what I saw. But last night I saw a dream about yesterday's events and the picture was crystal clear." I said

"When I woke up this morning, I immediately remembered about that waterfall wolf, his dark as night fur and shiny black eyes and though I saw it from a distance I bet it was bigger than the usual wolves. My unconscious must have stored the memory and a sound, relaxing sleep helped my mind sort it out into my consciousness." I tried to convince them.

Not so convinced, before bhaijaan could give any comments, boss spoke, "well, even if we did believe what you are saying, it isn't enough to help in the slum news. What are you exactly trying to convey?"

"Sir, what I mean is maybe the couple weren't lying. Maybe he was actually attacked by a wolf. The way he described the animal, it matches with whom I saw and heard howling in the forest. If the couple weren't lying then and the animal actually attacked them in their house premises, it is a danger alarm. And who knows how many more animals, wolves are there in that forest? They could attack again any time. We need to find the complete truth before anyone's hurt." I pour my thoughts.

"But the news is already published. And no one else saw or heard anything concerning the mentioned animal. Maybe what you saw was an illusion." Said bhaijaan.

That surprised me. How can he not believe me? He believes everything I say, even my weird dreams. Does he think I have lost my sanity in the forest?

Not to mention I had the same idea myself when I woke up this morning. But after thinking everything through I did remember seeing the black wolf.

"Anwar, I know this sounds crazy, but I saw it with my own eyes. The memory is still their. I know you will say that I derived the memory from the dream I saw, but what I saw was different than what I saw in the dream. I have been through enough dream analysis sessions to know the difference between dream and real memory. Please believe me." I practically begged this time.

"We must do further investigation and find evidences regarding the presence of those dangerous wolves in the forest. It will save lives of those living in that slum. And Sir, think how it can help increase our reputation and TRP. Please permit this search." I said with pleading eyes.

"Anwar, take the details from Sameera, reoprt the case you were working on previously, and continue any needed investigation on the slum case. True or not, we can't leave any loopholes. Go back to work." Boss stated, emersed in some file.

Yes, I got my chance. I nod and immediately walk out of the cabin. Before I could reach my desk Bhaijaan called my name," Sameera, I need a moment with you, alone."

He seemed off. He ran his left hand through his black hairs, his eyes giving an unknown expression of anxiety. He does such gestures when he faces any troubles.

"Sameera, I understand that you want the safety of the slum residents. But this isn't required. Trust me, I did my research. There are no such dangerous wolves inhabiting in that forest as you are saying. You must have misinterpreted the howling and the wolf. It could have been some less dangerous wild, furry dog that you mistook for a mega wolf. I have searched the area and even contacted the people living in the forest premises. There is no danger, hence no need for further investigation. Let this drop here only." He told me. Though I wasn't expecting him to say such discouraging words.

"I know what I saw. You know I don't do baseless assumptions myself. And it's not just the wolf. There was something weird about that place, and that wolf too. Plus, I want to look for that little girl. Who knows what must have happened to her?" I say explaining my side. But he still didn't seem convinced.

"This isn't a waste of time and energy, I assure you. But if you still feel it's unnecessary, you don't have to come. I'll do all the searching myself." I say to bhaijaan. I thought he will be relaxed knowing that he doesn't have to come with me, but he is still irritated.

"Just because your all-time weird dream told you that there is a wolf in the forest, doesn't mean there really is one. The whole idea is ridiculous. What's wrong with you Meer, since when do you take your dysfunctional dreams seriously. Are you finally starting to believe they are true? That you are having predictive visions. Premonitions. Please. Wake up. This is reality Sameera, not a dreamland. Stop acting......cr-childish."

That is the worst argument we have ever had in last two years. "Childish,  huh. I am sure that isn't the term you were about to use. I bet it was 'crazy' instead." I roared. He had hit the sour spot.

"Now that you have an assumption that I am going insane, then fine. I am insane, insanely curious to find out where that girl came from and vanished to, where that wolf went away, and most importantly why I forgot about that wolf yesterday. There are a lot of questions that I need answers to. Hence for I will continue my search. With you or without you." I concluded myself and left him without a "bye".

I heard him smash his fist on the wall muttering something incomprehensible.

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