As he reluctantly finished his call with Misha to answer another incoming call, Victor sighed in relief. Even though he felt embarrassed for getting carried away and sharing his deepest secrets with her, he knew that she wouldn't think any less of him.

Pulling his mind back, Victor answered  the call that was on hold, from Amit Khatre, his contact in Mumbai. If Amit had called at this hour, it probably meant that the they were ready for their next move, and the second step of his action plan was finally in place.

Victor answered the call and asked eagerly

"Hi Amit? Did everything go smoothly?"

He listened to Amit's long monologue keenly and whistled !!

"Excellent! I am so glad we could move in so quickly. Your contacts have indeed proven to be valuable. Remember what I said? These guys will only cooperate when you threaten them with something they hold dearly. We have no time to lose.   Do we have enough men with us to coordinate this tomorrow? I would rather if Monty stays here in Delhi, but  I can request him to come with me, if we need to."

Once Amit confirmed that they have enough men, "Great. I will catch the early morning flight to Mumbai then. I will call you once I reach there. Bye."

He knew that he might have to travel to Mumbai anytime this week, so he kept an open ticket to Mumbai reserved, just in case. He logged onto the airlines app and confirmed it, albeit at a peak price. But this was not the time to think of expenditure.

Victor could feel the excitement and the adrenaline rush building up inside him as he briskly walked out of his room. But as his Di's room came into view, his steps faltered.  He needed to speak to Di and clear up the air between them. He knew how hard it must be for her to acknowledge and accept her biological family, but he and his Maa would help her in every way.

Even if it took days or months.

He gently knocked on her door and after waiting for few minutes, opened the door slowly.

Arunya was reading or pretending to read a book.

Victor walked near her bed and and psyched himself to do something he rarely used to do and still had trouble with — apologise.

"Di!! I am sorry if I hurt you. It wasn't my intention at all."

There was no response!! So much for trying! He turned around sulkily to go back and then stopped. He had to tell her about his trip!

"Di, we have all our life ahead to sort out our differences , but the reason I came to your room in the middle of the night is this. I have to catch an early morning flight to Mumbai tomorrow. Please tell Maa when she wakes up, okay?"

All the pretence was gone as Arunya sat up on her bed and exclaimed "Chotu!! Why? What is happening? Please! I don't want you to do anymore daredevil acts. I am so worried for you. Don't do this to us again."

Victor slowly turned around with a smile. "Di, nothing is going to happen to me. I made one mistake in my life and paid a heavy price for it. But don't judge me on that. You brother is considered a top agent for nothing. I have always made sure that whatever I do, my personal or my team's safety is never compromised. And after Goa, I  have become doubly cautious and assess every possible risk before jumping into action. So, I will be taking all the precautions and make sure that I have a backup. And of course,  I will be in touch with you or Maa regularly. So, please relax. I will call Sunil and Mohsin now and ask them to be here before I leave."

"Promise me that you wont risk your neck. Promise me you will be... okay?" Arunya's lips trembled.

"Promise Di... Now, stop your pretend reading and go to bed!"

"I wasn't pretending!" Arunya pouted and then added, "Goodnight Chotu. You too get some sleep."

"Goodnight Di!" Victor smiled at her as he closed the door.

As he went back to his bedroom, he received a text from Monty "Bird has flown back to the nest with her partner. I will continue my surveillance on the evil twin tomorrow morning. "

He sent a quick reply to Monty thanking him, and closed his eyes.

****. 

5 AM New Delhi Airport

As Victor waited in the departure lounge, he was in a dilemma, whether or not to call Ashwin at that hour. Ashwin must have spent most of the time yesterday at the hospital with Rajiv, and even if he was at home, he might be too busy and tired with the newborn baby... but this call can't wait. He kept adjusting his backpack and jacket in his lap as he fiddled around with his phone.

Victor was spared from the guilt as his mobile began to ring and he saw that the caller was none other than Ashwin. He thanked his lucky stars and  answered it at the first ring.

"I am so relieved that you called. I wanted to call you urgently but kept putting it off as I was worried that I might wake you up."

"Oh... Thanks Victor. I am at home now and I had a few hours sleep. Did Amit call you last night? "

"Yes he did, and I am at the airport now. My flight is in another half an hour."

"Good! Last night, I spoke with Bhandarkar, the NCB Zonal Officer at Mumbai.We became quite close when we were working on Sharath Nair's drug sieze operation. He knows.. I mean I only told him half the things we are planning to do, just as you wanted me to, and he is ready to cooperate. He is as desperate as anyone in their team to put Sharath Nair behind bars, but he's bidding for the right time. It took a bit of convincing, but finally, he agreed. Call him as soon as you land there and meet him straight away. Then you can do the rest of the things. I mean... you two can work out things."

"Thanks a lot Ashwin. This wouldn't have been possible without your involvement, and getting Bhandarkar on to our side was very crucial."

"I am doing the best I can to make sure these bastards don't get away with what they have done. I know.. and am ashamed of what I did in Goa, which actually started this whole tragedy. If it wasn't for my cowardice, Nanda Sir would have been alive. And you wouldn't be hiding in fear of your life and forced to act solo without any official protection. But tell me,  what could I do? That Tanvir... God!! I hated that guy, he was threatening to go after Mini and her family!!"

Victor sighed and rubbed his tired eye with his left hand as he heard Ashwin's outburst.

"Hmm.. Ashwin I would be lying to myself and to you if I say that I have forgiven you for what you did. But we cant hang on to our past anymore. And  I understand how much pressure you must have been under, considering your wife's pregnancy and all that. And remember this, you are not responsible for those bastards' despicable minds and actions.  Let's just focus on what needs to be done now, so I can get my life back. I truly appreciate what you are doing to help me. More than me,  you should be worried about your safety. DJ or Loki won't be fooled for long and the moment they realize that you have  become a mole against them, they will come after you.  Are you... are you taking all the precautions I suggested, whenever you are with them?"

"Yes Victor, I am. Even if something happens to me..."

"Shut up Ashwin, don't you dare talk like that!" Victor didn't realize that he stood up abruptly till his backpack fell out his lap. He quickly sat down again and smiled awkwardly at the business traveller seated across the lounge, and continued in a hushed tone. "Nothing will happen to you or anyone in our team as long we are careful, understand? Now stop being so morbid and spend some time with your daughter."

Once he heard Ashwin's chuckle at the other end, he let out a relieved breath.

"Victor, one more thing. Rajiv has regained consciousness, although he is still in ICU and is not allowed any visitors at the moment. But, once he starts talking..."

"Yeah, I know. Can you just hold him off or manage to tell him something for the time being, till I return from Mumbai? If everything goes as planned in Mumbai, it will give us a solid foundation to prove my identity to him. We will have to take him into our confidence, although he might be the last person who would be willing to trust us." Victor's frustration was evident in his tone.

"I think I can convince him, but as you said, let's wait till you return. I am sure you can pull this off too. I have full confidence in you."

"Oh wow!! That's something I never got to hear from you, Ashwin.. Thank you." Victor smiled for the first time.

"Now now... don't get on the high horse again. And please Victor, get out of Mumbai the moment your job is over. I am not sure how you are planning to return to Delhi, but DJ would come after you like a wounded animal once the news reaches him. He has got too many contacts in all high places. Be very very careful. And your brother Loki..."

"Don't..." Victor growled and continued in a softer tone, "Don't call him my brother, please. He is nothing but a criminal in my mind and heart and that's how I want him to be treated by everyone."

"True, it is extraordinary how different you two are and it is quite wrong to call him your brother. He is DJ's brother through and through in cunningness and strategy,  but perhaps not as intelligent or kindhearted."

"The way you speak, it is giving me an idea. You should write a book or a memoir once you retire." Victor laughed aloud.

"You are damn right. I will, definitely... I don't know what to call the book  though." Ashwin replied with a laugh.

Victor could hear the boarding announcement for his flight in the background.

"I have to go now. I will call you later if necessary,  but remember what we discussed how our phone conversations should be, okay. And please, take care."

"You too Victor!! All the best."

Victor followed his usual routine to relax and meditate so that his aerophobia doesn't get the better of him, and in the end he managed to reach Mumbai without any major stress. The moment he found a taxi out of the Mumbai airport, he called NCB Zonal Officer Bhandarkar, and arranged to meet him at a café near their office.

****. 

8 AM

DJ's House

DJ reluctantly joined the rest of the family for breakfast at the dining table, as Suraj Chacha threatened to skip his meals too, if he didn't. Loki and Zoya were already there along with Suraj Chacha, while his mother served breakfast for all of them with the same care and love.

As his eyes scanned the empty chairs, he was once again reminded of Tanvir's absence and he found it hard to swallow his food. Suraj Chacha was trying his best to involve everyone in small talk but the mood at the table continued to be grim.

When Loki arrived home along with Zoya previous night, he did his brotherly duty and welcomed Zoya warmly. Neither she nor Loki spoke much afterwards and owing to the late hour, everyone retired for bed. And it was the same even now. As usual, his mother wasn't contributing much to the conversation, while Zoya and Loki kept their talk to the minimum, and that too with Suraj Chacha.

Is this how it is going to be, from now, DJ wondered. Will their family ever be normal and happy again or was it too much to hope?

It was a relief when breakfast finished and he heard Loki call out to him.

" Bhai, I need to talk to you in private. Are you free now?"

"Sure. Let's go to my study." DJ led Loki to his study and closed the door slowly, his mind still reeling with the harsh reality of how broken his family had become now.

As he was mourning Tanvir's death, he expected a sharing of grief and support from his brother. Instead he had to become a mediator between him and their mother as they confronted and laid accusations against  each other. His business has taken a hit too after Bicholim and he barely had the energy nor empathy to talk to Sharath Nair, while he was engulfed in his sorrow.

DJ didn't realize how long he remained silent like that, lost in his thoughts as he sat down in the lounge.

Loki observed him in frustration for a long time till he couldn't take it anymore.

"Bhai, this won't do. I know how much you loved Tanvir, but if you detach yourself from your business, it won't be long before we face another crisis."

DJ sighed but didn't reply.

"Okay, I understand that business probably can wait but other things can't."

Loki began to pace the floor.

"Bhai! Now that I got a go ahead to get involved in the Nanda murder investigation, I will go to Mumbai and Goa and find out what is going on, before my boss Doval changes his mind. Not everything is recorded in files and it is always best to speak to the local team to find out what other information they have got. And I will meet Sharath Nair too. He called me again yesterday. In fact he has been calling me for the past few days because you refused to take any calls. He must be feeling left out and even angry..."

DJ's  reddened eyes shot up at Loki.

"Don't.... Don't misunderstand him. He knows what you are going through but you must understand his situation too. Two of his men, Daniel and Joseph are in Jail and he had lost billions due to that stupid coup at  Bicholim. Daniel is Sharath's right hand man just like Tanvir was to you."

"Thanks for the concern but don't try to teach me who is who in my business!" DJ snapped.

"Bhai, that's not what I meant. Of course you do, I am just..."

DJ controlled himself with difficulty and made sure his face looked placid as he fixed his gaze on Loki.

"Hmm Yes... I think it would be good if you go to Goa and Mumbai to get the inside information but wouldn't it be too dangerous for you to leave Delhi, now that we know Victor is alive? He must be planning to attack us in some way or other. As long as you are here at home and at the IB headquarters, no one can touch you. I can send my best men with you to make sure you are safe in Mumbai, but Victor has proved his ingenuity before, and I don't want  to take any chances.  And this time, I don't want to wait till Victor makes a move.  I must hunt him down in Delhi, and finish what I started in Goa. And we must plan our attack on Rajiv here before he gets fit. Can't Zoya do something?"

"Bhai, please stop obsessing about taking revenge on Rajiv for the moment!"

"Obsessing??" DJ staggered towards Loki in fury and held his shirt.

"We lost our brother and you don't seem to care!! What have you become Loki? Sometimes I feel I hardly know you at all anymore!"

"Bhai please!" Loki pried open DJ's fingers slowly. DJ turned away from Loki and slumped back on the lounge.

"Bhai, the security at the hospital is very tight at the moment. Ajit Doval is assuming that Rajiv was targeted by Tanvir and the rest of our gang as he was investigating Nanda's murder investigation. So, they are taking no chances."

"What!! Where did he get this stupid idea from?"

"Well, Rajiv was shot by Tanvir as he tried to escape from there. What else do you expect them to think?"

"What a mess!!! If there is one thing I hate the most, it is this helplessness and inability. You have no idea how I do things here Loki, but once I set my mind on something, I usually make sure I get the result I want within days. For me to watch those bastards kill my men and do nothing is beyond torture." DJ covered his face in his palms.

"I understand Bhai! That's why Delhi is too dangerous and sensitive right now for us to make our move. And remember why we got into this mess in the first place? Because of that stupid guy Nanda's intervention! Let me go there, create some false trail for those idiots in the local police department so that our name gets forgotten."

DJ thought for a long time and finally nodded his head. Loki sighed in relief and continued, "Bhai, shouldn't we inform Sharath Nair about Victor?"

"Are you crazy? No way!! If he we tell him that the guy we have made such an elaborate plan to kill is still alive, what would he think of me or my capacity? Can't you understand what it would mean, to my reputation.... our reputation, once my business partners realize that Victor has sabotaged all our business behind our back? If Sharath even gets a whiff that there is a mole in our gang, he will lose all his fear about me, and in this business, if my subordinates lose their respect and fear towards me, I am as good as a dead man."

"But...okay. I understand. In that case, we will concentrate on killing Victor first. Let's forget about Goa!"

"Loki, I told you this before and don't make me repeat again! You are not getting involved in anything our gang does, as far as Victor is concerned. He is your brother and you two are bound by blood, no matter how much you hate him. And I would never allow my brother commit the unpardonable sin of  killing  someone from his family!  You go to Mumbai and Goa and show your cleverness and tactics over there. I will send three of my best men with you who will guard you 24x7. End of story. Is that understood?"

"Bhai!!Listen to me..."

"As far as that topic is concerned, I don't want to hear anymore Loki!!"

Loki watched DJ with defiant and sullen eyes for a long time but there was no change in DJ's stance.

"Bhai, I hate you. You know that right?"

"Hahaha okay. Thanks for letting me know! Now, get your  things sorted for your journey.  My friend Samir Bhat goes to Mumbai on his private jet  every alternate day. You can be there before Noon. I will call Sharath first and speak to him. But what will you tell your colleagues and boss?"

"Leave that to me Bhai, I know how to convince them."

****.

1 PM

Sharath Nair's mansion, Mumbai.

"Hello Loki!! So good to see you." Sharath Nair welcomed Loki warmly, as he walked in with his body guards behind him.

"I am glad you called me before and explained about your disguise. Otherwise I would have never recognised you.. hahaha Ingenious." Sharath's swarthy face broke into a wide smile.

"How are you SharathJi? I am glad you approve of my disguise. I know you are being monitored so I couldn't risk coming here and be recognised, and then I thought of this idea. Why don't we go inside first." He beckoned his bodyguards to follow him as they walked inside the mansion.

"When your brother spoke to me and explained why you were coming, I was happy. But I thought you would be here tomorrow. Anyway, never mind." .

"You spoke to my brother, right? Yeah he told me he was going to call you. I was supposed to come tomorrow but something came up." Loki shrugged.

"I would have sent my car to the airport,  if it wasn't for the fear of all these dirty fellows monitoring each and every movement in my mansion. What to do!! I am like a prisoner in my own home. That's why  I am so glad your brother sent you here. in spite of the tragic circumstances there. But who do I tell my woes to?"

"I know Sharath Ji. My sympathies are with you. You have been through such terrible loss too." Loki's face reflected all the sympathy he felt.

As Sharath Nair led him towards his opulent living area, Loki turned to his bodyguards and said, "Just stay here. Don't worry, I will be perfectly safe. I just need to speak to Sharathji in private."

As Sharath looked at him in confusion, Loki explained, " I didn't tell my brother the whole story as to why I wanted to meet you so urgently. I have some good news and bad news for you. Is there anywhere we can sit down and talk privately?"

*****.

^==========^

Hi All

Apologies once again for taking so much time in giving this update. This is a short one ( as per my normal standards) but what to do? I am still feeling a bit rusty, and not completely in my "writing mode" yet. Hahaha.

So, how did you find this update? I will be waiting to read your comments.

Love

Sesi