Ajit Doval was busy with his secretary, checking the presentation on budget estimates that he was about to show to the senior management, when his phone buzzed. It was from Sanjay Mathur, Director of R&AW.

After initial pleasantries, Sanjay  asked, "Who in your team is checking on HuJi? Our guys traced  Shabir ur Rahman, one of the main commanders of HuJi, and confirmed that he met some naxal leaders in Kerala. But after that we lost track. All we know is that he met someone in Delhi."

" Hmm. I have to check with the specific team. I don't have anyone's name at the top of my head at the moment. But why this sudden interest?" Ajit asked.

"Our intel says he is on a major recruitment drive in our country and someone is supplying arms for these new recruits and HuJi. But that's domestic and you should know more about it. If I had Victor with me, I would have got this whole thing uncovered by now. But I couldn't refuse JP's request when he asked that Victor be transferred over to IB. I understand that whatever happened was tragic, but I think JP did a mistake,  forcing Victor to go on leave." Sanjay said in an even tone.

"Sanjay, do you remember how Victor had become when he infiltrated the IS Camp? I saw him just once, many years ago, when he was still in IB and then again in the disguise of Fayiz Khan. He had changed so much. He began to speak and behave like a completely ruthless guy, as ruthless as those terrorists. No wonder JP thought he needed a break. I know very well how hard he worked on that case, but it is our responsibility to take care of our agents' overall health too isn't it? You should have seen  Dr Ghoshal's reports here in BMS hospital about Victor and some of his symptoms, which can lead to permanent depression. He is still far from becoming normal."

"Look Ajit, I do understand that welfare of our agents is very important. But I can bet a million that  the depression or whatever Victor is going through is purely personal, because of his attachment to JP and nothing to do with his work. I mean, guys like Victor are happy when they do what they are best at, being a SPY!!  If you take that away from them, they don't know what to do with themselves." Sanjay said in a defensive tone. 

"Don't I know that! He was desperate to go after the guys who killed JP, but I said a firm no and assigned him to work with Ashwin on the Drug Cartel case,  even though doctors advised us that he needs more rest."Ajit sighed.

"With Ashwin is it? Hmm..  Well, all the best!" Sanjay's tone was noncommittal.

"Sanjay don't you dare hold back things from me. What is it?" Ajit demanded.

"I don't want to prejudice your mind against Ashwin. He might be doing very well in IB. I am ashamed to admit that in a way, I was really glad when Ashwin requested that he wants to move back to IB from RAW. Frankly speaking, he wasn't that good and Victor had to rescue him twice because his preparation and execution in operations was quite poor. Victor was sure Ashwin would break in captivity, and that's why he rushed over to rescue him at Nakhonay."

"Thanks for telling me this Sanjay. As you know, I am busy cleaning up this mess after Nanda's death and took over his team of guys and girls who hardly know me and vice versa. I will keep an eye on Ashwin too."

"Great! Give my best to Victor, I have been stuck here in UK for the past few weeks; otherwise I would have come and visited him at the hospital."

"Will do. And coming to Shabir Ur Rahman, I will get someone to contact your team immediately."

Ajit was in deep thought even after the call ended till his secretary sought his attention about the presentation.

"Can you get Rajiv to meet me in the afternoon?" He asked his secretary.

"Sir, Rajiv has been off sick for the past few days Sir. He texted me that he is resting at home, but would come to office, if it is urgent."

"Sick? What happened?" Ajit looked up.

"I don't know exactly Sir. But it must be quite bad because I hardly ever saw Rajiv  taking days off." The  Secretary replied.

"Hmm... that's ok. Let him rest. It is not urgent. But please check on him later and let me know, okay?"

"Of Course. Check the time Sir, you will be late for the meeting."

Ajit Doval hurried out of his office.

*****

Sam and Misha were on their way to University on Sam's scooty, waiting patiently at the traffic signal, when they saw a car come to a halt next to them.  Victor was in the back seat of the car, talking seriously with a person next to him.  They haven't seen Victor for the past few days at their apartment block. Sam wanted to tap on the window to say Hi to Victor and began to remove her helmet, but Misha stopped her. From the way Victor was speaking so seriously, it was better not to disturb him.

They could always check on him in the evening back at their apartment. Misha adjusted her helmet strap once again and patted on Sam's shoulder, to drag her attention away from Victor to the traffic signal which had turned  green, and they made their way towards their University

****

Two days later:

BMS Speciality Hospital, Delhi

Rajiv refused his father's help and insisted on walking along the corridor even though his limbs and muscles were aching quite badly. He came the hospital reluctantly, just to appease his father, who was panicking at home due to his  high fever and muscle pain. Initially he was seen by a Nurse who checked his vitals before taking him to see Dr Banerjee.

Rajiv's father Sagar Malhothra was the first to speak before Dr Banerjee even asked anything.

"Doctor, my son was perfectly all right till five days ago. In fact he came here to your hospital to donate blood. Next day, he came home early in the evening, which is very rare because he never comes home so early..." Sagar gave an annoying look towards his son before continuing, "He went to bed early that night and lied to me that he was having a headache. I happened to check on him in the middle of the night and he had 104 degree temperature and he was in agonising pain! And that's been the case ever since. We tried all normal  and prescription medicines for the fever and aches to subside, but nothing worked. I literally had to drag him today to see a specialist. That's all."

Dr Banerjee checked Rajiv's throat and neck glands by touching along the side of the jaw. He did a minor strength test by locking both his hands in Rajiv's, and asked Rajiv to push him back with all his strength. Even though Rajiv was taller and heavier than Dr Banerjee, he could barely push Dr Banerjee's hands back. After checking his lungs and breath through stethoscope, Dr Banerjee went back to his chair and asked, "Did you have any symptoms before that day, any Throat ache, cold or cough?"

"Hmm no Doctor! I was perfectly fit until five days ago. I'm not boasting or anything, but I'm generally a healthy person, and don't get sick very often. The last time I had a fever was five years ago, maybe? So, it was quite surprising that I got sick, so suddenly. I have been going through my normal routine, exercising... eating healthily and taking plenty of rest, even though my father doesn't believe that I do. For a while I thought, I know I am being silly here, it could be the needles here because you see I'm really scared of needles." Rajiv said embarrassedly.

"Sorry, I don't  understand. What needles are you talking about?" Dr Banerjee asked.
" Nothing..." Rajiv trailed off but his father Sagar voiced his doubts aloud.

"My son is talking about blood donation camp here. It could be due to lack of hygiene or needles that were not sterilised properly you know. He is being too shy but we cant explain any other reason Doctor. I will also tell you about our home. God has blessed us with enough comforts and even though I am a retired officer now, we have helpers who come to clean and cook in our house.. My kids jokingly tease me that I have a cleaning OCD, but ever since my wife's death few years ago, I had taken upon the responsibility of running our home. I understand that one cannot protect oneself against everything but we try do our best. I grow vegetables in my backyard, we try to eat organic food, and keep our home clean and most importantly, No mosquitoes! We have mosquito nets everywhere ." Sagar explained.

"Mr Malhothra, Ours is a highly prestigious hospital, run by professionals who maintain very high standards in making sure all our equipment is sterilised and disposed ethically and safely. You cant blindly accuse us like this." Dr Banerjee replied with a flushed face.

"We are not and we don't intend to, either." Rajiv intervened before things escalated.

"Do you think we would be here to get my treatment if we don't trust you or this hospital?" Rajiv asked mildly.

"I appreciate that Rajiv." Dr Banerjee felt his anger subside. "Now let me run some tests and I am afraid I do need to take a blood sample too. But I will demonstrate to you how we do things here; all the equipment we use are brand new."

"Can't we do the test without taking my blood?" Rajiv asked, the scare in his eyes evident.

Dr Banerjee patted Rajiv on the shoulder with a smile.

"I understand your phobia but I am afraid the symptoms you are presenting are very much similar to dengue fever which is quite rampant in the city right now. And we can confirm it only after taking the blood test, I am afraid."

"Well... if you must. Doctor, if you think I am infected, wouldn't my blood be infectious to someone else too?. Can you check that the blood I donated is not given to anyone?" Rajiv asked in a worried tone.

"I am afraid it is too late for that now. That blood has already gone to the blood bank. But don't worry. I can assure you right now, the blood bank people run a variety of tests on each and every donation before it is used for other patients. But I will make sure I will give them a call to run extra tests, okay.?  I am afraid you should stay back here till your results are back and it may mean you have to stay here overnight too. You are too sick and weak to travel back home, and we can take better care of you here." Before Rajiv could protest, his father Sagar agreed with Dr Banerjee.

Once the blood was taken with all the necessary precautions and brand new and sterilised equipment, Dr Banerjee made arrangements to get Rajiv admitted into the hospital as inpatient.

"I will come and check you again, once the results are out in few hours." He assured the father and son Duo and made his way to the pathology department.

An hour later, as he walked back to his consultation rooms, Dr Banerjee asked the reception to cancel all his appointments for next hour or so.

He couldn't believe what he just heard! 

While the rest of the donation camp ran normally under the supervision of the duty doctor and nurse, Dr Ghoshal and Dr Anosha volunteered to help them, when the staff from Intelligence Bureau came to donate their blood. Even though it was unusual for such a senior surgeon to help, both the duty doctor and nurse gladly accepted it, as they were quite busy with the rest of the patients.

Of all the bottles of blood collected that day, Rajiv's bottle never reached the pathology. In fact, the duty nurse informed him that when she went back to collect the blood and clean up the cubicle after Rajiv's blood donation was complete, his cubicle was completely empty,  and no trace of any equipment or the collected blood was there. The duty nurse immediately brought it to the attention of the duty doctor as well as pathology and they have tried to contact Dr Anosha and Dr Ghoshal  about it, but without success.

Dr Anosha has not reported at the hospital for duty for the past few days and her phone seemed either switched off or out of range, while Dr Ghoshal had gone on a holiday for a few days and was unreachable. He was scheduled to be back at hospital the next day. Dr Banerjee checked the roster of Dr Anosha for that day when she helped with the blood donation camp. She was assigned general ward on that day which had a few Dengue patients who were admitted due to severe symptoms.

Dr Banerjee had spoken to the head of pathology and asked him to suppress the issue for now, till he got all the facts investigated.

It could be pure coincidence that Rajiv's blood collection sample had gone missing and Dr Anosha and Dr Ghoshal were not seen in the hospital afterwards but he didn't believe in such strange coincidences. Dr Anosha always came across as a sweet and dedicated girl but he had hardly interacted with her after the first induction phase. She became assistant to Dr Ghoshal and was taking care of some high profile patient from IB.

But he still couldn't believe that any contamination happened while taking the blood of Rajiv. Using sterilised equipment was the default practice in all standard hospitals, and in a place like BMS where even the low end staff are thoroughly trained to practice all safety precautions, it was highly unlikely that an infected syringe or needle would be left carelessly, let alone used by mistake for some other patient!!

And where is Anosha? How could she just disappear without calling anyone at the hospital? Had she taken ill too? Dr Banerjee's mind was exploding with questions. He had taken Dr Anosha's mobile number from the Hospital intranet but there was no local address against her name. The staff coordinator who managed all the interns's rosters told him that when Dr Anosha started her job, she was still looking for accommodation, and later her address details were never updated.

Perhaps Dr Ghoshal will be able to clear this whole thing tomorrow. Dr Banerjee took a glass of water and gulped it down. Just then the duty nurse arrived with the test results.

Rajiv Malhothra's blood test results were positive for Dengue Virus DENV1.

There was no specific medication as such still for Dengue Fever, except to give pain relievers and manage the symptoms and keep the patient well hydrated. As he walked towards Rajiv's room, he was met by the head of the Administration Mohammed Baig.

"Dr Banerjee I heard from my staff that you were enquiring after Dr Ghoshal. He informed us that he was going on short holiday..."

"Yes, I know now. I just wanted to know when he would be back. It is tomorrow isn't it?"

"Yes Sir, is there anything you wanted in particular?" Baig asked

"Yeah, did you manage to find out the address details of Dr Anosha Malik? I need to know if she is unwell or something. I understand that she lives alone?" Dr Banerjee asked casually.

"Yes Sir, I asked other interns but she wasn't very close to any of them. From what I understand, she was living in a friends apartment who was out of town. But I don't have the address details. I will try to check again if any one else knows. I too tried to contact her, but the mobile was switched off. I am worried about her too, you know. Just give me some time..." He was interrupted by a short man carrying large bags in both hands, who began to speak without any qualms, as if he didnt care that he was disrupting their conversation. "Baig Sahib, where are those festival discount vouchers? Your assistant told me that they have already ran out. This is appalling!"  His face was indignant.

"Shinde ji,  we had lot of requests from other high end political clients. That's why we arranged for these gifts that you are carrying right now as replacement.  I hope your colleagues will be happy with them." Baig pointed towards the large bags in Shinde's hands.

"Ah! Yes! Yes of course, I am sure they will be happy. I will see you soon." Shinde smiled stiffly and hurried off.

The moment he was out of ear shot, Mohammed Baig sneered, "Not as long as you are around!"

Dr Banerjee looked up at him with questioning eyes.

"This Shinde is the claims officer in that government agency, Intelligence Bureau. We all know how corrupt our government officials are, but this guy is the limit. He takes out every discount voucher, every gift our hospital offers to their agency staff but keeps them all to himself. We came to know about it last year, but what to do Dr Banerjee, our hands are tied up. Corrupt and greedy guys like this are a blotch on a respectable agency like IB, who take care of our national security."

Mohammed Baig shook his head in disgust and walked away, as Dr Banerjee turned around to face Rajiv sitting in a wheel chair, accompanied by his father.

As he observed the astonishment and hurt on Rajiv's face, Dr Banerjee decided not to comment further about Shinde. He had more important things to worry about anyway.

Instead, he pulled out the test results in his hand and said grimly, "Rajiv, I am afraid your test results are showing positive for Dengue Virus. We will start our treatment  and help you recover faster if you can stay with us for a day or two. I know you can go home and rest as well, but your condition is too weak right now, and I would feel much better if you are under our care and monitoring. What do you say?"

Rajiv looked at his father who seemed to be in favour of the idea. He nodded his head in agreement. He could at least  check Shinde and what he had been upto, while he was here.

******

Where could Anosha disappear to? The question plagued Tanveer's mind ever since he came to know about it, and even as his men continued to search for her everywhere, they were none the wiser.                                                        

"Kidnapping Anosha will help us in multiple ways. Anosha is a close friend of Victor and as such a valuable asset, to use against Victor!" DJ's words kept ringing in Tanvir's ears.                                                                                                                                                                                                               
Few days ago, Tanvir got desperate and tried to go to the BMS Hospital in search of her, only to be pulled back by Suraj Chacha. Apparently the police sketch of his face adorned the walls of every police station in Delhi too and Suraj Chacha warned that they cannot take further risks. He began to fear facing DJ and his taunts, and spent most of the time at his home instead, drinking heavily.

****. 
"Hmmm you are quite different than what I expected!" Jishu said to Sharmila as he gave her a once over.

Sharmila narrowed her eyes for a moment but said nothing.
In the ten minutes since she arrived at Jishu's house, he had already said this thrice.

She was almost temted to point this out to him but controlled herself. For all she knew, he might be testing her temperament and attitude as much as her skills, before he began to share his knowledge on Sharath Nair and his business network in Kerala.

She smiled at him instead, and asked in a light tone, "In a good way or bad way?"

"In a good way of course!" Jishu chuckled.  Out of the corner of his eye, he noticed someone.

"I mean, please don't mind me saying this, but I thought you were this delicate and beautiful angel who somehow knew how to shoot people and be a kick a.."

"Shut up Jishu!" Sharmila heard  Victor say in his usual gruff voice.

"Victor?? What the hell are you doing here?" Jishu asked in mock surprise.

Victor walked towards them.

"You are a pathetic actor, so stop torturing me with your performances okay?"  Victor said as he cocked his eyebrow.

"And you stop being a smartass and answer my question.  Why are you here? Don't you trust me to do my job well or you wanted to tell her everything yourself? She told me that you have already met her couple of times and explained everything.  So, why did you send her all the way here and arrive right after her? You could've saved petrol and time! I am sick of all that talk about pollution and traffic in Delhi. Don't..."

"WILL YOU STOP!!" Victor folded his hands in exasperation and Sharmila bit her lip hard, as she controlled her laugh.

"I came to meet Anosha. Where is she?" Victor said with gritted teeth, as he looked around, making sure he avoided Sharmila's gaze.

"Ooooh!!" Jishu paused dramatically before Victor gave him a frosty glare. "Anu went with Amma to the neighbourhood aunty's apartment cum parlour to get a haircut. The guard has also gone with them, as you might have already noticed."

"Okay, you guys carry on and I will make some tea for everyone." Victor said as he walked towards kitchen.

"But who wants tea? I want my coffee." Jishu blurted out before he saw Victor silently pointing at Sharmila.
"Oh.. of course. Tea for me too." Jishu added hastily before Sharmila intervened.
"I love South Indian filter coffee. If you don't mind, can I have coffee too?" She asked Victor softly.

"Sure! Coffee for three coming up!" Victor smiled back at her and turned around, only to be stopped by Jishu's mother who arrived just then with Anosha.

"Jishu!! What is wrong with you? Why are you asking Chotu to make coffee!"

"Oh come on Maa! Let him do some work at least! He is been lying around on a hospital bed and getting things done for him, for far too long."Jishu replied tongue in cheek before continuing, "Forget that lazy fellow Amma, and meet our real guest here,  Ms Sharmila Sethi, Victor's colleague. Sharmila, this is my Amma Jaya Menon and this is our childhood friend Anosha." Jishu made the introductions.

Sharmila folded her hands in respect towards Jaya Menon and looked smilingly at Anosha.

"Chotu, sit with Anosha and your colleague while I make coffee for everyone."

"Maami! Stop treating me like a guest. And for your information, I make better coffee than you." Victor ignored how Jishu and Anosha rolled their eyes at him and and went towards the kitchen.

Anosha came forward and shook hands with Sharmila. "I am so happy to  meet you, finally. I heard so much about you from Victor that I was so curious."

"Same here," Sharmila smiled and added, "You look so different than.."

"Look different than who Beti?" Jaya asked in confusion before Jishu intervened.

"The world goes round n round.. I was saying the same thing to Sharmila before Maa, and now it is Sharmila's turn. She didn't mean Anosha is different than someone but rather how she expected her to look like. We all know how Victor sucks when talking about people who are unfortunate enough to know him... I am sure he might have told Sharmila  that Anosha is a headstrong girl with a lot of attitude and bad skin and buck tooth. And so, Sharmila..." the rest of the sentence never got completed as Anosha kept throwing all the cushions on the lounge at him.

And Sharmila began to laugh, hard.

"Jishu, stop your silly jokes. Anosha's skin and teeth are flawless and so is her heart. She is a true angel." Jaya kissed Anosha on her forehead affectionately.

"Maami! I thought I was your favourite." Victor mocked as he joined them with snacks and biscuits.

"Of course you are Chotu!!.. You are my dear Nirmala' son and whenever I look at you, I feel as if I am looking at her. Same fair complexion and those lovely caring eyes. No matter how much this silly monkey mocks about you Chotu, I know that you will never do anything wrong. One look at your face and those affectionate eyes and I can tell you what is going on in your mind."

"Oh no!! All my skills in espionage are wasted when it comes to you then, Maami." Victor raised his hands in mock surrender and Jishu laughed along with him.

"I agree Maami, Victor looks so much like his mother, both in looks as well as temperament. He is very patient and kind when it matters, although he is careful not to show that side of him to anyone. He loves his Macho image too much.  Isn't there a saying Maami,  that guys are lucky if they look like their mother?" Anosha asked with a smile.

Sharmila became busy observing the changing colours in Victor's face as everyone began to reveal the truths behind the mythical image he built so carefully. But the moment his gaze turned towards her, she averted her eyes and caught up with the conversation again.

"I remember how Arunya used to complain  when she was little, why she was dark when Chotu was  fair. Even Victor's Baba..." Jaya stopped midway as the smile on Victor's face evaporated. She turned to Sharmila in a fluster.
"I am sorry Beti, we must be boring you stiff with our talks. Let me get those coffees" She rose and Victor joined her awkwardly.

"I will go and have a quick shower and join you guys later." Anosha excused herself as Jishu moved closer to Sharmila.

"Okay let's talk about more pleasant topics now. Sharath's major drug dens are in these areas and his supply trucks run through this route.." Jishu zoomed on a map on his iPad and showed it to Sharmila.

****. 

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

Hi all

This is a significant chapter and I hope some of the questions you raised in the last chapter are cleared here.  

Every event ever conversation is building up towards a climax and I hope you are enjoying this journey.

Let me know your thoughts through comments.

Cheers

Sesi.