•••

Nothing felt straight. It all felt twisted! And I don't know how I ended up in this crap. The whole crime investigation wall I built, is now turning an evidence against me. It is tearing me. I couldn't believe how my own guesses is turned over to me. The man is too smart. Too smart to be believed as a human being.

But I can't even do such a thing even in my unconscious state! Being an upright cop is imbibed in my blood. I can never indulge in such a crappy crime!

But I am sure of one thing: The person who has turned the tables has turned it real hard for me. I kept walking to and fro in the cosy room of Nethra's. And speaking of Nethra... I just can't believe that I'm away from her. Though we are under the same roof for the past eight months, I can't digest this 24 hours of separation from her, how am I to deal my life without her?! Even she doesn't believe me that I'm not involved in this crime.

She is the smartest woman I've seen but how does she blindly believe that I'm Mr.A? Just how?! Is this the future we had seen for our relationship!? Even she doesn't trust me.... and that explains how smart the bloody bastard A is!!! Damn him!

The very own people whom I had pride in having as colleagues will be at the doorsteps anytime now to cuff me and put me behind bars. This can't get any worse! Oh God! Why did I live to this day! Is this what a uncorrupted cop gets at the end of the day? Is this what a good cop destined to face while the bastards enjoy at the lap of luxury!?

I sat on my bed with a thud and buried my face in my palms. I am just clueless of what I should do Next! In fact, I'm even clueless of what's happening now. "Dhruv..." I heard a faint voice calling. I removed my palms from my face. An energetic smile took over my countenance. A ray of hope dawned in my heart. I turned back in an instant to look at her.

"Nethra... you're finally he...." with my arms slightly open I walked to Nethra who was standing at the door. But she interrupted with her hand raised to my face level. "I'm not here to hear your 'I'm Innocent' testimonies, Dhruv! The nation knows how ill of a culprit you are! In fact soon you'll be world sensation!" Her eyes cruelly penetrated my heart as I heard the words which I never wanted to hear from her.

"Do you even have a single thought of what I'm going through!?" Her voice broke. I couldn't face her. My eyes fixed it's focus on the floor. "When nobody believed You, I believed You! And today.... here I stand, for believing You!" She opened her arms wide, to indicate her presence with a disgust in her voice. "The police suspects me too!" Her voice was completely low. I quickly looked at her. Her eyes were red and teary. She dropped her hands abruptly and looked at me with her tear stricken face.

"What!?" It merely escaped from my mouth as a whisper. She wiped her tears and folded her arms. "Yes... they think I'm the informer for your filthy job, Dhruv!" Her eyes were red still, not of sadness but of anger and frustration. "This is what you've earned for a true patriot like me!" The wound her words created in me knew no bounds. The same words were applicable to me too, but nobody are ready to believe!

"Nethra... listen... whatever you say applies to me too! I am NOT the culprit!" I raised my voice unknowingly. "Oh Please tell it to the walls... they might actually believe You!" She spoke again. I closed my eyes in grief. Did I really love the woman who doesn't give a thought about me! But I can't give up on her! She is my lifeline... "Nethra listen to me.... I'm really not guilty... the guy in the recording is not me! How many times do I have to tell you this! Please believe me baby...." I said placing my hands on her shoulders.

"Baby?! Baby who!?" She asked me, her eyes looking at me sarcastically, as she crossed her arms. I continued to look at her, chanting a million prayers wishing her not to say what I believe she wants to say. "Everything is over, Dhruv.... everything!" Her brows raised and her eyes grew dramatically. My hands sloped down her shoulders in shock. My feet went apart from her. My lips parted in distraught.

"Nethra!?" I uttered in disbelief. She looked away, "That moment when you've played with love and took advantage of the information for your filthy crime... it was all over! Now I want one thing from You!" Her demand followed a pause. I still get out of the moment. "Just testify to the police that I'm innocent of your dirty doings and I'm still true to my job and nation, unlike you are... or maybe even I myself can prove!!!" She said in a breath and stormed out of the room.

I felt the world collapsing under my feet. One more word of hatred and I might die! I leaned on the wall and sloped until my butt hit the floor. My eyes closed in anguish. Tears of helplessness flooded down.

I.AM.SO.GOING.TO.GET.BACK.TO.YOU.Mr.A......

•••

I stormed out of the room as soon as I spoke of my fake-hatred to him! I entered the guest room and threw myself on to the bed. I curled up like a foetus. My body shivered as I whimpered. Tears of disdain towards myself knew no bounds. I cried my heart out and there was no end to it. I can never forgive myself for speaking all those cruel things to My Dhruv.

How did that poor soul manage all what I talked to him!? But then... the case of Mr.A... damn you! Damn You, you imposter! You played way too much with my feelings!

The sound of the sirens got more wilder and closer. I got up and rushed to the window which faced the main gates from the room . Through the blind shutter's gap I looked down at the happening. Two policemen walked towards the car from the gate and followed them was my man, cuffed and dragged like a criminal. My palms involuntarily closed my mouth to muffle my cries. He slowly reached the car with two more officers. He stood there like his feet were stuck to the ground. My eyebrows furrowed. His neck had movement and slowly tilted towards my direction. I quickly shut the blinds and pulled myself an inch back. My cries didn't stop yet. With one palm still covering my mouth, I slowly pulled my courage to open the blinds again. I peeked slightly to catch a look of his, before he left to be proven guilty. He had sat in the car by then. A policeman got in and closed the door.

The patrol slowly left the driveway with its haunting noise of the siren as I looked at it with a hope that a miracle should happen. Will it happen......?

•••

And there in a Palatial House at the posh end of Zurich, sat a woman in her plush velvet throne chair enjoying the pleasure of her chamomile tea and the crispy news of archaeologic crime. "Impressive, son" she remarked. "I mean.... Mr.A" she corrected herself, with a voice possessing triumph. The well built man with a wicked smile turned to his mother. "More to come, mommy...." he pouted and then burst into vile laughter.

•••

~shubhzz_luv

~sadhubhai