"Optimism is the faith that leads to achievement. Nothing can be done without hope and confidence. "

-Helen Keller

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Indrayan's pov:

We had the plan etched out but the question is, Is it that easy to be executed?
Sampurnaa may have people all around her but she had just herself inside the brothel to protect herself and her identity from while spying. It's not that I do not trust her abilities, it is simply that I cannot rely on external security for a woman's safety inside such a place.

Sampurnaa was sitting silent and still in one corner of the room.

I cleared my throat to get her attention. She looked at me questioningly. One could easily identify the fatigue in her eyes. They were dropping but I couldn't let her go to sleep at least not now.

I had to talk some serious business with her, "Shall we discuss the court proceedings and evidence we might find? We also have to discuss the questions that you may be asked at the court as a key witness. And as per Sridha is concerned, I shall ensure that she is well intimated about the court protocol and the answers that she has to give. As you requested, the trial is going to be a private one. The police have already noted down the details of the suspects and the accused from Sridha. The men who have forced themselves on her were local thugs, bachelors, divorcees with sufficient income. However, there is news I forgot to let you on. Apparently, the man Sridha ended up killing in defense, well, he was the son of the human resource development minister. His death was not reported because he was an illegitimate child and there are a lot of twists in the tale. From what the police have gathered from local informers, the minister was planning to wait till the election results i.e., tomorrow before he announced this news."

"I am already a bit aware of the questions that I may be asked at the court. Moreover, I don't need to be briefed because I am anyways going to speak out the truth. As per Sridha is concerned, her family and I, believe her case is in the best hands possible. So there's no doubt that you shall be excellent as the prosecutor yet again.
What kindles my curiosity though, is one simple question, 'why is the minister waiting for the election results to be declared?'The polls have been closed long ago and the votes have been cast as well. He couldn't possibly gain anything out of hiding all this. As per the legitimacy of the child is concerned, the minister is a widower, he doesn't have to worry about his image, wife, or family. "

I had expected her to be this well informed but she failed to analyze this from another point of view of political gain. I decided to enlighten her, "The minister has worked relentlessly for the past few weeks. He wants to show the world how dedicated he is to have ignored his own pain and concentrated on people's welfare instead. He wants to win the prime minister's favor and the people's confidence so he gets a better post as the new union minister. Even if his party fails to come to power, his loss will be mourned by the nation and his rapist son's name shall be hailed. Irrespective of where his son had been found dead, people would simply blame the opposition of a planned murder. This is politics! A father is definitely going to use his son's death to his own favor."

Her reaction screamed disbelief. Beneath the facade of a strong, fearless, and daring reporter, dwelled a sensitive woman who valued love and relationships.
Her eyes had moistened when I mentioned her parents' worried state. She was definitely not someone who could relate to this ruthless materialistic world.

She opened her mouth to say something but stopped midway. I gestured for her to continue and then it all came out in one breath, "The human resource development minister's son, the CEO of an MNC, kidnapped college girls, sold women, cheated wives, teenagers who are older than their age physically... What more has this place got?
A father who wants to use his son's untimely demise to his advantage. He doesn't even care about the fact that his son was a criminal! That a young girl was raped! Do such people run our nation? They are our representatives?! And we actually go and vote for them?! "

Her eyes were fiery and you could just tell that a volcano was about to erupt. She was so like me, snapping when angry, erupting when furious. She was like a storm... Which rose to cause havoc... Only to those, who deserved to be uprooted.
..................

Sampurnaa's pov :

Indrayan's revelation was like a bucket of ice-cold water thrown on me. The man who had been killed was a union minister's son?

This case was indeed so twisted!

Judging from the current happenings, the new facts, and the new faces, one thing was clear, i.e., our fight was against people who reeked power. And with the amount of evidence we had managed, it would barely be enough to win Sridha's justice. We had a little less than 60 hours in hand... And we needed something big...

Indrayan was in deep thought as was I. He was looking away into space. Then out of nowhere, he asked, "How did you manage to smash the window pane? "

I looked at him a bit uneasily as I had not expected this question from him. Yet, I answered, "I had to throw my heels at the window pane. The shoes I had been wearing are now out of the window and I am barefoot. "

He sighed and tried to maintain a hard look on his face but he failed, "And you did not think for once that when the window pane is smashed, there will be glass on the floor? "

I nodded a no like a guilty child.
He chuckled. I guess my antics were such!

"Indrayan?", I asked.
He hummed in response.

"You know that Sridha escaped from the window, right? "
He nodded.

"They even replaced the pane and the glass frame to cover up the tracks! I think the minister was also trying to stage his son's death in another location in order to avoid suspicion on his son's character."

He replied, "This could definitely be the matter. Maybe one of the reasons why the death was not reported. I also believe with conviction that there will be no post-mortem done. The minister will simply bribe some doctor and get a false report made. He is bound to change the time and date of death as well. We are going to be treading on thin ice while addressing all this.
Where we are now, is a dead-end! You either go back on your track to get something you may have missed earlier or you simply re-route. Either way, we have to reach the same destination; JUSTICE for Sridha! "

I nodded again.

It was past 2 a.m. now. I was on the verge of falling asleep but I had to stay awake.

Indrayan must have read my thoughts or simply deciphered from the huge yawn that escaped my lips without permission.
He shook his head and then asked me to catch up with some sleep. I had to be awake the rest of the days and during the daytime anyways. He assured me that I would be woken up before he headed back. They had anyways paid for the rooms till 7.00 am.

I needn't be told twice. I simply nodded, lied down on the floor with an arm under my head for support.

Within seconds, everything around me went black and I drifted away to a void where momentary peace existed.
.........................

Indrayan pov:

She simply drifted off to sleep in that uncomfortable position. It was perceptible how tired she was.

It was almost 3 now, there were 4 hours more to go. The surrounding buildings which were also brothels still had lights on.

The policemen and Vinay were supposed to escape at around 3.30 with the girls. The police were sure the rest of the people would either have passed out by then or at least tired themselves out. The extra force had been called as a precaution. A few of the extra policemen were supposed to stay back for Sampurnaa's safety.

I had no clue what was going on outside, so I simply sat down on the floor waiting for 4 hours to pass by.

.......

It was around 3.20 now, I heard a small knock at the door. Sampurnaa was so deep in sleep that she did not even flinch at the sound.
I slowly opened the door. It was Vinay!
"Sir, we are ready to escape! Ask Sampurnaa to hurry up!", he said.

I simply told him of my conversation with Sampurnaa and about her adamancy.
He was shocked and just wanted to convince Sampurnaa to escape with them.
I stopped him and asked him to go. I would leave later, only at 7. I had to ensure Sampurnaa's safety.
Vinay nodded and before leaving handed over the spare Bluetooth earpiece, camera, and recorder for her use.
..........

I had dozed off, seated against the wall. The sun had risen amidst the dark monsoon clouds.
It was around 6.45.
I decided to wake Sampurnaa now.

She tossed and turned for 12 whole minutes muttering 'two minutes more'.
It was honestly sweet but she had to wake up now.
She finally woke up and sat up straight rubbing her eyes.
It was hard to believe at that moment that a journalist could even reside inside this girl.
She mumbled a good morning.
I wished her back and then briefed her quickly, "I am leaving now Sampurnaa. I shall try to be back here tonight so you can be safe. The new earpiece, recorder, and camera have been kept on the dressing table. Do not go anywhere without them! The police are here and a female constable might come here in the disguise of a brothel owner. You shall know her at first glance. Keep yourself alert and safe. Okay?"

She nodded.
I turned to leave but she stopped me.

I looked back and then she said, "I know my parents would be worried and angry. I know Dada and Boudi would be frantic with worry. Just tell them I promised to be safe. And that they should know the same way they have all these years, I never break my promises. "

Her eyes reflected her strong emotions and I could sense her inner turmoil.

"I shall tell them what you said. And don't just promise to them. Promise me, your partner against crime that you will be safe," I said looking her straight in the eye.

She smiled and intertwined my little finger with hers promising like a kid, but with seriousness and promise in her voice, "I promise I shall be safe."

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To be continued...
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A/N

Double update... Votes please🙏 comments double, please 🙏