RIP

by Deva,Mukul

  ‘They were both para commandoes,’ Nanda pointed out. ‘They must have.’

  ‘Find out more. Dig deeper.’ Vinod was about to hang up when he saw Krishna, Raghav and Reena heading for the exit. ‘And Nanda, also find out how Reena Bhagat and Athawale know each other. Dig hard,’ he emphasized as he ended the call.

  *

  At the other end. Nandakumar passed the required orders to three investigating teams; one per subject. He knew he should call this in to Karunakaran right away; the man had been emphatic about being kept in the loop about everything to do with the RIP. And Nandakumar was in no position to refuse. However, not looking forward to talking to him, Nanda decided to defer it for the moment.

  Let the detailed investigation reports come in. Then.

  On that note Nanda went back to work. Feeling better even with this little act of defiance. He knew it possibly did not amount to much, yet knowing that he may screw up things for Bhagat and Karunakaran gave him immense satisfaction.

  *

  Not that it would have made much of a difference. At this very moment Karunakaran was already up shit creek without a paddle. The normally placid PM was giving him the mindfuck of a lifetime.

  ‘What are your people doing? How could this have happened?’ The PM was fuming. ‘Do you have any idea what’ll happen if we give in to the demands of the RIP? Especially now . . . the Hazarika agitation has gotten the nation on the boil. He is now on the sixth day of the hunger strike and the country is on the verge of rebellion.’

  ‘But that could work in our favour. He may well . . .’

  ‘Are you crazy KK? Or just plain stupid?’ The PM had thrown a fit. Karunakaran could still feel the tips of his ears tingling with humiliation. ‘If this blows up we are all going down. Have no doubts about it. Each and every one of us.’

  ‘Then why don’t we sacrifice a few of the smaller ones? Something to pacify the people and . . .’

  ‘Which smaller ones? If we take action against any of the ministers, you think they will take it lying down? They will come out fighting and blow the lid off other issues . . . and then . . . what do you think will happen?’

  ‘So, maybe it’s time for us to do what Yadav proposed.’ Karunakaran tried again. ‘Why not divert public attention with another crisis? A bigger one.’

  ‘Such as?’ The PM made no attempt to mask his sarcasm.

  ‘Well, Yadav was saying we could have an incident on the border. Something that gets the Pakis or the Bangladeshis going and diverts public attention. That’s always worked.’

  ‘Yadav is a bloody fool.’ The PM had never been overly fond of Yadav to begin with. ‘Such a situation has never arisen before . . . not since the damn British quit India. Don’t you get it? The people are very agitated.’

  ‘But these things have worked before. We did it when that Bofors thing was blowing out of proportion and also when . . .’ Karunakaran’s mumble was cut off by the PM.

  ‘Tell Yadav to keep his silly ideas to himself. With the war on terror going on, and so many governments being overthrown by popular uprisings, the world’s attention is already focused on our situation. Things have changed, KK. Do I really need to spell this out for you? None of that nonsense will work right now.’

  ‘How about something else? Like having the Maoists kidnap someone or . . .’

  ‘Even if that worked, how long will we be able to drag it? A few days? A couple of weeks at best. Then what?’

  ‘But we cannot give in to RIP’s demands. It will be outright capitulation and open a Pandora’s box. We will all go down.’

  ‘No, we cannot.’ The PM was aware of that. All these years, no matter which party came to power, they all survived because all of them were in cahoots. All of them aware that if they kept quiet about the others, they in turn would keep quiet about them, and everyone got to milk the nation. That is how the Indian politician had survived all these years. That is why no Indian politician had ever been found guilty of any wrongdoing or convicted by any court. RIP had threatened the status quo in a manner that had never happened before. ‘That is why we . . . you have to find them and stop them.’

  ‘We are trying . . .’

  ‘Trying? I’m not interested in what you’re trying.’ The PM lost control of his anger once again. ‘You are the one who screwed up and couldn’t stop these guys. You will sort it out. I want you to go on air immediately and announce that the government will not bow down or give in to such criminal vigilante acts.’

  ‘But . . .’

  ‘No buts, KK, just do what I’m telling you to.’ The PM was obdurate now. ‘I want you to say that we will act against corruption and punish those guilty but not in the face of such vigilantism and criminal threats.’ Then he handed out the final zinger. ‘Before you start with your press conference get to Race Course Road. Madam wants to brief you personally. Her son, Ranvijay, is also going to make a similar statement in parliament.’ The PM’s words had an ominous ring to them. Karunakaran grimaced, not at all enthused by the palace summons. Madam was not known to mince her words.

  Karunakaran’s blood pressure had climbed several notches by the time he put down the phone. His head was pounding as he alerted Yadav and Kamble, and ordered his staff to call a press conference. Then, reluctantly, very reluctantly, he headed out for Race Course Road, to Madam’s house, where she usually held court. That’s where the shots were called and decisions made. The PM’s office in South Block was just for ceremonial purposes, like entertaining visiting heads of states and giving press conferences.

  Everyone knew where the buck stopped.

  *

  The Delhi-based quartet of K-Team heard the home minister’s press conference come to an end.

  ‘So, they’re not going to do anything.’ Krishna was thoughtful as he switched off the TV. ‘Why am I not surprised?’

  ‘We have to strike again then,’ Kulwant said tautly.

  ‘That’s right.’ Kashif was equally angry. ‘If we stop now all this would have been a waste.’

  Krishna, uneasy, especially after his conversation with Reena the previous evening, ran his eyes over them. He knew they were right . . . stopping now would render everything they had done till now meaningless. More importantly their backing down now might even embolden the already brazen politicians. Krishna sensed K-Team would not take it well if he even suggested they stand down now. However he felt compelled to spell out the enhanced danger.

  ‘Guys, you do realize it is going to get increasingly tougher now. We cannot hope to be lucky every time. Sooner or later one of us will slip up, or they will get lucky . . . and they need to get lucky only once . . . just once and . . .’ he broke off, unwilling to complete that thought.

  ‘But we knew that all along, sir. None of us signed up for this because it was going to be easy.’

  ‘True.’ Kulwant’s chin was thrust out aggressively. ‘We started out to take these corrupt bastards to task and we should not stop till we’ve done it.’

  ‘On the contrary, now we must strike at someone really important. So big and important that it will ensure the government cannot ignore us any longer,’ Kashif added.

  ‘So be it.’ Sensing the mood and unwilling to let the team down Krishna agreed, but he was not feeling good about it. ‘But this time we will prime the strike first and only then announce the target . . . only when we are ready to strike. Let’s not make it any harder for ourselves than it already is.’

  Then they all went back to the drawing board and began to re-look at the contingencies they had planned.

  ‘Six days for the planning, recon and arranging the materials,’ Krishna summed up when they finished going over the options and had zeroed in on their next target. ‘We strike on the seventh day. And this time we announce just before we strike, so that the cops have very minimal reaction time.’

  ‘I agree but we should try and strike sooner if possible,’ Karan observed. ‘Hazarika has already been on strike for about a week and may not las
t another one. If he dies his group may lose heart and scatter.’

  ‘True,’ Krishna concurred. ‘We’re hoping they will come up with some good alternate leaders to take charge.’

  One by one they all nodded. Enthusiasm was high, but their nods were sombre. This time they knew the stakes were too high, as was the danger. Every little detail was critical and would need to be checked and re-checked. The final strike had to be perfect in every detail. The target was better than well protected.

  They knew that the smallest slip-up could mean death. The mission was important to them, but like all good soldiers they preferred to let the enemy do the dying.

  *

  ‘So? What’s new?’ Raghav asked himself with a sarcastic laugh as he flicked off the TV, killing the home minister’s press conference.

  Karunakaran’s endless, droning monotone had begun to irritate him. In any case, his mind was still caught up with Reena. Their two chance meetings had shaken him. Sitting within touching reach of her during the two-hour long flight, being able to once again smell her perfume, see her smile, and hear her laugh had made him realize how badly he wanted her in his life again.

  For hours now he had been pacing restlessly, trying to work up the courage to call her, explain to her, plead with her, but he was unable to decide what to say to her. Finally, deciding that he would just keep pleading till she relented . . . she has to . . . how can she throw away so many years of marriage just because I made a . . . Raghav broke away from that thought, realizing it was more than a mistake, there had been several flings, too numerous to count . . . but we had been happy . . . and Azaan also needs me . . . I’m his father damnit.

  Shelving his doubts he reached for his mobile.

  It rang as he picked it up. The calling number was familiar.

  Damn! That moron Karunakaran again.

  ‘Yes, sir.’ Raghav knew he could not ignore the call.

  ‘Captain.’ Like always Karunakaran launched straight into it. ‘I just got off the phone with Vinod. The CBI has you down as one of their suspects. You and some army colleague of yours . . . some Colonel Krishna Athawale. Apparently Vinod spotted the two of you travelling to Mumbai a day before the last RIP murder and then back the day after it. For some reason both of you aroused his suspicions. What’s going on?’

  ‘Nothing, sir.’ Raghav controlled his laugh. ‘The colonel is a guy I knew from back when I was in service. Just ran into him on the flight. Sheer coincidence.’

  ‘If you say so, but be warned that the CBI is now investigating both of you as possible suspects.’

  ‘Did they mention why? Was it just the timing of our arrival in and departure from Mumbai or . . .’

  ‘I don’t get into such details, captain.’ Karunakaran did not wish to let Raghav know that Vinod Bedi had not yet briefed him. ‘Anyway, tell me what you are doing to track down the RIP now?’

  ‘Now? You still want me to work on it? I thought that . . .’

  ‘We’re not paying you to think, captain.’ Karunakaran’s arrogant tone made Raghav feel like punching him. ‘We want you to find them . . . come what may.’

  ‘Fine, sir, I will get on to it right away, but you do understand that whatever you paid me is already finished.’

  ‘You’re a greedy bastard, Raghav. I will send some more, but this is it. Till you show some results.’ His tone hardened. ‘And don’t even dream of taking our money and then letting us down.’

  Raghav felt another surge of anger. Also, he was forced to admit, a frisson of fear. He was not feeling so great when the call ended, but he still went ahead and called Reena.

  Perhaps it was because he brought up Azaan’s birthday, or perhaps she was hoping he wanted to talk peace and would be willing to let her keep Azaan’s custody. Either way Reena agreed to meet him the following evening.

  Perhaps she too has been equally affected after running into him . . . perhaps she is now ready to listen. Raghav felt a surge of elation. Maybe she will soften more if I tell her that I want to create a nice, big trust fund for Azaan. She will realize that I genuinely care for him.

  He was in a much happier frame when he put down the phone and again began to focus on hunting down the RIP.

  So, even the cops suspect Krishna Athawale. I wonder why? Raghav mulled over that, wondering what he may have missed that the cops had not. What else have they got that Karunakaran did not know . . . or forgot to tell me . . . then . . . a nastier thought . . . or chose not to tell me . . . he shrugged it away, knowing it was a futile road to travel on . . . Let’s dig a little deeper and see what we can come up with.

  Getting onto the phone again he began to task his remaining ten team members.

  Then he hit the sack. Happy that he would be meeting Reena the next afternoon. As sleep enveloped him he could almost smell her perfume. Somehow he was sure he would be able to make her see sense.

  TEN

  LOCATED IN THE alley to the left as one enters Khan Market, Route 04 is a nice little pub, modelled on the lines of an American diner. It is popular with office goers and college students seeking a pleasant ambience and happy hours alcohol.

  Dressed in a formal business suit, Raghav was already there when Reena walked in. He had taken the effort to dress carefully, wanting to convey an impression of sobriety and seriousness, as far from the flamboyant image that he normally exuded.

  My god! She is lovely! Raghav stood as Reena walked up.

  And she was. Dressed in a pink and white salwar-kameez with a matching, white Coach bag, she was looking enchantingly fresh, like an advertisement for some beauty product.

  Raghav was aching to give her a hug, but she, perhaps sensing that, held out her hand quickly. Disappointed, but unwilling to push his luck or stampede her, he shook it and then pulled a chair for her. Raghav sensed her discomfort as she perched on the edge of the seat, bird-like, giving the impression that she was ready to take flight at the first sign of anything that discomfited her.

  ‘You’re looking very nice.’ Leaning forward, using that deep tone which he knew she had always found very attractive.

  ‘Thank you.’ Reena sensed he was switching on the charm and pulled back instinctively. ‘How are you doing?’ She was clearly unwilling to allow the conversation to get personal. Already she was having misgivings about this meeting. Her lawyer had advised her to refrain from any contact with Raghav till the custody case was resolved, for fear that she could be pressurized, misquoted or misguided. Even so, she had opted to meet him when Raghav mentioned this meeting was to do with Azaan. Reena was hoping that he had begun to see light and wanted to talk about dropping the custody case, but would try to negotiate for more visitation rights or some such face-saving thing. Reena was aware that he had not said any such thing, but the keen hope burning in her had drawn her to this meeting; the fear of losing Azaan was tearing her apart.

  ‘Not so well. I’m not doing well at all.’ Raghav picked up on the opportunity immediately. ‘Not since you left. I am now realizing how much I need you . . . both of you. How much both of you mean to me. And how wrong I was.’

  ‘Raghav please let us not . . .’

  ‘No Reena, give me a couple of minutes please,’ Raghav insisted. ‘I know I was wrong. I realize that now and I am very, very sorry for that. I want you to please give me another chance. I promise you I will make up for everything wrong that I did . . . for all the hurt that I caused you. Please. I promise you.’ He forced a pleading note in his voice. ‘Just give me . . . give us one more chance . . . for Azaan’s sake. Please.’

  To say the least, Reena was taken aback. She had not been sure what to expect from this meeting, but she had definitely not expected this. She was also aware of Raghav’s habit of begging forgiveness and then reverting to his old self and habits very soon.

  ‘Raghav, I don’t think you understand.’ She forced herself to remain calm, sensing that he had mellowed and aware that if he got antagonized again the custody battle for Azaan could turn worse. Des
pite that she held her space firmly. ‘My trust, everything I believed in, my values, they all got shattered when you . . .’ she broke off, aware that the blame game would not be helpful. ‘Anyway. The point is that I don’t know if I have the strength to try again. Or even if I want to.’

  Raghav knew that when push came to shove Reena could be as tough as nails. He did not want to allow her stance to harden. Immediately he changed tack. ‘But you can think about it Reena. Please. Just think about it. I promise I will make up for everything.’

  ‘Fine.’ Realizing this was not going anywhere, and conflicted with Azaan’s indisputable need to have his father around, which Raghav had cleverly highlighted, Reena finally forced herself to nod, a brief, uncertain nod. ‘I will think about it.’

  ‘That’s great.’ Raghav knew her well enough to know she would think it over. He leaned back with a big smile, acting as though he knew her answer would eventually be yes. ‘Should I check with you again day after? At Azaan’s birthday party? May I come for it please?’

  ‘No, Raghav.’ Alarmed Reena pushed back immediately. ‘We’ve already been through this. You are not coming to my house till the court case is resolved. You know that. If you want to meet Azaan please pick him up from the gate or just tell me when and where I should bring him.’

  ‘I’m sorry you still feel like that Reena. I thought . . .’

  ‘Well, you should have thought of that before filing the custody case Raghav. Why blame me for trying to defend myself.’

  ‘Fine, fine.’ Raghav made a placatory gesture. ‘I did what I did, only because I care for him . . . for both of you.’

  ‘Well then . . .’ Reena broke off, realizing anything she said would likely degenerate into an argument. She was now clearly eager to leave. ‘Is there anything else?’

  ‘What’s the hurry? Have a coffee or a drink . . .’