"What are you so arrogant about?" (Geetika said as she staggered when Kalpana pushed her away.)
"Think whatever you want, but I told you to stay away from me. Yet here you are, tracing the path to my home." (Kalpana shot back in her blunt manner.)
"I have no interest in that, and had I known this was your house, I would have stayed miles away." (This time Geetika steadied herself, straightened up, and tilted her phone so that the flashlight shone directly on Kalpana's face, its reflection flashing into her eyes.)
"Ah, turn that off!" (Kalpana shut her eyes, turned her face to the left, and snapped irritably before continuing.)
"Outside was one thing, but you won't let me have peace even in my own home. Brainless woman." (These words from Kalpana stung Geetika deeply.)
"I already told you, even if your house was the last standing one in this entire valley, I still wouldn't step near it!" (Geetika clenched her teeth as she went on.)
"I just can't believe such a soft-hearted, humble, loving lady could have a daughter like you. Arrogant, selfish, short-tempered, heartless—you are awful. But all of this is just your inflated ego. I doubt even your parents know what you really are. If they did, they would have disowned you long ago."
Geetika's words landed like burning embers.
"Get out." (Kalpana's voice carried sheer hardness.)
Even in the darkness of the room, she shut her eyes tight, turned her head sharply, and made her tone even harsher.
"I said, get out. Or it won't take me a moment to throw you out myself. So do yourself a favor and walk out on your own. You want to see my arrogance? You won't be able to handle it. So get out of my room now. Quickly. Don't waste my time."
Kalpana felt her ears burn with heat. She could have shouted even louder, but this was her house—Gaurav was sleeping here, Amma was here—so she restrained herself. Still, the force she let slip was enough for Geetika to feel it. Now she knew for sure—this was indeed Kalpana's home. Grinding her teeth in frustration, Geetika found herself in a strange, helpless state. With that emotion, she spat out:
"I don't know what God wants, otherwise I wouldn't even tolerate hearing your name in my ears. Shameless human being!" (Saying this, Geetika, with the help of her phone's torch, moved toward the door to leave the room.)
Outside, the weather was vicious—howling winds, heavy snowfall, and no sign of electricity anywhere. Suddenly, Kalpana's eyes fell on the window. The curtain fluttered lightly, revealing a fleeting glimpse outside. In that instant, she noticed something. She stepped closer, pulled the curtain aside slightly, and her suspicion turned into certainty. Someone was out there, staring toward her house. In a rush, she quickened her steps and hurried out of her room.
I'll have to stop the journalist," Kalpana said, worry showing clearly on her face.
She looked outside and saw Amma holding back Geetika, speaking to her about something.
"Look, Kalpana beti has also come," Amma said, tilting slightly past Geetika to look at her.
A dim red lamp, what we can call a lantern, was glowing in the hall. Its soft light spread all around.
"Beti, now you stop her. She just won't listen. Even in this terrible weather and at such a late hour, she's insisting on leaving," Amma said sweetly, her voice full of affection.
Geetika stood with her back facing Kalpana.
"Stay back. You're elder, right? So I'm making a request to you. Amma and you are both so well-mannered, so humble. Then surely you won't, and can't, disrespect the wishes of your elders. Miss Journalist," Kalpana said with a sharp edge in her voice as she sat down on the sofa.
Her taunt worked. Geetika's ears burned again, but she ignored Kalpana.
"Aunty, I'm only staying because of you," she said, looking at Amma.
"Arrey beti, I've been saying the same thing for so long. Good, now both of you go to your rooms. It's late at night—go to sleep."
Kalpana let out a long breath of relief, got up from the sofa, and softly muttered…
"Ah, finally found her weak point." She smiled faintly.
"Beti, go to your room and sleep," Amma told Geetika.
Just as Kalpana was about to sit down on the sofa again, she turned back at Amma's words.
"No problem, Aunty. I'm fine right here," Geetika said, making a face.
Kalpana shook her head as if to brush off the matter and walked toward her own room. She went back to the window, looking outside again. But this time the spot was empty.
Her heart didn't feel at ease. She lay down on the bed, turned side to side in restlessness, then finally got up. Slowly, she walked toward Gaurav's room. With careful steps, she went close to him, tilted her lips slightly, and whispered softly in her mind:
"This age isn't meant for struggle, child. Keep this innocence intact, because there are people everywhere waiting to snatch it away."
With that, Kalpana adjusted Gaurav's quilt, gently stroked his head with a tenderness beyond words, and quietly said—
"But I can't keep you here."
Showing her care and affection toward Gaurav, Kalpana got up and started walking toward her room. She had to pass through the hall, and there her eyes stopped at one spot, making her feet slow down. In the dim light of the hall, Geetika's face was glowing. She had her hands tucked under her cheeks, knees folded up. After watching her for a moment, Kalpana's lips curved into the faintest smile before her eyes shifted to the other sofa where a blanket lay — the one Amma had given Geetika, though she hadn't taken it.
Kalpana quietly picked up the blanket and spread it lightly over Geetika, careful not to touch her even by accident. Just then, Geetika stirred a little, and the pillow under her head slipped to the floor. Kalpana stepped back, let out a long sigh, and whispered softly:
"She can't even manage one pillow under her head. How does she manage so much information in her mind? This too must be a mission for her."
Saying this, Kalpana knelt down by Geetika's head, picked up the pillow with her right hand, then lifted Geetika's head gently with her index finger on her temple. In a hushed voice she teased:
"There's hardly a brain in here, so why is her head so heavy? Looks like the valley's snow has filled it up."
With that, she slid the pillow back under Geetika's head and let it drop with a small thud. Geetika stirred again but, still asleep, adjusted herself on the pillow. Kalpana then quietly left, went into her own room, and lay down. She drifted into a deep sleep without realizing, only waking when morning had already arrived.
After getting ready, she stepped into the hall.
"Oh, Mr. Gaurav, did you eat your toast?" Kalpana asked with a smile.
"Yes, I did. Good morning," Gaurav replied, his mouth still full of toast.
"Good morning, child," Kalpana said, patting his head before sitting down on a chair.
"Has Ravi come yet?" she asked Amma while sipping her tea.
"Yes, he has," Amma answered while working.
"And has your guest left already?" Kalpana asked again, turning her head to look around.
"Yes, dear, she left very early in the morning. She got a call from someone." (Amma replied to Kalpana while continuing her work.)
"Alright, I'll leave now. You don't step outside, Gaurav ji, okay? And you too, Amma—if you need anything, just call me. There's no need to go out. Especially at this time."
"Alright." (Amma nodded at Kalpana's words.)
Saying this, Kalpana put on her glasses, lifted her chin, draped her leather jacket across her shoulders, and stepping outside, she said,
"Good morning, Ravi ji, how are you?"
"Good morning, ma'am. Everything's fine." (He walked quickly toward the car, opened the door, and said,)
"Ravi, please don't do this. I can open the door myself." (Kalpana said in a very gentle manner and sat inside the car.)
Ravi also got into his seat and started the car.
"How's the little angel, and how is her mother doing?" (Kalpana asked with a smile, looking into the mirror at Ravi.)
"Both are absolutely fine. They've come home, ma'am." (Ravi said as he started the car.)
"How many times have I told you, Ravi, and how many more times will I have to say this—don't use that word. Just call me by my name." (Kalpana said in very clear words and picked up a book with her right hand.)
Ravi smiled, and the two headed toward the base.
"Thank God you regained consciousness, you big Don." (Geetika said with a wide smile, rushing over to Suraj and hugging him tightly.)
"Oh really, are you going to break me now?" (Suraj said, feeling her hug and holding Geetika with his right hand.)
Geetika's eyes turned slightly moist.
"Relax, he's fine now." (Anu said while gently patting Geetika's back.)
"Please sit." (Abhi pulled out a chair, looking at his fiancée with love.)
"Thank you." (Jarnab bowed her head slightly, acknowledging Abhi's gesture.)
"So, you finally found the time to pull out a chair for me today?" (Jarnab teased sarcastically.)
"Alright, alright—I accept your complaint wholeheartedly." (Abhi scratched his ear, responding playfully.)
"Whatever punishment you give, I'll accept, my love."
Hearing such beautiful words for herself, Jarnab's face turned crimson red, especially because as he said it, Abhi gently held her hand.
"Sir, your order?" (The waiter approached and spoke.)
"Oh man, you scared me!" (Abhi said, looking at the waiter.) "At least give us some time—we just sat down."
Hearing this, Jarnab gave a soft smile. The waiter stepped aside and moved toward another table.
Right behind Abhi's table, an older man was sipping tea and reading the newspaper. From his seat, Abhi had a clear view of the back page—and right there, Kalpana's name was clearlyvisible. Jarnab also turned to look from Abhi's angle, and she too read the same thing he was reading. She quietly closed her eyes.
Sir! It's my request, please give me this page." (Abhi requested the old man.)
"Of course, son," the old man said, and he pulled out the page and handed it to Abhi.
"Thank you sir! Thank you!" (Abhi took the paper, returned to his table, and continued.) "Jarnab, my love, please leave from here now." (Jarnab smiled as always.)
Smiling, she shook her head in refusal and said,
"Panda and you."
Abhi smiled, held Jarnab's hand, and drove away with her in his car. After going a little distance, Abhi stopped the car and said,
"Be ready in the evening." (While saying this, Abhi kissed Jarnab's hand. Jarnab again blushed, just like Kashmiri tea.)
Feeling that same blush, she nodded in response and stepped out of the car to enter her house. Abhi picked up a newspaper, read it quickly, then tossed it back onto the car seat with equal haste. He started his car and went straight to the newspaper office. There he learned that Geetika was not around. He even found out where she was, then immediately took a U-turn with his car.
When Kalpana stepped out of the car, Sam's eyes lingered on her. And when eyes linger, sometimes the heart also begins to linger there. That's exactly what was happening with Sam.
"Hey Panda, good morning," Bat said while taking a drag.
"Good morning, soldiers," Panda replied with a smile.
"So, what's the plan for the evening?" (Amaze asked with excitement.)
"Evening?" (Kalpana asked with a questioning look on her face.)
"Yes, the mayor has kept a party in the evening, right!" (Amaze replied to Kalpana.)
"I don't like parties," Kalpana said, lowering her breath and making a face. "Anyway, I have some work before that. By the way, is there any mission today?"
"That CO sir will tell us," Bat answered.
"That's all fine, but our Romeo isn't anywhere around. Where is he?"
"With his Juliet," Amaze replied.
And this group walked ahead laughing and smiling.
"What have you done?" (Suraj asked Geetika in a soft tone.)
"I only did what was the truth," Geetika replied irritably.
Anu fixed her gaze on Geetika, staring at her.
"Didn't you see? Suraj, you couldn't see, but I was standing right there in front of you both. She pushed you, pushed you so hard that you hit that stone. It's clear, Suraj, absolutely clear. But why is it that none of you can see it? What has she done to you all that you people, both of you in fact, everyone—always talk about her and in her favor? She risked your life, and still, you're standing here defending her, in front of me." (Geetika spoke in a frustrated tone.)
"Geetu, she didn't put my life in danger. She saved me."
(Geetika flared up again, but Suraj continued.)
"If Kalpana hadn't pushed me, if she hadn't shoved me that way, that bullet would have gone straight into my heart, and I would've been finished right there. He was very close, maybe that's why Kalpana pushed me so forcefully."
"What's wrong with you people, what's wrong with everyone?" (Geetika now began to look troubled with herself.)
Anu, who had been listening to both of them for quite a while, finally spoke up:
"Geetu, please, just accept it. What's gotten into you?"
"Yes, yes, she saved me, Geetu. She saved my life, just accept it." (Suraj said his words very softly.)
Assume for a moment what they're saying." (Abhi steps inside while saying this, pushes the newspaper forward, and continues)
"This article… is it yours?" (he asks, looking at Geetika).
"Oh, so one more name added to the list of people threatening me." (Geetika smiles as she says this).
"You're Squadron Leader's colleague, right?"
"You've got a good memory, a very good memory. But not good enough, maybe. This brain of yours doesn't seem to be doing its job. Do you even know what you've written here about Panda? This nonsense? I thought you were supposed to be a capable journalist. Is this the limit of your ability?" (Abhi throws all his words at once).
"I don't need to prove or display my ability to anyone." (Geetika replies with full confidence) "Maybe it's your Squadron Leader who has to prove her ability. That's why she sent you here."
Hearing this, Abhi smiles and says…
"She's not that kind of person. She doesn't need anyone. She sent me here out of her own preference, on her own behalf. Understand that, Journalist. And she doesn't even look at this rubbish paper, forget reading it."
"That's why you're here, standing up for your friend in front of me." (Geetika replies sharply).
"Journalist Geetika Chauhan, you will regret your words. Mark my words. Your friends understood, but you… you're not understanding. Make your friends understand. This article you've written is nothing but lies. Absolutely false. Absolute nonsense. Now that you've published it, you will also have to publish your apology. And you will publish it."
"Over my dead body." (Geetika snaps back, her tone rude and firm).
"Oh right… you were working on that child trafficking case, weren't you? Hmm? Bro, isn't this the reason you're in such a state now?" (He keeps his eyes fixed on Suraj and then shifts them back to Geetika).
"You're a journalist, aren't you? And yet you didn't even find out what happened to those trafficked children? You just picked up your friend and ran from there." (Hearing this, Geetika falls silent). "Did those children not cross your mind?" (Abhi continues, his tone cutting) "All you know is how to target others, how to point fingers, right? And her—she is way above all of us, far above. Do you even know who Panda is? Before writing about someone, at least confirm the facts properly. Get solid. Be certain. Stand by your words before you publish them. But no… you're such a 'capable' journalist, aren't you, Geetika Chauhan? You didn't even try to find out where those children went. You didn't even try to find out why a Squadron Leader was there. Fine, leave her aside—but you should have found out about those children. You make yourself out to be so responsible, don't you? From what I can tell, yes. Then go ahead—know the facts, report the truth, dig to the bottom before you print. Targeting someone, writing such rubbish about them—this won't win you awards. You will regret it. Deeply regret your words."
(Saying this, Abhi slams the newspaper down on the table and walks out).
And Geetika is forced to think back on one point—that Kalpana never tried to find out about those children. This thought keeps troubling her. She quickly picks up her bag and goes straight to the police station. There, she finds out where the rescued children have been sent after the gang was caught. Being a journalist, she manages to dig out information that would normally take an ordinary person days to figure out. She learns that some of the children were handed back to their parents, while the rest, the less fortunate ones, have been sent to an NGO-run orphanage.
Geetika succeeds in getting the address. Finding such details is her forte. She immediately hires an auto and heads there. As soon as she enters, she doesn't face much trouble in getting inside, but suddenly her steps freeze. She leans against a wall and hides, because she has just spotted Kalpana inside.
Kalpana is talking to Giridhari ji, who is the caretaker—or one could say, the owner—of this place. Geetika knows him too. Giridhari ji is speaking to Kalpana very humbly, with affection, joining his hands before her, and Kalpana has gently clasped his hands in her own. Gaurav is standing by her side. Kalpana seems to be saying to Giridhari ji:
"Please take care of Gaurav. He is very innocent. As for his parents, I'll make sure they get their lesson by this evening. But you, please, Giridhari ji, take care of these children. If you ever notice even the slightest thing that feels wrong, call me immediately. Don't delay even for a moment. I don't feel everything is right here. Meanwhile, I will also speak to the ACP about this place."
Saying this, Kalpana bends to touch Giridhari ji's feet. He places his hand on her head, giving her his blessing. Then Kalpana kneels down before Gaurav, cups his face in her hands, kisses his forehead, and says softly:
"Son, now you will stay here, alright? You will study here, play here, make friends, and grow into a very good human being."
Gaurav does look a little sad, but Kalpana's words lift his spirits again, and with fresh energy in his voice he replies:
"Yes, didi, absolutely."
"But don't worry. I will keep visiting you here. And you already have my number memorized, right? So whenever you want, just dial it, and I will appear before you, young man."
Hearing this, Gaurav beams with happiness. Kalpana rises again, for time is running out—the evening is approaching, and she has to attend a function later. Before leaving, she says one more thing to Giridhari ji:
"I've already deposited the cheque. Please withdraw it as needed. And if you ever need anything at all, please call me. Don't hesitate, Giridhari ji. Promise me you're listening carefully."
"Yes, my child, stay blessed, live long. May God create more people like you. Stay happy, my dear."
"Just keep blessing me, that's all I need. Now I must go. Please take great care of the children and remain vigilant, Giridhari ji."
Saying this, Kalpana left with her worries. As she stepped out, Geetika once again hid herself from another angle. When she was sure that Kalpana had gone, she went to Giridhari ji. From him, she learned everything—how many children had come here, and how they had arrived. Hearing this, she grew heavy with emotion and went blank on the spot.
"Namaskar 🙏" → "Greetings 🙏"