Everything was disordered. Everyone was confused. They all were doing what Aditya had assigned them.
Aarav along with five policemen was rescuing elderly and children behind the medical camp. He had secured that area by covering it with tree logs on two sides, third side had big stones and fourth was covered by dispensary tent. People were rescued dispensary and then secretly asked to enter the area that Aarav had created, by going under the tent cloth.
It was secluded, no one was able to find it till now.
Aarav was rescuing them towards the camp, Niharika and pharmacist Rakesh transporting them to the secluded area.
It was then, Aarav saw him.
A boy maybe in his late teens or early twenties, hiding in an area between the rescue tents, with his phone. He found it suspicious. Asked the policemen to take over his area as well for sometime. He approached the boy from behind and caught him. The boy tried to resist, but was definitely overpowered by him.
Aarav searched around found a broken concrete house with one of its room in proper condition. Took that guy their, locked it from inside and asked him to handover his phone.
When the guy realised he had no escape he gave in.
He went through his gallary. Found videos of the stampede.
A number of them. Many.
And.
One video of Aditya and Jahnvi's fight.
He questioned him, "Why are you doing this?" in a stern voice.
"I.. I heard you people are hoarding su.. supplies... so.. thought of ex.. exposing you?"
We was scared.
Aarav, tried to be a bit soft, "source?"
He blinked and stared, but no answer.
"ANY SOURCE?" Aarav shouted.
"No.. no.. just a thought..."
That was suspicious. Aarav thought this is not the time. He came out of the room, leaving that boy inside but took his phone with him and latched it from outside.
-----
Things had come under control.
For villagers. Everyone was in their tents and houses. Gaurds were vigilant to not let more than four people be together anywhere.
For Aarav there was another mission. He took that boy's phone. Transferred all the videos related to camp in his phone. Deleted them.
Cleared internal storage. Broke his memory card.
For medical team, they were overwhelmed by the number of patients.
At this moment most of them were covered with blood of others. But had no time to do anything except treating the injured.
For Aditya, things had escalated.
When he found Aarav, he ran towards him, he told him everything about his meeting.
He could connect the dots now.
Aarav could sense defeat in his friend's voice today.
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Before Aarav could interject, Aditya spoke, with defeat.
"It's done Aarav. Someone already has video proofs. Now this. I'll be the scapegoat."
Aarav held his shoulder and said, "Follow me Adi."
He took him to that broken house, unlatched the door. And narrated the incident to Aditya.
Aditya asked the boy, "did you post this video on social media?"
"N..no"
"TRUTH"
He started crying. "No sir. I did not..."
"I.. I wanted to use it against police. So that they do not hoard ration. I... did not do anything."
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They could not trust him. But they could not hand him over to police either.
If they went the formal way. They have to lodge a police complaint, that will make everything permanent on paper. Even the video, even though he would not be at fault. But military will still inquire him. They could not risk police involvement.
So they did, what was best.
Aarav took out that boys Sim card as well and broke it.
Gave him ₹5000 and said, "buy a new one."
Reset his phone.
Held his collar and threatened him with a smile.
"You like your bones don't you? Because the police here don't inquire like us. They use force."
The boy was not aware of the internal rifts and rules. Aarav tried to use that as a glitch and scare him.
He took out his own phone and took a photo of him.
When three of them came out, he asked a few policemen to keep am eye on him.
Aditya was stareing at him with unreadable expressions.
"What? I'm just threatening him. So he doesn't create any problem in future."
"Don't look at me like that. Follow me."
"Where?"
"To SP's office."
"Why?"
He took out his phone and showed him videos that he had transferred from that boys phone.
He showed him one particular video of police constable doing lathicharge on a common villager.
"This. This can be used in a way."
Aditya commented. He understood what his friend was doing.
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They both left for SP's office.
----
When Rathore saw two men entering his office covered in dust, blood and sweat, his immediate thought was, somehow the crowd has come to his office. He panicked until he could make out Aditya's figure.
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When the two men entered. He asked them to sit down.
"Captain Aditya and...?" Rathore said looking at Aarav.
"You can call me Aarav sir." Aarav replied.
"So we got the news from Palanpur. Captain as i had said earlier if things go out of hand, I'll have no choice but to go through official route."
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"Before you do that, we have something for you."
Aarav took out his phone. He played those videos.
Specifically the one where police started lathicharge.
"If dirt comes this way. It is bound to come the other way too." Aditya said in a cold voice.
SP understood what he was trying to imply.
Before he could say something, Aarav interjected "atleast ours was a misunderstanding between two officials. Here there is pure display of power against common villagers by your men."
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SP said, " huh... things did go out of hand. But don't worry i have a plan."
"What plan?" Aditya inquired. The authority of his voice was back.
"Let's report it as how Dr. Sharma had a misunderstanding with you and then spread rumors. This way we both are clear. The blame goes on her."
Aditya took a deep breath and smirked.
Aarav widened his eyes, he thought his friend was considering this way out.
"Sir, you are smart. Aren't you? I mean to be here."
SP thought his plan worked. He was flattered himself.
Aarav visibly distressed.
Aditya then kept his hand on table and interlaced his fingers.
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"But you know, I don't throw innocent civilians under the bus to save my boots."
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He straightens in his chair. No smile now. Just steel.
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"If report goes out of this room.
There are three thing that will happen.
One, that woman is a health ministry delegate. It will create rift between state government and central government.
Two. There is a video involving an army men. If it goes out. This video of lathicharge goes out from our side.
Three. You are the Supritendent of Police. If things escalate way beyond your imagination as it did today. You will create a headache for you for rest of your service.
Your best take. Delete the video.
You want scapegoat? Call it social media rumor.
You want order? Blame it on lacking infrastructure.
You want peace? Don't invent a villain."
With that. Aditya shifted back on his chair. Looking straight at Rathore's face.
Aarav visibly relaxed.
Rathore could not make out whether this was a threat or a solution.
However understood this was the best way.
He deleted the video in policeman's phone in front of them.
And sent a letter to District Magistrate's office informing the incident as minor security breach due to social media rumors and lack of men on ground.
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When Aditya and Aarav were sure things are under control they left the office.
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Aditya stopped midway before entering the jeep.
Aarav looked back to check.
Aditya said nothing. he could not form sentences to thank him.
Just hugged him. Aarav patted his back.
They both truly relaxed the for the first time since the letter came on Aditya's table.
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and then Add to home screen.