Escape to Nowhere by Amar Bhushan

Author:Amar Bhushan [Bhushan, Amar]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Fiction & Literature
Publisher: Konark Publishers Pvt. Ltd.
Published: 2012-07-20T18:30:00+00:00

Day 78

Ravi looked very anxious. Since his arrival in the office he was trying to find out the status of his leave application for the US. The staff officer to the Chief informed that his file had not yet reached the office. But the Director of Administration was insistent that he had sent the leave application to the Chief’s office. He, however, clarified that in odd cases the Chief directly marked some files to Jeev for his comments. When Ravi rang up KM in desperation, the latter said that Jeev usually disposed of such routine cases within twenty-four hours of their receipt.

“But why are you so worked up over your leave? The engage- ment ceremony is still two and half months away,” KM asked.

Ravi did not want to answer. He thanked KM hurriedly and disconnected. Kailash Uike, the Head of the Eastern Bureau, was expected to come in any moment. He had called Ravi very early in the morning to say that he had something important to clarify.

“How did you know that I was being tailed and the Chief would not sanction my leave?” Ravi asked even before Uike took his seat.

“That was just a rumour. I overheard it when I visited Headquarters ten days ago and thought of warning you, being a friend,” Uike said.

“That’s very thoughtful of you. We haven’t seen anyone following us.”

“I am sure the scare about your leave will also turn out to be false,” Uike said.

Ravi’s demeanour suddenly changed. He looked more relaxed and ordered for tea. After Uike left, Ravi bolted the door from the inside and photocopied thirty-four sheets concerning deployment of coalition forces in Afghanistan, Chinese supply of arms and communication equipment to Myanmar and factional clashes within LTTE. At 2.30 pm, Ravi went to the Taj Mansingh where he met a tall, well-built man in a grey suit. They hugged each other and went to a room on the eighth floor. Watchers missed out on what transpired inside the room but subsequently discovered that the man was an old NRI friend of Ravi from Vancouver and his name was Baljeet.

Around the time when Ravi was meeting Baljeet, Jeev and Wasan came out of the Executive Lunch Room and started walking back to their rooms. Jeev inquired about the outcome of Wasan’s meeting with the Principal Secretary.

“He was quite upset and said that I should not have allowed the investigation to go this far,” said Wasan, looking straight down the empty corridor.

“Didn’t you ask him at what stage it should have been stopped?” Jeev quipped sarcastically.

“No, I didn’t.”

“Do you also believe that we are stretching this case unnecessarily, either out of malice or our sheer incompetence?” Jeev pressed for some clarity before he could decide on the future course of the investigation. By now, both had entered the Chief’s room.

“Do what you think is best,” Wasan remarked in dejection. He was still avoiding an eye contact with Jeev.

“What did he say about involving the Bureau?” Jeev pressed further.

“He didn’t want to bring the Bureau in the picture.

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