The Dark Side(Part-2)....

Arati came out of her bathroom after taking a shower. She made a cup of coffee for herself and sat in front of her desktop. She then opened her diary to check her tomorrow's program. Then she found an interesting topic in social media on her ex-boyfriend Akash. Though she was not interested to go through anything related to Akash, as it was written by one of the best-investigating reporters Mr. Arun Verma, then she thought of just going through that. Mr. Arun Verma is in this journalism profession for the last 25 years and working as an investigative journalist for his own news agency for the last 15 years. He has a reputation for getting the best and most authentic reports on any investigation he handles. Arati has great respect for Mr. Arun Verma and he had even once offered Arati to join his news agency.

Arati started going through it. It was the case of the illegal drug business and the influence of mafias in this business. Akash was arrested by the central investigation agency of the central government for allegedly helping the mafias with his information on possible actions of various legal authorities and was paid huge amounts by the mafias for that. This was the black money earned by Akash, which is now caught by the central agency. Akash is now under their custody for interrogation. This news shocked Arati as she had never expected this to happen. When Arati was in a relationship with Akash, the initial four years of their lives were very nice. They enjoyed their life and was having respect for each other. Generally, they never discuss their professional work. Then slowly Arati felt that Aakash started interfering in her work and advising what to do and what not to. Arati never liked that, she listen to him and used to keep giving her any reaction. Then Arati found that Ashis started inviting some political persons to his house and enjoy doing parties with them. Arati objected many times to such types of parties in the house. Even sometimes some of those persons used to give their advice to Arati to report in their favor. Those were not tolerable by Arati as she always believe in being an honest and true journalist. Their advice was indirectly dictatorial and an insult to her profession. When she discussed this with Akash and asked him to keep his company away from such persons, Akash never listened to her and was always in their support. Then Arati could realize that time that Akash had sold him out his credibility and her any effort to change him will not work. She stopped discussing anything regarding that since then. Then the dispute between them started growing. Arati heard that Akash was having another relationship with the daughter of his boss Sarita. One day the relationship of Akash and Sarita was seen by her own eyes when she found both of them in the bed together. Then she decided to leave Akash and had a breakup. Now Akash is been paid for all his unethical journalism work. She closed her eyes and feeling sorry for Akash. At that time Arati got a call on her mobile. She saw it was the call from Mr. Arun Verma. She took a second before responding to that and received the call. Arati wished Mr. Arun and then Arun started asking for an appointment with Arati. As tomorrow Arati will not have any time, she was going to tell him for the day after tomorrow, but Mr. Arun told her, "Arati, it's very urgent. If you can give me time then we can meet over tonight's dinner. It should remain secret. Rests we will discuss at our meeting." Arati agreed and the program was fixed. Arati started wondering about the urgency of her meeting with Mr. Arun Verma, that to a secret one. She was having anxiety and lots of questions in her mind.

Then she finished up her other work. She got herself ready by 7 pm and left for the place to meet with Mr. Arun as fixed by him. Mr. Arun had met Arti three times and always treated her as his younger sister. Once even he had protected Arati from the local mafias. From that day onwards Arati developed her special respect for Mr. Arun. She is still having the place of her missing brother Ashok empty in her heart. Arati left for the place and reached there at about 7.30 pm.

As Arati parked her scooty and getting inside the restaurant, she heard someone called her from the backside. She looked back, that was Mr. Arun Verma. He came to Arati and asked her to join him in the garden restaurant. Arati followed him. They got themselves seated at a corner table away from anyone's sight. They greeted each other and gave the order for the dinner. Then Mr. Arun started, " I know today you had definitely gone through my story on Akash. Today we will discuss a bit more. I had neither called you to my office nor gone to your place as I am being watched by many unknown persons. That's the reason I told you to keep this meeting secret. I know my life is too in danger, still, I will do my true journalism. Now let me start. I know that when you and Akash were in a relationship, some people were very close to Akash and coming regularly to your place. If you know them can tell me their name so that it will help me for my investigation. You can also tell me something more about Ashish, his working style, his associations, and his habits. Please feel comfortable and say. Also, remember the central agency may call you for asking some questions about Ashish. Now our this conversation is getting recorded. I know you are a true and honest journalist. Whatever you will speak, the same you will tell to the authorities, when they will ask. So it will be kept as proof for your safety if anything will go wrong against you and there is the possibility of that due to political pressure. I always like you as my younger sister as I don't have any sisters. So feel free to speak to me. " Arati now could understand that what was she expecting is happening now. She too had made her recorder on and started telling everything to Mr. Arun. She gave all details about those political persons, mafias, and other businessmen associated with Akash. She disclosed the good and bad habits of Akash, she even told Arun about the banks Akash used to go to very frequently. She was not sure of his having any account in all those banks. By the time Arati finished, the dinner came. Both Arati and Mr. Arun finished the dinner. Mr. Arun paid the bill. While they started to leave, Mr. Arun gave a pen drive to Arati and told, "I believe you Arati. You keep this Pendrive very carefully in a secret place after going through all the files. This one is a copy of my original one. As I told you that my life is in danger, if anything goes wrong with me then you take the charge of the case with the details of this pen drive. Also in my absence, my news agency will be headed by you, I had already prepared the document for my will and that is with my friend, lawyer Mr. Asit Sharma. He will contact you and make that legalize. Remember never have any fear and be on the right path to prove your integrity as a true journalist." Arati kept the Pendrive in her pant picket and both of them left the place like unknown persons.

Arati came home got herself fresh and locked the door. She sat before her desktop to open the files from the pensive given by Mr. Arun Verma. She wants to know The Dark Side of this selfish society.....