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  About Preeti Singh

  To know Preeti, you have to just connect with her direct dil se.......because that is from where she operates best ! Rebellious in breaking norms of society, loving and helpful in nature but also intolerant of nonsense, Preeti is just a 45 plus crazy woman next door, living with her family in Chandigarh. Since she says life is short, she would love to be remembered as someone, who has touched your soul in some manner or the other.

  Being an epileptic since birth, she steadily accomplished herself by earning a few awards for herself via her past 2 books, ‘Flirting With Fate’ and ‘Crossroads’.

  Find her on Wikipedia or simply connect with her soonest at [email protected] because Preeti keeps repeating, sometimes tomorrow never comes, LIVE NOW because ‘kal ho na ho’.

  In Gratitude

  In life’s journey so many people come and go but there are few who touch our lives in their little ways and thus forever, stay embedded in our hearts. I have countless people to thank, but then this book’s pages would fall short! Yet, my gratitude would be incomplete if I don’t mention the few without whom; I would not be glowing today. I think this maybe my last book (but I say that each time I begin writing a new books..lols ) as I am almost going blind and Yamraaj keeps beckoning me now and then ! I don’t have much time, life is short; so let me show you the few stars who have lent a glow on my face often and the most beautiful aspects about each one of them!

  My Family: For accepting me as I am.... but they have no choice haha ! But yes, in crisis & joy alike, they have been there to hold me when I fell or applauded me when I shone. My father, Maj Gen Kulwant Singh for being the steadfast anchor in my life, ensuring I remain fit (though I hardly listen to him!!)A special mention of my niece Mannat Singh for being the wise ‘Buddha’ to whom I often turn for advice; Vinay Kachhara my jeeju...the most humble person of my immediate and sometimes crazy family; the one we can count on blindly, anytime; Navjot Singh my younger cousin sister who pulled me out from the grief of Amber’s passing away, during the making of this book. Love you all innnaaaaa saaaraaa ! Love.

  Sizzler: For filling Amber’s void. You little one, you are the most beautiful thing that happened to me lately. By nudging me with your wet nose, by demanding a hug now and then and by being my over possessive bodyguard, you have made me realize who needs a man around!! I can never forget Amber, but you lessened the pain of his loss with your unconditional love pucchi. Kisses.

  Kamini Singh: For never leaving me since I was a bride. The past engulfed me, the present blossoms me and the future is always beckoning me, but Kamini is always there to help me unwind, which is the most beautiful thing about her, of course, with us talking chup chup ke from our respective hubbies! I must confess, I am totally and hopelessly envious of her home making and cooking skills which she tried teaching me but I always failed! Time to catch up again, lady! Love!

  Aditya Tripathi: For being there for me unconditionally. He calls me ‘Madamji’ and I call him ‘Sirji’ with utmost respect. Though we have not met yet, an army background connects us. The most beautiful thing about him is always following the army protocol by returning a call or being there in my hour of need. Lage Raho Sirji...I have to trouble you loads more when your wife and I meet and yapp about your constant yapping! Warmth.

  Col Sanjay Mathur: For tolerating incorrigible me! An officer and a gentleman of few words, Col Mathur has been patiently answering my innumerable queries about terrorism the Indian army faces today, about life and seeing his deep wisdom which I largely lack, I remain in awe. The most beautiful thing about him is his raw, bold honesty which has taught me to live on fearlessly! But being the dependable and kind hearted humane soul he is, he continues to tolerate my gibberish, with patient dignity! Thank you, Col Mathur...hang in there till I get wise...which maybe never!! Respect.

  Vijay Goswami : For being there for Harsheen when I could not be. Being as tall as BIG B himself, I happen to be Vijay’s fan and fondly call him Vijay Dinanath Chauhan. Thank you so much, beta, for studying with Harsheen, guiding her step by step and standing by her always. The most beautiful thing about him is his overall dedication to studies, family, career and of course his GFs!!Who needs BIG B when you are there, Vijay beta !! Blessings.

  Akhtar Ahsan: For making me laugh till I cry. He’s the tallest school friend I have. I call him ‘Tawwleeeyyy’ and am the midget around him....5 ft nothing! I don’t know what & where he gets his stuff to yapp, but it surely gets me in splits! The most beautiful thing about this talented guitarist is his bold transparency which is rare in today’s world. Keep the weather up there windy, ‘Tower’, this dwarf needs you around to laugh more often! Hugs.

  Ashutosh Verma : For helping me steer my daughter’s career...Being a professor in the laps of Dehradun, Ashutosh has been that combo of a strict but a reliable friend who used his educational wisdom to guide me about my daughter’s and niece’s forthcoming careers. The most beautiful thing about Ashutosh is the affection he’s earned by his students. Stay by me, professor saab....this zombie needs education too!! Gratitude.

  Jeetesh Vaishya: For giving me an identity on Wikipedia. I guess, I am ever grateful to this young man, who helped me reach where I could never have dreamt of on my own. With his skills, he made Wiki pages for me in numerous languages, leaving me astounded and truly humbled. The most beautiful thing about him is his professionalism and dedication, rare in youngsters today. Bless you, beta....fly high and may success always follow you. Blessings.

  Ananya Rajput: For being the daily dose of sunshine I need: My Driver, Santosh Rajput’s little baby girl, who was born in front of me and now has begun school. With her soft curls, her toddler talk and her tender laughter, she has won our hearts completely. The most beautiful thing about her is how she comes and gives me a hug with such warmth. I am already her ‘Nani’ so am under training till I become a real granny to my daughter’s kids!! Till then, little Ananya rocks my world! Kisses.

  Pratyush Prakash: For teaching me that persistence will get you there. PP is what we call each other fondly; PP is Pratuysh’s initials and he calls me PP for ‘Pretty Preeti’. Seeing this young man struggling from almost nothing, to reaching as a much wanted lyricist in Bollywood, I have learnt how persistence and hard work pays true rewards. The most beautiful thing about PP is his weekly call just to ask if I am okay? It’s an endless care which sometimes I get lazy to reciprocate; but I will improve PP, pakkawala promise. Hugs!

  Prabhat Kumar: For being a caring, virtual brother. Hailing from Dhanbad, Prabhat Bhai has been my elder brother whom I still have not been destined to meet. But I love his occasional lectures, as he’s a professor (force of habit..lols ) and his caring scolding towards me. The most beautiful thing about him is his forgiving me when I don’t send him a raakhi each year! Stay by me, bhai, this jhalli sister needs you always. Life is short, have to meet you soon! Respect.

  My Old I10 Car: For bearing me since a decade. I dunno where you are, my baby or who is driving you now? Are they treating you well, polishing you and steering you with love? But I do miss your soft caress and how you always waited below to take me for a long drive, for shielding me from the harsh sun, for showering me with your AC on hot summer days. I love you, my Raam Dulaari and will always remember how gracefully you left the parking area to give space to your new sister I20, because you needed to retire. Love you, sweetie, wherever you are! Memories.

  Dhruv Bakshi : For giving me a place in our NGO Helping Souls. My lost self found a direction to do something meaningful for the lesser privileged, when Dhruv made me a part of Helping Souls. The most beautiful thing about Dhruv is his never ending passion to run an NGO at such a young age. A mere thank you to this young lad
will not suffice, maybe my constant help and loads of jaadu ki jhappis can thank you, beta. Keep giving me responsibilities with reminders, of course, because you know I am a total ghajini!! Blessings.

  Rukhsar Lokhandwala: For calling me ‘Masi’ though we are not related. This enterprising young lady can’t be thanked enough for taking care of me when I went to Mumbai last time. The most beautiful thing about Rukhsar is checking on my health often, no matter how busy she is. She has truly kept the relation alive by scolding me often, like a daughter. Dying to attend your Muslim wedding betiyaa. Allah Rakha ! Affection.

  Siddhartha Mishra : For being the spiritual reminder in my life. Sid, as I fondly call him, is another insane, spiritual seeker like me, totally alien from this world. The most beautiful thing about Sid, is his ability to recognise the beauty of spirituality and sharing the same with me, giving me a little wisdom each time. Keep me grounded, Sid, the world needs more souls like you. Affection.

  Yamini Singh: For listening to my endless yapping. Being college friends, we went our separate ways but connected again as moms and since then sharing pains, joys, gossiping about all under the sun and just being silly, Yamini has been that close friend whom I can call at odd hours to cry with, laugh with and just be myself. The most beautiful thing about her is when she scolds me to grow out of my fairytale world and live in reality. Be with me, beautiful, we still have to yapp when we become grannies!!Love.

  The Writing Fraternity: For helping & guiding me every time I was lost....Few people genuinely help you professionally, as jealousy creeps in & most never really want you to grow. But selfless angels like Neelam Saxena Ma’am and Driftwood Ashore (Col Shyam), have always been a call away to give me advice when I needed it most. Harpreet Makkar has been like a younger brother, guiding me about the pros and cons of the publishing industry, though he himself is a rising entrepreneur. Rahul Ahuja and Parul Rastogi ensured the Hindi version of Crossroads reached far & wide with their unconditional help... thank you all ...dil se. Respect.

  Omji Publishing House & Sunil Kaushik: For shaping ‘WATCHED’ just as I desired. It was indeed a pleasure to meet Gaurav Sharma, a perfect, dignified gentleman; the wind behind the success of Omji Publishing House. Being a man of his word, he delivered what he promised. Sunil seems my soul mate am sure..lol...I have to tell him the ideas in my head and the cover is just an image of my thoughts. Earlier Crossroads and now Watched, he’s done it again! Thank you both for making my 3rd baby so beautiful and thrilling! Gratitude.

  Kinjal, Vikash & Milan: For being there a call away when I needed them while shaping this book. Affection

  Readers & Well wishers: For encouraging me by saying ‘Dil maange more’! Warmth.

  The Almighty: For letting me live till now, to reach here. I am now ready to join you Rabbji, mission completed! Humbled.

  Dedicated To

  My son, my soul mate, my best confidante’...my dog....Amber Singh, who went on his final journey, while I was penning words about him in this book. When I was unwell, he would sit by my side, when I was overjoyed, he wagged his tail and when he took his last breath, we parted ways looking into each other’s eyes when I said ‘I love you, beta’.

  By mistake, God put a human soul like him in a dog’s body, I guess...he was always talking, sharing and expressing his emotions. He taught me how to unconditionally love someone. He’s just gone in body...but will remain immortal in my book...till we meet again....sometime...somewhere in some other lifetime.

  I loved you Amber till you lived...I will love you forever, till I live.

  CHAPTER 1

  The Agents’ Meeting

  The DIG’s Office

  Police HQ

  Sector 9 D, Chandigarh

  “Yes, send her in”, the DIG answered his PA, as he finished his coffee. He tapped his fingers on the table, waiting for her patiently. This case needed special attention and with the pressure from his seniors and the media, he had to solve it quickly. And he knew, the only one who could do it with perfection, was this efficient young lady.

  Punctual on time, she knocked on the DIG’s door, seeking permission to enter.

  “Agent Kinjal Joshi reporting, Sir”, she marched smartly inside the DIG’s office, clicked her heels and stood erect, in attention.

  “At ease, Agent”, the DIG said and smilingly, extended his hand, emanating warmth and giving the young lady, a fatherly hug.

  “DIG Uncle, how are you?” Kinjal responded with equal warmth. “It’s been so long since we met and when the CBI Director assigned me to work on a case with you, I was all excited !!,” her eyes lit up like a child, as Kinjal hugged her DIG Uncle, as she fondly called him, since childhood.

  “I am good, beta, how are you doing? How is Daddy now?” the DIG asked about his best friend who had been crippled due to a fatal accident since the last 5 years and was admitted in a paraplegic centre in Mohali.

  “He’s okay, Uncle, I visit him whenever I get time away from duty”, Kinjal sighed softly as a tear sat in her eye. But the next moment she stiffened with a determined voice “But I will find the one who broke my family, Uncle. I will find that scoundrel!” Her eyes turned red as she clutched the DIG’s table in anger.

  “Calm down, Kinjal. We will find the criminal, together.” the DIG said patting her palm calmly. He always did that to soothe her nerves....two pats gently, at short regular intervals.....like a gentle heartbeat and it always calmed Kinjal, instantly.

  DIG Uncle was the guardian angel in Kinjal’s life, after her family had fallen apart in the last few years. Understanding the fire she had within her, he guided her to leave medical college and join the CBI. Kinjal would solve case after case, with just one hope that she would stumble upon her mother’s killer someday and torture him till he writhed in pain, like her mother had suffered.

  And today, another case was to be opened in DIG Uncle’s office. Kinjal was excited, yet determined.

  “Kinjal, I recommended your name to my seniors for this particular case”, DIG Uncle sounded serious. Kinjal listened attentively. She looked up to him as her mentor, philosopher and guide and could do anything for him, just to repay him for standing by her and her family, in their time of need.

  “This is an important case which needs to be handled with care and I feel you are the only one who can solve this, Kinjal. We are dealing with a serial killer here; who seems to be leaving unending clues. I want you on board to help the Police solve this case at the earliest”, the DIG spoke firmly, but gently.

  “But, you have the entire police force with you, why would you want only me in this particular case, DIG Uncle? Is there something you are not telling me?” she asked in a suspicious tone.

  His choice had been right. Kinjal was sharp; she had caught his unspoken words. He was standing at the window looking far away, thoughtfully.

  “I have reason to believe, Kinjal; the modus operandi (MO) used by the killer in these cases seem similar to the one used at your mother’s time. I maybe wrong, but I have a strong hunch, someone knew about your mother’s killing and is following the same pattern to dodge the police. I want you to solve this case and get back your peace of mind, Kinjal”, he said as he patted her palm calmly, again.

  Kinjal was quiet and listened to him attentively, though the fire she had submerged all these years was beginning to burn within, again.

  “Go through this file, Kinjal. All the evidences collected from the two recent murders, their forensic reports and the data gathered by my team, are in this. You shall be reporting to me about each move you make. To help you with this case, we have assigned you two highly trained officers.”

  “Send him in”, the DIG ordered his PA over the intercom.

  “Kinjal, please allow me to introduce Inspector Milan Modi, a highly qualified computer wizard”, the DIG said as a smart, handsome young man marched up, in a well starched khakee uniform. He took off his peak cap and shook hands with Kinjal.

  “Good Morning, Ma’am! It’s a pleasure
to meet you”, Inspector Modi managed to mumble, as his heart was thudding aloud with just the mere touch of Kinjal’s soft palm. The lady whom the entire police department was in awe of, THE KINJAL JOSHI of the CBI branch was standing in front of him. Wow...what a beauty with brains!

  “Likewise”, Kinjal replied politely, firmly shaking his hand.

  “Modi...can we focus here please?” the DIG coughed and shook Inspector Modi out of his mesmerized condition.

  “Sir!” Inspector Milan Modi straightened himself and handed over some files to his boss.

  “At ease! Son. We have to remain focussed on this case and solve it ASAP, without any distractions. You hear me, Modi? No distractions!” the DIG said firmly, ensuring both the youngsters understood he meant no hanky panky stuff between them.

  “Agent Kinjal, though Modi is an Inspector, he is more tuned to handle the technical information for the department. You name a site he cannot hack or you ask for any software to track criminals, and this computer geek can get it for you in seconds. He will be an invaluable asset to you in your investigations.” The DIG said proudly while Inspector Modi was beaming in ecstasy, being praised in front of this pretty lady.

  “So, shall we introduce your third partner to you?” the DIG asked the duo.

  “Sir!” both Kinjal and Modi said in unison. Kinjal was well versed with protocol. When alone, she was at liberty to call the DIG as her Uncle, but in the presence of other officers she addressed him as ‘Sir’, not that he corrected her; but she herself was careful of his reputation. She didn’t want anyone to feel she was flourishing under his protective care, but she was here to make her own mark, herself, without any godfather around.

  The door opened and in walked the third officer. Both Kinjal and Modi stiffened on seeing him, but the DIG held a warm smile.

  “Officers, this is Agent Amber, a decorated agent who was serving with the USA President a few months back, but decided to return to his roots, to serve his nation instead”, the DIG said as he bent on his knees to ruffle the mane of a handsome, golden cocker spaniel.