My spirits had lifted a little. I finally was on the path to find the truth. I was both excited and a little nervous. I had no clue how would Agam react to this piece of news.
I was disappointed to not find Agam at his desk. I searched for him in the studio and tried peeking into the green room but he wasn't around. All the excitement fizzled out. It was still important so I decided to drop him a message to meet me later.
I was standing in the smoking zone frantically typing the message when Pooja came around.
"What are you doing in the smoking zone?" She looked at me suspiciously.
"I am not smoking," I assuaged her fears spot on.
"Hey, I am here for you. We can talk..."
"I know. Thanks and that felt good. I wish I would have done that for Manto." I played with my fingers, fidgeting continuously. She held my hand and gave me a half hug. This was more comforting than her words.
"Do you want to hear a good piece of gossip?" She changed the topic to lighten the mood.
I groaned. "Not Bollywood, please." I quipped showing my displeasure in every sense.
"Office!" Her eyebrows perked up and so did her lips.
"Shoot,"
"Agam and Mansi are going strong. I saw them holding hands in the canteen."
I was kicked in the gut with Pooja's words. I quickly controlled my emotions and consoled myself; he was never into me and I shouldn't be affected. I always knew they were a couple. I was a blubbering mess on the inside. I was clingy while there was nothing to cling onto. We still hadn't come to the terms of being friends so it shouldn't matter to me.
"Hmm..as I had anticipated. They are a strong force to reckon with."
"Yep," Pooja flicked her hair in agreement.
"Hey, I need to see Ag...again what you have seen and would love that. So, I might just get a filter kaapi." I said.
Pooja was smiling devilishly. "You're so evil, Abhi. But I won't stop you. Go and have some fun at their expense." I bit my cheeks in frustration.
My legs were moving fast on their own accord towards the canteen. I don't know what sick fun I would derive looking at the two of them lost in love. I decided to keep my feelings aside for knowing the reasons behind Manto's death. Wait...what feelings? I was a mess. My head just confirmed it.
The canteen was nearly empty besides the one or two occupants at a faraway table sipping their coffee quietly. Agam and Mansi were right at the centre whispering sweet nothings to each other. Mansi smiled coyly while Agam covered his hand on hers. The picture was straight out of a romance book but I was determined to shake it up. I wouldn't care to apologize. Mansi wasn't very happy to see me and it was obvious from her shocked face. I ignored her and spoke to Agam directly.
"Hey, sorry to disturb you guys but Agam, can I have a word with you for a second?"
Agam looked at my messy hair, my baggy t-shirt and was compelled to ask if everything was well. I did not want his sympathy.
"You're okay?"
"Yes,...yes," I added a second yes for a stronger affirmation. I pretended to be cheerful as much as I could fake it, without breaking down.
"Good " He was back to concentrating on his coffee and hands. He wasn't perturbed by the fact that I was witnessing a scene. I stared at him and he stared back, finally realizing I wouldn't relent until I had my way.
"Privately." There I spelt it out for him. He jerked up from his chair and walk me out to the smoker's joint on the canteen terrace. I didn't waste a minute in speaking.
"Rohit asked the HR head to delete a few complaints from the records and I saw the message on his messenger."
If he seemed perplexed he did not show. I continued without giving him a chance to interject. " I am sure if you were to dig up, you would find something incriminating against Rasik. We can oust him and...." I was speaking in one breath and I did not realize it until Agam asked me to stop.
"Hey, stop your guns, take a breath. Do you know what the complaints and the records were about and are you sure they were against Rasik? Did he mention his name?"
I refused to see his logic and continued persuading him to do something to help me.
"No, but damn, Rohit and Rasik are super thick. I mean his orders... suddenly... doesn't it sound fishy to you?"
"You're finding conclusions that fit with the story in your head. Abhilasha, I feel you need a break. You are overthinking this. You need to stop now or you will ruin your health." He was all soft and sympathising but I couldn't feel in his stance the man who was with me the other day.
"How about we go and talk to Manto's parents? I am sure we can urge them to...
"Listen, this isn't worth jeopardizing your career. Rest it here." Agam ended our conversation with a finality.
There wasn't anything worth arguing because I could see he had made up his mind. I left as swiftly as I had come. I could feel him staring at my back and that shot up my anger, but I didn't have to do anything about that.