Teri Yaad
A normal day in ETF, the team had just solved a major case and now were buried neck-deep in paperwork. The conference room was silent, with the two bosses completely concentrating on the files and reports made so far. The officers were tired physically and mentally but still had work to do. Much to a female's chagrin her boss, The Editor called her up, silently praying there was not more work, she picked up
Sakshi: hello sir!...WHAT???? lekin...lekin main kyun? But sir...(totally annoyed) yes sir!
Call disconnect
Ayesha: kya hua?
Sakshi(annoyingly): meri ek colleague ne emergency leave li hai, toh kal ke paper mein uska column bhi mujhe taiyaar karna hoga
Ayesha: kaunsa column?
Sakshi: judicial review
Liza: aur normal language mein use kya kehte hai?
Sakshi: matlab hum koi bhi ek past case lenge aur us par report banakar, apne reviews denge, ki kya ho sakta tha? Kya nahi ho sakta tha, police ne kaise kaam kiya, kaise karna chahiye tha, court ka verdict , uske possible explanation wagera - wagera - wagera ...aur apna sar rub karne baithti hai
Ayesha: koi aasaan case lekar karde na ek page se zyada toh nahi likhna hoga na tujhe?
Sakshi: ha par aisa case laun kaha se? (sochte hue)in mamlo main sabse easy drugs ya fir...smuggling par pichle do din se wahi chap raha hai toh mujhe kuch aur dhundhna hoga
Liza: koi murder utha le
Sakshi: nahi yaar, usme bahot time jaayega, kyunki concerned families par research karna padta hai unki feelings, and all that...too time consuming
Shree: kidnapping?
Sakshi: that's even worse! Victim ki statements aur background bhi badh jaata hai
Chotu: jo bhi karna hai jaldi kar kyunki ye saara kaam bhi hume hi karna hai
Sakshi: isiliye toh soch rahi hu yaar!!
Liza: ek kaam kar...ETF ka record room check kar le shayad kuch interesting mil jaaye jo tere kaam ka ho
Sakshi nod karti hai: I guess you're right! Main dekhti hun.
She leaves for the record room. She switches on the lights as she enters and was greeted by shelves and cabinets full of files she couldn't care to count. Sighing deeply she started picking out random files here and there and bunched up a few to take back to conference room. Piling the files on the table sat down, not caring about the dust a few of them had.
The ACP's couldn't care less what she did, Rathore knew her work was primarily of her newspaper and not ETF. Thus it was her priority to complete her boss's orders first. Arjun on the other hand had always been against the idea of a journalist in the team, it compromised on the team's security he thought and not just the team's but also confidential information which is not supposed to go out in public. The fact that she flirted with him didn't help her reputation in his eyes even slightly. He had tried to tell her off but she was stubborn, so he basically ignored her and didn't acknowledge her presence, something which he was an expert at!
Sakshi was going through the files roughly but none had caught her interest so far, shutting another file and placing it in the rejected file, an old blue file landed in her hands
Sakshi: ye toh ek - do saal purani lagti hai...(checking the case title) Xora!
Her last word sent a chill down the spine of the four ETF men. Their concentration broken in less than a moment...
Ayesha(sochte hue): maine suna tha iske baare mein...koi virus tha
Sakshi: suna toh hoga hi Ayesha, pura shehar tabah hote - hote bacha tha (excitedly) main isi par apni report banungi...
She had just opened the file but before her eyes could register anything the file was snatched from her hands and banged on the table. Everyone turned to see the second - in - command furiously glaring at her...
He had been the first to react, the moment Sakshi said she was going to make report on it, he noticed teary eyes of his gadget and food obsessed colleagues, that was what had triggered his reaction the most...
Sakshi: Arjun! Kya hua? Mujhe woh file chahiye
Arjun(dead serious tone): Pehli Aur Akhri Baar Keh Raha Hun Tumse! Dobara Is File Ko Haath Lagane Ki Koshish Bhi Mat Karna! Warna Mujhse Bura Aur Koi Nahi Hoga!
Saying so he got up and turned to leave taking the file along with him, but..
Sakshi: are! Tum aise kaise kar sakte ho? Mujhe woh file chahiye!
That was it! He had tried to control his temper taking consideration of the sentimentally sensitive issue but...
Arjun: TUMHE EK BAAR MEIN BATAYI HUI BAAT SAMAJ NAHI AATI? YA FIR SAMAJ KAR BHI BEVKUF BANE KA NATAK KARTI HO?
Ab Sakshi bhi irritate hoti hai: tumhe jo samajna hai samjho, mujhe is case par report banani hai aur main use banakar rahungi!!!...aur aisa kya hai is file mein jo tum itna bhadak rahe ho?
Her statement only flared Arjun up more, to be precise her last words, he would have made them the last words she ever spoke if it were up to him... but she wasn't worth it
Arjun(booming voice): THAT IS NONE OF YOUR BUSINESS!! APNE KAAM SE KAAM RAKHO! AND TRUST ME AGAR DOBARA TUMNE AISI KOI BHI ULTI SEEDHI HARKAT KI YA FIR BAAHAR SE IS CASE KI INVESTIGATION KARNE KI KOSHISH BHI KI...TOH MAIN TUMHE SENSITIVE INFORMATION LEAK KARNE KE LIYE ANDAR KAR DUNGA AUR TUMAHRA KOI BHI MINISTER TUMHE NAHI BACHA PAAYEGA I'LL MAKE SURE OF THAT!!! SAMJHI YA SAMJHAO!!
He left the room with the file not caring to look back even for a second. His actions and threat had stunned and scared the living daylights out of the girls. It was the first time the junior boys had not felt scared, they had been a little shocked of course but at the back of their mind they felt relieved.
The chief didn't show an ounce of emotion on his face except tiredness, he had made a wild guess what was about to transpire when Sakshi mentioned the case in the first place. Her ignoring the first warning Arjun gave her only confirmed his suspicions...he didn't know if what Arjun did was right or wrong...maybe it wasn't her fault, maybe they were just overreacting, maybe it was just the lack of sleep and rest combined with a sudden burst of emotions which had been buried for too long...
It took a few moments before the girls came out of the shock, Sakshi was clearly annoyed, her reporter instincts kicked in, she was adamant to know what he was hiding and turned to her last resort
Sakshi: Sameer!
Rathore moved his head to face her
Sakshi: dekha tumne? Arjun kaise mujhe dhamki dekar chala gaya? Aur tum chup-chap baithe ho?
Rathore could bear a lot of things but orders from a egoistic person was not one them especially if it dictated him a way to do his work ...thinking of the threat she had just received, he maintained his calm
Seeing his silence she asked further: aisa kya hai us file mein? Aur agar kuch confidential hota toh woh is tarah record room mein toh nahi hoti na? toh phir kyun...
Rathore(sternly): you heard him Sakshi, that's none of your business! Stay out of it!
The girls tried to pipe in, reasoning for their friend
Ayesha: par sir...Arjun sir ne jis tarah...
Rathore: Ayesha please...ab tum iski tarafdari mat karo
Ayesha: lekin Sa...
Rathore(Sternly): us file mein kya hai kya nahi yeh tum mein se kisi ko jaane ki zaroorat nahi hai
Liza: but sir...
Rathore(standing up): End Of Discussion!!
The girls had no option but to shut up and continue their work which was due. Seeing the silence back in Rathore left towards his cabin.
Shree(controlling his emotions): mujhe...mujhe thodi hawa chahiye
Without making eye contact with anyone, he rushed out.
Chotu: mujhe extra coffee chahiye
Not wasting another second, he paced out the door. The girls found it weird, but then didn't have time to think on that, and concentration their files while Sakshi started searching for another case...
In a lone corner of the office, Shree came running. Removing his spectacles he burst out crying as he drifted into the past...
Flashback
Hospital room - Riya Mukherjee had been given a 10 day hospital stay for her stunt in the money van security case. It had hardly been a few hours but she was already bored. The door opened and she smiled pleased to have some company but instead was greeted by a session of scolding from her best friend...after 15 minutes, he grew tired and sat down near her bed. She passed him a glass of water and he drank till the last drop.
Riya: ho gaya?
Shree: ha!
Riya: thank God!
Shree: sahi kaha tune thank God! Warna tu unhi ke paas hoti
Riya: tu phir shuru ho gaya?
Shree: tu kaand hi aise karti hai aur teri problem kya hai meri maa? Gun show piece ke liye nahi di sarkaar ne hume
Riya: are yaar! Main koshish karti hun par...par pata nahi, main gun taan bhi deti hun par mujhse trigger nahi dabta
Shree: kisi din tere trigger na dabane ki wajah se tera trigger off ho gaya toh?
Riya: are tu kyun itni chinta karta hai? agar main mar gayi na toh chudail bankar tere piche aaungi, itni aasani se tera piche nahi chodungi samjhe?
Shree: nahi!
Riya: kya nahi?
Shree: tu chudail nahi banegi (Riya confuse hoti hai) agar aisa hota bhi haina toh tu pari banegi
Riya(hugging him around his neck): so sweet!!!
Shree: ya...ya I know, thoda dur reh warna diabetes ho jaayegi
And both burst out laughing
Flashback Ends
Shree mv "kidhar hai tu? Pari nahi toh chudail ban ja...I don't mind...bas waapas aa jaa"
Fresh tears rolled down his face...she had been the light of his life, no...he didn't have any romantic feelings for her but she had a place in the core of his heart. He had known her since high school, she was the first true friend he had had. The incident had left a deep impact on him maybe more because he had never seen a loved one die in front of eyes before while he helplessly watched...
Chotu on the other hand had rushed to washroom, wiping his tears and washing his face he remembered the Sunday before the fateful day
Flashback
Shopping mall - Riya had finally convinced Chotu to speak up to his miss 11:30. Reaching on time. Chotu pretended to browse through the supermarket searching for his love. Spotting her at the end of the aisle he approached her. The girl shied away, she had been aware of the 6ft. guy constantly stealing glance at her every week. Truth be told even she came at the same to see him.
But staying so close Chotu couldn't muster up the courage to speak and continue to dawdle nearby. Riya hiding not much far glared at him to speak. Taking a deep breath Chotu tried to speak
Chotu: um...hello
Ladki(shyly): hello
Chotu: woh... umm main aksar aapko yaha dekhta hun
Ladki: ji main paas mein hi rehti hun
Chotu nod karta hai, his gaze falls to Riya woh is gesturing him to talk, clearing his throat he continued: mera...naam Chandrakant Patil hai...waise pyaar se sab mujhe Chotu bulaate hai
Ladki halke se smile karti hai: aur main Shalini
Chotu: bahot pyaara naam hai aapka
Shalini(sharmaate hue): ji...aapka bhi
A conversation struck up and finally he was able to straight up tell her that he liked her and she reciprocated his feelings. His happiness knew no bounds. After she left he immediately crushed Riya in a hug
Chotu: thank you so much Riya!! Tu nahi hoti toh mera kya hota?
Riya: woh toh pata nahi, kyunki main toh hu na? aur waise bhi dosti mein no thanks no sorry mere budhu ram, aur itni aasani se patne nahi wali mein, chocolate de mujhe!
Chotu: are chocolate kyun? Pura lunch meri taraf se
Riya: are waah! Ye hui na baat!
Flashback Ends
Chotu sighed as he controlled his emotions, he hadn't known her for long but yet a bond formed between them the instant they met...
After some time, the boys composed themselves and went back to the conference room, continuing their work not engaging in the gossip going on, which they usually did after Riya. It was not like they weren't friends with the girls but none of them reached out to their heart as she had...
Rathore's cabin -
He was sitting in his chair, trying to concentrate on the work at hand but was unable to...mainly due to the day's events. Sighing deeply he put down the file...his gaze fell on his right hand. Carefully he shifted the watch he had worn to reveal a simple, decent Rakhi...tears formed in his eyes as he drifted in to the past
Flashback
Rathore and Riya were alone in a car, returning back to the office after some investigation, when he noticed Riya's sullen face. He had seen her upset since morning. Unable to take his smiling student's frown he spoke up
Sameer: kya hua Riya? Itni pareshaan kyun ho?
Riya turned to him: nahi sir...aisa kuch nahi
Sameer: tumhe jhoot bolna nahi aata Riya
Riya(apni nazre jhukati hai): woh sir...aaj Raksha bandhan hai
Rathore nodded and guessed the cause of her distress: oh...bhai ki yaad aa rahi hai?
Riya: bhai hoga toh yaad aayega na sir?
Rathore: tumhara koi bhai nahi hai?
Riya negatively nod karti hai: nahi, mera koi cousin bhi nahi aur muh bola bhi nahi
Sameer mv "muh bola kaha se hoga? Sab toh tumhe apni biwi banane mein zyaada interested hai"
Brushing his thoughts aside he saw that she was still upset, thinking something he pulled up at a corner confusing her
Riya: sir, hum yaha kyun ruke?
Sameer: do minute ruko mein aata hun
And he left before she could reply, a few minutes passed and he entered and took his seat. Before she could ask
Sameer: ye lo
Riya(surprised): sir main Rakhi ka kya karungi? Mera koi bhai nahi hai
Sameer: meri bhi koi behan nahi hai? tum banogi?
Riya(shocked): kya?? Aapki...behan?...par...
Sameer: kyun? Main acha bhai nahi ban sakta?
Riya(consciously): nahi - nahi mera woh matlab nahi tha...aap toh mere mentor hai...woh aapne achanak kaha toh..isliye
Sameer: hmm...toh ab toh bandho
Riya khush ho jaati hai aur Sameer ke haath se rakhi lekar uske kalai par bandh deti hai. Sameer removes his wallet and hands her a 500 note
Riya: sir iski kya...
Sameer: rakhi bandhi toh nek toh lena padega na( she tries to protest) main tumhara boss hun!
Riya chup hokar le leti hai, Sameer smiles and they head back to the office. As she gets down
Riya: Rathore sir?
Sameer turns to her
Riya: thank you very much!!
Sameer: what for? Sirf kehta nahi maanta bhi hun Riya
She smiles
Flashback Ends
Sameer was still staring at the rakhi, he hadn't removed it and it was good thing too, after all it wasn't only the first but also...last.
Sameer mv "fir apne bhai ki kalai suni karke chali gayi Riya?"
True he did not have a blood relation with her, not even a friend but still felt protective towards her which had inclined him to take that step that day. To him she was just one of those rare few innocent dolls woh deserved everything they wished for, seeing her smile, one could only wish it would stay like that forever. She was gem hard to find, tough to crack but precious and beautiful.
Exhausted he rested his head on the headrest...time passed by, night fell and it was time for everybody to retire home. Everybody lost in their own thoughts, some in the day's events while some in the past...
Arjun's house -
Freshening up he went straight to bed, didn't feel like having dinner which happened often when he couldn't control his emotions...lying on the bed his gaze shifted to a photo frame on the bedside table, a smile appeared on his face. If 2 years back someone would have told him his present situation he would have sent the person in the mental asylum...for sure. Not in his wildest dreams had he anticipated this to happen.
The young lady in the frame had turned his emotions upside down, good or bad? Honestly, he didn't care because it made him happy, he felt peace all credit due to her...
Flashback
Xora case is going on, ETF is trying hard to find some clues. Riya is alone, standing by the table in the conference room watching the news. It made her heart sink and that's how Arjun found her when he entered, shifting his gaze he turned to the television and tried to absorb the latest updates, silently standing by her side. She breaks the silence after a few seconds
Riya(upsetly): is tarah maasoomon ki jaan lekar in logon ko kya milega? Bachon ko bhi nahi choda
Arjun: yeh terrorists hai Riya, ye nahi sochte ki unki harkaton se kise nuksaan pahunchta hai, unhe bas nuksaan pahunchaane se matlab hota hai
Riya(with anguish): kyun? Itni nafrat kyun hai? woh bhi aise anjaano se...disgusting!!
Arjun finally turns his head towards her, she was a pacifist...yes but a deadly one. He realized this the day she had killed for the first time...for him. He had thought that though her martial arts were a commendable feat for anyone to achieve but not shooting on the field could be dangerous not only for her but for her fellow mates as well, but that day, she did it, maybe unwillingly but she did it, she could never let a closed one pay for her mistakes. The same way she did not like innocents pay for the grudges of a criminal.
Arjun: burai ke bagair achai ki kadar kaise hogi?
Riya: sab ache ho toh kadar ki zaroorat kya hai sir? Aur waise bhi aisi kadar kis kaam ki jo kisi aur ki zindgi ke tabah hone se mile?
For the first time he did not have an answer for her and he did not like that, he did not like having answers in general but she...she was special case. For some unknown reason he felt obliged to answer her every time she asked him a question.
Riya: aap unhe pakad loge na?
He snapped out of his thoughts and looked at her, she was looking back with hope and expectation. For a second it scared him... the amount of trust her eyes held.
Arjun: main puri koshish karunga Riya
Riya smiled: mujhe pura vishwas hai, aapki koshish is baar bhi nakaam nahi hogi, humesha ki tarah is baar bhi jeet aapki hi hogi!
It was the second time she had said this to him, it overwhelmed him...there was a pretty good reason for it too, no one had trusted him so much after his wife not even his best friend...He held her by the shoulders...firmly, taking her by surprise
Arjun: thank you Riya...tum nahi jaanti yeh mere liye kitna maayne rakhta hai
She didn't quite fully understand why he said that or what he meant but she was happy she made a difference to him and flashed a heartwarming smile. Unable to stop himself, he leaned over and kissed her cheek. She inhaled sharply as her hand automatically went to her cheek. Her eyes widened in surprise and turned to him but he had rushed out before she could react.
Flashback Ends
Arjun's smile widened at her memory, he didn't have many memories of her but however limited they were treasured by him the most...
After all they always gave him a reason to smile, it wasn't like he didn't miss her...of course he missed her, she was the love of his life! But she made him smile more than her absence made him cry.
It was like they said - Don't cry because it is over, smile because it happened!
He was proud of her though like he knew every man in ETF was! It was the very reason they had not wanted Sakshi to print a report about the incident. Riya did her duty, something which even experienced and senior officers didn't have a heart to do at times. They had not wanted all that to go public in the form of a critic report to question her motives or credibility. It was her legacy... which the four of them would protect at all costs!!
The End
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