Love is in the Air
Riya was sitting with a pile of papers and files in the conference room finishing case reports. It was beyond midnight, the world was dark and the empty office had a soothing calmness to it. Her phone was playing soft melodies. Though she felt tired and sleepy, the atmosphere kept her going. Suddenly the romantic tune was interrupted by her ringtone. Wondering who was calling at the late hour, she kept her pen and picked up her phone. The name flashing on the screen brought a smile to her face but the very next second panic took over. She quickly answered the call and started enquiring.
Riya: Arjun sir kya hua? Koi problem hai? main back up lekar aau? Kaha hai aap? Aapko chot toh nahi lagi? Main jaldi se pahunchti hun aap bataiye aap kaha...
Arjun: Riya, main theek hun, koi problem nahi hai
Riya heaved a sigh of relief: thank you Durga maa! (coming back to the present) toh sir...aapne is waqt mujhe kyun phone kiya?
Arjun: pehle ye batao ki raat ke ek baje tumne itni jaldi phone kaise uthaya? Soyi nahi?
Riya: reports puri kar rahi hun sir
Arjun: abhi tak? Kyun?
Riya put the phone on speaker and placed it on the table. She picked up her pen and continued to write as she talked.
Riya: are sir woh darasal pichle kuch dino se roz-roz double triple cases aa rahe the, upar se civilian hi nahi, raids wagera bhi, bahot kaam tha...sabki band baji hui hai. upar se aapko toh pata haina commissioner sir ko unka paperwork kitna pyaara hai? sab bahot thak gaye the toh main hi likh rahi thi
Arjun: tum nahi thaki?
Riya: thodi si thakaan hai par mujhe aadat haina paperwork ki. Aur agar main raat ko thoda kar lungi toh baakhi sabka kaam kam ho jaayega aur agar sab kuch jaldi khatam ho gaya toh submit bhi jaldi ho jaayega aur commissioner sir Rathore ko pareshaan nahi karenge aur fir woh bhi humare peeche nahi padenge aur hum bhi unhe gaali nahi denge toh sabka faayda hi hoga na?
Arjun: aur tumhari neend ki nuksaan kya?
Riya: chodiye na sir, waise bhi Sakshi koi kaam nahi karti hai, uska hissa maine kar diya...bas!
Arjun shook his head in disbelief mv "kabhi apne baare mein bhi soch liya karo.
Arjun(irritated): woh ladki kabhi bhi kuch nahi karegi, use toh waha hona bhi nahi chahiye, ekto kaam karti nahi hai upar se dusro ka bigadta rehti hai woh alag!
Riya squinted a little: sir, aapko hum dono se koi khaas problem hai?
Arjun(taken aback): mujhe tumse koi problem nahi hai, tumhe aisa kyun lagta hai ki mujhe tumse problem hai?
Riya: nahi aap mujhe bhi ETF se jaane ke liye kehte hai aur Sakshi ko bhi, isliye pucha
Arjun: Riya mujhe tumse koi problem nahi hai, main tumhe bas isliye kehta tha kyunki tum shoot nahi kar paati thi. Tum bhale hi apni jaan ko daav par laga sakti ho lekin jab koi apna humare saamne hota hai aur hum use bacha nahi paate toh uska bojh bahot bhaari hota hai (Riya looked up at her phone, her heart twisted a little hearing the hint of pain in his voice) aur main nahi chahta ki tum use guzro...(he took a deep breath) rahi baat Sakshi ki toh woh alag story hai
Riya took a deep breath to muster courage: is it because woh aapko pasand karti hai?
Arjun squinted: tumhe kaise pata? Tumhare office aane se pehle toh mein yaha aa gaya tha
Riya smiled: woh din bhar aapki hi baatein karti rehti hai ki aap kaha honge? kya kar rahe honge? Aapne chai pee hogi ya nahi? aapko chai mili hogi ya nahi?
Arjun rolled his eyes: uske aane se pehle bhi peeta tha aur jaane ke baad bhi peeunga
Riya: sir, aapko nahi lagta you're being too harsh on her? Pyaar bas mein toh nahi hota
Arjun: woh uska pyaar nahi infatuation hai. Pyaar duniya ke saamne dikhava karne ka naam nahi hota Riya, pyaar un baaton mein hota hai jo bina muh se nikle hi dil tak pahunchte hai, un palon mein hota hai jo dono ko sukoon dete hai, un alfaazon mein hota hai jo nazre jhuka dete hai, us sparsh mein hota hai jo ruh ko chu leta hai, un yaadon mein hota hai jo dard mein bhi muskaan la deta hai...woh mujhse jo bhi karti hai par pyaar nahi karti hai
A soft smile was playing on her lips by now: ek baat kahu sir?
Arjun: kaho
Riya: gussa nahi karenge?
Arjun: nahi karunga
Riya: aapka samjhe ya samjhau na, aapke liye bilcul perfect hai
Arjun pursed his lips to refrain from laughing: Riya, tum sach mein paagal hi rahogi
Riya complained: itni bhi buri nahi hun sir main
Arjun: maine aisa kab kaha ki tum buri ho? Bas ek do screw dheele hai tumhare
Riya: aapke theek se lage haina? Toh hum bicharo par thodi kripa kar dijiye
Arjun: itne waqt se wahi toh kar raha hu
Riya rolled her eyes: ha, ha aapke bagair toh pura department apne ghutno par aa jaayega! waise sir, aapka mission kaise jaa raha hai?
Arjun: badi jaldi yaad aa gayi tumhe mere mission ki
Riya: sir kahiye na
Arjun: acha chal raha hai
Riya: iska matlab aap kuch dino mein waapis aa jaayenge?
Arjun: ha agar kal shaam ko tum kuch din kaho toh
Her pen stopped unable to believe her ears: SACH?
Arjun took the phone a little away from his ear to bear her scream: ha
Riya: Sikandar mil gaya?
Arjun: ha, kal subah 11 baje uski ek bahot badi deal hai, (his voice fell a little) usi waqt use range hath pakadne ka plan hai
She noticed the sudden change: sir, aap theek haina?
Arjun stayed silent for a few seconds. She patiently waited for his answer.
Arjun: thoda...thoda dar lag raha hai
Riya: kis baat se sir?
Arjun: agar usne firse mujhe chakma de diya toh? Ya fir firse mujhe kisi tarah majbur kar diya toh pata nahi...fir kab mere haath lagega? Roshni ko bacha toh nahi paaya par agar insaaf bhi nahi de paaya toh?
Riya was surprised seeing him pour out his feelings in front of her but encouraged him nevertheless.
Riya: sir, aisa kuch nahi hoga. burai chahe kitni bhi badi kyun ho, achai ke saamne aaj nahi toh kal ghutne tek hi deti hai. Aap zaroor kamyaab hokar lautenge. Mujhe aap par vishwas hai, is baar bhi ant men jeet aapki hi hogi
Arjun closed his eyes hearing her last sentence. It was the very reason he had called her...for her assurance, her belief in him, which gave him strength.
Arjun: Riya
Riya: hm?
Arjun: ek baar firse kaho na
Riya smiled: Ant mein jeet...aapki hi hogi Arjun sir
Arjun felt a fresh burst of oxygen inside him: tumhara vishwas tutne nahi dunga
Riya: jaanti hun
A peaceful silence rested between them.
Arjun: tum sabko pareshaan karne aa raha hun kal firse, apne khadoos boss ko jhel ne ke liye ready ho jao
Riya: mujhe intezaar rahega
Arjun: mujhe bhi
Riya: apna khayal rakhiyega
Arjun: aur tum apni muskaan banaye rakhna
Riya lowered her eyes: aapke liye humesha rahegi
Arjun: jaanta hun...good night
Riya: good night sir...stay safe
Arjun: for you
Call disconnect
Both of them had a warm feeling in their hearts as they put their phones away. Riya made a silent prayer for him and got back to her files while Arjun gave final checks to his plan with a new found courage and hope.
Next day-
The ETF was buried in paperwork. Thankfully, they hadn't received any case yet. The team was only praying for no other case till they were done finishing the formalities of the previous ones. Riya was looking at her watch again and again. She let out a silent prayer as soon as the shorter arm reached 11.
Riya mv "hey bhagwan, please Arjun sir ki madad karna. Woh apne maksad mein kamyaab ho jaaye aur Sikandar naam ke paap ka ant ho jaaye...please keep him safe.
She turned restless by every passing minute. It was getting more and more difficult for her to control in front of everyone. She downed almost a whole bottle of water to help her keep calm.
Shree: kya hua Ri? Dehydration ho gaya hai kya?
Riya smiled lightly: shayad, bahot pyaas lag rahi hai
Chotu: oye tu theek haina? Bechaini ho rahi hai? tere doctor ko phone karu?
Shree: hospital chale?
Riya: mein theek hun yaar bas shayad mausam ki wajah se, kitni Garmi bad rahi hai
Shree: ha maybe, nimboo paani lau?
Rathore: use puch kar kya faayda? Woh na hi bolegi...jaa kar lekar aao
Shree immediately uthta hai: ha sir, ye toh hai hi paagal
Riya tried to stop him: are nahi...Rathore sir iski koi zaroorat nahi hai, main theek hun
Rathore(sternly): theek ho toh problem kya hai? pee lo thoda sharbat...kaunsa paahad tut jaayega?
Riya lowered her eyes: theek hai sir
The girls exchanged glances amongst them seeing the scene. They had gotten used to the over protectiveness of the boys towards her but couldn't help feeling amused at it every time. They used to be really sceptical in the beginning but as time passed they realised that she was really someone anybody could get attached too easily.
Shree brought back 4 glasses of lemon juice much to Riya's disdain. She tried to protest but one look from Rathore and she gulped down all of it and silently got back to work. She looked back at her watch after a few minutes. It was almost one.
Riya burst out: Shree, news on kar na!
Shree: kyun kya hua?
Riya: are on kar na, waise bhi filen hi toh bhar rahe hai, main subah jaldi-jaldi mein paper nahi padh paayi abhi woh superfast 100 shuru ho rahi hogi
Shree: acha ruk!
He got switched on the TV and gave the remote Riya who hurriedly jumped to the news channel. The rapid news was flashing on the screen. Everyone was catching up on the current affairs but Riya was only waiting for a special news. Her foot automatically started tapping as she got impatient. Just as she was about to burst out, the screen was interrupted by flashing red.
News anchor: breaking news! Abhi-abhi khabar mili hai ki khunkar gangster Sikandar ki encounter main maut ho chuki hai...
Before the team could even react joyously Rathore's phone rang. He urgently answered it.
Rathore: Jai Hind sir!...yes sir, humne abhi dekha...ji sir, hum pahunchte hai sir, thank you sir! (disconnecting the call) Team! Arjun ka mission successful raha, commissioner sir ne headquarters bulaya hai woh bhi wahi pahunch raha hai
Sakshi: oh god finally! Main use dekh paungi...5 mahine ho gaye!!! Jaldi chalo na Sameer
Rathore(walking out): baithe hue tum log ho
And left. The next second the rest of the team ran out the conference room and into the parking. Two SUV's sped off towards the police headquarters.
Headquarters-
Arjun was talking with the senior officials namely the DCP Ramesh Khurana, ADGP Vikas Mehra and commissioner Uday Sharma in the corridor. He was briefing them about what happened earlier that day when the ETF came almost on its heels.
Rathore: Rawte!
The four turned to see the whole team there. Rathore walked to them while the juniors stayed 3-4 steps behind.
Rathore: congratulations
Arjun just nodded, earning an eye roll from Sameer and turned his eyes to the team. They were all beaming at him but his eyes rested in one direction. A smile broke on his face shocking every person present. If that was not enough, he walked straight to Riya and embraced her warmly causing all eyes to pop out as they received a lightning bolt.
Rathore: What the bloody...?
Arjun muttered in her ear: maine kar diya
Riya smiled and whispered back: aapki jeet ho gayi sir
She had forgotten everything the moment Arjun hugged her. The people, surroundings, everything!
Rathore coughed a little when he realised that everyone was staring at them with their mouths agape. Riya immediately came into presence. Her eyes widened in shock noticing where she was and tried to break away but Arjun didn't let her. She tried to speak but no voice came out. Sensing her discomfort Rathore coughed louder. Arjun finally separated from her. Riya turned completely crimson and hid herself behind Chotu who was standing beside her.
Arjun: itni khaasi hai toh davai kyun nahi lete Rathore?
Rathore glared at him and indicated to the senior officials but Arjun turned a blind eye to them and looked back at the team.
Arjun: mujhe pichle 5 mahine ke saare cases ki reports mere desk par chahiye! aaj hi!
And he walked out leaving the others to comprehend what was going on.
Uday cleared his throat: um... Rathore, I think aur kuch kaam toh nahi hai, iski report toh Arjun ko akele hi banani padegi
Rathore: ji sir, main use inform kar dunga
Uday nodded. The ETF saluted the officials and left towards office again. Shree nudged Riya as they walked. She pleaded for mercy but he maintained the teasing look on his face. He was about to say something when Sakshi suddenly grabbed hold of Riya's hand. Riya looked at her with a question mark on her face. Sakshi had taken the opportunity seeing Rathore and Ayesha walk ahead of them.
She glared at Riya: tumne Arjun ko hug kaise kiya?
Riya squinted: excuse me?
Sakshi: Bano Mat Riya! tumhe pata hai main Arjun ko pyaar karti hun toh Tum Uske Kareeb Kaise Jaa Sakti Ho?
Shree and Chotu were about to interrupt seeing the rude tone but Riya gestured them not to.
Riya turned back to Sakshi: None of your bloody business! Arjun sir tumhari property nahi hai, unhone kabhi kaha tumse ki woh tumse pyaar karte hai? Nahi! So Stay Out Of It!
She jerked away her hand and left her there to fume. Shree and Chotu somehow contained their smiles and followed Riya.
ETF office,
Conference room-
Arjun was enjoying his cutting as everyone continued to work on the previous cases. Rathore had told him to make his report but seeing his attitude, it was clear, he wasn't going to do it anytime soon.
Rathore mv "ye kabhi nahi badlega"
Rolling his eyes, he concentrated on reading his file. Riya came to Arjun with a huge pile of files in her hands, startling him. As she lowered the pile, a few of them started to slip. Riya squealed and set them straight again.
Arjun: ye kya hai?
Riya: sir aapne hi toh files mangwayi thi
Arjun: are lekin itni saari ek saath uthaane ki kya zaroorat thi?
Riya looked at him blankly: ek din ka ek case, ek mahine ke 30 aur 5 mahine ke 150! How many times do you expect me to come and go? Itni sari uthayi hai fir bhi mushkil se 40 hai
Arjun glared at Shree and Chotu: toh ye Chotu Motu kaunse din kaam aayenge? Jao jaakar filen laane mein iski madad karo!
His addressal gave another shock to his team mates. However, fearing his wrath they rushed to the record room pulling Riya along with them. Rathore looked at Arjun sternly.
Rathore: unke naam hai Rawte!
Arjun: maine kab mana kiya Rathore...sir?
Rathore muttered under his breath and fell back into his file. The trio got all the files of the cases that Arjun had missed and placed it on his side much to the annoyance of Rathore who was getting irritated by all the blockage of space. He was about to scream at him to put it in his cabin but then refrained thinking that Shree and Chotu would have to work unnecessarily again.
Much to the relief of the team they did not receive any new case and were able to finish a considerable part of the pending work by the time the day got over. Rathore freed them and reminded Arjun about the report only to receive another disinterested half reply. The juniors chattered as they packed up.
Liza: I'm so glad aaj koi laash nahi aayi, agar aaj bhi case aaya hota na toh post mortem karte-karte main toh behosh hi ho jaati
Ayesha: aur humara kaam firse reh jaata woh alag
Shree: ek baat batao, tum logon ko aisa nahi lagta ki Arjun sir humare liye lucky hai?
They looked at him questioningly.
Ayesha: matlab?
Shree: are matlab itne dino se band baji hui thi, aur Arjun sir nahi the ab dekh Arjun sir aa gaye toh hum sab ko bhi rest mil gaya
Chotu: humara toh pata nahi lekin (turning to Riya) kisi ke liye zaroor lucky hai.
Riya blushed: Chotu!
Ayesha: nahi Chotu, I think sir Riya ke liye nahi, Riya sir ke liye lucky hai...usne news shuru ki aur good news aa gayi. (winking) Kyun Riya?
Riya: Ayesha tum bhi...
Sakshi poured water over the light: tum logon ke paas aur koi kaam nahi hai? (clenching her fists) aur Riya tum! Zyaada Ud Ne Ki Zaroorat Nahi Hai. Tumhe Yaad Dila Du Ki Tumse Zyaada Waqt Bitaya Hai Maine Arjun Ke Saath, Samjhi?
Liza was about to reprimand her but Riya took matters into her own hands.
Riya: bol liya jo bolna tha? man ko shanti mil gayi? Ab agar tumhara rang mein bhang daalne ka kaam ho gaya ho toh sun lo! Na woh kabhi tumhare the! Aur na hi kabhi honge!
Sakshi glared at her but Riya picked up her bag and left the room. The others gave stern looks to Sakshi and shook their heads in disbelief.
Riya was calling for the lift when she saw Arjun standing in the balcony, lost in looking at the sky. She smiled and went to him. She placed a hand on his shoulder startling him.
Riya: kya hua sir? aap yaha is tarah kyun khade hai?
Arjun: bas aise hi
Riya: aap theek haina?
Arjun: ha, itna theek lage hue arsa beet gaya...halka sa lag raha hai aur sach kahu toh thoda khaali bhi lag raha hai, itne waqt se jo aag jal rahi thi use thanda karne ki koshish kar raha tha aur ab jab woh thandi ho gayi hai toh ajeeb mehsoos ho raha hai
Riya: thoda waqt dijiye sir, dheere-dheere shanti ki bhi aadat lag jaayegi
Arjun smiled lightly: waise...uh, woh thank you
Riya looked at him in surprise. Thank you from his mouth? Didn't suit his reputation.
Riya: kis liye?
Arjun: kal mujhse baat karne ke liye aur aaj...hug ke liye
Riya lowered her eyes: you're always welcome
His smile widened further seeing her getting shy and hearing her answer. He held her hands and stepped closer.
Arjun: you know, I almost forgot how good hugs felt...until today
Riya looked up at him and he softly kissed the back of her palm. She blushed further as their eyes locked with each others.
Riya(softly): I hope you revisit it everyday
A million contrary thoughts were running his mind. He wanted to express himself desperately but an invisible wall was holding him back. His throat ran dry and his tongue felt as if it was paralyzed. He took a deep breath knowing the only way to know the answer was to hear it from her. She looked at him questioningly seeing the range of emotions on his face. He tightened his grip on her hands and pulled her closer.
Arjun: Riya...hum shaadi kar le? (Her eyes widened in utter disbelief and he stopped her before she could say anything) I know, ye bahot ajeeb hai aur sudden hai aur maine tumse kabhi ye bhi nahi kaha ki main tumhare liya kya feel karta hun but I...main, mera vishwas karo main sach mein serious hun. Main bas...main bas yeh chahta hun ki main apni baakhi zindgi tumhe apna saathi bana kar jiyu...I mean of course, (unsurely) if you don't mind?
Riya removed her hands from his hold scaring him but the next second they were wound around his neck as she threw herself into his arms putting his fears to rest.
Riya: mere hugs ki aadat daal dijiye, baakhi ki zindgi toh kya? Main apne baakhi saare janam aapke saath bitane ke liye taiyaar hun, sir
Arjun wrapped his arms around her: khushi-khushi aadat daal lunga (kissing her head) thank you!!
They stayed that way cherishing being in each other's arms when a loud voice made them separate.
Rathore: ha sir kahiye
He reached the lift and pressed the button. The doors opened. He was about to step in when the information made him stop.
Rathore: kaha par sir? ( he looked at his watch and groaned mentally) theek hai sir, hum dekh lenge, Jai Hind sir
Uday: good night Rathore, Jai Hind
Call disconnect.
Rathore still hadn't noticed the couple in the balcony. He stuffed his phone back inside while muttering curses.
Rathore: good night? Huh! Humari night bigad kar bol rahe hai good night!
He stomped back towards the interiors of the office.
Riya: lagta hai, koi case aaya hai
Arjun: hm, lagta hai tum aaj bhi chain se nahi so paogi
Riya giggled: are koi baat nahi sir, main weekend par compensate kar lungi. Andar chale?
Arjun nodded and the two made their way towards the conference room.
On the other hand, Rathore stopped the team who was on their way out and bade them back inside much to their disappointment and confusion.
Ayesha: kya hua sir?
Rathore: batata hun (glancing around) ye Rawte aur Riya ko bulao pehle
Shree: sir, Riya toh 10 minute pehle hi nikal gayi aur Arjun sir...
Sakshi: woh apne cabin mein hoga main abhi bula kar laati hun
Arjun and Riya entered just then.
Arjun: uski koi zaroorat nahi hai
All eyes turned to them. Sakshi glared at them. Rathore suppressed his smile while others gave meaningful looks to Riya.
Rathore: so! Uday sir ka phone aaya tha...Industrialist Vikram Khanna ki biwi ka murder ho gaya hai. hume waha jaana hai aur jald se jald is case ko solve karna hai...it's high profile. We need to do it fast and we need to do it now!
Chorus(except Arjun): yes sir!
Khanna Mansion-
A middle aged lady's body was lying in the drawing room. Her throat had been sliced open with a knife. The poor soul could not have even been able to scream out her pain. The ETF was looking around for clues while questioning the people present there including three servants, and the couple's two daughters. The elder one was crying while the younger seemed unfazed by the happenings.
Rathore: Mr. Khanna, Mrs. Khanna ki body ko sabse pehle kisne dekha?
Vikram fought back his tears: maine...meri office mein board meeting thi, isliye aaj ghar aate-aate late ho gaya. Jab aaya toh dekha Nirmala room mein nahi hai. use dhundhte hue yaha aaya toh...uski laash
Arjun: ghar par us waqt aur kaun tha?
Vikram: meri choti beti Kirti apne kamre mein thi aur naukar, har roz ki tarah 8 bajte hi servant quarters mein chale gaye the
Rathore: kaha hai aapka servant quarters?
Vikram: outhouse mein
Arjun walked away from him to the girls who were being questioned by Riya.
Riya: tum dono kaha the?
Kirti: main apne room mein thi
Niyati(elder daughter): main yaha nahi rehti, (wiping her tears) mera suburb mein apna ghar hai, Dad ne phone kiya toh...(she started crying again) mere toh kuch samaj mein nahi aa raha hai
Kirti hugged her in an effort to console her.
Riya: tum yaha kyun nahi rehti?
Kirti answered for her: woh didi, artist hai...unki gallery us taraf hai. roz ki travelling bhaari pad jaati hai isliye
Arjun: kamaal hai Kirti, tum apne room mein baithe aisa kya kar rahi thi jo tumhe ye bhi nahi pata chala ki tumhari ma ka khoon ho gaya hai? koi awaaz tak sunai nahi di?
Kirti: maine headphones pehne hue the!
Riya: tumhe dekh kar aisa lagta nahi ki tumhe apni ma ki maut ka koi dukh hai
Kirti: ma? (sarcastically) aisi ma ho ya na ho...koi farak nahi padta
Arjun and Riya glanced at each other hearing her answer.
Rathore called all of them: Liza body ko post mortem ke liye le jao! Shree statements par sabke signatures le lo, (turning to Vikram) aap fikar mat kijiye, hum jald se jald Mrs. Khanna ke qaatil ko dhundh lenge
They shook hands and ETF dispersed from the house. Vikram comforted his two daughters.
Rathore: Sakshi! media ko sambhalo, jab tak hum koi statement na de is case ki koi bhi detail baahar nahi jaani chahiye!
Sakshi nodded.
Arjun and Riya were walking a little behind the group.
Riya: aap kya soch rahe hai sir?
Arjun: Kirti aur Niyati dono ki kundali nikalo
Riya: ji sir par sir... uska pati bhi toh ho sakta hai. shayad unka kisi baat par jhagda ho gaya ho aur heat of the moment mein usne use maar diya ho aur ab humse jhoot bol raha hai ki jab woh aaya tab Nirmala ka khoon already ho gaya tha
Arjun: motive bhi toh hona chahiye Riya. Use dekhkar aisa lagta nahi ki uske aur uski biwi ke beech koi unban hai. Kirti ne kaha ki uski ma ho ya na ho isse farak nahi padta iska matlab woh apni betiyon se close nahi thi, woh unhe ma ka pyaar nahi deti thi. Lekin agar aisa hai toh Niyati kyun itna ro rahi thi?
Riya: maybe woh sirf Niyati se pyaar karti thi aur Kirti se nahi, kabhi-kabhi hota haina ek bache ko dusre se zyaada preference milta hai
Arjun: ho sakta hai, lekin agar aisa hota toh Vikram bhi toh sirf Niyati ko pyaar karta lekin teeno baap-beti ke beech koi problem nahi hai
Riya frowned: Arjun sir aapka kaam meri confusions door karne ka hai, aap toh mujhe aur confuse kar rahe hai aaj
Arjun: background pata karo Riya, sab apne aap saaf ho jaayega
Rathore(loudly): humara confusion door karoge ya aur badhaoge?
Taken aback, they turned to find the whole team staring at them waiting by the car. Arjun glared at them while Riya blushed.
Rathore: baatein ho gayi ho toh office chale?
Arjun: kyun? Mere bina tumhara man nahi lagta Rathore...sir?
Rathore rolled his eyes mv "main kyun isse argument karne ki koshish karta hun? : Let's go!
Shree and Riya started to dig in the history of the family as soon as they reached office.
Liza: sir murder weapon par ungliyon ke nishaan nahi hai
Riya: sir! Niyati was married. Woh pehle Kirti ki tarah apne papa ke saath business mein hi thi. Uska pati bhi waha ek employee tha. Shadi ke kuch mahino baad, uske pati Shekhar ki ek road accident mein maut ho gayi hai. uske baad se Niyati ne office chod diya aur khud ki art gallery shuru ki.
Shree: aur sir, Kirti ke call records aur messages ke hissab se uska ek boyfriend hai, Brijesh, woh bhi Mr Khanna ke office mein hi kaam karta hai par sir uske affair ke baare mein kisi ko nahi pata. Aur sir gaur karne ki ek aur baat hai ki, Niyati aur Shekhar ne bhaag kar shaadi ki thi par fir dono ke gharwaalon ne unhe accept kar liya
Rathore: aur Mr Khanna...
Arjun: Shekhar ki maut sach mein accident tha ya fir kuch aur?
Riya handed over the papers: sir police record mein clear cut accident hi hai, truck driver ne kaha ki gaadi ke brakes fail ho gaye the, investigation mein bhi wahi paaya gaya hai
Arjun: ye khoon in dono behno mein se kisi ek ne hi kiya hai
Rathore: Rawte woh apni ma ka khoon kyun karegi? Property unke baap ke naam par hai!!!
Arjun answered without looking up at him: har crime paison ke liye nahi kiya jaata Rathore!
Rathore: Rawte tum kuch samjhaane ka kasht karoge?
Arjun ignored him: Shree! Niyati ka phone trace karo aur dekho ki murder ke waqt woh kaha thi
Shree obeys and dives into his laptop.
Riya: sir aapko Niyati par itna shak kyun hai?
Arjun put the papers aside: Usne aur Shekhar ne bhaag kar shaadi ki thi, aur fir kuch hi dino mein uski maut koi ittefaq nahi ho sakta
Shree looked up in surprise: sir!!! Niyati ka phone us waqt ghar mein hi tha!
Interrogation room-
Ayesha: seedhe-seedhe bologi ya fir (tightening her wrist) main kuch yaad dilau?
Kirti and Vikram were creating a ruckus outside the room.
Kirti: Aap Log Is Tarah Didi Ko Kaise Arrest Kar Sakte Hai?!?! I Will Sue You All!!
Vikram: Khooni Ko Nahi Dhundh Paaye Toh Meri Beti Ko Fasa Rahe Ho Tum Log? Abhi Baat Karta Hun Tumhare Commissioner Se
Rathore: aapko jo karna hai kijiye!
Inside-
Ayesha banged the desk: Bolo!!!
Niyati burst out crying: ha maine maara ma ko!
Her statement stunned her family.
Ayesha: kyun?
Niyati: BECAUSE WHO MAA KEH LAANE KE LAAYAK NAHI HAI!!! (She hung her head) bachpan se papa hi mera aur Kirti ka khayal rakhte the. Maa ke paas fursat hi nahi thi apne lavish life se. kuch din pehle jab main Kirti se milne aayi thi toh maine maa ko phone par baat karte hue sun liya. unhe Kirti ke affair ke baare mein pata chal gaya tha aur tab...tab mujhe pata chala ki unhone hi Shekhar ko marwaaya tha, us... driver aur police waale ko paise khila kar aur ab...ab woh Brijesh ke saath bhi wahi karne waali thi kyunki woh bhi Shekhar ki tarah ek...ek normal middle-class family se tha aur jo...jo unke status ka nahi tha. Maine toh Shekhar ko kho diya lekin man nahi chahti thi ki Kirti bhi wahi sab kuch jhele, maine...maine jo bhi kiya, apni behen ki khushi ke liye kiya
Outside-
Kirti was stunned at the revelation and ran away from the room. Vikram somehow managed to keep his calm despite not being able to control his tears and followed her.
The Team was more than happy that the case had been solved. Taking pity on them, Rathore relieved them form all paperwork at the moment and gave them a half day, the next day so they could get catch some sleep.
Sakshi: Arjun! Tumne toh aate hi ek aur case solve kar diya!! Mubarak ho!
Arjun ignored her. He picked up his bag and looked at Riya who was lost in thought and absent-mindedly packing her purse. The others shook their head in disbelief wondering why she was still trying to pursue him when he was clearly not interested. Arjun went to Riya and nudged her breaking her trance.
Arjun: chale?
Riya nodded and turned towards the others wishing them good night before going with him, leaving behind a fuming Sakshi. They walked silently. He patiently waited for her to ask questions and just as he predicted she turned to him as soon as they sat in the SUV.
Riya: kabhi-kabhi samaj mein nahi aata na ki sahi kya hai aur galat kya?
Arjun ignited the engine: ha kyunki kabhi-kabhi sahi cheez karne ke liye insaan galat raasta chun leta hai. kabhi-kabhi sahi raasta nahi bhi hota lekin agar hum sabko aise hi chodte rahe toh law and order ka kya matlab? Kahi toh lakeer kheench ni hogi na?
Riya: hmm aap sahi keh rahe hai
She leaned and rested her head on his shoulder. A warm feeling enveloped him as he felt her weight making him smile.
Riya: sir, aapko pata hain..aap muskurate hue bahot cute lagta hai
Arjun chuckled: kuch bhi kya Riya? main aur cute? Seriously?
Riya: are sach mein!
Arjun: paagal ho tum
Riya scrunched her eyebrows: are sab mujhe paagal kyun kehte rehte hai? subah Shree bhi bol raha tha aur toh aur Chotu aur Rathore sir uski ha mein ha mila rahe the
Arjun: acha? Aisa kya kiya tumne?
Riya squinted: ha har baat mein meri hi galti hoi haina?
Arjun: oho Riya, usne tumhe randomly toh nahi bola hoga na? tumne kuch kiya tabhi usne react kiya
She hugged his arm and closed her eyes: aap chaaron khadoos hai!
Arjun shook his head and turned his concentration back to the road. He glanced at her again after a few moments.
Arjun: umm...Riya?
Riya looked up at him: ha?
Arjun: if you don't mind...I mean agar tum comfortable ho toh...uh...mere um...mere gh...ghar chalogi? Main...main bas tumhare saath...thoda waqt, bitana chahta tha...agar tumhe aitraaz na ho toh
Riya smiled: mujhe koi aitraaz nahi hai
Arjun gripped the steering wheel to refrain himself from shouting: great!
Arjun's house-
The couple had cuddled up with a blanket in a nested bed swing on the terrace, enjoying the scenic view of the full moon and fragrance of the potted night flowers around. Her head rested on his chest and he hugged her from the side.
She was half-sleepy, barely able to keep her eyes open but didn't want to sleep so soon. Arjun on the other hand, was satisfied with having her in his embrace. It had been ages since he had seen her. All this while, he was putting up a brave front nicely slipping into the undercover, entering Sikandar's gang and rising the ranks to ultimately reach him. And suddenly the day before, his steps faltered.
He did not want to turn away...no! He just wished for someone to share his vulnerable side with, someone who would put rest to his irrational fears and encourage him. Obviously, the face of the girl resting in his arms had immediately flashed in front of him. Her name had always been in his heart. He knew he was going to return only for her. He always knew she was the one who he would love share his life with. The one he could trust...with his life and his heart.
He knew he had probably been unreasonable in asking her directly for marriage that too the same day he came and also almost embarrassed her in front of senior officials, but he wasn't able to stop himself. Taking things slowly would have only made him more anxious, wondering if she reciprocated his feelings or just being friendly, the way she was with everyone else. He decided to make no plans to raise his hopes unsurely and let them crash down later.
Riya: Arjun sir aap kaha kho gaye?
Arjun came out of his thoughts: kuch nahi Riya bas aise hi (caressing her hair) you can stop calling me sir you know...off-duty
Riya blushed and tried: Arjun si...Arjun (she shook her head vigorously) nahi! kitna ajeeb lagta hai
Arjun: mera naam tumhe ajeeb lagta hai?
Riya(complaining): are nahi!! bina sir ke kitna ajeeb lagta hai, adhura lagta hai
He shook his head: tum sach mein paagal ho
Riya: are main paagal nahi hun
Arjun: acha? Toh tum shaadi ke baad bhi ghar mein mujhe sir bulaogi? Sabko lagega ki jaise main koi zaalim pati hun
Riya: jise jo sochna hai soche! Hume kya? (lovingly) mujhe toh pata haina ki aap kitne ache hai
Arjun: aur mera kya?
Riya: aapka kya matlab?
Arjun: mujhe toh aise hi lagega jaise main din bhar office mein hi hun
Riya squinted: agar aapko aisa lage na toh mujhse aankhein hata kar surrounding dekh lena! Ki ghar hai ya office
Arjun leaned towards her: toh tumhe pata hai ki main office mein bhi tum par nazar rakhta hun? (Riya blushed) bolo Riya
He moved closer to her face staring into her eyes. She looked away shyly, pulling back as she turned crimson. Arjun smiled seeing her reactions.
Riya (controlling herself): acha theek hai! koshish karungi...par dheere-dheere, aap mujhe yaad dilate rehna jab hum office mein na ho
Arjun: jo hukum
He turned towards her and pulled her closer to him, wrapping his arms completely around her. Riya raised her eyebrow.
Arjun: thank you
Riya(surprised): ab kis liye?
Arjun tightened his grip on her: mere ghar aur zindgi mein aane ke liye.
Riya lowered her eyes: aapko har baat par thank you kehne ki zaroorat nahi hai. aur...is hissab se toh mujhe bhi aapko thank you kehna chahiye
Arjun(confused): woh kyun bhala?
Riya stared into his eyes: mere pehle pyaar ko pura karne ke liye
Arjun: Riya...
Unable to refrain himself further, he immediately leaned forward and kissed her, assuring her with all the feelings he had.
The End...
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