Ariya OS Bas Ek Pal

Bas Ek Pal

It was another normal morning in Mumbai. The ETF office was abuzz with activities. Arjun entered the office and went straight into his cabin.

A tiny basket was placed on his table. He removed his sunglasses, squinting at it as he took his seat.It was barely larger than the size of one’s hand. A ribbon was tied around it with a bow and covered with netting which was also tied with a small piece of ribbon. Curious, he pulled open the ribbon and the net fell to the sides.

Chocolates! Filled to the brim with them. He was pleasantly surprised and confused. He examined the basket as to who might’ve kept it. That’s when his gaze fell on a small note tied to the handle which was dangling on the side. He straightened it. A small teddy bear was drawn on it. Beside it, a message in calligraphy.

“For the sweetness that love brought into your life,

For the sweetness that remains in your heart,

For the sweetness that will stay in your soul,

Happy Birthday!!!”

Arjun straightened immediately! Who the hell knew about his birthday? On top of that who would wish him like this? He scanned the handwriting but it was impossible to find out due to the calligraphy used. He turned and twisted the basket and the note in hopes of finding some name, some clue as to who might have kept it but to no avail.

He didn’t like sweets but these were definitely tempting him especially due to air of mystery around them. Besides, it was his birthday. Not that he had celebrated after Roshni, he never had reason to but this was creating sentiments inside him. His eyes moistened as he remembered his wife. As if in a trance, he opened one of the colourful wrappers of the homemade chocolate and placed it in his mouth.

It was mildly sweet, adding to his surprise. Whoever made them or got them made definitely knew about his taste. He or she knew that he didn’t have a sweet tooth. The question was, who had? It was definitely someone from office, no one else could randomly walk into ETF in the early hours of the morning and place something in his cabin.

As far as the team was concerned, he was sure only Rathore knew about his birthday. He was even more sure that his estranged friend had nothing to do with this. Even if he wasn’t estranged, there was no chance in hell, that he was going to get fancy with baskets, teddy bears and cheesy heartfelt wishes.

His immediate next thought went to the CCTV in his cabin but then he hesitated. He wanted to find the culprit on his own. He wanted to figure out for himself who had decided to take such a suicidal step of wishing him without his knowledge. Maybe that’s why there was no name. That struck him.

There were only two other people in the entire ETF who dared to talk to him. But, one was too obnoxious to not leave her name. She would probably keep jumping in his face till he didn’t accept her wishes. The other however, fit the description almost too perfectly….brave yet timid. Still, he wanted to be sure.

A smile appeared on his lips mv “This is going to be fun and maybe….a little too easy”

The intercom rang  requiring his presence for the new case. He safely kept the basket in his cupboard and left, not before stuffing a chocolate or two in his pocket.

The team returned to office after preliminary investigation. A college student had committed suicide but it was apparent that he had been pushed and had not voluntarily jumped off the terrace.

A serious discussion was going on in the conference room which was suddenly interrupted by the sound of the opening of a wrapper. All eyes turned to Chotu with accusation who looked back innocently. Realising he was not guilty, glances moved around to find Arjun leisurely unwrapping a chocolate and popping it into his mouth.

A pair of eyes twinkled as a smile crept on her lips. She looked away, not wanting to get caught but the ACP had seen it all through the corner of his eyes mv “pata tha mujhe, tumhare ilawa aisa koi kar hi nahi sakta”

Needless to say, everyone was shocked to see Arjun eating something other than his tea, leave alone a chocolate that too when they were in the middle of a case but who had the courage to say anything to him. Rathore rolled his eyes and switched the focus back to the case.

Soon after, he divided the team to find out more clues so as to what could be the motive behind the murder. Arjun, Riya and Shree visited the victim’s parents to get additional information. They were returning to the conference room when Shree’s phone pinged.

Shree: sir, college ki CCTV mil gayi hai

Arjun nodded. Riya froze! CCTV…..she had completely forgotten about it. She cursed herself, wondering how she could be so stupid.

Shree stopped an turned: kya hua Ri? Ruk kyun gayi?

Riya: huh? Uh…..tu chalna, main zara aati hu

Shree: okay, jaldi aa

Riya: ha

Arjun pretended to not understand anything that was going on. Riya forced a smile in response to his gaze. She gulped and hurried away to Shree’s desk.

She looked around to make sure no one was there. Riya accessed the CCTV files of the office. She opened the feed of Arjun’s cabin and the corridor outside and selected the time frame she had to get rid of. A confirmation prompted up.

She was about to click OK but then hesitated, mv “ye main kya kar rahi hu? Government records delete kar rahi hu? Ye illegal hai….nahi main aisa nahi kar sakti, lekin….lekin agar Arjun sir ne ise dekh liya toh? Main toh pakka suspend ho jaungi par…..delete bhi toh nahi kar sakti, hey bhagwan kya karu? kis dharm sankat mein daal diyaa apne mujhe? Karu ya na karu?” her mind was filled with conflict and finally her fear reigned over her ethic mv “kar deti hu, kaunsa crime chupa rahi hu main? Bas khud ko bacha hi toh rahi hu…kar de Riya, warna agar Arjun sir ne dekh liya toh research desk ke bhi laayak nahi rahegi.”

She made up her mind and lifted her finger to press the mouse when a voice called her from behind.

Arjun: kya kar rahi ho Riya?

She jumped out of her chair to face him. Sweat beads formed on her forehead.

Riya: sir…aap…aap…

Arjun came towards her, hands folded with his usual poker face: tumhare baare mein puch raha hun, apne nahi!

Riya: woh…main…main bas…thodi filen re, reorganise kar rahi thi….ha filen reorganise kar rahi thi

Arjun: acha? (he looked at the desktop screen sending jitters along her body) ye kaunsi footage delete kar rahi ho?

Riya: woh….woh….um…footage…(her mind wandered off desperately trying to find an answer) uh…purane…ha purane case ki….woh case khatam ho gaya haina? Toh….maine….maine socha ki hard copy toh, police record mein hoti hi hai, toh….toh soft, umm soft nikal deti hu, bas wahi, wahi kar rahi thi

Arjun: I see, waise tumhe pata hai jab insaan zyaada ruk-ruk kar (glancing at her hands) is tarah fidget karta hai (glancing at her face) paseene se latpat hota hai, soch-sochkar bolta hai toh woh jhoot bol raha hota hai

Her eyes widened: jhoot?...na…

Arjun stepped forward conveniently invading her privacy and threatening her further. He was so close to her that he could hear her breaths accelerating in nervousness

Arjun(sternly): wahi jhoot jisse mujhe sakht nafrat hai

Riya tried tearing away from his gaze but was unable to: maine aapke cabin mein chocolates nahi rakhe

Arjun(amused): acha? Tumhe kaise pata ki mere cabin mein kisine chocolates rakhe the?

She clenched her eyes shut in realisation (muttering): shit! I’m an idiot. Hey maa Durga bachao mujhe(slowly opening her eyes) sir…woh…main….I…I’m…

Arjun’s hand cupped her face. Before she could realise any of it, he leaned and pecked her lips, closing her eyes again.

Arjun(softly): thank you

Her eyes shot open but was only greeted by his back disappearing round the corner. She stood rooted to the ground, still reeling under the shock. Her hand shivered as it went up and touched her lips. She collapsed on the chair.

Riya(in disbelief) : he kissed me? Arjun sir…kissed me?

She had barely come to terms with the fact when Shree came searching for her.

Shree: Ri chal na! kya kar rahi hai? CCTV check karna hai

His voice startled her:ha? ha! main….chal

She followed him to the conference room. Her gaze fell on Arjun who was standing near his chair drinking his tea. Her body immediately heated up as her neurons started firing at full speed. He on the other hand was composed as he could ever be.

Rathore: Riya, are you okay?

Riya snapped out of her thoughts: huh?....ji, ji sir kyun?

Rathore: pakka? You are completely red…like literally….aisa lagta hai jaise kisine body paint lagaya ho

She almost choked on the air she was breathing. Her brain rambled to find an answer but was already overworked due to Arjun’s actions.

Riya: woh….woh sir…umm….darasal…

Arjun: garmi bahot hai Rathore

Their heads snapped in his direction.

Arjun: abhi baahar se aaye hai, isliye laal pad gayi hogi (he leaned on the table and gazed into her eyes) haina Riya?

Riya averted her gaze: ji…ji sir, woh….garmi ki wajah se

Rathore looked at her suspiciously, not entirely convinced but let go of the matter. They had more pressing things to consider at the moment. He would keep an eye out for her in case she felt sick.

The investigation carried on ahead smoothly. Arjun easily behaved as if nothing had happened but Riya tried to stay away as far as possible from him. Even glancing in his direction was making her blush hard. She wished that the day got over soon.

The ETF uncovered an exam paper racket within the campus. The murdered student had gotten into a tussle with the higher ups for a share of the profit which had led to the coldblooded murder. Arresting the perpetrators involved in the murder and racket,they headed back to office.

Unfortunately for Riya,she wasn’t able to avoid taking the journey back with Arjun. She was fidgeting with her hands all throughout. Arjun was looking at her through the corner of his eyes. She was desperately trying to not look in his direction. She could only thank God that they were not alone. Shree and Liza were busy bickering in the backseat.

Arjun decreased the temperature of the AC, making it colder in the vehicle. The wave hit all of them.

Shree(hesitantly): sir…aapne AC kyun badaya?

Arjun didn’t bother to spare him a glance: tumhari dost ko garmi se kuch zyaada hi problem hai Shree, agar firse laal ho gayi toh?

Riya’s head snapped in his direction. A hint of smile was playing on his lips making her all the more nervous. She felt like drowning in the nearest water source available. She lowered her gaze and looked away mv “oh god! Ye kaisa return gift hai?”

Shree and Liza on the other hand were confused. Shree glanced at Riya but she was looking away. He looked at Liza who gave him the same blank expression he had. Arjun pulled up into the premises of the office and Riya was the first to leave the car.

The team finished the necessary paperwork and formalities before Rathore called it a day and allowed everyone to go.

Riya ran away from the office the second permission was given. Arjun was more than amused at her quirks. He shook his head and headed home with the chocolates. Rushing home, she went straight into the shower. The cold water running down her body finally managed to calm her senses.

She sat on her bed drying her hair with a towel. Suddenly, a message beeped on her phone. She used one hand to check her phone.

Arjun- You are much more sweeter than the chocolates!

Riya’s jaw dropped to the ground as all her efforts went down the drain. Her body heated up again as roses adorned her cheeks. She banged the phone on the bed upside down.

Riya buried her face in the pillow:  Damn you Arjun sir!!!  

On the other hand, Arjun smirked to himself as he saw the grey ticks turn blue. He was half expecting the online to turn into typing but knew she would be too flushed to answer. Nevertheless, he waited for a few seconds. He popped another chocolate in his mouth and closed his phone.

He placed it by his bedside table next to the basket, the tag still dangling from it, the net safely kept under its weight and a bunch of chocolates still enough to last him for a few days. A smiled appeared on his face as he lay on the bed, lovingly staring at it. Riya’s crimson face flashed before his eyes.

Arjun: sorry Riya, par ab toh tumhe iski aadat daalni hi padegi, you’re stuck with me

He chuckled to himself before closing his eyes and drifting into sleep.

The End…………………….

 Mid Credits : pg 5

Post Credits : pg 8