Chapter 3

[NOCOPY]

[MEMBERSONLY]

Chapter Three


She


'shoot Riya shoot'!

'shoot Riya '

'Riya shoot'

His voice rang in my head again and again. He was prompting me to do this. No ordering me to do this. To shoot that man who was trying to escape. And the moment the gun was pointed at me.

I didn't.

He was mad at me . But still I didn't. He shot the guy instead. And I stood there. He left me alone giving death glares. But I didn't move. I was still.

Like I am now.


'It's You'?

He asked and I nodded yes smiling.

'and not your ghost' , he was smiling this time hiding all other emotions.

'Not ghost'! I said.

The next moment I found myself crushed under his arms. A big bear hug no,no sandwich hug. Like the one I always expect from him. Though I was too small against his chest, I held onto him hugging him back.

'so tell me Chotu how are you'? I asked the real question since I came here. He broke apart and held me to his side as we both leaned onto the terrace wall.

'hungry as always'! He startled a laugh making me laugh as well, 'so what new items you learned making hmm? Unlike everything I still think didn't ditch your kitchen. Did you'??

'not yet! I still need fats, carbohydrates and proteins to survive', that made him laugh too. Its all good, free and peaceful. With him. He had always been a great friend and he still is. We had always this thing before. Even if we wont meet for years we could still act like best friends the moment we'd reconcile after doing those emotional drama.

'so NIA second in command, when you became that'? He asked teasing me.

'come on now don't force me for an action replay. I am living better in present', I smiled and he knew how faint it was.

'tell me about you. Your life and other stuff'! I asked not going to my own life.

'First tell me if you were serious about Arjun sir's promotion?? Really you said that ? Or it has to do with the sense of humour you developed'? He wasn't introspecting but may be found that a little offending.

'Yes and No! Of course I am proud of my sense of humour but doesn't he deserve a promotion? What reason left behind that he is still here'?

'aren't you happy? That he is still here'? He asked out of the blue and my reaction was confused. I had no intention of coming back here.

'I don't know how to feel about it. All I can think of is, if he is here, he has some purpose'! That man is nothing without his purpose'! It was true. But the thing that is troubling me is what IS the purpose.

'come on Riya. Are you still mad at them? I don't know about Arjun Sir but Rathod sir never meant any of those things. He was just being a mentor'! I have always seen this sincere respect Chotu has for Rathod sir and I admire that. And as a mentor he was indeed the best.

'that he was Chotu! He always wanted a change in me. I became the change. Now he found the change as too offending'?? I asked. I cant be in two forms at a single time. I am not a mentally unstable person. So I needed to do stable things.

'your arrogance already told him how much you've changed! And it was offending'!

'that's another thing I am proud of', I didn't smile.

'he always adored you Riya'. Will he ever give up on his chief? NO!

'he survived six years without adoring me. And he can still survive without doing it'!

'don't be this cold Riya'!

'They're the reason that triggered this change in me. And now its too difficult for me to get back what I was'!

'its not about difficulty. You chose to be what you are now and choices can be made again only if you chose to'!

'yet again I find no reason to...'! I smiled this time. 'well I must praise your criticism' , I grinned and he just shook his head with despair.

'i was just being honest Riya'!

'Didn't I tell you? That's the thing I expect from only you'. Not only greatest but Chotu is the most honest person I've come across. I was in his contact just for once three years ago coincidently. And he showered his madness over me for leaving all of them. But I had to assure him. Whatever I did was my choice and I would be fine. I would be a better person. I don't know if I disappointed him. There are only few people in my life I didn't want to disappoint. He is one of them. But one thing I realised, the moment you have less people to disappoint around you, you can actually stop disappointing yourself. So letting go these people from my life actually helped me. But not for too long. May be because I became too biased with my own perspective.

'let's go down, you need a proper introduction with the ladies'! His voice was teasing.

'yeah my first sight impression on people is indeed horrible'! I said. The first time I met Shree, I sort of broke his laptop and he behaved as if I instead broke his girlfriends bones. With Rathod sir, i didn't even know when i added so much sugar in his coffee that he felt like even his kids will suffer from diabetes. With Arjun sir, I thought he was a criminal and showed him my martial arts skills, though he was not in a mood for my cat woman like argument later. And now with the ladies down there. One is already mad at me for killing their suspect, other is must be thinking to strangle me.

'how could I forget that', he chuckled and he must be thinking the how I behaved with him the first time. We were about to go down but this unexpected appearance of Arjun Sir is not pleasing. And what he have in his hand? A can of coke , a box and a paper.

He didn't say anything but I didn't miss the amusement fill his eyes every time our eyes met. What great achievement I did to deserve that? He came closer and handed me the can and literally thrown the box in my other hand. And I realised it was a tissue box. He still thinks me of as a hygienic freak? I won't prove him wrong. But he really need to search better ideas for annoying me.

'Welcome back to ETF Riya Mukharjee, you are "temporarily" and "officially" assigned with ETF to assist us here in Sudhir Rao case', he said in the boss like formal tone with a hint of sarcasm but he was very much pleased with him. Of course my discomfort had always been his pleasure. I didn't reply anything. All I can think of is reading piles of files and a bit of research about this Sudhir Rao.

'you can get all important files and case details from Chotu and anything else you need just ask anyone around the office and they will help'! He said looking at both Chotu and me.

'well then alright. Chotu get those files ready, I'd review them'. I asked Chotu and he went downstairs leaving us both there. Hr said nothing except staring at me. No I am not feeling uncomfortable. Not anymore. There was a time I was very eager to see him, waited for him in the office early morning. Made tea for him which sometimes he didn't even touch. There was that time he'd look at me. Not into my eyes as if it would be a sin. I was uncomfortable then. When he'd touch me without any intention of making me uncomfortable at all but I felt it. Those feelings were sometimes beautiful and sometimes painful. But I tolerated. And now I don't know how to react to this. His those tempting eyes, the warmth of his body, his irresistible charms? I am immune to him. But well it would be fun teasing him.

I turned around leaning on that terrace opening my coke. He knew I was aware of his presence and still I am not talking. What is it he expect from me? That I will go around with a cup of tea and do chit chat about how he had been all these days and all about each others well being stuff?? No! I am not going to do it.

He was extremely repelling that time when I was attracted to him. His rejection was inevitable. I tried enough time. Enough and enough time. The last thing I could have done was to beg. I chose not to.

This drink is like elixir to me. How wonderfully it just soothes my throat. Well I'd say I am addicted to it. He was still standing there and must be staring at me.

'you burned your taste buds'?

'No' his reply was full of surprise.

'I wonder what did I do to make you speechless'!

'you yourself is enough reason. Its good that you are asking it to yourself', he said and yes, I HAVE to do something of this reply.

'Say something new'.

He stayed silent but didn't leave. Instead I felt him just very close to me. The next second he was standing beside me leaning on the wall resting his elbow on the edge and looking at me while I was devouring the sweet taste of my cold drink. Why this silence is the only thing that always made peace in between us. May be because we both enjoy it. Without invading the others emotions.

'Thank you'. I heard it right. Arjun Rawte is showing some signs of gratitude?

' Thank you for saving my life' , his voice was sincere. I stayed silent again. In our early days in ETF, he was not used to my chatter box talk. I don't think he is used my silence either.

'will you ever stop haunting me'? I said. I could still hear his screams every time I found someone at my gun point telling me to shoot. I don't know why asked him this but I thought I needed to ask. If anything that didn't change in this whole years was his enraged voice screaming in my head to kill. And I can't still make peace with it. Sure I don't even flinch before shooting anyone but I don't get any peace with it. May be someday I'd just realise that by shooting someone not always kill someone but sometimes it is to save others life too.

'what did you say'? He came dangerously close to me making me leaning half in the air. His reaction was furious. He doesn't know how badly he always affected me. Letting him know wasn't one of my greatest choice. I shouldn't have said that. But I couldn't stop myself. All I want to do is fight him. To tell him that see what I am today. But I couldn't.

I had to put my hand on his collar otherwise I'd have been on the ground dead by now. Though I won't forgive him for making me drop my coke can.

'I should not have said that... Sorry' I said looking directly into his eyes so that he won't bug me again.

'why would you said that Riya? I know you are still mad at us for doing that to you but we...' , I don't want this conversation now. I knew I am immune to his charms but not his intelligence. He'd somehow convince me. That is exactly I don't want right now.

'I don't want to know what you meant or didn't, the thing is I was enough weak that you regretted taking me along with you. I was weak. Yes I was...', and I need you to see into my eyes and see how strong I became. I felt his hand on my shoulder and I turned around trying to avoid any contact. He instead came closer holding me captive between his arms. His chest touching my back.

'you are not weak Riya...', he whispered.

'and you still think you are the one to decide'? How can I always let him be the judge to decide what I was or I am?? I did it once and the result is what I am now. On reply he didn't say anything. But just sighed. He didn't move away either. I thought why he had to do all these things now. When exactly I wanted him to be at my side he pushed me. And now? Do I really need him? Why he would have to try it now as if he is attracted while I am neutral case.

'Arjun...you.. ' , I heard this voice behind me. That reporter girl argh. What she has to do with Arjun sir? But he didn't immediately moved away. He took his time    compose himself and slowly moved away. I turned around too. Standing there was Sakshi Anand glaring at me dangerously as if giving me death threats.

'i thought if you'll drop me or not'? She said with gritted teeth. Oh so now its her he is dropping every night. Another improvement I can say. But why her? Huhh!

'umm.. ' what ? Now he isn't sure if he'd go with her or not.

'of course he will Miss Anand', I said moving aside. 'He had always been helpful to unarmed females'! I said teasing him and heard him growl.

'well Riii I talked to mother and she wants you to be there with us for dinner', Chotu said emerging behind Sakshi.

'okay! I am staying at your place tonight. Lets get those files with us , I will review them tonight. Its just 8 only', I said avoiding Arjun sir's glares and walked towards Chotu.

'well good night and safe journey to both of you'! I said to both of them and walked downstairs with Chotu leaving the duo. Hmm! Another discovery? Mmm, there is something between Sakshi Anand and Arjun sir. Lets see what exactly they are. The only thing I couldn't control is my level of curiosity.

'i also invited Shree'! Chotu said, and I didn't find it as a very good idea. With the fact that he is maddeningly angry with me and will roast marshmallows instead.

'lets see if he will roast me or marshmallows', I chuckled.

'since you are making us cold chocolate milk shake, he wont'! Chotu teased me and I need to remind myself about this chocolate milkshake stuff which I never made all these years.

'you have your apartment keys'? Of course I have them. But that place might not be in too good condition I think.

'mmm , but I need to clean it eh'!

'no there is another problem, your neighbour is..', I didn't let him speak.

'what I'd have to do with the neighbours', lets have dinner at your place, I am tired'!

'as you wish'!

As we walked down I found Shree and Miss Kapoor was were in a busy conversation and whatever he was saying she was smiling at him. Sitting there was another woman facing opposite to me.

'Shree , lets go, its time', Chotu said interrupting him and he noticed me. His smile faded and he glared instead. Along with Miss Kapoor , the woman as well turned and what a pleasant surprise, I know her.

'so it's you? I finally got a chance to work with you Ma'am', she said addressing me.

'yes its me Dr D' Cruz, finally ', I smiled. She was one of the best CSI I have ever known. I walked towards her forwarding my hand out of formality. She shook hands with me and smiled.

'you both know each other'? Asked Miss Kapoor surprised.

'always known her', I winked at Shree but he glared at me. Huh!

'uh, I mean she was selected by NIA as a CSI but seems she chose ETF over NIA', I said it but I had no grudges against her. She is intelligent enough to decide where she wants to work.

'and I always wanted to work with her', she said to Aisha smiling.

'okay Dr, I will catch up with you later for a chit chat' I said and asked Chotu to get those files.

Dinner Time.

So this was part three. Early ? Isn't it? WTH? I am too serious about this .

Hope ya guys like this too. Thank you guys very much for the replies. Means a lot to me.

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