Chapter 54

Bloomie

@bloomie

Part 54 [MEMBERSONLY][NOCOPY]

By now Arjun understands, something is weird about the way he is enquiring.

Arjun (suspiciously): and your point is?

Dhruv looked at him sheepishly at being caught: single hai kya?....................................

Arjun felt the ground beneath him slip away. He would have screamed if police sirens had not interrupted them. The local police had reached. Arjun waved his hand for them to take over the crime scene.

The trio sat in the car and Arjun started driving back to the ETF. She removed a packet of biscuits from her purse and handed them behind to Dhruv.

Riya: ye lo, tumhe bhook lagi hogi

Dhruv melted as he took the packet.

Arjun gripped the steering wheel. He pondered over the consequences of throwing him out of the running car. Unfortunately, he loved him too.  

Dhruv: oh that’s so thoughtful of you

Riya smiled: no problem (she turned to Arjun) sir, Chotu ne message diya hai aapke liye ki aapka shak sahi tha, Mehta ka beta hi involved tha. Woh log use aur necklace dono trace kar rahe hai. The good news is ki Chatterjee ka case bhi wrap up ho gaya hai. Uske boss ke driver ne bayaan diya hai ki us raat woh apne boss aur Chatterjee ko lekar jungle gaya tha. woh Chatterjee ko promotion ke badle apne biwi ko… uh..

Arjun gritted his teeth: Disgusting!!

Riya: yea, Chatterjee ne inkaar kar diya, un dono ka jhagda ho gaya aur Chatterjee maara gaya. fir driver ne hi dhamki se dar kar aur paise lekar sabut mitaane mein uski help ki thi (angrily) kaise log hote hai? apne se aadhi umar ki ladki ke liye usne uske pati ka khoon kar diya! Bloody Ba*tard!

Arjun was about to say something when Dhruv piped in.

Dhruv: aap bilcul sahi keh rahi hai, aaj kal toh jaise moral sense naam ki cheez hi nahi

Arjun glared at him from the rear view mirror while she shook her head.

Riya: aise logon ke liye toh faasi bhi kam hai

Dhruv: bilcul kam hai

Riya scrunched her eyebrows. Why was he repeating everything she said?

Dhruv: lekin Riya ji…

Arjun mv “Riya ji? What the…?”

Dhruv: … jab tak aap, I mean aapke aur Arjun jaise officers hai tab tak ye log kamyaab nahi honge

Arjun deflated mv “bhai ko flirt karna nahi aata, wow!” He didn't know whether to continue being angry or laugh at his plight.

She turns her head: right

Arjun felt like laughing but controlled himself. He knew Riya was picking up the crumbs. At the same time he wondered, how she could pick up random men flirting with her but couldn’t understand they loved each other and were flirting with each other for months?

Dhruv smiled: oh and by the way, (raising the packet from which he was eating) thank you so much. Maine kal raat se kuch nahi khaaya. Meri toh jaan nikal rahi thi bhook ke maare. Aap kitni caring hai. aur jis tarah aap un gundo ko maar rahi thi, beautiful!!! Aapne toh do-do baar meri jaan bachayi aur toh aur…

Riya sighed and turned to Arjun: aapka bhai mujh par line kyun maar raha hai?

Dhruv looked at her in shock.

Arjun: uh…

Riya: usse kahiye ki line mein rahe warna main line mein rehne laayak nahi chodungi

Dhruv’s jaw fell to the floor.

Arjun obliged happily: bhai, Riya ke saath flirt mat kijiye warna woh jo karegi woh toh aap dekh hi chuke hai lekin main aapko apni girlfriend par aankh daalne ke liye zaroor kahi ulta latka dunga

She looked at him in shock. Did he just say girlfriend? His girlfriend? Her? Emotions rushed into her chest making her feel warm. He smirked seeing her reaction and winked at her. She blushed red and looked out the window.

Dhruv fumbled: teri… girlfriend?

Arjun (bored): bhai, I killed Zorawar for you. Don’t make me shoot you now, samjhe ya samjhau?

If the woman was so fiery, what would have the service done to Arjun? He had always been short-tempered and ready to fight. Gulping, he bid his dream goodbye and focused on the biscuits.

It was late evening by the time they reached the ETF Office. The Rawte family, barring Arjun had had a happy reunion. Vedant exchanged a happy, grateful and sad glance with him. Arjun blinked back reassuringly.

Chotu was busy with tracing the necklace while Shree with Mehta’s son. So the others started working on closing the other two cases. Suryakant again tried to throw a tantrum when they were asked to stay while they arrested Khanna. The local police brought him in and they recorded his statement. Arjun had given a wonderful treatment to him for trying to hurt his brother.

He had a fight with Suryakant only to result with Dhruv stepping in and calming both of them down. Dhruv and Raima somehow managed to calm Suryakant under the pretext of not needing to return just to give their statements.

At the same time, a few ATS officers arrived for taking over the bomb case. So, Riya and Liza got busy with them.

Arjun and Riya’s cabin-

Ayesha came in hurriedly and closed the door. Arjun looked up from the report he was writing and arched his eyebrow.

Ayesha: woh sach mein aapke papa hai?

Arjun sighed: ab kya kiya unhone?

Ayesha: unhone kaha ki woh junior officers ko bayaan nahi denge aur aapke saamne bhi nahi, unhe Rathore sir chahiye. Rathore sir ne kaha ki workload zyaada hai toh woh dusre kaam mein busy hai lekin woh maan ne ko hi taiyaar nahi. Jeez! You’re so much better

Arjun raised his eyebrow. Was she complimenting?

Ayesha rolled her eyes: aapko gaali sunne ki kuch zyaada aadat nahi ho gayi?

Arjun: bahot pehle

She scratched the back of her head(softly): sorry

Arjun: tumse jhagadne mein hi maza hai, rehne do

Ayesha smiled.

Arjun: toh finally kya hua?

Ayesha: Rathore sir bayaan le rahe hai

Arjun: toh tum yaha kya kar rahi ho?

Ayesha: aapse puchne aayi thi, kahi aap adopted toh nahi?

Arjun: unfortunately not, Dhruv bhai is

She giggled: acha sir, Mehta ke bete ka phone on ho gaya. Chotu necklace ki deal rokne gaya hai, Shree toh paperwork mein duba hua hai aur Riya ma’am bhi ATS ke saath busy hai. I was wondering agar aap?

He nods. Closing the pen, he picked up his gun.

Arjun: chalo!

It took them a while to get all the things wrapped up. Even though it was only 10 p.m. when Rathore called the day off, they were all tired with all the running they had had to do. He gave them all a pat on the back for the efficient work. Suryakant left as soon as Rathore said so, of course not before giving another taunt to which the chief just rolled his eyes.

Parking lot-

Raima was trying to convince Suryakant to let her meet Arjun once but he would have none of it. Vedant and Dhruv too pleaded. However, he stayed firm.

Suryakant: Usne Apna Faisla Usi Din Le Liya Tha Jab Usne Ghar Choda Tha! Ab Uska Hum Mein Se Kisi Se Koi Vaasta Nahi!

Raima was close to tears: Surya please! Itne salon baad aaj dekha hai use. kya tumhara dil zara sa bhi nahi pighla use dekhkar? Beta hai woh humara

Suryakant: Mere Sirf Do Bete Hai! Aur Woh Dono Ab Sahi Salamat Hai! Mujhe Uski Koi Zaroorat Nahi!

Dhruv: par kaka, use bhi toh humari zaroorat hai

Suryakant: Bakwas! Ab agar tum logon ka ho gaya ho toh…

He is interrupted by a voice. They turned to see Arjun and Riya stepping out of the lift with their bags.

Arjun: saare evidence bhej diye?

Riya: nahi, bodies kal transport karenge. Uske baad jo claimed bodies hai unhe families ko saunp denge. Ugh! Meri bhook ke maare jaan nikal rahi hai, dinner karenge?

Arjun smiled: tumhe sach mein lagta hai main na bolunga? Aur woh bhi

He stops abruptly seeing his family in front. He clenches his fist seeing tears in his mother’s eyes. He was sure it must have been something Suryakant did.

Vedant: bhai…

Suryakant glares at him. Vedant sighs and looks away.

An awkward silence rested as Arjun and Suryakant engaged in a glaring battle.

Suryakant glanced at Riya: toh tum ye sab karne ke liye yaha ho? afsos, isse behtar time pass mil jaate tumhe agar tumhare andar thodi si bhi akal hoti

Now Riya glares at him. Arjun gritted his teeth.

Dhruv(softly): kaka, I don’t think that’s a very good…

Just as he had anticipated, Arjun’s voice boomed.

Arjun: RIYA KO BEECH MEIN GHASIT NE KI KOI ZAROORAT NAHI HAI! Aapko Jo Bolna Hai Seedhe-Seedhe Mujhse Boliye!!

Suryakant: tumhe kaha kuch bhi bolkar faayda kaha hai?

Arjun: Toh Fir Subah Se Apni Energy Mujh Par Kyun Waste Kar Rahe Hai? Jayiye Jaa Kar Koi Aur Zameen Kharidiye!!

He grabbed Riya’s hand and was about to take her away when he taunted again.

Suryakant: achi zameen toh main kharid lunga! Lekin afsos laayak beta nahi kharid sakta

The others looked away in pain.

Arjun felt his childhood coming back to him. Controlling himself, he tries to take Riya away. However, his lady love had fused off now.

Riya stared him down: How Dare You?

Arjun’s head rang alarm bells.

Suryakant: apni awaaz neeche rakho inspector, Tumhe Pata Bhi Hai Tum Kisse Baat Kar Rahi Ho?

Arjun: Ri…

She held up her hand to stop him.

Riya: Achi Tarah Se Jaanti Hun! Main Ek Aise Baap Se Baat Kar Rahi Hun Jise Ye Bhi Nahi Pata Ki Uske Bete Ki Biwi Mar Chuki Hai Aur Woh Teen Saal Se Depression Mein Hai!!

Suryakant froze. The others looked at Arjun in shock who grumbled under his breath. She had to break his secret?

Riya grabbed his hand: Chaliye Sir!

He followed her silently. Half afraid of her anger and half not wanting to face the others. She stopped near the SUV and turned.

Riya: aur yaad rakhna Mr. Suryakant Rawte, rishte kamaye jaate hai, Kharide Nahi!

Snatching the car keys from Arjun’s hands, she got in to drive and put her foot on the accelerator.

Arjun stayed silent till they covered a safe distance. Despite the whole drama, he couldn’t deny how warm his heart felt when Riya screamed at his father for him.

Arjun: by the way, mujhe depression nahi hai

Riya: thode symptoms toh hai

Arjun frowned: I’m better now! Come on, I lost my love. Dukhi hona normal hota hai

Riya: ha lekin sirf har kar, khadoos ban kar, bas badle ke liye jeena normal nahi woh bhi itne saalon tak but ha, you’re better… now

Arjun: ha toh tumne aisa kyun kaha?

She looked at him in amusement: thoda drama toh banta hai

Arjun chuckled: tum bhi na! udhar maa, bhai aur Vedant bhi tension mein aa jaayenge

Riya: acha hai, thoda aggressive honge toh hi aapke papa ki akal thikaane aayegi, unki problem kya hai? bina baat ke issue create karte rehte hai

Arjun sighed: ego toh pehle se hi bahot tha. jab saara business unke sar aaya and he worked for it, woh aur bhi zyaada badhta gaya. Throw in a little emotional trauma aur bas perfect Suryakant Rawte ban gaye. Typical bade baap ki bigdi hui aulaad type just that he’s the baap and bigda both. So, double trouble.

Riya shook her head in disbelief. She could never understand how parents could be so cruel. Be it emotional coldness or honor killing. Her parents had always protected her and cared for her. They had never forced or bound her. Even when her mother had been hostile, she always had her father to lean on. And she had come around too.

Arjun (delighted): par tumhe pata hai, itne saalon ke jhagdo ke baad bhi maine kabhi bhi papa ko haarte hue nahi dekha, tumne toh unki bolti hi band kar di!! (clutching her hand) That Was So Amazing!!! Thank you!!!!!

She smiled: you’re welcome, ab jaldi se khaana order kar dijiye taaki humare ghar pahunchne tak aa jaaye warna main sach mein bhook ke maare mar…

Arjun(annoyed): Riya!

Riya: are sorry

He shook his head and fished out his phone to order their Pav Bhaji and Manchurian.

Riya’s house-

After satiating their stomachs, they were lying on Riya’s bed. The curtain had been pulled down and they gazed at tiny orbs of light glittering in the otherwise dark room.

Arjun: pata hai, Roshni kehti thi ki jab koi insaan mar jaata hai toh woh aasman mein taara ban jaata hai. (he sighed) lekin Mumbai ke pollution bhare aasman mein taare kaha dikhte hai? (grinning) toh jab bhi ek do nazar aa jaate hai, main yahi sochta hun ki madam ko meri yaad aa gayi

Riya smiled: I’m sure woh aapko dekh rahi hogi. Taare toh humesha aasmaan mein hote hai. woh toh bas hum insaan hi hai jo unhe dekh nahi paate

Arjun: maybe, kya pata maut ke baad kya hota hai? hum toh sirf theories laga sakte hai. kyunki dekhne ke baad toh kisi ko batane se rahe

She giggled: true

Silence returned. He turned his face after a few moments to her.

Arjun: Riya

Riya: ha?

Arjun: tumne kabhi apne doston ke baare mein nahi bataya? Jab maine pehli baar Sam ke baare mein kaha tha tab bhi nahi

Riya: mera aisa koi khaas dost nahi hai. Friendly toh sabke saath thi lekin close friends do-teen school ke aur ek-do college friends hai. Teen-chaar mahino mein yaad aayega ki hum toh mile hi nahi toh we’ll catch up. Actually, main papa ke jaise thodi reserved thi… wait, (confused) technically woh mere papa nahi the

Arjun: ha but tum rahi toh unke saath thi na? usually hum apne bartav apne bado ko dekhkar seekh te hai

Riya: Ya, I guess. Anyway, Mumma ke baad wahi mera pillar the and then unke baad main emotionally thoda zyaada reserve ho gayi till the time main aapse mili. Mujhe abhi bhi nahi pata aap mujhe kyun itne pasand hai par mujhe koi farak nahi padta, honestly!

Arjun chuckled: you know mujhe kabhi ache father ka concept zyaada samaj nahi aata tha, despite the fact ki bhai ke ghar aane tak woh mujhe bhi pyaar karte the. Main maa ke saath zyaada khush tha. hum teeno bhai bhi bahot masti kiya karte the. And obviously sochne ka kaam mera hota tha, bachane ke bhai ka aur fas ne ka Ved ka. Jitna bada hota tha utna mujhe papa kam pasand aate the aur utna hi gussa badta tha

Riya: ha aaj first-hand experience mila mujhe, I’m not surprised.

Arjun laughed: maine toh tumhe pehle hi kaha tha but (excitedly) the best part was ki tumne unki bolti band kar di. Aaj tak kabhi bhi maine unhe chup hote hue nahi dekha, oh God! Jab hum dono bhi ladte the toh bas ladte hi jaate the. Tumne woh kar diya jo main itne saalon se karna chahta tha!! (kissing her cheek) You’re The Best! (she giggles) Mujhe Itni Khushi Ho Rahi Hai Main Tumhe Bata Nahi Sakta!! Riya!!!!

Riya(giggling): hmm?

Arjun (sheepishly): kya main tumhe kiss kar sakta hun?

Riya(amused): Aap aise kyun puch rahe hai? pehle bhi kabhi-kabhi karte the

Arjun: uh… I um, mera mat…uh woh

Riya: kya hua?

As she watched him fumble for words in amusement, her brain clicked.

Riya(flustered): oh you mean… uh… matlab…

Arjun (nervously): ha

She stared at him for a few seconds.

He added: agar tum comfortable ho toh of course, I mean..

Her eyes darted all around: uh nahi, I mean… woh nahi, I just, thoda chouk gayi, is… isliye

He smiled and softly caressed her cheek. Her eyes clenched shut. Her breath laboured in anticipation. He leaned forward and kissed her like she was a fragile glass doll. Her breath hitched.

Her eyelids fluttered open when he pulled back after a few seconds. Their eyes met. A surge of emotion came over her. Riya immediately turned to the opposite side. She made futile attempts to calm her erratic heartbeats.

His hand slipped around her waist to comfort her.

Her lips curved into a grin. The red continued to flow on her face. She still couldn’t believe what had happened. They kissed? They really kissed?! Her fingers went up to her tingling lips. She felt herself floating in the clouds. The feelings were a complete fresh page for her. She could stay in them for the rest of her life and never complain. Taking deep breaths, she tried to calm herself.

Slowly, she turned back to him. Arjun was smiling back at her. She looked here and there. At the same time, she inched closer.

He saw her gaze fall to his lips, dart to his eyes and immediately started roaming around again. Her face turned redder by the second. Understanding her wish, he pulled her closer by her waist. She closed her eyes readily. Smiling, he kissed her again.

Her hands travelled up to clutch his shirt, unconsciously pulling him closer.

She turned crimson as their eyes met again. She hit her head against his shoulder. Arjun chuckled at her reaction.

She whined: Arjun sir!

He giggled: are maine kuch nahi kaha

Covering her eyes, she turned her face. He laced his fingers with her. Taking another deep breath, she looked at him.

Riya: mujhe samaj aa raha hai

Arjun: kya?

Riya blushed red: ki romantic waala love kya hota hai

He grinned and kissed the back of her palm: pata hai Riya, tum sirf mera pyaar hi nahi, meri taaqat bhi ho

Her heart leapt out of her chest. Riya threw her arms around him, hugging him tightly. Arjun happily obliged. He buried his face in her shoulder. Like always, it made him feel belonged……………………