Chapter 69

Bloomie

@bloomie

Part 68 [MEMBERSONLY][NOCOPY]

She threw a cushion at him and stormed off………………………….

The men continued to stare in her direction in disbelief.

Raghu: What the hell just happened?

Arjun glances at him. He had completely forgotten Raghu was there. However, the next second, he starts laughing.

Raghu raised his eyebrow. That’s it! ACP Arjun Rawte had officially gone insane. God help his poor student.

He informed him: woh gussa hokar chali gayi Arjun

Arjun controlled his laughter: nahi sir, woh na hi gussa hai aur na hi naraaz. Mujhe ache se pata hai use kaise manana hai…

Raghu mv “nahi hai toh manana kyun?”

Arjun: lekin pehle taiyaar hona padega warna ye firse mujhe bhaga degi, aap baithiye main aata hun

Raghu had barely registered his words when Arjun scooped out clothes from the cupboard and rushed to the washroom. He shook his head in disbelief mv “kya ladka hai?”

He waited on the bed, finishing his conversation with Vikram. A few minutes later, Arjun came out as fresh as a daisy.

He hopped to his dressing table and gave a quick brush to his wet hair.

Raghu: uh Arjun, tum kya karne waale ho?

He grinned: wahi jise woh mana nahi kar paayegi, aap aayenge?

Raghu: uh kebab mein haddi banne?

Arjun chuckled: nahi sir, bas lunch

Raghu: oh toh tum abhi Riya ke peeche nahi jaa rahe hai?

Arjun: are nahi, pehle ghar jaana padega aur usse pehle thoda samaan lena padega (Raghu was getting more and more confused by the second) ayiye na

Raghu: o, k… ay?

He smiled. Picking up his wallet and keys, he led Raghu outside. On their way out, he instructed the reception to get the room cleaned up.

Raghu was bewildered when they ended up at a supermarket for vegetables and sauces. He wondered if he was going to ask Riya to cook for him. He didn’t think that would decrease her anger in any way. However, seeing Arjun’s enthusiasm, he decided to play along.

Their next stop was Arjun’s home. Freshly cleaned and that looked as new as it was just furnished. Arjun proceeded to the kitchen and started to cook.

Only then Raghu realised what he was up to.

Raghu: maine suna tha mard ke dil ka rasta pet se hota hai, aurat ka bhi same?

Arjun: are sir, khaana kise nahi pasand? Aur waise bhi ye hum dono ke liye khaas hai

Raghu: Right, but mujhe nahi pata tha tumhe khaana banana aata hai

Arjun smiled: aaj taste kar lena aur na main aapka viva bhi nahi lunga

Raghu: Arjun!

He laughed in response as he dipped a ball for frying. Raghu shook his head, smiling at him. It had been ages since he had seen him back at his usual mischievous self. The same old Arjun that he had taught.

Riya house-

She was swinging in her hammock with melodious music blasting in the background and a Percy Jackson book in her hands.

Her doorbell disturbs her reading. She sighs deeply and tucks in a bookmark. Reluctantly, she gets out of her hammock and goes to the door.

Her face twists in confusion seeing Raghu at her door.

Riya: aap? Aapko yaha ka

She stops abruptly whiffing a scent.

Raghu: are woh actually kya hua ki Vikram…

Riya: Arjun mujhe aapke haath ke khaane ke khushboo aa rahi hai, so save it!

Arjun pops out from the side of her door: Shit man!

She looks at him from top to bottom: somebody decided to finally have a bath

Arjun: ha I did, ab bhook lagi hai ya nahi? (entering) chalo khaate hai. Raghu sir ayiye, dekhiye iska ghar kitna sundar hai

Riya shook her head with a smile on her face and gave way for Raghu to come inside. He stopped as soon as his eyes roamed about the room. Beautiful was an understatement.

Raghu: wow Riya! that’s a beautiful house.

Riya: thank you sir but credit mere papa ko jaayega, maine toh bas waise ka waise rakha hai

He glanced at Arjun: oh toh tumhe apna acha taste unse milta hai

Riya giggled: maybe

Arjun called out: are chaliye, thanda ho jaayega

They turned to see Arjun already arranging dishes for them. They smile and join him.

Riya squealed in delight: Pav Bhaji aur Manchurian!!

Arjun: of course!

Raghu looked at her in surprise: seriously? Mujhe laga tha Arjun mazak kar raha hai ki tumhe dono saath mein khaana pasand hai

Riya(sheepishly): ha woh, we have a thing

Raghu: I can see, mujhe sirf pav bhaji

Riya helped him serve the food. Arjun mixed the gravy with his bhaji causing Raghu’s eyes to pop out. Riya held out a Manchurian ball and they exchanged a bite of the food that they supposedly hated.

Raghu mv “oh god! Main paagal ho jaunga” He did not even want to know about it. He focused on his plate. Food choices aside, Arjun was definitely a good cook.

Not wanting to intrude on their privacy, he bid the lovebirds goodbye soon after lunch.

Arjun pulled her to him, wrapping his hands around her waist.

Riya: kya?

He caressed the pendant in her neck: meri wajah se?

Riya: sabki wajah se

Pulling her closer, he apologized again, touching her forehead with his.

Arjun: I’m sorry

Riya smiled lightly: apology accepted

His lips broke into a grin and he leaned in to kiss her. Riya melted readily. Her hands travelled up to wind around his neck.

Later-

They were lying on her bed looking up at the starry view from her lights and canopy. Her head rested on his shoulder and he stroked her arm. The peaceful silence was all that they needed.

Arjun: ek baat puchu? (she looked at him questioningly) Tumne Rathore ko leverage kyun dilaya?

Riya sighed: yaad hai maine aapse kaha tha ki main unhe apne style mein samjhaungi? (he nodded) us time toh mera plan unhe kahi par bula kar peet ne ka hi tha (his eyes widened in shock) but that night… mujhe ek parchayi nazar aayi Arjun. Aur main chah kar bhi use undekha nahi kar paayi. Papa ki, aapki, meri... kisi apne ko khone ka dard insaan se kya kuch nahi karwa sakta? Aapne aur maine khud ko blame kiya aur unhone Roshni ko, fir bhi woh apni dost ko bhul nahi paaye. Hum toh sambhal gaye lekin woh nahi sambhal paaye. Aur hume kaunsa unhe maaf karna hai? kanoon saza kyun deta hai? taaki criminals sudhre, dobara crime na kare aur dusro ko usse example mile. Agar Rathore sir ka dimag hi nahi theek hoga toh saza ka kya matlab? Aur humare personal relations ki wajah se unki saza kam zyaada nahi honi chahiye. Bas jo sach hai uske basis par hi saza milni chahiye

Arjun sighed pondering over her words, continuing to stroke her arm. Deep down, he knew she was right. And more importantly, he trusted her to do the right thing. But he couldn’t look at Rathore the same way ever again. He would never be able to trust him.

Suddenly, he felt something rough on her hands. He held up her fingers to see. Her knuckles were bruised.

Arjun: ye nishaan kaise aaye?

Riya: are woh, kuch nahi. Bina gloves ke punching kar rahi thi isliye

Arjun: why?

Riya: gusse mein thi

Arjun: Riya, tum bhi na. First aid box kaha hai?

Riya: are uski koi zaroorat nahi, it’s just scratches

Arjun shook his head: please aage se mujh par gussa aaye toh mujhe hi punch maar dena is tarah bina gloves ke punch mat karna

She raised her eyebrow: oh matlab aap firse mujhe gussa dilayenge aise?

His eyes widened in shock: kya? Nahi, woh.. main…

She starts laughing: Arjun mazaak kar rahi thi, shakal dekhiye aapki

Arjun exhaled deeply: aise mazaak mat karo yaar, attack aa gaya tha mujhe ek pal ke liye

Riya laughed harder: acha woh sab chodiye. Aap shift hone waale the na? kal kar lena

Arjun whined: nahiii!

Riya: kyun?

Arjun: kal ka din hum saath rahenge

Riya: uh main aapke saath hi houngi shift hote waqt

Arjun turned towards her: nahi fir bhi, hum baad mein shift karenge please na, aaj sirf aadha din hi mila. Bas ek din chain se tum aur main aur phones switch off… pleasseeee??

Giggling, she snuggled to him: done!

He beamed. Arjun hugged her, kissing her forehead.

Arjun: I love you

Riya: I love you too

He pecked her forehead again before claiming her lips. She pulled him closer as his hand slid under her top. And just like that, they drowned in each other for the rest of the night.

Three days later-

Rathore was reading the newspaper while his TV blasted news, in the living room. His doorbell rang. Keeping the paper aside, he stood up expecting his servant. However, he was in for a shock when he opened the door.

Rathore: Rawte?!

Arjun on the other hand had been really apprehensive. It took him 10 minutes of debate to ring the doorbell. Immediately regretting the decision, he started walking back. He had barely reached down the porch when Rathore’s voice fell on his ears. Clenching his eyes and taking a deep breath, he turned. Better now than later.

They stared at each other in awkward silence.

Arjun cleared his throat: um, disturb toh nahi kiya?

Rathore is jolted out of his shock: huh? Nahi… nahi main bas… aao

Arjun nodded. Scratching his eyebrow, he made his way back up. Rathore switched off the TV.

Arjun called out: Rathore

He turned: ha?

Instead of an answer, Arjun’s fist met his face. Before Rathore could understand what happened, Arjun punched him again. His lip cut and blood trickled down. A third blow landed on his jaw. Rathore fell to the ground, earning a number of kicks. Picking him up, he punched him straight in the face.

Arjun grabbed his collar.

He shivered with fury: Dobara Kabhi Bhi, Riya Ki Taraf Aankh Utha Kar Bhi Mat Dekhna, Samjhe Ye Samjhau?

Rathore felt his heart sinking as he recollected the fateful night. He would give anything to erase it from his memory. Burdened with guilt, he lowered his head.

Rathore: ha

Arjun: Aur Agar Tum Ye Bhule Toh Main Bhool Jaunga Ki Humara Koi Rishta Hai, Samjhe Ya Samjhau?

Rathore: ha

Jerking him away, Arjun took a deep breath. He sat on the sofa. A few moments of silence later, Rathore was able to build up the courage to sit at the opposite end. Slowly, he wiped the blood from his chin.

Again, silence!

Rathore: main uh chai bana kar laata hun tumhare liye

He proceeded to get up but Arjun refused.

Arjun: nahi, chai na… zaroorat nahi

He nodded and sat back. The silence returned. Rathore sighed after 10 minutes.

Rathore: What are you still doing here?

Arjun: honestly, mujhe nahi pata.

He dropped his head in his hands. He looked back up after a few minutes.

Arjun: Main tumhe maaf nahi kar sakta Rathore, main soch bhi nahi sakta. Jo tumne mere saath kiya uske liye shayad kar bhi paata lekin

Their eyes moistened and Rathore hung his head to hide them.

Arjun took a deep breath: main bas… main sirf, sirf apne Sam ko dusra mauka dene ke liye taiyaar hun. Dost ban paunga ya nahi, ye mujhe nahi pata lekin insaan zaroor banunga

Rathore looked up in surprise and happiness.

Arjun: isse zyaada main kuch nahi kar sakta

Rathore: main toh ye bhi nahi yakeen kar paa raha hun

Arjun: tum kaho toh drill machine ke sath tumhare maathe par likh sakta hun

Rathore laughed. A laugh that he had forgotten to laugh. One that he had played a big role to deprive himself of. Tears gathered in his eyes.

Rathore: tere ye taane kabhi nahi badlenge

Arjun: lekin hum badal gaye

He smiled sadly: ha, hum bahot badal gaye

They sat there, lost in thoughts.

Rathore: ek baat puchu?

Arjun: ha?

Rathore: jab maine tujh par ilzaam lagaya, itne saalon baad bhi tumne mujhe kabhi bataya kyun nahi ki Roshni Sikandar ki beti hai? tumhe toh nahi pata tha ki main jaanta hun

Arjun sighed: jab tumne mujh par ilzaam lagaya toh Roshni ko kaise chodte tum? Main nahi chahta tha ki tumhare dil mein uske liye bhi nafrat paida ho jaaye, isliye

He nodded. The silence returned for the umpteenth time.

Arjun took a deep breath: toh uh, main… main chalta hun

Rathore: ya

He walked Arjun to the door.

Arjun: bye!

Rathore: bye

He turned to go.

Rathore: Arjun!

Arjun: ha?

Rathore(tearing up): thank you

Arjun scowled: just stay away from her!

Rathore’s heart sank and Arjun left.

As their vacation ended, Vikram called in the team to his office again before they could start working. Rathore was present too. He was expecting a lot of glares and curses but surprisingly did not. All he got were sad smiles and sympathetic looks from the juniors and indifference from Arjun and Chotu.

Thankfully, none of them commented on his broken face.

Ayesha asked softly: how are you sir?

Rathore: huh? Uh main, main theek hu

She smiled slightly.

Riya tries to lighten the atmosphere: come on Ayesha, itni badi chutti ke baad kaun theek nahi hoga?

She giggled.

Shree jumped: ha aur woh bhi muft ki, humari recorded leaves toh saari safe hai

Ayesha: ha, that’s the best part! Kash har saal, aise hafte bhar ki official leave mile. Maza aa jaayega!

Chotu: uske liye har saal 99 bomb dhundhne padenge

The group burst into laughter.

The P.A. called out to them: sir bula rahe hai

The team headed in.

Vikram: good morning

Chorus(except Arjun): good morning sir

Vikram: tum logon ko dekh kar lagta hai chutti ka ache se faayda utha kar aaye ho

Liza: bahot ache se sir

Vikram smiled: good (frowning at Rathore) tumhari shakal ko kya hua?

Rathore: woh… gir gaya tha

Chotu mumbled audibly: aur kitna girenge?

Vikram scratched his eyebrow and shifted. He clapped his hands.

Vikram: so! Let’s get to business

Arjun: apne apna career kab change kiya sir?

Vikram squinted at him while the others suppressed their laughs.

Vikram: not funny Arjun

He indicated to the others: they disagree

Vikram turned to glare at the others. They immediately shut up.

Vikram: toh kaha tha main?

Arjun: yahi par sir, Alzheimer’s bhi ho gaya?

That gave rise to another round of suppressed giggles. Vikram sighed and decided to ignore his comments mv “ye devdas ho ya na ho, taane maarna nahi chodega”

Vikram: pehle Rathore ki baat karte hai

The atmosphere turns serious instantly. Rathore steps forward to take whatever they were going to throw.

Vikram: toh Riya ke kehne par humne tumhe section 84 ke under file kiya hai. Obviously, you will still be demoted. You are stripped of your rank with immediate effect. Tumhe state collaborated psychologist appoint kiya jaayega. Ab waha kitna time lagta hai ye tum para depend karega lekin tab tak tum duty se suspended ho. Then! Enquiry hogi and we will decide your punishment as per protocol and law. We have also filed section 362, abduction and section 307, attempt to murder.

Rathore: yes sir

Vikram turned to the others with a smile on his face: maine kaha tha na promotions? Ayesha and Chotu tum dono ab SI ho

Their faces glowed.

Ayesha: toh ETF mein teen SI honge?

Vikram: nahi do

Shree: kaise sir? Ayesha, Chotu aur Ri…

Vikram: Riya is now ACP

Riya: WHAT?! KYUN?!

Arjun looked at her in pride and amusement.

Vikram(confused): maine kaha toh tha ki teen promotions hai aur kyun ka matlab?

Riya: matlab mera promotion toh abhi-abhi hua tha, firse?

Vikram raised his eyebrow: tumne apna track record dekha hai? Xora alone makes the cut.

Riya is still confused: par… kai…

Vikram: Dekho ye saare mera kaam nahi hai, main sirf approval deta hun isliye mujhse sawaal mat karo tum (he picked up the four envelopes he had kept ready) ye lo, tum sab ke letters.

Riya, Ayesha, Chotu and Rathore collected their papers.

Vikram: that’s all, aaj koi case nahi hai. Tum log apna report lag sambhal sakte ho, dismissed!

They saluted him and went out. Riya opened and read through her letter still in confusion.

Arjun immediately pulled Riya into a hug. The paper in her hand crushed between them.

He whispered into her ear: I’m so proud of you

She smiled heartily.

They separated with Shree’s coughing. Arjun glared at him while Riya blushed. He indicated towards the P.A. who was staring at Arjun like he had seen some alien. Arjun rolled his eyes.

The team broke into celebration for Riya, Ayesha and Chotu while Rathore watched with a smile on his face from a distance. Hugs and wishes exchanged.

Liza: aaj toh party banti hai

Ayesha: of course banti hai! My treat!

Shree: Woohoo!!

Rathore tried to slip away. He heard a voice behind him.

Arjun: har baar bhaag jaana bahot aasan haina tumhare liye?

He turned to see him squinting at him. Rathore lowered his head.

Arjun sighed: karne se pehle socha hota toh aaj yaha sar jhukane ki zaroorat nahi padti. Khair, best of luck. Get better soon.

Rathore nodded with moist eyes.

Ayesha called out: aap dono bhi aayenge na sir?

Rathore is confused on what to answer but Arjun answers for him

Arjun: ha baba aa rahe hai hum. Tum log jagah toh decide karo

She beamed and they excitedly started discussing where to go. Rathore looked at Arjun in surprise. Arjun just squeezed his shoulder in response.………………………….