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Chapter 6

dee86

@dee86

This one is the way it is because love isn't always easy.

Written for Gurmeet4Drashti, who wanted 'an OS in which Arjun yells at Riya for no reason n says "Laparvahi ki bhi had hoti hai" n then repents later on n apologizes to Riya...' I hope you like this!!

Many thanks to Sree (KiSha13), who helped me think this through. The wedding anniversary idea is hers!

FRIDAY

"Why did you leave your position? You know these people stop at nothing!" Arjun was screaming at Riya, who was studying her nails nonchalantly. They were waiting in the conference room, having finished yet another case. Rathore had gone to see about the criminals they had arrested, Shree had taken Chotu to the hospital, and Arjun was taking advantage of the unexpected privacy to knock some sense into his wife. "We had a plan. You were supposed to stand at the ready, and cover us." he fumed, pacing the length of the room. Riya, used to such outbursts, was still paying him scant attention. She was now scribbling something in her diary. Arjun was ready to yell again, but Rathore and the Commissioner entered just then, which meant he had to compose himself and fall silent.

"Riya, good job!" the Commissioner complimented her, unaware of the fact that his star cop was now grinding his teeth with alarming ferocity.

Rathore, who noticed this, cut in hurriedly. "Yes, good job, Riya, although there was no need for you to endanger yourself. We had everything under control."

Arjun nodded curtly. "You nearly ruined everything", he muttered bitterly.

That was too much for her. "Excuse me, sir, but that man was creeping up behind you. I had to take him out and once I had done that, there was no point retreating. I believe I helped, and I would do it again. That's my duty" she told him evenly.

"You do, do you?" Arjun said acidly. "Allow me to inform you, Ms. Mukherjee that you are mistaken. You could've jeopardized the entire operation! You could have spared us your heroics."

Rathore and the Commissioner, who had been watching this exchange with trepidation, tried to intervene. "It wasn't as bad as that, Rawte. She did nab one of the most dangerous criminals in the country. Give her some credit. She demonstrated yer courage yet again."

Finding himself outnumbered, Arjun simply clicked his heels and walked out of the room, visibly angry. Riya sighed. Now she'd have to placate him again.

****

"Arjun, ab gussa thook bhi do! I'm sorry, but you know I had to do what I did. If I hadn't..." Riya attempted to reason with her husband, but stopped short as he grabbed her shoulders.

"If you hadn't, we'd have been much better off. Don't attempt to cajole me, Riya. You were wrong. As your superior officer, I can't condone such behaviour," he gritted out.

Riya hissed in pain as his fingers dug in. "Let me go Arjun, you're hurting me", she said, trying to prise his fingers open. He ignored her, holding her tighter.

"SIR, please let me go. I refuse to apologize for simply doing my duty," Riya's voice trembled slightly, but she met his gaze steadily.

He shook her slightly. "Damn it Riya!! Laparvahi ki bhi hadd hoti hai. Do you think things through, ever?" he demanded furiously. "You blatantly flouted my orders. I will not brook such insubordination, wife or not!"

Riya's eyes blazed. "Insubordination? You would've had a bullet through the back of your head if I hadn't stepped in. Some gratitude would be nice, Mr. Rawte. Your problem is that you refuse to accept that your wife, yes a mere woman, could be every bit a daring officer as you are. Well, I won't tolerate even a hint of chauvinism from you. I am your equal, not some damsel-in-distress," she said in a voice that was as quiet as it was dangerous.

"Fine. I won't bother from now on. You do what you want." Arjun retorted and stomped away, not noticing that her eyes had filled with tears.

****

"Where are you?" Riya muttered, as her call went to voice-mail again. She had been trying to reach him for almost three hours now, but to no avail. She knew she had angered him, but surely, that was not an excuse to pull a disappearing act? And on this day, of all days.

"Come home to me, please. We'll sort everything out. I promise I won't scream again", she said, running her fingers down his face in the photo hanging on the wall. They looked radiant in it, their love for each other quite obvious.

"It's our wedding anniversary, Arjun, don't do this to me now," she sighed, trying his number again. Voicemail. She couldn't help the tears that flowed down her cheeks. "Damn you, Arjun Rawte", she cursed, collapsing onto the couch.

****

It was almost midnight when he came back home. He was still angry, but his temper had cooled somewhat and he was now ready to talk. He was not very good with words and emotions, but Riya had always understood him, no words required. How did she not realize that his anger stemmed from his terror at finding his wife in danger? Sure, she'd taken one man out, but there were four more men, each ready to kill. He couldn't risk her safety. All he wanted was to keep her safe, to protect her from all the troubles in the world. He sighed as he stepped into their bedroom. He had to make her understand.

The bedroom was dark, and considering the late hour, he assumed she was asleep. He approached the bedside softly, groping in the dark. He had almost reached the bed when he stubbed his toe. He gasped and the next minute, the lights came on. What he saw had his stomach clenching with guilt. She wasn't asleep; she'd been crying! Her eyes were red-rimmed and swollen, and he reached out immediately. For the first time since they'd met, she flinched. She actually flinched, shifted back and turned her head away. Arjun was now ready to kill himself for the pain he caused her.

"Riya", he breathed out, but she shook her head.

"No."

He tried again, sitting down next to her and holding her hand. "Riya please..."

She stiffened, yanked her hand away and scrambled out of bed. He followed her, but she stopped him with a steely look. He refused to back down. "Come on Riya, don't do this. Let's talk things through." he pleaded.

She simply looked at him silently. "You want to talk? You come home at midnight, after a huge fight, on our wedding day, and you want to talk? Well, sorry Mr. Rawte, but you can't always get what you want," she told him. "Now get out of my bedroom; I have an early day tomorrow," she said coldly.

****

Rathore watched anxiously as he observed his best friend throw pleading glances at his furious wife who looked like she wasn't willing to give him the time of the day.

"Trust this fool to mess up!" he thought, shaking his head in exasperation. "Now I'll have to talk to him", he groaned mentally. "Rawte, my cabin, NOW."

Arjun walked into the cabin, looking lost. "Sit down." He shook his head. "No thanks, Rathore. Can you just wind this up fast so that I can leave?" he said absently.

"SIT DOWN."

Arjun huffed and did as he was told. "Now I'm going to tell you something
and you better listen well. Riya is a policewoman. She is brave, patriotic, devoted to her duty, and god help her, devoted to you. Yesterday, both her country and her love were threatened. What she did was expected. Now get your head out of your a#%$ and deal with it! She is a strong woman, not some precious doll that you can hide away from the world."

Arjun buried his face in his palms. "I was terrified," he admitted.

Rathore took pity on him. "I know, Arjun," he said, in a much kinder voice.
"But you insulted both Riya the policewoman and Riya the wife. She is very capable, you know. Learn to trust her."

Arjun looked up and smiled wryly. "I forgot it was our anniversary too", he said, unburdening him to his closest friend.

Rathore looked horrified. "You did what? This is why I was skeptical about allowing her to marry you. You idiot, what are you still doing here? Go and do something grand to make it up to her!" he said, practically pushing Arjun out of the room.

Arjun smiled tiredly. "Thanks..." he began, but Rathore cut in. "Forget that. Apologize to her. Make her happy. And more importantly, tell her you trust her."

****

Riya sighed as she fumbled with her keys. It had been a long day. While she thought Arjun deserved what he got, she didn't actually like fighting with him. It was hard to be angry with him, but he had to understand. She couldn't stand the idea of fighting with him about who she was, all through their lives. No, best get it out now. She let herself into the house wearily and stopped short. She sniffed cautiously. Yep, she hadn't imagined it. Something was definitely burning. Just then there was an almighty clang in the kitchen followed by a shriek and a volley of curses that singed her ears. She hurried to the kitchen and froze again.

The place looked as if a tornado had hit it. Flour was scattered everywhere, oil flooded the counter-tops and was that tomato puree on the wall? She blinked, trying to assimilate everything. Arjun was standing at the sink, holding his hand under cold water and his shirt was stained with what looked like dal. She made her way to him, almost laughing when he started like a guilty school-boy.

"Riya, woh main..." he stuttered nervously. "I'll clean everything up, I promise."

She snatched his hand from under the tap and examined it. Just as she had suspected. There was an angry red welt on it, and it looked like he'd cut himself a few times too. She led him out of the kitchen silently and made him sit on the couch. Getting the first-aid box out, she seated herself on the coffee-table before him and began treating his burn.

"Riya."

She didn't look up, continuing to focus on his hand. He held her chin with his good hand and forced her to meet his eyes.

Wincing at her still-steely expression, he plucked up his courage and spoke. "I'm really sorry. I didn't mean to hurt you. I just get scared, you know. I've been given a second chance in life and I couldn't bear it if anything happens to you."

Riya sighed. "I know. I understand. But you can't always protect me Arjun. You shouldn't even try. That is not what a marriage is about..."

Arjun caressed her cheek gently. "I get that. And Riya, I trust you."

A tear escaped her eye. "Thank you",she said softly, smiling though her eyes were full.

"So does this mean you forgive me?" Arjun asked hopefully.

She tried to keep a stern face but failed. "I do. This time."

He smiled at her finally and pulled her into his arms, seating her sideways in his lap. "I love you", he whispered, as her arms went around his neck.

"I love you too", she said, leaning in to kiss him, but stopped and frowned. "I'm still angry with you," she announced, hopping off his lap.

Arjun's heart plummeted. "What did I do now?"

Riya glared at him. "(1) You let my calls go to voicemail (2)You forgot our anniversary and (3) you tried to charm me into forgetting" she counted off with a flourish. "I'm not letting you off so easily."

He looked so dismayed it was almost comic. "Sorry baby. Really sorry." He held his ears. "Lo ab kaan bhi pakad li maine. I promise I will never, as long as I'm alive, do it again."

She gave in with a laugh. "Okay. Again, I forgive you. But you are taking me out for the weekend to make up for it. And no phones then. Absolutely no akad. Samjhe ya samjhaun?" she winked at him saucily.

He pulled her close, wrapping his arms around her waist. "Samajh gaya. Now can I kiss you?" he begged.

"With pleasure", she dimpled at him, standing up on her toes to kiss his nose, before he claimed her lips with his.

*****
END
*****

Like the fluffy ending? Love isn't that hard, either. Big smile