Time stood still as they held each other; one drawing support from the other and the other unconditionally offering it to him.
Arjun felt her shift in his arms and gently released her head, while still holding her close to him.
She could feel his tears dripping down her neck. Her hands went around his back on their own will as she rested her head against his shoulder, only to have him grip her tighter, as if he needed to draw strength from her.
Riya felt a shiver run down her spine when his lips accidently brushed against her neck.
He felt her stiffen and slowly parted from her. He spun around on his heel and ran his fingers through his hair.
What had he just done? It wasn't the first time that he had relived Roshni's brutal murder; why then had he reacted like that? And Riya! What would she think of him?
Arjun shook his head, mentally reprimanding himself for losing control and was about to turn around to apologise to Riya, when he felt a soft palm entwine with his.
He turned around to find Riya holding his hand and before he could react, she had grabbed his arm and was slowly leading him back to the tree, where they had been resting until a few minutes back.
Arjun was exhausted with all the events replaying in his head; for once, he decided to unleash himself and let Riya lead him!
She held his shoulders and made him sit down, gently placing his head against the bark of the tree. She sat down next to him, leaving some space between them; she knew he was vulnerable and so wanted to give him his own space!
He shut his eyes and let out a sigh which happened to break the eerie silence surrounding them.
Her eyes darted off to meet his; he was gazing at her intently.
She looked into his red eyes for the first time ever since his breakdown and could relate to the pain hidden in them. She felt something tug at a corner of her heart and her hand reached out to him on its own accord. He held it before it landed on his shoulder and rested it on his knee, not moving his eyes from hers.
He cleared his throat and without moving his eyes from her, "Riya' woh.. I'm so.."
She was brought out of her reverie when she heard him call out to her; his voice reflected the pain in his heart.
She heard the next few words and realized that he was about to apologise for the seemingly intimate moment they had just spent together; all she knew was that she had to stop him!
Those few minutes, when they'd been entwined in each other's arms meant a lot to her; she wouldn't let him ruin those for her!
She nodded her head in negative, silencing him with a soft gaze. He stopped speaking and looked into her eyes yet again, silently apologizing to her.
He was slightly surprised when he saw her unwavering gaze and gave up!
They held each other's gaze for a while; Riya felt him shift next to her and before she knew it he had rested his forehead against her right shoulder.
Her breath hitched in her throat when she felt him latching onto her forearm as he leaned onto her; she turned sideways and what she saw made her senses freeze.
Arjun was clinging on to her arm, with his eyes downcast, brimming with tears.
Her eyes narrowed as she took in his dejected form. In the past year that she had known him, no human emotion except rage had been displayed by him; but today she felt as if she was being introduced to a different facet of ACP Arjun Rawte!
He looked vulnerable, heart-broken and above all, hurt!
She moved her wounded arm and gripped his palm, squeezing it gently, reassuring him, that she was there for him, if he ever needed her!
Then lifting her palm from his lap, she wrapped it around his head, gently drawing him into her shoulder; that being his undoing!
Though his emotions had taken control over him, Arjun was aware of the fact that he was exposing his vulnerable side to Riya.
However, her subtle comforting actions soothed him and for once, he had decided to be selfish and give in to his heart's yearnings.
Unknowningly, Arjun had accepted Roshni's death today, after 3 whole years. He had been fighting his inner demons all this while, avenging her death had been the reason for his sole existence.
However, now that he had done it, he realized that she had been snatched away from him brutally, never to be returned back. And that had broken him!
He shut his eyes and rested his cheek against Riya's bare shoulder; he felt her shiver and a jolt of current shot through him.
That was the moment, Arjun would never forget in his lifetime; he had just realized that Roshni had indeed been returned to him; only she had a different face and a different heart; yet they had something in common.
Both women loved him unconditionally; both cared for him, both were his salvation!
He let his fingers loose and entwined them with hers; silently letting her know that he appreciated her being with him. He tilted his face to look at her and saw tears flowing down her cheeks; her swollen red eyes fixed on his.
He realized his pain and turmoil was troubling her and that pricked him!
He gently separated from her and his rough palms cupped her face; Riya's eyes shut on their own, she couldn't look into his eyes anymore, the tears refused to stop. She felt his breath against her cheeks and slowly opened her eyelids.
Arjun placed his lips on her forehead and held her in place; Riya's senses had numbed when she felt his gentle touch!
He separated and sat opposite her, holding onto her palm. She raised her eyes to meet his and knew it was time!
His husky voice fell on her ears,
"Sikandar ka bhai, Akram, ek undercover operation ke waqt mere haathon mara gaya tha..
Mujhse badla lene ke liye, Sikandar ne Roshni ko humare ghar se kidnap karvaya tha.. Jab main uski bulayi hui jagah par pohoncha, toh ussne mujhe shoot kiya aur bediyon se jakad diya..
Riya, Ussne meri aankhon ke saamne Roshni par chaku se vaar kiya.. Ek nahi, do baar..
Aur phir, ek shot! Ek nishaana, aur goli meri Roshni ke dil ke paar chali gayi thi; jahan kabhi main raha karta tha.. Uski dard bhari cheekhein aur siskiyaan aaj bhi meri kaanon mein gunjti hain..
Ussne meri aankhon ke saamne Roshni ko berehemi se maar daala aur main kuch nahi kar paaya.. Nahi bacha paaya usse'."
He stopped talking when he felt fingers digging into his palm; he lifted his eyes to meet hers. Riya couldn't bear it anymore; she'd been through a similar incident; she knew how painful it could get!
She felt as if a part of her heart was being ripped out; she could somehow relate to his loss. And before she knew it, her muffled sobs had alerted him!
Arjun looked at her, Maybe she's reminded of her father's death!
He let his thumb caress the back of her palm as he spoke, "I'm sorry Riya.. I shouldn't have said all that. Maine socha hi nahi ki tumhe tumhare Baba ke saath hua haadsa yaad aa jayega..
Main bhool gaya tha ki tum ek aam insaan ho, tumhare paas dil hai, jo dard mehsoos karta hai, na ki meri tarah, ek patthar!
Aur phir tumhe dard bhi toh ho raha hoga na.. tumhari chot.."
Her head shot up and something within her snapped, "Sir! Aap patthar nahi hain.. Aap bhi ek jeet jaagte insaan hain.. Aapke paas bhi ek dil hai.. Bass filhaal ussne mehsoos karna band kar diya hai..
Aur mere yeh aansoo Baba ke liye nahi, aapke liye hain.."
He looked at her with glistening eyes;
Riya: "How did you survive through all this? Kaise seh gaye aap itna sab kuch? Mere paas toh phir bhi Mom thi, jo meri himmat bani.. Lekin aap? Aap akele hi sab kuch?"
He blinked his eyes and let a tear roll down, "Roshni was the only family and friend, I ever had.. uske jaane ke baad, main akela pad gaya hoon.."
He'd finally voiced his loneliness, not realizing that he'd said it aloud. He glanced up when he felt a tug at his palm, and her eyes said it all!
She blinked back her tears, "Aap jaante hain, main bhi toot chuki thi.. Jeena chod diya tha maine.. Studies, friends, everything! Ek din Mom mere paas aayi aur unhone mujhe Baba ki diary thamai..
It had been his dream to watch me become a police officer, someone he would be proud of! Tab Mom ne mujhe samjhaya tha ki, Baba jahan kahin bhi honge, unhe bohot dukh hota hoga, yeh dekhkar ki unki beti ne unki wajah se apne aur unke sapnon ka gala ghot diya..
He would never want me to give up on life! Uss din se, maine aur meri Mom ne unke liye aasoo bahana band kar diya.. Because we wanted to cherish his memories with us and not lose them by drowning ourselves in sorrow..
Aaj bhi humari zindagi mein khalipan hai, aur woh humesha rahega, lekin hum dono khush hain, knowing that my Baba is happy seeing us smile."
Arjun's eyes brimmed with tears as he remembered Roshni; she had been full of life, ever smiling. She hated watching him angry and disturbed; he wondered if Roshni would be sad looking down at him?
He realized he had been throwing away his life, drowning himself in sorrow, when he could've lived his life reminiscing her memories, the moments they'd spent together, without having hurt himself!
Der lagi lekin
Maine ab hai
Jeena seekh liya
Aansuon ke bin
Maine ab hai
Jeena seekh liya
Ab maine..
Yeh jaana hai
Kise kahoon apna
Hai koi
Jo yeh mujhse keh gaya,
Yeh kahan tu reh gaya
Zindagi toh hai jaisa caravan
Tu hai tanha kab yahan
Sab hi toh hai
Sab hi toh hai
Yahan..
Riya saw him lost in thoughts and knew her words had hit home!
Arjun felt a squeeze on his palm and glanced up at her; she was gazing intently at him. She had stopped crying, the dried tears having left behind stains on her cheeks.
He couldn't help but marvel at her inner strength; she had been through the trauma of losing a parent, having witnessed her father's murder!
Even in his wildest guesses, he wouldn't have guessed that her heart held so much pain and hurt; she had efficiently masked it behind twinkling eyes and her dimpled smile. Not only had she masked it, but she'd also managed to move on!
Arjun let his eyes wander over her form, for the first time since he'd met her; she was indeed beautiful!
She'd always managed to get on his nerves; he grinned inwardly as he recollected their moments together. They'd always been at loggerheads, her arguing with him, him scolding her; both scowling at each other; yet they'd both respected each other tremendously.
She was so similar to Roshni, in many ways; her smile lit up her surroundings instantly, her nonstop chatter made people forget their sorrows, and sometimes, even their work; he grinned!
He wondered if what he felt for her could remotely be associated with love and shuddered at the thought! He had just come to terms with losing a loved one; was he ready to let her in?, he wasn't sure!
But one thing he was sure of; Riya Mukherjee loved him; he could read it in her teary eyes dripping with care and unconditional love!
And that is when; he had made up his mind! He was going to try; for her sake, for their sake!
He gently let go of her palm and stood up dusting his trousers and held out a hand for her. She took it, not quite understanding his actions and shrugged off the thought; she trusted him.
He led her through the muddy path, without a word being spoken; only occasionally glancing at her. Her silence had stunned him yet again; she'd followed him without a word!
Riya walked behind him, and looked around, Were they headed towards the waterfall? Her doubts were confirmed when she saw foaming milky white water ahead of her.
He tugged at her hand and made her sit down on the grass.
Riya saw him already crouched on his knees and settled down next to him. He washed his hands and collected some water in his palms, and held it out, offering to her.
She looked at him quizzically; he smirked and motioned towards his palms, "Paani hai.. Peeyo.."
She looked up at him and made a face; he saw her pout and smiled, "Paani saaf hai, Riya, peeyo.. Ab yahan mineral water toh mil nahi sakta na?!"
She was surprised when she saw the smile still plastered on his face and leaned forward to drink it. He held out a tablet and placed it on her tongue, surprising her yet again, and watched her gulp down the water and a sense of relief flooded his senses.
She moved back indicating that she'd had her fill; he quickly gulped the chilled water, and turned to dress her wound.
She saw his gaze end on her wound and sighed; He was going to dress it again!
She felt a weird sense of satisfaction upon watching him care for her; she felt belonged!
He blew over her wound gently, bringing her back to her senses, "Bohot dard ho raha hai?!"
Riya nodded her head in negative only to be silenced by a sharp glare from ACP Rawte.
She fluttered her eyelashes, "Ho raha tha.. Lekin yeh dard aapke dard ke saamne bohot halka hai.. Kaash main aapke dard ko baant paati.."
Arjun swiftly placed a finger on her lips, silencing her,
"Shh! Mere dard ko baantne ke liye, tumhe usse mehsoos karna hoga, aur main nahi chahta ki koi bhi iss dard se guzre.."
He hooked his finger under her chin and made her face him, "Aur khaas kar, tum toh bilkul nahi!"
Her eyes widened in surprise and met his; he was gazing at her tenderly, his eyes caressing her face!
He saw her confused and decided to put an end to her speculations! He leaned forward and pecked her cheek and quickly moved back leaving her shocked!
Her eyes widened in shock; she felt as if her senses were betraying her. Her palm flew up to her cheek and she stared straight into his eyes.
Arjun was thoroughly amused at her antics; Was she really that nave or was she pretending?!
And suddenly, Roshni's words rang in his ears, 'Romantic subject mein na tumhare marks thode kam aate hain.. Buddhu!'
Arjun jerked out of his thoughts and grinned, Women!
He had never been good with words even with Roshni; and that wasn't about to change overnight. However, Arjun Rawte had his own ways of dealing with his loved ones.
He cupped her face and stared straight into her eyes, "Riya, Do you really need me to say it?"
She was too shocked to comprehend his words and nodded absent-mindedly.
He smiled and leaned forward, his face a few inches away from hers, "Toh suno, I love you, Miss Riya Mukherjee! And I want to spend the rest of my life with you.."
He saw her frown disappear as the information relayed to her brain; Riya's confusion paved way for a smile and a crimson blush slowly crept up on her cheeks.
Riya couldn't believe her ears; she had loved Arjun with every piece of her broken heart; silently hoping and waiting for him to reciprocate her feelings, all these days.
And here he was, proclaiming his love for her! Every cell in her body sprang to life as the reality hit her; He loved her!
She fought back tears threatening to fall from her eyes and smiled into his palms.
Arjun's smile grew wider as he felt her dimpled pits beneath his fingers; he leaned forward and placed a tender kiss on her forehead.
Riya shut her eyes and let the tears stream down her face; letting out her joy at finally having found her share of happiness; her first love!
Koi sunaye joh
Hasti muskarati kahani
Kehta hai dil
Main bhi sunu
Aansoon ke moti ho
Jo kisi ke nishani,
Kehta hai dil
Main bhi chunu
Baahein dil ki
Ho baahon mein,
Chalti chalu
Yuhi rahon mein
Bass yuhi
Ab yahan, Ab wahan
Der lagi lekin
Maine ab hai
Jeena seekh liya..
He separated from her and looked at her shut eyes; with every doubt in his head erased, as he vowed to love and cherish her forever!
She opened her moist eyelids slowly; their eyes met! His eyes held a teasing, questioning gaze; she blushed and slightly nodded her head,
"I love you too.. And yes, I want to spend the rest of my life with you!"
She felt his sigh on her face and the very next second, he had dipped his head and his lips had captured hers!
She rested her wounded hand on his chest and wrapped the other around his nape, drawing him closer. Arjun felt her respond to the kiss and deepened it, tasting her.
He swallowed her gasp and felt her tremble against him as he parted her lips; an alien sense took over Riya as she slowly leaned backwards, drawing him along.
His palms let go of her face and wrapped around her waist, supporting her.
Laying her down against the damp grass, bringing his torso on top of hers, with their lips still fused together.
He kissed her senseless; until she could no longer breathe and gently parted from her, slowly releasing her lips.
Her fingers trailed down his shoulder and rested on his chest, as she drew in fresh air.
He slowly rolled on his back, bringing her on top of himself, resting her head on his chest.
She placed her palm on his chest and kissed it before closing her eyes. He wrapped his arms around her waist, shielding her, and snuggled into her hair as he glanced at the starry sky.
He saw a bright star twinkling against hundreds of others and smiled,
Der Lagi Lekin..
Maine ab hai
Jeena seekh liya..
Mannat Har Khushi Paane Ki
Kabhi Neem Neem Kabhi Shahad Shahad
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