OS: Its not goodbye...

She folded the letter after reading it for nth time. Every time she read it, she couldn't find a way out. She wished she could. But just can't find the way...

Her eyes went as such to the cabin on the right. And there he was. As silent as always. Looking into unknown destiny... was he sad? Or didn't he feel anything. How she wished she could read his mind. If not at any times, but at least now...

A sigh came out from her lips even unknown to her. She looked at the corridor where she walked in first. When Sree, Chotu and Aisha were talking about an unknown new comer who would join the team...

Her lips curled to a smile remembering Sree's open mouthed face. And then the usual taunt between the logger heads. Sree and Liza.

The moment after receiving the offer letter to join the ETF to the moment when she walked in to the ever famous ACP Rawte's cabin... that excitement can be deleted when she could think about the first meet.

The you are not supposed to be here' look, the unsaid taunts and suspicion of what she could do... to say she didn't mind it would be a lie. But then she knew its origin back then. She had done her homework before joining the office. She knew the man infront of her. His past and present.. and what she was failing to get was what was going inside that head. His eyes never revealed much. Nor did the pulsing nerve in his temple. He was a closed book with a leather strap on it.

And now she sat in her cabin with the letter... and she was again with loss of words.

She could feel the slight rushed up heart beat at his thoughts. Never once did he show it back. Except for the day when she was shot, when she was in the hospital bed. The moment she would never forget in her life when she saw the concern he had to see her in that plight. It did hurt her when she met that concern in those eyes. She wanted to throw away those crutches and say I am fine. But then... she couldn't.

And it fell... as a huge pile of rocks from the mountain. After a landslide. That did the maximum calamity. He knew the truth...

And then she knew it was going to be a full stop from his side... but what about her? She didn't know.

And now the tight clutched letter in the hand did weigh tones. Her eyes were still at the cabin on his silhouette.

A soft hold on her shoulder broke her trance. She turned to face her. Aisha...

Aisha had an eye as if she could read her mind. No emotions came in. It looked as if she had inherited it from Arjun.

She felt a light assuring squeeze on the shoulder and then Aisha spoke in a light tone.

"take it from me Sakshi... we don't have a choice."

"par Aisha..."

"I know Sakshi... par ab hum kuch nahi kar sakthe... upar se orders hai... we will have to leave."

***

Aisha:

It's been 2 days that she had heard the news. Team ETF is going to be reshuffled. At first she thought it was just a lame joke. But no... it's not... this was not a damn joke. But why?

She had faced Commissioner that evening. She knew she didn't have the authority to question anyone. But she still deserves to know the truth. It was he who posted her here. And she hoped to deserve an answer.

"its order from above, Aisha. I am helpless."

"but the team is going great Sir. Aise achanak shuffling?"

"do you think, ye sab achanak hua hai?"

That question took her off guarded. Of course, ye sab achanak nahi hua hai. First Rathod Sir shifted to Delhi. Fir Sree... though his main reason was not being well. But then he was shifted. If they didn't have a chance to stay back, then how can I hope for one?

He could read her thoughts well. "aisa nahi hai ke mujhe tum sab pe yakeen nahi hai. you are the best team I could get. And now we need your service in different teams. Ek team se kuch nahi hoga Aisha. we need nore teams like ETFs"

"easy to say it Sir..." her voice had a sarcasm.

"I know. To build up a team is tough. But this is the procedure. More recruits are coming in.unhe bhi equal opportunity deni chahiye. And the seasoned officers like you should train them, guide them. isiliye, I am giving you a good chance for it. you are going to take up a big opportunity ahead."

She smiled lamely as if this news would help her feel better. And as she thought, she didn't have a chance to speak up.

"but... team ke sabko ek sath jaana hoga... ye bohot ajeeb hai sir... ab Arjun sir akele...?"

Commissioner sighed and leaned back. "I know... par mien Arjun ko yaha se shift nahi kar saktha... I owe him this much..."

She looked at him. "is it related to Roshni?"

"usse ETF me yahi kehke laya tha ke Sikander case sirf ETF ko milega. I know he will be reckless when he gets it. Par mujhe yakeen hai, wo case sirf Arjun hi solve kar sakthe hai..."

She was silent.

"I know what you are thinking, Aisha. But, I am sorry I can't help."

She nodded and took leave.

Driving back to office, she couldn't help to think of her days in ETF. Starting with a fight with Arjun... to many many things. She had an air of arrogance at the start. Her working style in the past did give her that. But then she started to melt down keeping the Nadiya inside her. The team was such a place of fun and experience. From the bets that she took from Sree, to the girly evenings with Liza, the Pizza fight with Chotu, the pure professional days with Arjun... and... Him...

A smile came in. She never knew when there was a slight tingling in her heart. Was it from the time when he showed concern as she tried to put her life in danger, or when he drove her home at nights, or the time when she stood by him when he took his rage on Arjun.

She never knew. Or rather it didn't matter.

ACP Rathod was a mystery to her just like Arjun. There was some hidden past between them and some bitter pain too. But she had seen the concern they both had for each other.

A dinner that she had with him, which was a true surprise for her, had changed many equations. She never knew that he too may be nurtured something for her. But his invitation was totally out of blue. After ages, she had spend infront of mirror deciding what to wear and then when they met it was not the officers, but 2 friends... or may be someone who were not mere friends.

The relation, if it could be called a relation was hidden in the time of work. Except on the day when she walked after knocking. He was by his window gazing out.

"everything alright sir?" her question made him face her. And she knew, the news was not going to be fine.

"I am leaving ETF"

The news was not good indeed. Seeing her shocked face, he took a step closer, still keeping a distance. "I am transferred to Delhi. Ab Arjun ETF ke chief hoga. And you are going to be his second in command."

Still in shock, he moved closer to her. He touched her hand that had frozen over a file she held. She lowered her eyes feeling it and then looked back to his eyes.

"we will keep in touch"

Her voice did choke in her throat when she heard it. after a big trial, it did come out. "yes... Sir..."

And then he left within a few days. There was no farewell party, no goodbyes indeed. Just a small words to the team, a shakehand or hug to all, a nod to her and a mere look to Arjun.

And he went. And now, it's her time to go.

She was walked in to see Sakshi with her letter, but eyes on Arjun's cabin. She could feel her inner turmoil well.

She had never missed it before. She went by Sakshi, as she was sure, she would need her now.

Sakshi didn't even know her presence. She placed her hand over shoulder and then she looked up.

"take it from me Sakshi... we don't have a choice."

"par Aisha..."

"I know Sakshi... par ab hum kuch nahi kar sakthe... upar se orders hai... we will have to leave."

Chotu saw it from another corridor. He knew he couldn't go to them now. But then he was missing everyone already.

He moved to a sofa, and dialed a number. It was taken after 2 rings.

"haan Chotu bolo..."

Chotu couldn't say anything.

"Chotu... you alright?"

"Sree... I am also leaving ETF."

"What? Par..."

"sab jarahe hai... Aisha, Sakshi aur Liza bhi..."

"oh no... tho ab..."

"haan... ab yaha sirf Arjun sir hi hoga. Naye team anewale hai..."

They sat silent for a while. But then Chotu heard someone speaking to Sree at the other end.

"Sir... ye lijiye. Sare phone records isme hai."

Sree took it still holding to the phone.

"Sree... tum kaam pe ho. I'll call you later."

"its ok Chotu..."

"no, you concentrate on work. Sham ko call karthe hai"

Sree felt the call suddenly going off. He knew Chotu was feeling very bad. He maybe a commando. But his heart was softer than an ice cream.

Sree looked at the cabin right infront of him. The man in the glass cubicle seemed to be silent and in thought. Sree sighed heavily. "no wonder Rathod Sir kuch din se upset hai..."

He took his mobile and typed a message. "so... your turn to leave?" and send it to the contact name, Lady Devil. After some seconds, Liza took the mobile and frowned. "damn you Specky Sen"

Sameer Rathod was trying to get a grip on himself. But he couldn't help to think about his team'.

***

Chotu cut the call and waited for a while. He looked around, and yes he was already missing it. his new post was going to be great. A pure commando in charge. Great opportunity, but still he couldn't help to sigh.

It was actually fun over here. Started with the three muslateers, Sree, Chotu and Riya... aah... he missed her too.

Their days were absolutely great. But then they knew the biggest secret of the time that even Arjun sir couldn't catch.

His eyes filled when the memory of the dimple came in. He and Sree had sworn to keep her secret.

But then many more came in. Aisha, Liza and Sakshi.

It was tough with Aisha at first... but then she was a sweet heart.

Liza... deva... kya ladthi hai Sree ke saath. He have lost count when Sree used to hide in his apartment fed up with her.

And Sakshi... with her Marathi tone... and her sweet smile... she brought about the air of freshness.

And then... he too haven't missed the soft looks she had to him. He had pulled her legs innumerable times. And now she knew she was heart broken too.

Chotu sighed and was confused why these should happen. Maybe something are meant to be so... not to spoken.

***

Liza kept on frowning at the screen. She was upset with Sree's message.

"ye Sree bhi na... koi chance nahi chodthe mujhe tang karne me..." but she knew it too.

This time Sree was not playing with her now. She had missed all those Tom and Jerry fights these days, but then she knew better that this was life.

They called once in a while, and in between all the verbal fights, there was a hidden concern. She knew he was working with Rathod sir. that was good. At least he knew someone at that place.

After that case, he was completely ill for a long time. Prolonged back pain and so on, he was asked for a thorough check ups. And that made him take a leave for a long time. it did pain her to see him pain, though she tried to hide it.

And then when Rathod sir was transferred, Sree wascalled back to Delhi too. Rathod sir needed someone good with technology at the capitol, and that made Sree to shift to there.

But then they were adjusting with Arjun sir's leadership. Though it was tough but then to be working with him is an experience as such. She was given whole opportunity to work with the tests and so on, and Arjun never stood against her work. She was glad to know that he knew about the forensic matters that made their communication easier.

But now, after a change, she knew she had to start from point one. And she didn't have a choice to say no.

***

Sakshi decided to talk to him as suggested by Aisha. She took sometime and walked off to his cabin.

And here Aisha receives a call. She moves to her cabin to take it. "hello..."

"kaise ho Aisha?"

She could get his tone well. "good..."

"suna meine... tum teekh tho ho na...?"

"hm..."

They stood in silence for a while.

"hows he taking it?"

Aisha looked across the glass window. There Sakshi was trying to say something and Arjun was not looking at her face, as if reading a file.

"silent... as usual..."

Sameer sighed again. "aur... Sakshi?"

"wo bhi... ab Arjun sir se milne gayi hai..."

"hm..."

Again words ceased.

"don't worry. Sab teekh hoga. We are professional, Aisha. We can't take everything personally. You are a seasoned officer. You should know it well..."

"I know... par..."

"I get it..."

"Sir... did it hurt... that day... jab aap bhi gaye the...?"

"a lot... for more than one reason..."

She didn't dare to ask for the reasons. But he could hear a choked voice.

"I call you later... sir..."

She managed to say it.

"ok... but remember... I am just a call away..."

"yes sir... bye..."

She cut the call and stood in the cabin for a time unknown to her. Her trance broke when Sakshi walked in disturbed. She sat on the chair opposite to Aisha and held her face in her palm. She was shivering a bit. Was it due to the tears... or rage?

Aisha took a chair and sat by her. "kya hua Sakshi?"

She didn't say anything but beyond the glass door, she saw Arjun walking away tucking the gun. Something definitely went wrong in the cabin.

She held Sakshi's hand. "kya hua? Bolo..."

Sakshi looked up with moist eyes. "insensitivity ke bhi had hothi hai... kisse prove karna chahthe hai wo? Aur kab thak? Why cant he speak out, dammit? Kyu sab kuch ander hi ander chupa rahe hai? why don't he open up?"

She took out her rage in a single breath. And then tried to compose herself breathing in heavily.

"he needs us Aisha. mujhe nahi lagtha wo aise achanak akale sab le paunga"

"did he say that?"

Sakshi chuckled sarcastically. "have you lost it Aisha? can you ever think that he will speak it up..."

"fir tumhe kaise patha?"

"because I can see it in his eyes. Kuch kehthe nahi hai, matlab ye nahi hai kuch nahi hai. Why don't he voice up? Bas samjhe samjhau kehke bhaga dethe hai... he is not even ready to take it that I..."

She stopped abruptly.

"I... ? What did you say to him?"

Sakshi leaned back closing her eyes. "kuch nahi... wo kuch sunna nahi chahtha tha... either he knows and don't want to speak about it. Else he knows nothing... I don't know whats going on... I just don't know anything..."

Aisha remained silent. She needed her own time to compose herself. She knew well, the rage that came in was just mask to hide her inner pain. She too inherited it from Arjun.

Scroll Down...

Sometime back in Arjun's cabin:

He was sure that now everything was going to change. New faces were nothing new to him. He never stayed at a place more than 3 months. But past year was not the same. He was sure, he was getting used to it. And maybe, he liked it too.

Though the presence of Rathod brought in pain, but to have him by his flank was something beyond explanation.

But then he had to leave. And couldn't stop it. And it was not the first time someone was leaving the team. Riya... she already left long back... the chirpy girl of statistics. Her passing away did leave a vent that could hardly be filled. But then vents were a part of his life. From Roshni... to everyone... all left with a vent in him.

And now the team too... and could do nothing.

He heard a tap on the door and saw Sakshi walking in. he could read she was taking her situation very hard. Because she didn't like to leave ETF... leave him...

He stopped himself from thinking ahead. It won't help him a bit.

"Arjun..." her voice did show her inner self. He looked up from the file which was his prop.

"wo... mien... kuch kehna chahthi thi..."

He looked at her silent.

"Arjun... hum sabko jaana hoga... I mean... it feels... very bad..."

Still silence.

"tumhe bura..."

"it's a part of life Sakshi. Jisse jaana hai, usse jaana hi hoga..."

"is it that simple Arjun?"

"no its not..." he diverted his eyes away from her.

She stood waiting he would respond again. But he didn't.

"Arjun... why don't you speak it out?"

"speak what?" he looked straight at her.

"tumhe kuch nahi kehna? Kya abhi bhi chup rehke acha lagtha hai?"

"there is nothing to speak, Sakshi. I cant do anything about the transfer orders."

"dammit Arjun... mien transfer orders ke bare me nahi keh rahe the..."

"then what?"

She stood for a while again. "Arjun mujhe patha hai, ke meine jo bhi kiya un sabse tumhe bohot takleef hua hai. wo sab mien..."

"its past Sakshi.. ab.."

"for a change, lemme speak Arjun"

He put down the file and waited for her. He didn't know if hearing her was going to be for good or not. But he still wanted to hear her.

"Arjun... wo din meine jaan bhujke kiya tha. You know I was not hurt. Pehle bas ithna jaana chahtha tha ke tumhe kuch feel hothe the ke nahi. Baadme, mujhe uske aadat hogayi. I know, I am being stupid. But I loved it when you showed me that care. Aise lagne laga, ke tum mere fikar karthe ho. but I swear, I didn't want to hurt you... its just that..."

She was at loss of words again...

"fir jab tumhe patha chala... tho mujhe bhi bohot bura laga. I am sorry."

He didn't say anything still.

"I don't know how to put it forward to you.. mien bas tumhe khush dekhna chahthi thi... ek smile dekna chahthi thi... par.."

"Sakshi..." his voice stopped her and looked to him.

"Sakshi... tum kya kehna chahthe ho... ye mien thode bohot jantha hu. but lets stop it here. Mien isse aage nahi sunna chahtha..."

"par..."

"no Sakshi. I have already been through enough. Ab aur nahi. Sab ek destiny ke bare me bathathe hai. And this Destiny always loves to play with me... so I tried to play back hard too. Mien uthne jaldi haar nahi mane wala."

"par Arjun..."

"Sakshi... don't let me fail in this... You may go for now."

She stood there for a while to get hold of whats happening. She was not getting what he was saying. And he didn't try to explain too.

It was just pain that she felt and she left the cabin as fast as possible.

***

Days later:

It was the last day for the team as such. And they were silent.

Arjun sat across the table and saw each faces. Everyone had mixed emotions.

At last he decided to end it.

He stood up and saw everyone watching him. He gave a moment to himself and then voiced up.

"it was an honor to work with you team... apna khayal rakhna... ye math bhoolna... jo bhi personal issues ho, wo hamare kaam ke beech me nahi ana chahiye...(looking at Sakshi) aise kayi mauke athe hai, jab khud hi confuse ho jathe hai. its natural... bas usse thode waqt do.. it will clear off by itself. (to all) keep in touch. Good night"

And with that he took off.

All sat there for a while and then decided to move on with a heavy heart.

And he rode away his SUV. A new day was waiting, with a new beginning.

Awesome 😊