Arakshi FF: Ajeeb si daastan.. Chapter 18C - Pg.101 27/4 - Page 12

He had made this journey countless number of times in the past. The deserted road through the mountains, empty spaces around, outlined by lush woods and a rare haunting silence, one wouldn't find in the city had always managed to soothe his nerves.

Arjun hated the rains for the mess that it would leave behind; puddles of water on the streets, jammed roads and outbreaks of water borne diseases was all it represented.

But that had changed, 8 years ago when he experienced the rains in Dhanaulti..

Thunderstorms lashing the mountain slopes with sheets of cool water, wild weeds with colourful flowers that seemed to appear all of a sudden and the wet mist in the air that was left behind after every dark night had replaced all unpleasant memories of downpour in the city.

All lingering traces of fatigue in his dark eyes had vanished the moment when light raindrops sneaked their way in through the half-open window and splashed against his face. It felt as if he was coming home.

A storm rumbled through the mountains, bringing along loud thunder, flashes of lightning and her favorite, silver raindrops. She stole a peek at the sloping hillside through the dense forest and breathed the scent of the wet earth.

She had always loved playing in the rain as a child. Ignoring her father's protests, she would often pull him along until he finally gave in and made her paper boats. Watching her boats sail on the little puddle of water in their garden, soaking wet in the rains until he would lift her and carry her back into the house had been her favorite pastime back then.

A tear drop fell from her eye mingling with the rainwater splashing on her face, disappearing before she could even feel it, just the way her father's memories always did.

Arjun loosened his grip on the steering wheel and looked at the girl sitting beside him.

Something about her was different. The slight smile curving at the corner of her lips seemed heartfelt and was reflecting on her face. She had a childlike innocence to her, he thought. But it was the vulnerability in her eyes that held his gaze captive for a few seconds each time he happened to glance at her.

He watched her for a couple of minutes and couldn't stop the amused grin forming on his face.

"Tumhe baarish itni pasand hai?", he asked.

Sakshi turned her outstretched palm upside down and the water gathered in her palm trickled down. She turned to him and shook her head, "Kuch khaas nahi."

The calmness he had witnessed in her eyes was gone and was instead replaced by a haunted look. Arjun wondered what it was about.

"Yeh kaunsa raasta hai? Main yahan se pehle kabhi nahi guzri..", she exclaimed looking at the unfamiliar terrain.

"Shortcut hai. Seedhe Mandir ke paas wali sadak se jaakar milta hai.", he said manoeuvring the jeep expertly.

Sakshi nodded and found herself turning to him once again.

Something about him looked very familiar. She had seen those piercing eyes and the hard set jaw several times, but now she couldn't remember when and where.

He had taken off the wet raincoat and placed it on the backseat. He wore a plain black hoodie, a pair of faded jeans and a black sports watch and his soft hair falling over his forehead made him look very casual. She couldn't help but feel a growing attraction to his steely eyes, which held an unimaginable depth in them.

"Aap yahan naye hain?", she asked out of curiosity.

He looked at her for a moment before focussing on the road ahead. Arjun didn't have an answer to that, but ACP Arjun did.

"Haan. Academy mein posting hui hai.", he answered with a straight face.

She gave him a confused look wondering how he was familiar with the terrain if he was indeed new to the place.

When he didn't respond to her curiosity, she ignored it and thought back upon what he said.

The Police Academy.. Her heart missed a beat at that. Today, six years later, Sakshi still froze at the mere mention of the Academy. Her father had spent the last few years of his service at the Police Academy here. She had heard several stories of the prestigious institution, its honour, his cadets and their achievements, but had never visited the place while he was posted there.

Irony, that now she had to return to the same place where it had all ended and perhaps also started, to make a new beginning and restore her dead father's honour.

Sakshi snapped out when the jeep came to a screeching halt. She looked up and realised they had reached the temple. She rubbed her palms and peeped out of the window as the warmth settled in. The rain had stopped by then.

She turned towards him and smiled, "Aage main akele chali jaungi. Yahan tak pohonchane ke liye, dhanyavaad."

He looked at her and then rolled the glasses down. His alert eyes quickly scanned the deserted area. The road ahead was forked; one led to the Police Academy on the other side of the river across the bridge, while the other trailed into the peaceful village.

"Main ghar tak chod deta hoon. Kaafi raat ho gayi hai." he replied.

Sakshi shook her head and smiled slightly, "Nahi nahi. Aapko pareshaani hogi. Waise bhi humare raaste alag hain. Ab aage main khud chali jaungi."

When he didn't look convinced and still sported a concerned look, she spoke, "Mujhe aadat hai." and took out a torch from her bag.

Arjun finally gave in and nodded, "Jaisa tum theek samjho."

She got down from the jeep, fixed her dupatta over her shoulders and looked at the deserted road leading towards her house. He didn't miss the slight fear in her eyes as she glanced at the river flowing behind the temple.

His sharp instincts immediately kicked into action and he began observing her intently. The way her fingers twisted and untwisted the ends of her dupatta gave him an idea that she was probably nervous of walking it up in the dark.

His observant eyes were once again scanning the area. He glanced at the bridge which would lead him towards the Academy and then back at her. He wondered if it would be too much of probing into her private space if he offered to drop her home again.

Little did he know that she wasn't as brave as she pretended to be..

Sakshi had been on several dangerous assignments, during her internship and later while working as a crime journalist as well. Her inquisitiveness, which came naturally to her and the dare-devil attitude which was required of an investigative crime reporter had often landed her in tricky situations. But, she had always found a way out.

But tonight was different.. It wasn't the deserted road that scared her; it was the darkness that had engulfed the valley. As a child, she had always been scared of the dark ever since her mother's death. Even today, she left a lantern burning all night while she slept.

Besides, she needed him to stay away from her and her house. Though he was a stranger and came across as a helpful and decent guy, he was a cop. And Sakshi did not want to risk her true identity, no matter what.

Gathering her courage, she lifted her lashes and looked at him, "Mujhe chalna chahiye."

Arjun blinked his eyes, nodded slightly and held out his hand, "ACP Rawte."

Sakshi looked at him and felt it again. She had heard the name before.

He watched her forehead crease and wondered what had gotten her thinking.

Brushing aside her doubts, she looked at him and then at his hand, before slipping hers into his, "Sakshi."

Her name sounded beautiful and something about the way she said it, made him want to know more about her.

Despite the cool air seeping into her skin, his touch was surprisingly firm and as warm as his demeanour.

Her cheeks flushed and she tucked a loose strand of hair behind her ear when she realised that he wasn't loosening his hold on her hand. Though that action of his should have made her nervous, coming from a stranger, yet for some reason all she could feel was the colour rising in her cheeks.

The sound of rustling leaves alarmed him and he quickly let go of her hand, stepping back.

Sakshi returned his gesture with a barely there smile and turned around to walk away. She looked back twice after walking a few steps and saw him standing there, fixed to the spot with his arms crossed across his chest.

It didn't take her long to realise that he was trying his best to make sure that she would reach home safely, even if it meant only keeping an eye on her.

She ignored the tiny voice in her head which kept nudging her. She wanted to tell him to leave and that she would be fine.

Just then she heard him sneeze. Once. Twice. And thrice. She couldn't help but turn around and look back at him.

He saw her turn around and was almost prepared to step forward when he saw her point towards something. His eyes followed her pointed finger and landed on the jacket lying on the seat.

He had just opened his mouth to speak when she beat him to it, "Raat ke waqt yahan kaafi thand rehti hai. Aur aaj baarish bhi hui hai. Toh.."

Though it was a seemingly simple gesture, it felt good coming from her. He was confused by the way it sounded in his head but then brushed it aside quickly.

She saw him pick up the jacket and wear it. He nodded as he pulled the zipper at the front and looked at her. It seemed as though she wanted to say something more but was hesitating.

Arjun stepped forward sensing her confusion and turned the ignition off. In a few steps he was beside her and waved a palm as if asking her to walk and guide the way.

She didn't know what made her do it, but she did. Sakshi began walking towards the village with him by her side, but didn't look at him even once. She mentally smacked herself for harbouring her fear of darkness till date. It had always landed her in embarrassing situations.

Arjun gave her a sidelong glance and saw her biting her lips and muttering to herself. He couldn't help but let out a soft chuckle at the sight. Pagal ladki.

Sakshi saw him chuckle from the corner of her eyes but pretended to ignore it. She looked around and figured, she wasn't even looking where she was going. He seemed to know the way very well and was taking her through a muddy road, which was a shorter way to get into the village.

She couldn't help but wonder as to why he had lied about him being new to the place.

They walked past the first few houses without having said a word. Suddenly, she turned on her heel and looked at him, tucking a few strands of hair behind her ear, "Thank you, ACP Rawte. Mera ghar bass yahi hai. Main aage chali jaungi."

Arjun shot her a confused look. But before he could ask her anything further, she gave him a parting smile and turned around to walk away.

Sakshi figured that must have sounded a bit ungrateful and so looked back over her shoulder. He hadn't moved an inch.

But she didn't want him to be seen with her. The village they lived in was a small community. A girl arriving home with a stranger late in the night would set a few tongues wagging. Though Sakshi and her uncle was used to her being in the company of men while at work, she knew it would upset him if he heard any gossips related to her.

Sakshi looked back at him once more and motioned him to leave with a slight nod of head. And this time she walked away, without looking back but thanking the officer silently once again.

Arjun stood with hands in his pockets and saw her step into a narrow lane.

A minute later, when she could no longer be seen, he walked back to the jeep and drove towards the Academy.