Ariya Os The Last Goodbye

The Last Goodbye

Arjun bangs the door of his cabin behind him in frustration. His nightmares flash before his eyes. He throws away the files from his table. He closes his eyes to try and contain himself. Just then, Riya opens the door without knocking in her worry.

Riya: sir!

Her voice felt like music to his ears and he opened his eyes. Her heart broke to see unshed tears in them. They stared at each other. Both of them were unsure of how to respond to the other. Gathering courage she walked upto him.

Riya: ant mein jeet aapki hi hogi sir, mujhe pura vishwas hai. ab toh hume Sikandar ka pata bhi mil gaya hai

Arjun took a deep breath and looked away: dar lagta hai Riya, ek baar apne pyaar ko kho chuka hun, is baar….fir se kisi apne ko nahi khona chahta, (looking back) tum sab ki jaan khatre mein nahi daal sakta

Riya smiled lightly: apna bhi maante hai aur humara aapke liye ladne ka haq bhi cheen rahe hai?

Arjun just stared at her unaware of how to answer.

Outside-

Rathore quickly assigned jobs to the rest of the team and rushed to Arjun’s cabin. He aware that the interrogation had taken a toll on him. He was even more aware of his aggressive behavior in such situations. He stopped short near the entrance.

The glass walls showed Arjun and Riya talking to each other. He was only half-surprised at the scene.He had seen Riya break through the wall Arjun had created many a times and today was no different. He smiled seeing them. Knowing he would be fine, he went to make further preparations.

Two days later, the team was engaged in what probably was the most engaging gunfight in terms of their emotional investment. They were all there that day not just for their duty as officers but also for their Arjun sir, an inspiration for some, a respectable boss for some, a friend for one and something that was not defined for another.

Finally, taking aim, Arjun shot the devil in the head, ending him once and for all. Arjun fell on his knees as his body fell to the ground. Riya stepped forward when another voice called out to him. He scrambled to his feet in disbelief.

Arjun could barely let out a whisper: Roshni?

Ayesha was with her. She had found her along with other locked up girls and instantly recognized her. Roshni was in tears seeing her husband after the long three years of torture.She ran and hugged him tightly, breaking down in his arms. Arjun couldn’t believe his luck. He held her tight, never to let go again.

The rest of the team were in the same feeling, shocked yet happy for their boss. Rathore teared up seeing his friend alive and well. Not caring about the private moment, he went and engulfed the other two in a bear hug.

Shree(whispered): yaar 7 minute ho gaye, ye reunion thoda lamba nahi hai

Liza glared at him: emotionless fool!

Her voice broke their trances and they broke apart. Ayesha nudged her. She bit her tongue in regret. Rathore cleared his throat after wiping his tears.

Rathore: Team! Seize and seal!!

Chorus: yes sir

They went about their ways. Rathore put his hand around Roshni.

Rathore: chal ab, bahot complain karni hai tere pati ki tujhe

Roshni: Sam!!

He chuckled as he led her away. Arjun smiled and was about to go after them when a name flashed to his mind. His eyes darted around.

Her face had a myriad of emotions….happiness, sadness, pride, surprise. He stepped in her direction. Realising his intention, she subtly nodded her head in a no and gestured him to go. He gave a silent protest but she blinked her eyes in assurance. Shree came upto her for help and Arjun left.

Four days later-

Roshni was sitting on the bed and whining: Arjun bas bhi karo ab, main bimar nahi hu

Arjun: chup! Abhi tak chotein theek nahi hui tumhari

Roshni: are lekin woh toh apne time ke hissab se hi theek hogi, tumhare mujhe bed par kaid karne se nahi

Arjun: kitni behes karti ho tum, shanti se baithi raho aur soup piyo, doctor ne bola haina rest lene ke liye

She shook her head in disbelief and took her hand in his: Arjun, main theek hun, please itni tension mat lo. Mere chakkar mein tum itne din se office bhi nahi gaye

Arjun: are Sam haina? Aur waise bhi itne time se ek bhi leave nahi li, ab atleast ek hafte tak no kaam

Roshni: rehne do Arjun,ye tumhare saath impossible hai

Arjun: impossible ko bhi possible kar sakta hai ACP Arjun Suryakant Rawte, samjhi ya samjhau?

She giggled and gave him a thumbs up: dekhenge

Arjun: ha ab soup piyo

She shook her head in disbelief and took the bowl. Just then Arjun’s phone pinged. He was about to swipe it off when he read the contact name. Turning serious, he opened it.

Riya- can we meet? Chowpatty? Now?

Arjun closed his phone. He looked at Roshni

Arjun: um…Rosh, woh mujhe….thoda uh…kaam hai

Roshni(amused): oh kaam hai

Understanding her taunt, he averted his gaze and stood up: main aata hu thodi der mein.

Roshni giggled and shook her head. Arjun quickly changed and left.

Chowpatty-

Riya was sitting on the sand watching the sun lower into the horizon, painting the sky in shades of red and yellow. She heard the sand shift behind her but did not turn. Arjun came and sat near her. They gazed into the sea, not needing to look at each other.

Riya: mujhe laga aap shayad nahi aayenge

Arjun: toh fir yaha kyun ho?

Riya smiled: I was hoping you would come

Arjun: toh aa gaya

There was a moment of silence

Riya: meri raat ki flight hai… 1:35

Arjun looked at her: kaha jaa rahi ho?

Riya: transfer liya hai, Delhi mein mila but….Rathore sir ke ilawa kisi ko bataya nahi, socha aapse ek baar mil lu

Arjun nodded: bina bole jaogi toh sab maarenge

Riya: pata lungi baad mein, mujhse goodbyes handle nahi hote

Arjun cleared his throat and looked at her with an amused expression.

Riya glanced at him and pursed her lips to contain her smile: woh…aapko baad mein pata na mushkil hai

Arjun: I am really happy that you know that bas mushkil ko hatakar namumkin daal do, because main tumse bahot gussa ho jaata

Riya shied away. Arjun turned his gaze back to the vast blue. Silence set in again. She straightened a little and looked at him.

Riya: ek baat puchu?

Arjun: tumhe kabhi puchne se mana kiya hai?

Riya lowered her eyes.

She resumed after a pause: I didn’t have a chance, did I?

Arjun sighed deeply and hung his head: that’s the sad part (looking at her) you almost did

Her eyes moistened and she looked away. The sun set into the sea leaving just an afterglow of its light. They walked along the beach holding hands on one side and shoes in the other, sharing the silence they were always comfortable in.

Riya stopped as darkness took over the sky: mujhe jana chahiye, last minute packing check karni hai

Arjun nodded as their hands separated from each other. They wore their footwear. Riya started walking outside but Arjun stayed, watching her retreating back. Remembering something, she stopped. Riya turned. She opened her mouth to speak but her eyes turned moist.

Riya(controlling): can I have a favour?

Arjun bobbed his head in question

Riya: ek hug milega?

Arjun raised his eyebrow and then nodded in no.

Riya rolled her eyes: khadoos!

She walked away, not turning behind to see Arjun smile at her disapproval. She hailed a taxi and sat inside. A hand held the door she was trying to close.

Arjun: andar ghuso, main kaha Baithunga? (she looked at him in confusion) are jao, dekh kya rahi ho?

Still unsure of what his intentions were, she shifted. Arjun sat in and closed the door. The driver started the ignition and the taxi moved towards her home. Riya rested her head on the window sill looking at the city of dreams. Arjun glanced at her. His gaze shifted to her hand and he took hers in his. Riya smiled and entwined their fingers without turning to face him.

Riya’s house-

Riya quickly went through her cupboards to see she hadn’t left anything behind.

Riya: waise sir, aap kuch lenge? mere kitchen mein toh kuch nahi hai, neeche chai waala hai, mangwa du?

Arjun stood up and walked to her: nahi mujhe kuch nahi chahiye, tum 10 baje hi niklogi na?

Riya turned: ha kyun?

Arjun smiled and pulled her to him, surprising her: time kitna hai dekhna padega na?

She was still trying to comprehend what was going on in his mind when he leaned and kissed her. She stiffened immediately but couldn’t resist or rather….she didn’t want to. He pulled away and rested his forehead on hers.

Riya was breathless but also a little unsure: kyun?

He caressed her cheek: kyunki hume bhi haq hain apne pyaar ko ek baar mehsoos karne ka

She opened her eyes. His heart ached to see moisture in them. He kissed her forehead, letting his lips linger for a moment longer. She shifted her head to his shoulder. He held her affectionately, cherishing the feeling of her being in his arms.

Arjun picked her up in his arms and laid her on the bed. She cupped his cheek when he came closer. He took her hand in his, raising his eyebrow in question.

Riya: aap kal regret toh nahi karenge?

Arjun smiled and kissed the back of her palm: tumhare saath bitaya hua koi bhi pal maine na kabhi regret kiya hai, na kar raha hun aur na hi kabhi karunga

She smiled. His lips trailed along her arm sending shivers down her spine. She closed her eyes,involuntarily pulling him closer and he dipped his head to kiss her. They forgot everything in each other’s arms after that, basking in each other’s warmth and stamping the memories of their love in their hearts.

Global Affair Restaurant-

Sameer and Ayesha were talking over dinner when his phone rang.

Sameer: ha Rosh bol

Roshni: Arjun ko phone do na

Sameer: woh mere saath nahi hai, main baahar hun, kaha gaya woh?

Roshni: pata nahi, kaha kuch kaam hai, thodi der mein aata hu, 5 baje gaya tha aur ab 9:30 ho gaye

Sameer: acha? Kya kaam tha kuch bola?

Roshni: nahi na, upar se uska phone unreachable aa raha hai

Sameer(thoughtfully):oh….tu fikar mat kar, aa jaayega, uski toh aadat hai, shaanti se so ja

Roshni: ha woh toh mujhe bhi pata hai, I just thought ki koi musibat toh nahi isliye

Sameer: I don’t think so, abhi toh koi case bhi nahi hai, shayad informer wagera ke paas gaya hoga

Roshni: ok, main sone jaati hun fir, par tujhe kuch pata chale toh batana

Sameer: ha, good night

Roshni: good night aur sorry

Sameer: kis liye

Roshni: teri date thi na

Sameer glanced at Ayesha: shut up Rosh, bye!

Roshni giggled and cut the call. Rathore shook his head in disbelief.

Ayesha: kya hua?

Sameer: kuch nahi yaar, tumhare Arjun sir thodi der bol kar ab tak nahi aaye

Ayesha chuckled: unka koi bharosa nahi

Sameer: exactly!

Riya’s house-

Her head was lying on his chest as he softly caressed her hair. They didn’t know what to talk and honestly, they didn’t need to. The other’s presence was more than enough to put everything at rest for them. The only feeling they were feeling then, was bliss.

Her gaze fell on the wall clock…..9:45

Riya: sir

Arjun: hm?

Riya: time ho raha hai

Arjun sighed. Their gaze met each other’s. He gave her a squeeze, kissing her forehead before relaxing his hold. She blushed and separated from him, clutching the quilt and grabbing her clothes.

Airport-

They stopped before the entry gate and turned to look at each other. She hugged him tightly. He buried his face in her shoulder, wanting the feeling to remain etched in his mind forever.

Arjun: I’ll miss you

Riya: me too….stay safe

Arjun: you too

They stayed like that for a long time not caring about the people staring at them. Their eyes were moist when they finally separated but neither of them took efforts to hide their feelings. She took the handle of her luggage and wheeled it.

Arjun: Riya!

She rooted to the ground and turned. Arjun stared at her. He didn’t know what else he was going to say or why he stopped her. The kindled flame of a desire was burning inside subject to the hesitancy of oxygen. A few seconds passed by.

She was about to ask him when he strode forward and cupped her face, capturing her lips. Needless to say, she was shocked. It barely lasted for half a minute but conveyed everything they weren’t able to find words for. It didn’t matter that it was a public place or that god knows who might’ve seen them but all that mattered was each other, all that mattered were the selfless feelings they had in their hearts.

Riya: I should really go

Arjun: yea you should

She tucked her hair behind her ear. Taking hold of the handle again, she moved towards the gate. Riya looked back as the guard checked her ID and ticket. Arjun raised his hand,waving a reluctant goodbye. She smiled sadly and entered the premises.

Arjun sighed deeply. His feet walked slowly back to the car. He fished out his phone as he sat in the driver’s seat and dialled a contact from speed dial.

Inside the Terminal,12:50-

The boarding announcement was made. Riya took her belongings and stood up. Just then, her phone rang.

Riya: hello?....ji?....(shocked) what?!? Le…lekin kyun? Achanak kya hua?.....ji

The call disconnected but she continued to stare at her phone nervously. Sighing, she looked around for the airline staff.

Next morning,

ETF-

The juniors were having a gala time, pulling each other’s leg and teasing one another, all except….Riya. Rathore entered the conference room, involuntarily making them silent. They wished him good morning but he just nodded.

Sakshi: kya hua Sameer? Tumhara mood zyaada acha nahi lag raha

Rathore: woh… ek, ek khabar hai tum logon ke liye

Shree: kya sir?

Rathore: Rawte…Rawte ka transfer ho gaya hai

The ground swept off from beneath everyone’s feet

Chorus: KYA?!!?

Riya(shocked): lekin kyun sir? aur achanak kaise aur….

Rathore: woh sirf Sikandar ke case ke liye ETF aaya tha toh case khatam isliye

Ayesha: par sir, aisa thodi hota hai?

Liza: ha sir, aadat pad gayi hai unki daant sunne ki

Shree: ha sir, kuch karo na, roko na unka transfer

Rathore: koi faayda nahi hai Shree aur use bhi koi aitraaz nahi hai so…main kuch nahi kar sakta

Their faces fell, knowing they were going to miss their khadoos second-in-command.

Rathore: khair, tum log apna kaam khatam karo…Riya?

She came out of her trance: ji sir?

Rathore: mere saath aao, thoda kaam hai

Riya nodded and followed him to his cabin. Rathore slid a hand in his bag and removed an envelope… a pink envelope and extended it to her.

Riya: ye kya hai sir?

Rathore: tumhare Arjun sir ne tumhare liye bheja hai

Her face lit up in joy. She grabbed it from his hand. A small smile came to her face on seeing the color. The fragrance of rose perfume soothed her senses. She opened it and removed a letter.

Dear Riya,

Paagal ho? Mere chakkar mein apna sapna kurbaan karne chali thi? Bevkuf ladki! Aisa kaun karta hai? Nahi karna chahiye.

Jaanta hu, aamne saamne rahenge toh khud ko rok nahi paayenge isliye main jaa raha hun. Mujhe tumse ye kehna ka toh haq nahi hai ki mujhe bhul jaana ya fir aage badh jaana kyunki tumhari zindgi ka faisla lene ka haq sirf tumhe hai, bas itna kahunga ki agar dil dobara kisi ke liye dhadke toh use rokna mat.

Sirf ek commitment chahiye mujhe tumse. Wada karo ki agar zindgi main kabhi bhi, kahi bhi, kisi bhi surat mein tumhe meri zaroorat padi toh mujhe yaad karne se hichkichaogi nahi. Aur ha, ye two sided offer hai, keh deta hun pehle se hi…but promise uske ilawa pareshaan nahi karunga tumhe.

Mere dil ka ek kona humesha tumhare liye reserved rahega jaise ki mujhe pata hai ki tumhara bhi rahega.

Yours lovingly,

Arjun

Her eyes were brimming with tears as she finished reading. Rathore was feeling bad for both of them. He had known for sure, they would have been together after Arjun had put an end to Sikandar but the equations had changed drastically and there was no one to blame except for fate. He held her hand.

Rathore: Riya?

She raised her eyes using every ounce of control she had to stop her tears from flowing. He couldn’t stay away anymore and hugged her. She burst out crying on his shoulder.He caressed her back letting her vent out her emotions.

3 years later-

Riya was arranging the bed when her phone pinged. She froze seeing the name of the contact. He had never contacted her all these years. She opened the chat and an image loaded. A baby was sleeping in his lap. She could make out that it wasn’t more than a few days old.

Arjun- meri dusri Riya

A warm feeling spread in her chest as her eyes turned moist- bahot pyaari hai

Arjun- honi hi hai, aakhir meri Riya hai

She smiled- aap nahi sudhrenge

Arjun giggled.

Riya glanced behind. Aman was getting ready near the dressing table. His back was to her but face was visible through the mirror. She ran a hand through her hair, pulling them on one side, setting them a little and clicked a selfie with him in the background.

The image loaded on Arjun’s phone. He smiled seeing the mangalsutra in her neck.

Riya- mera dusra khadoos, military intelligence

Arjun- so sad, tumhare naseeb mein khadoos hi hai

Riya- ya fir shayad mera taste hi kharab hai

Arjun frowned- how mean

She giggled- look who’s talking

Arjun- itna bhi bura nahi hu

Riya- pata hai, isliye toh mere hai

Arjun- aur tum meri

They smiled, continuing to stare at their screens.

On one side-

Roshni came out of the room with Riya in her arms.

Roshni: itna muskura kar kisse baat kar rahe ho?

Arjun slipped his phone in the pocket and stood up: bas yu hi (taking Riya into his hands) are waah, meri Riyu jaag rahi hai?

Roshni shook her head: kya Arjun tum bhi, jab se aayi hai tum toh ise chodte hi nahi

Arjun chuckled and cuddled with his daughter: ha toh? Maine toh tumhe pehle hi kaha tha ki beti hui toh tumse zyaada pyaar milega use (kissing her cheek) kaha tha na papa ne? dekho mumma bhul gayi

Roshni laughed as Riya responded with a smile while Arjun continued to cuddle and play with her.

On the other side-

He hugged her from behind: subah-subah kisse baatein ho rahi hai madam?

She put her phone away and turned: bas aise hi (winding her arms around his neck) ek purana yaar hai(dreaming) bahot time baad baat ki

He raised his eyebrow: lagta hai bahot khaas hai

Riya smiled: ha….bahot khaas, par pata hai Rajiv khaas baat kya hai? ki itne time baad bhi, hum bilcul waise hi hai

He smiled: khush ho na? bas

She nodded and hugged him: bahot….(she happily kissed his cheek) I love you

Rajiv: I love you too par tumhe itne acha mood mein daal ne ke liye mera use thank you kehna toh banta hai

She hit his shoulder: shut up!

Riya tried to get away but he held her hand.

Rajiv: are na jao hume chodkar jaan

Riya(amused): Rajiv…

Rajiv pulled her to him before she could complete, wrapping a hand around her waist and taking the other in his, he started swaying her as he sang:

Na jeeya zindgi ek pal bhi

Tujhse hoke juda suna zara

Bin tere mujhse naraaz tha dil

Tu mila toh keh raha hai

Main toh tere rang mein

Rang chuka hun

Bas tera ban chuka hu

Mera mujh mein kuch nahi

Sab tera

He twirled her around as her laughter echoed throughout their house.

The End