Zindagi Ke Us Paar
The ETF office hummed with its usual rhythm—phones ringing, keyboards clattering, files opening and shutting. But there was something different today. A softer note, a sense of anticipation.
Inside the glass cabin, Sameer paced with a file in hand while Shree tapped away at his computer. Chotu, leaning back in his chair, threw glances at the door every few seconds.
And then it happened. The door pushed open, and Riya Mukherjee walked in.
Her steps were measured, her body still recovering from the brutal toll of the Xora 2 virus that had nearly claimed her life. She was slimmer, paler, her face framed with exhaustion—but her eyes carried the same spark.
“Riya…” Shree was the first to react, his voice trembling with excitement.
“Arre wah! Finally apni encyclopedia wapas aa gayi!”
Chotu jumped up. “Riya, welcome back! Ab toh hum phir se ekdum unbeatable ho gaye.”
Riya smiled faintly, warmth spreading in her chest. “Main tum dono ko bhi miss karti thi.”
Sameer walked forward, professional but softer than usual. “Good to have you back, Riya. Take it slow. Abhi field pe mat jao, reports aur analysis handle karna.”
But her eyes instinctively moved past him—to the man standing silently at the corner.
Arjun Rawte, hands in his pockets, gaze locked on her. He didn’t smile, didn’t move. But his eyes—dark, intense, questioning—were enough.
“Arjun sir?” she asked softly.
He tilted his head just a fraction. “Welcome back, Riya.” His tone was steady, but she caught the faintest relief in it.
***
Later that evening, Riya sat across from her doctor, fidgeting with her dupatta. The sterile smell of disinfectants filled the air.
“Ms. Mukherjee,” the doctor began carefully, “aapki body ne Xora virus ke against bahut fight kiya. You’re stable now, but… there are long-term complications.”
Riya’s throat dried. “Complications?”
The doctor’s voice softened. “Your lungs suffered scarring. Zyada stress ya strain dangerous ho sakta hai. Aur…” He hesitated. “There may be hormonal imbalances. Childbearing in the future—could be complicated.”
The words hit her like bullets. Professional life—fieldwork, running, chasing criminals—was suddenly in question. And personal life… the faint, unspoken dreams she had carried, fragile as glass, now seemed to shatter.
“Doctor, iska matlab… main apne kaam mein bhi problem face karungi?”
“Manageable hai, but risky. Tumhe apne health ko prioritize karna hoga.”
Her fingers tightened around her bag. She forced a nod, but inside, she felt hollow.
***
Night had fallen. The ETF office was quieter now, only a few lights burning. Riya found herself on the terrace, the cool breeze brushing her face as she tried to steady her breath.
But she wasn’t alone.
“Tum abhi abhi wapas aayi ho, aur terrace pe akeli? Zyada adventurous ban rahi ho?”
Arjun’s voice was low, laced with his usual sarcasm.
Riya didn’t turn. “Bas… fresh air chahiye thi.”
He walked closer, his presence commanding. “Doctor ne kya kaha?”
She froze. He always saw through her. Always.
“Kuch nahi…” she lied.
He narrowed his eyes. “Riya, tum jhoot bolne mein utni hi buri ho jitni tum gun load karne mein slow ho.”
She finally turned, her eyes glistening. “Sir… meri life kabhi normal nahi hogi. Na personal, na professional. Main… main apne sapne kho rahi hoon.”
Her voice cracked. “Agar kal ko main ETF ke saath case pe nahi daud paayi, agar kal ko main ek… family bhi nahi bana paayi toh?”
The silence that followed was heavy. She looked away, ashamed of her vulnerability.
But then, she heard him step closer.
“Riya.” His voice was softer now, stripped of sarcasm. “Tumhare sapne khatam nahi hue. Sirf raasta badla hai.”
She blinked at him.
“Field pe na sahi, tumhara dimaag hamesha team ka weapon raha hai. Aur personal life…” He hesitated, his jaw tightening. “Uska faisla tumhari kamzori se nahi, tumhari himmat se hoga.”
Tears slipped down her cheeks. “Par agar main kisi ki bojh ban gayi toh?”
Arjun’s eyes flashed with something raw, unguarded. He stepped so close that she could feel the warmth of his breath.
“Tum bojh nahi ho, Riya. Samjhi tum?” His voice broke just a little. “Tumhari zindagi ke liye maine khud ko maut ke saamne khada kiya tha. Kya tumhe lagta hai main aisa kisi bojh ke liye karta?”
Her lips parted, stunned by his confession hidden in his words.
***
The next morning, Shree and Chotu found Riya sitting quietly with files. Her smile was faint, her energy drained.
“Riya,” Chotu said, plopping a ladoo box in front of her. “Maa ne bheja hai. Tumhare liye. Sweet khaao, mood theek ho jaayega.”
Shree added with a grin, “Aur waise bhi, hum sab tumhare saath hain. Health problem hai toh kya hua? Hum team hai. Aur team ka matlab hai—saath.”
Riya’s throat tightened. She had expected pity, distance. But instead, she found loyalty, affection.
Even Sameer dropped by, patting her shoulder. “Riya, ETF sirf criminals se nahi ladta. Hum apni team ke liye bhi ladte hain. Don’t forget that.”
She nodded, fighting her tears.
And when she looked up, across the glass, she found Arjun watching her silently. His eyes didn’t waver. They promised something unspoken—strength, perhaps even hope.
***
That evening, Riya sat by her desk as the office emptied out. She was still, deep in thought, until Arjun’s shadow fell across her.
“Abhi bhi yahin ho?”
She looked up. “Soch rahi thi… kya main ETF mein apna place justify kar paungi?”
Arjun sat on the desk beside her, close but not intrusive. “Riya, tumne hamesha apna place earn kiya hai. Abhi bhi karogi. Aur tumhari personal life ke liye…” His voice softened again, rare and almost tender. “Future unpredictable hai. Lekin tum akeli nahi ho.”
Her eyes met his, wide with silent surprise.
For the first time, she let herself smile—not forced, not polite, but real.
“Thank you, sir.”
He gave her a long look, then stood. “Kal subah case briefing hai. Der mat karna.”
And just like that, he walked away, his coat swaying with his steps.
But in that simple moment, Riya felt stronger. The virus had scarred her body, yes. The complications were real. But with her team, with him—she wasn’t broken. She was still Riya Mukherjee, ETF Officer.
And she would fight.
~The End or To Be Continued?~
I’ve always wondered how would the show’s dynamics have turned out if Sana never left & Riya survived the virus. This was my take on that alternative. I would definitely continue the arc, if the majority is up for it. 
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