Heylo dearies.. A biig thank-you to each one of you for having read and commented on the FF so far.. I can see many of you are confused by twists popping up every now and then; have to warn you.. 'there's a lot in store here'. 😉😆
Okay, for those of you, who are confused about Arjun-Aisha's connection with Khopoli: Maybe, you seem to have forgotten that Arjun had met Inspector Sanjay Gupte at a police station in Raigad.. Who knows, it could be the one at Khopoli!! 😉😃
This one might appear as a filler to a few of you.. I'd say, this and the next one will prove to be truly significant in the days to come.. 😃
Okay then, sit back and read on.. 😃
Chapter 4
"No matter how much suffering you went through, you never wanted to let go of those memories."
-Haruki Murakami
Room no. 1603, Hotel Regia Palms, Candolim, Goa.
She slumped on the bed after having tossed her towel into the laundry basket.. Slipping into a wine-coloured silk chemise, she felt so much at ease.
The body-hugging gown, thick coats of make-up and the faade of the sultry seductress having done with, she could finally breathe a whiff of fresh air..
She poured herself a glass of water and walked to the window panes, overlooking the sea.. The tranquil waters, the dim moonlight and the now desolate beach seemed tempting and inviting..
She contemplated over the thought for a while, but gave up when she recalled Pereira's last words to Francis.. There was no time for such luxuries..
Every move of hers would be tracked down, now on..
If Pereira's words from last night and her intuition was to be believed, she knew she had to watch every step..
That reminded her that she hadn't heard from Karan after the fake fight at the pub.. She walked to the wardrobe and took out a pager..
She was just about to type a message into it, when a knock on the door alerted her.. "Your dinner, Madam.."
She quickly put on the floral laced wrap and peeped through the door scope; a waiter stood outside with her food order..
She inhaled sharply and opened the door, only enough for her to peep out, "Yes.."
The waiter kept his head bowed and motioned to the hot plate, "Ma'am, your order.."
She raised a brow at him, "But I haven't ordered dinner yet.."
She saw the waiter roll his eyes, "It's a complimentary dinner, Madam.. Shrimp Curry.. You should definitely try it.."
She shook her head and a lop-sided smile crept up on her face.. She swung the door open, "You were way too obvious, my friend!"
She watched him as he entered the room and slumped on the chair, next to the coffee table. He quickly rid himself of the waiter's coat and cap and took off the fake moustache,
"Hadh hai yaar.. Jilted boyfriend se waiter ban gaya; ek hi raat mein.. Aur tum ho ki.."
She shook her head and plopped on a chair opposite him, "Shut up, Karan.."
He shot her an amused look and turned to the heavens,
"Dekh tere sansaar ki haalat kya ho gayi Bhagwaan; kitna badal gaya insaan.."
Rosy flung a cushion at him, "God! Stop with the melodrama.. Yahan koi nahi hai.. So, you can stop acting.. Yeh apne acting skills na kissi aur din ke liye bachake rakhna.."
Karan looked around and found the room to be a rather messy one; her clothes were strewn around on the drying rack, the accessories lying on the dressing table and heels of various makes lying on the carpet..
Rosy saw him looking around and narrowed her eyes,
"Excuse me, officer.. Aap mujhpe nazar rakh rahein hain?"
Karan shook his head and grinned,
"Nope.. Bass dekh raha tha, ki the lady in red is actually a child at heart.."
She raised a brow and saw him point towards a box of Callebaut Belgian Dark Chocolates on the bed-side table..
Rosy rolled her eyes, "No.. Don't you dare.. They're a gift from someone.. And I don't intend to share them with anyone.."
"Theek apne past ki tarah?" She glanced at him as he spoke those words and looked away..
Karan cleared his throat,
"So, if I may ask you, what exactly was cooking in that convoluted brain of yours when you turned down his offer?"
She shot him an 'are-you-serious' look,
"Are you out of your mind? You're saying I should've accepted it?"
Karan shrugged his shoulders and began serving the food in two plates,
"No.. Main kahan kuch keh raha hoon.. Yahan saare faisle karne ka haq toh sirf tumhe hai, hai na?"
She inhaled sharply and held his wrist,
"What?!! Spit it out.. Aise paheliyaan mat bujhao.."
He placed the plate down on the table and stood up,
"Fine.. Toh lets get this straight; Pereira ne tumhe offer kiya ki tumhe uske hotels ke clubs ki lead performer ban jaao hoga..
Aur tumne mana kar diya..
Do you realise ki yeh humare liye ek golden opportunity thi.. That way, you could've partaken into his close circles; it would've been so much easier to keep a watch on him..
So yes.. I need an explanation for that one..
Kyunki, maine tumhe pehle hi warn kiya tha, ki yeh case bohot hi zyada risky aur twisted bhi synonym hai..
Aisha ne bhi iss baat ko thoda lightly liya.. And look what happened?! She ended up blowing up her own cover.. Aur aaj issi wajah se woh chaahkar bhi kuch nahi kar paa rahi hai and she has to act behind the scenes..
Maine apne career ke 3 years iss case ko dedicate kiye hain, Rosy; when I could've been sitting behind a desk at the IB headquarters doing paperwork or even tackling criminal cases, elsewhere in the world.
But here I am; running behind a truth, which many believe doesn't even exist.. But I do.. And I will get to the root of it.."
He saw her staring at him with a blank face,
"I'm not doubting your capabilities as an officer.. You're good at your work..
And I do realise that it must be uncomfortable to work with men lusting behind you 24/7.. Bass itna keh raha hoon, ki apne personal issues ko iss case se door rakho.."
His last words snapped something within her and she stood up rubbing her arms, "Tum jaante kya ho, mere baare mein, jo aise judgmental comments pass kar raho ho?"
Karan stood up and looked into her eyes,
"Zyada kuch toh nahi.. Bass itna, ki jab tum gaane lagti ho, toh you cease to be the confident and suave Rosanna D'costa.."
Her eyes widened in surprise and he made her sit back, holding onto her shoulders, "Criminal psychology was my favorite subject at University.."
He pulled a chair and sat opposite her,
"I've seen the difference, Rosy.. I've felt it.. Not once, but thrice.. Aur mujhe nahi lagta ki mujhe koi dhoka hua hai..
Look, I don't want to dig deep into your past because I realise that it's exactly what drives you to do what you're doing..
Lekin apne aap par kaabu rakhna seekho.. Because, we, and you, in particular cannot afford to make any mistakes.. Hai na?"
Rosy held his gaze for a moment before looking away,
"So, you've been digging into my past, haven't you?"
Karan shot her an apologetic look,
"Hmm.. Lekin zyada kuch haath nahi laga.. Must say, I'm impressed.. You have all your bases covered!"
She shook her head,
"Tumhe lagta hai, ki maine iss wajah se Pereira ka offer reject kiya, kyunki main gaana nahi chahti thi?"
Karan shook his head,
"Nahi.. Tumne issliye mana kiya, because you didn't want to appear too predictable.."
She flashed a dimpled smile at him and that eased the tensed atmosphere in the room. She served some curry into a bowl,
"Yes and also because, he has to earn my services.."
Karan poured the wine and looked up when she spoke,
"Karan.. You won't find a vulnerable Rosanna, next time, I sing.."
He acknowledged her honest acceptance with a smile and sank his teeth into the grilled fish,
"Waise, I have to agree with Mr. Pereira, yahaan ka khaana waqai mein bohot tasty hai.."
She sipped on the wine and turned to him,
"I see.. Toh isliye tumne apne aap ko hi invite kar liya.."
Karan smiled cheekily at her and resumed eating..
She threw her head back and pondered over his words.. They had struck a chord somewhere..
Mumbai-Pune Expressway, Maharashtra.
The ETF had stopped at a road-side dhaba for a quick dinner, before they could proceed to Khopoli..
Rathore washed his hands and joined Shree and Chottu at the table, who seemed to be fighting over the order to be placed.. One glare from the Chief and they looked away, prepared to bite off each other's heads..
Rathore looked around for the other two, and found Arjun leaning against the SUV, swirling a glass of his favorite beverage. He rolled his eyes, Old habits die hard..
He heard Chottu call out to Aisha and looked at her. She was seated on a milestone, close to the road, munching on something while her eyes were glued to her phone.
Rathore decided against meddling in their matters and began eating along with Shree and Chottu..
The slight chill in the air reminded him that he was just a few minutes away from home..
A home, he had been brought to as an orphan; a home where he had been treated him as the son of the house; and a home he had left behind, years ago..
The present ACP Rawte hardly ever regretted any of his decisions, however rash and reckless they may be..
But one particular decision on his part, would continue to haunt him until he breathed his last..
One move of his had altered so many lives..
He sometimes wondered if he could go back in time and set things right; take back his words and change the way things had been handled..
He shut his eyes and let the bittersweet memories claim him..
Nagme hain.. Shikwe hain..
Kisse hain.. Baatein hain..
Baatein.. Bhool jaati hain..
Yaadein.. Yaad aati hain..
Baatein.. Bhool jaati hain..
Yaadein.. Yaad aati hain..
Yeh yaadein.. Kissi dil-o-janam ke..
Chale jaane ke baad aati hain'.
Yaadein.. Yaadein.. Yaadein'
Aisha glanced at the road, over her shoulder.. She had travelled down the same road, innumerable number of times; each time with a child-like enthusiasm.
However, the return journeys had always left her teary-eyed, ever since she could recollect.. Bidding farewells clearly wasn't her thing..
She remembered the last time, she had returned back to Mumbai from Khopoli; it had been more than 7 years today.. She would never forget that ill-fated day.
Her entire family had been wiped out from the face of the earth on that day.
She had lost her parents, and was left with a 22-year old cousin, who needed her to be strong for her; for them..
And just when they both had found solace in each other's company, fate had struck again.. Aisha had been separated from her as well when she had gone and bound herself in matrimony..
Since then, Aisha Gupte had given up her last name.. No official records claiming it, existed anymore..
Staying true to her words and her late uncle's wishes, she had joined the police force and had tried her best to live up to his expectations..
Today, 7 years later, a hollow feeling gripped her heart, reminding her that she would never be able to fill the void left behind by their absence..
She glanced at the 5'9'' man on her left and shook her head; if only, things could come back to normal.. Not one day passed without her praying for him and his happiness to be restored..
Bandhan ho.. toh chode..
Darpan ho.. toh tode..
Hum sab hain.. mushkil mein..
Yeh dil hai.. iss dil mein..
Baatein.. bhool jaati hain..
Yaadein.. yaad aati hain..
Yeh yaadein.. kissi dil-o-janam ke..
Chale jaane ke baad aati hain..
She missed her Mothe Baba, her uncle! He had been her support system all through her life.. If not for him and the principles, he had instilled in them, they would've all been wasting away their lives today..
She clutched the Ganesh locket, resting on her bosom, seeking courage from the Almighty..
She would pay her last respects to him by reuniting his estranged family..
The ice had to be broken; Come what may..
Shree and Chottu walked back to the car and the opening of the door, alerted him.. Arjun fixed his collar and rolled his sleeves..
He walked to the washbasin and sprinkled a handful of water, attempting to push away the memories in a far corner of his now cold heart..
Rathore stood opposite Aisha and saw her wipe a lone tear rolling out. He stood back and cleared his throat, alerting her, trying not to catch her off guard..
She steadied herself and seated herself in the car, not before gazing intently at Arjun, who had missed it yet again..
However, Sameer Rathore's vigilant eyes had caught it this time..
Wokay.. There goes another one of my favorite songs.. It'll be continued in the next one.. 😊
That's the end of Chapter 4.. I had intended to make it longer; but some shopping commitments need my time..😕😉 So, that's all for now.. 😊
Might post the next one on Sunday, if I finish writing it.. 😊
Keep the comments coming, dearies.. I keep looking out for them.. 😃
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NOTE: I do not own the characters.. My stories are my fantasies and are based on ideas derived from the show.. My works are only meant for members of IndiaForums and are not to be copied to other sites..
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Edited by mohabbatgirl - 12 years ago
Mangal Lakshmi
Bade Achhe Lagte Hain
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