Hey everyone.. 🤗 The writing spree is back.. 😛 Errm.. not really.. I have a fully packed week lined up and hence wanted to get these updates out of the way. 🤔
I apologise for not being able to reply to your comments, questions and feedback.. Sorry ladies..
But so you know, I've read all of them and do cherish each one.. Thank you soo much, as always.. 🤗 I can never express my gratitude in the right words, guys.. It really means a lot.. 😃
Author's note:
* I get it that you guys want to see them together.. Trust me, I'm dying to do it as well.. But kya karein?! Anyhow. B3, offense kaaheka?! I'm soo proud that you feel she is a grey character.. 🤪 Coz she is! 😆
** Arjun isn't going to soften overnight, neither will he forgive her easily. But best friends aise hi toh hote hain, right?. You'd rather smack and kick them, than sulk over it, hai na?! But these two are unique and the galti is quite big.. Toh thoda drama, tears and gussa before the make up, toh banta hai na?! 😉
*** V. Imp. I'm planning to update atleast 6 Chapters in the month of Dec. Toh ladies, phataphat commentwa and Unres-wa, pleej! Else, it'll get difficult for u to catch up.. Abhi se bata rahi hoon..
**** To silent readers: I think I should do a PM update soonish.. Yeah, evil me.. But kya karein? 🤔
Phew.. Chaddo.. Will spare you more ranting now..
Err.. One more.. - Clues strewn in here.. Be on the lookout.. Phir matt kehna, warn nahi kiya.. 😎 Chapter 36
"The truth will set you free, but first it will piss you off." - Gloria Steinem
Sameer took the mug of coffee from Ayesha and kept looking at her while she ordered breakfast for everyone over the phone. He had stayed with her in the lawn all night, being a silent support.
Words weren't needed, he figured. Arohi's sudden revealation, Arjun's anger and his rash actions had all taken a toll on the brave lady cop. But just when Sameer was expecting her to crumble, she had steeled herself surprising him. Maybe that in itself was an indication that things were slowly getting back on track.
Light footsteps behind them alerted them and they turned around to find Rosy approaching them nervously.
Sameer picked up his coffee and walked out of the kitchen leaving the sisters alone, not before giving them a sharp look which meant they better not cook up any more lies.
The two women looked at each other for a brief moment and none knew who made the first move. They hugged, attempting to comfort each other. Ayesha patted her hair softly when Rosy refused to let go of her.
Rosy sniffed and wiped traces of moisture from her face before reaching out for a bottle of water. She gulped a few sips and turned to her, "I should leave."
Not knowing how to justify thoughts running through her mind all night, Ayesha's lips puckered and she shook her head, "Nahi Ro. It's about time you face all of it."
Rosy looked at her with disbelief and stood before her with glazing eyes, "Are you out of your mind? Kya bol rahi ho?"
She paused when Ayesha refused to react and ran fingers through her hair, "You're an ETF officer and I can understand you wanting to be loyal to your team, but Ayesha we cannot reveal everything, just yet."
"Exactly. We don't even know if we're on the right track, Ro."
She sighed when Rosy's stern features softened, "I'm not saying we abandon our mission. No. But don't you think a parallel investigation will lead us closer to our target? Ho sakta hai, jo tu aur main nahi kar paa rahein hai, woh hum sab saath milkar kar lein.."
Rosy stared at her and pondered over her words and realised the implications of joining hands with the ETF.
She looked up, half-convinced, "Fine. Even if we do it, do you realise what would happen next?" Ayesha saw her eyes dart off towards Arjun's door and sensed the reason for her hesitance.
She held her sister's hand in hers gently, "Jaanti hoon. He will not rest until he gets to the root of it."
Ayesha paused and made her sit on the kitchen stool, "Lekin isme problem kya hai, Ro? He has the right to know the truth as much as we do. Aur waise bhi, we've made enough decisions for him. It's about time we let him take charge of things."
Rosy pursed her lips weighing options and rubbed her temples, "I know all that, Ayesha. But I'm not quite sure about anything after last night."
The women grimaced recollecting his anger and reckless actions.
"Gusse mein uska dimaag kaam karna band ho jaata hai. Dekha na tumne?", Rosy voiced out.
She stood up and looked at Ayesha, "I've just started to gain Pereira's trust. Mujhe kuch waqt chahiye to get into his inner circles and convince him of my loyalty to him. He's our only link to Sikandar's existence, for now. Kya tumhe lagta hai, Arjun.." the remaining words trailed away when Ayesha shook her head.
Ayesha began straining milk into a glass and handed it to her, "Jaa.. Jakhmi sher ke paas sirf tu hi jaa sakti hai.." Rosy frowned and looked towards his room, "Nahi. Not now. He needs rest, Ayesha. Mujhe dekh lega toh kahin phir se.."
Rosy placed the glass back on the kitchen counter and looked around for something. Ayesha saw her pick up the jar of dry fruits and watched on as she picked out almonds from it. She stood back with folded arms while Rosy quickly grated the almonds and added it to the milk, "Ab theek hai.. Yaad hai na, he hates haldiwala milk.."
Ayesha smiled to herself and quickly sent up a prayer asking for a wish to mend their soured relationship with Arjun.
An hour later, Rosy had made up her mind. She stood in a corner of the large living room, staring at the expanse of the blue sea. The mere thought of letting out a part of the truth made her feel lighter.
However, she also realised that she had to tread very carefully. To her misfortune, she found herself weighing her options once again. She was going to withhold a very crucial piece of information from all of them, even from Ayesha. The thought of it lurched at her heart but she was helpless and tied down by her own manipulations. She didn't have a choice.
Rosy did not even want to imagine the reactions all around, if and when it would be revealed to everyone, especially him. He would then fire a volley of questions at her and demand answers until she either broke down or gave in.. And she wasn't prepared for either of it, yet..
***
Arjun stood under the warm shower, clutching the shower stall for support. The hot water flowing down his taut muscles was soothing both physically and mentally, yet he was far from peace.
His reckless outburst had definitely alleviated his anger and pain to some extent and now that they were done with, all possible scenarios and contemplations were clouding his mind.
Her betrayal and lies hurt him even now, partly because he felt let down the one by he had placed his faith in. The fact that she hid her existence from him was difficult for him to overlook and he knew he would never forgive her entirely for having done it. Those lonely nights when he had gazed at the skies for one glimpse of her and the guilt he had lived with weren't something he could forget and move past.
Yet for some reason, the pain in her eyes and voice was hard to dismiss as well.. He knew her for long to know that she was a reckless soul and often jumped into things without dwelling upon them.
But her shattered face when he was hurt and the conversation he had overheard told him a different story. A part of him knew that no matter how bad and ugly their fights had been, it would have pained her to betray him.
He wouldn't doubt her friendship and affection for him ever, even when past memories lurched at him making warning bells ring in his head.
The thought gave rise to another and Arjun felt as though something really big had transpired in the past and he couldn't help but assume that a part of it revolved around him..
He dried himself with a towel and stepped out putting on a black pair of tracks and a loose fitting tee. His wounds needed dressing again but he was too exhausted to do it himself, for now. Besides, there were other priorities that demanded his attention at the moment.
He sank into the mattress again and stretched his stiff arms. Just then a deep voice fell on his ears and he found Sameer Rathore glaring at him, "Do you feel better now?", he asked sternly masking concern.
Arjun nodded and was surprised when Sameer held out a glass of milk for him. He took it ignoring a pair of eyes peeping through the open door and looked at it suspiciously.
Rathore shook his head at their silly behaviour and called out to Chottu, who walked into the room, carrying a few chairs and set them in the room.
"You don't have my permission to leave the room, Rawte. Samajh gaye, ya main apne tareeke se samjhaun?", he spoke sternly not leaving room for argument.
His rash behaviour had most naturally shocked and affected him as well. Sameer couldn't digest the fact that his best officer, known for keeping his cool in the most nerve wracking situations had acted in a reckless manner, injuring himself in the process.
Arjun hadn't missed the disappointment etched on his team members' faces. But for some reason, he couldn't get himself to regret his rash actions.
***
Ayesha mouthed a quick thanks to Sameer and slipped into her chair next to him. Rosy stepped in last and made way towards the recliner.
Arjun's head shot up on feeling her presence in the room. He followed her every movement as she tucked a few strands of hair behind her ear and tiptoed towards the centre of the room. He felt her stop before him for a moment and waited to watch what she would do next.
She lifted her head and looked up at him. The sight of his bruised forehead made her wince inwardly. Their eyes locked with each other's conveying their heartfelt hurt.
Rosy, however composed herself in time and stepped away from him, before she said or did something unwanted.
Just then Karan knocked on the ajar door and called out to her, "Main bahar car mein wait kar raha hoon, Partner." She nodded and mouthed a thanks'.
Arjun recollected seeing him on the night before and the stressful smile on Rosy's lips angered him further. Was it anger or a tinge of jealousy, he didn't quite know but he definitely wanted to know who the man was and his relation with his Miss A.
He glanced at him and pinched his mouth turning to her, "Inki taareef?"
Rosy's eyes widened but before she could speak, Karan butted in, "Woh kya hai na, tareef toh sab bohot karte hain. Lekin filhaal, itna jaan lijiye, ki main Rosy ka partner hoon."
Arjun tilted his head and raised his brows, "Partner?", he enquired in a dangerously husky voice.
Karan almost suppressed his chuckle and winked at Rosy, "Haan.. Partner, you know? Anyway, mujhe kaam hai, you guys carry on."
He rushed out of the room before Arjun could throw any more questions at him, much to Ayesha and the team's amusement.
****
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Edited by _Mohabbatgirl_ - 11 years ago
Shiv Shakti
272