ARAKSHI FF - Chalte Chalte - IMP NOTE on Page 48 - Page 6

THank youuu sooo much for commenting! I am so glad you like it 😃

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Phew! because i was writing and thinking hmmm this doesnt have much of the other characters...but yeah its mostly focused on arakshi so yeah :)

i m sooo glad u are enjoying it though!

Thank youuu again😃

i dont know many of your names - just getting acquainted still :)

but i wanted to thank each and everyone of you who commented!

magati - Thanks sooo much for the comments :)

Sakuu - Thank youuu for reading :) Means a lot! And glad you like it :D

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Asapom - so glad u liked the flashback, i had an awesome time writing it :)

hehehe thank youuu 😃😃😃

yes , he will 😉😆 keep reading, hoping you would like it!

and thank youuu again

Hello Arakshians :) Me back again with yet another update! 😛

A big thank you to all who have been reading and commenting again 🤗 I just want to say this means a lottt to me since I m writing for the first time here

I really hope you enjoy this bit, since i m sure you have been waiting for this 😉

The first chapter is a bit of a filler..and the second one I m sure you are waiting for 😳

Hope you enjoy reading it 😳 and and and as usual do leave your comments - good and bad both!😆

Chapter 7 - Togetherness

She knew he had shut himself. He would never open up to anyone ever again. But she was determined to break down the walls he had built around himself. And for that, he needed to feel their togetherness again. He needed to trust again. Because she knew, trusting someone would make him whole again. And so, she needed to get closer to him.

Their meeting was over an hour ago and Sakshi was at her desk, trying her best to type up the details of the case so far. But her mind was elsewhere. She took out her diary and started penning down her thoughts, Arjun's waiting for her and then the details of the case they were working on at the moment. Lost in her own thoughts, she didn't realise that Aisha was standing behind her reading her diary over her shoulder, a smirk on her face.

"Aishaaa!" She hurriedly closed her diary and stood up to face her.

"Yeh sab kya hai?" Aisha raised her eyebrows and her grin deepened.

"Woh...kuch nahi." Her cheeks flushed.

"Kya kar rahe ho tum dono? Jaldi kaam pe wapas jao warna Arjun Sir humara keema bana denge" Lisa entered the room.

"You know Lisaaa, Sakshi kuch likh rahi thi apni secret diary mein. Mere aate hi band kar diya."

"Achaaa?" She came over, now interested.

"Nahi...woh..." Sakshi stammered, blushing deeper.

Before she realised what was happening, Lisa snatched her diary and ran over to a corner to open it.

"LISAAA! Nahiii! Meri private diary hai." Sakshi ran after her.

Soon they were all running around the table, Lisa trying to get a glimpse of what she had written and Sakshi chasing after her.

She didn't realise when he was in the room, standing at the door and shaking his head. She didn't even realise when she collided into him, his hands going around her waist to prevent her from falling down when she stumbled. The world seemed to stop around her as she felt herself in his arms. She closed her eyes for a while, feeling his heart beat against her ears. The world felt like a safer place in his arms.

***

He didn't realise when she came into his arms. He was just coming to get a report from her when he saw her chasing Lisa around the room. He shook his head. Seriously, he worked with mere children like these? Something about the innocent look on her face pulled him towards the door, even though what he should have done was to turn around and come back another time. When people were behaving more like adults.

And then, she was in his arms. He didn't know why he held on to her in the first place. He could have just let her go when she collided into him. But oh, she felt so right there. So delicate. She felt so familiar against him. He felt an urge to hold on to her tighter, bury his head in her hair and erase all his guilt. It felt like she had the power to do that. And then, the moment snapped. He had a sudden flashback of holding on to Roshni before Sikandar plunged in the knife in her...and... he jolted back from Sakshi. His eyes snapped open and he could see an expression of confusion mixed with embarrassment on her face. There it was again. Her eyes asking him, what happened? Why are you in so much of pain? Why so much of guilt in your eyes?

He avoided her eyes and said, trying to make his voice sound as firm as possible, "Yeh ETF ka office hai. Tumhara ghar nahi. Agar yeh sab karna hai toh tumhe yahan kaam karne ki koi zaroorat nahi hai. Samjhe ya samjhaaon?"

"Umm sorry Sir. We will get back to work." Aisha said, and walked back to her desk. Lisa followed her, head lowered.

He came closer to her again. "Sakshi mujhe woh report aaj shaam tak chahiye. Now," he barked, his face impossibly close to hers, "Get to work."

***

She was left standing in the office, a bit shaken up from all that had occurred. This was the closest she had got to him since they had hugged that last time on that rainy day, 15 years ago. Sakshi, she said to herself, get a grip! Ab kaam pe lag ja warna goodbye ETF and goodbye Arjun. She turned around and walked towards her desk. Oh God, where was her diary?

She was looking around on the floor when Aisha's head popped back through the door.

"Wow. Woh kya tha?" Aisha said with a smirk. Sakshi could spot her diary in her hands. Phew!

"Aisha! Mujhe marwaogi, diary do!"

"Deti hoon deti hoon." She handed her the diary and said, "Chalo nahi poochti. But time aane pe zaroor batana ki you like Arjun Sir."

"Seriously Aisha? Main? Arjun? Tumhara dimaag toh theek hai?" She turned around holding her diary closer, a smile playing on her lips.

"Oye. Mujhe sab dikhta hai. Acha chal mere saath."

"Kahaan? Mujhe report khatam karna hai yaar."

"Chal toh. Hum tera zyada time nahi lenge." She tagged along with Aisha to the caf outside. She stopped as they all shouted out, "Happy Birthday Sakshiii!"

A chocolate cake was on the table, surrounded by Shree, Chotu, and Lisa. After all the cheering and wishes had died down, Shree faced her and said in a serious tone, "Baalike. Kya soch ke aap apna birthday humse chupa rahi thi?"

Sakshi burst out laughing, and said, "Oh my God. Tumhe kaise pata chala? Aur Shree, main chupa nahi rahi thi, maine bas nahi bataya."

"Baat wahi hai. Hum aakhir tumhare dost nahi rahe na? Dost dost naaa rahaaa" He started singing.

"Specky apna ghatiya gaana band karo warna Sakshi abhi bhaag jayegi. Chalo Sakshi, ab cake kaato!" Lisa shot Shree an angry look and handed her the knife.

Aisha whispered, "Waise humne poori diary nahi padhi but last page ka thoda sa padh liya tha - isliye pata chala", she winked.

They shared the cake, Lisa and Shree bickering the whole time about something or the other. Chotu was enjoying his cake and Aisha was staring at Sakshi with an unreadable expression.

"Kya hua Aisha? Waise, thanks." She smiled. She was overwhelmed by the little surprise that her team had given her. Her day was turning out to be unexpectedly happier than she had thought.

"Tum Arjun Sir ko jaanti ho?"

"Of course yaar. Humare ACP ko kaise nahi jaanongi. Waise bhi unko humesha mujhe kisi na kisi cheez mein tokne hi aadat hai."

"Mera matlab woh nahi tha. Tum achi tarah se jaanti ho main kya kehna chahti hoon."

Sakshi lowered her gaze and her cheeks flushed a light pink. Taking a quick look at everyone else - who were still busy with something or the other she said, "Haan. Bachpan mein hum best friends the. In fact, he was my neighbour."

"Kya baat kar rahi ho! Seriously?" Shock was evident on her face.

She nodded. "Haan. But phir mere dad mujhe London le gaye, for schooling, and hum alag ho gaye the. Ab main itne saalon baad usse mili hoon." She flashed a smile at her and grabbed another piece of the cake.

"Mujhe toh yakeen hi nahi ho raha. Toh... unhe pata hai ki tum...?"

"Nahi." She had a mischievous smile on her face as she licked the chocolate off her fingers.

"Sakshiii" Aisha grinned, understanding what she intended to do and they both burst out laughing.

***

She was beside him again in his SUV. Her fingers playing with her bangles. They were just outside a potential victim's house, waiting for the murder suspect to make his next move. And he was stuck with her again. He was wondering why she had gone quiet all of a sudden. A while ago, she had been bickering non-stop and now she seemed to be lost in thoughts. He sneaked a glance towards her. It was windy outside and the wind seemed to be playing with her hair. Her fringe kept getting into her eye and she kept pushing it away, staring into the distance.

He wanted to reach out and push the lock of hair from her face. She looked towards him and he immediately averted his gaze and looked outside.

What was wrong with him? Why did this girl make him feel this way?

Out of the blue, she spoke in a soft voice, "Arjun. Tum humesha apne aap ko sab se door kyun rakhte ho? Kab tak bhagoge?"

He kept looking out the window and replied in a low voice, "Main bhaagta nahi Sakshi. Mujhe ab akelepan ki aadat par gayi hai."

"Akelepan ki aadat kabhi nahi par sakti." She reached out and put her hand on his.

***

There was that look again, like he was going to kill her then and there. She removed her hand quickly before he could say anything.

"Kabhi na kabhi ek dost ki zaroorat parti hai Arjun," she said, "Sab kuch apne andar mat rakho."

"Dost sirf kehne ke liye hote hai Sakshi. Asal mein koi humesha ke liye nahi hota. NOTHING lasts forever."

She could see the pain on his face. She held herself back from reaching out to him again. She breathed in and said, "Aisa nahi hai Arjun. Kabhi kabhi halat ki wajah se dost alag ho jaate hai. Iska matlab yeh nahi hai ki woh tumhe bhool gaye hai. You just need to believe."

***

He felt himself weakening under her gaze. Why was he even talking to her? Why did her voice feel so familiar? He couldn't speak any longer. He could feel his mind wandering out to Meethi again and his throat felt constricted from thinking about her. Best to concentrate what he was here to do. He shut his eyes for an instant, as if to erase all her memories and looked outside.

Chapter 8 - Realisation

The clock struck 10 as the team returned from making a few arrests. The murderer had been caught. And it had been none other than Arjun who had known who the murderer was.

Everyone soon headed home but Sakshi decided to stay back. She might as well spend the last two hours of her birthday with Arjun.

She gathered her things and headed towards his office. Just as she was about to enter, she noticed him staring at a photo in his wallet. Probably his wife's photo, she thought. She smoothed her hair, grabbed the cup of his favourite cutting chai and entered the room.

Startled by her presence at this time of the night, he quickly put away the photo and said, "Tum phir aa gayi? Ghar nahi jaana kya?"

"Kya karoon. Tumhare saath waqt bitaane ki aadat par gayi hai." She grinned and held out the chai to him. "Tumhare liye, Sakshi special cutting chai!"

He held out his hand to take the cup and their fingers touched for a brief moment.

"Tum itna kya kaam karte ho Arjun? Abhi abhi toh ek case khatam hua hai. Thoda relax bhi kar liya karo yaar." She settled down on the chair in front of him and unwrapped a chocolate from her purse. She had gone and bought the same chocolate they used to share as kids. She broke off a piece and offered it to him

"Main chocolate nahi khaata Sak..." He stopped as he glanced at the wrapper.

"Arjun jab koi friend offer kare toh le lena chahiye." She smiled and offered again. "Chalo, main na sahi, kisi aur dost ke liye toh kha lo. Shayad woh bhi tumhe abhi yaad kar rahi hogi."

He glanced at her for a moment, an unreadable expression in his eyes. And then, took the chocolate from her hand.

***

He could see Meethi in her. Or was it because it was Meethi's birthday and Sakshi happened to buy the same chocolate that he used to get for her?

His mind was spinning with all the memories mixed with the present. He took a bite out of the chocolate and was immediately transported back to his childhood.

There was a brief flash of lightening outside the window, which was followed by a slow rumble of thunder.

"OOOH! Lagta hai baarish hone wali hai! Mujhe baarish bahut pasand hai" Her eyes were shining with happiness.

He finished his tea and grumbled at the sound of the rain against his window.

Great. Now he would have to drop her home. Arjun sighed and looked up at her. She had now moved towards his window and was trying to trace the path of the raindrops running down the window. Lightening flashed and her face lit up for a while. He couldn't take his eyes off her. Another memory lurked around at the back of his mind.

Meethi standing in his room. It was raining heavily outside. And she was doing the same thing as Sakshi was doing now. He had joined her then, opened the window for her so she could stretch out her hands and catch the raindrops in her palm. This had been followed by a raindrop-spraying-fight of course. He had lifted her and swung her around until their stomachs hurt from laughing.

He shut his files and sighed. He won't be able to work anymore. His head was hurting from thinking so much. Today had been particularly difficult with Sakshi around him nearly the entire day. He decided to stop at Meethi's house on the way home. Just to clear his mind.

***

She had been overjoyed when he had offered to drop her home. She had been losing hope for quite some time now. She had thought Arjun would have recognised her by now. She had dropped so many hints after all, and yet. She had somehow hoped that he would recognise her before her birthday was over. But he hadn't. And now, she had one last chance before this day was over. He had to remember his Meethi. He just had to. She could feel it. She knew the ride home was the only time she had before he knew. Although she would have liked him to recognise her without seeing the house, but probably fate has other plans for her.

"Kya hua?" His voice snapped her back to reality. "Ghar nahi jaana kya?"

"Um...nahi nahi. Jaana hai na! Aj mausammm bada beimann hai." She smiled and nudged him.

Which was returned by one of his angriest looks, but somehow it didn't feel so angry anymore. It almost looked...playful. She could almost see a smile at the corner of his mouth.

***

He couldn't believe himself. He had actually asked for this girl in his car, and that too, on a rainy night when he needed to concentrate on the road as much as possible! He shook his head as she continued humming songs beside him.

There was barely anything visible because of the rain. Suddenly her voice startled him, "Ruko ruko ruko."

He screeched his car to a stop and said, "Ab kya hua?"

"Arjun aisa mauka phir mile na mile. Bas two minutes pleaseee."

And then, she opened the door of his car and walked out into the rain. Another memory flashed past his eyes.

Mumbai 1998

"Meethi tu pagal ho gayi hai."

"Arrey Arjun, ruko na! Aisa mauka phir mile na mile! Bas two minutes. Pleaseee." They were cycling home from school and it had started raining. He was cycling hard so as to reach home as quickly as possible. They were half-drenched already, when Meethi had asked him to pull over in the middle of the road.

He watched her, annoyed, as she ran in the rain and stretched her hands out. She tilted her head back towards the sky and closed her eyes. Rain splattered her face. She was soaked through and yet she didn't stop. She started jumping around in the puddles, laughing out the whole time.

He looked at her and smiled.

"Arjun tum bhi aao na! Ab tak toh waise hi bheeg chuke ho."

She kept on dancing in the rain, her hands stretched out, as if flying in the rain.

He could only watch her dance in the rain and smile.

Mumbai 2013

The memory blacked out as Arjun stared ahead of him. Sakshi was dancing around in the puddles in the exact same way, her wet long hair flying in the rain, her hands stretched out on either sides of her.

As the memory merged with the present, he began to understand. He opened the door of his car and walked out in the rain. Realisation struck him hard like the heavy rain on his face.

The events of the past few days were playing in his mind.

Sakshi wearing his favourite colour. Her carefree laugh, which had held his attention the first time he heard it. Her long black hair - exactly like Meethi's - longer of course. Her dark eyes, which had always held that familiarity he had found in Meethi's eyes. That familiar sensation of happiness when she had landed in his arms by accident. Sakshi offering him the same chocolate they used to share as kids. Her same behaviour and happiness as Meethi, in the rain. Surely, all this cannot be a coincidence. But then... he suddenly realised. The light he had seen in Meethi's room that day. Just the day before Sakshi had joined ETF.

Rain was soaking through his shirt. He could feel the drops on his face. But he felt oblivious to all this as he walked towards his lost friend. She had come back. She had come back to him.

***********************************************************************************************************

Sooo...how was it? Good, bad, okaishh? Did you like the end bit? I hope you dont kill me for having stopped it there 😆...but there isnt much of the story left now so i m leaving the best bit for the next update 😳 So you have something to look forward to in the dry Arakshi less epis

Hope "The Realisation" was up to what you expected and didnt disappoint you!

Pleaseee do leave your comments 😃 I loves reading those hehehe😆😆

wht a cute update lovly arjun ko finally realise ho hi gya...hmmm waiting for the nxt update jab arjun finally usse meethi bulaye i wish baki ur the owsm writer lets c aapki story kya turn leti h

lovly...story...thnx for the pm... ritu 👍🏼

Finally finally Arjun understood that she is his Meethi, now m excited to see what his reaction will be...

Also loved the whole Sakshi running after zliza, and then colliding into Arjun.

Do update soon! =)

read the whole thing in one go...

please continue soon...

please pm me when u update...