Part 11
“Orrr zor sayyyy” Mihika happily shouted as Daya pushed her on the swings. Her giggles echoed in the otherwise silent night, making the atmosphere vibrant and cozy.
Daya unbind low chuckles could also be heard as he pushed her once again with a little strength.
Shreya was at peace, looking at her two favourite people sharing a bond that was made from heart and is not bound by any name yet. The easy smiles, laughter and raport they share make her heart fill up to the brim with love and possessiveness.
Possessiveness to never let this go. To always keep them close. To always see their lips turned up in this beautiful smile that captures her heart.
She was sitting just on the spare swing beside Mihika’s, lightly pushing it in motion with the help of her feet, but not really putting force behind the push. That slow-leisured to and fro motion was enough for her to enjoy the cool atmosphere of the night while her focus was on the pair of people enjoying next to her.
“Wheeee” Mihika giggled once again as Daya gave a hard push making her swing sway a bit higher than before.
“Bus kariye…..Pehli bar itna teez swing lay rahi hai…..Khana bhi khaya hai abhi” Shreya reprimanded Daya in a mild tone who was too happy to fulfill Mihika’s wishes in the blink of an eye.
Daya caught the warning in her tone and gaze and helplessly smiled. He couldn’t say NO to Mihika especially when she is so happily asking him for something as meager as concerning his physical powers.
“Mumma ... .app kyun Daya uncle ko mana kar rahay ho…Dekho kitna maza aa raha hai mujhe…….Daya Uncle appko bhi swing leyne main help kar sakte hain…app jealous na ho” Mihika replied looking at her and then again continued to enjoy her swing.
Shreya’s mouth hanged open at her daughter’s remark but her eyes widened too when Daya inquired her with tongue in cheek from behind.
“Tumhain bhi help chahiye?” His face held a mischievous look that made Shreya’s face get this beautiful shade of red that he totally enjoyed. Just the thought of his broad hands touching her back was enough to run a current through her body.
“Jee ... .Jee nahi…main aisay hi theek hoon” She stuttered looking around, totally feeling embarrassed by the situation created by her own daughter, making Daya chuckle.
But Daya adhered to her words and now just stood behind and let Mihika swing sway until it automatically slowed down and was about to come to a halt. Right that moment, Purvi and Pankaj, who came out of resort for a walk, called her.
“Mihika, aa jao……Chalo wahan fountain k pass walk karte hain”
Mihika seemed excited by the prospect and quickly jumped down, making Daya fumbled forward in quick step, his hands stretching out, hoping to stabilise her in case she fell down during the jump but Mihika kept her balance and ran away.
The minute details, the care, the worry, the happiness and adoration of Daya for Mihika was all keenly observed by Shreya. Not that she didn’t observe before. She always does when it concerns him.
“App bohut fikar karte hain Mihika ki….”
Daya who was still looking at a bouncy Mihika’s back, turned and looked down at her. Their eyes locked for a moment before Shreya looked away. His deep gaze, which seemed to be looking at her soul, hadn’t been able to bear by her.
“Kyunke wo tumhari beti hai….” And that said it all. Shreya felt honored to be this important to him. Her heart fluttered with warmth with this amazing feeling.
“Waise, Mihika ki personality main bohut change aaya hai….” He diverted the topic while saying. “Walk?” Shreya smiled and got up, quickly arranging her scarf as she stepped beside him and started moving.
“Kaffi batooni ho gaye hai…..sab se ghulne milne lagi hai” Daya continued to express his observation.
“G…..doosre bachon k saath Child Care Center main jo waqt us nay guzara hai….us say us main kaffi confidence develop ho gaya hai…..” Shreya replied looking at Mihika who was running behind Pankaj to take revenge as he had splashed some water from the fountain on her. Their giggles which was echoing in otherwise silent atmosphere could be heard even from afar.
“Bachay bachon se hi bohut seekhte hain” He continued and led her towards the side garden of the resort, a bit away from scrutiny of eyes that always fell on them whenever they were together.
It was an open lawn on the side of the resort which was right now empty for most part. The vast land was covered with grass, having a path of gravel made in between for people to walk on.
“Hmmm…….” Shreya hummed as the peacefulness of the moment, fresh and cool air of surrounding, walking alongside him, feeling his closeness was observed by her. The soft smell of flowers and the crocking of frogs added charms. The moistness present in the air due to the fountain nearby and freshly watered lawn could be felt.
Daya too let the silence prevail between themselves. As much as he enjoys having a discussion with her, he also loves this soft silence.
“I am sorry” The words were let out by her hesitant lips. Daya quickly turned to look at her while she was biting her lower lip.
“Sorry kyun?”
“Wo….aj maine appse jhoot bola…..” She confessed…. “Sir or Purvi ka plan tha or wo nahi chahte thay k appko hamaray ana ka patah chalay….tau mujhe jhoot bolna para k Mihika ka therapy session hai…” Daya remained silent, an occupational habit that he has adopted from his years of experience as a CID officer.
“I am feeling so guilty…….Appke anay se pehle bhi mujhe yehi dar laga raha k kahin app gussa na ho jayein is baat pe” She explained but her eyes remained stuck to the grey gravel below.
Daya observed her face. Guilt and remorse was visible on her face but the way she was biting her lower lip now was distracting him to remember anything else she said before. A warmth, a desire has started to arise in his body.
God knows for how long he has felt this way about this particular Woman.
He so wanted to do something risky right now.
He ached to trace her lower lip with his thumb, in order to free it from this pain.
He wanted her eyes to be just focused on him.
He yearned for her hands to be present in the bounds of his large ones.
They have last touched in the shared taxi ride, when Daya got to hold her hand, feel their softness but after that… situation was as such that they never got a free or alone moment. His fingers, his heart, his whole body was craving her touch.
There were many of his desires that he had always stopped himself to pursue time and time again, kept them buried and hidden in a secret corner of his heart but now, it seems that place was overflowing and making him, urging him to act at least on some of his wishes.
The next he knew, his fingers were curling in her upper arms, lightly, just making sure to have contact while keeping her in place.
“Shreya, Janti ho jab maine tumse poocha or tumne mana kar diya….tau mujhe bilkul accha nahi laga…..likin phir tumhara bus ye kehna k tum kal aoo gi, main ussi se bohut khush tha …Tumhara meri khushi k baray main sochna, mere liye apnay plans badalna……yeh baat mere liye zyada important hai (Shreya finally looked up to see his face and words were filled with sincerity and calm)…main chahta tha k ye kuch chain k, khushiyon k pal tum or Mihika mere saath guzaro……infact hum sab k saath…..Mihika appne app ko is pariwar ka hissa mehsoos kare…is se zyada khushi ki baat kia hogi”
Daya stopped for a moment and contemplated saying his next words before leaving his inhabitations behind and going face first for it.
“Likin uske saath saath….(One of his hands lifted up and cupped around her cheek, taking her and himself by surprise) Main chahta tha k humain bhi ye waqt saath milay…..Pichle dinon tumharay saath waqt bitanay, tumhain har roz dekhne, tumse baatain karne ki aisi adaat pari hai k yeh kuch din…..jab wo sab nahi ho saka…. tau kuch adhurapan mehsoos honay laga tha……” Daya for once, was verbalizing his feelings that had never felt the taste of his tongue before. But who else deserve to know about him, about his feelings than HER.
Shreya felt herself transported into one of her dreams where he was so close to herself. Where they were sharing something more than just words.
Listening to his confession, Shreya felt more blessed than cursed. Right now, all her previous pain and heartache seemed so worth it if the years of separation had resulted in such a culmination.
“Maine bhi appka saath miss kia” The words were said in a bare whisper but they were enough to fill Daya’s heart with joy.
His thumb traced the softness of her cheeks once, tracing the warm peach blush before pulling it away. Shreya instantly felt the loss of his warmth, his touch and found herself craving more of it but his hand traced her shoulder to her arm with barely there touch before enclasping her hand with his. The cold metal of his promise ring in her finger was felt by his palm.
Daya could feel her shiver, feel the goosebumps rising on her skin and smiled internally, feeling proud of having this effect on her.
Shreya was feeling stunned, breathless before she felt the tug on her hand and saw him pulling her along for a walk. Giving him a glance, she found his breathtaking smile plastered on his lips, not a full blown one ... .but a one between a mixture of smile and smirk that he usually gets on achieving something he felt proud of. And right now, he was surely feeling like a winner.
He cleared his throat and continued the previous discussion that was almost forgotten by Shreya.
“Waise ... .main chahoon gaa k hamare beech koi serious jhoot yaan hichkichahat ki koi jagha na ho, Shreya…….bharosa hi aik rishte ko bandh k, sanjo k rakhta hai…..nahi?”
“Hmmmm” She hummed, agreeing with him. After completing a round of the lawn leisurely, in this new ecstasy of togetherness, Daya stopped and tugged at her hand to get attention.
“Aik baat poochon?”
“Jii…..”
“Main….notice kar raha hoon k tum kuch dino say mujhe Daya Sir nahi bula rahi…” His tone was mischievous. Shreya smiled. He was always so observant. No wonder he makes a deadly CID officer.
“Tau apne notice kia?” She asked with a shy twinkle in her eye, looking too adorable.
“Tau na karoon?.....(He asked lovingly as his thumb traced the back of her hand)
“App chahte hain k main appko Daya Sir bulaoon?” She looked away, hoping that he would understand the reason for her abstinence from calling his name without needing a verbal explanation. She wanted to feel themselves being on the same level, if not professionally than at least personally.
“Nahi….” And a sigh of relief left her body.
And then she felt him right behind herself, not touching but hovering and filling the surrounding area with his presence. Her hand was still encapsulated by his but now, his warm breath was also falling on her neck as he whispered.
“Babu” He gave her the nickname......And a wide smile bloom on her face before she giggled and looked back at him who was giving her a loving gaze.
A million emotions: from love to shyness to profoundness to attachment to attraction was felt by the couple at this moment. A flashback also passed by their mind as they remember the case where they acted like a couple, to investigate the murder.
“Mumma” A far away shriek of Mihika along with a giggle broke this lovely bubble for the couple and made them walk towards the entrance only to see Mihika running into resort following by an all soaked Pankaj who was shouting “Mihika ki bachi……Chooron ga nahi tumhain main”. An exasperated Purvi was asking them to be careful on their feet and not to slip.
Dareya decided to end their day on this sweet note. There was not a dull moment in their life right now.
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As morning approached, all members gathered in groups.
Abhijeet and ACP sir had already left for the morning walk half an hour ago. And a pulled-out-from-the-bed Pankaj also followed them grumpily.
Purvi, Shreya, Mihika and Daya were all geared up to check out the gym.
After warming up their bodies with a little jumping and stretching, Purvi pulled up a dumbbell while Shreya got on the treadmill. Daya got himself into Coach Mode and introduced Mihika with small exercises and different machines, making sure to keep it fun but not let her over-do it.
Shreya and Purvi fell into a groove, letting their body embrace the heat and power felt due to their body movements. Shreya had been doing regular exercise but after having Mihika in her life, sge hardly went back to Gym.
A few minutes later, Purvi too joined Shreya on the 2nd treadmill and they fell into easy gossip.
“I am missing Tarika…... .kia hota jo wo bhi aa jati….aisay mouqay humain kab bar bar milte hain” Shreya complained while briskly walking. She was breathing a bit faster.
“Wo tau hai….likin wo bhi kia kar sakti hai…..Dil uska bhi dhuka hai” Purvi replied, walking on the machine while increasing the speed.
“Samjh sakti hoon……Mere CID join karne se pehle se uska or Abhijeet Sir ka relationship hai…..Yaqeen mano….. mujhe bohut umeed thi k….. abh tak shadi tau ho chuki ho gi un dono ki”
“Hmmm……so tau hai….” Purvi agreed. Abhijeet and Tarika had indeed spent much of their years walking around each other rather than taking a solid step. Purvi felt bad for her friend but then she remembered something and smiled.
“Accha Shreya, yaad hai… jab CID join karne k baad hum dinner pe gaye thay, jab wo waiter nay help mangi thi humse…..or hum dono ka apharan ho gaya tha”
“Haan….Likin wo case tumhain kyun yaad aa raha hai?” Shreya inquired with a scrunched face.
“Nahi case nahi……dinner k baad jo tumne mujhse Abhijeet Sir or Tarika k relationship ki confirmation mangi thi….mujhe wo yaad aa raha tha…” Purvi smiled and then stopped her machine. Turning around she looked at Shreya and asked in a low tone.
“Sach batao…..us waqt kia tumne Daya Sir k liye kuch feel karna shuru kia tha?” And the sheepish smile that Shreya got was all the truth Purvi needed to confirm. Indeed she had felt something for Daya but was conscious of the rank difference between them but on getting to know about Abhirika relationship, a hope had taken place in her heart that her feelings could be fruitful.
“Mujhe bhook lag rahi hai?” Shreya heard Mihika quiet complain and also switched off her machine and turned back to look at the adorable scene. Daya was bending down and tying up Mihika’s shoelace while Mihika was looking at her with a sweet pout.
“Aisa karte hain k Mumma or Massi ko exercise karne detay hain.. .chalo aj main appko breakfast karwata hoon” Daya said while tying the knot and then got up.
“Shreya tum Purvi k saath time spend karo….Main Mihika ko lay k jata hoon….”
“Par….” Shreya wanted to argue. He was taking care of Mihika and didn’t get time for his own workout yet.
“Don’t worry” His eyes softened, assuring her that they will be alright. Shreya nodded and Daya left the Gym with Mihika in tow who was already deciding what she wished to have right now.
“I really adore their bond” Shreya heard Purvi's voice from behind as she turned to look at her friend who was now moved to elliptical.
“Me too”
Shreya grabbed a towel and wiped off the light sheen of sweat from her forehead and neck.
The girls did a few other exercises while sharing gossip and some interesting cases. It’s just so good to have a best friend back with whom you don’t need to restart even after a great gap but you continue from where you left.
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“Aik tau ye news walay bhi pata nahi aj ka kia kia chapte hain……newspaper kam, gossip section zyada lagta hai” ACP sir grumbled while folding the paper and keeping it aside as everyone was gathered by the pool for relaxation. The resort waiter had served them chilled Lemonade and Cocktails.
Daya, Pankaj and Mihika were in the pool. Although Daya initially had gone in to teach Mihika but Pankaj, being the child at heart, had joined in and now was making Mihika ride a swan shaped floater as he pushed it around.
Abhijeet gave Daya a towel as he came out of the pool in his all black vest trouser set. He shook his hairs to let the droplets go and then wiped the excess clean. But, from the side of her eyes, someone's gaze was stuck on him. Each droplet, each reflection of light that was bouncing of the sheen body was observed and noted.
“Kripya paani se sawdhan rahain….” Purvi’s voice echoed in the air.
“Hunh?” Everyone was confused and turned to look at her. Especially Shreya, who was taken by surprise by this sudden declaration of Purvi.
“Kia? Ye kia bol rahi ho Purvi?” ACP sir asked with a confused expression.
“Horoscope…….Aj ki Rashi main likha hai sir…” Purvi kept a straight face while faking to now read the ACP’s discarded newspaper with great interest.
“Ye horoscope main lika hai? Sach main??” Abhijeet asked with a raised brow totally not believing her.
“Haan dekhain na Sir, bechare Pisces…(Shreya's zodiac) tchh.... abh kia karain” Purvi made a sad face but Abhijeet observed her eyes dancing between Daya and Shreya and he got what she was trying to do.
Shreya was flabbergasted on being caught while looking at Daya and turned away from him, suddenly finding something interesting on her phone to see. Whereas Daya was all oblivious to her predicament.
“Accha Purvi Sagittarius ki Rashi kia kehti hai? Ye batao zara….”
Hearing Abhijeet, Purvi's eyes moved back on the page as she located the zodiac, totally knowing that this was Daya’s sign.
“Aray wah….likha hai k appka aj ka din accha janay wala hai ... .ye kuch din appki zindagi k yadgar din hoon gay. Laal aap ka lucky color hai….Ahem ahem….” Purvi cleared her throat as all eyes fell on Shreya who was, by coincidence, wearing a plain red sundress today, matching to the mustard one Purvi was adoring along with their strawhats. Everyone’s eyes held a teasing glint but Daya’s were filled with a mixture of warmth and euphoria.
“Or Daya sir, likha hai k aj appko koi naya tohfa yaan koi bichra dost milay ga…..Naye shuruwat k liye sab se accha waqt hai”
Everyone smiled and Abhijeet pat Daya’s back, silently encouraging him k ‘Bhai, hosla kar or agay bhar’. And Daya was on the verge of considering diving back and disappearing under the pool to hide himself from the directed gazes.
“Chalain Abhijeet Sir, Abh hamari bari” Purvi diverted the attention back to herself from Dareya, having teased them enough for now.
“Haan sunaoo sunaoo” Abhijeet encouraged. He and Purvi share the same Cancer zodiac.
“Haan tau Sir likha hai k…app aj ka din apnay Parivar k saath guzarain gay. (Abhijeet and Purvi smiled widely at this….indeed they were spending time with their family—CID family) Apna nirakshaan karain……Agar koi kam nahi ban raha tau uski chabi bhi apke haath main hai….” Abhijeet fell into a deep thought as his fingers traced the lower lip, in a usual habit.
“Aray yaar Purvi ... .mera bhi bata na…Aquarius” Pankaj, who was now at the edge of the pool, asked while wiping water away from his face by hand.
“Wah wah Pankaj ... .suno tau….likha hai k app ka aj ka din saphal hoga…..Log tumharay gun gayein gay” Pankaj was all proud while hearing it.
“Or likha hai k tumhara jald promotion honay wala hai”
“Dhaat…..gaye bhens paani main….bhala Abhijeet Sir, Daya Sir or Sachin Sir k hotay howay koi promotion k khwab kaise dekh sakta hai……Jhoot likha hai…bilkul Jhoot…..Main case karoon ga in akhbar walon pe….” Pankaj pointed out and dived back into the pool in aggression, totally being a drama-king. Everyone chuckled at his expense.
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It was now evening. Teas were served as well as a few snacks. The team was sitting at a corner of a restaurant which has a cozy environment, set with sofas and a mahogany coffee table in between.
“Aj ka din tau bohut accha gaya” ACP sir reminisced while taking a sip of tea from his cup.
“Sach main sir…….Jurm se dour, apnon k saath aisay waqt guzarnay se hi zindagi ka sahi arth samjh aata hai” Abhijeet agreed with him.
All were happy in their own little chatter when a voice called “Aray, ACP sir….app yahan?”
All of them turned to look at the female standing in the front. Her hairs open, her eyes bright filled with kohl and a beautiful sky blue and pink embellished sari.
ACP sir’s sharp memory quickly found the name of the young woman and stood up to greet her with a smile and Daya and Abhijeet followed him.
“Aray, Inspector Anita? What a pleasant surprise…..” (From Episode 676)
“Indeed its a pleasant surprise sir….Maine socha nahi tha k app logon se yahan mulaqat ho jaye gi…….Hi Daya, Hi Abhijeet” She greeted the Duo as she was most familiar with them in the team.
“Hi Anita…….” The Duo replied with a warm smile.
Hearing Daya and Abhijeet being this casual and friendly with a female was a shock for Shreya, Purvi and Pankaj.
Seeing Daya talking with a beautiful lady, Mihika felt territorial and stood up from beside her mother to wrap her arms around Daya’s hand.
“Aray wah Daya…..kitni pyari beti hai tumhari” Anita smiled happily but her words struck a happy cord in Daya’s heart. Indeed, Mihika has become her daughter. She is His.
“Thank you” He replied with a vibrant smile while running his fingers through Mihika's hairs and everyone noticed how he didn’t negate the claim but accepted it openly.
Purvi elbowed Shreya who was sitting beside her already adoring a soulful and content smile.
“Anita….yaar ye Suraj ko dekho zara” A male voice came from behind as Anita quickly turned and marched away to get hold of a toddler from a man before she returned.
“Sir, meet my son….Suraj…..wo(indicating to a man at back) mere husband….Inspector Ravi” They all congratulated her and ACP sir also introduced Shreya, Purvi and Pankaj to her before she left.
As everyone took their seats and indulged into a small chatter, Shreya finds Purvi sending a pic of Anita, which she had secretly taken, to someone. Meeting the lady has made her remember a past story that she had heard from Freddy sir, Kajal and Vivek when they were on a lunch break.
“Ye kia kar rahi hai? Or tu nay picture kyun li?” She whispered, hoping no one else heard it.
“Aik min na baba ... .batati hoon” Purvi didn’t answer her queries on the spot, hoping that it was a false alarm that was ringing in her mind.
The whatsapp message showed dots and dots for a few seconds until the reply popped up.
“Haan, yehi hai wo” And Purvi closed her eyes momentarily, cursing her luck.
She looked at Shreya, who was busy coddling Mihika, tucking her hairs back to her ears. She also noticed how Daya’s chin was resting on his hand as his eyes took the fill of the mother-daughter duo.
“Sir, app sab inspector Anita ko kaise jantay hain?” And the chatter quiets down for a moment.
Shreya and Purvi’s keen eyes observed the silent messages shared by ACP, Daya and Abhijeet. They were contemplating if they should tell the truth or not. Though it wasn’t something to be ashamed of but they knew how fragile, how new this thing between Daya and Shreya was.
So thinking it over, Abhijeet came to rescue with his explanation.
“Wo aik case k silsilay main ... .aik underworld criminal ko pakarne main Inspector Anita nay hamari bohut madad ki thi” It wasn’t a lie but not the whole truth either.
Purvi wanted to say something but felt Shreya's eyes on herself and kept quiet.
Just now, everything has settled between the two and she hopes that it stays that way. Nonetheless, she also hopes that Daya sir himself will share the information that she has just received from Kajal.
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Next: A little misunderstanding and more Dareya scenes ... .Plus Tarika’s arrival.
I haven’t seen the last episode of CID but had seen the teasers where they showed Mihika once again…..after 50 long episodes….I wanted to be done with this chapter before I watch the episode so as not to misjudge my Mihika from theirs.
(PS: Are you guys enjoying the one-shots? They are really close to my heart….Please check them out If you can)
Love,
Ana
Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi 2
