It’s Only Love
The ETF office was quieter than usual.
Not silent—never silent—but hushed.
The kind of quiet that settled after chaos, after adrenaline had burned itself out, leaving behind tired bodies and heavier minds.
Fluorescent lights hummed softly. A half-empty coffee cup sat abandoned near Shree’s desk. Case files lay scattered, pages marked, corners folded—evidence of a long day that refused to end on time.
Arjun Rawte stood near the glass wall of his cabin, jacket still on, sleeves rolled up, eyes fixed somewhere beyond the reflection staring back at him. The city lights outside Mumbai blurred into streaks of white and gold, rain sliding down the glass like unshed thoughts.
Behind him, Riya Mukherjee sat at her desk, typing up the final report. Her fingers moved steadily, but her mind wasn’t as composed.
She glanced at him.
Once.
Twice.
Then stopped pretending she wasn’t watching.
He hadn’t spoken in over twenty minutes.
Sameer had already left after a brief nod. Shree and Chotu were arguing softly near the pantry about food. Liza had gone home with a headache excuse that everyone saw through.
It was just the two of them now—again.
Riya finally broke the silence.
Riya (softly):
“Sir… report ready hai.”
Arjun turned slowly, the way he always did—measured, controlled. His eyes met hers through the glass, unreadable as ever.
Arjun:
“Mail kar do.”
She nodded, but didn’t move immediately. Something sat heavy in her chest. This case—another child lost, another family shattered—had taken its toll.
She stood up instead, clutching the file.
Riya:
“Sir… aaj ka case… tough tha.”
That made him pause.
Arjun stepped out of the cabin, stopping a little too close, the air between them tightening automatically.
Arjun (low):
“Har case tough hota hai, Riya.”
She swallowed.
Riya:
“Par kuch cases… ghar tak aa jaate hain.”
Their eyes locked.
For a fraction of a second, the Rawte armor cracked—not enough for anyone else, but enough for her.
***
They drove in silence.
Rain hammered against the windshield, wipers moving rhythmically. The city passed by in wet neon blurs. Arjun’s hands were steady on the steering wheel, jaw clenched, focus razor-sharp.
Riya sat beside him, watching the rain trail down the glass.
She didn’t know when the music started.
Soft. Almost hesitant.
It’ s love that I need, it’ s only love that I need
It’ s love that I need, it’ s only love that I need…
She stiffened slightly, instinctively reaching to lower the volume, but Arjun stopped her.
Arjun:
“Rehne do.”
Her fingers froze.
The song continued, filling the car with a warmth that felt strangely out of place—and yet, exactly where it belonged.
Kabhi phool dena manaane ke liye,
Kabhi durr rehna sataane ke liye…
Riya closed her eyes.
Memories surfaced uninvited.
Arguments where neither of them apologized.
Silences that spoke louder than confessions.
Moments where being apart hurt more than being close.
Aur kabhi kabhi khaamosh baithe baahon ke sahaare,
Suraj bujhana saagar kinaare…
She felt it then—the ache.
Not pain.
Longing.
Phir raaton ko chaand ugaana…
Arjun’s grip tightened slightly on the wheel.
***
The apartment was dimly lit, rain tapping against the windows. Arjun shrugged off his jacket, tossing it aside with practiced indifference.
Riya stood near the doorway, unsure whether to step further.
Arjun (without turning):
“Coffee?”
She nodded.
They sat across from each other, steam rising between them, mirroring the tension neither acknowledged.
Waise pyaar ke naam pe toh yaaro sab hua hai,
Ab yeh pyaar bhi ho jaaye bas itni dua hai…
Riya finally spoke, voice barely above a whisper.
Riya:
“Sir… aap kabhi thakte nahi?”
He looked up sharply.
Arjun:
“Thakne ka time nahi milta.”
She smiled sadly.
Riya:
“Ya shayad… thakne se darte ho.”
Silence.
Not denial.
Kabhi raahon mein phirte rehna,
Bina kahe bas yun sunte rehna…
Riya stood, stepping closer.
Riya:
“Hum dono… baat kyun nahi karte jo sach mein kehna chahte hain?”
Arjun rose too, the space between them vanishing.
Kaanon mein uski saanson se jalte hue pighalte rehna…
His breath hitched.
Arjun (hoarse):
“Sach… dangerous hota hai.”
***
She reached out before fear could stop her, fingers brushing his sleeve.
Riya:
“Par kab tak, sir?”
He closed his eyes.
Years of loss.
Roshni.
Guilt.
Fear of wanting something that could be taken away.
It’ s only love I want to hold on to,
And forever make it stay…
He opened his eyes.
For once, he didn’t step back.
Arjun:
“Tumhe pata hai… ETF mein rehke pyaar karna kya hota hai?”
She nodded.
Riya:
“Roz dar ke saath jeena.”
Another step closer.
It’ s only love I want to hold on to,
And forever make it stay…
Their foreheads touched.
No kiss.
Just shared breathing.
***
Janmon ke vaade har baat pe kasam,
Kabhi jaan kehna kabhi kehna sanam…
Riya smiled through tears.
Riya:
“Mujhe vaadon ki zarurat nahi.”
Arjun:
“Phir kya chahiye?”
She looked straight into his soul.
Riya:
“Bas… aap.”
His hand cupped her face, thumb brushing her cheek with reverence.
Aur sau sau baar yeh kehna,
Humein pyaar hai tumhi se…
Arjun (quiet, raw):
“Riya… main tumhe khone se darta hoon.”
Riya:
“Main bhi.”
Le aayeinge hum taare zameen pe,
Jo kahoge toh jaan bhi denge…
They laughed softly, broken and beautiful.
Waise pyaar ke naam pe toh yaaro sab hua hai,
Ab yeh pyaar bhi ho jaaye bas itni dua hai…
***
Rain slowed outside.
Time seemed suspended.
In lamhon ko rokne ki woh naakaam koshishe karna,
Jo guzaare hain saath unko phir yaadein banake rakhna…
Arjun pulled her into an embrace—not desperate, not consuming—just home.
It’ s only love I want to hold on to,
And forever make it stay…
She rested her head against his chest, listening to his heartbeat—steady, real.
It’ s only love I want to hold on to,
And forever make it stay…
His chin rested against her hair.
Hold on to, hold on to,
And forever make it stay…
For once, Arjun Rawte wasn’t fighting fate.
He was choosing.
It’ s only love I want to hold on to,
And forever make it stay.
***
Sameer noticed it first.
The way Arjun stood closer to Riya.
The way Riya smiled without hesitation.
The way silence between them felt… settled.
Sameer smirked faintly.
Some wars didn’t need weapons.
Some victories were quiet.
And some love stories didn’t begin with confessions—
they began when two broken souls finally decided to hold on.
~The End~
Tum Se Tum Tak
Anupamaa
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