Part 14
The storm outside had begun to rage, the wind howling through the streets as lightning illuminated the dark sky. But the real storm was the one raging between Arjun and Riya.
They stood in the dimly lit parking lot, their breaths heavy, their hearts burdened by words left unsaid.
***
"Lekin main wapas jaa chuki hoon."
Riya's words lingered in the air between them, piercing through Arjun like a dagger.
He took a step forward, his voice low but firm. "Riya... aise mat bolo."
She let out a bitter chuckle. "Toh kaise bolu, Arjun? Kaise samjhau tumhe ki jo dard tumne diya hai, usse main khud se alag nahi kar sakti?"
His fists clenched at his sides. He hated this-hated seeing her in pain. Pain that he had caused.
Riya looked away, her eyes shimmering with unshed tears. "Tumne mujhe chod diya tha bina kisi wajah ke... bina koi explanation diye. Main woh Riya nahi hoon jo tumhare wapas aane par sab bhool ke tumhe maaf kar de."
Arjun exhaled, his shoulders tensing. "Mujhe jaana pada tha, Riya. Koi aur option nahi tha."
Her head snapped back toward him, anger flashing in her eyes. "Aur mujhe bhi koi aur option nahi mila tha, Arjun. Main bas khud ko sambhalne ki koshish kar rahi thi."
Silence stretched between them, heavy and suffocating.
"Agar main tumhe sab bataun, toh kya tum samjhogi?" Arjun finally asked, his voice barely above a whisper.
Riya held his gaze for a long moment before shaking her head. "Ab jo bhi kahoge, Arjun... woh sirf ek late excuse lagega."
She turned to leave, but Arjun grabbed her wrist, his grip gentle but firm.
"Riya... please."
Her eyes flickered with conflict, but she gently pulled her hand away. "Bahut der ho chuki hai, Arjun."
And with that, she walked away, leaving him standing alone in the storm.
***
The next morning, the team gathered in the conference room to discuss the case.
Shree pulled up CCTV footage on the projector. "Kal raat humein ek aur footage mili hai jisme Rakesh Khurana apne kuch aadmiyon ke saath ek warehouse mein chhupa hai."
Rathore frowned. "Matlab humare paas ab bas ek mauka hai use pakadne ka."
Chotu nodded. "Lekin sir, yeh easy nahi hoga. Uske aadmi heavily armed honge."
Arjun, who had been silent so far, finally spoke. "Toh humein bhi apni taiyaari puri rakhni hogi."
Riya, who was standing near the whiteboard, crossed her arms. "Humein ek proper strategy chahiye. Agar hum bina plan ke wahan gaye toh kisi ki jaan ja sakti hai."
There was a pause.
Arjun turned to look at her. His expression unreadable. "Tum sahi keh rahi ho."
Riya blinked. She wasn't expecting him to agree so easily.
Rathore gave a sharp nod. "Theek hai. Team, operation kal subah hoga. Sab log ready raho."
As the meeting concluded, Arjun and Riya found themselves alone for a brief moment.
"Aaj ke liye safe rehna," Arjun said softly before walking away.
Riya's heart clenched. Because no matter how much she tried to push him away... a part of her still longed for him.
Anupamaa
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