SS2 FF Full Update (Parts I - IV) - Page 41

Dipika: Lekin Vishal tumhe kaise pata Aryan kal mere ghar aaya tha?

Vishal: (Turning into the airport) Kal tumhe dinner le jaane tumhare ghar aaya tha…. Aur Aryan ki gaadi dekhi bahar… Ab mujhe zaroorat nahi hai kehene ki I would not have been as welcome like always had I come then! Tum to kuch nahi kehti… Ya shayad kehti bhi… (Narrowing his eyes at her😳) Lekin mera vo cousin definitely pleased nahi hota!

Wearing her coat, the only response Dipika gave was a shy smile understanding that what he said was true…. She remembered the wonderful dinner Aryan had arranged for her and been selfish, yes she would definitely have not been happy to see Vishal then! 😳

Parking in front of the terminal….

Vishal: Tum yahan utar jao… Main gaadi park karke aata hoon!

Dipika nodded and got down!

Vishal: (Looking around) Any idea where they might be? Unki gate…

Dipika: (Interrupting) Hume zyada door jaane ki zaroorat nahi hai!

Saying she indicated the waiting area and saw Mrs. Desai, Mrs. Naik, Ajay, Neha, Boxer and Haseena talking!

As they made their way towards them Cynthia, Shotgun, Zubin and Purvi joined them!

Cynthia: Good Morning!

Dipika: (Smiling) Hi guys… 😛

They had reached the group…

Dipika: (Hugging Neha) Hi! Good Morning everyone! 🤗

After morning wishes and hugs Dipika asked…

Dipika: Aapka passport verify ho gaya? ❓

Ajay: Abhi tak nahi…

Boxer: Chalo Ajay…. Verification counters khul gaya!

As if in cue a big wide smile spread across Dipika's face and without looking back he could guess the reason for that…. She looked away from the entrance when Aryan neared them and saw Vishal looking at her… Giving a sheepish grin she turned her head away from him…. He didn't respond anything... Oh…. Well…. What else did he wish for other than that beautiful smile he had just seen on her face…. 👍🏼

He was just happy that he was able to fulfill his promise to her…. He had really started to feel afraid he might not be able to do what he wanted to do for her…. Everything was well and fine now…. And he was happy for her! 👏

Neha: (To Cynthia) Cynthia tumhare saath suitcase?!❓

Shotgun: (A little upset) She is going back today… Abhi do ghante me uska bhi flight hai!

Hearing Shotgun's down tone the others smiled

Cynthia: (Rolling her eyes) Abhi Shubroto main yahan hamesha ke liye thodi reh sakti hoon…

Boxer and Ajay were just in time back to hear Shotgun say….

Shotgun: Isiliye keh raha hoon jaldi shaadi kar lo… You would not have to go back!

Boxer: Are Shotgun! Keh dete… Ajay Neha ki shaadi ke saath saath tumhari bhi fitting kar dete! (Grinning😃) Ek hi kharche me do do shaadiyaan!

Shotgun: Kaha to tha! (Glancing sideways at Cynthia) Lekin maana kisne?

Cynthia: Shubroto! Please yaar…. Business hai…. To hi to jaa rahi hoon… (Rephrasing her previous sentence) Waise bhi hamesha ke liye thodi jaa rahi hoon! (Looking at him shyly☺️) Kab wapas aaoongi iska intezaar rahega mujhe!

Shotgun: (Wrapping a hand around her waist) And I will be waiting soon for that occasion!

Seeing the two lover birds getting cozy the others smiles and tried their best to ignore them… But well in a crowded airport with people so close that is definitely not possible…

Ajay: Vove guys…. Tum log hume send off karne aaye the! Remember? ❓

This broke the trance Shotgun and Cynthia were getting into… Reluctantly he let go off her as Cynthia flushed a bright pink…. ☺️

Vishal: Cynthia for your information! You might need to book tickets back to India very soon…. (Glancing at Dipika and Aryan) Jaldi ek aur shaadi planned hai!

The others looked at him and saw him looking at Dipika and Aryan understood…. They smiled understanding and were extremely glad that finally their Chief had decided to settle in life… The long battle between emotions and practicality and doubts were finally over…. 👍🏼

Dipika and Aryan had eyes set only for each other… But hearing Vishal they broke their eye contact and looked at the others watching them…

Aryan looked away embarrassed and Dipika blushing glared at Vishal who shrugged his shoulders in response….

Vishal: Nothing wrong in what I said right? You are glaring as if what I said will not happen! I just said there are oppurtunities of another marriage been fixed…. Ab Shotgun Cynthia for example hi…. Ya….

Dipika looked at him flustered he was been so outward but hearing him drag his sentence she got the opportunity to give him back….

Dipika: (Casually) Yaaaa…. Tumhari for another example!!!

At this the others grinned and Vishal looked at her with no change in expression…

Vishal: Oh ho ho!!! That another example is not a good example! It doesn't fit here!

Aryan: Ab ye fit hai ki nahi ye to waqt hi batyega…. It always happens that whoever denies first and fast is awarded first and fast…. Ab hum me se kisi ne socha tha kya (Glancing at Boxer and Haseena) ki humare team me Abbas ki pehli shaadi hogi! See? 😉

Hearing it the first family couple blushed looking at each other! ☺️

Dipika glanced at Aryan and nodded while Vishal glared back at them two…. These two guys were definitely teaming against him…. Vove he would have to be careful now if he was made target!😃

Dipika gave him the same reaction he had given a smile with the shrug of her shoulders….😉

Hearing the announcement for Ajay Neha's flight everyone started walking towards the boarding gate….

Ajay and Neha solemnly took Mrs. Desai's and Mrs. Naik's blessings….

Mrs. Naik: Take care! (Kissing Neha's forehead) Phone karna!

As Neha nodded Mrs. Desai gave stern instructions to her son….

Mrs. Desai: Tum dyaan rakhna…. Bewajah Neha ko pareshaan kiya to dekhna!

Ajay: (Smiling) Nahi maa…. Bewajah kyun pareshaan karoonga? Wajah se hi karoonga naa…. (Glancing at Neha) I have reasons for everything! ❤️

Neha's eyes widened at his remark understanding what he was mentioning… She shook her head sternly and blushed seeing the others grin at his comment…😳

Mrs. Desai: (Smiling) Ab tum wajah se pareshaan karte ho to main kuch nahi keh sakti! Agar meri bahu ko koi problem naa ho to!

Neha: (Blushing) Mummy ji! 🤗

Mrs. Desai hugged her wishing her happy journey…. As the second announcement for their flight came in the others too gave their wishes and helped the with their luggages till the

Walking towards the terminal entrance….

Shotgun: Aryan! Main thodi der baad aata hoon… Cynthia ko send off karke!

Aryan: (Nodding) No problem!

Haseena: (Hugging) Bye Cynthia! Bahut achcha laga tum humare saath celebrations me bhaag le saki!🤗

Cynthia: Mujhe bhi! Aise celebrations wahan hote nahi hain…. Isliye sab kuch naya tha aur bahut mazaa bhi aaya! Apna good news zaroor inform karna!

As Haseena nodded smiling….

Purvi: (Hugging) Take care…. Keep in touch! 🤗

Cynthia took Mrs. Desai's and Mrs. Naik's blessings too…. Dipika and the others also gave their wishes and Shotgun accompanied Cynthia to her boarding gate!

Aryan: (Looking at his watch) So office everyone? ❓

Especially looking at Dipika… Dipika smiled a little shaking her head indicating Vishal…

Having clearly noticed the small conversation said….

Vishal: Oie Aru… Tumhe subah subah khaane ki aadat nahi hogi shayad… Lekin hum aise nahi hain… Maine breakfast nahi ki hai ab tak…. Aur Dipika mere saath hai!

Aryan: (Mumbled) Ab maine kya kaha? Bas office ke liye…

Vishal: (Taking hold of Dipika's hand) Ab tu kuch pooche issse pehle bata dena theek hai naa…. Isliye… Chalo Dipi… I am famished!

Saying he tried dragging Dipika with him but she held on to his hand and said….

Dipika: Vishal ek minute! (To Mrs. Desai and Mrs. Naik) Aunty aap kaise jaa rahe hain?

Mrs. Desai: Hum sab to taxi se aaye the beta…. Jaate waqt waise hi chale jaayenge…. (Glancing at Mrs. Naik) Apne samdhan ko bhi unke ghar drop karna hai!

Dipika: Phir to aunty ji aap humare saath aayiye…. Hum aapko drop kar dete hain! Kyun Vishal? ❓

Vishal: (Acknowleding) Sure Aunty… Dipika sahi keh rahi hai!

Mrs. Naik: Lekin mera ghar to…

Dipika: Aunty main aapke ghar ko jaanti hoon… Vishal ke office ke raaste me hi padta hai…

Boxer: (To Mrs. Desai) Aap humare saath aayiye phir…. Main Haseena ko uske ghar drop karne jaa raha hoon… Aaapka ghar to paas hi hai!

Aryan: Haan Aunty… Yahi theek hoga… Khamokaan taxi kyun lena? ❓

Mrs. Desai and Mrs. Naik looked at each other smiling… Even with Ajay and Neha not there the team made sure their families were comfortable in everyway… They felt proud of their son and daughter to have been acquainted with such great friends! ⭐️

Dipika: Purvi tum? Zubin to seedha office jaa raha hai naa?

Purvi: (Looking at her watch) Haan… Lekin mujhe ghar ke liye shopping karni hai….

Zubin: Isliye main use bazaar me drop karke seedha office aa jaoonga!

Aryan: Fine ab sab settled hai to let's get going….

With everything and everyone settled with transport arrangement they walked to the parking lot…. Dipika was walking in the front with Vishal….. Sensing something she turned around and saw Aryan walking at the back looking at her… She just gave a smile as her response and when he responded back with the same sort of smile she felt her heart sore to the clouds! ❤️

Everyone got to their cars… Parked in the same row with one or two cars between each…. They were unlocking their cars when Aryan's phone buzzed….

Aryan: Good morning Madhu!

……………..

Aryan: (Smiling) Details team ko message kar dena… And send someone to the crime scene with Shotgun's kit and Zubin's camera!

Hitting the red button on his cell phone Aryan called out to Zubin, Boxer and Dipika just as they were getting inside the car….

Aryan: Guys! Special Squad…. New case…. Details are been messaged to you right now!

Boxer and Dipika looked at him nodded… Zubin gave a nod and along with Purvi made way to the two wheeler parking lot to get his bike….

Vishal: (Starting the car) So…. Seems Special Squad has got a new case?!

Dipika: (Opening the new message which had just flashed in her mobile smiled) Yes… Special Squad is back to its duty!

Vishal looked at Dipika smiling and nodded….. Everything was back to normal…. 👍🏼

Except Vishal's heart and soul which had detached itself from him! Had left him long long back to be with someonelse he now loved more than his life!!!!!!!! 😭

Aryan, Ajay and Boxer entered Aryan's cabin just as Dipika was saying to Vishaka pacing the center of the cabin between the tables reading a file….

Dipika: Good Vishaka…. Reports sahi hain…. Body ko preserve kar diya hai…. Check karna ki theek hai…. Also number the findings on the body and store room me rakh dena…. (Stopped walking and glanced up at the trio) Victim ke relatives aayenge body claim karne… Uski bhi formalities ready kar dena.…

Vishaka nodded as Dipika looked at Aryan questioningly….❓

Aryan: We just wanted to confirm ki kuch aur mila ya nahi? Or we'll go ahead with the investigation!

Dipika: (Thinking and closing the file) Nahi…. Bas utna jitna maine pehle kaha tha…. No other progress…. Agar hoti to bata deti Aryan!

Aryan: Ok… Phir hum isi se case ko aage badate hain…. (To Ajay and Boxer) Ab hum victim ke school chalte hain… Uske friends aur teachers se baat karne….

Ajay and Boxer nodded….

Aryan turned around to tell Dipika they were leaving, when he stopped short of what he was about to tell….. Dipika was giving the file and pen back to Vishaka when he noticed her hands and became upset…. 😔

Ajay and Boxer were discussing something, when receiving no further response from Aryan looked at him and saw him looking at Dipika…. Smiling they nudged each other and signaled to leave the room…. Ajay winked shaking his head at Aryan, indicating he was a goner for which Boxer hit him playfully in his arm and dragged Ajay from there….😉

Just at the door Ajay stopped and silently caught Vishaka's attention…. Before she could open her mouth he silently indicated Aryan to her and signed her to leave the cabin too…. Vishal took a look at Aryan and Dipika and nodded… She too silently left the cabin smiling to herself!😳

Dipika stretched her hands and wiped her face to ease the strain…. They had been working since yesterday night…. And it definitely was a strain…… Keeping her hand behind her neck she rotated it, when she stopped doing so mid way seeing Aryan still there, alone…. Slowly she straightened her head wondering what he wanted…. 🤔

Before she could ask him anything he approached her….. Her hair had fallen on her face which she was just about to push back, when he did that for her…. She smiled a little at this act…. He went closer to her as she stood rooted to her place surprised at such an action from him, at such a place, at such a time! It was all sudden and the place making her a little conscious….. But…..

He silently took both her hands and looked at it closely…. As she looked on wondering what he was so keenly looking into her hands, he kissed on her both her palms making her shiver from top to bottom…. Stunned she couldn't control the whisper which soared through her veins…. Suddenly she felt chilled to her bones and closed her eyes in response….☺️

Could be that the AC was more….

But… Umhum….. Nope…. Definitely not…. Her shiver had a different meaning…. The bliss was because….. It was her first kiss…. Maybe just on her hands…. But it was a kiss…. A kiss…. The first kiss from her…. Husband…. 😉

Taking a deep breath to calm herself reminding of where they were she opened her eyes and looking at him fondly said….

Dipika: (Smiling and blushing a little😳) Kya baat hai? Janaab bahut romantic ban rahe hain! Ye office hai…. Romance karne ka jagah nahi!

Saying she tried pulling her hands free from his…. She thought he would hold them tight not leaving them, but instead they eased off his grip as he said….

Aryan: (Heads down) I am sorry!

Dipika: (Mildly surprised) Tch Aryan! I was just joking…. Isme sorry kehene ki kya baat hai? Maine to bas yoheen kaha tha…. Tum bhi…

Dipika's smile disappeared when Aryan lifted his head and she saw his upset face…. She then understood that this sorry was not for what she had said, but he was genuinely feeling sorry…. But for what? She didn't understand!😕

Before she could ask him anything, Aryan again said…..

Aryan: I am really sorry!

Dipika: (Worried😒) Aryan! Kya baat hai? Kis… Kisliye sorry pooch rahe ho? You are looking so pale too… What… Tum aao…. Pehle yahan baitho!

Saying Dipika turned the chair in front of his desk and made him sit… She made him remove his coat…. Draping it behind the chair she took the water glass from the table…. Kneeling down she made him drink the water…. All the while she noticed he was more than been normally upset…. Was it anything about the case that had disturbed him so much?

After he finally had some water and seemed to relax a bit she took his face in both her hands and asked….

Dipika: (Softly) Ab bolo…. Kya baat hai Aryan? Tum is tarah upset?!!??! Did anything happen? Is it anything about the case?

Aryan shaking his head lightly caught both her hands…. Bringing them down he looked at them closely…. He smelt the sweet smell of mehendi still fresh on her hands..... They were bright reddish brown…. Reminding off all the wonderful moments of their marriage….. He looked back up to the bright red sindoor on the parting on her head and down at the partly shown mangalsutra around her neck….😊

She watched him silently not understanding why he was behaving so like this….

Aryan: (In a down tone) Suna hai ki jab nayi dulhan ghar aati hai to use ghar ke kitchen me tab tak kaam karne nahi diya jaata hai jab tak uske haath se mehendi ka rang nahi utar jaata…. 😔

Dipika: (Puzzled where he was getting at) Haan to?!!?🤔

Aryan: (Visibly upset) But I…. I made you do autopsy!?!!!??!?

Dipika: (Understanding) Oh! Aryan!😕

Aryan: (Looking up at her) Humari shaadi hue sirf do din hue hain…. And yesterday night was…. The biggest night of your life…. Of our lives…. And I ruined it!

Dipika looked at him feeling sorry for him…. Not because he was feeling guilty but because he had misunderstood the priorities in their relationship……. She raised herself on her knees and hugged him for consolation and sat knelt back down…. She looked down taking in his words, letting him ease his tension…. He had been worrying so much about a matter which she had not even given a thought…. When as he said this was her first time!

Aryan: (Continuing) Tumhe duniya ki saari khushiyaan dena ka vaadaa kiya tha… That's what we promise during marriage…. Lekin shaadi ke baad, ek aurat ko jo pehli khushi apne pati se milti hai…. Sabse badi khushi…. Maine use hi tumse….

She looked up immediately and placed a finger on his lips…. As he looked back at her still upset she solemnly said….

Dipika: No Aryan! Not you! Tum aise baat kar rahe ho? Tumhe shaadi ke bhandhan ke baare me zyada pata hai…. Marriage is not only of relationship of… (Pausing thinking she had to say it) only relationship of bodies Aryan….. It is… Of love…. Of understanding…. Of affection…. Of you… Of me…. Of us! They are more important…. That…. (Pausing again) That is just a part of life…. Yes, it is important too…. But not more than the love we share!

Aryan: But you had to come here because of me…. Tum yahan nahi aati agar main bhi nahi aata…. But Dipika, seeing a crime happen in front of me and not doing anything about it…. Tumh…

Dipika: (Interrupting) Aryan aisa kuch nahi hai…. Agar tum yahan nahi aate to hi mujhe bura lagta…. I pride at my husband keeping his profession before his family….. We…. Aryan! We decided to serve the society first…. Aur main apne pride ko kabhi neecha nahi hone deti…. (Smiling a little) Waise bhi, tum yahan nahi aate to bhi main aati…. Jaisa tumne kaha, seeing something happen in front of your eyes, neither you nor me can stay silent…. Years of our profession definitely would call our attention more!

Aryan: (Shaking his head) Pata hai… Lekin kal… Yesterday…. It was your….

Dipika: (In a simple tone) Just me Aryan!?!?!?

He just shook his head trying to make his point clear…. For him nothing was the first time…. Neither the marriage…. Nor the life after that…. But yes of course he knew it would be different with Dipika…. Different…. Special…. Wonderful…. But he had lived a life which may not have been a fulfilled one, but he did live one….

But for her…. All was first for her…. The marriage….. Yesterday's night…. The life…. She must have had so many dreams about the time… Every woman does…. It was normal…. It was natural.….. And he couldn't even fulfill that basic dream of hers when he should have!

Dipika: (Wrapping her hands in his) Mujhe pata hai tum kya kehena chahate ho…. But…. (Smiling and hitting his forehead lightly with hers) For me…. Tum mil gaye to mujhe sab kuch mil gaya hai…. No woman can be luckier than me to get such a husband like you…. Itna pyaar karne waala, mujhpar jaan chidakne waala… (Pinching his cheeks) Mujhpar lattoo hone waala!☺️

Aryan: (Smiling a little) Whatever may be it, you had to compromise…..

Dipika: (Interrupting surprised) Compromise!?!?!?! Aryan! Tum to aise baat kar rahe ho ki humar beech aisa kuch hoga hi nahi… (As he raised his eyebrows questioningly🤔) Maine socha tha ki… (Lowering her eyes…. Blushing said softly, hesitating😳) …Hrrmm… (Pausing😳) Ki… Vo… Er… We (Pausing😳) have just postponed it…. (Pausing😳) Maybe… Hrrmm…. (Pausing😳) Maybe just by a day!

Saying she just glanced up once at him and went off from there behind his table…. She caught the glass divider to keep her steady as her heart beat rose realizing the effect of her words…. She was literally trembling now and knew he could see her state…. She tried to take in deep breaths to calm herself but somehow even her lungs failed her due to the excitement and the sudden feeling of his presence in the same room…. So close…. So near…..❤️

Her words did make him raise his eyebrows even more… More like they shot up in surprise and shock…. Pleasant shock…. 😲 😳 He blinked once… Twice…. And finally what she had said seemed to hit his senses…. His face slowly split into an understanding, loveable and teasing smile…. And his mood definitely changed this time… For positive….😉

He turned around in his chair and looked at her still holding the glass divider to keep herself steady…. But he could sense her excited trembling clearly… Come on Aryan Khanna…. What are you doing sitting here!?!?!?😃

He got up and walked to her feeling her trembling increase… She really could sense his distance from her…. Just as he reached her she turned around stumbled back a little with him an inch away from her…. Her legs feeling like lead refused to move…. He raised his hand to place it on her cheek….. But the hot brush of his skin against her soft cheek felt like a hot iron been dipped into cold water…. Eye sight blinded she moved back away from him….

Somehow she didn't know why… His touch was always fresh and new…. Even before marriage…. His touches had been countless…. But each time they made her tremble with excitement…. She was now in a position where she could actually sense, could feel what his each touch meant…. Maybe because of that now his touch felt hot on her cool skin, knowing the reason behind it….☺️

Seeing her trying to compose herself he smiled…. And had she chanced to see that smile on his face she would have definitely fainted…. Every time he neared her she trembled with the same excitement…. Before marriage too…. She had never restrained him anywhere…. And that exactly encouraged him in all ways to be cozy with her! ❤️

Finally with utmost effort from her part she could brace her legs to move again…. Trying to find support she walked back covering the remaining few inches between her and the glass wall and backed against it…..

Still not looking at him she tried to move away from him…. But placing his hands on her both sides against the glass wall he trapped her between them…

He went even closer to her and wanting to look at him she finally looked up at him…. Her breath caught in her throat and she banged her head lightly against the cabin glass wall as the full force of his look hit her…. She hastily put down her eyes and heard him whisper…😳

Aryan: (Teasing) Kya kaha? Maine kuch suna nahi!

Dipika: (Smiling still looking down said softly) Aryan! Tumhe jhooth bolna nahi aata…..

Aryan: (Taking her face in his hands) Aur tum such bahut aasaani se bol jaati ho!

Feeling his breath closer she looked at him and immediately conscious said….

Dipika: (Trying to pry off his hands) Ar…. Aryan…. Kya kar rahe ho? Office hai….

Aryan: (Smoothing her cheeks) Hone do….

Dipika: (Looking about, her voice becoming hoarse☺️) Aryan…. Chodo naa… (Begging) Pleeeaaase… Koi dekh lega!

Aryan: (Blowing the hair off her face making her eyes fluttered) Dekhne do…. Meri patni ho….

Dipika: (Smiling as her face started to turn a bright pink) Patni ghar me…. Yahan aap mere chief ho…. Koi dekhega to kahega ki Special Squad ke chief ko uski forensics head pata rahi hai!

Aryan: (Studying her lips whispered) Kehene do…. ❤️

Dipika: (Whispered as she felt his breath) Aryan! Pl….

Her words faltered as he smoothed his hand behind her neck, pulling her even closer where he could feel her heart beat… Even though sub consciously she was aware of her surrounding; physically, mentally and psychologically she had to give away…. It was always like this…. She always felt weak in his arms and he always won in this…. She lost to him trying to deny him, but in a way won too… ⭐️

Giving in to him, she silently slipped her hands behind him moving upwards feeling the stiffness of his muscles…. Tilting her head slightly as her eyes heavy with the emotion of his closeness started to close…

But before the lids and lips could even touch each other….

"Aryan….. Nee…. "

The voice faltered and stopped mid sentence….

Aryan and Dipika broke apart immediately…. He looked at her dejectedly and she pushed him away from her looking at him accusing…. They looked behind and saw Boxer at the cabin door his back towards them…

She immediately side stepped away from Aryan and glared at him giving him an "I told you so" look…. But Aryan just shunned it and caught her hand, which Dipika tried to pry off looking at Boxer…. But in vain!😉

Boxer: (Hesitantly and more apologetically) Vo… Er… Nahi aana chahata tha… But you see… Vo… (Hurriedly making it a little difficult for understanding) Victim ke parents aaye hain… Body claim karne…. Aur hume investigation ke liye der ho rahi hai….

Aryan: (Smiling) It's okay Boxer…. (Looking at Dipika) Duty calls!

Boxer: I'll… I'll wait outside!

Saying Boxer literally ran away from there without another backward glance….😆

Dipika just smiled back at Aryan nodding and indicated him to go… But he looked at her pitifully, making a puppy face… He looked at the cabin door and saw that Boxer had left….

Aryan: (Indicating his lips) Just one!

Dipika: (Widening her eyes) Aryan! Sab tumhare liye wait kar rahe hain…. Jao!

Aryan: (Begging) Please….😳

Dipika: (Trying her best not to laugh and not to make her blush visible) No!😳

Saying she tried to move away from there but he caught her hand and pulled her hard against him…. Dashing against his chest she looked at him accusing and tried pushing him off with one hand….

Dipika: Aryan! They are waiting! Agar late hue to Boxer aur kya reason dega? He cannot tell.... Oh.... (Pulling off his hand from hers) Duty calls! Tumhi ne to kaha tha!

But Aryan stood there firm not budging from the place…. Shaking her head in frustration Dipika went behind him….

Dipika: Tum aise nahi manoge… (Pushing him to the door on the way grabbing his coat) Jao… Aryan!

At the entrance he stood by the cabin door not allowing her to open the door and said…..

Aryan: (Firmly) NO! Not until I get my ransom! 😳

Dipika: (Surprised) Ransom?!?!?! Tum kab se ransom lene lage?

Aryan: (Instantly) Jab se tum mere patni bani ho… Isliye aaj se…. Balke abhi se, you have to give me ransom daily to get my job done…. Aur mujhe kehena nahi hai ki ransom ka matlab kya hai! I know you know….😉

Dipika: (Sternly hands on her hips) Nahi diya to? ❓

Aryan: Nahi diya to…. (As if thinking) Hmmm…. Simple… Main yaheen khada rahoonga…. Hiloonga nahi…. Aur phir se agar Boxer ya Ajay ya koi bhi aaya…. To mujhse mat kehena….

Dipika: (Rolling her eyes) Aryan!!?!?! Bachchon jaise zidd kar rahe ho!

Aryan: (Wrapping his arms around her pulled her closer) Ransom?!

Exasperated at his stubbornness she looked behind the cabin door and around… No one was in sight…. Confirming…. Because the lunch hour was not over yet…….. Then slowly smiling a little she leant closer to him…. He looked back at her smiling victoriously…. Closer to him, she caught his chin and turning his head kissed him on his cheek….😃

He turned to look at her surprised and asked….

Aryan: Hey! Bas itna?!?! (Making a face) That's not fair!😔

Dipika: (Opening the door which he had let go pushed him out and thrust the coat in his hands) Haan bas itna…. Abhi ke liye, yahan pe…. All fair in love and war…. Ab jao pleeease!

Aryan: (Coming back to her) Ek minute…. Ek minute…. Abhi ke liye, yahan pe!!?!?!? Matlab baad me, kaheen aur kuch zyadaaaaaaaaaa…….. Hmm…. I'll be waiting!

Blushed she pushed him off smiling…☺️

Aryan: (Chuckling) Bye then! 😳 😆

Saying Aryan turned around and was about to go when she caught his hand…. Surprised he went back to her as Dipika said….

Dipika: (Softly) Aryan! Tumhe ye sab karne ki koi zaroorat nahi hai…. I am happy…. Very very happy…. Mujhe koi hard feelings nahi hai… Aur main chahati hoon ki tumhe bhi iski wajah se koi guilt naa ho!

Aryan smiled at this… That partly was the reason…. Because this was also what he had in his mind…. He had done all this to make her forget what had happened last night…. He didn't want her to feel she was not important in his life… And wanted to make her start afresh today…. But the major reason seriously was he could never get enough of her…. 😉 He knew now that she understood him more than anyone…. More than himself….😳

He kissed her on her forehead and hugged her… 🤗

Aryan: (Parting) Lekin ransom ki baat genuine hai haan!

Dipika: (Sternly😳) Aryan! Aksar office me ransom ki baat mat karna…. Kaheen galat meaning naa nikaal dein….

Aryan: (Nodding genuinely) Yes madam… Phir to koi aur term dhoondhana hoga uske liye….

Dipika: (Shaking her head smiling) Tumhare English vocabulary ko baad me check kar lena…. Ab jao!

Smiling Aryan turned around to go when Dipika again caught his hand…. Turning around surprised he said all cozy again….

Aryan: Dekhna….. Not my fault…. Aise jaate jaate agar tum hi wapas bulati rahi to? (Coming to her and slipping one hand around her waist) Agar aise hi karti rahiii to jaaoonga hi nahi…. 😳

She just smiled and kissing on her two right fingers placed them on his lips…. He widened his eyes in surprise…. In response he kissed her back on her cheek… Patting her cheek he winked smiling and left!❤️

Dipika leant against the cabin door frame, arms crossed looking at him go…. She waited for something to happen but didn't quite know what? But just saw him go…. He had gone…. Taking a deep breath she shook her head, smiling to herself and was about to go back into the cabin when Aryan peeped back through the office door… From there he blew her a kiss…. Waving a bye left! ⭐️

Dipika closed her eyes for a moment taking in the feeling…. Now knowing that this was what she had been waiting for! And feeling proud that Aryan understood her very well… So very well… Better than herself! ⭐️

Smiling she was about to go back inside the cabin when she sensed someone nearby…. Looking sideways she saw it was Neha standing in the pantry side corridor looking at her smiling, meaningfully….

Immediately she had flashes of her past when there were such moments between her and Aryan…. Where their relationship had not got any name then… Nor was she herself sure if that was what it was… But it was!

More than two years ago…. Those special close moments were never like ever before!

Neha: (Coming to Dipika) Abhi aayi…. (Smiling) Lunch? ❓

Dipika looked at her smiling and nodded… Both of them left together talking about nothing in particular…..

After lunch….

Dipika came inside her cabin…. Sitting down she opened her laptop… But her fingers didn't go to the keys on the laptop but to her neck… She took the mangalsutra out and looked at it…. Looking back up she saw Aryan's empty chair…. Man…. She was already missing him… With him even minutes away she felt so lonely nowadays….. ❤️

Smiling she picked up her mobile…..

Dipika: Hi!

……………………..

Dipika: How's the investigation going on? ❓

……………………..

Dipika: Okay…. Lekin ab Special Squad ki forensic head nahi, aapki patni aapse baat karna chahati hai….

…………………….

Dipika: Kya hua? (Thinking about Aryan asking her for a minute) Is something important going on there? If so, I'll call later….

................................

Dipika: (Smiling) ID card remove ki? Lekin kyun? 😳

…………………….

Dipika: (Impressed) Oh… Ab mere pati mujhse baat kar rahe hain? I agree… With ID card you are Aryan Khanna Chief, Special Squad.... Without it you definitely are Mrs. Dipika Khanna's husband!

................................

Dipika: Khaana khaya? ❓

…………………….

Dipika: (Stunned looking at her watch) Aryan! Time kya hua hai? Kitni baar kahoon….

………………………

Dipika: Investigations keep going on Aryan…. Please jao aur khaana khao…. Aur Ajay, Boxer ko bhi khaane do… Warna unki biwiyaan mujhse complain karne lageingi ki mera pati unke pati ko theek se khaane tak nahi deta!

……………………….

Dipika: Well…. (Smiling a little) Pehle complaint nahi kiya, kyunki complaint karne ke liye koi tha nahi…. Tum par roub jatane waala koi tha nahi…. Lekin ab… Jab main hoon, to tumhare saare complaints mujhse hi to aayega!

……………………….

Dipika: (Laughing a little) Kuch nahi kar sakoge… Tumhara order sirf office tak seemit hai Mr. Aryan Khanna…. Special Squad ke Chief ho, lekin aapke ghar ka Home Minister koun hai?

……………………….

Dipika: (Blushing at "Definitely my dear wife, you Mrs. Khanna") Are wah! Jaldi maan gaye! Good… So go have your lunch first and let them also have their lunch!

……………………….

Dipika: (Smiling) Bye!

………………………..

Dipika kept the phone smiling at Aryan's last words "Yes Boss"…. She took the mangalsutra again and fiddling with it thought about the wonderful past few days of her life… The best days of her life…. The best days of any woman's life…

Why not!?!!? Her marriage was on cards! And My God what a marriage it was….. A celebrity marriage would have fallen short of expectations…. Maybe not in terms of the grandeur but in terms of the relations and celebrations that went on! 👍🏼

It all started a few months back! ⭐️

As Dipika stepped into the office with her laptop a strange sensation ran through her spine…. 😊

She had also not anticipated then that this place, the environment, the people would change her life totally…. Her life definitely had taken a 360 degree turn for the good…. Nothing was like when she had come to this office two and half years ago…. Nor she…. Nor the team…. Nor the special person who had invaded her life without her knowledge and had now rooted so deep down in her heart that any sort of damage either to the relation or the person would definitely give her unbearable pain…. ❤️

She blushed her cheeks coloring slightly…. 😳 Oh… Dear… Just the thought of him made her feel so good, sooo feminine…. She sighed again…. 😍 Oh Dear….. No…. Dipika Gosh…. Attention…. She straightened full height shaking her head as if trying to shake the cobwebs clouding her mind…. Get a grip girl…. This is office…. And you have to maintain your dignity as with the position you still hold in this office as its Acting Head…. You have to get back to your old self!

But again she sighed….. 😳 Coming back to her present self she knocked her brain as if that would put some sense in it, that it was going to be tough, very tough being strict with these people she had become so close with…. Especially again Aryan…. As the memories of past two days floated in her mind, she involuntarily shivered as her body remembered his touch…. His k…. She blushed! ☺️

Taking a deep breath she straightened again and smiling walked into the office….

Madhu the receptionist working on her system looked up as Dipika neared the table….

Madhu: (Smiling) Good morning mam!

Dipika: (Smiling) Good Morning Madhu!

Indicating her to follow her Dipika made way to her cabin…. Madhu took her writing pad and pen and hurried behind her….

Dipika: Case ka call kab aaya tha?❓

Madhu: (Walking besides her) Jab call aaya immediately maine Aryan sir ko phone kar diya tha madam!

Dipika: (Walking into the cabin) Good… Shotgun aur Zubin ke equipments crime scene bhejh di naa?

Madhu: (Nodding) Yes mam…. Oliver ko bhejha hai… He just called few minutes back…. He has reached there…. Usne kaha ki baaki sab bhi abhi wahan aaye hain!

Dipika: Good… Ek minute!

Saying she kept her laptop on her table and went over to the idols to offer her praying…. Surpirsed to see small flowers placed there she turned to Madhu and asked…

Dipika: Madhu! Ye phool??!? Phool kisne lagayein hain?😳

Madhu: (Giving a knowing smile) Vo madam… Aryan sir ne kaha tha!

Dipika: (Surprised) Aryan ne!!??😳

Madhu: Ji…. Unhone phone karke kaha tha ki aaj office seedha nahi aa rahe, to mujhe phool rakhne ko kaha tha!

Dipika looked at Madhu and gave a small nod… Turning back to the idol she let the blush cover her cheeks…. He was so thoughtful and knew what impressed her so well…. This definitely was a good start for her day in office…. Looking at the idols she offered all the prayers she knew in this world for giving her an opportunity to know a person like Aryan…. And not only know him but to understand him as well….⭐️

Dipika: (Coming back to the table) Pichle dinon me case ka koi phone aaya Madhu?

Madhu: Sirf ek case aaya tha… Lekin jaise instructions the use jurisdiction ke local police ko hand over kar diya gaya hai!

Dipika: (Plugging in her laptop) Good… Is baare me ek report banana… Ki kab phone aaya, kisne attend ki, kya details mile the….

Madhu: (Interjecting) Maine hi call attend ki thi madam…. (Making a note in her writing pad) Main aaj hi uski report banakar aapko deti hoon!

Dipika: (Looking up after logging in) Good… Lagta hai do dinon se Special Squad me kaam hi nahi tha!

Madhu: (Smiling😊) Exactly madam… Jab Special Squad chutti par hoti hai to cases aate hi nahi hain….. Aur aaj dekhiye when you all were reporting back ek case aa gaya!

Dipika: (Chuckling😆) Phir to lagta hai Special Squad ko hamesha ke liye chutti de deni chahiye, crime hi nahi honge…

As Madhu too joined in her laughter Dipika looked at her watch and said….

Dipika: (Looking at her watch) Hmm… Humare team ne wahan investigation shuru kar di hogi…. Madhu Vishaka se kehena ki autopsy ki saari taiyaariyaan karein…. Aur pichle cases ke reports Neha se….

She stopped mid sentence smiling realizing Neha wasn't there.….

Madhu: (Surprised) Neha!?!? Lekin mam Neha madam to….

Dipika: (Leaning against the table smiling) I know…. (Looking around the office) This office has got so used to this team… Inke bina is office ko imagine karna hi bahut mushkil hai! 👍🏼

Madhu: Sahi kaha madam…. Aap sab ke bina to office office hi nahi lag raha tha…. Aryan sir ke orders, Ajay sir ke jokes, Boxer sir aur Neha madam ki chit chat…. Office bilkul suna tha!

Dipika: (Nodding) Hmm… Yahan to sab, office ke professional relationships se zyada personal bonding rakhte hain ek doosre se! Isliye unhe professionally miss karne se zyada hum unhe personally miss karte hain!

Madhu: (Smiling) Isiliye Ajay sir aur Neha madam ki shaadi bahut hi shaandaar thi! Itni badi celebration yahan kabhi nahi hui hai!👏

Dipika: (Nodding) Good for us… Ek tarah ki pshycho therapy bhi ho gayi… Warna life monotonous ho jaata! (As Madhu nodded) Ab tumhe jaake kaam karna chahiye….

As Madhu nodded her response and turned around to go she stopped in her tracks… She looked behind at Dipika who was lost in her thoughts….🤔

Debating on whether to tell or not and siding with her first argument she turned around and started….

Madhu: Mam!!!

Dipika: (Looked at her thoughtfully) Kya hua Madhu? Abhi tak nahi gayi?❓

Madhu: Nahi vo madam… Bas kuch kehena chahathi thi…

Dipika: Sure… Kaho naa!

Madhu: Madam…. Aapki dance bahut achchi thi… Subah shaadi par bhi aur…. (After a slight pause) Reception par bhi!😊

At the mention of the marriage dances Dipika smiled and this time she couldn't suppress the blush which clearly lighted her face….

Dipika: (Softly) Thank you Madhu!😳

Madhu: Aap aur sir saath bahut achche lag rahe the… Made for each other!

Madhu stopped saying anything further as Dipika looked at her surprised eyebrows raised… But in response she just gave her a feeble shy smile….

Relieved that she had not spoken anything out of line Madhu asked again…

Madhu: Mam… Maine vo sahi kaha tha naa?

Dipika: (Puzzled) Kya kaha tha tumne?❓

Madhu: Vo… Hrrmm… Ki aap aur sir made for each other…

Dipika: (Smiling) Well it is early to say that…😳

Madhu: (Hastily) Main aapke personal matter pe interrupt karna nahi chahathi thi… Lekin maine jab se Special Squad join ki hai, sir ko dekha hai…. Maine hi nahi… Yahan sab chahathe ki sir apne life me settle ho jayein… Senior staffs se suna hai ki ab tak jitne bhi chiefs Special Squad me aaye hain unme se sir best hain…. He has always been considerate towards us…. Isliye bas…

Dipika: (Interjecting) I understand Madhu… Tum sab Aryan ki bahut phikar karte ho…. Aur aaj ya kal ye baat tum sabko janani hi hai… Isliye chupane waali ab koi baat nahi hai.… Isliye tum jo janana chahathi ho bina sawaal ke main uska jawaab de deti hoon…. Aur jawaab hai… Haan!

Madhu: (Excited😛) Mam! I… OH! That is so wonderful… Yakeen nahi hota sir ne finally ek decision le li hai!

Dipika: (Patting her cheek) Yes… (Thinking of his proposal) Usne finally ek decision le li hai!

Madhu: Thank you so much mam…. I am so happy…. Everyone will be so happy! (Pausing) I can tell everyone, can't I?

Dipika: Er… Um… (Considering her request) Well…. (Shrugging her shoulders) Feel free!

Jumping excited with the news Madhu gave a brief hug to Dipika and hurried off from the cabin…. Dipika looked surprised at the girl go… She was so excited…. But she knew… She understood… It was all for Aryan… They had seen Aryan live and lose a life…. They might just be his staffs…. But they definitely cared enough to want him be happy and settled in his life!

Smiling Dipika turned to go to her chair when her eyes fell on the empty shelf besides Aryan's table…. She knew he took the photographs with him during weekends or when on leave…. But the empty shelf didn't erase the images of the photographs from her mind…. Going over to the shelf she looked at the empty spot and wondered whether she was worth filling it….❓

He would never be able to forget the life he lived with Niharika…. It would be there with him more than a memory…. But it gave her solace thinking she was there to share it with him from now on…. His pains, strains, happiness, joy…. Anything she was going to be there for him!❤️

She smoothed her hand over the empty shelf and involuntarily, suddenly felt reassured… Something told her that the parted soul was happy that Aryan had moved on and was also happy that she, Dipika was the reason for it!😊

She was jolted out of her thoughts by the buzz of her cell phone…. Fiddling in her coat pocket she fished out her cell phone and answered it….

Dipika: Hello!

Aryan: Hello! Dipika!

Dipika: Haan Aryan!

Aryan: (Coming out of the old building) In office?❓

Dipika: (Going back to her place) Haan!

One of the police man gave him an umberella since it had started to rain in the ever hot always Mumbai…. Phone on one hand and umberella in the other Aryan watched as the body was been loaded into the Special Squad ambulance….

Aryan: Fine! Humne yahan initial investigation kar li hai! Body ko office shift kar rahe hain!

Dipika: Okay….

Aryan: Hume yahan thodi aur investigation karni hai…. We will be coming a little late!

Dipika: Okay then…. By…

Aryan: Ek minute… Ek minute… Itni jaldi kya hai?❓

Dipika: (Wondering about his query) Kya? Tumhe aur kuch kehena tha?❓

Aryan: (Softly) Nahi…. Lekin maine socha tha tumhe kuch kehena hoga!😳

Dipika: (Thinking🤔) Nahi to…. Mujhe kuch nahi kehena!

Aryan: (Going back into the building) Oh.... Main case ke baare me baat nahi kar raha tha!

Dipika: (Smiled understanding) Umm…. Hum….. Mujhe such me pata nahi tum kya keh rahe ho?❓

Aryan: (Watching Boxer talking to a man said a little disappointed) Tumhe such me kuch nahi kehena?❓

Dipika: (Stiffling a laughter😃) Aryan! You are just too much…. Crime scene pe ho aur aas paas….

Aryan: (Smiling understanding she had known all along) Aas paas koi nahi hai! And they know better than to disturb Aryan Khanna over the phone! Aur ab to….

Dipika: (Blushing😳) Ab to?❓

Aryan: Ab to unhe zyada pata hai ki phone par koun ho sakta hai! 😉

Dipika: (Amused😲) Aryan!

Aryan: So…. Say it!

Dipika: Aryan mujhe kaam hai! 😳

Aryan: I know… So say it fast! Warna main keh doonga!

Dipika: (Rolling her eyes) Aryan Khanna!

Aryan: Dipika Gosh!

Dipika: Oh My! Mera naam liya?😲

Aryan: (Thinking🤔) Yes so?

Dipika: Koi sunega to kya sochega Aryan.... Ki tum Special Squad ke acting head ke saath flirt kar rahe ho!

Aryan: (Smiling) Why? Special Squad's Acting head isn't a girl? She doesn't have a heart is it?

Dipika: (Instantly) She doesn't!

Aryan: (Surprised) She doesn't!?😳

Dipika: (Understanding his surprise) No… She doesn't! Not anymore!

Aryan: (Nodded involuntarily understanding her meaning this time) Well… Then it was there before?❓

Dipika: Haan tha….

Aryan: Ab kahan gaya?❓

Dipika: Bina mere baat mane kaheen chala gaya!

Aryan: Oh I see! Phir dhoondti kyun nahi?❓

Dipika: Dhoondha!

Aryan: Mila!?❓

Dipika: (The heat of blush pulsing up her ears☺️) Haan…

Aryan: (Smiling at her one word answers) Wapas li?❓

Dipika: Nahi….

Aryan: Kyun nahi?❓

There was a prolonged silence at the other end and Aryan waited…. He knew she was there thinking about an apt answer to shut him off…. But he was not going to let go so easily….

Aryan: (Repeating his earlier question) Maine poocha kyun nahi li wapas?❓

Dipika: Aryan!😳

Aryan: Mujhe to jawaab chahiye bas!

Dipika: (Sweetly frustrated) Lekin….😕😳

Aryan: Kyun nahi wapas li?❓

Dipika: (Finally giving in because she knew he was not to let go so easily) Kyunki mera dil waheen gaya hai jahan main chahathi thi!

Aryan: Aur tum kya chahathi ho?❓

Dipika: (Stunned at how she was going to answer this😲) Ar….

Aryan: (A little more stern and soft at the same time) Tum kya chahathi ho Dipika?❓

Shaking her head unvbelievingly that he, Aryan of all people was talking to her like that from a crime scene!

Dipika: Aryan… You really do know where you are right?❓

Aryan: Of course…. Juhu pe…. Ek crime scene pe…. Boxer right in front of me talking to a man….. Shotgun inside searching for evidences…. Zubin packing his camera…. And me…. You know what I am doing! Lekin tumhe ye bhi pata hoga ki mujhe ab bahut kaam hai, and unless you give me a straight proper answer…. I am not going to keep the phone! Aur jahan tak main tumhe jaanta hoon tum call bina mere permission ke cut nahi karogi! 😉

Dipika: (Blushing to the roots of her hair) Oh Aryan!

Aryan: (Imitating her) Oh Dipika! (Back to his teasing tone😃) So…. Tum batane waali ho ya witness ko interrogate karte waqt bhi tumse hi sawaal poochta rahoon!

Dipika: Mujhe ek witness ki tarah hi to interrogate kar rahe ho!

Aryan: (Nodding involuntarily) Hmm… Maybe not witness…. Lekin ajeeb hai... Yahan khud victim culprit ko interrogate kar raha hai! For the crime of love! ❤️ (Sensing her blush at the other end) To mere sawaal ka jawaab?❓

Dipika: (Taking a deep breath) Tum!⭐️

By the time the short word left her mouth Dipika's heart started hammering against her heart so loudly she was afraid he could have heard it over the phone….

And hearing that one word brought a largeeee smile on his face as he said….

Aryan: Finally!😛😃

Dipika: You really are smart Mr. Aryan Khanna!

Aryan: Of course….. Hoon… Nahi to Special Squad ka chief nahi hota!

Dipika: (Instantly) Aur Dipika Gosh aapko choose nahi karti!

Aryan: (Surprised) Ah! Haii….😳

Dipika: (Biting her tongue surprised herself how spontaneous she had been) Achcha ab to phone rakho aur kaam karo…. It really is getting late!

Aryan: (Smiling) Fine…. Main jo chahatha tha vo mil gaya, isliye ab tum jo kuch bhi kahogi main manoonga….

Dipika: (Smiling a little) Bye Aryan!😊

Aryan: Bye! 😊

Saying Aryan cut the call…. He looked at the phone for long, the smile pasted on his face…. He really wondered how much he had changed….. Speaking to her he wanted to continue speaking…. He had really no heart to keep the phone even though he was aware where he was and what he had to do!

Aryan: I love you Dipika!❤️

Saying he composed himself and put the phone in his pocket…. Looking up he saw Boxer was noting something down in his notepad….. Just then Boxer looked up and indicated him to come over!

Well… Here goes! Pulling himself together, trying his level best to block her out of his mind just for a while, which was out of question he soon realised, walked over to Boxer! ⭐️

Boxer thought about how Aryan was all smiles while talking over the phone..... Clearly it had started as a professional call because he could hear snatches of initial conversation, where he was telling Dipika about moving the body to Special Squad....

But later the voice had tuned down and there was a cozy nature in which he had even held the phone.... Boxer on his part really had trouble suppressing his smile, lest Aryan should see..... 😃

Oh..... How much he had longed to see his long time buddy to get settled in his life.... Finally his life had bloomed in the name of Dipika Gosh..... He knew many would be interested in hearing about this one small act of Aryan Khanna in a crime scene especially...😉

Well... Not that he liked to gossip, but he knew so many who would be genuinely happy to hear that Aryan was really into the relationship and had not fallen prey to his any of his extempore feelings! 😳

As Aryan walked over to Boxer he composed himself and turned his attention back to the man who was saying...

Man: Maine inhe humare yahan pehle kabhi nahi dekha hai sir... Do din pehle hi aaye the is jagah ko dekhne.... Aaj subah yahan aaya to aisa... (Voice faltering)

Aryan: Kya hua Boxer? ❓

Boxer who was listening to the man nodded towards him and said.....

Boxer: Ye is building ka carekater.... Abdul Jameel... Humara eye witness! (To the man) Ab saari baatein sir ko batana!

Abdul: Sir main is building ka carekater hoon.... Aur ek real estate agent bhi!

Aryan: (Walking back into the building) Is building ke owners kahan rehete hain? ❓

Abdul: Sir building ke owners to abroad me hain.... Canada! Is street me dus aise buildings hain jiska main caretaker hoon....

Aryan: To aap is building ko lease me dete ho? ❓

Abdul: Haan sir.... Family ke liye rent dene me kayi baar problems hote hain..... Isliye temporary basis par jo rehene ki jagah chahathe hain unhe dete hain.... Ya phir koi functions rakhne ke liye! Jaise jab koi abroad se yahan kuch maheene aate hain, research karne ya tour karne.... Instead of hotels they prefer like these temporary rentals!

Boxer: (Looking around the house) Building purana hai, lekin achchi tarah maintain kiya gaya lagta hai€. Phir yahan itna dust aur samaan bhikhera kyun hai?

Abdul: (Walking into the room they had found the body in) Vo sir is building ke liye do maheene se koi nahi aaya hai€. Main aaj hi is clean karne waala tha us madam ke liye!

Aryan: (Scanning the roped off area) Vo aurat koun thi?❓

Abdul: Suman Mahapatro.... Unka address yahan se do street door mere agency office me hai sir!

Aryan looked at Boxer and he nodded ackowledging the order to get the details of the lady....

Boxer: Kaise mileen vo aapko? ❓

Abdul: Pichle hafte vo meri office aayein thi, Keh rahi thi ki kuch mehmaan aane waale hain aur teherne ke liye ek jagah chahiye tha... Humare yahan sirf yahi building khaali tha.... To maine unhe ye dikhayi....

Aryan: (Walking out of the room) Kaise mehmaan? Kis ke liye aa rahe the? Koi function hai kya?

Abdul: Pata nahi sir.... Unhone bataya nahi aur unka personal maamla hai to maine zyada pooch bhi nahi....

Boxer: Kitne dinon ke rent ki baat ki thi?

Abdul: Do din baad se ek maheene ke liye sir!

Aryan: (Mentally going over the facts he had received) To unse rent ki baat ki, finalise ho gaya?

Abdul: Ji sir... Building dekhte hi unhone haan kar di thi!

Boxer: Dekhte hi?!?!? Matlab vo andar nahi aayein? 😳

Abdul: (Shaking his head) Nahi sir.... Yahi baat mujhe bhi ajeeb laga tha... Bas bahar se dekha aur haan kar diya tha.... Aur do din baad aake hi agreement sign kar di thi! Agreement sign ho gayi isliye maine unko chaabi de di thi..... Lekin kaha ki main aaj hi jagah ko clean karvapaoonga!

Aryan: (Musing) To comforts par dhyaan nahi tha.... Either the guest is not important or the reason for stay doesn't require so!

He silently indicated to Boxer, leaving behind the agent who was calm for a comman man seeing a corpse and walked a little around the hall scanning for things which might help them in the case€.

Boxer: (Looking around the hall) Haan.... Yahan to zyada kuch hai bhi nahi€. Just a sofa set and few other essentials.... Of course ek maheene ki baat hai to zyada kuch chahiye bhi nahi hoga!

Aryan: (Looking on the dust covered floor) Ye foot prints dekh rahe ho Boxer..... Leading from the main door to that room we found the body.... Kuch foot prints clear hain and pass me trampled!

Boxer: More like brushed off! (As Aryan nodded) Clearly culprit ka hi kaam ho sakta hai!

Aryan: Phir bhi Shotgun se keh dena ki yahan ke prints lein.... To be sure we have the persons to whom it might belong to.... (Indicating the room where the body was found) Us room me zyada dhyaan dene ko kehena!

Boxer: Haan hume ghar ke andar ke foot prints aur finger prints se hi kaam chalane padenge... Bahar ke mud tracks se to kuch nahi hone waala.... Itni baarish me foot prints kya kuch aadmi bhi kho jaaye!

Aryan: (Smiling faintly looked around😊) Waise Shotgun hai kahan? Maine socha tha ki vo evidence collect kar raha tha! 😕

Boxer: (Frowning) Vo to yaheen tha jab main bahar gaya!

As if on cue a police constable came inside from the back door and panting said....

Constable: Sir... Bahar ped ke neeche ek aur body mili hai!

At this both Aryan and Boxer exclaimed....

"Kya?!?!"😲

And hurried out the back door! 🤢

A vast garden sprawled behind the house.... Shrubs and rose bushes grew in an orderly fashion around the lawn seperated from the house by a stretch of mud road.... Since it had been raining the area looked fresh and green....

Just as he was about to step out into the rain Boxer accompanied him with a borrowed umberella...

Aryan: (Walking) Rains are hazardous to crime solving!

Boxer: (Grinning😃) Well it makes it more challenging.... And it is a known fact that my Chief likes head breaking challenges!

Aryan just looked at him smiling and back at the corpse they had found beneath the tree.... Shotgun was already checking the body'scondition....

Just as Aryan crouched beside him he said....

Shotgun: This is different Aryan.... Shot.... At head and at leg!

Aryan: (Surprised) Leg!?!? 😔

Shotgun: (Showing the wound) Haan.... Here.... Behind the right knee!

Aryan: (Pondering) Behind the right knee!?!? (Looking up at the wall and the position in which the man was lying) Seems like he was trying to escape!

Walking over to the wall Boxer and measured its height by catching the edge of the wall..... He was careful not to hold the full width of the parapet wall, because glass shards were embedded on the wall as the usual security measure.... He came back to the corpse and measured the approximate height of the man by his eyes....

Boxer: Haan.... Aisa hi lagta hai...

Shotgun: (Turning the man's hand to check his palm) Iske haathon me zakham hai Aryan.... Lekin khoon baarish ki wajah se mit gaya.... Lagta hai (Indicating the wall) usne us par poora haath rakh diya tha! Will check for glass shards during atuposy!

Walking over to the wall Boxer looked up at the edge and said puzzled....

Boxer: Lekin deewar par khoon ke nishaan nahi hain.... Baarish me dhul gaya hoga shayad!

Aryan: Time of death Shotgun? ❓

Shotgun: (Squinting up at Aryan through his rain cap) Approximately same as that of the girl we found inside.... Eight O'clock yesterday night.... Minutes me details chahiye to autopsy ke baad hi pata chalega!

Walking back to the house....

Boxer: Aryan lagta hai ye yahan tha jab khoon hua tha.... Aur shayad khooni ne desperation me aake use bhi maar diya ho! Could have been like been at the wrong place at the wrong time!

Aryan: Lagta to aisa hi hai Boxer.... Lekin ye aadmi koun hai? Was was he at the wrong place at the wrong time?

Boxer: (Walking back through the house to the front) Shayad usne jaldi shift hona tha.... Plan badal di hogi!

The Special Squad team roared off towards the office to solve another twin murder case involving lots of mysteries and emotional turmoils!

Aryan entered the office mentally going over the things he had to do for the investigation, orders he had to give out when he stopped mid way to the reception desk… Casually he roved his eyes all around the office… 😳

Where ever his eyes fell he saw flowers…. Bouquets and bouquets of flowers! Before he could even think of asking about it all to Madhu sitting in front of him in the reception desk a very big bouquet was thrust into his hand… Stunned he looked down at his hands and before he could see who had given him the bouquet, few more were small and big ones were piled on his hands….. And in this midst people were trying to shake his hands as well with chorus of…

"Congratulations sir!" 👏

"We are so happy for you sir!" 😛

"You are so made for each other!" 😍

By the time he could steady himself with the bouquets in his hands more had piled up… He knew that any instant now the towering pile was going to slide down… Just as the bouquet tower slid towards his right two more pair of hands came to aid and few bouquets were taken off from him… He looked sideways gratefully at Shotgun and Zubin who helped him with few more bouquets…

Finally with few bouquets he could handle he walked towards the reception desk and even though unintentionally, actually dumped the whole pile of bouquets on the desk…. Straightening he breathed a sigh of relief and turned around to see the whole of Special Squad standing around him with beaming faces…. 😛

Indicating the bouquet and the flowers around the office he asked surprised….

Aryan: Ye… What's all this!?!?

Madhu: (Happy) Sir… Sab aapke liye hi hai!

Aryan noticed Zubin and Shotgun putting down their pile on the already over flowing reception desk and struggling to keep them all on the top…..😕

Aryan: I could guess that! Lekin mere liye kyun? Yahi main pooch raha hoon!

Shotgun: (Trying to balance the bouquets on the top from sliding down) Yeah… Itne saare bouquets!?!? Promotion mila kya Aryan ko? Ya….

Staff 2: (Beaming) Sir ye to ordinary professional promotion se bhi zyada khushi dene waali baat hai humare liye…. We are all so happy for you and mam!

"MAM?!?!?"😲

Aryan, Zubin and Shotgun had exclaimed together in unison… And the result was the pile of bouquets on the reception desk cascading down to the floor as Shotgun and Zubin had released their holds in surprise….

Aryan: (Suspiciously) Mam!?!? Koun…🤔

Madhu: (Interjecting) Dipika mam…. (As if he was joking) Aur koun sir?

Aryan: Di… (His shocked surprise mounting) Dipika?! And me?! 😵

Looking around now he noticed that his staffs were not only beaming but there was an air of pinkish glow also on their faces…. Dipika and him!!!?? Meaning… What?!?! That they had got come increment.... Or promotion?!?? But then.... Their words didn't indicate anything like that..... "Made for each other","More than professional happiness!!!!".... Meaning... That they were together… Or what….

He had not to ponder the questions as his staff anwered them for him!

Staff 2: We are all very happy that you decided move on sir!

Staff 3: Haan… Aur vo bhi Dipika madam ke saath… That's really wonderful sir! 👏

Madhu: (Dreamily😍) Yes sir… Made for each other… Suna hai… Lekin ab dekh bhi liya hai!

The only response which escaped from Aryan mouth was an…

Aryan: Oh!

He really had no idea how to react since all he could wonder was how they all came to know about him and Dipika!?!?!? He wanted to say something but his mind was blank not knowing how he was supposed to react now!?!🤪

He looked around at Shotgun and Zubin for some help and instead found them smiling cheekily back at him… He shook his head helpless while they tried their level best to suppress their smiles…

Aryan: Guys! 😳

Shotgun: (Shrugging his shoulders) Ab Aryan humari taraf kya dekh rahe ho? This is not something you can hide… Aur (Glancing at a now grinning Zubin😃) us din ke tum dono ke dance se to yahan kya poori duniya…

He clamped his mouth shut seeing Aryan glaring at him...😡

Looking back at his still beaming staffs he cleared his throat and said…

Aryan: Well… Guys… Thank you! I am happy you all are happy about it! Ab… Well… Kuch kaam karein?!?! ❓

All the staffs still beaming looked at him blinking once, twice and only after Aryan raised his eyebrows questioningly seemed to realise what he had said…

There was a murmur of…

"Oh!"

"Yes!"

"Of course!"

"See you sir!"

As they all dispersed to their places, shaking his head Aryan turned around.. Looking down at the bouquets all around the reception desk looked back up at Shotgun and Zubin….

Shotgun: Come on! We are not arranging this! 😒

Aryan: (Instantly) Aur karna bhi nahi chahiye… We have a case to solve remember?

Zubin: (To Madhu) Get some help and arrange these Madhu…. Guess we are going to have a parky feeling in office today! 😉

As Aryan and Shotgun looked at him puzzled about his statement he explained…

Zubin: Parky! I mean… All flowers… (Looking around enjoying the atmosphere) Fragrant flowers… Green leaves… Pink, blue, red…😍

Aryan (Sternly😳) Zubin! Photos!

Zubin: (Snapping out of his trance) Photos?!?! (Excited) Wow! I would be glad to!

Saying he started to unpack his camera when Aryan caught his hand and said sterner…

Aryan: Zubin! Maine crime scene ke photographs maange…

Zubin: (Looking up at Aryan said sheepishly😃) Yeah… Of course… Main bhi wahi to keh raha tha Aryan… Ab camera bahar nahi nikaaloonga to develop kaise karoonga? Tch… Tum bhi naa Aryan!😆

Saying he shook his head as if Aryan was the weirdest guy in the whole world and walked off to his lab…

Aryan looked at him wondering whether he was losing his authority or had he become so vulnerable that even Zubin could give him a catch!!!!!😃

He turned around and saw Shotgun still smilling at Zubin's retreating back… Out of the corner of his eyes he noticed Aryan glare at him and as if he had never been there Shotgun turned around on his heels and marched off to his lab, making mental note of things he had to tell and mail people…😉

Still looking around the colourful office Aryan could not suppress his smile anymore… Him and Dipika!!!!!❤️

They were just seeing each other… Well of course between them he had proposed his love to her, but nothing had been declared officially… Then how did his staffs know?!?!?🤔

As Shotgun said had their dance that day been a trigger for thoughts??!

He was feeling a triffle embarrassed with all this untimely attention… And immediately his heart went out to Dipika… Poor girl… She had come alone to office in the morning… He wondered how she had taken it… Nothing was there to hide but still when it rains down like this unexpectedly you were bound to get embarrassed….

He immediately hurried over to his cabin and stopped short at the door… If the outer office had looked colourful with hand held bouquets it was nothing equal to what was inside the cabin… Baskets of flowers lined the floor and tables… There was barely space to keep a foot inside, the black colored laptops alone peeping from between the garden of flowers… One look was enough to confirm she was not inside… He looked left and right wondering where she was at the moment when the autopsy room opened…

Dipika stepped out wiping her hands on a towel… She was talking something to Vishaka and Aryan stood his place, hand idle on his cabin door…

First time… First time since they had come close he was seeing her in office… In her regular attire… And he had to admit she looked absolutely, professionally beautiful…😳

His thoughts immediately travelled to the intimate moments they had shared in the past two days… How she was there and how she was here… As she moved back her hair, he smiled surprised…. It was just two days… But it looked like as if it was a long past where they had memories of each other only… And each moment of togetherness had been sweet and refreshing… And he knew that the Aryan who had stepped into Special Squad today was very different… The one that had been lost for nearly five years now…

Nodding to Vishaka Dipika turned and saw Aryan standing besides their cabin… Smiling she gave him a nod, gave Vishaka the towel and walked over to him… As she reached him…

Aryan: I need to talk to you!

Dipika: Aryan wahi to batane aayi hoon! Pehle body ki autopsy ho gayi hai… Ti…

Just as she was about to push back a tendril of her hair behind her ear he instinctly did it for her brushing his hand soft against hers… As if electricity coursed through her the sudden shock wave hitting hard against her heart she took in a sharp intake of her breath, her hand still raised and his hand soft against hers…

He gently took her hand in his and pulled her closer than usually how they would have been in office… She blinked once and tried forcing out her hand from his, but gentle though his grip was, it was firm as well…😳

Aryan: Not about the case!

Saying he turned around, still catching her hand and led her towards the pantry… Surprised she looked around and in the nick moment saw heads turning back in their seats and fingers flying over keyboards… She knew they had all noticed… Oh dear… She really had to get a grip on her emotions towards him and his too… Else soon she knew Special Squad would become a love nest of couples!☺️

Dipika: Aryan! Kya kar rahe ho? M…

But instead of answering her question his grip on her hand only tightened which shut her up… Going over to the pantry he pushed open the door…

He stopped at the door and saw few people lingering over a cup of coffee or just chatting… The talks stopped as they all noticed Aryan at the door and not alone… The girls smiled blushing a little seeing Aryan's hold on Dipika's hand and the guys looked on appreciatively at the action of their chief…⭐️

Purposefully and meaningfully he led a much embarrassed Dipika inside the pantry… And the staffs were not required to be said anything explicitly, been with their chief for so many years what his eyes conveyed… Within a minute the pantry was empty except for Aryan and Dipika!😉

She walked over to the pantry counter and started pouring two glasses of juices… Silently he came and stood besides her watching…😳 Without looking at her she extended the glass to him and taking her glass went over to a table and sat down… Looking into the orange juice…

Dipika: Kya matlab hai is tarah mujhe yahan kheenchke laane ka? Kisi ne dekh liya to? In fact sab ne dekh hi liya… Aryan ye office hai!

Aryan leaning against the counter silently was sipping the juice… At her comment he stood straight, put down his glass and spreading his arms wide said surprised…

Aryan: Mujhe poochna chahiye tha ki ye sab kya hai?❓

Dipika looked at him and around the pantry… It had rained bouquets in Special Squad that day…

And finally to save her from the drastic reactions her simple "Feel free" statement had caused, the body had arrived from the crime scene and she had found refuge in the autopsy room…. Now coming out she realised that there were more bouquets in Special Squad than before she had gone in for autopsy….😲

Oh dear…. If Aryan knew she was the one who gave Madhu a 'go' about them, what would he say!?!? Well, she debated; there really was nothing to hide…. But it shouldn't have become so outwardly expressive either…... Now again when Madhu had asked her if she and Aryan were seeing each other or going to see each other, however she had meant it she couldn't deny too… Why should she deny it? And even if she had said Madhu not to tell anyone, she doubted she could have stayed put…. Just that now everyone knows, everyone knows about them…. Else it would have been in whispers and silent talks…. This was much better that that… She concluded! 🤔

Aryan's touch on her shoulder jolted her out of her morning thoughts and she looked up at him looking down at her, what? Suspicious? 😕

Aryan: You are day dreaming!

Dipika: (Looking at him blank) Huh?!!?!

Aryan: Haan…. Main kab se tumhe bula raha hoon aur tum kuch aur soch rahi ho!

Dipika: Oh…. Wahi to… Main yahi soch rahi hoon ki (Looking around the flowery pantry) ye sab kya ho raha hai?❓

Aryan: (Pulling a chair besides her and sitting down) Tum subah se office me ho, to tumhe pata hona chahiye ki kya ho raha hai!

Dipika: (Incredulously) Aryan! Subah jab aayi thi, tab to sab kuch normal hi dikh raha tha! Baad me pata nahi ki kab kaise kya hua, it was a tornado of bouquets!

Aryan: Well agar bouquets kisi aur reason ke liye aaya ho to theek…. But they have come to…. You know… (His gaze on her changing to one she knew so very intimately along with his voice which softened) Wish us for a new start…. Us… Meaning you and me!

He ended the sentence by taking her hand and kissing on her knuckles…. A thrill chill went down her spine as she blushed smiling… ☺️ She kept looking at him as he gazed back at her his eyes darkening with the well known passion…. She wanted to drag herself away from this, drag herself to reality that she was in a professional environment, but failed with every action unsaid of his…

The slight hold on her fingers tightened entwining her fingers with his…. She lost making an effort to remove her hand from his…😳

Only when he leant forward to whisper did she realise that not only their hands had lost the distance but they as a whole had too…

Aryan: Mujhe ye janana hai ki exactly how come the whole office knew about us?❓

Dipika' eyes fluttered half way to closure sensing his breath on her cheek…. Stealing the moment he had stopped she forced herself to look sideways at him…. Her own voice sounding strange to her….❤️

Dipika: Mujhe kaise pata Aryan! Jaise maine… (Pausing for a split second) unse kuch kaha? Main kuch kahoongi bhi kyun?

Aryan: (A small smile formed on his lips) Shayad keh deti!

Dipika jerked her head towards him and in the process her cheek grazed against his lips….😲 😳

Stunned, shocked and feeling stupid the way her body was automatically reacting to his touch and looks she looked at him her mouth half open…. Even though a shocking reaction passed over his face too, it was immediately replaced by clear appreciation…. And approval!

Dipika: (Stuttering) I… Er… Main…. It… Mista…

Aryan: (Smoothing her cheek with his other hand where his lips had brushed hers) I like sweet mistakes!

Dipika blushed a beetroot red visible to any naked eye as she lowered her eyes smiling… In front of her, her hand had found its strength and was tugging itself out of his hand, in vain…☺️

Dipika: (Clearing her throat of the knot created by their small encounter) Waise tum kya keh rahe the? Ki main keh deti? Lekin kyun? ❓

Aryan: (His free hand fondling her hair) Haan…. Agar kehti bhi to koi problem nahi! There's nothing to hide! Is it?

He saw her smile widen as she tried to fein of his hand away from her hair….

Dipika: Aryan! Chodo… It's office….

Aryan: (Enjoying her discomfort while he knew actually she liked it deep down) Correction! It is pantry!

Dipika: (Finally pulling down his hand said exasperated) But it is still in office! Koi dekh lega Aryan…

Aryan: (After a short laugh) Jis tarah se maine unhe yahan se bhagaya hai phir se andar nahi aayenge jab tak hum bahar nahi jaate!

Dipika: (Hitting him playfully on his shoulder) Pata hai… You do have a knack with the staffs…. Sending them away like this…. Vo kya sochenge Aryan? I mean tum is office ke Chief ho, main Acting head…. Aur hum hi is tarah….

She paused not knowing what words to put in… And the words which came to her mind would only enhance his effect on her, let alone make him realise his surroundings….😳

As if sensing what was going through her mind, and he did….

Aryan: Hum hi kis tarah Dipika?

She blew out her breath knowing she was never going to answer that question right.... Shaking her head she said….

Dipika: Hum hi kisi bhi tarah nahi! Let's… Just go…. We have a case to solve!

To emphasize her words were her final decision she forced herself to stand up, but with difficulty, as he was sitting very close to her making any bodily movment on her part very difficult…. Pushing back her chair she stood up and turned around to leave when she had to stop and knew he was still holding her hand…

Dipika: (Smiling without looking back) Aryan! Please chodo… Ar…

But instead of his grip loosening on her hand she only felt a tug which made her go back a step… She didn't know whether to be flattered at been loved so much by the person who had won her heart or get angry that he was not listening to her….. She wondered whether for the time being she had to show her authority as Special Squad's Acting head and she was just about to do so turning around when she heard a knock and the pantry door open…

Boxer walked in…. He stood at the doorway scanning the flowery pantry garden and then trying to suppress his level best the smile that was curving its way up his mouth he looked at Dipika…. She was the only one visible in the pantry as Aryan seated behind her was not seen…

Boxer: Vo…. (Indicating behind him) Mujhe kaha gaya tha ki Aryan yahan hai… Vo actually doosri body aa gayi hai…. Aur… Oh!

The expression escaped from him as he saw Aryan standing up from behind Dipika… Surprised Dipika whirled around at him and asked sharply….

Dipika: Doosri body?!? We have twin murder?

Aryan: (Remembering🤔) Oh…. Haan… Actually tumhe pehli report dene ke baad we found a man's body in the backyard!

Dipika: Oh! Case might not be as simple as I thought then!

Aryan: (Confused😕) Simple?!?! Lekin tumhe ye case simple kaise laga?

Dipika: Ah… Vo autopsy karte waqt ek theory aayi thi mind me ki ye shayad ek revenge ka murder ho!

Aryan: Revenge ka? Lekin kaise?❓

Dipika: Vo…. (Looking at Boxer still standing at the door) I think it is time we call a meeting…. Meeting me autopsy results bata doongi! Everyone can hear!

Aryan: (Nodding) Haan… I think that should be fine…. (Looking at Boxer) Boxer!

Boxer nodded his agreement to call a meeting… Dipika and Aryan started following him out when they noticed him looking down at something…. Wondering what he was looking at both of them looked down and saw that their hands were still entwined…. Seeing that they had noted him look at them Boxer cleared his throat and hurriedly left the room…. 😃

Dipika looked up at Aryan stunned and a stern… Hastily they left their hands with Aryan just giving her an embarrassing smile…. They looked up to see the pantry door swinging… Giving him an "I told you so" look Dipika hurried out of the pantry....

Coming out of the pantry it was all Boxer could do to suppress his smile…. 😳

When he was told that Aryan and Dipika were in the pantry, he had actually assumed they were there with the others, maybe stopped for some refreshments or something…. He should have known…. Until he was at the door and had actually opened it half way, Shotgun came upto him and said they were there alone…. He had left the pantry door immediately but was in doubt whether they had noticed…. Not wanting to take any chance he had knocked and let himself in….

A little surprised as he was on seeing Dipika alone in the pantry he was more stunned to see Aryan later apparate from behind her…. And more shockingly, pleasingly stunned to see their hands… Happiness bounded through him on seeing Aryan like that….😛

"They were happy" - Was an understatement of the million…. Words couldn't describe the way they felt for their chief and best buddy…..👏

Boxer had a dark past…. But that had only encouraged him in his work and helped him stay under wraps…. He had never imagined a bright future but when that had come with Haseena, it had given him all the more reason to set himself right and straight….👍🏼

Aryan's case was different…. He'd had a bright past and very dark past too… And that darkness had shielded the old Aryan they had known…. He was always aggressive in work; he had not changed much professionally… But personally…. They had lost the Aryan they had known…. The impact of the personal side on the professional one was inevitable which had not let him go out of control previously…. But with his personal life disappeared, his professional being had also taken a toll…

Walking into Shotgun's lab, he thought of the change he saw in him… The same old loving smile they had missed seeing in the past years… It was not like he had never smiled in the recent past years, but those were mechanical…. Nothing from the heart…. But the smile he saw nowadays was not only from his heart but from his soul, which radiated amongst them too…

Shotgun was looking at some pink round plastic thing when he looked up just in time to see Boxer reach him….

Boxer: Shotgun meeting hai! Abhi… Case ke initial details aur course of action discuss karne!

Boxer left to give the news to Zubin as Shotgun started to note down the things he had to report in the meeting…

Coming out of the pantry Dipika's smile knew no suppression…. She gave a look behind her as Aryan came out of the pantry door with a cheeky teasing smile for which only she knew the meaning… 😉

With a smile he usually didn't have while discussing any case Aryan joined them at the head of the table…. Purposefully he didn't take his seat and kept pacing at the head of the table while they waited for Boxer and Zubin to join them….

As he continued to pace, he was well aware of Dipika's eyes on him and so very purposefully avoided looking at her with the same one sided cheeky smile he oh so loved to sport on his face… There was a slight jig in his pace as hands tucked in his pant pockets he roamed around the table…😃

After a while Boxer and Zubin joined them…. They waited untill Zubin had pinned up the photographs on the board and had taken his seat…. The first two rows contained the photographs of the lady murdered and the third row contained that of the body they had found in the lawn…

Discussion Table….

The smile was still there on Aryan's face when Boxer and Zubin took their seats…. Boxer, Zubin and Shotgun looked at him, Dipika and at each other winking and nodding silently carefully avoiding smiles themselves…. 😳

But the moment everyone was seated Aryan, The Chief was back… He went and looked closely at the photographs assessing the situation…. Coming back to the table he started the discussion...

Aryan: Good morning team! We have a twin murder case here… But whether both are related is what we have to check on! First murder… Suman Mahapatro, lady, found inside the room of a bunglow… Second murder… Middle aged man, details unknown… Neha uske photo ko scan karke….

He had been talking fast and didn't realize he had taken the name of the person who was not actually there… Only after he registered the expressions on the team's face did he seem to realize what he had said…. Pausing he looked at the chair usually Neha occupied and gave a wane smile…

Dipika: (Smiling said slowly) Aryan! 😊

Aryan: (Nodding vaguely) I know… (Clearing his throat) Came out just like that! Just that she has always been in every case since she came in… Anyways…. (Looking around) Ab uski duty….

He looked around the three members wondering who could take up Neha's work in her absence… He and Boxer had investigations to do outside… Shotgun would be busy for a while with the analysis of the evidences…. Dipika would be busy with the autopsy… They couldn't wait until one of the resources could be fred… 🤔

Zubin?!? He might be able to do… But the only hitch was Zubin was not a computer geek... Yes he was aware to use the computer but not to the extent as Neha and was not familiar with the official databases they scoured for information…

Dipika: (Volunteering) Zubin kar sakta hai Aryan!

At the same time Zubin squeaked "Kya?!?!" 😲 Aryan looked at him strangely and then at Dipika and said…

Aryan: Haan… (Hesitant) Lekin humare system accesses ke baare me…

Dipika: (Looking at Shotgun) Shotgun ko pata hai… He can tutor Zubin for a while until he learns… Ab ke liye zyada information nahi chahiye right? Zubin us victim ke details collect kar sakta hai…. Aur waise bhi use Suman ke chehere ke details bhi to develop karne hain, uske baad hi investigation aur aage jaa payega!

Aryan: I guess so… Zubin?

Zubin: (Bewildered) Le… Lekin network systems me…

Dipika: (A little stern😳) Ifs aur buts ke liye abhi waqt nahi hai Zubin… Tumhe aur apne aapko case me involve karna bhi hai… I think pehle bhi warning mil chuki hai… Ab ke liye bas us doosre victim ki identity search karna hai… Shotgun tumhe start karva dega… Aur phir tum us pehle victim ke chehere par work karna shuru kar do… Baad me aur details chahiye honge to Shotgun tab available rahega!

He could not say no to his superior and Zubin nodded meekly looking pleading at Shotgun who just gave a cheeky grin in return… Giving a curt nod to his response Dipika turned to Aryan…

Dipika: Aur Aryan...

Sensing she had something serious to tell he looked at her with full attention….

The others had been watching the way Dipika was back to herself telling off Zubin for giving excuses.... Since she talked to Aryan in the same tone they too looked at her wondering what more information she had to give...

Dipika: (With a smile only she sensed) Your chair is waiting for you! 😉 😃

Saying she raised her right eyebrows tilting her head looking at him meaningfully.... She knew he had been avoiding looking at her, on purpose ... Not wanting to sit... But what he forgot was, she was still the same old Dipika Gosh professionally and she didn't approve nonsenses... Especially from him!

Surprised at the sudden change of topic and address Aryan looked at her his mouth opened a little...

Seeing he was staring at her like seeing something out of the blue she cleared her throat loudly jolting him out of his surprise and indicated the chair...

Breathing out heavily he held an expression like a child caught doing wrong... 😔 He gave her one smart nod and pulling out the chair sat down.... He didn't like it.... Thought he could at least get his way now, thinking she wouldn't object much.... But alas! And now his expression held like a child who was been forced to do something he didn't like.... Grumpy! 😒

She looked down at the writing pad doodling with her pencil a smile forming on her face refusing to leave... She knew he didn't like it and was more disapproving of the fact that she was getting her way... But she also knew how to take that smug look off his face!

Dipika: So.... Er... I think mujhe ab autopsy ke reports dene hain! 😊

He looked at her full and gave a nod with a not-caring disliking disapproving not-so-happy smug expression.... Seeing him react like that she could not suppress her smile and gave him one heck of a beautiful simmering smile that accentuated her face features, with a slight movement of her eyes....😳

And thatttttttt........ Was mooorrrreeee than enough… Seeing her smile he got lost..... Got very very lost and that not-so-caring disliking disapproving not-so-happy smug look wiped right off his face..... How long could he stay angry with her....? Even fake anger wasn't lasting with her! 😳

Phew! How much love had he to endure in his life from her?! ❤️

So the only answer he could give was…

Aryan: (Smiling) Haan… Tumne apna ek analysis bhi kiya tha, something about revenge!

Dipika: Haan… First I'll get into the details and then my analysis… Suman, age 32, Lean and must have been beautiful, trendy clothes… Conclusion murder… Reason she was stabbed and beaten…. Two stabs in the stomach… Her face is battered so badly that it is almost unrecognizable…. Since we don't know her we cannot assume her little recognizable features also…

Boxer: Revenge analysis? Because of the face? ❓

Dipika: (Nodding) Shayad ek criminal physchologist ise zyada samjha sake… Lekin mere past experience se main ye analysis de rahi hoon…

Getting up she went over to the board and beckoned Aryan closer….

He gazed at the photos… Crimes they normally dealt with, but still this seemed different…. Very different….

Dipika: Dhyaan se dekho Aryan…. We have many options for the motive of the killer…. Lekin is face ke condition se mujhe nahi lagta we would have trouble narrowing down the options…. Ek… Serial killing? Shayad nahi…. Kyunki Suman ka katil use jaanta tha…. Koi aisa jo uspar bahut gussa tha…. More like having a rage to kill her…. 😳

Aryan: (Agreeing) And when the body is damaged so severely around the facial area, it almost always means that the victim knew her assailant…. The attack seems to be more personal…

Dipika: Personal yes… Ye mera doosra option tha…. Because personal might mean sexual assault…. Lekin Suman ke body me iska koi trace nahi mila… She was clean when she was murdered…

Boxer: So someone hated Suman enough to kill her! But what could be the motivation? 🤓

Aryan: (Smiling) The baselining question of our case… (Taking a deep breadth) So second body autopsy karni hai… Then Shotgun, evidences…

While Dipika took her seat, he looked par the discussion table and saw the staffs leaving…. Wondering he looked at his watch and saw it was already lunch time… Time had flown so soon…

Shotgun: Purana building tha Aryan…. Isliye evidences ke taur pe to zyada kuch nahi mila… Foot prints collect kar di hain…. But most of them were smudged… Ek set hai jo building ke bahar se room tak and phir room se peeche ki taraf lead karta hai… (Checking his notes) The ones that were sort of brushed off… Phir bhi us prints ko main system feed karne waala hoon…

Aryan: (Shaking his head a little dejected) So then we don't have much in the name of evidence…. Hmm….

Shotgun: (Interjecting) Ek cheez hai Aryan…

As Aryan raised his eyebrows, he lifted up the evidence cover and showed him the plastic thing he was last analyzing… He gave it to Dipika who gave it a glance and passed it on to Aryan…

Aryan: (Looking closely) Ye… Ye to koi hair clip jaisa lagta hai!

Dipika: Koi hair clip nahi nahi Aryan… That is a child's hair clip!

Aryan looked at her puzzled wondering how she knew it was a child's hair clip… And then looking at it closely he understood… It was a pink plastic with kittens peeking over the edges… Now who would know better about child's hair clips more than Dipika…😊

He looked up and smiled at her and then indicated Shotgun to continue….

Shotgun: Aryan isme dust nahi hai, just a trickle… Matlab it has fallen there recently!

Aryan: (Puzzled) Bachchi ki hair clip? Matlab is case me ek bachchi involved hai??! 😲 😳

The team registered the change in Aryan's tone and face… It was one of displeasure and a rage… Sensing the tension building in him and radiating to the others Dipika said slowly….

Dipika: Aryan! Is clip se hum is decision me nahi pahoonch sakte ki ek bachchi involved thi hi…. I mean it could have fallen there by mistake… Kabhi aur samay…

Aryan narrowed his eyes to look at her… Even though she sounded confident and stern talking to him, there was a hint of doubt in her eyes….. Slowly he nodded and said…

Aryan: I know… It is not a decision… A doubt… But if the doubt is confirmed…

He left the sentence incomplete but Dipika knew what was to fill there….

Aryan hated crimes which was the main reason he was so much involved in while solving cases…. Even before a crime hit him personally… The fact he more hated about it was more than the victim and the convict, the families who were involved in the case involuntarily were the most affected…. And when a child was involved who had no understanding of why he or she is been involved, Aryan's involvement and aggressiveness increased ten fold… And that made him do things which he must not do! 😡

Aryan: Okay then…. Hum Suman ke ghar se investigation shuru karte hain….

Dipika: Main doosri autopsy shuru karti hoon….

Shotgun: Mujhe abhi kuch blood tests aur doosri body ke tests karne hain… Baad me main Zubin ko help kar sakta hoon!

Aryan: Haan… Zubin… (Looking at Zubin) Suman ke ghar se hume uske photographs mil sakte hain… But still you construct the picture… Phir Government records, bank se uske naam details collect karna…. Aur us male victim ke details bhi….

Zubin: Lekin Aryan…

Aryan: (Irritated😳) Ab kya hua? You only have to do it Zubin… Kab tak…

Zubin: Nahi… Case ke baare me nahi… Abhi lunch time ho gaya hai… Lunch karke kaam continue karein?

The ever so old Zubin was back… Hungry again… Maybe crimes made him feel hungrier!?!? 😃

Aryan: (Mildly surprised) What??! Zubin tum hamesha…

Dipika: (Interrupting) Zubin is right Aryan…. Agar ab phir se kaam karne lage, to khaane ka time nahi milega…. Isliye lunch karke hi we'll continue… Aur tum aur Boxer bhi lunch karke hi investigation ke liye nikalo…

Aryan: (Opposing) But…

Dipika: (Stern😳) Aryan!

He looked at her long and she looked back at him eye not wavering… He knew she was strict in these matters and he had no way os escaping things like these anymore… Because if he tried to, he knew he had secret Dipika spies as his friends who would be more than glad to land him trouble with her…. 😃

Aryan: Alright! Alright!

Nodding he had to give permission when Zubin stood up hurriedly and grabbing Shotgun's arm hissed…

Zubin: Chalo before he changes his mind! Boxer!

Smiling Dipika watched a grinning Shotgun telling Zubin to wait… Collecting the evidence and his notes he deposited them in his lab and hurried off with Zubin and a grinning Boxer…. She glanced at Aryan and saw him looking at the disappearing backs and knew he didn't much approve of the way he was been steam rollered by his mates…😆

Shaking his head Aryan saw his pals go and wondered yet again how he had become so vulnerable…? He knew the reason and looked at his reason standing up….❤️

Collecting her notes Dipika checked them once again… Convinced she had everything she turned around to leave and bumped into a solid chest…. Without the need to look up she knew who it was and inhaled the fragrant cologne wafting up her nostrils… She looked at the chest and memories of her resting her head against it flashed through her mind…. ☺️

Suppressing the urge to smile and blush she calmed her racing heart and glanced up…. He was looking at her accusing…. 😈

Dipika: (Innocently) What?

Aryan: Kya keh rahi thi?

Dipika: (Trying to by pass him) Kuch bhi to nahi…. Just telling you things you should follow…. Rules! 😳

Saying she started towards her cabin when she felt a tug of her hand, as if she had kept her hand in the power supply she yanked her hand from his and turned around at him angrily…

Dipika: (Advancing on him) Mr. Aryan Khanna….

Stunned at the sudden change of her tone and attitude he took a step backwards as she continued…😵

Dipika: Lagta hai mujhe aapko phir se apne kaam aur rules samjhaane padenge! (He raised his eyebrows quizically) Rule number 1, ye Government office hai, isliye (Indicating the distance between them) maintain distance…. Rule number 2, main ab bhi Special Squad ki Acting Head hoon aur aap Chief…. Isliye positions ke dignity ka khayal rahiyega aur meri baat ab bhi chalegi…. Rule number 3 and most important of all, follow all the rules…

With a curt nod at him she turned on her heels and had taken only two steps when she was grasped by her shoulders from behind and pushed against the pillar by the discussion table…

Dipika: (Stunned and angry a little) Excuse me!😡

Aryan: (Smiling because he knew she had faked her anger) Excused!

Dipika: Huh!??! Ghustaaki kar rahe ho…. Chodo aur jaake cases solve karo! Is tarah….

Aryan: (Shushing her up) Ssshhh…. Dipikaaa…. Cases to solve ho jayenge…. Before that… Tumne apna rules bataya…. Ab mujhe kuch kehena hai…. (With a teasing smile) Jab tum Special Squad me nayi aayi thi, bahut hi strict thi, tab bhi Special Squad ke rules ka ek reputation tha… (Laughing😆) Vo to kabhi badla nahi… Ab kaise badlega? Tum achchi tarah jaanti ho ki Special Squad has a certain disregard for rules…. Isliye tumhare rules kaam ab bhi nahi karenge… Especially rule number 3!

As she tried to retort he held up his hand indicating he hadn't finished…. She looked away, not at all liking the way he was still intent on breaking rules… Didn't he understand that his rule breaking and harsh ways had landed him in trouble umpteen times before…? And would land him again…. She might not be able to bail him out always….😕

With a sudden sharp intake of breath she tried to compose herself… Her breathing became ragged and she balled her fists to stop her from trembling…. The reason… His touch… Somehow as he talked and she struggled to get relieved from him, his grip has shifted down from her shoulders, to her back and down to her waist…. Along with his grip sliding down, the distance between them also disappeared until she could feel his breath…☺️

Aryan: (Whispering) Rule number two aur three bhi shayad hum (Pausing and rephrasing) main follow kar doon, lekin (Dragging) rule number one…. 😉

Flustered she turned to look at him and saw him shaking his head pitifully… Just as she was about to retort back he placed a finger on her lips…

Aryan: Mushkil hai… Bahut mushkil…. (She blushed as his finger traced her lips) Aap acting head hain, no one is denying…. Lekin main bhi Special Squad ka Chief hoon, isliye mera bhi yahan kuch kuch chalta hai… Madam! 😍

Saying he pulled her closer and tighter…. Lost in his talks and deep engaging gaze she was only vaguely aware of his finger leaving her lips, to be replaced by the closeness of his own… But at the nick of moment she forced herself to steel herself into reality and put up her hand in between them… Surprised he looked at her as she shook her lightly… Smiling he kissed her fingers and waited for her response, the closeness not leaving them yet…❤️ Dipika: (Softly placing her hand over his cheek which he relished with a big smile) Aryan! Mujhe pata hai yahan sab humare liye khush hain…. Everyone knows that the relationship between us has changed, and they would ignore our…. (Pausing to choose for the right word) Er…. Closeness…. But still ye Government office hai Aryan…. People look up to us… Baad me jaake agar aisa koi situation aaya jahan hume kisi ke conduct par question karna pade, to hume uske liye eligible hona chahiye! Isliye rule two or three ke liye shayad exceptions ho sakte hain, lekin rule number one ke liye….

She halted knowing he got what she wanted to say and looked at him searching for a reaction to her statement… The smile which was formed when she had placed her hand over his cheek was still there and his grip on her waist tightened making her puzzled…. 😔

After what seemed like eternity she felt his grip around her slacken, but he had not removed his hands completely… She removed her hand smiling and saw him nodding…

Aryan: I see… Lekin koi dekh lega to hi problem hai naa? Koi nahi dekhega!

Dipika's mouth fell open shocked at his statement… This was not the reaction she had expected…. He had to agree…. He couldn't do this… Before she could say anything further he continued on fast…

Aryan: Sorry Dipika… Jaise tumne kaha rule number two or three bhi shayad hum follow kar lein, lekin rule number one… (Shaking his head😒) Mushkil hai…. Bahut…. Moreover that applies only to me…. Isliye uske exceptions honge, ki (Moving a step back from her) ye distance official zones me zaroor rahega... When people are around… (Again going closer to her) Baaki to…😳

He looked at her grinning and she glared back at him not wanting to give in… But yet again before she could respond he gave a peck on her left cheek and left the place…. 😃

Aryan: Neeche lunch karke hi hum investigation ke liye nikal rahe hain… Finish of the second autposy and check on Zubin's work!

With same old cheeky grin he left the office leaving a bewildered Dipika behind wondering where her authoritative stance had gone… 🤔

But she smiled nevertheless thinking about how he had purposefully said that he would definitely break rules… Especially rule one…. Thinking about it and him fluttered her heart so much that she could feel its rhythm vibrate with her breathing…😳

He was becoming adorable day by day…. To be frank with herself, she had not expected him to be so outwardly expressive about his emotions towards her…. He had not seemed like that… A subtle start, a subtle look and gazes was what she had expected, was how she would have responded… But when the opposite had happened she was completely blown off her feet….🤪

Since the moment he had said they, she and Sri, were his responsibilities he had changed… Everything about him towards her had changed…. His looks, his talks, his touch… She shivered in pleasure…. Everything had changed… Just for the while they were discussing the case they could hold their professional selves… But alone… She had little doubt he would keep his hands off her…☺️

Truly speaking as a girl who has seen and known love for the first time in her life, from such a reliable, trustworthy, loveable man, she liked it… She liked him going so much bonkers about her… In fact in a loveable way pampered her… Charmed her… Had a subtle possessiveness about her… She just hoped and prayed that this be like this forever and the chemistry between them too….😳

Smiling she knew if he was going to be the same it would…. Because she was going to be the same…. And when both of them don't change everything is bound to be as trustworthy and same as now till their last breath…⭐️

Checking her notes again she walked to the autopsy room! 😊