A New Journey

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''Vivek!'' Tarika was surprised to see Vivek in Garden. She had come there for her morning jogging. She was done with her rounds when she noticed him.

''Hi Tarika.''

''What are you doing here?''

''Umm, jogging I guess.'' Vivek looked around mockingly and shrugged.

"Haha" she laughed, ''I know. But, this garden is little far from your house, isn't it?''

''Umm..'' Vivek ruffled his back side of head. ''Actually when you mentioned you come here for jogging I thought your roommate also comes with you.''

''Tasha!'' Tarika laughed hard, ''Yeah, in your dreams. She never wakes up before 7.''

''What did she do in academy?''

''Who knows?'' Tarika shrugged. ''Oh, her teammates were helping her. You know, team work. Often times the team used to get less points just because of her sleep. But she used to cover that up with her performances.''

''Yeah, I had heard about her in my academy.''

''really?''

''Yeah. I never knew I would meet her in Mumbai CID like this.''

''Destiny. Btw, I have heard someone likes my best friend. Is it true huh?'' Tarika winked.

''Tarika..''

''Oh God! Look at yourself. You are blushing.''

''Stop making fun okay. And help me out.'' Vivek demanded.

''Help?''

''Yep. Tell me what to do to impress your best friend.''

''Ah huh!,'' Tarika smirked, ''why would I help you?''

''Because I am your friend.'' Vivek was amazed with her question.

''But she's my best friend.''

''Exactly, that's why you should help me. Don't you want your best friend to get settled.''

''I do,'' Tarika sang. ''But, how would I know you are good enough for her?''

''Tarika? You are teasing me right? Don't you know me? Don't you like me as your best friend's date?''

''I have trust issues with boys.''

''You are insulting me now.''

''Good for you. You should get used to it. Tasha does it more than me.'' Tarika smirked again.

''Will you help or not?''

''Okay, okay."' Tariak showed her palm. ''Tell me, how can I help you?''

''Great! I want to take Tasha to dinner and then may be a long drive after that. Tell me where to take her and which types of songs she likes.''

''You are running very fast.'' Tarika commented.

''What!''

''I mean, take her to a date when you know the answers of these questions. Not before that.''

''You are not going to help me!'' Vivek was disappointed.

''I AM helping you chocolate boy. Don't rush. Take it slow. Tasha is still not ready for a date. If you ask her now she will probably think a little low of you. I mean not in that severe form. But,, she's the girl who prefers friendship first and then love. You know, slowly.''

''Really?'' Vivek was a bit scared. ''But, I am so much in love with her already. How can I not rush things.''

''Your problem,'' Tarika shrugged.

''You are not framing me right?''

''The second advise is be nicer with me more than you are with her. Got it?''

''Yeah yeah I know how this BFF thing works.''

''Vivek, chill yaar.''

''You are no help,'' Vivek walked away.

''Arey Vivek..'' Tarika called him, ''Huh! Bhalai ka toh zamanai nahi raha… stupid.'' Tarika smiled at his act and then jogged towards her house.

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Tasha was in hurry. She was eating bread with speed and also talking with Tarika over phone.

''That's not fair Tarika. How could you leave without me?''

''I am in lab for last one hour. I told you I am busy with a research.''

''Yeah.. busy busy woman. But, you could have waken me up before leaving.''

''Look, who's speaking! I didn't?''

''I mean… ah, leave it. I am getting late. Bye. See you in Bureau.''

''Bye.''

Tasha hurriedly drank a glass of juice and left the house.

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The day was busy. The officers got free around 8.00 pm. Tasha was sitting on her desk and thinking about her last night conversation with Tarika. She was worried if she had hurt Tarika. She looked at Abhijeet working on his PC. He was so engorged in his work that didn't even noticed the chorus around him. Or, he simply avoided? Tasha had been with this man from last three months. First as a trainee and then as a junior under him. She had noticed him, had taken interest in him particularly. Because, somewhere she knew from the very beginning her best friend had an interest in him. Frankly, she really liked Abhijeet sir. As an officer, as a senior, as a human being. But when she imagined Tarika with him she got butterflies in her stomach. She felt like falling from a height. She felt an unknown fear. It's an instinct. She didn't like this feeling. But also, she believed she's interfering in Tarika's life more than needed. Tarika had the right to decide if she really wanted to be with Abhijeet. She should at least get a chance to know him. But what if she broke apart? No. She wouldn't. "And if she did I will be there to help her."

Again, she looked at Abhijeet. He was now talking with ACP sir in his cabin. Tasha sighed. This workaholic man was going to ruin her best friend's romantic dreams. How could she let that happen?

''Oh God! Why is this so difficult?'' Tasha talked to herself and hit her head with her desk. She expected to bang her head with the hard table but she felt something soft.

''What are you doing? You gonna hurt yourself.'' Vivek said, concerned.

Tasha sat up straight and looked at him.

''Oh Vivek, don't do these cheap things with me.'' Tasha mocked, ''baby, are you hurt.. baby, you okay.''

''These are concerns.''

''Don't tell me you are really gonna try these with me.''

''I won't if these bother you so much.'' Vivek shrugged.

''Anyways, you have something to speak?''

''Not exactly. ACP sir said we can go home. Come, I will drop you in my bike.''

''Oh, Thanks vivek. But I will wait for Tarika.''

''C'mon Tasha. You can go home and clean the house .. and then make some dinner for Tarika. She's exhausting herself a lot. You waiting here for her doesn't gonna help her, will it?''

''Yeah I know but still, I want to.''

''Okay. I won't force you. But let's have some panipuri. I am craving for it. There's a stall in front of Bureau. Let's go there."

''Okay.. As I have cancelled the dinner I will accept this proposal.'' Tasha smirked and walked ahead.

''Hey hello. Excuse me. Panipur is not a replacement for dinner okay.. Tasha.. Tasha..'' He ran behind her.

..

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''Umm.. Awesome. Nothing can beats Mumbai's panipuri. Love it.'' Vivek shoved another one in his mouth.

Tasha gulped her ones' and spoke, ''You are right.''

''Btw Tasha, I met Tarika at Garden this morning. Did she tell you?''

''No. She came bureau an hour before me.''

''Oh..''

''Why?''

Vivek stayed silent. He had said Tarika he loved Tasha. That was rush. Later, he realized he shouldn't have been that bold. What if Tasha misunderstood him?

''Vivek!''

''Huh!''

''Where were you zoned off?''

''Nowhere. What were you saying?''

''I asked, what did you guys talked about?''

Vivek thought for a while and then decided to tell her the truth as he concluded Tarika would tell her anyways. But he kept the love part untold.

''Nothing serious. I was just asking how to impress you.'' Vivek smiled.

''Really? What did she say?''

''Something like take it slow… friendship fisrt..''

''Really? Lucky you..''

''What!''

''In school, one boy asked her what flavour ice cream I prefer most. She told him strawberry. I painted his face with that strawberry cone. I hate strawberry flavour.'' Tasha laughed and ordered one more panipuri.

Vivek thanked his stars. Really he was lucky that Tariak didn't suggested him any restaurants or songs. He imagined himself playing 'çhanna mereya mereya' and Tasha kicking him outside the car because she hated Ranbir Kapoor.

''Earth on Vivek. What's wrong with you today?''

''Sorry, sorry.''

''What were you saying?''

''Me? Umm.. yeah, do you like Ranbir Kapoor?''

''What?'' Tasha was confused.

''No.. I mean.. yeah, tell me do you like him?''

''Yeah,'' Tasha sang, ''but why suddenly?''

''General knowledge.''

''Vivek!'' Tasha rolled her eyes.

''How much?'' Vivek asked the stall keeper.

''Umm.. I am paying mine,'' Tasha interrupted.

''Of course madam.'' Vivek teased her.

''No problem tiger, pay mine,'' Daya slapped his shoulder playfully joining beside him.

''Daya sir?'' Vivek was surprised, ''of course sir.''

''Daya,'' Abhijeet joined them, ''I thought we are going to Raju's dhaba for dinner.''

''Tch..'' Daya eyed the Panipuris dramatically, ''Vivek, the treat on you. Next time.''

''haha.. okay sir.''

''Umm, why don't you two join us?'' Abhijeet proposed.

''Ah.. sir..'' Tasha stammered.

''Yeah why not sir.'' Vivek looked at Tasha hopefully.

''Oh c'mon Tasha. It's only 8.15. It will hardly take two and a half hour.'' Daya explained.

''Actually sir, I was waiting for Tarika. We have plans. You all enjoy yourselves.''

Tasha looked at Abhijeet hoping him to suggest to take Tarika with them. Again, this time. She felt stupid for hoping so at the same time. But he was busy with his phone. Although Tasha could swear she noticed him becoming alert on Tarika's name.

''Tarika! C'mon. I think this girl will kill herself in that lab. She's exhausting herself.'' Daya said dramatically.

''That's what I was saying to Tasha,'' Vivek commented.

''Working with that old doctor is tiresome only and the workload .. the cherry on the top,'' Abhijeet said. ''And btw, since when you have started to call her Tarika and not Dr Tarika?'' Abhijeet asked suspiciously.

''Why? Getting jealous?'' Daya smirked.

''Umm.. no. Of course not. I was just curious.'' Abhijeet became uncomfortable.

''You know how friendly I am.'' Daya felt proud on himself.

Abhijeet shook his head disapprovingly.

Tasha smiled listening them. So, was there any possibility of Abhijeet liking Tarika? Would it work out? Tasha again felt her head jammed with her questions. Just when she was fighting for Tarika inside her head she noticed her coming out of the Bureau building. Vivek waved at her. Tarika joined them. Tasha noticed Daya smirking at Abhijeet. But Abhijeet simply glared at him. Daya gave an evil smile.

''Hi Vivek. Hello Daya. Hello Abhijeet sir.'' Tarika greeted everyone.

Tasha again looked at Abhijeet. He indeed looked a little offended. Tasha laughed a little louder, unintentionally. Tarika looked at her, irritated. Tasha had that bad habit of laughing at wrong time.

''Sorry,'' Tasha covered her mouth.

''You are crazy, you know.'' Daya laughed.

''Good diagnosis. I always keep telling her. But, she won't believe me.'' Tarika joked.

''Shut up.'' Tasha glared at her childhood friend.

''Tarika, we are going to Dhaba for dinner. Join us.'' Vivek said, excited.

Tarika looked at Tasha and her face fell.

''Guys, I told you we have plans. We are not coming. '' Tasha said.

Tarika couldn't remember any plans with her. So, Tasha wanted to escape the gathering? But why?

''C'mon Tasha,'' Tarika said, ''Go with them. Whatever plans we have made cancel them. I need to rush to the library. I need some urgent information. I can't get them on internet.''

''I will come with you.''

''You are not allowed. You are not a member.''

''But Tarika… I..'' Tasha felt like Tarika was avoiding her. Instantly she got emotional. The last time she felt like that was 10 years back when they had a real fight.

''Sir, take her with you. Tasha please go.''

''Tarika..''

''Sir. You all sit inside the car. I will borrow Tasha for a moment.'' Tarika dragged Tasha with her at a corner.

''Take your time.'' Daya shouted behind them and asked the other two to get inside.

''What are you doing Tasha?''

''That's what I wanted to ask.''

''What do you mean?''

''Are you avoiding me Dr Tarika?''

''Inspector Tasha, why would I avoid you?''

''Because I have hurt you last night'"

''C'mon Tasha. Don't be a kid. I am not hurt.''

''Then why are you not coming with us?''

''I really need to go to library and also I don't want to be around Abhijeet sir. I am on initial stage. I want to step back.''

''Just because I said..''

''Tasha! Its not 'just because' for me okay. I will break off my engagement if you ask me to without any further question… it's a very small thing for me.''

''Tarika..''

''I know you will do the same. And don't get emotional. Run. They are waiting for you.''

Tasha hugged Tarika and ran to get inside the car. Tarika waved at her and smiled. Tasha sat beside Vivek on back seat. Daya played the music and started the car. Vivek and Daya talked and talked. Tasha's mind was occupied with numerous question. She jerked them off and joined Daya and Vivek in their conversation. Abhijeet, however seemed upset and didn't talked too much in whole journey. Tasha remembered, Tarika didn't even looked at him twice.

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KK:Hush! Late but big update right? Hope you liked the chapter.