A New Journey
…
Tarika had never been good at avoiding anything, specially a person who's trying to linger around her every now and then, trying to strike a conversation with every possible opportunity. At first, she thought it's her imagination but the incidents like those started to occur so frequently that even their colleagues had started to notice. And top of everything she couldn't forget he's her senior. She couldn't avoid her senior, could she?
Nevertheless when she noticed him in corridor coming from opposite direction her first instinct was to turn back on her heels and ran away. But she knew better not to do that. She rather tried to show herself busy in her file as she tried to walk passed him. But, all in vain.
''Dr Tarika,'' he stopped her.
''Oh hi Abhijeet sir,'' she stopped and faced him. ''Sorry, I didn't see you.''
''You didn't?'' He asked sarcastically, raising his eyebrows.
''No sir.'' She was embarrassed.
''Al right. Busy?''
''Sorry sir?''
''I asked, are you busy?''
''Umm, Yeah, a little. Why sir?''
Abhijeet closed his eyes in irritation and tried to make himself calm. Why did the good doctor call him sir, literally after every sentence? He hated it.
''Have a cup of coffee with me.''
''Yes sir?'' Tarika was confused.
''You heard me Dr Tarika.''
''But sir, I need to submit this file to ACP sir.''
''Give it to me.'' Abhijeet snatched away the file from her hand. ''Come. I am waiting for you.'' He left for the cafeteria. Tarika followed him reluctantly.
Vivek and Tasha were working on a file together on Tasha's desk.
''Tasha…''
''Hmm..''
''What's the matter? You look down these days. Any problem?''
''Nothing Vivek.'' Tasha replied not looking up from the file.
''Tasha, you can tell me.''
''Vivek, everything's fine.'' Tasha looked at him.
Just then Daya joined them.
''What's up champs?''
''Sir, we are sorting out the call records of Manish.'' Tasha replied.
''Good. Where's Abhijeet? Have you seen him?''
''Umm, sir I think I saw him going towards cafeteria.'' Vivek informed Daya.
''Oh! Okay.. I will go give him company. You carry on.''
''I think he's having a good company already.'' Vivek smiled.
''Huh?''
''I saw Tarika with him.''
''Really?'' Daya smirked. ''That's something new. I will go check the cctv footages with Freddy then.'' Daya left, smiling.
Vivek smiled back at him.
''Why are you giving this cheesy smiles of yours?'' Tasha was furious.
''What?'' Vivek was confused with her sudden outburst.
''And what's so good in having Abhijeet sir as a company?''
''Tasha! You react weird on Abhijeet sir's name you know?''
''I have nothing against Abhijeet sir but why are you putting my best friend's name with him?''
''Your best friend… you.. what are you talking about Tasha? I was just saying it casually. Seriously yaar, what's this with your foul mood?''
''Nothing,'' Tasha looked away. ''Just don't drag Tarika's name with Abhijeet sir okay?''
''Tasha, no one's dragging Tarika's name with Abhijeet sir here. You relax.''
Tasha took a deep breath.
''Good. Now tell me what happened?'''
''Vivek… I am sorry. I over reacted.''
''It's okay. But now tell me the matter.''
''Its nothing.''
''It sure doesn't seem like nothing.''
''I think Tarika likes Abhhijeet sir.''
''Okay…'' Vivek indicated her to proceed further.
''But I want her to stay away from him."
''Umm, why? Do you like Abhijeet sir?''
''What? Please, no.''
''Then?''
''Vivek, it's all too much complicated you know.''
''Have your time and explain.''
''Abhijeet sir is good. No doubt. He's honest, he's modest and everything. But, you know he doesn't go match with Tarika. Tarika needs someone sweet, caring, romantic. He, on the other hand is very tough and strict. And not only that, he doesn't seem like a family person to me. Like, not even someone whom Tarika should date. I just get a gut feeling of something wrong whenever I see them together. Vivek,'' Tasha paused, ''Í feel like he gonna end up hurting my best friend.''
''It may sound rude but don't you feel like you are interfering in Tarika's life a little too much?'' Vivek asked.
''I do,'' Tasha sighed. ''I know I am her best friend and all but at the same time I am also feeling like I am being nosy in this whole matter. I should let Tarika step in but then again I am so much worried about her being hurt. I don't know Vivek what to do.''
''Have you talked about it with Tarika?''
''Yeah, I have shared my concerns with her.''
''What did she say?''
''She said okay and now she's avoiding him.''
''Happily or forcefully?''
''Don't know. She's so busy last week that we hardly got time for each other.''
''Tasha, I think you should let her decide.''
''But what if..''
''Tasha,''
''No Vivek you don't understand..''
''I do Tasha … Trust me. Instead of being so reserve about her choice be liberal and let her feel the way she wants to. And if she ends up hurting herself be her reliever. Stay with her but don't be a manipulative jerk.''
''I know. I feel the same but Vivek, the mere thought of seeing her hurt scares me.''
''She's already hurting herself if she likes Abhijeet sir. Tasha, Tarika had never been in a relationship before. She never felt the way she feel about Abhijeet sir, right?''
''Yeah, '' Tasha said reluctantly.
''You should root for her feelings till the end.''
''I am trying.''
''No you are not. Tasha, so what the relationship doesn't work… she will at least know what's wrong and what's right. And Abhijeet sir is not that bad..''
''I know he's not bad. In Fact, Iknow he's very caring. But Vivek, love is not his cup of tea and he has said it himself.''
''People do change Tasha..''
''Vivek..'' Daya called him.
''I am coming. You just don't over think okay,'' Vivek said to Tasha and went to Daya's cabin.
Tasha sighed. She really need to think about it more carefully.
Here, at the canteen-
''Your cappuccino ma'm and your Black coffee.'' The waiter placed the order on table and left.
''Start..'' Abhijeet told Tarika.
Tarika in hurry took a long sip and almost burnt her tongue.
''Be careful. Why are you in hurry? We have enough time to finish the mug.''
Tarika gave an embarrassing smile and took another sip, this time small one.
''How's your research?'' Abhijeet asked.
''Good. I got to learn a lot of things. Salunke sir is amazing. I am looking forward for some more projects like this.''
''Yeah, he's a genius.'' Abhijeet rolled his eyes, ''but, don't tell him I have said this oaky?''
''Haha,'' Tarika laughed. ''Okay.''
''Tarika..'''Abhijeet said after a pause.
'''Hmm..''
''You have missed out all the outing with the team.''
''Sorry sir?''
''I mean, dinners.''
''Oh.. Yeah. My bad luck.''
''Wanna come with us next time?''
''Umm… I mean, Won't I feel bored with you all? You guys always talked about cases and…''
''Tarika… you know I have a feeling like you are trying to avoid the team, especially me. Why's this?" Abhijeet asked out of blue.
''No.. no sir. Nothing like that.''
''I have a very good sixth sense Dr Tarika. And speaking of Dr Tarika, why is this Daya call you Tarika and not me?'' Abhijeet asked a little stubbornly.
''Sir.. I don't know what are you talking about. If you want to call me Tariak you can. I am your junior.''
''You call Daya by his name.''
''Because he asked me.''
''Okay fine. Call me Abhijeet then.''
Tarika chuckled. Abhijeet realized his mistake. He just couldn't ask his junior to call him with his name, could he?
''I mean..'' Abhijeet tried to cover up, ''We are friends right? So, call me Abhijeet.''
Tarika felt all awe towards the person sitting in front of her. Wasn't he cute? And what was it with him? Was he jealous of his own best friend?
''Okay..'''Tarika nodded.
''It's not an order.. I mean..''
''I have got it sir.. I mean, Abhijeet.'' Tarika smiled.
''You coffee is getting cold. Drink.''
Tarika sipped her coffee silently. Abhijeet got a call.
''I need to go. See you later.''
Tarika nodded, smiling. Abhijeet left.
Tarika smiled to herself and finished her coffee.
At evening Tasha was waiting for Tarika outside the Bureau when she watched Tarika leaving the complex with Abhijeet. Tarika was smiling and Abhijeet too was reciprocating her. Tasha felt an adrenalin gush all over her body yet again. But she controlled. She remembered Vivek's words – people do change. She really couldn't deny that Abhijeet is different around Tarika. Abhirika moved near Tasha.
''Good night,'' Abhijeet said to Tarika and then turned to Tasha, ''Good night Tasha.''
''Good night sir.''
''Good night Abhijeet.'' Tarika smiled at him.
Tasha looked at her best friend with a jerk.
Abhijeet smiled at the ladies and left.
''Shall we go?'' Tarika asked Tasha. Tasha decided not to drag the topic there and nodded at her. They left for their house.
KK: Eeeee... late late.. i know. but i hope you have enjoyed the chapter.