Set after CID episode Maut ka chakravyuh, no. 1239
Sachin and Jaywanti took the criminals. While ACP, Shreya and Purvi stood there, witnessing the explosion. Her blood dried and she felt the earth slip beneath her feet. She wanted to cry so badly but no tears came. Her legs felt weak and she fell on her knees. She could hear Purvi's concern voice.
Purvi (holding her arm and sitting beside her): Shreya! Please sambhalo khud ko.
No voice came out of her throat. It was as if a lump was stuck in her throat but she could not do any thing. She felt so weak and had a hard time. Daya ran with the bomb in his hand, which she could have defused but it was too complicated. She hated herself to let him go and that too alone. Her breath stuck in her windpipe. She could feel her hot tears flowing through her cheeks and then she felt even weaker. Finally, she felt like saying something and she gulped the lump down.
Shreya (teary): Purvi, kaise sambhaloon khud ko?
Voice: Haan, phir mera kya kaam rahega?
All turned to the source of voice, expect Shreya (she did not need to turn to tell who was there). It was Daya with a happy grin all over his face. ACP and Purvi let out a breath, which they do not know how long they held. Purvi stood up smiling. Shreya just closed her eyes and let her ters flow freely. Daya came near them.
ACP (breathed): Daya.
Daya smiled and they shared a father-son hug. ACP held him so tight as if he could run away from him if he freed him. Daya too hugged him tight and felt his fear to lose him in it. Shreya was still in that position and Purvi was rubbing Shreya's arm to cool her down. Shreya took a deep breath and stood up. She glared Daya as he separated from the hug.
Shreya (without looking at Daya): Sir, main jaa sakti hoon? Voh Aditya ke school se aane ka time ho gya hai.
ACP smiled, as he understood she is angry. He just nodded once and she left. Purvi also smiled as she saw her going. She then turned to Daya.
Purvi (smiled naughtily): Madam ka khoon khaul rha hai sir… bach ke rahiyega.
APC and Purvi chuckled while Daya sighed tiredly. ACP patted his back.
ACP (warning tone): Kal subah 10 bajne se pehle meri chhoti bahu ko mana lena warna…
ACP did not complete his sentence and left. Purvi smiled at Daya's helpless face. She tried hard but her laughter was uncontrollable.
Purvi (smiled naughtily): Warna, mere jeeju maar khayenge!
She went from there laughing. Daya was well aware of the fact that Shreya is not that easy to convince and he is a poor player when it came in convincing her beautiful wife. It is always Aditya, Abhijeet's 7-year-old young man, who can do the miracle. He was her favorite and he loved her dearly too. They were very close to each other as oof they could read each other's heart.
Daya looked towards the sky and made a pleading face. He joined his hands towards the sky and chanted a prayer, before leaving from there. Tarika caught him and made her handsome brother-in-law lie on the stretcher. Salukhe checked him and declared he needed a leave for three days. Abhijeet, Daya and Tarika came home. Daya laid on his bed and Abhijeet on his, after they bathed. Both the brothers were making hillarious faces when it came to bedrest. Tarika knew it is only Shreya, who can make them rest. Shreya's terror was enough to shut the mouths of the two.
After quarter of hour, Shreya also came home with a handsome young boy. Aditya ran to Daya's room. He loved his uncle and aunty more than he loved his own parents. Shreya went to Tarika, who told about the rest to Shreya. She told her that ACP has also given them leave for about 3 days to take care of their respective husbands and brother in law. Shreya was too much angry on Daya.
She went in her room and went near the closet. She did not even glance at Daya as if he does not exist in the room. He made a sad pout and stared her. He noticed her every movement even when Adi was playing with him. Shreya felt his intense stare but said nothing nor reacted. Soon, Tarika called Adi and he went. Now, Shreya and Daya were alone in the room.
Shreya took her clothes and went for a bath. He sighed and thought to wait until she came back. She came after a few minutes while rubbing her hairs with a towel. She was in her light blue cotton robe. The scene always made his heart flutter, even after half a year of marriage.
He could not help but move near her as she stood before the mirror rubbing her hairs. He hugged her softly from behind while she gasped. She was not expecting this at all. Daya smiled observing this.
Daya (naughtily): Aaj 6 mahine baad bhi tum dar jaati ho.
Shreya said nothing. She just freed herself from the grip before resuming her work. He could easily sense how much hurt she is. He felt the remorse of all of it. He stared at her as long as she was in front of the mirror. He sighed and made her face himself by her arm. She looked in his eyes while he looked in hers.
Daya (softly): Shreya, I am very sorry, mujhe aisa nhi karna tha… but just tell me, what could have you done? Jab tum mere bagal mein thi aur hum sab sheher ke beechon-beech the… par jab main us bomb ko lekar bhaga toh I was just alone… agar koi marta bhi toh it would have been only one person.
Shreya (sadly): You are not just a person for me… (She looked in his eyes): You are my life and how could you be so irresponsible with your own health… (Sighed): Ab jaiye aur aaram kijiye.
Daya smiled mischievously and pulled her closer to him. There was no space in between them. She felt a little nervous but still kept the eye contact.
Daya (naughtily): Pehle mujhe mere bahaduri ka inaam do.
Shreya (smiled widely): Aapko inaam chahiye.
Daya smiled and nodded as he thought that she had forgiven him. Shreya peeped out of the room and called Adi. Daya was confused while Adi came to his beloved 'chachi'. Shreya ruffled his hairs and bent to his level.
Shreya (smiled): Adi beta, aaj aapke chachu aapko story sunaayenge, ok?
Little Adi jumped in excitement clapping his hands. Poor Daya did not expect this and his face hung in shock. He had never thought his own wife would play him. Shreya stood straight and flashed a fake smile to Daya as if saying 'yeh rha aapka inaam'. She took her clothes and went to change. He saw her going when Adi pulled his shirt from the end to make him face him.
Adi (innocently): Chachu, story sunao na.
Daya (made a face): Aa mere bhai, teri bhi muraad puri kar dete hai.
Saying this, he took little Adi and sat on the bed. He was thinking about a story, when Shreya came out of the dressing room. He smiled as he got an idea.
Daya (looking at Shreya): Adi, bahut saal pehle ki baat hai, ek raja rehta tha, jo ek dum aapke chahu jaisa dikhta tha… voh na ek rajkumaari se bahut pyaar karta tha… Voh Rajkumuri aapki chachi jaisi thi, sundar si.
Shreya pretended as if she was not listening. She was looking at them from the corner of her eyes.
Daya (continued): Kucch saal baad un dono ki shaadi ho gyi… dono bahut hi pyaar se rehte the aur apni zindagi mein bahut khush the… ek din ek ladai mein us raja ko bahut zyaada chote aa gyi…
Adi (interrupted innocently): Aapke jaise.
Daya smiled and ruffled his hairs.
Daya (chuckled): Haan, ek dum mere jaise… toh voh raani raja se naraz ho gyi ki aapko khud ka khayal rakhna chahiye tha…
Adi smiled proudly as if he felt he was smarter than the Queen.
Adi (proudly): Lekin Raja ko toh praja ki raksha karni hoti hai na, chhe usmein unki khud ki jaan chali jaye.
Shreya paused her work and her hand remained in the air as she was about to pick something up. Adi's statement still echoed in her ears. It was so obvious. Yes, a king has to protect his people even if he dies in that. She should have realised it. Now, she feels stupid. Daya looked at her and small smile curved his lips. He turned to Adi and smiled even wider.
Daya (smiled): Exactly (sighed tiredly): Lekin Rani Sahiba samajhti kaha hai.
Soon, Adi went from there. It was again Shreya and Daya. Daya smiled naughtily and then acted to sigh.
Daya (smiled): Yeh Adi kitna smart hai na…
Shreya turned to him with a smile.
Shreya (chuckled): Nautanki.
