A New Journey
...Tarika opened her eyes as the sun rays fell on her face through the window of her room. She checked her table watch and found out she's awake 10 minutes before her set alarm. She turned off the alarm from her position and yawned. She's sleepy.
"Should I go for a walk?" She asked herself, mumbling.
Just then her mobile phone vibrated with an unknown number. She's taken aback with an unknown number calling her this early. Nevertheless, she picked up.
"Hello." She said, confused.
"Hey," came a familiar voice from the phone.
"Omg! Ta-"
"Hey, shss..."
"Okay, okay... How.. How have you been?"
"I'm fine."
"What happened? Why are you sounding so down?" Tarika sat up on bed, panicked.
"Nothing. Just tired."
"Don't lie to me. You sound like you have been crying."
"Oh, c'mon. There's nothing like that. How are you?"
"Fine."
"Have you talked to mom recently?" Tasha sounded very dull. "How's she?"
"She's fine. Ta.. I mean, is everything alright? Are you hurt? Are you trapped?"
"No." Tasha said, desperately.
"Should I call Abhijeet?"
"Please, No."
"Is Vivek alright?"
"Yeah... I was just missing you."
"It can't be true. You won't be risking your mission just because you are missing me!"
"If anything happens to me, I just wanna be sure that you are doing okay."
"Shut up! Nothing's gonna happen to you. And I am doing perfectly fine."
"Good. Gotta go. Take care."
"But-"
But the call was cut. Tarika sat there silently for a while, looking at her phone screen, blanked. Tasha was sounding very weird. She's never an emotional person. She's nothing like Tarika. She couldn't even remember clearly when was the last time Tasha cried. But today she talked to her, she's sure she had been crying. And she's even more sure it wasn't because she was missing her family or her. But again, things and time could make a person weak. She just hoped Tasha was doing fine. She wondered if she should talk about it with Abhijeet?
Tarika sighed. Abhijeet must knew every details of the mission. She had heard ACP sir talking about how extra cautious Abhijeet was about the whole mission. Still, she made a mental note to inform Abhijeet about the call if they met today. She jerked of the weird 6th sense feeling that something gonna happen today and went to the washroom to get fresh.
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A very anxious and raged Abhijeet was making his way through the corridor of CID Bureau towards the forensic lab followed by a tensed Daya who was trying to cool down Abhijeet. Daya had been knowing Abhijeet since their joining day in CID. With times they had become best pals and Daya knew Abhijeet better than anyone else on this planet. He was known to his every secrets, every emotions and every actions. He could anticipate his every moves before anyone else. So when Abhijeet left Bureau abruptly after getting confirmed about the news Daya followed him. He had to save the person from the second in command of Mumbai CID's rage. The only thing over which Abhijeet lost control was his anger. Daya knew it better than anyone else.
"Hey Abhijeet! Good evening." Dr Salunke greeted but Abhijeet totally ignored and walked passed him.
"What happened?" Salunke gave Daya a confused look. Daya gave him an assuring nod and followed Abhijeet.
Tarika was working on a chemical when he saw Abhijeet walking inside the lab. Before she could remind herself to keep her look neutral the colour of her face started to fade away as he made his way towards him with a stiff expression over his face. Tarika couldn't remember doing anything which might get her this look from him. She placed the test tube on stand before it could slip away from her hand and gulped, trying to be inexpressive.
"You talked to Tasha?" Abhijeet asked with a stiff voice. His words came out calmer than his expression. Yet, the rage was evident in his voice.
"I..."
"YOU TALKED TO TASHA Dr Tarika?" Abhijeet asked, loudly.
Tarika took a step back automatically.
"Abhijeet, calm down. She doesn't know..." Daya tried to calm down his buddy.
"I need to know Daya." He said to Daya and then again looked at Tarika. "I need to hear it from her."
"Tarika, did you two talked?" Daya asked calmly.
Tarika, never in his life got tongue tied. But now she knew how it felt. She knew what she had to say but she couldn't.
"Answer me. I don't have all day!" Abhijeet asked again.
"Abhijeet, you can't shout at my assistant like this." Dr Salunke interrupted.
"Does it look like I care?" Abhijeet snapped at old doctor.
"You-" Salunke wanted to burst out but Daya came in between.
"Salunke sahab please. And Tarika, just tell us, did you two talk?" Daya asked politely.
Gathering her all courage Tarika nodded. If that was other time Tarika would have given the senior inspectors some pieces of her mind about why they even care. She could talk to her best friend and she didn't need their permission. But, given the situation and the rage in his voice, the urgency of their action she couldn't help but felt her eyes getting moist.
Abhijeet turned around, frustrated, keeping his one hand on his forehead. His action made Tarika startled one more time and she took another step back.
"We will fix it Abhijeet." Daya consoled Abhijeet.
"Is she.. is she alright?" Tarika asked in tears.
Abhijeet turned around to face her.
"You should have thought about it before talking to her." Abhijeet snapped at her.
"Abhi!!! Why are you being so harsh on her? She doesn't have any idea. Tasha shouldn't have called her at the first place."
Abhijeet sighed, trying to make himself calm. Of course Tarika wasn't at fault there but she could have just hanged up! Asked her not to call. In mission, when things happened making the solders weak they did stupid things. He didn't expect Tasha to be this stupid and neither her best friend.
"Come to the Bureau and give us the details of the call." Abhijeet said calmly and left the lab.
Daya accompanied Tarika with him. It was hard to control her for Daya.
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Tarika had been pacing to and fro at the waiting room of Bureau for more than one hour. After taking all the details from her about the call they had asked her to go to the lab. Their work was confidential. Nothing like she wanted to know what they were doing. All she cared about was, if Tasha and Vivek were okay. Being not a cop herself she might not know the risks but how could Tasha do such a stupid thing. She's angry on her. But more than that she's worried. Tasha sure did know the risks but still she called. She wasn't sounding normal also. Did she wanted to talk to her for the last time? Why was she asking about Aunty and if she's doing fine? Was she really trapped. Tarika prayed to God wishing her all assumption turning out wrong.
The door opened and Abhijeet walked in. He was surprised to see Tarika there.
"You are still here?" Abhijeet asked, amused.
"Are they okay? Did you fix it? They are safe right?" Tarika asked in one breath.
Abhijeet studied her. The room was almost dark with the only dim light on. Still he could see her teary eyes and the anxiety covering her face. She looked like she would pass out in any moment. The pink shirt of her had got tear stains on it. She was standing approximately 3 feet away from him, broken and in unbearable pain and guilt. Abhijeet felt pained too, for making her guilt. At that moment his all anger on Tasha came out on her. He wanted to apology but again, he felt its not even necessary. He felt that she knew. That his apology wasn't needed. Perhaps, a hug could work. For both of them.
He shook his head, feeling stupid over his thought.
"Abhijeet!" Tarika called out his name not getting any answer.
"They will be fine."
"Will be?" Tarika whispered.
"Yeah. Hopefully. I can't give you details."
"I want to know." Tarika insisted, loudly
"Tarika," he sighed. "Fine. The thing is, we still doesn't know if the gang knew about Tasha's call. It's our spy who informed us about that. Tasha is very smart so she might have taken care of all but its still very stupid of her. If our spy has got to know their spies could also get the information. It will take time to be confirmed as the gang could keep it a secret. And if they get to trace the call they would get you. Its hard to find the spy there but if they get to you it would become easy for them. But, we would see." Abhijeet explained.
Tarika felt her head getting heavy. Her world started to spin. She took some steps back and sat down on floor resting her back against the wall. Moments later she rested her head on her knees and hugged her legs. Abhijeet could hear her sobbing. He felt like a jerk. He could have just tell her that everything was fixed. Why did he need to tell her everything? Just why? Seeing her like that was breaking him inside.
He wanted to console her but he didn't know how. He had never done this in his life, specially to a girl. Coming up with the best possible idea he could, he sat down beside her mimicking her position, letting her feel he's there with her. Resting his elbows on his knees he kept looking in front, listening her sobbing. He heart was aching to hear her sob but somewhere he felt good that he was keeping her in his company. He didn't know what to offer her in words so he chose to just sit there like that.
After a few moments he looked at her to figure out if she knew his presence beside her and found her still burring her head in her knees. He couldn't take it anymore. He had to ask her to be strong. But...
It wasn't like he disliked doing that. In fact he loved it when he wrapped his one arm around her shoulders and gently pulled her towards him. Though the situation wasn't anything or even near to romantic he felt butterflies in his stomach as Tarika put her head on his shoulder and cried out.
He rubbed her shoulder gently as a way to console her. He could feel her hot breath on his neck and the hold of his fingers on his coat's collar. And he made a note on his mind - he's going to hate to see her sobbing but would forever love to give her his shoulder to sob.
Few minutes went by and Tarika finally composed herself. She slowly sat straight and fixed her hair. She wiped away the tears from her face.
"I'm sorry." She mumbled.
Abhijeet didn't respond to that and stood up. He was about to offer her his hand to make her stand but the door opened and Freddy and Daya walked in. Tarika stood up seeing them.
She gave Daya a questioning look.
"Everything's fine Tarika.' Daya assured her.
But Tarika was still worried.
"Abhijeet, you need to come with me.' Daya asked his buddy.
"Yeah." Abhijeet took few steps towrads Daya but then he stopped and turned to freddy.
"Freddy, drove Tarika to her home and stay there tonight."
Freddy nodded.
"But..." Tarika tried to protest.
"We can't take risk Tarika. Please don't argue." Daya explained to her.
Tarika looked at Abhijeet who nodded.
"Okay." Tarika replied.
"Let's go." Abhijeet and Daya left the room.
"Come Dr Tarika." Freddy said to Tarika. She followed him.
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"Open the door." Abhijeet instructed Freddy over phone.
"Yes sir." Freddy cut the call and opened the door of Tarika's house.
Abhijeet entered and looked around.
"She's gone to sleep half an hour ago after continuous requests." Freddy informed his senior.
Abhijeet nodded. It was late at night. He was worrying if she would sleep or not. Now that he knew she's sleeping he felt relaxed.
"You go home." Abhijeet ordered.
"It's okay sir. I can stay."
"I am staying. You can leave." Abhijeet stated.
"She might freak out seeing you here at morning." Freddy said, hesitatingly.
Abhijeet gave him a tough look.
"Do I look that awful?"
"No no sir. I meant, she will not expect you to be here."
"I will handle that." Abhijeet said turning aside.
"Okay sir. The room on right side is of Tarika's." Freddy informed.
"I know." He said in a flow.
"You have been here before?" Freddy was surprised.
"You should leave Freddy." Abhijeet said strongly.
"Okay sir. Bye. Take care."
Freddy left, confused. Abhijeet closed the door. He thought to check on her first but then decided he should get fresh. Not wanting to wake her up he used the bathroom of Tasha's room and freshed up. The day was long and he's tired. He needed sleep. He moved to the kitchen and opened the fridge to have something to drink. He drank orange juice and felt really light.
Being tired of rolling on couch he made his way towards her room. He knew he couldn't sleep without making it confirmed that she's okay. And although she might freak out he decided to have his nap in her room. To be more careful. He just hope she had a couch in her room too. Or even a chair. Anything could do. He had never been in her room before.
Closing the door behind him gently he entered inside. The room was dimly light and she was sleeping peacefully. He sighed. He noticed the AC was turned off. The fan was on and the window was opened. Cold wind outside was making the room comfortable. Indeed he found a small couch near the window. He settled there.
The moon light was falling on her face making its way through the open window. The wind was making her hair dancing on her face. He looked at her even more carefully. Her dull face was hard to avoid. The creases on her forehead hadn't diminished completely yet.
He took a half lying position in a way so that he could still see her face from there. He didn't fight his emotions anymore. He tried but he couldn't stop the feels. The only thing he needed to try now was- not to express his feels. Still, he couldn't help imagining his life with her. Even if not as a couple he found it hard to accept his life without her presence. He now loved this feelings. He's not afraid anymore. Because he was not going to get anything but the butterflies from her. He had made his mind. Also the pain he would receive seeing her in pain. That weird pain also which he would feel seeing her happy but he wouldn't be the reason of it.
He accepted. And he could go on like this.
KK: Quick Update! Now review quickly. The next would be even quicker with your fast and awesome reviews.