A/n : Thank you reviewers for your precious feedback. A lot of reviewers had requested for Abhi-Acp moments in next chapter but due to pre-decided plot I could include very less of them. Hope you will like it.
Acp sir tried to control his anger and looked at Abhijeet with concern, he caressed his head gently avoiding the bandaged wound, pat his cheeks and waited for him to wake up.
After few minutes, his eyelids fluttered, and he soon opened his eyes. He adjusted his vision and recognized Acp sir and Daya standing next to him. "Sir, Daya…", he said and tried to sit but Acp sir stopped him by gently placing his hand over his chest and said, "Leto raho".
Abhijeet followed his orders and gazed towards both. He could feel the emptiness between his two precious relations. Gaining some strength, he asked, "Kya hua? Ap dono aise chup kyu khade he? Firse kuch kiya kya maine?"
Acp sir replied naughtily to distract him from the actual problem, "Hum superman ke "main thik hu(imitating Abhijeet)" bolne ka intezar kar rahe the varna yekin kaise ayega ki tum waqai thik ho ya nahi".
Abhijeet smiled shyly. "Kya sir ap b… waise main yaha kaise"
Daya opened his mouth to answer his query but Acp sir shot him a glare and said, "Tumhara naya padosi tumhe ek drug de raha tha aur usne tumne Bala ko marne ko kaha tha. Isliye tum shamshan ghat pahuch gaye aur us par attack kar diya. Usi dauran tumhe chot lag gayi aur tum behosh hogaye".
Daya did not understand why his father lied to Abhijeet despite he is being so angry with him and it was his fault really.
Acp sir continued further, "Ab tum aram karo, main chalta hu.. shamko ghar aaunga.." and put his hand on his head and left away without looking at Daya.
Abhijeet felt weird in his mentor's behaviour towards Daya so he asked, "Inhe kya hua?".
Daya replied in convincing tone as, "Wo tum behosh hogaye na toh Sir tension me aagaye the aur fir doctor ne b thoda dara diya tha".
Abhijeet nodded as if he accepted it but he did not.
"Aur tuje kya hua? Kyu aise muh latkaya hua he? Mere hosh me ane ki Khushi nahi hui lagta he ya abhi tak kal wali baat par naraz he?" asked Abhijeet with an innocent frowning face.
"Kya boss tum b.. tumhe hospital bed par dekhkar kya mujhe Khushi ho sakti he kya? Isiliye me b pareshan tha bas aur kuch nahi.. ab tum thik ho na toh me b thik.." replied Daya covering his emotions from those hawking eyes.
"Thik he man liya.. ab discharge ka kya?"
"Ha.. main abhi doctor ko bulata hu. Wo ek bar check karle fir chalte he" and he left quickly to call the doctor.
"Ab toh pakka yekin hogaya kuch toh gadbad jarur he… pareshan the , doctor ne thoda dara diya fir b itne jaldi man gaya discharge k liye", murmured Abhijeet.
Within few minutes doctor arrived and performed some necessary tests. After being satisfied, he asked Daya to complete the discharge formalities and gave him a set of instructions as post discharge care and left.
"Boss, tum thodi der aram karo, main abhi formalities complete karke aya", said Daya, trying to avoid getting into a discussion with Abhijeet as he was feeling guilty for hurting him and causing him pain.
"Ruk, pehele yaha baith.. jab se utha hu, koi baat b nahi ki thik se…", requested Abhijieet.
"Abhi, ghar chalkar aram se baat karte he please, mujhe tumhe yaha dekhkar bahut bura lag raha he.." said Daya with a sad face.
Abhijeet nodded yes thinking it would give him an opportunity where Daya would not be able to avoid or escape from him.
Duo reached home after few hours. Daya helped Abhijeet to settle down in his room, making necessary arrangements for his support. He provided him with tablets and a glass of juice that was silently accepted by Abhijeet.
"Abhi, ab tum aram karo main jaldi se khana banakar aata hu".
Abhijeet replied instantly as "Nahi Daya, maine ab tak teri har baat chup chap suni, ab tuje meri sunni hogi", in strict tone and a plain face.
"Lekin khanaaaa.." interrupted Daya and was got cut by Abhijeet as, "ban jayega.. koi jaldi nahi he.. maine juice pi liya he.. yaha aakar baith.."
Finding no other excuse and the seriousness of his brother's tone, Daya did as he was told. He went and sat on the bed next to Abhijeet in half lying position on his left side as indicated by him.
Abhijeet put his free left hand around his back and took him a side hug. After long hours of stress and worry, this hug provided Daya the comfort that he had been missing, he kept his head on his brother's shoulder, closed his eyes, and hugged him sideways. Abhijeet could identify each emotion associated with his every action. After all they have spent 22 years together. He could feel his trembling fingers gripping his waist, heat radiating from those strong palms and sweat trickling down from his forehead. It felt like one was fire burning with emotions and other was ice trying to cool the burning sensations. After giving ample amount of time, Abhijeet spoke, "Daya…." full of gentleness and love.
Daya just replied hmmm enjoying the hug.
"Kya hua he, kyu itna pareshan he?" asked Abhijeet with love and care.
"Kuch nahi Abhi.. bahut jyada miss kiya maine…"
"Sachi bol… idhar dekh…" said Abhijeet, slightly shrugging his shoulder to indicate Daya to look at him.
Daya did not respond and continued enjoying his hug.
At last, not able to bear the silence anymore, Abhijeet took out his hand from his waist and gently pushed Daya in front of him holding him from his shoulder saying, "Ab bol" looking into his eyes.
The actions were so quick that Daya could not take off his eyes from his eye lock. He gave up his struggle to hide the matter and spoke, "Wo .. Wo…. Wo abhi… ye jo chotein tumhe aayi he ye sab mere wajah se hui he… maine ye jaan bujkar nahi kiya… main … main tumhe… tumhe sirf rok raha tha bala par attack karne se… mujhe … mujhe pata nahi chala ki kab maine tumhe itne jor se dhakaa diya ki tum us pol.. us pol se thakra gaye.. aur fir … fir doctor ne kaha ki tumhe temporary memory loss b ho sakta he…" looking down and small tears rolling down his cheeks.
Abhijeet's heart melted to see his half soul so stressed out for this small reason. He put on his elderly cap, wiped his brother's tear's and said, "Kya yar Daya, bas itni si baat ke liye itna pareshan ho raha tha tu?"
Daya looked up at him in astonishment on how can it be so small matter for him. He went through unnecessary pain because of him, he had to visit his most hated place(hospital) because of him. If this was not enough, he was put on risk of memory loss because of him.
Understanding from his expressions, Abhijeet continued, "Aise kya dekh raha he? Tune khud kaha ki tune jaan bujkar nahi kiya kuch b.. toh fir? Tu mera dost he na, mera bhai he na?".
Daya nodded yes. "Toh fir.. Wo kya kehta he tu… ha yad aya.. Daya tere liye kuch b(imitating Daya's style). Daya smiled remembering his words and seeing his mimicry.
Abhijeet continued seeing one small smile, "Daya, jo insan mere hi kehne par sirf spy cam lagane par naraz ho sakta he wo mujhe kabi taklif nahi de sakta, tune jo kiya wo teri duty thi.. main b yehi karta.." assuring him through his eyes.
Daya was slowly getting normal, he said, "Ek aur baat he Abhi".
"Hmm.. bol…".
"Wo.. jab Acp sir ka call aya tumhare bare me batane k liye, uske bad maine Freddy ko tumhe shoot karne ka order de diya agar tum nahi rukhe toh", Daya said with head down.
Abhijeet had 'O' like expression as soon as he heard it. Getting no response from Abhijeet, Daya looked up and grabbed his hands and said, "Sorry… maaf kardo please.. please" in apologetic tone.
"Jarur tune dimag se sochne ki koshish ki he aj Daya dilse nahi", replied Abhijeet to which Daya replied instantly, "Ha woh he" and Abhijeet burst out into a loud laughter. Daya realized what he had said and giving a soft glare with some seriousness tried to say, "agar Freddy goli chala deta toh?".
Abhijeet pat his head and replied, "Tujhe kya lagta he tune order de diya aur Freddy goli chala dega… (Daya nodded no) wo b Freddy aur mujh par… Pagal he tu daya" and continued laughing at his chote's innocence in confessing his words. Daya was better seeing Abhijeet laughing uncontrollably but was still feeling low.
To make it better Abhijeet continued, "Ja ab khana bana.. Bhook lag rahi he mujhe".
"Wo to main waise b banana wala tha" replied Daya giving huffed expressions and getting down from the bed.
"Sirf khicdi aur soup nahi.. mango milkshake with fruit and nuts b banana", ordered Abhijeet with smirking smile.
"Abhiiiii…..", shouted Daya and threw a cushion towards him, stamped his feet and left to prepare the food.
Abhijeet gently smiled at his behaviour, picked up the cushion and attached his head with the wall.
After few minutes, Daya came inside holding a tray of food containing Abhijeet's special order of Mango Mastani with fruit and nuts garnished with a cherry. He kept the tray on a table and was walking towards Abhijeet to wake him up for dinner as he felt asleep sitting on the bed.
Before he could wake him up the doorbell rang. He changed his direction and opened the door.
His eyes met the eyes of the visitor and both did a silent talk like, "Ap?", "Ha main, kyu aa nahi sakta"?
Daya quickly made way for Acp sir to enter inside without saying anything verbally. Acp sir mumbled, "Thank you" and made his way to Abhijeet's room, thinking, "iski narazgi toh Abhijeet ke gusse se b khatarnak he. wo sarcastically baat toh karta he". After Acp sir entered the room, Daya sat on the sofa in the living room feeling sad for being scolded by his father. Although he understands that it is a father's concern for his son's wellbeing, and he had done the same with Abhijeet when he was injured in Abhijeet's presence, but he felt bad with the way he had said it and being a soft-hearted person he could not digest it. Moreover, he is not like his brother who can let go off such matters easily. He cannot even stay away from these 2 people of his life. He wanted to talk and sort it out, but he thought this is not the right time.
"Abhijeet, kaise ho?", enquired Acp sir fairing his hand over his son's forehead.
Abhijeet opened his eyes and said, "Sir, ap.. main theek hu.. baithiye na..", adjusting his posture.
Acp sir sat on a chair next to his bed and noticed the food tray kept on the table. "Lagta he aj special menu taiyar kiya gaya he superman ke liye". "Jee sir, wo b on-demand karvaya he", chuckled Abhijeet.
Acp sir nodded hmm..
"Kya hua sir ap ab b pareshan lag rahe he? Main ab thik hu. Fir kis baat ki chinta he ye?"
Acp sir moved close to him and held his left hand between his palms and said, "Abhijeet, subah tumhe dekhkar main bahut ghabra gaya tha. Doctor ne b kaha tha firse memory loss ho sakta he. Agar tumhe sach me kuch hojata toh pata nahi main kya kar jata. Main tumhare liye aur b kuch kar sakta tha jaise ghar par security order kar sakta tha, tume apne sath apne ghar le ja sakta tha lekin kuch b nahi kiya. Sirf ek spy cam laga diya. Tum dono k bina jeena nahi aata ab."
Abhijeet felt blessed to have such relations in his life. He had just made his silly brother come out of his guilt of doing more than unexpected and here he had his father sitting in front of him regretting not doing anything for him.
He looked into his father's eyes and said, "Sir, apne mere liye bahut kuch kiya he. Main koi 5 saal ka baccha nahi hu ki ap mere ghar k bahar security laga dete ya apne sath le jate. Ap hi ne mujhe ek jaanbaaz officer banaya he. Aur main toh khud itna dar gaya tha ki mujhe kamre me band karne ka b soch baitha tha. Tab ap hi ne mujhpar bharosa kiya tha mujhe azad choda tha. Aur meri security k liye hi apne spy camera k liye ha bola tha. Toh please ap khudko dosh mat dijiye. Aur apne man se hume khone ka dar nikal dijiye. Hum apke pale hue sher he ap hi ki tarah chalak aur himmat wale he(stressing every word of his last line). Ha kabi thoda toot phoot jate he lekin fir b khatarnak hote he".
Acp sir giggled hearing his "toot phoot" phrase and still calling himself a brave lion.
"Toh ab is sher ka dinner karne ka khayal he ya meri daat se peth bharna he", said Acp sir coming back to his original form.
"Nahi nahi.. karte he.. sab sath me.. ap pehle apne dusre zakhmi sher ko toh mana lijiye", teased Abhijeet.
Acp sir looked at him in surprise and asked, "Tumhe kaise pata ? Daya ne..."
Even before he could complete his sentence Abhijeet interrupted as, "Sir, maine kaha na ap hi ke pale hue sher he.. apki rag rag se wakif hu.. meri halat dekhkar apne jarur usse daant diya hoga jis tarah mujh par baras padte he bina soche samje agar use kuch hojata he toh..(in complaning and teasing tone) ha ye baat alag he ki fir b subah apne usiki side li aur mujhe sach nahi bataya. Aur mujhe manane b nahi aate jaise ab aye he use manane k liye".
"Ha wo mera ladla jo he",acp sir said in a smirking tone to add more to his elder son's jealousy.
Abhijeet gave a sarcastic glare to his father and replied, "mujhe apse baat nahi karni.. jayiye ap yaha se apne ladle k pass.. jo narazgi me apse baat b nahi karta he.." in an innocent tone.
"Acha.. Thik he..", replied Acp sir slowly in fake sadness getting up to go (Abhijeet frowned) but instead he hugged him and said, "I love you too Beta. You are also important to me. Very much!" and ruffled his hairs. Abhijeet felt calm hearing his father's love and concern. Its not that he does not know it earlier but he feels energized even if it is displayed once in a while. A matured and elder son too craves for love and care even if he does not demand for it. Silence between them spoke thousands of words. They seperated from hug and Abhijeet said, "Sir, ap theriye main daya ko bulata hu. Yehi mana lijiye".
"Wo nahi manega Abhijeet, bahut naraz he".
"Ab samjhe ap.. ladla hone ka pura fayda utaya jata he aur main bichara", replied Abhijeet taking advantage of the situation.
Acp sir frowned and said, "Ab kuch madad b milegi ya tum aise hi sunane wale ho mujhe".
Abhijeet laughed hearing the pleading tone of his father and replied, "Jitna jaldi wo naraz hota he utne hi asani se maan jata he bas koshish karne ki der he. (Acp sir nodded in agreement). Main bulata hu. Ap baithiya yaha".
"Dayaaaaaa", shouted Abhijeet from inside to call Daya.
Daya came running towards his room in panicking state entering inside and asked, "Kya hua Boss, kuch chahiye kya?". Realizing his father's presence inside the room he lowered his voice and eyes.
"Ha chahiye toh he.. lekin mujhe nahi.. acp sir ko.. baith yaha", instructed Abhijeet.
Daya looked at him in curiosity thinking what can he give him and why he had to call him then but he sat as told to him.
Abhijeet looked at Acp sir and signalled him with eyes something and said, "Sirrrr...".
Acp sir understood and took a bite from the food plate and forwarded it to Daya. Daya hesitated to accept it and just looked at him in question.
Acp sir understood his son's hesitation and said, "Please khalo. Maine bina soche samje daant diya. Wo jab b main tum dono me se kisi ko b zakhmi dekhta hu aur wo b jab tum ek dusre k sath hote hue b toh main bahut dar jata hu. Mujhe pata he ki tum dono ek dusre ko kuch nahi hone doge fir b aisa sab ho jata he toh main kamzor pad jata hu.. lagta he meri takat adhi hogayi he. Mujhe pata hota he tum jaan bujkar ek dusre ko khatre me nahi chodoge lekin fir b dimag par kabu nahi rak pata. Acp hu toh Cid officers ko toh main khatre me jane se nahi rok sakta lekin ek baap b toh apne beto ko aise nahi dekh sakta na. Please maaf kardo.." and forwarded the bite little more ahead.
All his anger melted hearing his father's pleading tone. He instantly grabbed his hand and ate the bite and smiled with happiness looking into his father's eyes. He did not say anything. His smiling eyes conveyed everything to his father. Finally acp sir felt happy and relaxed. He forwarded another bite to Abhijeet. Trio finished their dinner happily and were having mango mastani.
"Daya, tumne itne nuts kyu dale isme? Kya pura store kharid liya he kya?", asked Acp sir chewing the nuts in the desert.
"Ye, (pointing to Abhijeet) is zakhmi insan ne kaha tha fruit and nuts b chahiye use", replied Daya honestly.
"Sir, maine with fruit and nuts kaha tha.. with lots of fruit and nuts nahi kaha tha", defended Abhijeet clearly.
"Fir shayad Daya ne socha ki ek baar hi bana deta hu mango mastani with fruit and nuts, taaki tum dubara na bolo use banane ko, he na Daya?" , questioned Acp sir to Daya.
"Jee sir", Daya replied in flow to which Abhijeet and Acp sir looked at each other and roared into laughter seeing Daya trapped in their words.
Daya initally felt embarrassed but later joined in the laughter.
All is well that ends well!
End of story!