Chapter 16: The Hi and Goodbye. (Part-2)

BANGALORE: OJAS MALL –

At the OJAS mall near an escalator TARIKA was trying to call someone and other side of the same escalator parallel to TARIKA a girl was talking to someone on phone.

Unaware of each other both the girls turned around, TARIKA to the left and the girl to the right opposite to each other as someone called them from behind: Hey!'

TARIKA saw RAJAT smiling and waving at her. She felt weird as it's been only five minute they have parted in the mall, then why he is waving her like they are meeting after a long time.

Other side the girl turned around to see a guy, actually her younger brother waving and smiling at her brightly walking towards her. The color fades from her face as soon as she saw him wondering: What is he doing here?'

She and her brother are like tom & jerry. They never get well together and there wasn't a single day they haven't fought if they are under a same roof. He is four year younger to her and she believes he is just born to ruin her life, specifically her love life.

He flirts with every girl of the town but never let her have a boyfriend all through her college life either playing a prank on her boyfriends or scaring them to the point to break up with her.

She is eagerly waiting for the day he truly falls in love and she could ruin his date teaching him a lesson for lifetime but unfortunately such a day never come till date. So, she is really not happy to see him there doubting now what trouble to cause he is here?

TARIKA in surprise and the other girl in shock watched as their brothers happily approached towards them waving and smiling but to their surprise their brothers just passed by them like strangers totally ignoring their presence leaving the two ladies in utter bewilder as the girl said behind his brother: Bastard.'

While TARIKA whispered behind RAJAT: Rude Monster.'

Both the girl's turn around to see the two guys went straight and hugged each other delightedly in the middle of the way. Both the guys looked happy seeing each other.

RAJAT didn't have anyone to visit in vacations but he had someone to visit him. On every vacation the guy visited RAJAT to college hostel. The two friends had fun laughing, cooking and playing basketball together in that empty hostel.

While watching their brothers both the girls eyes fell on each other and they walked up to each other near the two guys.

The girl asked in surprise: Ma'm! What are you doing in Bangalore?'

TARIKA too in surprise: I am here because of some work but glad to see you here.'

The girl happily: me too.'

Now the two guys stared at the two girls in wonder whispering to each other: What's going on?'

The girl's brother asked RAJAT: Does they know each other?'

RAJAT asked him: Do you know them?'

The guy answered showing the other girl: Unfortunately, she is my sister, KAJAL.'

RAJAT exclaimed: Hi-tech Sister!'

VINEET nodded unhappily.

RAJAT said showing TARIKA: She is my sister, TARIKA.'

VINEET jumped up in surprise almost shouting, bringing the attention of the two girl's back on them as he excitedly exclaimed: Curly hair sister?'

RAJAT nodded.

VINEET excitedly walked near TARIKA asking her: You are curly hair sister! Do you remember me?'

TARIKA nodded her head negative clumsily.

VINEET excitedly: It's me whom you saved in school from that bulky bully giving him a nice beating and even broke his front tooth. You don't remember it?'

TARIKA remembers it he was the same junior friend of RAJAT and said: You are VINEET, right?'

Since the day she saved him from the bully, VINEET has got a crush on her in a respected way for her cool style and felt himself on cloud nine as he happily asked: you still remember my name? Yes I am VINEET, school friend of RAJAT.'

TARIKA nodded as KAJAL asked: Do you guys know each other?'

TARIKA and VINEET nodded at her.

Then KAJAL showing RAJAT asked TARIKA: He is your brother.'

TARIKA Nodded.

Then KAJAL looking at RAJAT and VINEET asked: and you two are school friends?'

RAJAT and VINEET happily nodded at KAJAL.

FLASHBACK:

VINEET was a class junior to RAJAT in school. There was a day weird RAJAT was sitting alone at the playground of the school and a passing by mischievous VINEET asked him: What happened? You are looking sad.'

RAJAT answered looking at him: My sister scolded me.'

VINEET laughed: You are lucky.'

RAJAT: Why?'

VINEET: She just scolded you. My sister doesn't talk without hitting me. Today she even pulled out few of my hairs.'

Then VINEET laughed a bit saying: It's because I messed her science project.'

And that's the day they become friend sharing their Curly hair and Hi-tech sister stories with each-other.

FLASHBACK END.

KAJAL asked: You guys already know each other. How come I am the only one don't know anything?'

VINEET answered: First set your antenna to your nearby area. Then maybe you will be able to know about your surroundings.'

KAJAL disclose the gun in her jeans to VINEET putting it back as she said him with gritted teeth: If I lose my antenna, you will lose your life. Didn't I warned you to stay out of my radius.'

VINEET a bit cowardly: Papa ne tujhe sar pe chadha rakha hai warna tujhe dekh leta.'

KAJAL retorted: Kya kar leta warna bata? Mammi ka chamcha! Jasoosi karne aaya hai yaha meri?'

VINEET: Excuse me? I come here to meet my friend.'

KAJAL looking at RAJAT said: You are his friend? Don't hangout with him. He is a virus that will corrupt all your system.'

VINEET retorted: Hey! You are instigating my friend against me? Janglee Billi!'

KAJAL counterback: And what you are? Even a chameleon doesn't changes it's color like you change in a day!'

TARIKA and RAJAT looked at each other dumbfounded. How can be someone worse than them?

Both shouted together 'Stop it!' jolting the two bickering siblings and startling the nearby public.

KAJAL and VINEET looked at them as TARIKA shouted: Stop it right now! Otherwise no one will be worse than me here!'

KAJAL realised and said: Sorry ma'm, please don't mind it.'

VINEET too apologized: Sorry!'

Finally RAJAT explained: Sister told me she want to meet someone here. So, I thought when I am here I should meet VINEET and I called him here.'

KAJAL turned to TARIKA asking: By the way, whom are you meeting here?'

TARIKA said: I come here to meet VIVEK.'

VIVEK said from behind: and here I am.'

Four of them turned around to see VIVEK but VIVEK was surprised to see KAJAL as he asked: you are here too. Are we having a get together here?'

KAJAL looking at him answered: As we are all here by chance, then we should have one.'

VIVEK: great idea!'

VINEET asked: Three of you are CID officer?'

The three CID officers looked at VINEET as VIVEK asked: Who are they?'

TARIKA and KAJAL introduced their brothers to VIVEK. They all shook hand greeting each other.

The three officer head first towards the food court as VINEET and RAJAT left behind to catch up with each other.

Food Court:

As three of the CID officers sits at the table, VIVEK passed a car key with a pen drive in the key chain to TARIKA saying: Here what you have asked me. It has all the details of him from his daily routine schedules to his diet menu.'

TARIKA remembered...

FLASHBACK -

The day DHANRAJ got arrested ABHIJEET has asked her: Mr. X's mystery got solved but what about Mr. Z? He is still free out there.'

TARIKA to ABHIJEET said: Don't worry. I will handle him myself. He is playing a game with me. I will play along till the game ends.'

ABHIJEET: It could be dangerous.'

TARIKA: I know but his fight is with me and I can't involve others in it.'

ABHIJEET: Still if you need any kind of assistance you can ask me... anytime.'

TARIKA smiled at him: When I will feel I can't handle it alone, you will be the first person I will ask to help but till then I will handle it alone.'

ABHIJEET smiled at her: I will trust your words.'

FLASHBACK END.

TARIKA took the pen drive saying: Great job, VIVEK.'

KAJAL asked confused: What's it?'

VIVEK looked at TARIKA and TARIKA assured him: She knows about him.'

VIVEK then said: Ma'm asked me to find out the whereabouts of an ex-convict Tony Marques.'

KAJAL remembered Tony Marques is Mr. Z who tried to kidnap RAJAT and asked in surprise: You really found out his whereabouts?'

VIVEK gave a devilish smile as a flashback comes.

FLASHBACK -

After knowing from KAJAL who is Mr. Z, TARIKA right away called VIVEK to find about the whereabouts of him without telling him her connection with Mr. Z.

The next day VIVEK landed in Goa, checking in the same hotel as the hood boy next door to Mr. Z's room. He did all sorts of part time jobs in two days following each and every hangout places of Tony Marques aka Mr. Z.'

FLAsHBACK END.

This time KAJAL and TARIKA both proudly smiled at him as KAJAL said patting his back: you are amazing, VIVEK!'

VIVEK smiled: I know.'

TARIKA: We are proud of you.'

VIVEK felt overwhelmed hearing the appreciated words from his senior and he said with a smile: I hope to never let down your trust in me.'

VIVEK asked curiously: But Ma'm, you suddenly disappeared after the office farewell without even saying bye before leaving Bangalore. And I didn't know you even have a brother. In fact as much as I know, you have no one in your family.'

TARIKA get a bit uncomfortable at his question and KAJAL notices it.

VIVEK doesn't know about her past but she told everything to KAJAL after patching up with RAJAT. She never hides anything from KAJAL.

VIVEK and KAJAL were the only people close to her. So, she asked the two not to call her Ma'm outside the office sharing a friendly rapport with them. And being a girl, KAJAL was someone with whom she could share anything.

Seeing TARIKA's uneasiness KAJAL come to her rescue asking VIVEK: Did you ever let us know that you have a girlfriend?'

VIVEK chocked on his food as TARIKA looked at him in surprise: Do you?'

KAJAL added: That too from two years. Janab ko training academy me first day at first sight love ho gaya tha apni batch mate se. Miss abhi CID branch Kolkata me hai.'

TARIKA looked at VIVEK in surprise.

VIVEK opened his mouth to say something but couldn't say anything and just glared at KAJAL for revealing his secret.

KAJAL teasing him a bit more: Kya naam hai Miss Kolkata ka...?'

KAJAL pretends to remember it: AASHA…, ABHILASHA…, JIGYASA…? No, NATASHA!'

VIVEK gave up saying: TASHA, TASHA naam hai uska.'

KAJAL: yes! Miss KOLKATA, VIVEK ki TASHA.'

TARIKA smiled and said to VIVEK: It's not something to hide VIVEK. It's good you have a girlfriend.'

VIVEK blushed shyly as he said to TARIKA: That's why I called her here to meet you.'

KAJAL asked: Really?'

TARIKA: That's good.'

VIVEK: She is in Bangalore for some work. So I thought it's the best occasion to introduce her to you. She will be here in few minutes.'

RAJAT and VINEET return to them as VINEET asked taking the seat: Who's coming?'

KAJAL answered: Our most eligible bachelor of CID, VIVEK's girlfriend is coming.'

VIVEK: I am not the only one bachelor here.'

VINEET agreed: right.'

RAJAT pointed out: how can he be the most eligible when the senior most of your team itself is bachelor?'

VIVEK and VINEET both agreed and realizing the fact KAJAL too agreed with them: yeah, you guys are right.'

TARIKA found all the gazes on her realizing the comment was for her and she looked at her brother.

RAJAT realizing her sister's gaze on him asked: What? You are getting old. You should find someone for you.'

TARIKA remained astound staring her brother. She never expected something like this would come from him for her. He really started acting like a sibling.

VIVEK broke TARIKA's trance as he smiled and pointed them towards a girl walking to their table saying: There she is…'

All looked at the direction to see a girl with a angelic beauty in a beautiful bright skyblue dress with a soulful smile waved at them or say at VIVEK as all the four people except VIVEK said in unison: She is so pretty…'

VIVEK smiling like a fool at TASHA said: yeah, she is...'

VIVEK stood up and escorted TASHA to the table and introduced her with everyone.

KAJAL said to TASHA: your voice is as sweet as you.'

TASHA smiled: Thank you.'

TARIKA: We are really glad to meet you.'

TASHA again smiled: Me too.'

TASHA joined them as VINEET said: You guys are so cool. Now I am thinking to join CID after my graduation.'

KAJAL: Don't you even dare to be nearby my office.'

VINEET scoffed: Who wants to work with you? You left me with that cruel bully but curly hair sister saved me. I will join CID Mumbai to work under curly hair sister.'

And they had their lunch together chatting and sharing stories of each other laughing and having fun as TARIKA looked at the happy faces of her junior colleagues.

She often had a clash with her senior colleagues in the CID Bangalore bureau because of her reckless nature but despite of that these two juniors of her always believed, supported and respected her. It was the best thing to say a proper goodbye to them after disappearing suddenly.

After the lunch TARIKA and RAJAT bid bye to them walking down the steps as KAJAL, VIVEK, VINEET and TASHA waved at them.

TARIKA showing the car key to VIVEK, said aloud: Thanks for this VIVEK!'

VIVEK thumbs up at her shouting back: I hope you have great fun!'

TARIKA smiled and waved at them thinking she will really miss them.

RAJAT asked TARIKA: Where are we going now?'

TARIKA showed him a red color open jeep parked in front of them.

RAJAT looking at the Jeep asked: What about it?'

TARIKA answered: We are going Bangalore to Mumbai by road.'

RAJAT: What? By road? Why?'

TARIKA: We have somewhere to visit on our way.'

RAJAT asked: Where?'

TARIKA: Belgaum.'

GOA: Amusement Park -

After chilling at the beach, the happy siblings ABHIJEET and PURVI went to an amusement park.

Standing at the entrance gate of the park ABHIJEET asked: Isn't it a bit childish for me?'

PURVI happily chirped in: Come on bhai! Someone has nicely said it doesn't matter how old you get but your heart should be young forever.'

PURVI looking at her hesitated brother asked: Do you know why kids are so careless?'

ABHIJEET looked at her.

PURVI: It's because they don't think like adults. They see wonder in everything. That's why there life is easy, simple and beautiful. So it's not that bad to sometime act childish. Every adult should have a child in them to keep their innocence alive and see the beauty and wonders of life just like road trips.'

PURVI smiled and asked: Shall we go?'

Next Scene:

ABHIJEET and PURVI stared the roller coaster ride as ABHIJEET asked: You really want to ride that?'

PURVI answered: Hm.'

ABHIJEET: Aren't you scared of that?'

PURVI: It's not me. It's you who is scared.'

ABHIJEET looked at her.

PURVI nodded positive turning at her brother adding: Your face is saying it all.'

ABHIJEET can't deny the fact as he said: Then why you are not seeing it? Why don't you go and ride it while I wait for you here.'

PURVI: No. We are going to ride it together.'

ABHIJEET: Why?'

PURVI looking at her brother said: If you have even one person to hold your hand then doesn't think about the world, just think about the happiness of that person.'

ABHIJEET looked confused while PURVI smiled as she held his hand and said: At this moment you have me.'

PURVI showing him his hand in her said: I am with you and I will protect you. And even if I fail to do so, then an angel in disguise will surely come to your rescue.'

ABHIJEET asked in amaze: When did my sister grown up so big?'

PURVI: After getting kidnapped I realized life is not that hard we make it by our own fears and insecurities. It's a lot easier than we think. We can make best out of our worst only if we believe it.'

PURVI happily asked: To chale?'

ABHIJEET smiled: let's go!'

ABHIJEET hold tight PURVI's hand as the ride started and screamed out of fear while PURVI out of joy.

After few seconds, scared ABHIJEET opened his eyes and find the ride fun and he too shouted with PURVI in joy.

After getting down the ride ABHIJEET with his thrilling heart said: Wow! That was fun!'

PURVI: I told you.'

ABHIJEET really missed DAYA at the moment wishing he was here too as he said to PURVI: Next time we will come on a family trip with DAYA.'

PURVI: Only after you get married.'

ABHIJEET looked at her and the two kept talking.

After enjoying at the park, they had nice lunch, and then visited a church praying for each other followed by visiting few tourist places.

At the dinner ABHIJEET said to PURVI: Enjoy the last night at Goa as much as you can.'

PURVI asked: Why? Don't we have one more day to stay here?'

ABHIJEET: We have to stay somewhere on our way. So we will leave Goa a day before.'

PURVI asked: Where?'

ABHIJEET answered: Belgaum.'

Note:

It's the longest chapter of till now. I hope nobody gets bored.

Sree, I wanted keep it within 2k words but crossed 3k to compensate the last chapter. And thanks.

Dear guest, to be honest I am an action-thriller fan and romance is not my interest zone. I can create moments but not romance.

If you like the story till now, you won't be disappointed either in future. So please keep reading.

A heartily Thank you to all the readers and reviewers.