Chapter 28: The Childhood Crush.

Morning: CID Bureau-

Freddy who was talking to DAYA felt surprised to see ABHIJEET walking in with a lady totally lost in their conversation with a love struck smile on his face.

FREDDY asked DAYA: Ye mai kya dekh raha hoon sir? Jis galiyaare se aap aur aapki dosti gujra karti hai us galiyaare se aaj aapka dost ek ladki ke saath gujar raha hai?'

DAYA looked at the direction to see ABHIJEET coming with TARIKA and said: Kya batau FREDDY, ye bewafaa insaan pyaar me kitna deewana ho gaya hai.' Freddy: DEEWANA?'

ABHIJEET's eyes fell on FREDDY and he delightedly asked walking to him: Are FREDDY, when did you come back from your abroad trip?'

FREDDY: I just returned yesterday sir.'

ABHIJEET: How was your vacation in abroad?'

FREDDY: It was wonderful sir.'

FREDDY asked ABHIJEET in surprise: Ye mai kya sun raha hoon sir. Mujhe to yakin hi nahi ho raha.'

ABHIJEET: Kya suna tumne? Kya yakin nahi ho raha?'

FREDDY looking at TARIKA behind ABHIJEET said: Yahi sir ke aapko bhi pyaar ho gaya hai.'

ABHIJEET: Kkya? Pyaar? Kisne kaha tumse?'

FREDDY showing DAYA: DAYA sir ne.'

ABHIJEET glared at DAYA and looking at ABHIJEET's savage expression DAYA tried to handle the situation before FREDDY makes further assumption about TARIKA excusing: I mean FRRDDY, ABHIJEET ko apni long lost childhood crush mil gayi hai. Isliye ABHIJEET deewana ho gaya hai.'

ABHIJEET wondered how he knows when he didn't tell DAYA that he found TRISHA.

DAYA totally unaware of the fact that TARIKA is ABHIJEET's childhood crush TRISHA, asked: Uska naam TRISHA hain na ABHIJEET?'

TARIKA glared at ABHIJEET and ABHIJEET looked miserable at DAYA thinking 'Ye DAYA TARIKA JI ke samne mujhe bachane ki koshish kar raha hai ya meri hi bajaa raha hai.'

FREDDY cheerfully said: Congratulations sir! I am so happy for you. Finally aapki kabhi na hone wali shaadi I wish year end tak ho hi jaye.'

Before ABHIJEET could answer FREDDY showing TARIKA asked: Who is she sir?'

TARIKA came forward extending her hand: I am senior officer TARIKA transfered from Bangalore CID.'

FREDDY got another shock shaking hand with her: When ACP sir said a senior officer is going to join the team, I thought it will be male officer.'

FREDDY with a smile said: I am really glad to see a lady senior officer in the team.'

He smiled at TARIKA and she returned it: Thank you FREDDY. I have heard a lot about you from the team. It's nice to meet you.'

TARIKA asked looking at duo: By the way, when will ACP sir return from vacation?'

FREDDY: He will stay a week long spending a little more time with his grandson ARJUN.'

TARIKA asked: Where did he go?'

ABHIJEET smiled: New York.'

TARIKA: New York?'

DAYA: He is there to visit his son NAKUL. NAKUL studied abroad, married abroad and settled down there only. So ACP sir went on a family vacation to New York.'

TARIKA nodded and looking around bureau asked: Where are others?'

DAYA: They are slacking off at cafeteria as there is no case.'

FREDDY asked: But sir, ACP sir has told that with a senior officer a junior officer was also going to join CID.'

ABHIJEET: He is already assigned to his job, FREDDY.'

College: Canteen-

PURVI stood up from her chair helplessly skipping a heart beat just looking at the smiling RAJAT waving at her from the canteen door.

RAJAT smilingly walked to her but out of no where PANKAJ came between blocking him and asked: Who are you?'

RAJAT stared the human block confused thinking now who are you to ask me such question.

PANKAJ again asked with a serious expression: Who are you and how do you know PURVI?'

PURVI came between telling PANKAJ that he is her friend and she knows him.'

PANKAJ: Then why I don't know about him?'

Now PURVI looked at him unbelievably asking: He is my friend. How would you know him when you are new here?'

PANKAJ doubtfully: But…' then he didn't said anything.

PURVI asked RAJAT: Hi. How you are here?'

RAJAT smiled asking: Actually I need a favor from you.'

PURVI asked: What's it?'

RAJAT moved aside to reveal TARANA behind him.

PURVI and PANKAJ remained mesmerized by the beauty of the girl. PURVI has seen her in normal indian dressing but she didn't knew after a makeover she can be beyond beautiful.

RAJAT introduced her to PURVI: She is TARANA my friend. I don't know anyone here except you. Can you include her in your group?'

Keeping her personal feelings aside PURVI smiled: Sure.'

RAJAT to TARANA: TARANA, she is PURVI. She is very nice and the only person I trust in this college. You will like her too. Be with her.'

TARANA nodded.

RAJAT to PURVI: Thank you so much.'

Smiling at the two girls he said: I have to go. Bye!'

Both the ladies stared his direction until he disappeared from their sight.

PURVI was hesitant towards TARANA but after spending time with her she realized TARANA is really simple and easy going just like VANI said before a sweet and kind girl and ended up liking her.

She can understand if she can like TARANA than it's normal for RAJAT to like her.

After class PURVI asked TARANA: Hey TARANA, I am going to practice for JANMASHTAMI performance at the auditorium. Do you want to come?'

TARANA: Sure.'

On The Way:

ABHIRIKA were on their way to headquarters. TARIKA was driving and ABHIJEET was sitting nervously next to her. He knows TARIKA isn't someone who beats around the bush.

She is straight and on the spot and there came her first shot at him: So, TRISHA was your childhood crush?'

ABHIJEET: No-no. It's not like that.'

TARIKA having a glance at him said: Don't lie when your eyes can't.'

ABHIJEET remembered PURVI's advice 'You shouldn't lie in front of a woman. They are lie detectors.'

He said: Yes, kind of.'

TARIKA: Do you still like her?'

ABHIJEET stammered: No..no.. It's about ch..ch..childhood only.'

TARIKA: Are you sure?'

ABHIJEET: Yes. Of couse.'

TARIKA: Then why didn't you get married yet?'

ABHIJEET looked shocked at her but her eyes were focused on the road.

ABHIJEET: Aajtak aisi koi mili hi nahi.'

ABHIJEET asked her back: Why didn't you get married?'

TARIKA stopped the SUV in front of headquarter building and looking at ABHIJEET answered: I didn't find any reason to get married till date.'

ABHIJEET collecting his courage asked: What if you find a reason to get married?'

TARIKA: I don't think I will need to get married.'

ABHIJEET: What if someone needs you?'

TARIKA looked at him and said: I can't decide that myself without considering my family.'

ABHIJEET looked quizzical and TARIKA added: RAJAT is my only family and I can't take any decision of my life without considering him.'

ABHIJEET had another flash of flustered RAJAT at the hospital just at the mention of him being with his sister and realized this road is not going to be an easy road.

College: Auditorium -

RAJAT was volunteering the team in the JANMASHTAMI celebration preparation as a part of his punishment by dean for beating up his captain.

He was setting up the curtain when the tinkling sounds of ankle bells from the other side of the curtain caught his attention and he felt his heart held back in that sound.

RAJAT followed the sound of ankle bells walking along with it but someone called him who was fixing the curtain from up asking: Is this all right?'

RAJAT looking at the setting nodded: Yes.'

He removed the curtain to look at the otherside but saw no one was there and someone just closed the back stage door. He shrugged off his thought and again went back to his work.

Next Day: Early Morning -

Park -

A tired PURVI catching up with jogging ABHIJEET asked: Bhai I am already fit to run a marathon, then why do you want me to jog with you?'

ABHIJEET continuing his jogging answered: Being fit is not enough. You have to keep up with your fitness.'

But all this while his eyes were looking for someone around the park and finally his eyes caught the person and ABHIJEET with a broad smile ran towards the direction not noticing PURVI has stopped following him a long back.

The person was none other than TARIKA. TARIKA was jogging and saw someone jogging beside her. She looked at the person to see ABHIJEET.

ABHIJEET jogged pretending he hadn't seen her and then looking at her asked surprised: Are TARIKA JI aap yaha!'

TARIKA: I come every day to jog here but I have never seen you here before.'

ABHIJEET excused: After VIDIT's case I realized I need to excersize more to catch up with todays youngsters.'

TARIKA nodded convincingly but reality was something else. Yesterday early morning ABHIJEET was on his way to meet one of his informers and has seen TARIKA jogging towards the park.

Other side of the park, DAYA was jogging after SHREYA: Are SHREYA naraz ho kya?

SHREYA: Yes.'

DAYA: Why do you nag so much about little-little things?'

SHREYA keeping up her jogging said: Because I am your wife.'

DAYA: You were never like this before.'

SHREYA: Because I wasn't your wife then. Now I am your wife and wives are like this only.'

DAYA stopped with a puzzled face: Hein?'

SHREYA said: You should be thankful to ABHIJEET sir warna aaj mai Mrs. SIDDHARTH hoti.'

DAYA gave up: Achha Sorry.. Sorry.. Sorry.'

DAYA thought jabse husband bana hoon yahi bol raha hoon.

SHREYA asked: Achha.. Mai na milti to kya karte?'

DAYA: Tum na milti to mai shaadi hi nahi karta. ABHIJEET ki tarah puri life kunwara hi rahta.'

SHREYA stopped in her track saying: Don't know about you but I don't think ABHIJEET sir would have been bachelor any more.'

DAYA followed her gaze to see ABHIRIKA together jogging towards their direction.

ABHIJEET seeing DAREYA in front of them asked surprised: DAYA-SHREYA, you two?'

DAYA was also surprised to see ABHIJEET and said: We come every day to jog.'

And seeing SHREYA and TARIKA greeting each other casually ABHIJEET asked DAYA: You see each other every day?'

DAYA nodded: Yeah, that's why they become friends. But what are you doing here?'

ABHIJEET pointing behind said: I came to jog with PURVI.'

He looked back to see PURVI was not there.

TARIKA realized RAJAT was also not there and said: Where did this RAJAT go now?'

SHREYA pointing at a direction asked the two: Are you two looking for them?'

Four of them sees RAJAT and PURVI sleeping either side of the bench.

Flashback: Few moments back -

A half sleepy RAJAT who was forcefully brought to jog by TARIKA getting a nice chance escaped from her behind and found an empty bench in the park.

He ran there and dropped himself on it to notice someone else too dropped at the same time at the other end of the bench.

Both startled people looked at each other saying: PURVI/RAJAT.'

RAJAT asked: What are you doing here?'

PURVI: My brother dragged me to jog saying I need to be fit.'

RAJAT: My sister brought me to jog saying I need to be good in defense if I have to face my whole team alone. Though I don't understand what's the connection between this two.'

PURVI: Exactly!'

RAJAT: I am so sleepy.'

PURVI: And I am so tired.'

Both leaned back to the bench closing there eyes.'

Flashback end.

TARIKA and SHREYA walked towards the bench while ABHIJEET pulled DAYA aside asking: Tujhe pata tha TARIKA JI roz yaha jog karne aati hai aur tune mujhe bataya bhi nahi.'

He gave a angry look to DAYA.

Tu Mera.. Tu Mera.. Tu Mera Bhai Nahi Hai.

DAYA counter back: Achha Boss, ek hafte pahle to mera bhoot aaya tha na tumhe jogging pe le jane ke liye par tumhe to itni nind aa rahi thi ke tumne use room se dhakke marke nikaal diya tha sone ke liye. Kuch yaad aaya?'

ABHIJEET: Sidhe-Sidhe bhi to bol sakta tha na ke TARIKA ji aati hai waha.'

DAYA: Wah Boss, ye sila de rahe ho meri dosti ka. Chor ulta kotwal ko daate? Ek to mai madad karne aaya tha aur tum mujhi pe bhadak rahe ho. Huh!'

Now DAYA turned away giving angry look to ABHIJEET.

Tu Mera.. Tu Mera.. Tu Mera Bhai Nahi Hai.

ABHIJEET: Achha bhai sorry yaar. Mujhe pyaar ho gaya hai. Agar tu help nahi karega to aur kaun karega?'

ABHIJEET gave him a persuasive look...

Tu Mera.. Tu Mera... Tu Mera Bhai Nahi hai?

DAYA looking at him: Chalo is baar maaf kiya.'

ABHIJEET smiled: Thank you so much.'

ABHIJEET told him that TARIKA is his childhood crush TRISHA.

DAYA: What? That means your childhood and current crush is a same person?'

ABHIJEET nodded.

DAYA asked: Then what's the problem?'

ABHIJEET told him about his indirect proposal to TARIKA and her answer.

Both looked at RAJAT who just stood up from the bench with PURVI almost terrified looking at the half of the CID team there.

Back to duo, DAYA said looking at ABHIJEET: You should be happy. Brother is easy than the sister.'

ABhIJEET looked at him with an are you sure look.

DAYA nodded assuring his doubt.

Note:

Don't worry, PURVI's heart won't break instead it will take off to new heights. Just wait a little.

Thank you so much all the Readers and all the Reviewers.