...

Later towards the evening, the case they were solving made a lot of progress and the criminals were caught. Now only the paper work was left.

However, abhirika situation didn't make much progress. Daya got out of the bureau and stood opposite the main door, with his hands on his hips.

"Bas bahot ho Gaya," he said, eyeing the lift mischievously, "ab mujhe hi kuch Karna padega."

"Kya ho Gaya tujhe?" Abhijeet asked.

"Mujhe kya hua hai?"

"Itne paseene kyu aa rahein Hain tujhe? Tabiyat toh theek hai?"

"Arrey Woh," Daya suppressed a smirk, "Lift kharab ho gayi hai -"

"kya ! Lift kharab ho gayi hai?"

"Ab Saath floors utarkar chadna..." Daya emphasized on the word 'saath'

"Tere liye toh theek hai... Weight Kam ho Jayega tera! "

"Hmm... Wo toh hai... Ab *Saath* floors Hain."

"Par bechari Tarika kya karegi!"

"Haan uske pair mein lagi hai... Aur Saath floors -"

"Kya Baar Baar Saath floors Saath floors laga rakha hai Tu ne?" Abhijeet was frustrated, "mujhe Bhi pata hai kitne floors Hain."

"Mein toh bus -"

Abhijeet glared at him and got up from his chair.

"Arrey boss Kaha chale?"

"Tujhse Matlab?"

Daya smirked. He knew where Abhijeet was going and he had made all the required arrangements.

"Ab maza aayega," Daya reclined on his chair.

Outside the bureau, Abhijeet saw Tarika trying to climb down the stairs. For a moment, he stood mesmerized in his place. One of her hands was on the railing of the staircase and the other hand was busy holding a bunch of papers. A few curls fell down her face as she was looking down at her ankle, trying to slowly take one step at a time. At the same time, she was also trying to keep her curls from falling into her eyes.

Divine - even when she was struggling.

A slight "aah" from her made Abhijeet come out of his trance. He rushed towards her and wrapped his hand around her midriff.

"Sambhal ke," he said, taking the papers from her hand, "Ye mujhe doh."

Tarika smiled. She was ready to endure this pain everyday if only he would be so close to her.

She then wrapped her free hand around his waist for more support.

She thought to remind him he didn't have the right anymore but she controlled. Anger wouldn't make him change his decision. It would only make the situation worse.

He other hand shifted from the railing to his chest, holding the collar of his shirt tight.

The pain was forgotten as she took the steps down one by one, literally in his arms.

Idea!

She smirked on her mind.

As the two more floors were left Tarika sat down on stair.

"Mai.. mai thoda rest lekar chali jaungi.. tum- tum chale jao."

"Tum keiisey jaogi.. let me help."

"Nahi.. bohot dard ho raha hai.. please, maine kaha na mai thik hu.. tum jao."

"Pehle toh tumne kabhi mere help lene se mana nahi kia." Abhijeet felt dejected.

"Pehel kabhi tumne hamara unnamed rishta toda bhhi toh nahi."

"Tarika ye sa batey bad mei bhi lar sakte hai na.. abhi chalo mai tumhe ghar taq chod deta hu.. and please don't argue."

"Mujhse chala nhai ja raha.. kya karu mai!" Tarika showed some anger.

Abhijeet shook his head before lifting her in his arms.

"Abhijeet!"

"Chup raho tum."

Tarika looked away smirking. Abhijeet noticed that but didn't say anything.

"Papers mujhe de do.. mai pakarti hu.."

"Koi jarurat nahi hai."

""Okay." Tarika smiled, wrapping her hands around his neck as he stair down.

He took her to his car and made her sat in. Then he took the driver seat and started the car.

THE journey was silent until Tarika spoke looking outside the window.

"Abhijeet will you spend the night with me.. even.. even if you broke up today."

"Huh!" Abhijeet was surprised with her question.

Tarika looked at him.

"For the last time? Will you hold me close to you? Will you let me hear you breath for the last time."

"If you promise you will move on."

Tarika looked outside the window again.

"I will move on with the love for you in my heart." she whispered

Abhijeet heard her whisper something. But he couldn't decipher what it was. He didn't push her further as they had reached her house.

He carried her to her bedroom and made her sit on her bed. But she didn't remove her hands that were around his neck. So he had to bend down.

"Tarika..."

"Baitho na mere Saath."

A smile crept up his face as he heard how innocently she had asked the question. He couldn't let down the hope in her eyes.

"Mein kuch khaane ke liye laata Hu."

"Kuch Nahi hai fridge mein"

"Kuch banakar le aata Hu."

He left without giving her a chance to protest.

He was cutting potatoes in the kitchen when he heard Tarika come.

"Tarika Kya Kar rahi ho? Tumhare pair Ka dard badh Jayega."

But there was no response from her. She walked to the kitchen and stood behind him. Her chest gently touching his back and her chin resting on his shoulder, her hands went around his sides and over his arms.

Abhijeet held his breath. His lips trembled at her proximity. He wouldn't be able to control himself for too long in her presence.

Noticing his demeanour, she smirked. This was exactly her intention.

She held his hands and made him cut the potatoes.

"Aise kaatoge toh theek se pakenge."

Abhijeet separated gently from her and moved to the living room.

He quickly returned with a stool and pointed at it.

"Toh tum hi kaat lo."

Tarika sighed and sat on it. She started cutting the potatoes.

"Aaj hum baat Karne waale the na?"

"Hmm," Abhijeet said, half wishing that she hadn't remembered.

"Tum Nahi Karna chahte baat?"

"Pata Nahi..."

"Koshish karoge?"

Although he was afraid of becoming weak and giving in to her, he nodded.

Tarika stop cutting the potatoes and looked him, indicating him to initiate.

"Oh.." he hesitated. The mere thought of seeing tears in her yes made him stop to talk further.

"Mai sun rahi hu."

"Khake bat karte hai.m?"

He bought some time for them.

Tarika nodded thinking the same.

She started cooking and Abhijeet helped.

They had their dinner in silence. Tarika tried to initiate converation few times but Abhijeet didn't show interest. So Tarika gave up.

Abhijeet on the other hand was trying to arrange the words he's gonna spoke to Tarika

"Mai runhare pair mei bam laga du?" Abhijeet proposed after the dinner.

Tarika nodded knowing Avhijeet was trying to create an environment to talk.

They went to her room and sat on bed lifting her legs on bed. Abhijeet sat beside her legs with bam in his hand.

He removed the sprain bandage and started applying the ointment.

Tarika was looking at him continuously and Abhijeet too could her gaze on him.

"Tarika.. mai chahta toh tumhe mazbur karar sakta tha mujhe nafrar karne ko.. tumhe mujhse dur karne ka or bhi tarika tha mere pass.. par maine socha ki tunhe bohot taklif hogi.. maine socha mutual break up.. matlab tum samjhogi... ki sath hona hi jaruri nahi.. ham sath na hokar bhi toh ek dusre ke hi rahenge.."

Abhijeet looked and found Tarika still looking him with a calm expression.

"Boloo.. mai sun rahi hu.."

"Bolo kuch.. maine toh kaha.."

"Pehle tum bol lo.."

Abhijeet again looked down.

"Mai kabhi tumhe aone jehen se nahi nikal sakta.. mai chata bhi nahahi hu.. par... zara socho, agar mujhe kuch ho Tunhare waja se toh tum... tum.. aone apko maf kar paogi?"

Abhijeet stopped and looked up. Tarika took as a sign to speak.

"Pehli bat Abhijeet.. tum mujhe kisi or yarah se dur nahi kar sakte the.. jante ho achi se ye bat. I have blind trust on you.. yes. I behave silly sometimes but at the end i always trust on you."

"I don't deserve it Tarika."

"Ye tum Nahi... Tumhara darr bol Raha hai."

"Mera darr hi meri sachai hai."

"Toh milkar iss darr se ladenge...haath toh badhao."

"Mere haath badhane se hakeekat Nahi badlegi."

Tarika kept her palm over his.

"Worry gives small things big shadows."

"Tarika Kisi aur ke liye small Hoga... But tumhare liye chota Sa risk Bhi chota Nahi. Tumhare safety ke Saath koi compromise Nahi."

"Phir chahe hum dono ko ghut ghut Kar jeena pade?"

"kuch waqt ki baat hai... It'll hurt now... Phir tum bhul jaogi."

"Tum bhula Paoge?" She said softly.

Abhijeet looked at her. Pain was clearly visible in her eyes...tears ready to form.

"Ab so jaana chahiye," he said, avoiding her question.

"Jab jawab dena mushkil ho Jaye toh sawalo se bhaagna Nahi Chahiye."

"Ab sawal aur jawab koi mayne Nahi rakhtein."

Tarika closed her eyes to control her tears.

"Haan... Shayad ab kuch mayne Nahi Rakhta... Mein Bhi Nahi."

"Aisa... Aisa mat bolo Tarika... A part of me wants to hold you and never let go... But another part tells me that you would be loved you, you would be safe... Even without me... And I'll just watch from a distance."

"Abhijeet... watching from distance? Really? Ek ankle sparin ka pain mera tumse saha nahi ja raha... keisey rahoge agar mujhe kuch serious problem ho gaya!"

"Tumhe kuch ku hoga?"

"Hmm.. sayad mai khud ko kuch kar lu." She said.

"Sochna bhi mat aisa." Abhijeet shoot her an angry glance.

"Tumhe ye haaq nahi hoga. Aj yaha se jane se pehle ya toh tum sare wo haq jo maine tumhe diye wo lekar jaoge... ya phir khali hat... you will even lose the right to call me Tarika.. let alone Tarika ji."

"Etna kathor ku ban rahi ho?"

"Mai kathor ban rahi hu? Mai? Tum dur jana chah rahe ho.."

"Its not a choice damn it." he stood up with a rag, "I am forced to tale the decision."

Tarika stood up too.

"Tumse dur reh ke mai mehfuz rahungi iski guarantee kisne diya tumhe?"

"You won't be targeted for me at least Tarika."

"Hamara rishta toh weisehi secret hai na." Tarika looked away, "sab kko kaha pata hai!"

"Phir bhi ttum pe anch ai ma.. isliye, bus isliye maine ye rishta kabhi izhar nahi kia."

"Maine demand bhi kaha kia ki tum izhar karo? Mat karo."

"Tarikaa.."

"Maine is rishtey se kabhi kuch nahi manga.. kabhi bhi nahi.. Abhijeet, aj mangna chahti hu."

"Aise kuch mat mango joo tumhe dena mere bas mei nahi."

"Tumhare bas mei hii hai."

"Nahi Tarika.."

"Be with me.. be with me always." Tarika cried.

"Tarika.. no.. I can't." he cried too.

"Abhijeet.. I can't never stop Lo.. I can't Abhijeet."

"You have to."

"Can you?"

"I will watch you from distance."

Tarika wiped away her tears.

"Distance? Okay then. Remember it." Tarika turned her back to him, "You can leave now. Mujhe sona hai."

"Phirsr jid kar rahi ho tum.."

"Abhijeet... jid nahi kar rahi hai.. rishta tumhare taraf se khatam hua.. mere taraf se nahi. I will wait for you always. Jab sahi lage wapas ajjana.. but please abhi jao."

Abhijeet stood there for some minutes. It wouldn't be any better than this.. it couldn't. Tarika was very stubborn. She would never give up on him. But... perhaps... perhaps she would get tired one day and move on. Perhaps, she would leave him.

He took back steps till the threshold. he could hear her soft sobs. He controlled himself.

Standing on threshold he waited for her to turn for the last time but he didn't.

He gave up and left her house.

Finally it's finished

A week passed with no words lost between them... And then another.

A month passed too. But nothing was as he expected... He thought that she would realize that what he did was right. But there he was, in his cabin, second guessing himself.

Not a moment of his spare time was spent without thinking of her, not a chance at stealing a few glances was lost.

As he looked down at the file on the table, it took him back to her.

Aargh this paper work !

He got up from his chair and moved to the canteen. He saw a familiar silhouette in there. Their eyes met, for a brief moment.

And then they looked away, as though they had never known each other.

Abhijeet studied her quietly, carefully.

She was wearing the same clothes from yesterday. He chuckled to himself as he noticed even the shade of her...old habits die hard. The pain in her eyes too, had not gone unnoticed by him... And oh how he wished he could kiss it away.

But he reminded himself that he mustn't. For her, if not for him, he mustn't.

He tried to divert his attention from her by looking at the menu. But soon, the noise made by her abrupt getting up from her chair alerted him. As though in a reflex, he got up too.

He almost followed her as she ran, coughing.

Almost.

But instead he asked the female security guard to go in and check on her.

An hour passed. The guard had told him that she was alright... It was just a little cough. But somehow, he felt restless. She looked really weak. Well, why wouldn't she... She hadn't been resting ever since Dr. Salunkhe sir had gone.

Oh damn that Salunkhe and damn his emotions!

Quietly he moved to the forensic lab and stood at the door. He let out a sigh of relief. Well, she wasn't coughing anymore.

He left before she could notice him.

Another hour passed. His attention was more on her car in the parking lot than on his files. She really needed to go home.

He found himself walking to the forensic lab yet again.

This time, he mustered courage to talk to her.

His eyes travel the lab in search of her when they rested on her. She was sleeping, keeping her head on table. He moved near her. He loved to see her sleeping figure. He always did. And for the couple of last week it was the only way to look at her without any hesitation. He used to sneak into his room when she was in deep sleep. Sometimes he had even touch her too.

He removed the curls from her face. Tarika opened her eyes and Abhijeet stood still.

She stood up in hurry.

"Wo report bas banne hi wale hai. Bas.. bas 30 minutes.."

Abhijeet mentally laughed on his fate.

No sir, No Abhijeet.

She just merely avoid calling him anything at all.

"Tum ghar jao. Report kal de dena "

"Nahi.. I know subha taq HQ bhejna hai report. Mai kar rahi hu."

"It's an order Tarika."

"I have order from Dr Salunke to finish it today."

Abhijeet sighed.

Would it hurt to ask her how she was? oh, he's dying to have a normal chit chat with her.

No it wouldn't hurt.

"Tum thik ho?"

Tarika nodded.

"Tabiyat thil nahi lag rahi mujhe tumhari."

"Thil hi mai."

"Thik se lunch nahi kia tha tumne. Mai Dinner order karu?"

"Ghar jakar kha lungi."

"You have decided to deny my every words?" Abhijeet smirked.

"Aisa kuch nahi hai."

"Then I am ordering dinner."

Tarika nodded in agreement.

Tarika started doing her work. Abhijeet sat on a chair at another corner of the room, looking at her.

Oh he missed her a lot.

In this one month.. he couldn't count how many times he wanted to ran to her. He wanted her to his side. he couldn't count.

20 minutes later the dinner arrived.

Abhijeet took out the food from packets.

"A jao."

Tarika moved to him. They sat to have their dinner.

"You have got dark circles around your eyes."

Tarika stopped eating listening to him.

"Stress ke waja se."

"Hmm.."

Tarika started eating again.

"You have lost weight too."

"Kam ka pressure... wo.."

"Hmm.."

"Tum kha nahi rahe ho.."

Tum.

He felt relaxed after a long time

He looked at her continuously. It felt good... To be alone like this after a long time.

Still looking at her, he took a spoonful of food. He didn't really care what the food was... At the moment, all he knew was that he felt a certain happiness that hadn't been his all month.

He was about to eat when she held his hands.

"Kya Kar rahe ho," she spoke hurriedly, "soy hai isme... Tumhe allergy hai soy se."

He smiled...at her worry, at her concern, at the way she held his hand. He watched her speak, her eyebrows tense yet her eyes so beautiful... What a perfect almond shape and oh how he had missed looking at them so deeply. And those cheeks... That slight glow that they were attaining right now.

"Bolo!"

He came out of his trance as she raised her voice.

"K-kya?"

"Allergy hai toh mana Karna Chahiye tha na order karte time !"

Abhijeet looked down, slightly embarrassed.

"Wo... Wo tumhe Pasand hai na toh bus..."

Tarika followed his gaze which had unfortunately rested on his arm that she had grabbed.

She immediately removed her hand.

"I'm sorry," she said, her voice pained, "wo mein..."

Abhijeet felt disheartened. He didn't know why but he didn't want her to remove her hand... She could leave it on him for a little while longer.

He didn't intend to rest his eyes over their hands and make her conscious... He just happened to.

Abhijeet removed the soy ingredients from his plate and they had the rest of their dinner in silence.

"Mein reports Bana deti Hu," Tarika said , getting up.

Abhijeet held her wrist, making her turn around to face him.

"Thank you... "

Tarika nodded and tried to free her hand from his grip but he held it tightly. Her eyes widened. She didn't know what to do.

"Abhijeet..."

"Hmm?" He spoke as though he hadn't realized what he was doing.

She pointed at his grip around her wrist. His eyes followed the cue of hers but rested back on her face.

"Abhijeet.." she spoke again, after a few seconds, "mein reports banane jau?"

He left her, reluctantly.

Tarika kept working but Abhijeet didn't move.

'Mai file tumhare table pe rakh dungi... tum subha ake le Lena.. u should go and rest now."

"I will drove you home."

Tarika was taken aback. He's offering her a ride home!

"You shouldn't" she said looking down.

"I know. but still I will "

"Bohot muskil se samala hai khud koo maine.. phirse umid mat do mujhe." she whispered.

"I will still drive you home." he said calmly.

"Ku?" Tarika wanted to know in a trembling voice.

"'cause i missed you. A ride won't harm."

"It will."

"Kal sham ko mission ke liye ja raha hu."

Tarika looked at him instantly.

"Par.. Daya jane wala tha na?"

Abhijeet shook his head.

"its a plan... Daya ka jana open secret hai.. n mera, confidential secret."

Tarika got scared. Abhijeet never told the secrets...

"Abhijeet tum.."

"I want to feel relax. If something happens, i just want to say myself Tarika is doing fine which you aren't currently.

"Aisa ku bol rahe ho? Kuch nahi hoga tumhe." She said reaching near him.

"I will drive you home." he said yet again.

Tarika nodded.

"Tum car nikalo.. mai ye file Bureau deke ati hu."

Abhijeet nodded and left the lab.

Tarika moved towards bureau with numerous thoughts in her mind.

May be they would never go back to their previous selves.. may be they just have to live like this... but she would know that he cared.

As they reached her home, Abhijeet noticed the change in her demeanour. Maybe he shouldn't have told her. He then immediately dismissed the thought. Who was he kidding? She would notice his absence.

"Tarika..."

"Hmm?"

"Darr lag Raha hai?"

She nodded.

"Pehle toh Kabhi Nahi Dekha tumhe itna Dara hua."

"Pehle toh tum Bina shabdo ke hi Sahi... Lekin wapas mere paas aane Ka wada karke jaate the na..."

Something about her words, something about that voice made his hand fondle her cheeks.

He leaned towards her, a little hesitant.

Tarika too leaned forward, telling him that it was okay to go ahead.

Abhijeet kissed her, slowly, cherishing the taste of her lips after a long time. He found it difficult to hold back. Tarika on the other hand was too weak to response back. she just let him kiss her.

Abhijeet broke the kiss reminding himself it's more than enough he deserved.

"Are you coming back?" Tarika asked.

"Where?"

"In my life."

"Gaya hi kaab tha?"

"Kabhi nahi.. bas thode dur the."

"Dur hi thik hu."

Tarika sighed, looking down. Abhijeet held her chin and made her look up.

"I missed you Tarika... "

"You don't have to..."

"I am still afraid..."

"Take more time then.."

"Make me stay.. against my will. I can't take it anymore."

Tarika hugged him tight. Abhijeet to wrapped his arms around her.

"I will look after myself. I won't make you weak.. i promise.. we will keep our relationship even more secret."

"I can't see anything happening to you.."

"Nothing will happen to me as long as you are with me."

Abhijeet broke the hug.

"Promise?"

"Promise." Tarika nodded.

This time Tarika kissed him. Abhijeet respond back instantly. Tarika was about kiss hard when Abhijeet pull back.

"I will come back."

Tarika smiled.. genuinely, after a long long time.

She kissed him again making Abhijeet smile too.

The mission was never so awaited.

..The End

..

AN: so this is the end. Hame isse better kuch sujha hi nahi. We wanted him to realize by himself not by someone else. Hope the ending was satisfactory to you.

~Let's Imagine~