A/N: Hi everyone. Thanks for the love you all showed to the first chapter. I'm hoping to get a similar response in this chapter too.

Duo Dose: Haan yaar...aadat hi bana li hai bhaisahab ne. haha...But we love him for it too na...This love and care that they both have for each other. Thanks for the review, dear.

Brawny: Thanks buddy! Yes, it was a big target but I really needed the motivation. Abhi dekhna, last chapter hai na, jo kanjoosi hone wali hai reviews me, haha...Anyways, thanks again. Glad, you loved the chapter.

Shilpam: Thanks bhai. Ye lo, aa gaya doosra chapter bhi. As promised. And considering my old track record, I was very quick too. You'd know, being an old reader of mine, since the times of my story Dost ya Dushman. haha...

Abhi's mad lover: Nahi, yaar. This was meant to be a completely duo-based story. I usually add ACP sir in my stories but if you read my other stories, you'll notice that the ACP-Abhijeet bond in my story is very different to that of the show in its last few years. In my story, it's more like what it used to be in the old days, before the new writers ruined it. Also, this story was written on the request of a friend many years back, and she had just one request and that is, 'No ACP'. Understandably, seeing how that beautiful father-son relation had been messed up by FW in those days. Anyways, thanks a lot for taking out the time to read and giving your feedback!

Abhi-love: Oh yes, so true. That line really pinched me too. But Daya sir really didn't have a leg to stand on this time, since he himself had said something similar just moments before. But, Daya sir does scold him when Abhijeet sir does stupid things. You know, like going after an anonymous girl without telling him and then getting kidnapped ;p Maybe, I would've liked to write on Daya scolding him after that episode (Abhijeet Trapped) but he already did that on screen :D

TheStridentTranquilizer: Oh yes, I always think these little moments between the two is what makes their friendship special. They show their emotions for each other freely, be it love, care, anger, frustration or anything. It's really cute. Thanks for the review!

AllTimeReader and Sowmyacidduofan: First of all, thanks for giving an honest feedback, and also for sharing your concern, both of you. Please don't mind that I'm addressing you both together. I'm doing so because you both seem to have the same concern. I'm sorry, but I seem to have missed the war you are both talking about, in the couple of years I was absent from here. I don't remember reading any story based on this episode, so I can't comment on what others have written. But to me, the anger on Abhijeet's side seems justified in this scenario, just the same way Daya's anger is justified when Abhijeet does something that could put him in danger. I believe it to be a very common and normal response from a close friend. Daya and Abhijeet aren't just colleagues who just maintain a cordial but professional relation. If that were the case, yes, I would have agreed that a simple "Are you okay" from Abhijeet would have sufficed. But being as close as they are, they are bound to be more concerned and feel more deeply, fear more deeply, for the other. And that's going to show because they don't hide things from each other, as said and shown multiple times in the show itself. They are comfortable enough to share not just their joy but anger and fears too. Also, it's not just the lie. There are other points that I have tried to cover as well. And the fact remains that at the end of the day, they both understand each other perfectly well. Well enough, in fact, that Abhijeet knows it quite well that given another chance, Daya would have done exactly the same thing. And they both accept the other with all their strengths and weaknesses, sense and follies. I also absolutely loathed the way my favourite characters had been ruined by the show in the last few years, including ACP, Abhijeet, Salunkhe. Even the beautiful relations like that of ACP and Abhijeet's had been ruined by the show. I normally pretend those few episodes don't exist. In my stories at least, ACP-Abhijeet-Daya are quite different, more like the way they used to be in old days. It was a beautiful relation and I like to go back to it, both by watching old episodes and including it in my stories. ACP-Abhijeet relation appears as prominently in my stories as Abhijeet-Daya. Don't get me started on what I think about FW's take on these two relations in certain episodes in later years. I'll never stop.

Sowmyacidduofan: No one is blaming Daya for anything! I don't know where in my story it seemed like it, but I don't think I have ever, in this story or others, shown hatred towards Daya. I love Daya's character, just as much as I love Abhijeet's. Please tell me at which point it seemed like Daya was portrayed as "Bad". Because I can't seem to find it. Even if Abhijeet was angry, he didn't blame him for anything. And if they are okay at the end of the day, you really shouldn't care what others have to say, right? I certainly don't. Again, thanks for reviewing :)

AllTimeReader: I agree about your point on the army people saving each other first. I have never seen Abhijeet and Daya saying anything to the other for doing that. They have done that multiple times and no one complained. They felt pain for the other getting hurt while doing it but they didn't complain, knowing they'd themselves do the same if such a time came. But I've tried to take a different take on this story, covering some points, that takes it beyond just trying to save one another. I hope you see it as I do once you read this chapter. Thanks for the review, once again :)

Also, a big thanks to all the guest reviewers for showing your love. I really appreciate it :D

Now, here's the next chapter as promised.

HAVE A HAPPY READING...


Daya sat on the cliff, his body shaking as the adrenaline left his bloodstream in a rush, now that the danger had passed. He couldn't believe his luck. He had thought that today he was going to die for sure. True, he had faced similar situations several times before, including one time where Abhijeet and he had disposed off a virus bomb only a few kilometres away from his current position, but nothing could compare to this time. Every other time, he had his whole team with him. Or, at least his friend. Even the one time he had left alone in a streamer, he had already planned to jump off with time left in hand. But this time, even if he did run off, he would have been killed because of the nature of the bomb.

With too many thoughts running in his head, he hadn't noticed how much time had passed until the darkness settled around him. He stood up and went back to his car. He lifted the inactivated bomb carefully, mindful of the radioactive substance that was still present inside it, and placed it in an evidence bag that they carried in the car. Then he checked his mobile and found several missed calls and messages from his worried teammates. It was worrying that he hadn't noticed his mobile ringing or even the message beeps. It was even more worrying that none of the calls and messages he had received after the bomb was inactivated was from Abhijeet.

"Mar gaya", he murmured to himself.

He left a message on Abhijeet's mobile – I'm alright. On the way back to bureau. – and set on his drive back to the bureau.

Much as he prided himself over his shear physical strength, the detective skills he had learned over the years and the terror he could instil withing the toughest of criminals, he couldn't help but be a little fearful of his friend's temper. ACP sir was easy to deal with. He would shout and then he would forget. And he was not his friend, so of course he was easier to deal with. But Abhijeet…

The last time, Abhijeet had not said anything because he was much too fraught with tension, seeing him lying on the deck of their small boat, almost dead. And there were certainly other things going on his mind, which he still didn't know about. The next time he hadn't said much after a little scolding, mainly because he had tricked Freddy, not Abhijeet himself. And he had met him just after the incident when they were all still in fear for his welfare. But this time, his famous-for-temper friend had had enough time for his fear to settle down and the anger, that had for all this time been suppressed by fear, to take its place. Daya still didn't regret leaving his friend behind to try to keep him safe but…perhaps he shouldn't have waited so long and let his friend's anger simmer. He sighed, surrendering himself to fate.

Daya reached the bureau, knowing everybody would still be there, probably busy in preparing reports of this recent case. He took the last evidence they would need – they suitcase with the bomb.

As soon as he entered inside, Freddy, Pankaj and Purvi, who were working in the outer room, came to him.

Freddy: Sir, aap theek hain a?

Daya (smiling): Haan Freddy, mai bilkul theek hu.

Purvi: hum sab to darr gaye the sir, jab bomb akhri minute tak bhi deactivate nahi ho raha tha.

Pankaj: Sach me…aur music ko kaun code banata hai, wo bhi bomb ka? Pata nahi kis bewakoof ka idea tha ye.

Daya: Bewakoof nahi, chalak insaan tha. Tabhi aisa hatke code rakha tha. Taki password mil bhi jaye to confuse ho jaye insaan.

Purvi: Haan sir, wo to hai.

Daya: Waise ye ACP sir aur Abhijeet kaha hai? Dikh nahi rahe dono?

Freddy: Sir, ACP sir kisi ka call aaya tha to wo nikal gaye milne usse. Aur Abhijeet sir abhi tak yahi hai. Shayad records room me gaye hai.

Just then, Daya saw Abhijeet walking out of the records room while talking to someone on the mobile, looking serious. His attention got over to them when he noticed a small commotion near the entrance. His eyes met Daya's, but after holding his eyes for a moment, he walked over to his desk without a word, still talking on the phone, for all the world looking as if nothing was wrong. Daya kept talking to the three, though his attention was on Abhijeet. He was waiting for Abhijeet to end his scall, so that he could go and talk to him.

After a few minutes, Abhijeet kept his mobile on the desk and called out for Purvi and Pankaj. They walked over to him but Freddy kept standing near Daya. The two of them could see Abhijeet instructing something to Purvi and Pankaj on something. Freddy turned to Daya, looking serious now.

Freddy: Apne sach me sabko bahut dara diya tha sir. Khas taur pe Abhijeet sir bahut upset the. Upar se… (he stopped, suddenly looking uncomfortable)

Daya: Upar se kya?

Freddy shook his head and said in a low tone: Kuch nahi sir. Apko aisa nahi karna chahiye tha.

Daya wondered what Freddy was about to say for which he looked so uncomfortable, as if he had said too much, but didn't push.

Daya (in equally low tone): Tum kehna chahte ho ki mujhe Abhijeet ko bhi khatre me daalna chahiye tha?

Freddy: Khatra kab nahi hota sir. Apne mujhe bhi ek baar peeche chora tha. Mai aaj tak nahi bhoola hu. Apko lagta hai ki Abhijeet sir bhool jayenge?

Daya: Freddy, aisa nahi hai…

Freddy: Mai janta hu ki apka intent buran ahi tha. Par wo bahut hurt hai sir. Aap baat kar lijiyega. (Then giving him a little smile, he added) Apna khayal rakhiyega sir. Mai chalta hu.

Daya nodded and Freddy moved to his desk to gather his belongings.

Daya moved to Abhijeet's desk who was now busily working on a file, while Pankaj and Purvi seemed occupied with the work Abhijeet had given them. He stood for a few moments in front of him, and saw Abhijeet jotting a few words on the file and ending it with a forceful full stop, before looking up, not being able to ignore someone standing there like that any longer. Before Daya could think of what to say, Abhijeet broke eye contact and looked around. Purvi and Pankaj were still working at their respective desks and Freddy was assembling a few last minute works. Then Abhijeet looked back at Daya and asked in a controlled low voice that showed no outward emotion, "Theek ho?"

Daya nodded, message clear from Abhijeet's voice and the rhetoric question that the calmness was only a show for the sake of the juniors' eyes.

Abhijeet gave a curt nod: Good.

Without further ado, he returned to his file. Daya looked back at Freddy who, on meeting his eyes, shook his head in a manner that seemed to say 'I told you', but then gave him an encouraging smile before leaving for home.

Turning back to Abhijeet, Daya called him in a soft voice: Abhijeet…

Abhijeet barely moved his head up: Haan Daya…kuch kaam hai?

Still that controlled and calm voice, Daya noticed.

Daya: Tumse baat karni thi.

Abhijeet kept his pen in between the pages of the file and made a show of closing the file and giving him his full attention: Bolo.

He could see from the corner of his eyes that Purvi and Pankaj had started to notice. Abhijeet had noticed this too, he was sure, or he would have waved him off at that moment. He knew his friend well and could see that it was taking a lot of effort to keep his temper in check. It wouldn't do to look unprofessional in front of the juniors.

Daya: Kaafi waqt ho gaya hai, chalo mai tumhe raaste me ghar drop kar dunga.

Abhijeet: Mujhe kaam hai, tum chalo…mai kaam khatam kar ke nikal jaunga.

Daya: Itni raat ko?

Abhijeet: Tum apna kaam subah kar chuke ho, mai abhi kar lu? (The mildsarcasm might have been lost on a person who didn't know Abhijeet well, but not on Daya. Abhijeet gave him a long stare and started to open his file again, while adding in a very low voice, so only Daya could hear) Ghar jao Daya. Pure din ke kaam se thak gaye hoge.

Daya too kept the same low tone as Abhijeet, feeling the eyes of the other two on them: Abhijeet…please yaar. Mai…

He could not complete his sentence because the two were now staring at them and they were very poor at hiding it. Apparently, that was the limit to his friend's temper. He looked up suddenly towards them and snapped: Kaam ho gaya tum dono ka?

Pankaj stammered: No sir, bas hone wala…

Abhijeet: To karo jaldi! Aur complete kar ke mujhe dikhao abhi.

Daya sighed. Really, they should know better than to stare at someone, and more than that, they should know better than making it so obvious, especially when someone was so clearly having a personal conversation. Or, when Abhijeet was in such a mood, he added in his mind, bracing himself for the upcoming storm.

Abhijeet stood up and taking the file he was working on, moved out towards the small room in the back that was also used for interrogation.

Abhijeet said over his shoulder: Mai doosre room me hu. Kaam kar ke wahi le aana aur tab tak mujhe disturb mat karna.

Again, with that calm and controlled voice. Daya looked for help towards the heavens, before moving out to the records room. There, he picked up a file that he was reading earlier and moved towards the other room, which connected a door to the one in which Abhijeet had entered. Opening the connecting door, he entered the room where Abhijeet was working…or more like, waiting.

Abhijeet was standing near the window, facing the dark and busy city beneath them. His shoulders were stiff and he had both his hands in his pockets – a stance Daya could not remember his friend taking in the past many years – and as Daya could see in the reflection on the window, looked serious. Both his stance and the seriousness reminded him of his friend as he was in his first few years in CID, when their friendship had only started forming.

Daya: Abhijeet…

Abhijeet turned towards him and fixed him with a steady look, still looking like his old self. He leaned back on the window behind and folded a leg to place it on the wall. Daya waited for him to say something but he remained quiet. He knew he had to lead the talk.

Daya: Abhijeet, yaar mai jaanta hu tum naraz ho, par yun chup to mat raho yaar.

Abhijeet: Mere bolne se kuch farq padta to nahi dikhta.

Daya: Yaar tum…(he exhaled in frustration) Agar mai tumhe bomb se door rakhna chahta tha to kya galat hai usme? Agar deactivate nahi hota to ek bomb ke chakkar me sabka marna zaroori to nahi hai. Then why?

Abhijeet: Because…It. Was. STUPID! (Daya was rather shocked by that proclamation but couldn't say anything as Abhijeet, once his dam broken, didn't give him a chance) Itna khatarnaak bomb tha, akele handle karna usse bhi khatarnaak saabit hot sakta tha. Ek baar mishandling ki wajah se do logo ki jaan ja chuki thi. Mai hath me pakar ke baitha tha to safe rehta, aur tumne usse aise hi seat pe chor diya. Agar disbalance ho jata ya gir jata to? Sheher se itne bhi door nahi the tab ki radio particles leak hone pe aam logo tak nahi pahuch pate. Tumhe pata tha ki deactivate karne ka koi tareeka hoga, agar do log hote to dono milke kuch kar sakte the, magar nahi…bhaisahab akele kaam na kare to shaan ka mho jayegi na! Aur akele gaye to gaye, bina location bataye chale gaye. Agar by chance koi zyada emergency hoti to tum tak pahuchte kaise hum? Sunsaan ilaaka hai, mobile bhi humesha track hop aye koi guarantee nahi. Situation aisi ho sakti thi ki mobile destroy ho jaye. Naye to hon ahi iss field me jo ye baatein bitha ke sikhani pade. Baki sab to choro, kisi ka call uthana bhi zaroori nahi samjha. (He moved forward from his position to stand in front of Daya in one fluid motion, and continued with gritted teeth) Ek second ke liye bhi socha ki ho sakta hai ki koi nayi information ho jo team tumse share karna chahti ho, ho sakta hai ki bomb deactivate ya destroy karne ka koi tareeka mil gaya ho…ek baar sun leta hu, par nahi! Daya, sabse pehli jo chize CID me seekhi thi unme se ek ye thi ki apne team se har samaya contact me rehne ki poori koshish karo, chahe situation jo bhi ho…chahe peace time hi kyu na ho. Aur tumne to case ke beech me contact break kar diya…aur wo bhi itne nazuk mod pe aa kar jaha har ek second aur har ek information laakho logo ki zindagi aur maut ke beech ka faisla ker sakti hai. Ek baar bhi socha tha tumne ye sab? Ki aise hi nikal pade the?

Daya looked stunned. He had not in fact, in that difficult scenario, thought about all these things.

Daya: Abhijeet…yaar mai…

Ahbijeet (in a much softer tone): Tumne sirf socha ki mai safe rahunga. Yaar sentiments hona acha hai, sabme hoti hai aur wo humari strength hoti hai. But Daya use sirf apni strength hi rehne dena, weakness mat banne do. Jab tum mujhe waha gadi se utaar keg aye the tab mai bhi ek second ke liye panic ho gaya tha. Normal hai ye. But humare kaam me logic sentiments ke bahut aage hota hai yaar, ye baat tum please yaad rakho. (He stopped for a moment, then chuckled darkly) Aur tumne mujhe safe rakhne ke liye ye sab kiya…Daya…meri kismet thi jo mujhe wo patrol van mil gayi, warna aisi sunsaan ilaake me hardly mujhe koi lift dene wala milta. Aur aise me agar wo bomb blast ho jata to mai bhi radiation ke dayere se door nahi tha. Haan shayad marne se to tumne mujhe bacha liya hota, par (he stopped for a moment, and then said in an even softer voice) radiation ke effects tum bhi ache se jaante ho aur mai bhi.

Daya seemed striken. Abhijeet slowly took a seat on one of the two chairs that were there around the small round table. He sat back with his arms folded; much more relaxed than he had been a few minutes back.

After a moment, Daya moved to place one hand on the table where Abhijeet was sitting and said after some thought: Mai maanta hu ki aaj jo maine kiya, soch samajh ken ahi kiya. Galat kiya. Par meri soch galat nahi thi. (Here ke looked at Abhijeet)

Abhijeet gave him a small smile: I know.

Daya too relaxed a little.

Daya feeling more daring trod on: Par Abhijeet, aisa to nahi hai ki tumne kabhi hum sabko bina bataye koi mission carry na kiya ho.

Abhijeet moved forward on the chair and steepled his fingers on the table in front of him.

Abhijeet: Daya…ek case batao jispe maine tumhe bina bataye kaam kiya ho aur jisme mujhe upar se orders nah o use secret rakhne ke. (Daya opened his mouth but Abhijeet pressed on, suddenly remembering something) That is (smiling slightly) jab baat meri yaadasht pe na aayi ho. Agar mujhe kuch yaad nahi hoga to mai tumhe bata nahi sakta.

Daya had nothing to say. They sat there quietly for some time, both in their own thoughts, until a light knocking sound was heard on the door. Neither of them looked startled or worried that the person outside might have heard something. They both had become quite keen even on the smallest of sounds, and knew before the knock came that there were two people standing outside, and that those two people were their colleagues.

They both picked up the files they had brought with them and opened it in front of them, while Abhijeet said in a loud enough voice to be heard from the other side: Come in.

Purvi and Pankaj entered the room, both looking a bit scared after having been scolded no half an hour ago.

Pankaj poked Purvi from behind. She was the one who dared to speak first: Sir, apne jo kaam diya tha…

Abhijeet nodded once, easily turning from a concerned friend to a senior's role: Ho gaya?

Daya kept his eyes firmly glued to the file in his hand, not taking interest in how his friend handled that role. He was perfectly versed in that respect just as well as he was in seeing him a a friend. The conversation they had had a few minutes back was only a small glimpse of Abhijeet's 'senior' side showing at the same time as his 'friend' side. Not to mention that there was a time when he was nothing but a senior to him.

Purvi: Yes sir. Aap ek baar check kar lijiye. Agar kuch corrections hongi to hum abhi kar lenge.

Pankaj nodded, not trusting his words even though his senior looked normal and calm now. Not the forced calm that meant danger to him, but the real calm, which he was accustomed to seeing regularly.

Abhijeet: Dikhao.

Purvi and Pankaj handed him over the files they had prepared.

Abhijeet scanned the preliminary report on the first page and the final result on the last page on both the files, then said: Preliminary report theek hai. Baki details mai check kar ke kal sign kar dunga. Phir ACP sir se check karwa lena.

They all knew that the ACP hardly ever went through the details of files on each case. He simply signed them if he saw it was already checked by one of the two senior officers. The junior officers found it humbling that their seniors never complained about too much work, completing not only field duties and their own paper works but checking others' too, simply extending a helping hand to juniors and senior alike, wherever needed. And at the end of the day, they never asked for credit for all that extra work, neither did they every show a hint of arrogance at the importance their senior placed in their presence and work.

Purvi: Yes sir. (Abhijeet handed back the files to her) Abhi hum log wo…

Abhijeet: Abhi koi naya kaam shuru karne ki zaroorat nahi hai. Kaafi raat ho gayi hai, ghar chale jao. Files mai tumhare desk pe rakh dunga sign karke.

Purvi hesitated: Sir, it's fine, abhi kar lete hai. Corrections hui to…

Abhijeet: Kal subah ho jayengi corrections. (Then added mildly) Waise mushkil hi hai, kaam tum dono ka humesha barabar ka hi hota hai.

The praise brought a glow and a smile on both their faces. The easy manner in which his friend handled his position as a senior and a mentor was so familiar to Daya, that the remembrance of similar words, once directed towards himself, brought out a soft smile on his face too.

He heard Purvi and Pankaj say together: Thank you sir.

They then wished them both a good night and went out to go to their respective homes, closing the door behind them.

A few moments after the door closed, Abhijeet said lightly: Kya baat hai, kiski yaad me smile aa gayi chehre pe? Humse baat karte waqt to muh latka hua tha.

Daya shook his head, trying to get out of the past. He looked up still smiling lightly: Kya yaar, daat sunte waqt kaun smile karta hai.

Abhijeet: Kaha daat pata hu mai abb…ek hi rank pe to aa gaye ho tum.

Abhijeet made a face so sad while saying this that Daya couldn't help but laugh out, the short friendly moment breaking the tension of the whole day.

Daya said in a more serious tone: Yaar Ahbijeet, I'm sorry aaj ke liye. I promise…

Abhijeet cut him in middle: Daya…aisa koi promise mat karo jo tum pura na kar pao. OK? (Daya looked down, knowing his friend knew him too well; knew that of presented with a similar situation, he will probably behave in the same way as he had earlier that day. Abhijeet gave him a brotherly pat on the shoulder and said lightly) Chal, ghar drop karega promise kiya tha na…abhi wahi pura kar.

They both moved out after checking and locking the office door and signing out of the bureau.

On the way Abhijeet asked again: Waise kya soch ke smile kar rahe the bataya nahi?

Daya: Soch raha tha jab tum bere bhi senior hua karte the, tab…

Abhijeet cut him again with a dreamy voice and expression: Haan…kya din the wo bhi…sukhad, chintaheen, khushgawar, suhawne…

Abhijeet walked ahead, still showing his Hindi vocabulary with the same dreamy expression. Daya stopped and shook his head at his friend's antics. This was so different from the man he had seen standing in the interrogation room not an hour ago, which had reminded him of not his friend, but his 'senior' Abhijeet. This was a side of Abhijeet that very few people were fortunate enough to see. He was one of those very few and he felt lucky to have such a friend.

He knew he had scared him today. Abhijeet would never say it aloud but Daya could feel it when talking to him in those last minutes, when Abhijeet was guiding and encouraging him at the same time. He didn't know how he would have reacted if it were him in his place. Not well, he was sure. Before this train of thought could move any further, he was pulled out of his thoughts bu Abhijeet's voice calling him, "Daya…tum phir kho gaye. Itni kiski yaad aa rahi hai aaj?"

Abhijeet was already sitting on the passenger seat of the car and poking his head slightly out of the window to call him. Daya walked towards the car too.

Daya: Tumhe batau taaki tumhe meri taang kheenchne ka mauka mil jaye, hai na?

Abhijeet gave his devilish smile: Tumhari taang kheenchne ke liye mere paas already bahut information hai.

Daya raised his eyebrows: Acha?

Abhijeet gave an exaggerated nod in response. They drove off towards Abhijeet's house, from where Daya would go to his own home after dropping Abhijeet.

Abhijeet: Ghar pe hi utaarna, phir se beech raaste me mat utaar dena. (Abhijeet couldn't help taking a last sarcastic dig at his friend before leaving the topic alone)

Daya: Yaar…kya tum bhi! (Daya tried to sound irritated but couldn't stop the shy smile that came over his face).


A/N: Sorry, if I've offended anyone by this story. That was not my intent. Every writer has his own perspective, and here, I've presented mine. I hope the story gave you some good duo moments to carry with you.

Love you all,

Diya