Morning 11 am:
Abhijit was welcomed by the mild fragrance of jasmine and bright daisys. Abhi was impressed with the clean maintenance of garden. Abhi parked his bike outside Tarika's house. Abhi was wearing a black jean and grey T-shirt and brown cooling glass. He walked up and was about to ring the door bell when he heard loud music from inside.
Abhi: Itna loud music. Lagtha hai uske saath uske dosth bhi hain. Hmmmm. (scratching his head with bike key) Mujhe usey batha ke aane chahiye tha.
He rang the bell not having the heart to return back without getting her dharshan. No response for the bell due to loud music. The door opened under his force has he banged on it.
Abhi(smiling): Arrey dharwaza tho kula hai. Chalo andar chalthey hain.
Abhi went inside and locked the door. He saw that the music system blaring in the living room. But he couldn't see Tarika anywhere.
Abhi: Music hai magar koi dosth tho nahi hai yahaan par. Tarika khaan hai?
As he surveyed the area standing in the living room he saw something white cloth fluttering in the kitchen. He walked towards the kitchen and froze to the spot with open mouth. Tarika was dancing while cooking. She was dancing for the song "Mere khawbon jo aaye ". She was totally engrossed and lost in her own world.
She was cutting vegetables and making expression in her face and hand movements according to the lyrics and singing as if she is saying all those words in reality. One time with knife other time with carrot and next time with cucumber was used by her to express according to lyrics.
She was wearing a white chudidar, no makeup, her hair made into a messy bun with help of a spoon, a small hair strand flirting with her right cheek and a bright smile which could infect any one. The cut of chudidar accentuated her hip movements making it more sensual and graceful as she moved from one counter to another.
Abhi leaned on the door watching her with a sweet smile spread across his face which met his eyes. Tarika's back was towards Abhi. He hid himself whenever she turned so that she doesn't see him. Last time when he came out from hiding place to the door at the same time Tarika too came out. Tarika dashed at a hard built chest of Abhi. Both recoiled back. Tarika was at utter shock. Her face was red with work. Abhi at first felt uneasy then immediately made an expressionless face as if he as just entered the house.
Tarika pulled herself together.
Tarika (stepping forward and pointing at him with her forefinger): Tum…
As she stepped forward with amazement she slipped by the door mat on the tiled floor. She was about to fall when Abhi held her with strong grip but with a soft touch. His right hand was behind her back and the other holding her left wrist. He pulled her back. Both stared at each other in the process.
At the same time Abhi's mobile rang. Both of them didn't budge. It stopped and again started to ring. This time as Tarika kept her right hand on his chest she felt the mobile vibration through her hand. As the mobile was kept in his shirt pocket. She immediately came out of the trance and saw that Abhi was still looking at her.
She pointed about his mobile ringing through her hand. Abhi followed her hand and again traced back to her face, staring at her eyes with daze. Tairka got irritated by his constant staring.
Tarika(beating her forehead): Ufho Abhijit.
She took out the mobile herself, lifted Abhi's right hand placed it on his palm. Abhi came back and switched ON his mobile.
Abhi(lost dreamy tone): Hello !
Daya(bit irritated): Itna der phone utane may. Aur ye shor kyahai?
Abhi(still lost): Shor?
Tarika understood and went to turn OFF music system. Tarika again came and stood before him with hands on the hips. Stress lines on her forehead.
Abhi: Haan haan. Wo kuch nahi. Bus bore ho raha tho ghana sun rahatha.
Abhi and Tarika saw each other and let out a sigh of relief.
Daya: Apne ghar pe?
Abhi: Haan Haan apne ghar mein Daya. Aur nahi tho kya pados ke ghar mein sunu ga kya. Kya yaar tum bhi naa.
Daya(mockingly): Tho tum apne ghar mein ho?
Abhi:Haan.
Daya: Saach.
Abhi(like a wounded child): Hmm hmmm….
Daya(stern voice): Abhi I am standing in front of your house and it's locked.
Abhi( with the expression of getting caught): Haan Haan. Wo…
Daya: Kya Haan Haan Kar rahey ho Abhi?
Tarika walked away after shaking her head and giving a expression " tu tho gaya" to Abhi .
Abhi(bluntly): Haan.
Daya: Abi phirsey haan. Abhijit ho kya gaya hai tumhey.
Abhi(sheepishly grinning): Heeeheee. Kuch nahi Daya kuch bhi tho nahi. I am perfectly alright.
Daya: Haan dik hi raha hai that you are perfectly alright.
Abhi: Hmmm…
Daya(smiling): Tho janab Tarika ke ghar mein hain.
Abhi who was caught off guard started to stammer.
Abhi(scratching his forehead in tension with his hand): Haan. Nahi. Mera matalab haan nahi hi hai.
Daya(laughing): Chodo Boss. Tumsey nahi hoga. Tum apna pasina pochlo. Hum fir kal milengey.
Abhi(sincerely): Haan Haan Daya kal jaroor milengey.
Has he turned after cutting the phone he faced his worst bed time monster. Tarika was boiling with anger. Abhi could even imagine smoke coming out from her ears and nose. Abhi gulped and moved past Tarika watching her liked a scared 3 year child.
Tarika(angry and in firm voice): Tum yahaan kyun aaye Abhijit? Wo bhi bin bulaye bin bathaye under agaye khule aam. Wo bhi ek akele rahene waali ladki ek ghar mein.
Has she was blasting, Tarika stepped forward and Abhi backed at each step.
Tarika: Ye kya koi criminal ka ghar ha kya? Agaye andar yesey hi thod ke. Samjhthey kya ho apney aap ko…. Huin…..
By this time Abhi fell over the hand rest on the sofa hit by the hand rest. She was standing bending over him more curls falling over her face. Abhi's hand fell on her dhupata which was placed on the head rest beside him. He took the dhupatta and took it near her face with innocent expression. Tarika saw her dhupatta and herself and the position in which both where. She felt conscious, moved back a little and stood straight.
As Tarika kept her hand on dhupatta Abhi pulled dhupatta towards himself a little. Since Tarika had her hand on dhupatta she too moved forward with his pull. She timely managed to place a hand on the head rest and balanced from falling on him. Both looked at each other in eyes conscious of their nearness.
Abhi with his free hand removed the spoon which held her hair. The black curls came softly tumbling down and bounced in her shoulders. Some long locks fell forward on his face. Abhi smelled the fresh scent and smiled closing his eyes. Tarika taking this as her opportunity pulled the dhupatta from his hand not too swiftly neither too soft.
She turned around shyly and wore her dhupatta. Abhi felt bemused at her shyness. She turned around and saw that Abhi was still in the same postion with innocent dazed expression. Tarika realized and laughed at him. He too smiled back realizing his postion. He got up and stood before her.
Abhi: I… I am… extremely sorry Tarika ji. Mujhe batha ke aana chahiye tha….
He stopped on mid sentence as he saw the red color creeping in her cheeks. He took his hand to touch her cheeks. Since Tarika looked up at the precise time he took his hand behind his head.
Tarika(blushing with embracement. Very softly): Umm Ummm Kab aaye?
Abhi: Bus abi aaya.
Tarika let out a sigh of relief. Abhi saw it.
Abhi(smiling mischievously): Jab…
Tarika(looking at him in shock): Jab?
Abhi(grinning naughtily): Jab tum pulao bana rahi thi aur…
He left the sentence hanging. Tarika immediately covered her face with her hands in embracement.
Tarika: OMG. Tho tumne dheka when…..
She saw Abhi nodding his head in yes smiling at her through the gap between her fingers. She turned back and started walking to compose herself and turned to face Abhi.
Tarika: Tho?
Abhi: Tho kuch nahi.
Tarika(mocking): Phir yahaan kyun aaye ho?
Abhi: Wo…wo….
Tarika(smiling): Baito Abhijit.
Abhi: Kya?
Tarika(smiling broadly): Just sit Abhijit. I will get you water.
Tarika walked over dining table. Abhi sat properly now grining from ear to ear. Tarika came back with a glass of water. Abi composed his excitement. Abhi saw Band aid in her hand has she handed him the glass of water.
Abhi(concerned, pointing to Band aid.): Ye kya hai Tarika?
Tarika(removing band aid) : Kuch nahi subha blood donate karney gayi thi. City hospital sey phone aaya ki ek Thalassemia patient ko blood chahiye tha I went to donate.
Abhi: Wah Tarika ji. Bahut acha kaam kiya aapne.
Tarika(nodding, smiling): Hmmm
Abhi: Wesey ye Thalassemia kya hai?
Tarika(sitting down before him): It's a genetic defect, which could be either mutation or deletion, results in reduced rate of synthesis or no synthesis of one of the globins chains that make up hemoglobin.
Abhi(keeping the glass on the table): Ek ek ek minute. Dhirey boliye. Mujhe kuch samajh mein nahi aya. Please aap normal language mein baath kijiye.
Tarika(smiling): Sorry. It's blood disease Abhijit. Jismey patient ko survive karney keliye har hafhtey blood transfusion karna padtha hai. It's a genetic problem. Agar parivar mein kisi ko ho tho it will affect next generation too.
Abhi: OMG. Khatharnaak hai.
Tarika: Haan. Ab bahuth techs aagaye hain to put an end to this disease.
A silence fell as both of them didn't know what to talk or how to proceed.
Tarika(clearing her throat): Kuch kaam tha?
Ahi(hesitantly): Nahi bus aesey he. Mann kiya tho agay. Kya tumhe kuch kaam hai? Did I disturb you?
Tarika: Tumne disturb nahi kiya Abhijit. Kaam… haan hai. Dow reports submit karna hai.
Abhi's face fell instantly.
Abhi: Ho. Then I guess I will have to take leave now from here.
Tarika saw his sad face. She too felt bad for him. Abhi got up and started to walk towards the door.
Tarika: Wesey Abhijit (Abhi turned expectantly) tum help karsakthey ho. Wo kya hai na ki akele report mein kaam karne main mazaa nahi athaa.
Abhi: Are you sure can I stay?
He just asked as a formality although he wouldn't let go of this chance to stay with her.
Tarika(laughing at is childish act): Haan Abhijit. Tum mere saath lunch bi karlo.
Abhi(clapping his hands): Tho chalo der kisbath ki. Fata fat kaam pe lag jhathey hain.
Saying he started walking towards dining table.
Tarika: Wahaan kahaan ja rahey ho?
Abhi: To have lunch. What else?
Tarika(rolled her eyes): Abhijit it's only 11:30. First we complete report then lunch.
Abhi(grining): Haan Haan. Ok. Chalo.
Tarika laughed at his funny act. She asked him to follow her. Abhi followed Tarika to the guest room. Abhi who has never come this far inside Tarika home before was glancing at everything like a 4 year child in the zoo for first time.
Abhi was astonished at how tastefully Tarika has decorated her home. From wall colors to the furniture each and everything had a taste. The decoration soothed and makes feel at home. He never imagined her knowing beyond poisons and postmortem. She even had a bookshelf which possessed classic novels on various genres like romance, mystery and humor apart from forensic medical books.
Today he was having shock after shock. First the dance then her rich taste of housekeeping and interest in reading novels and gardening as hobbies. He realized the role of woman in housekeeping and why they say it home instead of house when woman are there.
Tarika sat on the bed and invited him to sit on the other side. He sat down and made himself comfortable with pillow behind his back.
Abhi: Tumne ghar ko bahuth acha sajaya hai.
Tarika: Thank you Abhijit.
Abhi(lost while turning pages of a file): Wesey lucky huin mein….
Since Tarika was concentrating on laptop she didn't hear what Abhi said.
Tarika: Kya kaha Abhijit tumne?
Abhi: Kuch nahi. Kaam kaam pe dhyaan dhethey hain.
Time 12:15 pm:
They started to work on the two reports. In between for most of the time Abhijit would ask doubts on this and that. Like Tarika ye kesey, wo kesey, ye kyun aur wo kyun nahi. Tarika would clear all the doubts patiently till he gets it right.
Abhijit: Most of the poisoning is done by cyanide.
Tarika: Haan. Aaj kal sabhi info tho internet par hi mil jahtha hai naa.
Abhijit: Haan wo tho hai. Wesey ye cyanide ke baarey mein bathao ? Ye kesey kaam kartha hai? Kya ye itna aasaan hai milna?
Tarika: Why don't you check out internet Abhijit.
Abhi(dejected): Agar mujhe internet sey hi patha karna hai tho mein kyun yahaan atha?
Tarika(although she heard him acting): Kuch kahaa?
Abhi: Nahi. Haan. Ye hi ki aap hothey huey internet mein dhund naa….. Internet aap jesey itna acha aur clear explain kahaan dhetha hai. Kyun Tarika ji.
Tarika blushed.
Tarika: Common poisonous cyanide compounds include hydrogen cyanide gas and the crystalline solids potassium cyanide and sodium cyanide. Inhalation of high concentrations of cyanide causes a coma with seizures, apnea, and cardiac arrest, with death following in a matter of minutes. At lower doses, loss of consciousness may be preceded by general weakness, giddiness, headaches, vertigo, confusion, and perceived difficulty in breathing.
At one time:
Abhi asked about Bio poisoning. Tarika explained about it.
Abhi(with glass of water in hand): Wah Tarika ji. Aap bahut interestingly expain karthey hain.
Abhi was drinking water when….
Tarika(purposefully): Tho tum ye sab doubt lab mein Salunkhe sir sey bhi puch sakthey ho naa.
Abhi: Phuuu…
Abhi spilled the water from his mouth after hearing Salunkhe sir name. He started coughing. Tarika went around to him and bet his head to stop coughing.
Abhi: Kya… (Coughing)… kiska maam … (coughing)….. leliya…(coughing)…..
Tarika(cutting in mid sentence): Thodi dher keliye chup raho Abhijit.
After sometime…
Abhi: Tarika tumne ye fingerprint kesey nikalogy? Ye pura dust sey covered tha naa ?
Tarika: Haan Abhijit. Iska finger usual method sey yani powder dalke nahi nikal sakthey. Pheley issey hummey direy direy brush sey saaf karnaa padega. One must be very careful so that the finger print doesn't go away with dust. Then we have to take the photo then align it in the system with the help of special software.
Abhi: Wow. Itna karney mey bahuth time lagtha hai naa.
Tarika(teasingly): Haan abhijit. Time tho sabi kaam mein lagtha hai. Magar aap log hain jo humesha ghode par savar karkey aathey hain.
Abhi gave an angry look at her.
Tarika: Mera matlab hai asey hi tho Salunkhe sir khethey hain naa.
Abhi: Salunkhe bhi I tell you ek dum tede hain. Har baar kuch bhi ulta sidda bolthey hain. Bheech mein aa jathey hain.
Tarika(with warning tone): Abhijit!
Abhi(continuing without hearing her): Patha nahi kis baath ki dhusmani muj par nikal rahey hain. Ek dum teda kisum ka aadmi hai wo salunkhe.
Tarika(bit louder): Abhijit !
Abhijit stopped and looked at heated up Tarika.
Abhi: Mera matlab wo bahut ache hain hum sabki madad karthey hain. Magar khabhi kahbhi unka dhimak gizak jata hai. Magar Salunkhe sab….. hehee….hain bahuth…. Heehee…..acche hain, soft hain, shushil hain and great hain.
Tarika broke out in fits of laughter seeing Abhijit making up for her. Seeing Tarika he too joins her and both start laughing.
At the same time strong wind blows in making all the papers to fly from the cot. Papers on which they both where working got scattered all over the floor. Both immediately jumped and started to gather the sheets. Tarika went to close the window. The curtains where flying wildly due to wind. She couldn't control it and shut the window. Abhi saw this and immediately came behind her to help her close the window.
Tarika froze to the spot as she felt him behind her and his hand over hers in which she holding the curtains. Tarika just turned her face and starred at him. Mesmerized by his swaying hair and twilight smile dancing on his lips. Abhi pulled the entire curtain together and closed the window.
Abhi: Ab climate acha hai naa?
He then looked down at Tarika who was still starring at him lost. Abhijit smiled at her for which she smiled back dazed.
Abh(pointing at the window behind her): Ummmm. Tarika window….
Tarika came back to senses and looked at the window.
Tarika(smiling awkwardly muttered a soft): Thanks.
Tarika then walked past him and bent down on her knees to gather the rest of the paper. Tarika was cursing herself for starring at him shamelessly. Abhi crossed his arm before his chest, shook his head a little and smiled at her. He too bent down to help her gather papers. While gathering papers their hands touched each other. Abhi kept looking at Tarika.
Tarika who still didn't muster enough strength to look at him just removed her hand away from him and tried concentrating on collecting paper. Abhi was just gone on looking at her. Tarika felt his eyes on her. By growing each second she felt uncomfortable. Abhi raised his hand to move back a strand of hair which was disturbing him from looking at her face. But Tarika got at up at the same time. She looked at her wrist watch.
Tarika: OMG. Its 2 pm.. Give me 15 minutes Abhijit then we will have lunch.
She placed all the paper under weight and hurried off to kitchen. She started to prepare lunch for them.
Abhi followed her and stood at the entrance of the kitchen.
Abhi: Tarika tumne jo kuch bhi phele banaya hai wo kafi hai. Please don't make anything extra.
Tarika: Nahi Abhijit I am not making anything extra. Adura kaam hi pura kar rahi huin.
Abhi: May I help you with cooking.
Tarika(shouting too immediately): NO.
Abhi was bewildered by her quick response with such a sharp tone.
Tarika(composing herself): Nahi Abhijit. I will manage. Thank you.
Abhi: But I will be bored.
Tarika: Hall mein magazines hai pado ya TV dheko.
Abhi walked away and here Tarika left a sigh of relief.
Tarika(to herself): Agar ye aur ek baar aaj mere pass ayaa tho GOD knows what will happen to me. What was I thinking when he was near me. What the hell is happening to me? Phele tho kahain baar wo mere saath khada tha magar aaj kyun kuch ajib sa laga. Hey bhagwaan.
Outside Abhi was totally bored. He flipped through all the pages of the magazines about three times and changed all the channels for a dozen times nothing interested him. He even walked into kitchen half a dozen times in pretence of taking water from fridge. When he didn't find any reason to go inside he just walked outside the kitchen taking glimpse of her. At one point he totally got mad with the distance, so he marched inside and sat on the counter in the kitchen and started talking to her.
Both of them talked all kinds of nonsense apart from work and colleagues. They shared their likes and dislikes, made fun of each other, smiled together and teased each other. In conversation Abhijit picked up a carrot and was about to have a bite, when Tarika bet his hand sharply and snatched it from him.
Abhi(rubbimg his hand): Ocuh….
Tarika(while washing the carrot): Itne bade hogaye ho Abhijit ye bhi nahi patha ki veges ko saaf karke kaha na chahiye.
Abhi: Issmey kya hai.
Tarika(while peeling): Kya hai. If you eat without cleaning then the pesticides will go into your body then you get stomach pain. Aur bachon key tharah tum leave logey kya?
Abhi: Mein kyun leave lunga? Tum hona. Matlab doctor. Tum sey dhawa ley lunga. Tum iss sweet sey bachey ko dhawa dogi naa?
Tarika was caught totally of guard. She looked totally uncomfortable with the turn of conversation. On the other hand Abhijit was totally enjoying her uncomfortness.
Tarika: Haan haan. Mein iss sweet sey bachey ko (pointing him by carrot) ek acchey sey child specialist ke pass le jaonge aur unsey kahaungi ki tumhe itna (showing in action) bada injection daalen.
Abhi(flabgastered): Kya?
Tarika immediately pushed the carrot inside his open mouth and laughed holding her stomach. Abhi started eating carrot like a child which has been cheated by his mother.
Around 3o'clock they both set the table.
Abhi: Wah tumne itna sab itni jaldi bana diya. Great.
There was Vegetable pulao, roti , raitha, mushroom masala, plain rice, dhaal and salad. They both sat down and served each other.
Abhi(rubbing his hands): Aaj tho maza ayega. Zuban mein jaan agayi.
When Abhi was about to keep a spoon full of pulao in his mouth Tarika who happened to notice at the same time caught hold of his wrist.
Abhi: Kya hua Tarika?
Tarika: Abhijit pulao mein potato hai. Dhek ke khao. Tumhe aloo sey alegy hai naa. Wo dharsal mujhey patha nahi tha kit um aaj aane waale they tho….
Abhi: It's ok Tarika. I will take care.
Tarika: Nahi. Ek minute.
Tarika took his plate and removed all the small potato pieces and gave it back to him.
Tarika(smiling contentdly): Ab arram sey khao.
Abhi: Thanks Tarika.
Tarika: Koi baath nahi Abhi. Will stop eating potato it slowly.
Abhi smiled happily listening to her adjustment for him. Both stared at each other.
Tarika shyed away with his shower of compliments for her all her dishes. Tarika was amazed seeing how much Abhijit loved eating and how he relished each and every mouth.
All through the course they resumed talking with sprinkle of appreciation, flirt, teasing and humor. They felt has if they where discovering each other. They both where marveled about each other's simples thoughts, interests, opinions on issues etc…..
After finishing their lunch Abhijit insisted in helping her cleaning. Tarika laughed at the sight Abhijit wearing an apron over his T-shirt while cleaning utensils. Tarika was washing and Abhi was drying the plates. In work Abhi started to hum and sing in between old songs. He kept changing songs casually while engrossed in work. Tarika smiled and listened to his humming.
Tarika: Tum acha gathey ho Abhi.
Abhi: Thanks. Bas asey hi jab dil khush hotha hai tho.
Tarika: Ghar ka kaam bhi accha karthey ho. I guess there are lots to know about you still.
Abhijit just smiled at her compliment.
They both enjoying when suddenly in fun…
Tarika: Tum humesha esey help karogey kya apney wife jab tumhari shaadi hogi?
As soon has the sentence came out of her mouth she felt embarrassed.
Abhi(teasingly): Haaaaaan karunga magar mere ek sharath hai apni wife sey.
Tarika(knitting her brow): Wo kya?
Abhi: Ki Fredy ke wife jesey mere wife ko bhi paani gharam kare dena padega. Barathan dhoney keliye.
Both broke out into splits of laughter.
Tarika(wiping her tears): Wesey lagtha hai tum Fredy sey tuition le rahey ho?
Abhi(laughing): Aesy koi baath nahi hai. Sirf mazak tha. Mujhe patha hai ki tum esey nahi karogey mere saath. Tum tho satya savitri ho naa.
Tarika(temper and hands on hips): Accha. Tho aap apne kaam kareke late aayengey thab thak hume aapka wait karna padega uskey baath clean karkey sona padega uske baad subha apko bhi thayar kerkey humme bhi lab janey padega.
Abhi(smiling and adding points like adding fire to fuel): Aur mera pair pakadnaa hoga raath ko son eke pheley….
Tarika: Aey hello ye sab hum sey expect math karo. Tum hara iradaa kya hai. Mujhe ghar mein bhi aur lab mein bhi kaam karna padegaa kya. Tho tum saara kaam mujsey karvaogey kya…
All this time Abhi was just smiling at her blast off. Tarika while giving her speech she was shaking a wet plate in front of abhi. The water splashed over his face and shirt. Abhi held her hand in order to stop it.
Abhi(defensive tone and smiling softly): Mera matlab wo nahi tha.
Tarika(removing her hold and getting back to work): Fir kyat ha. Sabhi mard ek jesey hi hothey hain.
Abhi(standing behind her): Arrey itni choti sey baath sey tum itna ghusa kyun ho rahi ho.
Tarika turned suddenly "with what do you mean by expression" and faced him.
Abhi: Ky kya Kya…. hum… wo kab ki baath hai.. …wo….
Both realized that they were talking about them as a married couple. They both felt uncomfortable. Abhijit backed and started drying utensils. Tarika too continued her work. The rest of the work was done in utter silence.
Time 4:30 pm:
Abi removed his apron dries his hands and fell on the sofa contend. Tarika followed him and offered him a glass bowl.
Abhi: Ye kyun?
Tarika(matter of fact tone): Khaney keliye Abhijit.
Abhi: Wo patha hai magar kahana hi heavy that ho ye sab kis keliye.
Tarika: Ufo ho. Tum CID pe hone sey sawal bahut pucthey ho. Ye lo pakado. Tum ne aaj mere help ki hai naa issliye. Aur kuch puch naa hai?
Abhijit smiled at her.
Tarika: Good.
She placed the bowl in his hands. She then sat opposite to him and had her bowl of jamun.
Tarika: Kesey hai jamun.
Abhi: Ek dam masth hai. Kahan sey laya?
Tarika: Mein ne banaya tha kal.
Abhi: Wah aaj tho mera dhin bahuth lucky nikala
Tarika: Kyun?
Abhi: Itna sab jo mila hai tumhare bare mein jane keliye. About your taste, housekeeping, cooking, and intelligence and…. And dancing skills.
Tarika choked as he motioned the last word.
Tarika: Tum ye ….ye…..iske bare… mein
Abhi: Kisi ko nahi bathaunga.
Abhi winked at her. Tarika smiled at him and felt proud for understanding her.
Abhi: Wesey kesey dhik tha hai jo tumhare khwabon aanelwaala…
Tarika looked at him puzzled.
Abhi(smiling): Isliye kyun ki agar mujhe asey koi miley tho I will tell you.
Tarika(returning his smile and looking at his eye): Hmmm. He should be dark and handsome. Ussey bahut ghussa aaye ya naa aye magar uska character accha hona chahiye. Thoda gana gaana aur dance karna ana chahiye. Must be master in disguising and mimicry. Brave, friendly and intelligent. Ussey ek sharp shooter hona chahiye. Most importantly he must be a dedicated CID officer for whom duty always comes first.
Abhi(smiling and adjusting his collar): Mujhe ek ladka patha hai iss qualities mein.
Tarika: Mujhe bhi patha hai.
Both laugh to their hearts content.
After some time unwillingly Abhi dragged himself off from the sofa to make an exit. Both Abhi and Tarika where standing facing each other awkwardly near the entrance door. Both didn't have the wish to let go of the other. But they couldn't do others wise at least not now of course.
Abhi & Tarika (simultaneously): Thanks.
Both looked at each other and smiled.
Abhi: Kis keliye?
Tarika: Yahaan aane keliye aur…
Abhi: Aur…
Tarika: Report bananey mein mera help karney keliye…
Abhi: Jab bhi report banana hai tho mujhe bulao. Aur…
Tarika: Cleaning mein help karney keliye…
Abhi(expectant increasing): Aur….
Tarika: Tariff karney keliye.
Abhi: Aur…
Tarika(frowned): Aur kuch nahi Abhijit.
Abhijit's face fell down. Tarika smiled at him.
Abhi: Thanks once again.
Tarika: Kyun?
Abhi: Aapne humara doubts clear karne keliye aur itna acha khana kilaney keliye.
Tarika closed the door behind Abhi. She leaned on the door and Abhi on his bike….
Tarika & Abhi (simultaneously): Aur mere zindagi mein aaney keliye.
Both smiled and proceeded their way.