'what are you saying Daya? Who says you are the cause of my break-up with Tarika?', asked Abhijit.
'I talked to Tarika', replied Daya.
'Why did you talk to her? I asked you not to, didn't I? why don't you keep out of my personal matter?'
'did you keep out of my personal matter? You proposed to Shreya on my behalf a few days back, didn't you?'
'Yes. I was happy that you found a worthy girl and I wanted to confirm her feelings. I casually asked her when we were out together on a case'.
'Abhijit, I have been working with Tarika since 4 years. I talked to her as her friend, not as your friend'.
'what did she say?'
'she said she got engaged to another man because you didn't propose to her on time'.
'You must be joking, Daya'
'No. I am not. I could see that she still loves you and wishes you had proposed to her long back. Abhijit, why did you not propose to her earlier?'
'I don't know. I mean, I thought…'
'You were waiting for me to find a girl. Why did you do that?'
'I thought of proposing some time back, but then I was shot and almost got myself killed. I thought what if she became a widow soon after marriage? So I pushed the thought of marriage out of my mind. then you found Shreya and decided to marry her and reminded me of our decision to get married on the same day I forgot my decision to remain single. It was good that Tarika refused.'
'You are mad, Abhijit. Just because our lives are always in danger should we give up all pleasures? See, Shreya is also a CID officer. She can get killed too. Remember our old friend Tasha? Even I may get killed. Shreya knows it well. She is happy to take this risk and so am I'.
'what you are saying is correct, but now she has made up her mind to marry another man. She didn't drop any hint about her engagement. At least she could have told us that her family has found a boy for her. I don't want to pursue this matter any more'.
'abhijit, just listen to me'
'Daya please. No more talk about Tarika. I am leaving now.. Good night'.
Daya watched as Abhijit started his car and drove off, rashly.
Abhijit's mind was on the conversation with Daya. Tarika was engaged to another man. She didn't tell him that when he proposed to her. He felt that Tarika cheated him. He was angry that she didn't tell him that her parents were considering a boy for her. He had recovered from the shock of her rejection thinking this was good for both of them. He thought she was going because of her career plans. But this news was more shocking. The truth is that he was madly in love with Tarika. He didn't want another man in her life.
He was driving on a flyover at full speed. A car overtook him and stopped in front of him. he put sudden brake and stopped his car'
'Oi, who are you, can't you drive properly', Abhijit shouted.
The car door opened and Fredericks came out.
'Sorry sir', he said. 'is something wrong? you were driving at 100 kmph and even jumped a red signal. I thought you are chasing a criminal and need help, so I came after you. Then I saw there is no one in front of you'.
'Leave me alone Fredericks. I am not in a good mood', said Abhijit.
'sir, my house is nearby. why don't you come home? Manisha will make dinner for us. That will cheer you up'.
...to be continued.