He came walking in, his face devoid of any fathomable expression. He wasn't his usual self and he knew that. What was it that was troubling him? He wasn't sure. He wasn't sure at all. He was oblivious to the laughs and chatter going on in the bureau. He needed to think. He needed someone to confide in. But whom could he go to? Everyone made fun of him. Of course they loved him, but that was only because he made them laugh. Did they love him as an individual? He wasn't sure.

As he stood staring at the happy faces of his colleagues, he remembered the times when he was among the group having fun. But now things have become different, so different….

"Bhoo", the sound startled him from his thoughts. "What happened Freddy sir?" asked Vivek, the ever chirpy, ever enthusiastic young officer. He had joined the team barely a year back and was much younger than any of the other officers. But there was something in him that made anyone instantly take a special liking to him. "Nuh.. Nuh.. Nothing", he stammered. Vivek wasn't very convinced. But unfortunately for him, just as was about to prod any further, he was summoned by ACP Pradyman and had to leave. Freddy followed him with his eyes into the ACP's room. 'Should I tell him?' he thought to himself, but then decided against it because he was a tad too young.

'Who else can I go to?' thought Freddy. 'There was ACP Pradyuman. No, he wouldn't even listen him out. He was growing very impatient these days, especially with him. What about Daya? He should be able to help. But no! He would not take him seriously at all. He would just make fun of him and tease him about it for many days to come. To confide in Daya isn't a very wise decision. Abhijeet? Nah', he decided against Abhijeet even before he could think any further, for anything that was told to Abhijeet would reach Tarika and then the whole team. 'No! Telling Abhijeet wouldn't do', he said to himself.

No sooner than the words escaped his mouth, he felt a tap on his shoulder. "Telling Abhijeet WHAT wouldn't do? Eh?", 'Nuh,.. Nuh.. Nuh.. Nothing Sir!', he stammered again. Thankfully Abhijeet just then, received a call and so did not try investigating any further. He kept staring at Abhijeet who was now on the phone with his beloved Tarika-ji. 'Doesn't he have any problems in life? He seems content and happy always. Lucky Abhijeet', he thought to himself.

Pushing his thoughts aside, he went to his desk and found a pile of papers that needed sorting waiting for him. Wearily picking them up he went across the room to the conference table so he could have more space to spread the papers out. It was then that he saw him. Sitting across the table was a rather quiet man. Sachin had joined the CID only about a week ago, and in the one week he had been at work, no one had noticed him much. He buried himself in the previous case files since they did not have a case on hand. He seemed to come in much before anyone else and left much later after the others. The others had tried talking to him on one or two occasions before, but since he spoke nothing beyond the answer to the question asked, the others soon began ignoring him.

'Can I help you with the papers?'

The question jerked Freddy out of his thoughts. He wanted to kick himself right in the middle. Just when he decided that he wasn't going to let his problems get the better of him, he had started dreaming again.

'I asked if I can help you with the papers. I don't have much on my plate today. So we can sort the papers together', said Sachin again.

Freddy was surprised. People usually pushed boring jobs like sorting papers and checking on things to him. And there was this man who has offered to share it with him. Something was wrong. 'He must be trying to play a prank on me like everyone else. What audacity', he thought to himself, but to Sachin , he simply said 'No. I'll manage'

As he worked on sorting his pile of papers out, his gaze fell on Sachin again. How composed he looked - his posture, his looks, his earnestness; it reminded Freddy of someone, whom, he couldn't say just then. As he continued to stare, he began noticing it. Within the carefully constructed look of a confident officer, was a crumbling heart – and he could see it. 'What could be troubling him?', thought Freddy. The more he stared at him, the more he was convinced that he needed help. 'I'm not the only one in trouble then', he thought aloud.

'Did you say something, sir?' asked Sachin.

Sir! That was the first time someone of the same designation called him sir. He immediately warmed up to Sachin. He felt guilty at rejecting his earlier offer to help. He wanted to make amends. He wanted to know what was troubling the young man. He wanted to help.

'Uh.. Actually I was just wondering if you help me with these. I only seem to be making a bigger mess', he said with a helpless look.

'Of course sir', said Sachin as he came over.

He picked up the bunch of papers that had fallen to the ground and made them into a neat pile. He then got a few clips from his table and began clipping papers into various sets as he sorted them out. The whole action was being done in the most efficient manner that all Freddy could was stand and look with awe. He had been struggling with the papers for a whole hour and here was a man, who in 15 minutes flat, sorted the whole thing out.

'I hope I've done it right, sir', said Sachin as he handed over the papers to Freddy.

'Oh yes', Freddy replied 'by the way, aren't you happy here at CID?', he continued.

Sachin seemed a bit startled. 'Yes sir, definitely', he said, though he sounded unsure. He avoided looking at Freddy in the eye and began looking down.

Not the one to give up, Freddy continued, 'There must be something else then. Why are you in your own world? You smile. But I know it isn't from your heart. I'm sure you are troubled. Tell me and I'll try and help you out', he offered.

Sachin seemed all the more unsure. He was waiting for someone to be nice to him since the day he joined CID. But no one had. And he had lost all hopes of being able to make a friend. Now, there is a person who is being nice to him. But he was the clown of CID. The others called him that. The always jeered him and made fun of him. They never took him seriously.

Now, for the big question.

Can he trust him? If his subordinates, who have known him for many years, consider him a dunce, how can he trust him? He turned around to look at Freddy, who was now at his table trying to file the papers that he just sorted for him. The man seemed troubled as well. 'He needs me more than I need him', realized Sachin. He dropped the book he was reading and walked over to his table.

'Sir', he said 'Could you spare some time for me?'

To be continued…

A/N:

Guys, this is my first story ever. Do give me your honest reviews so I can better my writing.

To those of you who like it, I'm honored, and to those who don't, I'll do my best in making my future works better.