A/N:

This update, I know has been long due. Sorry that I took so long. Do continue lending me your support. I need them :)

...

He was so emotionally lost in his thoughts that he never even realized that he was crying – that is, until a worried Sachin kept calling him to get his attention. 'What happened sir? You seem very upset. What exactly is the matter?', he asked, his face clearly reflecting his concern for the elder gentleman. 'Eh? No. Nothing. The... The… The food has gone cold.' he said, pointing to his plate on the table.

'Sir!', said Sachin amazed 'Surely, that cant be the reason for your tears.'

'Oh that!', said Freddy with a watery smile and shifted his gaze to the floor. Sachin couldn't really bear it any longer. True. He had only been with the team for a week. But this man in front of him was not Freddy he knew, not the one he heard of nor the one he had been seeing, even if it was only for a week. And he couldn't bear it. 'Sir. Trust Me.' he said.

And that was all that was needed to get Freddy started.

Amidst a lot of grumbling and tears, the truth finally came tumbling out. 'I don't have any friends Sachin. None at all' he said sobbing. 'No one seems to want me. They don't even acknowledge my presence. I'm sure they wouldn't even notice my absence if I leave. Why? Even that little fellow Vivek, he is always scheming new pranks to play on me. Tell me. Would you do that to someone you love? Forget love. Would you even do that to someone you like?'

Sachin was surprised beyond measure. In the one week he spent at the bureau, he had always felt a little envious of Freddy because he seemed to be the most popular person around. But now, it is THAT same man who was crying for want of friends, for want of companions, for want of love, and most of all, for acceptance. 'What is it coming to these days?', he thought wearily as he tried to console the now, howling Freddy. 'Sir', he began 'Looks like we are taking turns to howl', he said, grinning at his first attempt at humor.

But there was nothing that could console Freddy. Now that he had started it, he wanted to get it all out. He wanted to feel lighter. He wanted help - He wanted to be helped.

'Manisha was teasing me yesterday. She called me fat. She told me that I look old. And when I came to the bureau and narrated the incident to everyone, ACP sir just banged his head with his hands and walked out. Daya sir pretended not to hear while Abhijeet sir said that she was right. Vivek listened to the whole thing and instead of sympathizing with me, kept giggling and said that it served me right. Why? Even you never came to me with one word of solace', he said. 'But Sir', began Sachin, only to be cut off by Freddy. 'I know Sachin! I know!', he continued. 'None of you guys want me around. I am not as smart as you. I am not very intelligent. I am not ver… very.. very good looking. And I am fat. So you guys don't like me. I know.', he concluded.

'Oh Sir, We all love you. Why do you think we don't?' asked Sachin flabbergasted. 'You are the nicest officer around. You are the reason for the liveliness in the bureau. We all love you Sir', he said.

Freddy said nothing. He just kept staring at his plate, choking back tears and refused to look up even as Sachin spoke. 'Sir', he began again. It now seemed a little easier to reason out because Freddy had calmed down a little. 'I cant speak for the others. I don't know what they think. But I have a mind of my own, and I know exactly what I want. I think you are the nicest person I've ever had the chance to meet and I like you for what you are. I didn't come to you that day because I was shy. I didn't realize that it would hurt you so much. I have never had a friend. And I still don't have one. Will you be my friend?'

Freddy was surprised beyond measure. The earnestness in his companion's voice had moved him. He looked closely at the man sitting opposite him. He did not look like the perfect commando anymore. He looked like a tiny tot, on his first day in the new school, eager and desperate to make new friends. A tiny smile escaped his lips. He reflected back on the days' events. Sachin had helped him with his paperwork back at the bureau. He then brought him out for lunch. He confided in him. And he listened to all of his problems as well. This was what all friends did. Wasn't it? 'Yeah. So he is my friend', thought Freddy with a smile. 'And I am his friend'.

'Of course Sachin', he said beaming. And Sachin smiled back, happy at being accepted for the first time. It was a new feeling - a great feeling, something he had never had the chance to experience before. 'Freddy sir – My first friend; My best friend. I will do anything to make him happy, to instill in him the confidence he lacks, to make him realize that he is very much wanted and accepted, and most of all to keep him happy', he decided. 'Sachin in the nicest man I've seen', thought Freddy in-turn, as he looked at him smiling to himself.

'Sir. Finished?' the question came in as a surprise. The little boy, who had cleaned the table earlier and given them the menu card stood at their table waiting for an answer. That was the question that brought both of them back to reality. They suddenly realized that the restaurant wasn't empty anymore. It was teaming with a bunch of impatient people, all of who were in a hurry to get their orders served. The waiters were busy going up and down with food and drinks. The officers were taken aback at the sight. 'Um.. Yeah… You can bring the bill', Sachin managed to say. 'Bill for table no. 7', yelled the boy across to man sitting at the billing counter, as he began clearing their table.

The bill arrived just as they were getting ready to leave. Both Freddy and Sachin had walked into the restaurant with a heavy heart. They felt much lighter now, and happier - and as a gesture of spreading their happiness, Freddy gave the little boy a 1000-rupee note.

And then it happened!

It shocked the poor unsuspecting Freddy and Sachin. They were surprised beyond measure and didn't exactly know how to react.

...

A/N:

Thank you for taking your time off and reading my story! Will update sooner the next time onwards.