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The lift finally halted at floor no. 7. Two men got out. One was carrying a sleeping child on his shoulder and whispering words of solace to the other. They tried to make no noise. They needn't have taken the trouble. The bureau was sound proofed. No noise would go in. Or come out.

They looked around. They couldn't see any light from the inside. Good. So the others had left for the day. Sachin turned around to give Freddy, who was still near the lift, the thumbs up sign, like they had earlier decided to show that all is well. He then pushed the door open with his shoulders. He couldn't use his hands for he was carrying Li'l Chotu with one and supporting him with the other. He didn't dare using his hands for the fear of walking him up. There was also a possibility of him being scared of the images of guns and skeletons that were all around the bureau. It was better to let him sleep undisturbed.

The door made a considerable amount of noise while being opened. The two entered the dark long passage that would lead them into the bureau. No sooner than they had entered the bureau, they were almost blinded by the lights inside. There was no escaping now. They had to go in. The others had already seen them. There was no time. They had to give in their explanations then.

But before anyone could say anything, something faster than the whirlwind, whizzed past Sachin, and flung itself at Freddy with such force, that the latter was pushed to the ground.

'Vivek!', he exclaimed, as he got up, 'That hurt!', he winced, rubbing the back of his head. Vivek was in no mood to listen. 'Where were you Freddy sir? For so long? I was looking out for you. Why didn't you tell me you were going out? Why didn't you tell any of us here? We were all worried. We were searching for you. Daya sir and Abhijeet sir have gone out looking for you. Bhabhi-ji is here. She has been crying since the time she came in. Dr. Tarika has just injected her with something so she will calm down', he said, all in one breadth, pointing to the semi conscious Manisha, lying on the couch, Tarika by her side.

'Manisha? What happened to her?' said Freddy as he ran to her side, his fears forgotten at the mention of Manisha's sickness.

Sachin stood still in the corner, carrying the sleeping Chotu, in his arms. Vivek went up to him too. He asked him the same set of questions he had asked Freddy. Then he went on to say how worried he and the others had gotten when they hadn't arrived even after 4 hours of leaving and how they had tried calling him, only to hear that the phone was unavailable. 'We were so worried for the two of you. We missed you sir.', he said finally rubbing his eyes.

His face was swollen and his eyes, red. It was clear. He had been crying. But he wouldn't admit it. Sachin stared at him in utter disbelief. He was on the phone informing Daya and Abhijeet about their safe return. Why, just that morning, both he and Freddy had been complaining about not being accepted. And here, they had just been out for half a day, and the whole team was worried for them. Two of the senior officers had even gone out in search of them. What more could they ask for? They had friends. Not the kind that only stuck to them when something good happened. But, the kind that actually cared.

He was happy. Who wouldn't be - with some nice friends around?

Just then the door opened and in came Daya and Abhijeet, the relief quite evident on the faces. Vivek immediately ran across to them, happy that they were all together again. Daya walked up to Sachin and gave him his contagious smile before saying 'Scared the shit out of us.. Didn't you?, and giving a pat on his back. 'Let me go and see that fellow Freddy', he said before going to where Freddy was sitting. Abhijeet, on the other hand gave him a broad mischievous smile 'Arre.. Sachin.. Bunking work in the first month of work itself.. eh?' he asked. 'Don't do too much of this bunking. This boy will soon learn the tricks of the trade', he joked pointing to Vivek.

It was then that Vivek noticed. He had been overjoyed at Sachin's and Freddy's safe arrival that he hadn't noticed the little person on Sachin shoulders. 'Who is this sir?' he asked, clearly confused. 'Did you have to deal with some kidnappers? Or is this a run-away case that you have just solved?' put in Abhijeet. ACP Pradyuman looked at Sachin with his eyebrows raised. True. Even he hadn't noticed him, until now. Too bad. It was an act, unexpected of him, an ACP.

'Let him have something to drink first Abhijeet.' said Dr. Tarika coming across to where they were standing. 'Why don't you say what happened. Freddy sir is just refusing to open his mouth', she added, looking at Sachin. 'Oh, Well! If you say so Tarika-ji', said Abhijeet, as three of them obediently followed her to the couch.

Freddy sat on the chair next to Manisha, who was still crying in relief and kept massaging her aching head. She was so worried about Freddy that she hadn't had any meal after her breakfast. She had also skipped some of her medicines and had been crying for over 3 hours - the result : a throbbing headache.

Dr. Salunkhe had just come back from the lab. He had gone to get some sugar and coffee, so they could all have a drink. The night was cold, and some hot coffee would be the perfect choice. Ever since the day, about a year ago, when Dr. Tarika had a cold and Abhijeet had asked for an electric kettle, the doctor had made sure he kept one at hand. He had also been contemplating on buying a mini refrigerator so he could store some ginger, but decided against it, least it blasts owing to some chemical leak. He didn't want the fellow, Abhijeet, as much as he disliked their relationship, blaming him for not looking after his so-called 'beloved'.

'Does it take you forever to get a few things from the lab Salunkhe?' began ACP. 'It has been hours since you left, and your lab is just one floor above and you….' he went on. Salunkhe pretended not to hear him. He went to Freddy and began enquiring about the days' events, when ACP Pradyuman, who wasn't very used to being ignored, lost it.

'Sssaaallunnkkhheeeeee!', he yelled.

It made absolutely no difference to Dr. Salunkhe, or the other officers, who were by now, very used to this. But Manisha, who had never experienced this before, almost jumped out of her skin. And Chotu, who was rudely woken up from his sleep, afraid that he was going to be thrashed, started wailing much to everyone's dismay.

'What have you done sir?' asked Freddy, quite annoyed at ACP Pradyuman for having woken up the poor boy from his sleep. He had refused to open his mouth until then, but couldn't really bear to see Chotu in distress. He got up and went over to him, who was by now surrounded by the entire team – Abhijeet, Daya, Salunkhe, Tarika, Vivek, Sachin and of course, Freddy. He stared at each of them open mouthed, as Sachin introduced each of them. He shivered a little when the ACP came nearer, but soon got over his fears.

Tarika made them all some hot coffee and Abhijeet brought out some chocolates for Chotu. They all sat around the table, coffee mugs in their hands and geared themselves up to listen to the story. Chotu, who was very happy with the chocolates he got, something he had hardly eaten, firmly planted himself on Abhijeet. Anyone who gives such nice chocolates must be nice too, he decided.

After much prodding and pushing, Freddy finally came out with his version of the story – how Manisha and the others had teased him and laughed at him. They all felt very guilty when they realized that they had actually hurt Freddy when all they meant was to pull his legs. Tarika looked at Abhijeet, and he put his head down in shame. This was something that she had always been insistent on – Knowing your limits about teasing. She had warned him many a times that his teasing was getting out of hand. And he had never listened to her. 'Sorry', he said, half to himself.

Everyone looked towards his side. Abhijeet was too ashamed to look at them in the face. He kept staring at his feet. 'Just say it aloud Abhijeet. Let Freddy hear it!', said Tarika. She had heard him. She wanted Freddy to hear him too. It wasn't right on his part to hurt Freddy in the first place. So it was only fair that he apologized. And this time, she was determined to make him.

'Sorry Freddy', said Abhijeet meekly, glad that Chotu, by sitting on his lap, was covering half his face. Freddy was surprised. The apology had come in when he least expected it. And being the good soul he was, 'It's alright sir. Absolutely alright.' was all he could say. Inspired by Abhijeet, the others too apologized to Freddy, who was by then, too overwhelmed to react.

Sachin then confessed about his past. He very reluctantly told them all that he was an orphan. As he paused expecting to hear some sneering remarks from the others, he was in for a surprise; something he hadn't bargained for at all. 'Ha ha haaah ha…. Welcome to the club mate! Welcome!' said Daya. Everyone around him was laughing, but this time, there was a difference. They weren't laughing at him because he was an orphan – they were laughing at him because he was afraid to say that he was one. 'So what if you are an orphan, Sachin? I am one too. Abhijeet doesn't have parents either. We do not judge you based on your lineage here at CID', said Daya, reaching over to put his arms around Sachin. Sachin was relieved to hear this. He had never been a recipient to this sort of a welcome ever before. He was happy. He was satisfied.

And then came the most important discussion of the evening, rather morning. 'You still haven't told me who this is' said ACP pointing at Chotu. 'There he goes again. Wonder why he cant be more patient!' mumbled Salunkhe to himself. 'What? Salunkhe, if you have something to say, then say it to me! And louder this time!', screamed ACP. But before Dr. Salunkhe could retort, Abhijeet, realizing that Chotu was feeling uncomfortable, asked Freddy to go on with his narration.

'Well, I… I….' fumbled Freddy. He couldn't bring himself to say it. Manisha was staring at him intently. He knew that look. It spelt D-A-N-G-E-R. 'I… I….' he went on. He couldn't say it. No. He couldn't.

'What I… I… Freddy? Out with it.. And soon.. We don't have all day!' yelled ACP.'Now what did I say? This man is getting more and more impatient with every passing day! Signs of old age. He ought to retire.' put in Dr. Salunkhe. Not wanting to say anything more, ACP gave him a dirty stare.

'I.. I adopted him sir!' Freddy said finally. He suddenly felt at ease. The fear just vanished. He felt calm. He looked around. Everyone kept staring at him. Openmouthed. Vivek was the first one to recover. 'Really sir?', he asked. 'Really!' Freddy affirmed. He then looked at Manisha. She had risen from her chair and was coming towards him.

He found himself rising as she came nearer. She caught him by his arms and shook him as she asked, 'You what?'

'I adopted him', he said.

He couldn't believe himself. He had said it. He saw her looking at the boy. He saw her moving towards him. There was anger in her eyes. She did not look like the Manisha he knew. She looked different. She looked hurt. Her eyes were now on Chotu.

Abhijeet felt the tension build up. He could feel Chotu's little bones stiffening, his hands going cold and his week body shivering. He put his arms around to comfort him. He could see Manisha stand in front. Her eyes on the child. She came forwards and pulled him down as the others looked on, unsure about how to react. She lifted him up, put him on the table, scanned him top to bottom and finally, twitching her nose, said 'You need a bath. Come home with me and I'll give you one.' Turning to Freddy she said, ' You'll have to drive us to the textile store the first thing in the morning. We need to buy him some clothes. My son should be better dressed!'

Freddy couldn't believe his ears. He heaved a sigh of relief, and so did the others. He started laughing. The others followed him. They were all happy for Chotu. In fact they were overjoyed. He had just found himself the best family. What better things could he ask for in life? There was no more order in the bureau. They had all started talking amongst themselves. All, but Sachin.

Freddy and Manisha were discussing about Chotu – 'I will buy him a toy car' said Freddy. 'No, a toy bike is smarter. My friend Priyanka's son has a bike', countered Manisha.

Tarika was lecturing Abhijeet and Daya - she wanted to make sure that they understood the difference between teasing and insulting. She wasn't planning to give up until they did.

Vivek was playing with Li'l Chotu – putting him on his shoulders, pulling him down – in a world of their own, they were having fun.

ACP and Salunkhe were, as usual bickering about something trivial. 'I will name him Nakul', he said. And that got Salunkhe started. 'Freddy and Manisha can decide what they want to name their son. You can't order that. He may be working under you. But doesn't give you the right to name his son!' he said. 'Salunkhe, I said, I am calling him Nakul. That's final!' argued ACP. 'Oh well, you can call him that. We will all call him something better' said Salunkhe, not wanting to give in either.

Amidst all the loud noise and clatter, Sachin stood alone, beaming. He felt his eyes going moist. This time though, they were tears of joy. He had friends. He was accepted. And so was Freddy. He smiled. He could feel tears flowing, down his cheeks to his mouth. And to him, they tasted sweet!

"All's well, that ends well", thought he, "even When Life takes an unexpected turn!"

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A/N:

Ok. So like I said before, this is my first attempt at writing a story. There may be a lot many errors, which I'm sure, I will eventually learn to understand and avoid.

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.

Am not really sure about how the story has turned out, but Thanks to two great well wishers, whose constant support and encouragement, was what instilled in me the confidence to write and inspired me to continue. Thank you girls for reviewing every single chapter and showing that you really care. Love you loads.