Chapter 2: Ek Nayi Subah

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The soft morning sun filtered through the curtains of Abhijeet's bedroom, but the warmth did little to ease the weight in his heart. He sat at the edge of his bed, fully dressed, staring blankly at the wall as his phone vibrated on the side table.His packed bag lay at his feet—silent proof of a journey both physical and emotional.

Dr. Tarika calling…

He didn't move. The phone rang and rang, and eventually went silent.

A few seconds later, another call.

Daya calling…

He turned the phone face-down, pressing his fingers against his temples.

"Ishq aur dosti ka bharosa hota hai. Shak nahi," he whispered to himself, remembering the countless times he stood by his team, only to be doubted in return.

With a sigh, he pressed decline.

"Ab kisi ko kuch kehne ka faayda nahi. Jo faisla lena tha le liya"

He looked at the packed duffel lying by the door. With one last glance around the house, he picked up his phone—not to answer any calls from CID Mumbai, but to make one of his own.

Abhijeet calling… Aditya

The phone was picked up instantly.

"Bhai!" came the cheerful voice on the other side. "I was just going to call you!"

"Airport se pick karne aa sakta hai?" Abhijeet asked, his voice low but steady.

There was a short pause. Then, "Tu aa raha hai? Bhai, tu sach mein aa raha hai?" Aditya

sounded more excited than surprised.

"Haan. Par airport se sidha tere ghar chaloonga. Abhi ke liye Kahi aur rukne ka mann nahi."

"Tu kahin aur jaa bhi nahi sakta. Dad has missed you a lot. And honestly... main bhi. From now

on, tu hamare saath hi rahega. Samjha?"

A faint smile touched Abhijeet's lips. "Theek hai."

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Delhi airport

The crowd bustled with activity—people rushing, reunions happening, cabs honking outside. But amidst the chaos, one face lit up as Abhijeet walked out of the gate, bag slung over his shoulder.

"ABHIJEET BHAI!" Aditya called out, waving both arms.

Aditya stood there with open arms, a wide grin on his face, wearing a hoodie and jeans, looking more like a college student than the reputed neurosurgeon he was.

Abhijeet smiled subtly and walked toward him.

"Tu bilkul waisa ka waisa hai," Aditya said, pulling him into a warm hug. "Waqt tere upar asar hi nahi karta."

Abhijeet allowed himself a small smile. "Tu kabhi nahi badlega."

"Nope," Aditya said, grabbing his bag without asking. "And tu bhi mat badalna. Tu serious wala

Abhijeet theek hai, lekin jab tu thoda hass deta hai na… toh lagta hai zindagi mein sab kuch sahi hai."

As they walked to the car, Aditya asked casually, "So, transfer ho gaya? Kis post pe?"

Abhijeet glanced out of the window. "ACP."

Aditya almost hit the brakes. "WHAT? Are you serious?"

"Hmm," Abhijeet nodded, voice still calm. "DCP ne bola ki yeh promotion deserve karta hoon."

Aditya let out a loud cheer. "Bhai! Tu toh officially boss ban gaya! Delhi CID ACP Abhijeet! Sounds powerful."

Abhijeet gave a half-smile. "Powerful lagta hai. Mehsoos… abhi bhi thoda khaali khaali."

Aditya turned serious, glancing sideways. "Tu mere saath aa raha hai. Ghar chalein. Papa tujhse milke khush ho jaayenge. Aur bhai—no guesthouse or hotel. From now on, tu hamare saath hi rahega. Hamesha ke liye"

"Aditya…"

"No arguments, sir. Yeh doctor bol raha hai. Medical order hai."

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Aditya's Home – Afternoon

As they pulled into the driveway, Abhijeet looked up at the beautiful two-storey bungalow surrounded by trees, and with a beautiful garden that Abhijeet always admired.—warm, welcoming, and familiar. He had visited once during a medical seminar, but this time… it felt different. Like he was returning home.

"Tu andar chal. Sab intezaar kar rahe hain," Aditya said, grabbing Abhijeet's bag.

As they entered the house, familiar warmth flooded Abhijeet's senses. It smelled of sandalwood and books, with the faint sound of a wind chime swaying in the hallway.

"Dad!" Aditya called. "Dekhiye kaun aaya hai!"

From the hallway, an older man stepped forward, supported by a cane but still radiating authority and kindness.

Dr. Vasu.

His eyes lit up the moment they landed on Abhijeet. "Mere beta…"

Abhijeet hurried forward and touched his feet.

Dr. Vasu placed a hand on his head and then pulled him into an embrace. "Tere bina ghar kitna suna ho gaya tha."

"Mujhe laga aap gussa honge ke bina bataye aa gaya," Abhijeet said softly.

"Main gussa toh tab hota, jab tu aata hi nahi," Dr. Vasu replied with a smile. "Tu sirf Aditya ka dost nahi hai, tu mera beta hai. Aur betein toh baap ke ghar bina formalities ke aate hain."

They sat down in the drawing room. Tea arrived. Abhijeet placed his bag aside, but his eyes kept returning to Dr. Vasu's pale face.

"Aap theek hain, Uncle?"

"Bas thodi tabiyat kharab thi. Aditya ne overreact kiya, jaise hamesha," Dr. Vasu chuckled. "Par tu aaya toh ab dil kaafi halka ho gaya hai."

Abhijeet smiled, but there was something quiet behind it.

"Tu theek hai, beta?" Dr. Vasu asked, more seriously now. "Aankhon mein thakaan hai, lekin usse zyada… tanhaayi."

Abhijeet hesitated. Then slowly said, ""uncle, CID Mumbai mein sab kuch badal gaya hai. Wahan ka mahaul… waisa nahi raha jaisa pehle tha. Logon ne vishwaas tod diya. Apno ne taana maarna shuru kar diya. CID team se juda rehna mushkil ho gaya tha. Jab apne log shaq karein… toh apnapan bhi paraya lagne lagta hai."

Dr. Vasu frowned. "Itna sab kuch hua… aur tu chup raha?"

Abhijeet nodded. "uncle, kabhi kabhi shabd nahi, khamoshi sabse bada jawaab hoti hai. Maine kisi se kuch nahi kaha. Bas… ek din faisla le liya. DCP se mila. Transfer request diya. Usne mujhe ACP bana diya."

Aditya looked at him proudly. "Told you, tu born leader hai."

Dr. Vasu's eyes softened. "Beta, zindagi mein kai baar aise mod aate hain jahan sab kuch chhod ke naya safar shuru karna padta hai. Par khushi usi mod pe milti hai… jahan dil ka sukoon ho. QKuchh rishte toot jaate hain waqt ke saath. Par kuchh naye rishte… zindagi ke raaste badal dete hain."

Abhijeet looked at him, not quite understanding.

Dr. Vasu leaned forward slightly. "Ek waqt mein maine Aditya ko paida kiya. Aaj tu mera beta ban kar iss ghar mein aaya hai. Par… kya tu mere liye ek aur rishta nibhaayega?"

Abhijeet blinked. "Kaunsa rishta?"

Dr. Vasu smiled gently. "Waqt aane par poochhunga. Abhi tu sirf itna jaan le—iss ghar ka har kone tera intezaar karta tha. Ab tu akela nahi hai. Abhijit tu mere paas hai yeh hi bahut hai."

Abhijeet felt his throat tighten. No team, no title, no badge had ever given him the comfort those words gave. Abhijeet looked into his eyes—those fatherly eyes that never judged, never questioned, only understood.

"Main aapke paas isliye bhi aaya hoon," Abhijeet said gently. Aap apna khayal nahi rakhte. Aditya ne bataya."

Dr. Vasu nodded slowly. "Main theek hoon, beta. Thoda sa health scare tha. Par asli ilaaj… tera yahan hona hai."

Abhijeet smiled faintly. "Main yahan hoon, uncle. Hamesha."

Aditya entered again, holding a set of keys. "Tu mera room le le. Main guest room mein shift ho jaata hoon."

Abhijeet raised an eyebrow. "Ye ghar kis ka hai? Tu toh lagta hai mujhe kiraye pe rakh raha hai."

They all laughed, and for the first time in weeks, the sound of Abhijeet's laughter didn't feel foreign.

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