27. Reunion Blues- PART ONE

AN: My apologies again, for this super delayed update. But yea guys you all know I was helpless right?

Anyways I hope you all like this update. Thanks so much for all ur rvws and appreciation, they all mean so much! :*

Note: There's a community for Ishyant. It's called Te Amo. Anyone who wants to join as staff plz pm me.

Laal Paraanda

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Chapter 27

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Reunion Blues PART ONE

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Two days later, Ishu is back at bureau. She is impatiently seen waiting for Dushyant who seemed to be late. Once he is there, she wasted no time to greet him...

Ishu- "good morning sir..."

Dushyant smiles taking notice of her. He went straight to his desk immersed in thoughts of a new case that he didn't bother to look around.

Dushyant- "good morning..." *pause* "toh uh... tum thik ho, Miss Walia?"

Ishu nods a little, smiling awkwardly.

Ishu thinks- 'No.. no itna warm smile kyu deta hai humesha! Jab bhi aisa smile karta hai, aisa lagta hai meri jaan khatre mei padne wali hai-'

Dushyant- "Kya soch rahi ho? Aur tumhari tabiyat thik hai na? haan? Agar thik nahi toh-"

Ishu- "I'm fine..." *smiles*

He smiles at this. There is it, finally he has seen her genuine smile.

Ishu- "Actually..." *looks away* *stares at wall* "maine aapko properly thank you nahi kaha.. toh.. socha.. aaj kehduu.. thank you so much.. sir.. aap nahi hote toh.. shayad merii.. j.. jaan.."

Dushyant- "its ok... if I remember tum already thanks bol chuki ho.."

Ishu- "huh? Maine boldiya? Uh.. fir bhi.. thank you once again.."

Dushyant- "its ok... itni baar thanks mat bolo. Hum ... ek.. team hai right?"

Ishu- "haan..."

Dushyant turns to his file again... the bureau was nearly empty. It looked like everyone else got dispersed owing to the case.

Ishu- "aapkeliye... ye chocolates laayi thi..."

Ishu calmly places a box of chocolates on his desk and continues to stare at the wall...

Dushyant- "tum deewar se baat kar rahi ho? Tab se dekh raha hu. Ider dekho na..."

Ishu looks at him like a cute kid-

Dushyant- "aur ye kya chocolates? Main kya baccha hu jo chocolates khaunga?"

Ishu takes a sharp breath, her eyes narrowing in a sharp glare-

Ishu- "isko thanks bolne ka tareeka kehte hai. ye bhi nhi pata aapko? Bangaye na fir se Dusht Danav-"

By the time she held her tongue, it was already late. Dushyant smiles.

Dushyant- "chalo, kam-se-kam ab toh dekha tumne meri taraf... and... ye bhi pata chalgaya ki tum thik-thak ho. Bilkul thik hai tumhara maansik-santulan. I'm glad..."

He gives another smile.. Ishu fakes a smile again-

Dushyant- "So Ms. Walia... I hope aapne CID chodne ka iraada badaldiya.."

Another playful smile comes her way before he turns to his file...

Ishu thinks- 'oh god! Ye Bhaalu.. aisa kya karuu, taaki main issey duur hojaau!? I don't think ye sab zyada din chalega... mera mann hi nahi karta ki CID chhod duu aur issey door chali jaaun!'

Ishu sighs sadly.. just then Dushyant receives a call from ACP sir, Ishu joins him as they step out on duty.

.

.

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A week later-

Things turned worse for Bhaalu-Billi aka our Dushyant-Ishita. Ishita could hardly smile and Dushyant was all the more frustrated as his friend started avoiding him like death-

That night, Dushyant is sitting in his room at his home; lost in thoughts... he wondered if that particular incident was one that made things worse...

Flashback-

It was usual day at the bureau. Few of the officers were out on duty. They had gone into a shed that was more like a warehouse, following trails of blood leading their way. Dushyant was ahead, next was Ishita, then Nikhil, Kavin, lastly Dr. Tarika. One behind the other, they followed the trails... Kavin, Nikhil stopped with Dr. Tarika who was now testing a sample using the forensic kit she brought along.

Kavin- "ye ek aadmi ka khoon hai.. ya kahiyon ke-"

Tarika- "abhi pataa chalna mushkil hai.. but I wamt to test, kahii ye... kisi jaanwar ka khoon toh nhi..."

Kavin- "ACP sir ne bureau bulaaya hai. yaha kaam hojaye. Hum nikal jayenge."

Tarika- "thik hai... ye kya..." :O

Kavin- "Kya hua Tarika?"

Tarika- "ye... kavin ye... ye khoon hai hi nahi!"

Kavin- "huh matlab-"

Tarika- "nakli khoon hai!"

Kavin, Nikhil- "KYAAA!"

Kavin- "It's a trap! Let's head back!"

KV, Nikhil and Tarika run out-

Kavin- "sab log bahar aagaye?"

Nikhil- "sir lagta hai Dushyant sir..."

Tarika- "aur Ishita-"

Nikhil- "wo log aage nikal chuke hai.."

Kavin- "Oh no! matlub woh andar hai! ugh!"

Kavin runs inside followed by others. Meanwhile Dushyant and Ishita reach a cold storage. They take notice of all the things that were kept...

Dushyant- "ye toh-"

Ishu- "cold storage?"

Dushyant- "haan aur khoon ke nishaan yahi khatm hue... dekho koi laash milta hai kya"

Ishu- "ji..."

"Dushyanttt! Ishitaaa!"

"SIRRR!"

"Ishuu!"

"kaha ho tum log..."

Ishyant who were taking a look at things stored now look at the entrance..

Kavin- "it's a trap! Ye koi chaal ho sakti hai kisi ki! Bahar niklo!"

Kavin shouts on top of his voice. Dushyant and Ishu were at far end across him and they could only hear his faint scream...

"Bahar Niklooo!"

Dushyant- "kya... Kyu..."

Kavin- "ugh! I'm going to get you!"

There's a scream from behind as Kavin runs forward. In a flash the cop is pulled back by his team and the glass door goes shut trapping Dushyant, Ishita inside the cold storage.

Dushyant, Ishu now rush to the door...

Ishu- "sir.. ye..."

Dushyant- "hum... fas gaye?!"

Ishu bangs on the door... Dushyant looks at his friends and their worried faces... and is worried himself.

Kavin bangs the door... pushes it... the team tries to give a push, pull the door using its handle but in vain.

Kavin- "OK. Calm down everyone. Abhi kuch nhi hua. Dekho kahin isey kholne ka switch hai kya!"

All- "haan..."

Kavin and co. signal ishyant that they will free them very soon...

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Ishu was already feeling cold while checking out the items but did not voice out her frustration. Her cheeks are pink... she starts shivering a bit. Besides her, he too can feel cold seeping from his back and everywhere-

Ishu- "sir.. hum kya karei? Hum yaha fas gaye kya?"

Dushyant- "nahi! Koi raasta hoga.. tum daro mat haan?"

Ishu- "sir mujhe... I dunno.. hum.. main... main mar-"

Dushyant- "nahi! Kuch nhi hoga tumhe! Do you get it?"

He stops her from saying anything... he knew what she'd say... There's a brief silence as they think about the situation. His brain is working on ways to escape when she speaks.

Ishu- "aap.. aapko bhi... kuch nhi hona chahiye sir..."

He smiles despite himself...

Dushyant- "hum iss mei saat hai Ishita! Mujhe kuch nahi hoga..."

He takes her hand in his, giving it a squeeze. She smiles sadly... there's a warm feeling in her chest despite the cold.

Dushyant- "ruko main dekhta hu... "

Dushyant pulls at the door from inside, it doesn't budge. He bangs the door in frustration.

Dushyant- "ugh!"

Ishu- "sir... rehne dijiye.. chot lagegi aapko!"

Dushyant- *sigh*

The atmosphere gets even cold now that the room is fully enclosed. Their breaths come out as smoke.

Ishu- "sir... yaha... thandd... thand hai..."

Dushyant looks at Ishu...

Ishu- "sir.. m.. m.. mujhe..."

Dushyant- "thodi der aur... ab humari team hi hume bacha sakti hai!"

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Outside-

Kavin- "Ugh! Damn it!"

Kavin kicks a drum nearby. They had searched the whole warehouse but couldn't find any proper switches to open the door. Even the power control unit had a biometric lock and a glass door that was hard to break.

Kavin- "holy sh-"

Tarika- "stop swearing Kavin! Calm down! Guys.. kuch socho jaldi... hum- Oh my god! 10 min beet gaye! I hope woh log thik ho!"

Kavin- "Hum darwaza unlock nahi kar paye... aur naa hi power off karpaye-"

Nikhil- "Kya karei sir?"

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10 min had passed.. Ishita moves to sitting position as her legs gave away. Dushyant joined her on the cold floor trying to keep close, so that they stayed warm.

Dushyant- "idher aao..."

The chill is killing him, he could hardly breathe or speak..

Dushyant- "We must.. stay... together!"

Ishu looks at him and nods. She wanted to talk but her throat hurts badly.

Dushyant- "sab.. thik hoga..."

He whispered as he wrapped his arms around her. They stayed close like that.

She nodded.. but he could see her condition was worsening...

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Outside-

Nikhil- "Power! Hum electricity department ko phone lagaake power rukwaa dete hai-"

Kavin- "agar inverter lagaaya hai inn logo ne toh?"

Nikhil- "I think hume fire engine bulaalena chahiye!"

Kavin- "ye thand hai.. aag nahi Nikhil!"

Nikhil- "toh hum kya karei sir?"

Kavin- "God kuch sooj kyu nahi raha?! maine ACP sir ko sab bataadiya.. police force ko yaha aane mei thoda time lagega..." *sigh* *holds head* "itni buri tara fas gaye wo dono!"

Nikhil- "kitna badhiya sketch banaaya unn logone! Bachne ka koi tareeka hi nahi hai. Aur... Woh kaaj bhi bullet proof nikla! Kaise todenge sir hum woh darwaaza!"

KV kneels down looking lost and tensed... Tarika approaches him

Tarika- "Kavin.. sab thik hoga... koi toh raasta hoga, aur humare Dushyant aur Ishita! Dono bahaadur hai. tum dekhna, unhe-"

Kavin- "main.. main unko nahi kho sakta Tarika!" *sniff* "kuch nahi kar sakta main... kuch nahi!"

Nikhil- "kya bol rahe hai sir! Kuch nahi hoga unko.." *teary* " koi na koi raasta hoga..."

Tarika- "Kavin, you need to calm down. tum Mr. cool honaa!? Fir ab kya hua.. relax! Come on, take deep breaths!"

KV nods and obeys Tarika.. and finally gets into standing position.

Kavin- "I'm sorry guys. Kitna cool dude banke firta tha na main? But.. I just realized main, main Dushyant ko apni aakhon ke saamne aise dekh nahi sakta..."

Nikhil- "sir hum bhi nahi dekh sakte! Sir, chaliye na.. dekhte hai koi aur raasta hai ki nahi."

Tarika- "haan you guys go! I'll go get something warm... once they come out they will need it! Aur Guys.. himmat se kaam lo!"

They all nod and leave.

.

. . _ . _. _. . _ . _. _. . _ . _. _.

Ishyant in the cold storage-

He pulls her up so that she's sitting in his lap. She's not facing him but is sitting turning her back on him, but that closeness is enough to take her breath away. She closes her eyes as he takes off his shirt to wrap it around her shoulders. She shivers partly due to cold and partly due to his touch-

She wishes this is a crazy dream of hers. But no, this is not one of those. Moments later he makes her face him. Her arms loop themselves around his neck. His arms are around her shoulders, his face inches away.

He then pulls her up close, rubbing her back, trying to provide warmth. She buries her head in his chest and tries to do the same but her hands feel numb. She is about to collapse when blinding light fills the room. Screams of delight can be heard as the team members manage to break into the cold storage through a secret back door that's probably used to smuggle goods.

Ishyant are saved. The men who tried to trick the team and kill CID members is arrested. The case is closed.

End of flashback

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Present-

Dushyant-"Damn!"

there's a long pause.

Dushyant-"kyu... kyu sochuu main uske bare mei? Jab wo mujhe aise avoid kar rahi hai jaise main koi... kuch nahi!" *deep breaths* *sigh* "agar uss din Kavin waqt pe hume bachaata nahi toh iss dard se chutkaara toh milta mujhe..."

Dushyant shakes his head, grimaces as it hurts. He is recovering from a bad cold and fever. He finally pulls himself out of that memory and gets up to go to bed.. That's when his mom comes screaming in delight-

DM (Dushyant's mom)- "hayeee dekho toh!"

Dushyant-"mom? Iss waqt aap yaha? Soyi nahi aap?"

DM- "tum bhi toh nahi soye! Uss ladki ke bare mei soch rahe honge na..."

Dushyant-"kis ladki?"

DM- "arey wohi jiska lipstick ka nishaan rehgaya tere shirt pe-"

Dushyant is shocked to see the stain on his green chequered shirt that his mom points to. It's the same shirt he wore when he was trapped in the cold storage. He remembers how he has taken his shirt off just for Ishita. He'd have loved to die for her... but she... she had to go and avoid him like death! -_-

He sighs and then laughs sarcastically-

Dushyant-"Aapko toh CID mei honi chahiye. Kya observation skills hai aapke!"

DM- "haha thank you so much beta! Par pehle bolo toh ladki kaun hai.. aur kab milwaa rahe ho mujhe!"

Dushyant-"mom plzzz... hum log kahi fas gaye the, toh galti se lag gaya hoga thoda sa.. shirt pe... so just leave it!"

DM- "arey aise kaise galti se-"

Dushyant-"bola na mom... plz so jayiye.. aapko neend nahi aari hogi.. par mujhe aarahi hai..."

His mom's smile drops as she realizes he's in bad mood... he immediately notices this and apologises

Dushyant-"I'm sorry mom.. main-"

DM- "pareshan ho. Samjh sakti hu. That's fine beta. Bure din toh sab ke life mei aate hai... thoda waqt do. bharosa rakho. Sab thik hoga. And anything you want to share, I'm here..."

His mom pats his back and ruffles his hair.

DM- "Aise sad expression aur gussa thik nahi lagta tumhare chehre pe... chalo cheer up! Sab thik hoga ok?"

He smiles sadly and hugs her.

Dushyant-"thanks mom. I know ek din sab thik hoga... love u mom..."

DM- "love you too beta..."

His mom leaves after kissing him on his forehead. Once again he's alone in his room at home-

Dushyant thinks- "mom sahi keh rahi hai. mujhe mere gusse pe kaboo rakhna hoga. Gussa karne se problem solve nahi hojaati na... God knows ye kya hogaya mujhe! Mujhe yakeen nahi horaha ki main mom pe gussa hogaya! Mom pe?! Aur aajkal main case ke bare mei nahi balki uss ladki ke bare mei soch raha hu! Sab uss ladki ki waje se... Kyu Ishita... kyu humari mushkilei badhaa rahi ho tum? Actually galati tumhari bhi nahi hai. galati meri hai ki main kamzor padgaya..." *sigh* "bohot ziddi ho na tum? Main bhi dekhta hu... kitne din aur chalegi ye zid!"

. _ . _. _. . _ . _. _. . _ . _. _.

There at her home, Ishita too remembers the same scene. That particular incident... Whenever she recalled it, all she wanted to do was to blush and die...

What the hell! What are these feelings that keep coming back? Why does she care for him more than herself? Why does it feel good to be in his arms even it's for a moment? Is this, by any chance, means love?

No. she hadn't even strengthened their long lost friendship. She could never do it. She can't even in the future. These feelings, if any would be her death. She knows what she's doing is right. She needs to avoid him and she's just doing that.

Ishu thinks- "pata nahi kab tak chalega ye sab... main humesha ke liye ussey door nahi bhaag sakti na! main toh uski junior hu bureau mei! kya karuu... god! Ye kya se kya hogaya... maine ye sab mazak mei shuru ki thi na? main sirf taang khichaayi karna chaahti thi.. Bhaalu se sach chupakar usey tang karna chahti thi. Par ab... ab ye mereliye saza bangayi hai... zindgi bhar ki saza.. but I must be strong! Main kisi bhi haalat mei Bhaalu ko sach nahi bataaungi... kabhi nahi!"

She tries to calm down herself listening to some music, all the time avoiding Preet's constant pestering.

. _ . _. _. . _ . _. _. . _ . _. _.

Three days pass. There is no exchange between the old friends, except for formal greetings and few case related talks. Both seem to have forgotten their personal issues momentarily.

Outskirts of Mumbai-

One day the team is out investigation again. Call it her bad luck, Ishu is alone with Dushyant. They are near a large lake located at the outskirts of Mumbai. Both are standing on a small hillock observing the premises when

Dushyant- "toh ye hai wo jagah..."

Search begins for evidence- A few mins later-

Dushyant- "har jaga dhoondh chuke hai. ab ek hi jaga rehgaya yaha aaspaas..."

Dushyant finally speaks; his tone as casual as ever. A true cop he is... Ishita thinks. But wait, he doesn't know anything about her internal turmoil, does he? He doesn't even know she is his billi...

Dushyant- "that's it! I'm diving!"

Ishu- "arey Par sir... kyu?"

Dushyant- "arey saboot paani mei toh nahi chupaya ussne?"

Ishu- "sir hum... hum police ko bulaayenge... woh nikaalke dedenge saboot, ye aise aap chalaang nahi maar sakte!"

Dushyant- "relax! I'm fine. Mujhe underwater diving aati hai aur swimming bhi... ye lo, hold these for me..."

He hands her his cell phone, goggles. Wordlessly she obeys him and watches as he dives.

.

.

.

10 mins later...

Ishu- "kaha rehgaya Bhaalu..."

He doesn't turn up. 12 minutes pass.

Ishu- "Bhaa... ugh! Sir!"

She calls him again, looking around. Getting worried, she screams his name, peeps down from the hillock to take a clear look at the large lake below...

Ishu- "SIRR!"

That's when someone places a hand over her back causing her to turn abruptly. She loses her balance with a small scream but the same someone catches her in the nick of time, preventing her from falling backward.

A sigh of relief escapes her mouth as she eyes her saviour. Yes, the saviour is Dushyant who is drenched from head to toe, water dripping from his clothes, his cute face, his super cute hair sticking to his forehead. To her he looked handsome even in all this mess. A million dollar smile is seen soon and without warning she hugs him.

Ishu- "thank god aap thik hai..."

She doesn't care that water from his wet clothes is wetting her shirt, sleeves of her coat as she hugs him. Happy tears fill her eyes and she seems to be unaware of what she spoke.

Ishu- "mujhe toh lagaa tha ki..."

There's a short pause as she hugs him even more tightly; burying her head in his chest.

Ishu- "kitni darr gayi thi main..."

Dushyant is shocked at this but then smiles a bit not knowing what to do. He's shocked that after all these days of ignoring him like plague she's clinging to him this way.

He keeps quiet, thinking his words might ruin this moment. He notices her scarf and cell phone are lying on the ground. It looked like she threw them while she worried for him. What exactly does this girl want?

He emerged out from the waters from the other end, the CD containing the evidence safe in his pocket. But the so called girl was too busy worrying and screaming for him that she didn't even notice when he had come up from behind.

This girl... he sighed as he patted her head gently and hugged her back, would be his death.

In that moment she realizes what she has been doing and abruptly jumps apart. At loss for words, she looks at him, her mouth opening and closing but making no sound. That's when he wipes her tears and tucks a strand of her hair behind her ear touches her cheek -

Dushyant- "itni fikar kyu karti ho..."

He asks in a low voice. She is at loss for words again but finally speaks up, ashamed of herself.

Ishu- "I'm.. I'm sorry sir. Main.. woh.. dar gayi thi.. aur...fikar toh karungi hi... aap mere acche dost ki tarah hai... aur.."

Dushyant- "aur..

Ishu- "aur itne ache officer hai.."

Dushyant- "aur..."

Ishu- "aur.. hum ek team hai.. aur..."

Dushyant- "AUR KYAA?"

He calms down a bit repeating the same...

Dushyant- "aur kya..."

Before Ishu can speak-

*gunshot*

A gunshot is heard-

The duo quickly run in the direction to see that few other officers have arrived in the spot. The man who was stealthily trying to fire at Dushyant and Ishita was caught.

Dushyant- "sir ye.. ye aadmi toh wohi hai na jissne saboot chupaayi.. iski toh khud jaan khatre mei thi.. fir ye yaha... sir woh CD jo paani mei mila woh..."

Abhijeet- "nakli tha! Nakli! Iss aadmi ne jhoot bola. Asli CD toh iske office mei hai. Ritu sahi keh rahi thi. Bekasur thi woh.."

Dushyant- "sir.. matlub..."

Daya- "Atul ne hi Shamili ko maara. Ilzaam lagaya Ritu pe, jissne marte waqt Shamili ko bachaane ki koshish ki thi."

Sachin- "Aur woh CD. Woh bhi nakli thi. Asli CD jismei Ritu ne Atul ki saare kaarnaame record ki, woh toh kahii aur hai. issne bohot chaalaki se paasa palat diya... aur ulta Ritu ko hi fasaaya case mei-"

Abhijeet- "issne Ritu ko fasaaya hi nahi. Balki CID officers ko maarne ki koshish ki. Jhoot bola ki ussne evidence wali CD iss pahad ke aaspaas chipaaya."

ACP- "padi gayi na jhoot? Haan? Atul? Ab saari zindgi jail mei kaatlena. Tumhe kadi si kadi saza degi adalat!"

Atul is dragged away. Dushyant glances sideways at Ishu but she jogs faster to catch up with ACP sir and co. and he knows he lost another chance. He stands there wondering what just happened. She hugged him dearly and now she's avoiding him-

Dushyant- "aise kaise chali gayi?" *sigh*

ACP sir- "Dushyantt!"

Abhijeet- "ruk kyu gaye?"

Daya- "arey aao bhai!"

Dushyant- "ji aaraha hu sir!"

Everyone leave the place in their respective vehicles.

Dushyant thinks- "iss baar toh tum bhaag gayi. Lekin agli baar tumhe mere sawaal ka jawab dena hi hoga Ishita..." *smiles*

A small smile forms on his lips as he thinks back how she hugged him. He can't wait to let Kavin know this. Well, Kavin will be mad that he had dived into the lake shortly after recovering from fever, but will be glad to hear the story.

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Nxt chapter- Final confrontation between Ishyant and a reunion.

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Reunion part 2: Update will come by tomorrow or day after. Plz don't be mad ki yahi khatam kardiya...

AN: PLZ READ... Since it's a long chapter I have divided into two parts. And I have been writing this chapter since July 2nd! Kya kruu guys time nahi mil raha. Bohot hectic hai college mei. My apologies again and aapko zyada wait nahi karna padega... kal main iska continuation post karungi. Tho bas guys, ek din aur intezar karo aur dekho kaise mitengi inki dooriyan... thanks and love you guys.

And plz do rvw and lemme know ur thoughts. Other updates will come too... I'll be more active from August.