9 One drink is okay

"No.I mean you were inside. " Jake says.

"Yeah, but we are now so used to your presence that we can't stay much longer without you"

"Oh"

"Come on"she stands up and gestures to him to do the same. When he doesn't she says" Do you need a invitation, Mr. Jake "

"Huh… right let's go"

As they were about to enter the corridor Sam rubs the back of his shoulder "everything will be alright "she says with a smile.

Jake smiles back.

____________________

"So it's decided. We will go together"Jake asks.

" Yes. "Sid answers, taking a seat as he stretches his arms on both sides.

"What about your interview,Jake? It was scheduled tomorrow. "Sam says.

" Oh….that's in the afternoon. I'll finish here first and then go for it. "

"I think you should not come.You should take risks. "

"No it's okay. Anyway, I promised oldman that I'll be there for the investigation everytime. "

"But tomorrow we are just finding Miss Gills. If we don't get any information it will be a waste of time for you. "

"Hmm… okay then. "

Though Jake was being confident about the job around them but deep inside he was not sure at all. He has already been rejected in many companies,now only a few were left.

Siddhant and Monica left for home early so now there were just him and Samantha. Not much later they also left together. Jake decided to visit Dayal before going back to his apartment so he was dropped in front of Dayal's house.

He could enter directly, without even knocking or ringing because the doors were not locked. That's not something Dayal would do usually. Curious, he went inside to open each and every door but there was no one. He heard a faint sound somewhere but just couldn't locate the exact place. Finally, he found its location to be the rooftop so he went straight upstairs.

"What are you doing here? "

"I am the one to ask you that! " Dayal turns back to reply.

"You are here, without even locking your front door"

"Ahh….that. I forgot actually. "

"Great.By the way, what are you doing here? "

"Watering my babies"

Jake peeped through Dayal's shoulder to see whom he was addressing as 'babies'. It was nothing but those tiny flower pots. After watering for a while they came back downstairs.

"So….tell me why you're here? "

"Nothing"

"Hmm, want some? "As he offers some popcorn but Jake refuses. They move to the living area and take their seats.

He remembers that sofa from the first day when he met Dayal for the first time.Never had he imagined to sit so comfortably,almost as buddies with this person.What he thought about him earlier and what he knows now is completely different. After all, today he actually got an idea about Dayal.

He wanted to ask him why he lied about that issue early this morning but words just didn't come out. So he decided not to ask, at least not now.

After having a few more talks Dayal stood up and went to the kitchen. At first Jake thought he was there to make something but when he opened the counter he knew what he was up to.

A bottle of wine.

"Have a drink. "

"No, not today. I have an interview tomorrow and I don't want to get a headache. "

"One drink is okay. Come on. "

"Ahh….okay just one. "

"You know, the taste of wine is no good if you have it alone. "

Jake laughs as he takes his glass slightly unsure if he should drink or not. But soon he took a sip when an idea struck his mind. They laughed, talked and tossed. Not much later Dayal was already drunk but Jake wasn't. He intentionally took only a few sips occasionally.

"G….girlfriend" Dayal mumbled.

"What? "

"Ugh… do… do you have a….girl.. "

"No"he answered, not even letting him finish the word.

"Relax.Its not like I'm getting you married to someone randomly. "

"Yeah."

"Today you really surprised me. How come you all get so close suddenly….oh! I remember my speech. "He laughs.

"Hmm, with fake examples "he said to himself.

" Huh? "

"Tell me, how close are you and Loy? You must have known each other for a long time. "

"We are b… f… fs. We have known each other since our training. "

"Really? "

Dayal nodded. Now that he was totally enveloped with alcohol, this was the right time to ask what he wanted to know from the beginning. That's why he purposely drank only a few sips.

"Why did you save him? "

"Because he is my friend. "

"What if you had lost your life?"

"At least the case would have been solved. "

"I got it"Jake felt something within himself. A feeling of guilt for not believing Dayal that much, for taking things just for granted. Though he was on Dayals side, he had not done much. It was all because what happened to him six months ago while Dayal was doing this for years out of selflessness.

" Do you know why I'm so into this case? "

"Because this is your last case. "

"Huh… yes. But there is something else. "

Jake stared at him in astonishment.

"I say all of you to be selfless but here, I have my own reasons. Personal reasons. Actually I'm the most selfish here. "He tries to take one more sip from the bottle but Jake pulls it back.

" What do you mean? "

"I know. If it was not for my daughter... never, never. "

"You.. Your daughter"

"Yes, her mother left me as well. "

Jake was now more confused. How come he has a daughter? Where is she now? If he has a good memory, he remembers Loy saying that Dayal was not married. Is he….

"Ahh, so is your daughter.. an illegit.... " Before he could finish ,he received a slap on his left cheek.

"You punk! How dare you say that. She's my daughter, my Pia."

"I'm sorry, but are you married?"

This time Dayal throws him out of the sofa as if that will be enough to answer his question. Though he seems old, he was still capable of tossing people on the ground.

"What the hell! "Jake screams.

" How dare you? "

"Okay….. Calm down" Jake slowly tries to get up from his position and raises his eyebrows at Dayal to ask for permission if he can sit now.He nods.

By looking at his condition Jake knows that this is not as simple as he thinks. There are some more things.

"Let me tell. No one should know about this. Okay"Dayal starts.

"Alright but what happened? To your daughter? "

"She was molested! "

••••