26. Can you hold it a little longer?

AN: I know guys I'm terribly late! It's not lack of ideas guys, but lack of time. Exams season guys. Very sorry... :(

Iss kahaani ke purey chapters mere dimaag mei already hai. So yes I can't afford to skip any of those pre-planned scenes. So again, this may seem a filler chapter. But well its much needed. I hope u guys enjoy this chap as well.

Again, many many thanks for all those lovely ppl who reviewed. Love ya all!

. . .

Laal Paraanda

. . .

Chapter 26

. . .

Can you hold it a little longer?

(There's a reason behind my silence.)

. . .

Few more days pass. Nothing changes between our beloved Bhaalu and Billi.

One fine day...

It's 10 AM. Outside the bureau...

Few officers are gearing up to leave to investigate a case. Ishita arrives there clad in casual jeans, white shirt, a shawl draped around her shoulders. She's seen carrying a sling bag and is wearing sneakers. Definitely not the look meant for office...

Dushyant is slightly amused seeing her like this. Besides all this he notices she's wearing her hair open. Other officers, Sachin, Pankaj, Nikhil notice her presence.

Ishu- "good.. good morning sir..."

All- "good morning!"

Sachin- "kya baat hai? kaam pe aane ka iraada nhi?"

Ishu- "sir.. wo main... main aaj off leluu?"

Sachin- "kyu? Kya hua..."

Ishu looks down... she doesn't know why. She's starting to hate her job. She hated that she is around HIM all the while. She felt guilty all the while. There are moments where she couldn't think about anything but him. There's no looking back now. She had lost him, her Bhaalu. He'd hate her if he knew the truth. He would hate she was enjoying her position, hiding her identity from him all the while. He would think she was not a good friend. He would and she wouldn't be able to blame him.

Sachin- "maine kuch puchaa Ishita..."

Ishu- "woh... bas.. aise hi sir..."

Sachin- "aise hi matlub..."

Ishu- "sir... ye... ye mera.. resignation hai-"

Sachin, Pankaj, Nikhil- "KYA?"

She holds out a letter and everyone seems shocked.

Nikhil- "pagal hogai ho?"

Freddy- "Ishita? Kya hua?"

Pankaj- "Divya ko bataaya? Ya uncle ji ko? Wo sunengey tho khoob daant padenge..."

Ishu- "I know. Sab naraz honge. But maine sochliya. Main ACP sir se milke bataaungi abhi-"

Sachin- "Ishita... hum.. hum iss bare mei baad mei baat karte hai. acche se sochlena tum. Fir jaake ACP sir se baat karna. Abhi hume kahii jaana hai. ek case ke silsile mei..."

Dushyant- "sochne ki koi zarurat nhi hai... ye kahi nhi jayegi..."

In a blink, Dushyant snatches the envelope from her. She watches in horror as he tears it up.

Ishu- "ye kya kardia aapne?"

Dushyant- "wohi jo sahii hai. Ms. Walia... aap mere saat chalo. Hume kahii jaana hai..."

Dushyant moves towards their car..

Dushyant- "Nikhil... let's go.."

Nikhil- "ji sir..."

Everyone is shocked by this move but then they shake it off to attend their duties.

Ishu- "aap mere saat aisa nei kar sakte!"

She shouts...

Dushyant- "Ms. Walia. Aap meri junior hai. agar aap kahi pe galat hoti hai. tho aapko correct karna mera kaam hai... so... please get inside.."

Dushyant is now sitting in the car... beside the driver seat. Nikhil sits beside him, ready to drive. Pankaj, Sachin and Freddy drive off in another jeep.

Ishu- "main.. mujhe aaj leave chahiye.."

She looked like a kid who didn't want to go to school. He just laughs. She glares at him, her fists tightened... there's a short pause. He sighs.

Dushyant- "aap aarahi hai ki main aajau aapko yaha bithaane?"

Her lips part slightly... she groans loudly...

Dushyant- "you have 3 seconds... 3.."

He begins countdown..

Ishu- "ugh!"

Dushyant- "2..."

Ishu- "arey par..."

Dushyant- "1"

Ishu- "aise hi aajau..."

He looks at her taking off his goggles...

Kitna style maarta hai Bhalu...

She's wearing jeans, white shirt, printed scarf, her hair left open.

Dushyant- "thik thak hi tho lag rahi ho. Aajao..."

She stands there not knowing what to do...

Dushyant- "countdown mei zero included nhi hai..."

He says without looking at her. She groans and joins him & Nikhil in the back seat.

Dushyant- "chalo bhai sab set hogaya..."

Ishu- "DDD... khud ko ACP samjhta hai..."

She grits her teeth and voices her anger a bit loud.

Dushyant- "kya kaha?"

Ishu- "wo.. maine kaha hum aapke aabhaar rahenge sadaa, aapne hume itni badi Galati karne se jo bachaaya..."

Dushyant- "good... you must be..."

He flashes a smile, turning around and looking at her. She sighs and he turns his gaze back to the road. A long day jus began.

.

.

They reach a large farm house, the place where a dead body was found earlier. Everyone gets down. Nikhil parks the car in the pathway leading to the huge building.

Nikhil- "ye farm house kam aur palace zyada lag rahi hai sir... isski talaashi lene mei kaafi time lagega."

Dushyant- "haan Nikhil. Lekin talaashi tho leni hi hai. ACP sir ka order hai. ab bas koi evidence miljaaye yaha, kaam aasan hojayega..."

Nikhil- "sach kaha sir... chaliye."

Nikhil begins to walk towards the house. Ishu is still standing near the car, unwilling to move.

Dushyant- "tumhe invitation card chahiye kya? Andar chalo!"

She glances at him and keeps quiet.

Dushyant- "maine kahaa chalo... warna ye nautanki ki khabar tumhare papa tak pohunchegi..."

She blinks... this is just- ugh!

Dushyant- "mere paas hai tumhare papa ka number. Bada garv tha na, unko tumhare uuper. Abhi tumhari asliyat unko-"

Ishu- "main chalungi..."

He nods and pockets his phone. Gives a slight smile and moves inside...

Ishu- "Dusht Danav Daaku! I wish koi aur naya naam deduu isey... Dayaan! Ya fir bhootnath bhi thik rahega. Kya samjhta hai khud ko huh? Stupid dumb Bhaalu kahiika, iss-sey door bhaagne mei main apni jaan lagaa rahi hu, ye hai ki mujhe godh mei leke ghoom rahe hai. isko tho-"

She goes on and on with her banter and abruptly stops as she gets a glimpse of him being around her.

Ishu- "a... aa... aappp... g.. gaye nhi..."

Dushyant- "Nikhil ne gaadi lock nhi ki... bas wohi karne aaya tha... aur... I'm sorry Ms. Walia. Main jaanta hu ki mujhe koi haq nhi hai aapkeliye decisions lene ka, par main aapke saat galat nhi hone desakta tha... I hope.. you understand-"

He gives her a glance and walks away as if nothing happened. How can he behave as if he heard nothing!

She sighs smiling a little as she watches his retreating form.

Ishu- "itna acche kyu ho tum? haan? Ab tho tumse door jaana aur bhi mushkil hai. I'm sorry Bhaalu... maine wo sab gusse mei kehdiya. Main kya karuu... majbur jo hu. Mujhe tumse door jaana hi hai. yahi accha hoga humareliye..."

She sighs again sadly...

Dushyant- "Ms. Walia!"

She hears him calling her...

Ishu- "jii... aarahi hu..."

.

.

.

.

Soon the three of them are inside. Ishita groans as she notices how huge it is.

Dushyant- "ok... Nikhil, Ishita. Tum log uuper jaao. Main neeche check karta hu."

Ishu- "u.. uuper?"

Dushyant- "haan. Koi problem? Ms. Walia?"

Ishu- "ji.. nhi... mm.. matlab, haan! Wo.. mere pair dhuk rahe hai... ahhh-"

She holds her foot and presses it gently. Nikhil laughs at this. Dushyant glares at both of them briefly. Nikhil moves upstairs avoiding his gaze.

Dushyant- "fir nautanki... samjhti kya ho tum apne aap ko? Char saal ki bacchi?"

OK. so this time it seemed like he's really angry. Yes! She succeeded in irritating him... :D

Dushyant- "fine!" *deepbreath* "tum uuper jaati ho, ya fir main pohunchaau tumhe?"

Ishu- "kaise pohochaauge? Godh mei uthaake?"

She laughs.. and he looks away smiling. God why is it difficult to be angry at her. Well he is very rarely angry. But with her it seemed just impossible.

Dushyant- "thik hai..."

Ishu- "areyy... ye kya kar rahe hai.."

She jumps as he moves closer. Is he planning to lift her up?

Dushyant- "Ishita.. time waste mat karo. Mere paas itna time nhi. Aur waise bhi tumhari jagaa koi aur hota... tho ab tak fire ho chuka hota."

Ishu- "tho kardijiye fire... mujhe aapke saat kaam nhi karna..."

She replies half irked & half tired. He is taken aback for a second... the amusement is gone & anger burns in his chest. Great! First she hides her identity, plays silly games, testes his patience and now she wants to get away from him. Is this the reason behind her resignation?

Dushyant- "Ms. Walia uuper jaake talaashi karooo... NOW!"

He says it with such intensity that she gets teary. Wordlessly, she moves upstairs to attend her work.

.

.

.

Upstairs

She moves into one of the rooms after checking a large room. This room is small. It has a glass door; inside there is no furniture except for a cabinet.

Ishu- "mujhe nhi pata Bhalu ko gussa bhi aata hai... aur ye kamra! accha hai... zyada nhi yaha talaashi lene ko..."

Just as she touches the cabinet, the glass door closes shut. She gets panicked as smoke emanates from the cabinet engulfing the room. She runs to the door, bangs it but in vain. Coughing and panting, she bangs the door again...

Ishu- "Dushyant!"

She's not sure if her cries will reach him... she tries again..

Ishu- "Nikhil! SIRRR!"

Downstairs... Dushyant is in kitchen, searching the cabinets. He just couldn't shake off what she said.

"mujhe aapke saat kaam nhi karna..."

He takes a deep breath.

Dushyant- "ye kya hogaya hai mujhe! Mujhe kaam pe dhyaan dena chahiye..."

Ishu- "DUSHYANTTTT!"

He turns around abruptly. He felt as if someone called him; screamed out his name, but all he heard is a small cry.

Dushyant- "kon ho sakta hai..."

He rushes to the hall, looks around...

Dushyant- "shayad mera vehem hai..."

He hears faint banging coming from upstairs and looks up. He can see smoke...

Dushyant- "dhuaa..."

He rushes upstairs and to his horror notices Ishita who's now leaning against the door banging and shouting for help..

Dushyant- "Ishitaa..'

He tries to pull the door open..

Dushyant- "ye tho jam hogaya..."

Just then Nikhil comes rushing

Nikhil- "kya hua.. oh god! Ishita..."

Dushyant- "darwaaza nhi khul raha Nikhil..."

They both pull & tug at the door but in vain...

Ishu gets teary. She coughs and pants looking at her friends..

Dushyant- "tumhe kuch nhi hoga Ishita..."

They both pull the knob hard...

Nikhil- "sir darwaza todna padega..."

Dushyant looks at Ishu who rests her palm on the glass door... she gives him a watery smile before passing out!

Dushyant- "ISHITAAA!"

.

.

.

.

City hospital

An hour later a tensed Dushyant is joined by Kavin, Abhijeet, Daya and ACP.

Kavin rushes to see his friend and lend him a comforting touch.

Kavin- "Dushyant..."

There is no reply as the latter is slouched on the floor, looking pale, his eyes blood red. Had he been crying?

Kavin- "Dekh wo thik hojayegi..."

There's no response. KV places his hand on his shoulder...

Dushyant- "meri galti hai KV."

Kavin- "huh?"

Dushyant- "maine usey kaam pe aane pe majbuur kia."

Kavin- "nhi yar-"

Dushyant- "main kya karta? Wo kaam chod ke jaane ki baat kar rahi thi. Tho maine... mujhe jana chahiye tha uss kamre mei, you know! Woh uuper nhi jaana chahti thi KV... usske pair dhuk rahe the! Ussne mujhse ladaayi bhi ki... fir bhi maine zid ki aur... usey firse majbuur kardiya uss kamre ki talaashi lene keliye..."

Kavin- "Dushyant teri galti nhi hai... ye tho-"

Dushyant- "mere saat hona tha ye sab. Aaj mujhe rehna tha hospital mei usski jagah..."

KV sighs... Dushyant gets teary again... KV gets sad, not knowing what to do to comfort his best friend.

Kavin- "doctor ne kya kaha?"

Dushyant- "bola uska pulse low hai... jab tak wo gas ka pata nhi chalta jo usske lungs mei ghus gaya. Treatment acche se nhi ho sakta!"

KV who is squatting beside him, now gets up. He extends a hand to his friend and makes him stand. There's a brief silence between the two friends. KV sighs as Dushyant looks away and pulls him into a hug, patting his back..

Kavin- "sab thik hoga dost..."

Dushyant- "aaj usey kuch hogaya na KV... apne aap ko maaf nhi karpaunga.."

Kavin- "kuch nhi hoga usey samjhe! Kuch nhi... relax! Ye kya haal banaadi tumne apni?"

KV releases his buddy to look at him-

Kavin- "kya yar tu? Kaha gayi teri wo himmat? Be strong dude! CID mei ye sab maamuli hai. aur haan! Ye sochna band kar ki ye sab teri waje se hua hai.. OK..."

Duo, ACP who are talking to the doctor occasionally observe KV-Dushyant.

Daya thinks... "kuch zyada hi pareshan dikh raha hai Dushyant!"

Abhi thinks... "aisa tho kabhi nhi dekha usey..."

ACP to feels the same but decides to keep quiet on the issue. Dushyant composes himself as he meets the trio.

ACP- "Tarika kaam kar rahi hai Dushyant! Jald hi pata chaljayega konsi gas hai wo..."

ACP pats his shoulder.

Abhi- "koi bhi kisi ki haalat ka zimmedar nhi hota Dushyant... samajhte hona tum?"

Dushyant- "yes... yes sir.."

Daya- "wo thik hojayegi Dushyant.."

Dushyant- "hope so sir..."

Duo too pats his shoulder.

ACP- "Kavin tum yahi ruko Dushyant ke saat... aur mujhe yaha ki khabar dete rehna..."

Kavin- "OK sir.."

Dushyant- "sir par... case ka kya?"

Daya- "baki sab hai Dushyant... tum chinta mat karo... Kavin khayal rakhna apne dost ka..."

KV nods and watches as trio walk away... he then joins Dushyant beside him on the chair and duo keeps waiting...

.

.

A while later...

Doctor comes out. KV, Dushyant surround him-

Dushyant- "Doctor woh..."

Doctor- "she's recovering. Koi serious poisoning ki symptoms nhi dekha hai humne."

The friends smile at this... Just then Salunkhe, Tarika arrive...

Dushyant- "Sir... Dr. Tarika... pata chala ki wo gas konsi hai? koi... koi khatra toh nhi hai na..."

Tarika just smiles at his eagerness...

Tarika- "Dushyant woh gas... kuch aur nhi bas chloroform hai!"

KV smiles big... Dushu smiles and chuckles...

Dushyant- "chloroform?"

Tarika- "haan. Aur woh smoke. Uss mei bhi koi jaanlewa chemicals nhi hai. haan shayad kuch allergy accelerating cheezei ho sakti hai."

Doctor- "nhi... humne saare reports check kiye. Unhe koi allergy nhi hua. Abhi wo perfectly thik hai... maine ek injection bhi diya jisse woh kuch der k liye hosh mei aajayegi. Aap log chaahei tho ussey mil sakte hai..."

Dushyant- "woh thik hai? aur.. aur hum milsakte hai? oh.. thank god! No first I have to thank you doctor..."

The doctor just smiles and excuses himself.

Dushyant- "seriously, bas chloroform aur.. smoke? Aur wo behosh hogai?"

Kavin- "hmm dar gayi hogi shayad..."

Dushyant smiles...

Dushyant- "haan daregi zarur, darpok billi jo hai..."

The two friends laugh...

Tarika- "woh behosh isliye hui Dushyant kyu ki chloroform ki matra bohot zyada hai. aur zyada hota tho jaanlewa hosakta tha..."

Dushyant turns to Tarika and Salunkhe.

Dushyant- "thank god aisa nhi hua. Tarika.. thank you so much. Thank you sir. Aap dono ne mere sir se bojh halka kardiya. Agar wo koi poisonous gas niklaa hota... tho pata nhi.. kya hota mera..."

The doctors exchange looks...

Dushyant- "I mean to say, agar usey kuch hojata tho... zimmedar main hua na..."

Salunkhe & Tarika smile..

Salunkhe- "nhi Dushyant.. aisa kuch nhi. Waise bhi usey tho thik hona hi tha. Badi pyari bachi hai... kyu Tarika?"

Tarika- "exactly!"

The four of them peep in through the glass door leading to the room where Ishita is undergoing treatment.

Salunkhe- "she's sleeping peacefully. Badi khushi horahi hai ki sab thik hai ... jab bhi aisa kuch hota hai na Tarika, bas... dil ghabraa jata hai aur... Tasha ki yaad aajati hai..."

Salunkhe gets emotional remembering their lost companion...

Tarika- "sambhaliye sir khud ko..."

Salunkhe- "I'm fine bacchi..."

He gives her an assuring smile.. KV, Dushyant to smile a bit...

Dushyant- "apno ko khone pe bohot dard hota hai sir... hum samajh sakte hai Tasha ke saat jo hua, usske baad aap sab pe kya beeti hogi..."

Salunkhe- "haan Dushyant... lekin dard ko bhulaana chahiye. Apno k liye. Woh hume dukhi nhi dekh sakte na... bas apno ko kabhi mat bhoolo... unhe humesha dil mei sambhalke rakho..."

KV & Dushyant nod. The doctors take their leave.

.

.

.

A moment later a nurse arrives informing that Ishu gained consciousness.

They both move inside... Ishita looks at them, her eyelids drooping; her pale face looking almost lifeless. She smiles faintly looking at her friend, her bhaalu. She alone knew what it felt to get locked in a room, to experience terror; to know what's it to lose a loved one without letting him know what they mean to you. She thought she was going to die. That she will never ever see him again... Her head spins as she recollects those moments of panic... tears form in her eyes and she shuts them...

Dushyant- "Ishita..."

He moves closer to her bed, she can hear him.

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

He gets teary; his voice is thick due to grief.

Dushyant- "meri waje se tum... iss halat mei..."

KV sees she's smiling faintly through her tears, now shaking her head,

Kavin- "woh kehrahi hai tu zimmedar nhi hai..."

He looks at KV who nods...

Kavin- "sir hilaaya ussne thoda sa.."

Dushyant- *sniff* "aisa woh sochti hogi.. par main nhi..."

Another nurse comes in with a prescription.

Nurse- "ye dawaai leke aayiye..."

Dushyant gets up but he feels a tug at his hand... she seems to hold on to it...

With great difficulty she mumbles something...

Ishu- "aap.. ya.. hi.. raho..."

And she goes into deep slumber.

Dushyant- "nurse ye.. ye fir sogayi.."

Nurse- "chloroform ka effect hai. aur woh dawaai ki waje se aaj pura din ye aise hi rahengi. Ghabrayiye mat..."

He nods & the nurse leaves adjusting the IV fluid flow that's ingested to her.

Dushyant eyes the prescription..

Dushyant- "ek favour chahiye bhai..."

Kavin- "anything for you dost!"

Dushyant- "ahh.. main Billi ke saat baitjaata hu. Tu.. tu dawaai laadega?"

Kavin- "why not?"

Dushyant- "Ok.. aur Preet ko bhi phone kardena..."

Kavin- "Preet?"

Dushyant- "Ishita ki behen... lo mere phone mei hoga uska number..."

Dushyant takes out his mobile from his pocket with one hand, his other still holding Ishita's hand...

Kavin- "arey wah... saali ka phone number pehle se feed karke rakhi hai? not bad... saali aadhi gharwali-"

That earns KV a glare.

Kavin- "arey mazak tha... OK jaaraha hu... ghoorna band kar abhi.."

KV takes the prescription and mobile and leaves. Dushyant smiles a little at his friend's antics and takes a chair beside Ishu's bed.

.

.

.

By the evening, she gains consciousness and abruptly leaves his hand. Was she speaking to him in her disturbed state? What made him hold her hand? What else did she say to him? She doesn't know what to say now. So he speaks for her.

Dushyant- "tum thik ho?"

She just nods, decides to stand up & leave-

Dushyant- "kaha jaarahi ho?"

She stumbles while standing up and he makes her sit.

Dushyant- "baitho tum"

She holds her head that still seemed to spin. She feels something moving under her foot.

Ishu- "ye aap- rukiye! Kya kar rahe hai?"

He's putting her shoes on to her feet... squatting on the floor-

Dushyant- "madad kar raha hu..."

He smiles at her...

Dushyant- "ek dost ki tarah"

She can't help but smile a little...

Ishu- "dost?"

Dushyant- "haan.." *keen look* "main tho aisa hi samjhta hu. Par meri dost jo hai, wo samajhti hi nhi. Bohot sataati hai mujhe!"

Her heart begins to race... he thinks of her as a friend? what does he mean, she doesn't understand?

Ishu- "wo.. main.. main samjhi nhi..."

She hopes he's not aware of her truth, their truth. It would only make the situation worse! Her head hurts again and she holds it grimacing a bit... he holds her hand as he's done with her shoes...

Dushyant- "I'm really sorry... wo meri waje se tum-"

She looks at him asking him to stop.

Ishu- "please!"

She shakes her head asking him not to speak...

Ishu- "aapki koi galti nhi hai. aapne tho mujhe bachaaya hai.. uskeliye... "

She faintly recollects how someone thrashed the glass door and picked her up in his arms while screaming her name all the while.

Ishu- "thanks..."

She gives him a genuine smile... he smiles back.. before they can speak more.

Preet- "Diiii-"

Just then Preet rushes in showering apologies for being late.

Preet- "Di aap thik hona? I'm sorry Di.. aa nhi paayi, wo college mei fas gayi thi... aap thik hona? Haan?"

Dushyant- "relax Preeto. Tumhari di thik hai. aur waise bhi, hum sab hai na..."

Preet- "haan aap ho jiju... thank you so much!"

Dushyant- "its nothing Preet... ye tho mera farz tha... tum apne Di ke saat raho. Main abhi aaya."

He walks out to meet KV who's still seated in the visitor's chairs.

Kavin- "thik hai na woh? Dekha.. haan? Maine bola than a tumko..."

Dushyant just hugs him...

Dushyant- "thanks KV. Aaj tu hai mere saat warna..."

Kavin- "dont worry bro! main tho humesha tere saat rahunga. Jab tu budda hojayega tab bhi... arey marte dam tak dosti nibhayenge ji hum..."

Dushyant smiles & nods at his friend and gives him another hug.

Just at that moment ACP & duo arrive.

ACP- "Ab Ishita kaisi hai?"

Dushyant- "thik hai sir... abhi thodi der mei discharge hojayegi"

Daya- "aur tum?"

Dushyant- "main? Mujhe kya hua sir... main tho thik hu..."

Abhi- "haan dikh raha tha hume..."

Dushyant- "sir..."

Daya- "humne tumhe itnaa pareshan kabhi nhi dekha! Kya hua... koi khaas waja?"

Dushyant- "uh..."

Dushyant is in a fix, so KV speaks for him.

Kavin- "kuch nhi sir... waise sab ko pata hai ye Mr. Cool hai. lekin aise maamlo mei nhi. Aur... ye tho khud ko blame kar raha tha kab se! maine samjhaaya bhi... lekin suntaa kaha..."

Dushyant looks away... KV manages a smile.

Daya- "bas! Yahi baat hai? matlub... hume tho lagaa, nhi.. sabko laga hoga ki Ishita kuch zyada hi khaas hai tumhare liye..."

Dushyant- "uh... nhi sir.. darasal.. woh Ishita meri..."

Just then Ishu & Preet come out. KV nudges his friend & whispers the same from behind.

Dushyant- "darasal.. meri ek bachpan ki dost hai sir. Jisey main pyaar se billi kehke bulaata tha. Maine aap sabko bataaya tha uss din."

Abhi- "haan... Freddy k anniversary pe! Right?"

Dushyant- "yes sir."

Daya- "hmm..."

Dushyant- "aur... pata nhi kyu. Aaj bhi uski kami mehsus karta hu sir. Barah saal hogaye. Fir bhi aisa lagta hai, jaise wo yaadei kal ki ho... mujhe aaj bhi yaad hai. kaise woh school ki har break mei mujhse milne aati thi. Kaise hum saat mei cycle chalaate ghar jaate the. Kaise ghar jaane ke baad, mohalle ke ladkon ke saat cricket khela karte the. Aur kaise wo mereliye har game ke baad, kuch meetha khilaane laati thi apne ghar se. zarurat padne pe, kaise ladti thi woh, galee ki baaki ladkiyon se. Kaise mujhe chot lagne pe mera patti karti thi. Sir... woh kabhi sirf dost nhi thi. Balki woh mere pariwar jaise thi."

Abhi- "dost ka matlub hi pariwar hai Dushyant.."

Abhi smiles looking at his dear friend Daya who nods.

Dushyant- "aur aaj jab Ishita waha fasee hui thi. Pata nhi mujhe lagaa... meri dost hai uski jaga. Ajeeb baat hai lekin... aisa baar-baar laga hai mujhe. Mujhe ye bhi lagaa ki meri waje se woh waha fasee hai-"

ACP- "nhi nhi Dushyant. Sab cheezei humari bas mei nhi hoti... bas kuch cheezei aise hi hojaati hai. aur pata bhi chalta."

Abhi- "waise ye dost mili tumhe?"

Dushyant- "nhi sir... pata nhi... kahaan hogi..."

Dushyant throws a glance at Ishu as he says this...

Dushyant- "kya kar rahi hogi... shayad... usko main yaad bhi nhi-"

Ishu- "aisa kyu kehte aap-"

She couldn't stop herself. Everyone look at her and she flusters a bit, trying to justify her act-

Ishu- "mera matlub hai... aisa kyu sochte hai sir. Aapki baaton se pata chalta hai... ki kitni gehri dosti thi aapki. Wo jaha bhi hogi, zarur aap hi ki tara, aapko yaad kar rahi hogi. Aur agar, woh yaha hoti.. tho shayad yahi sochti, ki woh kitni lucky hai... usko aap jaisa accha dost mila hai..."

He smiles and shakes his head...

Dushyant- "nhi Ishita... aisa nhi hai. agar aisa hota. Tho ab tak wo mujhe mil chuki hoti.."

Ishu- "nhi sir... woh nhi mili, tho miljayegi. Aur agar kabhi nhi mili. Tho... hogi koi majboori-"

She spaces out while saying so...

Dushyant- "tumhe kaise pata?"

Ishu- "uh.. wo... main.. tho... bas.. aise hi.. bolri thi..."

She looks away as Preet comes up from behind. She has gone to fetch a wheelchair. Ishu who has been holding onto a wall for support now takes her seat.

Preet- "chalei di? Aap sab logo ka bohot bohot shukria. Aapne humari di ka bohot khayal rakha... thank you sir... thank you everyone!"

ACP- "ab tumhari bari hai khayal rakhne ka, samjhi..."

Preet- "ji sir! Di ka main puraa khayal rakhungi"

ACP-"Ishita tum aaram karna thik hai? jab puri tara thik hojao. Tab aana bureau.."

Ishu- "thank you sir... thank you!"

Ishu thanks everyone and is wheeled off.

Dushyant thinks as he watches her go...

Dushyant thinks- "majboori? Aaakhir kya majboori hai uska? Pata lagaana padega..."

Trio prepare to leave...

Daya- "accha Dushyant hum chalte hai. kal milenge bureau mei."

Dushyant- "thank you sir... and... I'm sorry sir. Main aaj... I'm really sorry."

ACP- "arey hota hai aisa kabhi kabhi. Kal ek nayi shuruaat hogi haan?"

Dushyant- 'haan sir..."

Kavin- "sir wo case ka kya hua?"

Abhi- "arey woh tho solve hona hi tha. Mujrim pakdaa gaya."

Dushyant- "achi baat hai sir..."

ACP- "chalo.. kal milte hai. ghar jaao sab log..."

Daya- "chaliye sir..."

Everyone begin to walk away when the nurse comes calling them-

Nurse- "excuse me!"

Dushyant- "ji..."

Nurse- "uh. Sir ye bag... shayad uss patient ki hai. Miss Ishita Walia. Aap unhe jaante ho tho, unko dedijiye na..."

Dushyant- "arey haan. Thik hai. dedenge. Thank you."

So Dushyant grabs the sling bag that Ishu was carrying earlier that day. Trio walk away after saying bye. Dushyant eyes the bag with a smile.

Kavin- "has kyu raha hai?"

Dushyant- "kuch nhi bhai..."

Kavin- "arey bol naa..."

Dushyant- "KV... tumne sunaa ussne kya kaha?"

Kavin- "ussne? Kissne?"

Dushyant- "arey Ishita ne... usne kaha uski koi majboori hai. iska matlub pata hai kya hai?"

Kavin- "mujhe kya pata hoga? Main thodi na bhaalu hu!"

Dushyant- "KV... ab mere paas energy nhi tujhe ghoorne k liye!"

Kavin- "tho mat ghoor, energy k liye khaalo angoor-" *laughs*

Dushyant- "arey mere baap meri taang khichayi band kar ab tho."

Kavin- "arey ye tho joke tha duffer! Chal thik hai..." *smiles*

Dushyant- "shayad woh bhi utna hi care karti hai mereliye yar. Jitna bachpan mei karti thi-"

Kavin- "shayad? Care? Hmmm! Tum log kabhi nhi sudhroge yar! I mean kitne dumb ho tum log! Seriously! Arey kon tum logo ko samjhaayega ki ye pyar hai-"

Dushyant- "KV! Yaha humari dosti tak nhi hui. Aur tu ye bekar ki baatei mat kar samjha- main gussa-"

Kavin- "gussa nhi dost! Shaant shaant! Accha main kuch nhi bolunga. Tum log pyar karo, dosti karo, main kuch nhi bolunga-"

Dushyant- "good-"

Dushyant holds the bag upside down as he begins to walk and a notebook falls onto the floor from the bag-

Dushyant- "bag ka zip khula hai... aur ye.. notebook?"

Kavin- "ohh ye koi dairy hogi. Padh lo shayad uss majboori ke bare mei likha hoga..."

Dushyant- "padhna galat hoga yar-"

Kavin- "tho kya karega huh? Kaise pata chalega uski majboori kya hai? tu kya usko hypnotise karke sach ugalwaayega? Arey meri baat maano aur padhlo usey"

Dushu hesitates but on KV's insistence. He agrees,

He reads the first page-

"aakhir kyu itnaa accha lagte ho tum? Bachpan se iss sawal ka jawab dhoodh rahi thi. Par kabhi mila hi nhi. But its ok. kisi ko pasand karne k liye waja thodi na chahiye. Aur haan! Kuch cheezei eternal hoti hai. forever! jaise chaand-taarein. Waise hi hum.. aur humari dosti..."

"main khush hojau ya sad? Tum mere itne paas ho. Fir bhi itne door! Aur jaise hi tumhare bare mei sochti hu, tum mere saamne ajaate ho. Kyu? Koi kaam nhi hai kya?" :P

"tumse kuch kehne ka baar-baar mann karta hai. lekin keh hi nhi paati. Baatei zuban se nikalti kahaa yar?" :(

"sach kya hai. sirf main jaanti hu. kahii baar dil ko bhi samjhaya. Fir bhi suntaa hi nhi. Na tumse door jaa sakti, na tumhare paas aasakti... ab tu hi bata, iss dil ka kya karuu? Main kya karu? My dear Bhalu main kya karuu?"

He smiles reading the text almost chuckles..

Dushyant- "yeh aur iski paagal jaisi baatei... bilkul nhi badli.. waisi hi hai woh..."

"haslo.. haslo... isey padhoge tho hasogey. Mujhe pagal bhi kahogey. Mainu pata hai. abhi mujhe pagal keh rahe the na haan?"

"dekha main tumhe kitne acche se samjhti hu aaj bhi. But so sad! Naa hi ye kabhi tumhare haat lagega... naa hum dost banpayenge fir se... maine faisla karliya. Main CID chod dungi. I'm sorry Bhalu." :'(

Kavin- "kya likha re? pata chala kuch?"

Dushyant- "nhi bas.. pehle page mei tho sirf..."

Just then they hear a noise and they are shocked to see Ishu and Preet are back. Ishu is looking pale. Preet is holding onto her supporting as she walked.

In a blink, Dushyant closes the book and stuffs it inside the bag. Ishu walks closer and extends her hand. He hands the bag over.

Dushyant- "woh... tum isey bhool gayi thi. Main tumhe hi dene-wala tha.

Ishu- "kitna padha?"

Dushyant- "nhi... kuch nhi.."

She glares at him

Ishu- "ek tho ladki ka kitab padte ho. Aur uuper se jhoot."

Dushyant- "1st page. Uh puraa nhi, just-"

He looks apologetic. She glares...

Dushyant- "issne bola padne ko.."

That earns KV a death glare.

Kavin- "maine ... wo... mujhe laga.. ye iski book hai..."

She shoots another glare and turns around abruptly. Her legs give away, but thankfully someone holds her on time.

Dushyant- "arey itna gussa kyu karti ho itna? Haan? Aur yaad nhi doctor ne kya kaha? Walk slowly... baby steps samjhi tum? Preet sambhaalo tum hi..."

Dushyant lets go of Ishu's hand and Preet takes hold of it. Preet thanks him again. Ishu doesn't say anything but just walks away slowly with Preet's aid.

Dushyant thinks- "aaj tum door jaarahi ho mujhse! Par mujhe pura yakeen hai. woh din door nhi jab hum paas honge..."

He smiles to himself before joining KV to leave the place.

. . . . . . . . . . .

Nxt chap-

Few more moments and a reunion. Agle chap mei pakka guys! Sachhi mei promise. Bhaalu-billi milengey :D

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AN: ok so that was really long. Hope its not boring... khair plz do rvw! Love ya all tckr.

Upcoming updts- SSBN, Never Let go. Sorry folks, exams time. I'm slow already. Now I'm dead slow... *sniff* *sob*