Xerox Part 1-5

 

Part 1 Friends

Inspector Aman Mathur was standing in front of the commissioner, bowing down. He could not answer his higher official’s question.

“Do you have any idea in what situation we are in, Aman?” Asked the commissioner Anand all frustrated. 

Aman gulped down hard. He knew their situation. Yet, he could do nothing. Even after putting in his full effort, the output was zero.

“This is the seventh murder. All are burnt. We don’t know who they are. We haven’t got a single clue yet. On the other side, small girls are getting lost continuously. Press and Media are tearing us mercilessly and taunting us as useless… what are we going to do to this, Aman? I’m getting pressure from the political side too. Our CM wants you to be changed. The recommendation is ready”

“Sir, please give me one last chance… not to prove my ability but to catch that Bast

…(Aman bit his lip and swallowed the unparliamentary word) Please sir” he said controlling his wrath.

The commissioner sighed.

“Why should not we approach a PRIVATE DETECTIVE agency?” the commissioner said as he knew Aman was not completely wrong. He understood the complications of the case.

“Sir, please… press and media will laugh at us, sir”

“No… we will not approach any agency in India. There are many A-class agencies in the world. We can appoint an agent from one. No one can know they are secret agent but they will smell anything without difficulty. They are trained unimaginably. They would be so particular. They would not have any records and would look so simple and casual. Until they reveal the truth that they are secret agent, no one will find it out”

Aman was surprised. He had seen many movies in which the secret agents had such abilities. He could not believe such agents really existed.

“He or she will do their work but no one will suspect them”

Aman didn’t know what to say but he was sure that he could not deny the commissioner. He slightly nodded and took his leave.

When he came out of the commissioner’s office, he got a call. Even though he was stressed and weary, he smiled seeing the caller. He attended it.

“Hi Akash…”

“I hope you don’t forget our Alumni function”

“How could I forget it, Buddy?”

“You will… because I know you are under stress…”

“Maybe, that’s why I’m waiting for our Alumni function. It will be a stress buster for me”

“I’m glad about it”

“What about ASR? Is he coming?”

“I hope he will come. I talked with him. though he didn’t give a strong confirmation, I believe he will come”

“What about Khushi? Is she coming?”

“It’s obvious to remember her when we remember ASR, right…?”

”Haha… yeah… you are right. They had an evergreen CRUSH story”

“Yeah, both had a strong crush on one another but they didn’t reveal it to one another”

“Why don't you tell ASR that Khushi will also be coming to the function? Then he will cancel all his programs and fly to India, I suppose”

“That’s a good idea. Payal invited her I suppose”

“What did she say?”

“I’m not sure”

“Tell her, ASR is coming. Then she will also present”

Akash laughed.

“It seems you are trying to put a TO BE CONTINUED card to their story…?”

“Why should not I try?”

“Do you think they loved each other beyond the feeling of CRUSH?”

“I’m not sure but I think we should try…”

“Well… let’s see. We have two functions to mend things then. I will ask Arnav to attend my wedding. I hope he will agree to it”

“Mmm…”

“We will meet at the Alumni function…”

“Sure… bye…” Aman disconnected the call smilingly.

Whenever he thought about their college life, an adoring smile would curl on his lips. It was the beautiful days he spent with his friends and college mates.

As they were the CRIMINOLOGY students, there was no senior and junior scenario in their department. It was because they would be on the ground, for half of the day. Horse riding, Riffle Shooting, Field practice… everything made them feel like they were in police training. It was not wrong though. It was a base for all the criminal-related courses. Aman became an Inspector. Akash and NK became lawyers and Arnav became a Criminology Professor at a Scotland University, after finishing his MS in the UK. 

Khushi and Payal were their juniors. Payal and Akash were so close when they were in college. Payal became a JURY CONSULTANT. As they were in the same department, Akash and Payal were in touch which made them realize that they were MADE FOR EACH OTHER. So, they decided to get married.

They wanted all their friends to attend their wedding. They thought the Alumni function would be helpful for them to gather all their friends. So, they were so curious about the Alumni function to which the last ten years of students were invited. They were planning to invite all their seniors and juniors to their wedding and make it another grand Alumni function.

Aman tried Arnav’s number but it was switched off. He sighed. Arnav’s phone would have been switched off if he had been in the class. He was a professor at Scotland University. His friends would drop him a message if they wanted to convey anything to him and he would reply for sure. He was never without responding to his friends’ messages.

Aman was thinking about the private detective agent who was going to be appointed by the commissioner. He tried his best to get clues in the case but he could not. Nothing worked. He never felt so helpless like this in his career. He was weary and ashamed of himself for being useless.  

That was when his phone rang. He smiled seeing Arnav’s number flashing. He attended the call.

“Hi, ASR…”

“Hi, Aman… how are you, man?”

“Doing good, Buddy”

“What made you call me?”

“Do I need a reason to call you?”

“Not at all… but you should have a valid reason to call me in between your hectic schedule”

“I called you to know whether you are coming to our Alumni function or not”

“I have submitted my leave application. Hope I will get leave”

“Leave application? How many days are you going to take leave?”

“One month”

“Ooooone month? Any special program?” Aman asked as he knew Arnav never thought of taking a long leave. He came to India on leave only for four to five days. As he was a KEY professor, he was not allowed to take long leave.

“Nothing… it has been long since I visited India. Just thought to take a break”

“That’s great… get married as well”

Arnav smiled.

“Don’t you have any idea about getting married, ASR?”

“Will think about it… by the way, how is Khushi?” He asked.

“There you are… I expected it… you will meet her when you come to our Alumni function. Then, you can get to know about her from Khushi herself”

“Mmm… see you soon”

“We will be waiting for you”

“Bye”

“Bye, ASR” Aman disconnected the call.

It seemed Arnav determined something about ending the hide-and-seek between him and Khushi.

To be continued…  

Part 2 Alumni Function

 

OSM College of Arts and Science

 

The college campus was full of festivities and full of alumni. The old students of the college started arriving one by one. There was joy and excitement everywhere. As they met their friends after a long, they greeted one another with joyful hugs and inquired about their well-being. A few girls visited with their respective husbands and a few with kids. Their friends teased them by calling Aunty and got hit by them. Everyone seemed happy, oblivious to their own problems. All in all, everyone returned to their college days and felt like they were teenagers.

 

Everyone eagerly awaited the arrival of their close friends. So was Aman, Akash, and NK. They were waiting for their group to be completed. There was only one person needed to complete their team…Arnav Singh Raizada. For their friends, he was ASR and, for their college girls, he was ARNIE. Yeah, he was the heartthrob of their college girls. Girls drooled over him but his crush was on a particular girl who was his junior. A girl with difference…! The main difference was, that she didn’t drool over on him. That was what attracted him. As time passed, he became her crush. They spoke a lot and became friends but never conveyed their feelings for each other. No particular reason… they just didn’t… just like many college love stories…!

 

Today, they were going to meet each other after a few years. A few lightning flashed on Aman’s face when he saw his friend, Arnav.

 

“A…S…R….” he rushed to him and lifted him from the ground.

 

Akash and NK ran following him and took part in his happiness. They hugged together.

 

“How are you, man?” Aman asked.

 

“Doing good…” Arnav said. His eyes were not stable.

 

They wavered.

 

“She didn’t come…” Aman whispered.

 

Arnav looked at him disappointedly. Aman nodded yes. Arnav was distraught. He expected her to come to the alumni function. Aman, Akash, and NK smiled at each other contently. Arnav’s face hung. Why not? He came from Scotland to attend the alumni function. He wanted to meet not only his friends but also Khushi.

 

“Why doesn’t she come?” he asked.

 

“Payal said, someone is coming with a proposal”

 

“Proposal?” Arnav was shocked.

 

“Yeah… after all, she is twenty-six…” Aman said.

 

“Yeah… it’s a big thing that her parents delayed her marriage so long” NK said.

 

“It was not her parents who delayed her wedding but Khushi herself,” Akash said.

 

Arnav looked at him surprisingly.

 

“What do you mean?” Aman asked.

 

“Yes, Payal said, she rejected many good alliances,” Akash said.

 

“Really?”

 

“Yes, she simply said that she didn’t like them”

 

“She might have liked SOMEONE,” NK said looking at Arnav.

 

“Maybe…” Akash smiled.

 

“Why didn’t you tell me about it before?” Arnav questioned them.

 

“ASR, we are in the internet world. You are the only one who is not in touch with others, as if Scotland is in some other planet”

 

“I’m busy with my job… you guys have no idea how engaged I’m…”

 

“Is this the reason?”

 

“Yes… it is… if I get committed, I should have to spend time that was impossible for me… you guys don’t understand” he walked off.

 

The trio smiled at each other and followed him.

 

Arnav stopped walking, seeing the Horse Stable. He gulped down hard remembering how Khushi was scared to be near her horse. It was a rule that criminology students should take responsibility for their horses. They should get used to their horse. Then only the horse riding would be easier. Khushi was scared to even stand near her horse. Then how would she get used to it? It was Arnav who helped her to do that.

Flashback

 

Their professor allotted a horse for Khushi.

 

“Khushi, give some grass to it and caress it” he went to the next student.

 

Khushi looked at her friends making a face. They gestured for her to do it. She moved towards the horse slowly, gulping down. When she came close to the horse, it snickered.

 

“Hey Devi Maiya…” she jumped backwards with fear.

 

Students laughed at her and she pouted. That was when Arnav came forward. He walked to her and said,

 

“Come with me…”

 

She nodded no.

 

“I’m here… it won’t do anything harmful. Trust me”

 

He went to the horse and caressed its face. Khushi moved towards the horse slowly. Arnav bent down and took a bunch of grass. He gave it to her.

 

“Give it to your horse”

She took it from him hesitatingly and extended it to the horse with fear, standing two steps away. In no time, the horse pulled the grass by the tongue.

 

“Ouch…” Khushi shouted as its salt paper-like tongue caressed her hand. She wiped her hand with her handkerchief, making a weird face.

 

Arnav controlled his laughter as he didn’t want to make her feel bad. Clutching the horse’s bridle, Arnav pulled its face towards him and said,

 

“Caress it…”

 

Khushi slowly touched it with her finger-tip. He slowly left the bridle when Khushi caressed it relaxingly.

 

“That’s all” Arnav smiled.

 

“Thank you”

 

“My pleasure”

 

Flashback ended.

 

That was the first interaction between them. After that, they smiled at each other but rarely spoke with each other.

Arnav was thinking about it. He felt someone tapping his shoulder. He looked behind and found Aman standing. He gestured for Arnav to look in that direction. Arnav looked with disinterest. The next second, his face lit. He saw Khushi coming with Payal from the party hall. He forgot himself for a while. She didn’t look like the same Khushi… she had changed. The bubbliness she carried on her face was missing. She looked mature. Her LOOK was so firm and clear. She didn’t look at him as she was discussing something with Payal.

 

God had created many women but why did he give special attention to Khushi…? Why did he give extra attraction to her with hazel eyes, petal-like lips, silky hair, and a mole near her ear? To make him adore her? Arnav supposed.

 

“If you don’t tell her how you feel, how would she know?” Asked Aman and brought Arnav from the dream world.

 

He looked behind and saw the trio standing, controlling their smile. Arnav understood they played with him by lying about the proposal.

 

“You said, someone is coming with a proposal?”

 

“Don’t someone come with a proposal?” Aman asked.

 

Arnav rolled his eyes.

 

“You know what? Your behaviour is not like a police inspector and lawyers… so childish…!”

 

“Then you behave like an adult…” NK teased.

 

“Go and talk to her, ASR”

 

Arnav looked at Khushi who had come close to them by now. In the crowd, she was unable to spot him.

 

“Hi, Akash,” Payal said.

 

Khushi’s facial expression changed, seeing Arnav who was smiling at her.

 

“Hi…” Arnav said.

 

“Hi…” she smiled.

 

“How are you?”

 

She nodded.

 

“What about you?”

 

He nodded.

 

All of them were looking at them.

 

Aman nagged Akash. He nodded ok and said,

 

“Payal, Arnav is here to fix his wedding,” he said coolly.

Arnav looked at Khushi whose facial expression changed into a shocking one. She looked down.

 

“Is it?” Payal asked.

 

“It’s not confirmed yet,” Arnav said.

 

“Oh…”

 

“He is going to talk to her… am I right, ASR?” Aman asked.

 

Arnav looked at Khushi who didn’t look at him.

 

“He will marry her if she likes him,” NK said.

 

“Then talk to her,” Payal said.

 

“Khushi” Arnav called.

 

“Haannnn?” she raised her brows.

“Shall we talk?” He asked smiling.

 

Khushi frowned with confusion. She looked at Payal who smiled brightly understanding the scenario. Khushi looked at Arnav who raised his brows.

 

“I would like to talk to you…”

 

“Whaaa…t?”

 

“Shall we meet tomorrow?”

 

“But, why?”

 

“To have a coffee together…”

 

“Go, Khushi…” Aman said.

 

“Accept his invitation,” NK said.

 

She nodded ok.

 

“Thanks… now, enjoy the party,” Arnav said.

 

She left the place smilingly.

 

“What’s the matter?” Payal asked.

“Didn’t we say, he is here to fix his wedding?” Akash said.

 

“You mean…?”

 

“Exactly that’s what we meant”

 

“Really?”

 

Akash nodded yes.

 

“That’s so good”

 

“Don’t tell Khushi anything now” Arnav requested.

 

“Ok ok…” she left the place delightedly.

 

After that, Khushi’s eyes were on Arnav no matter where she went and vice versa.

 

The party came to an end after giving them so much fun. Khushi wanted to take Arnav’s leave. She waited for him. Arnav came to her and extended his hand for a shake. Khushi clutched his hand smilingly and her smile faded, feeling something in his hand. Arnav gestured for her through his eyes and said,

 

“Bye…”

“Bye…”

 

Arnav left her hand and she saw a paper in her hand. It was not just a paper but a letter. Khushi hid it in her bag hurriedly and left the place.

 

To be continued…

Part 3 Proposal

Taking the paper, Khushi left the place hurriedly. She stopped hearing,

“One minute…”

She turned behind and found Arnav calling her. She blinked her eyes, parting her lips.

“Are you in urgency?” He asked.

She nodded no hurriedly.

“Actually, it’s a letter”

Khushi gulped down.

“I wrote it to give it to you as I didn’t expect us to fix an outing”

She nodded with a smile.

“By the way, what are you going?”

“Forensic officer…”

“Wow… that great…”

Khushi smiled.

“That means you would also be busy”

“Certainly not… but yes” she blabbered.

Arnav chuckled.

“Will meet tomorrow”

Khushi nodded ok.

“Bye”

“Bye…” Khushi said disappointedly. She expected him to ask for her phone number but he didn’t ask for it.

She stood for a while hesitatingly. She made up herself, taking a deep breath and she called him.

“Arnav…”

Arnav looked at her and raised his brows.

“Can I get your number?” She asked, trying hard not to show her hesitation.

He smiled and pointed at her bag in which she kept his letter. He stepped back smilingly and left. Khushi hurriedly opened the letter and found his phone number at the bottom of the letter. She fed it on her mobile hurriedly. She straightened herself, sensing a TAP on her shoulder. She saw Payal standing behind and sighed in relief. Payal lifted her brows questioningly. Khushi nodded her head from left to right shrinking her nose. Payal nodded REALLY? Khushi bit her lip and nodded yes. They burst out laughing.

“Why didn’t you tell me you have feelings for Arnav?”

 “Now also I don’t say so…” She said controlling her smile.

“You didn’t say but your eyes, face, action, everything is saying…”

“Is it?” She bit her nail.

“I would have helped you to talk to him if you had told me about your feelings”

“How could I do that when I’m not sure about it? It’s awkward to take the proposal forward without knowing about the opposite person…”

“But, you waited for him, right?”

“It’s my own decision. I thought this was just an infatuation but after he went to the UK, I felt so restless. I thought as time passed, I would be all right. But, whenever my parents spoke about my wedding, I remembered him. I could not hold myself from comparing the Groom candidate with Arnav. It may sound so funny but made me thoughtful. I could not think of anyone in his place. At the same time, I was scared about his rejection. I didn’t want to do anything without knowing his heart”

“OK, what are you going to do now? Going for a DATE?”

Khushi nodded yes with a cute blush.

“Enjoy…”

Khushi smiled.

“Ok, I’m leaving. Akash is waiting for me”

“Ok, bye”

Payal left the place. Khushi walked towards the parking lot. Payal came to Akash.

“Shall we go?”

“Didn’t you go with Khushi?” Akash asked.

“With Khushi? Are not you going to drop me?” She asked shockingly.

“Arnav is here after a long. I would like to be with him for a while. I have no problem if you wait for me”

Payal sighed.

“Ok, I will go with Khushi” Taking her phone, Payal called Khushi who just got into her car.

“Haan, Payal?”

“Khushi, could you drop me?”

“Sure… come to the parking lot”

“Ok… coming” She disconnected the call and looked at Akash.

“Thank God, Khushi has not left yet. I’m going with her. Enjoy”

“Thank you, Payal…”

“I can understand. That’s why I’m going now but don’t expect the same from me after our wedding” She said strictly.

“No no… I will not bring you anywhere after our wedding”

“Haannnn…” Payal dropped her jaw.

He laughed.

 “Who is going to seek your permission? I will go on my own…”

“I just kidding, Payal”

“I know…”

They saw Arnav and Aman coming.

“Bye, Aman, Bye Arnav… I’m leaving” Payal said.

“Don’t you go with her?” Arnav asked Akash.

“How will he leave when you are here after a long?” Aman said.

“Payal, I’m not responsible for this. It’s completely his decision to be with me” Arnav said, raising his hands smiling.

“No problem, Arnav. Let him enjoy until our wedding…”

“What after that? Won't he get your permission?” Aman asked.

“No way…”

“Poor boy…!” NK said, who just came there.

 “What will you do if Khushi says the same to you, ASR?” Aman asked Arnav.

Arnav smiled.

“She is not even talking to him freely… then how will she put conditions?” NK said.

“Don’t be in the illusion, Arnav. Payal was also the same at first… now see, how she ordering me” Akash countered and got a hit from Payal.

At the same time, Aman got a call.

“Eeee…” Aman became annoyed.

“What happened?” Arnav asked.

“Commissioner’s call”

“Attend it”

Aman attended the call.

“Yes, sir”

“Aman, another murder happened in Noida… go to the stop immediately”

“Yes, sir” Aman disconnected the call, looking at his friends.

“I have to go, guys… it’s urgent”

Arnav nodded ok.

“I’m sorry, ASR”

“That’s ok. Duty comes first. We will meet later”

Aman nodded yes.

“I’m going”

“Bye”

He rushed out in the blink of an eye.

“Ok, I’m going. Khushi is waiting for me” Payal said.

“Wait, Payal…” Arnav stopped her.

Payal looked at him.

“Akash, we will meet when Aman is free. Take Payal with you and drop her home now”

Akash nodded ok.

“I will drop you Nannav” NK said.

“You carry on. I will go”

“Are you sure?”

“Yup…”

“Ok, see you” NK strode.

“Let’s go, Payal,” Akash said.

They walked to the parking lot. Payal thought something and stopped.

“Arnav, could you do me a favor?”

“Yeah, tell me”

“Khushi is in the parking lot. Could you tell her I’m leaving with Akash?”

“Sure” Arnav walked to the parking lot smiling.

 

In the meanwhile,

Khushi started her car and turned the AC on as she had to wait for Payal. She thought to read Arnav’s letter before Payal came. Taking it, she read it.

Hi, Khushi,

You may wonder, why I’m writing this letter after so many years. I should have written this letter a long ago… I so wanted to… but, I could not. I’m not going to give excuses for my silence. I just don’t want to. I know you also had a crush on me… just like how I had on you… maybe, more than you had on me. I thought it was just an attraction. As time passed, I realized I was wrong. I don’t want to beat around the bush anymore. I LOVE YOU. I will be happy if you accept my proposal. I don’t know what your present condition is. You can tell me your decision. Take your time and think. Your decision can be anything, just ring me. There is my number at the bottom of the letter. Hope I will get a sweet answer from you.

Yours Lovingly,

Arnav.

 

Khushi folded the paper while folding her lip. She wanted to hop from the Earth to the Sky. She laughed like a mad, keeping the letter close to her chest. She saw Arnav coming. She kept the letter in her bag hurriedly and took her phone to pretend to check it. She thought he came to the parking lot looking for someone. She looked at her phone and observed him through the corner of her eyes. She jerked hearing a knock on the door. She saw Arnav standing with a smile. She got out of the car hurriedly.

“Payal wants me to convey a message to you”

“Oh…”

“She went with Akash”

“Whaaat? She asked me to wait”

“Yeah… Akash wanted to be with us but our program changed as Aman got to go…”

“Oh…”

“Payal will call you later”

“That’s ok”

“Mmm”

“How did you come?” She asked.

“By cab”

“What about now?”

“Will book a cab”

“If you don’t mind, I can drop you”

“Why will I mind?”

“Shall we?” Khushi smiled.

Arnav nodded yes. Khushi started and Arnav took the seat next to her.

“Where are you staying?”

“Hotel the Royal Palace”

“Mmm”

Khushi started the car and drove towards the Hotel the Royal Palace.

“When did you join the job?” he asked.

“Last year…”

“What did you do before that?”

“Working for a detective agency”

“Oh… wow…”

“There is nothing to feel proud of. I didn’t have much work other than forensic work.”

“Means?”

“There was a big ego clash in the agency. The seniors didn’t give a chance to the juniors. That’s why I resigned the job”

“Oh…”

After a few minutes, there was no interaction.

“Won’t you ask anything about me?” Arnav asked.

“You completed MS in the UK. You are working as a Criminology Professor a Scotland University. You are the KEY professor of your department. That’s why you didn’t get time to spend for yourself. You have no one other than your Nani who is presently staying in an Ashram. She refused to come to Scotland with you”

Arnav raised his brows.

“We often talked about you” She smiled.

“WE mean Payal and you, right?”

“Yeah…”

“It seems you are updating”

Khushi smiled looking at the road.

They reached the Hotel the Royal Palace. Khushi stopped the car and looked at Arnav.

“Thanks…” he extended his hand for a shake.

“My pleasure” She shook hands with him.

Arnav gripped her hand and said,

“I love you so much”

To be continued…

 

 Part 4 Love and Love only

Arnav gripped her hand and said,

“I love you so much”

Khushi was thunderstruck. Though she read his letter, she didn’t expect him to break the egg sooner.

“If my guess is right, you should have read my letter by now,” he said reading her eyes.

Her facial expression told him that she already read it.

“As you already read the letter, I think you are ALSO curious to know the content like me…”

LIKE HIM? Khushi frowned. Was he curious? His next stance surprised her more.

“May I meet your parents?”

“Parents?” She stammered.

“To take the proposal forward”

“Proposal?” she was stunned.

“Hann… you too love me, right?”

“How do you know I love you?” she asked in a low tone.

Arnav smiled.

“I mean… I have not given my acceptance yet”

“Maybe… but I know you will…”

“How are you so confident?” Khushi smiled.

“I heard you denied marrying many eligible guys”

“So?”

“I think I’m the reason for your denial”

Khushi raised her brows.

“If you say no, I will get out of the car” he tried to unbuckle the seat belt.

“Noooo…” Khushi clutched his bicep.

Arnav looked at her hand and then at her face smilingly.

“Yes, I denied getting married because of you. there is nothing to hide from you. I don’t want to… because we already delayed enough”

“So, will you talk to your father about me?”

She nodded yes.

“In fact, I have already talked about you to my parents a lot. I just want to tell them about my willingness to marry you”

“That’s nice to hear”

“Are not we wired?” She asked.

Arnav smiled.

“We didn’t confess our love… didn’t talk to each other after college… didn’t even know about one another’s willingness in one another… but now, we are ready to get married…”

Arnav spilled a lopsided smile.

“You never thought to contact me. Then, in what hope did you write the letter? What if I got married already?”

“Just hoped…” he smiled.

Khushi nodded her head sighing.

“If you are comfortable, you can shift to my house. There is a room on the terrace. You can stay there”

“What will you tell your parents?”

“I will manage them”

“What if they don’t like me?”

“They will like you if they meet you.”

“Oh, that’s why do you want me to stay at your place?”

She nodded yes without hesitation wondering him.

“Are you really asking me to come to your house for that reason?” he asked unbelievably.

She nodded yes and said,

“Yes, that’s why I’m asking you to come to my home”

“In what hope are you inviting me without knowing about your parent’s interest?”

“Ok, come with me and get to know about their interests”

“That sounds like a good idea”

“Will you come?”

Arnav nodded yes. Khushi changed the gear and headed to GH. Arnav was looking at her all the way to GH. He smiled at Khushi when she looked at him. Though she felt it awkward she managed herself.

“You look nice in this dress,” he said.

“Thanks…” she smiled.

“What about your routine?”

“No particular routine. Don’t you know how forensics works? We have no time limit”

“Mmm… why do you choose this line?”

Khushi smiled.

“Anything personal?”

She nodded yes. That made him disappointed.

“It’s personal. So, I can share it with you” She said making him smile.

“I chose this department to delay my wedding,” She said concentrating on the road.

“Did you really expect I would come one day?”

She nodded no.

“Didn’t you?”

“Honestly no… I didn’t expect you to come because I didn’t know what was there in your mind. At first, I didn’t realize my feelings. When I realized, it was late.”

“Then why did you delay your wedding?”

“I don’t like anyone even though many came with a good profile.”

“Why?” He asked with a smile as he understood why.

“No one met my expectations…”

“What did you expect?”

“I expected them to be YOU” She smiled softly, making Arnav smile.

“What would have you done if I had married someone?”

“I don’t know… I never thought about it. I didn’t want to…”

“Didn’t you feel to contact me?”

“Many times… but, fear of rejections stopped me”

“You could have spoken to me once at least… then you would have known my idea about you”

“You would have spoken to me if you had the same feelings as mine, I supposed”

Arnav sighed.

They reached GH. Khushi got out of the car. So did Arnav. The door was open and a man in his late fifties came out, hearing the car sound. He was none other than Shashi Gupta. He frowned to see Arnav that embarrassed Arnav.

“You are Arnav. right?” Shashi asked, making him surprised

Arnav nodded yes.

“Isn't he in Scotland?” he asked Khushi.

“Yes, Dad. He came for our Alumni function”

“Whaaat? He came from Scotland to attend the Alumni function?”

Khushi nodded yes and Arnav smiled.

“You are a Professor, right?”

Arnav was about to answer but stopped hearing,

“Let him in, Dad. Then, you can question him”

“Yeah, yeah, come in…”

Arnav got in.

“Take your seat,” Shashi said.

Arnav took a seat and made himself comfortable.

“Garima, see, who is here,” Shashi said.

Arnav looked at Khushi lifting his brows.

“We know you,” Shashi said.

Garima came out of the kitchen.

“He is Arnav from Scotland”

“Yeah… the one who helped Khushi to get close to her horse…I had seen him in their group photo” Garima said.

“Exactly”

Arnav smiled. It seemed Khushi recited everything to her parents.

“When did you come, Beta?” Garima asked.

“Only this morning, aunty”

“where are you staying?” Shashi asked.

“Hotel the Royal Palace”

“Oh…! How long will you be in India?”

Khushi looked at him curiously. Even she didn’t ask that.

“One month, uncle”

“One month? Is your university holiday now?”

“No uncle… I wanted to take a break. That’s why I came to India to attend two functions”

“Two functions?”

“Yeah, Alumni function and Akash and Payal’s wedding”

“Oh… do you know Akash?”

“He is my friend”

“That’s great. By the way, will not staying in a hotel for a month be expensive?”

Arnav nodded yes.

“I have no choice, uncle. My Nani is in an Ashram. So, she gave our house for rent. I have no place to stay. I thought my friend Aman would arrange for my accommodation but he is busy like hell…”

“Aman?”

“The one who is handling the serial murder case, Dad”

“Oh… inspector Aman Mathur…”

Arnav nodded yes.

“Poor guy, he is struggling hard to get a clue but he is still clueless”

“How do you know about the case?” Arnav asked wondering.

“I read newspaper… I’m following all the cases. This is the toughest of all. Don’t know who is the killer. Should accept, he is brilliant”

“How?” Arnav asked.

“He kills people with no clue… there was nothing… not even slippers, bags, purses, nothing… police were scratching their heads not getting anything. They get only ashes of the body. They don’t know how he brought the person to the place, how he killed, why he killed, they know nothing”

Arnav became thoughtful

“As you are a Criminology Professor, you should have gone through many cases so far. Why shouldn't you help your friend?”

“If Aman wants, I can help him until I’m here but I can’t interfere in the police case unwantedly”

“Of course, you can’t interfere directly but you can check the case file and try to get a clue”

Arnav nodded yes.

That was when Arnav got a WhatsApp call on his mobile. He attended it. It was Aman’s call.

“Haan Aman… is everything all right?”

“Nothing is all right, ASR. This is the eighth murder… same style, same way… we didn’t get a single clue” he sighed.

“Why did you call me?”

“Sorry, I had to leave you halfway…”

“That’s ok”

“Do one thing. Pack your things and be ready. I’m coming to the hotel the Royal Palace”

“But why?”

“You are going to stay with me… that’s why”

“But, Aman…”

“No ifs and buts… I’m coming. That’s final” he disconnected the call.

Arnav gulped down looking at Khushi.

“I have to go… Aman is coming to the hotel to pick me up, he wants me to stay with him”

“That’s a good idea, Arnav. you can save money by spending it excessively. More than that, you can be helpful to Aman if you are with him. What say, Khushi?” Shashi asked.

“Dad… actually…”

Cutting her,

“Uncle is right, Khushi. Aman needs me. I should be with him” Arnav stood up and said,

“Bye...”

“Arnav, you should come for lunch one day…” Shashi said.

“Sure uncle”

“I will drop you,” Khushi said.

“That’s ok, Khushi… I will take a cab. Bye,” he walked out.

Khushi followed him. Arnav stopped at the main gate and looked at Khushi as she said,

“I’m sorry…”

“Hey, cool… your father is right. I’m going to be here for a month. Why should I waste my holidays? Let it be helpful to Aman”

She nodded.

“Shall we meet tomorrow?” she asked.

“There is no change in our program. We will surely meet”

She nodded smilingly and Arnav left.

To be continued…

 

Part 5 Into the case

 

Sending Arnav off, Khushi came inside and stopped hearing,

 

“I think Khushi brought him here to make him stay here,” Garima said.

 

Shashi was stuck. He didn’t think in the way Garima thought.

 

“I thought you would make him stay here. Poor him, he has no one in India. You sent him to his friend’s place” Garima felt bad.

 

They saw Khushi entering.

 

“Did you bring him here for his stay?” Shashi asked.

Khushi nodded yes.

 

“He said he is staying in a Hotel. I thought to give him the terrace room”

 

“See, didn’t I say? He is a professor. Khushi would have learned many skills from him. You spoilt it” Garima said.

 

“I’m sorry, beta. I didn’t think that way. I thought you just brought him to introduce him to us” Shashi regretted.

 

“That’s ok, Dad. He is going to be with Aman. So, he will be involved in his case. I will also join them when I get time”

 

“Mmm…”

 

“This sounds a good idea…” Garima said.

 

Khushi nodded yes.

……

 

Arnav reached the Hotel the Royal Palace and packed his things. Within a few minutes, Aman came there.

 

“Are you ready?”

 

Arnav nodded yes.

 

“You are busy with your case. Then why are you behind me? I would have managed my stay” Arnav said.

 

“You are here after a long time. How could I let you be helpless? However, nothing is going to happen…Then what’s the point in wasting my time on the case? I’m thinking of quitting the case”

 

“Oh, come on, Aman… why are you so hopeless?”

 

“It’s because I’m hopeless. It’s the eighth murder but we can’t even get a single clue”

 

“You should have searched for it”

 

“Do you think we didn’t do it?”

 

“Then you should have gotten something…No matter how clever the killer is, he would have left a simple clue at least”

 

“Oh, really? You are going to be here for a month, right? Try to get some clue if you can”

 

“Why not? I believe I can do it”

 

“Then do it”

 

“OK, tell me about the case”

 

“The murders happened in the various places in Delhi, in the same style, same way. We didn’t know who they were and who killed them. We suspect it must be a team because a single person could not do it so perfectly without a single mistake”

 

“Any suspects?”

 

“Means?”

 

“Could you connect any other cases with these murders?”

 

“No… I don’t think so. We almost inquired about all the criminals who are involved in human trafficking. They knew nothing about these murders”

 

“How would they confess their crime? They would indeed say they don’t know”

 

“No, ASR… we tracked each and every one of them. We started doing that after the fourth murder. We started following them closely and the other murders happened one by one when they were under our radar. So, they are not related to these murders… we are so sure of it”

 

“What if someone related to them did that without involving them?”

 

“We tracked their phone calls too… we got nothing suspicious”

Arnav nodded thoughtfully.

 

“Could you give me the case file tomorrow?”

 

“Why not? I will get it to you tomorrow”

 

“Mmm… ok…”

 

“Let’s go… I will drop you in my place and will go to the spot again…”

 

“You said there is no use in going there?”

 

“But, I can’t say that to the Assistant Commissioner, right?”

 

“Is he going to visit the spot?”

 

“Mmm… yeah… he has to…”

 

“Ok…”

 

Aman took Arnav to his place. After dropping him in his place, Aman went to the spot. Arnav lay on the bed thinking about the case. As he was tired, he slept.

 

The next morning

Arnav opened his eyes and smiled pleasantly, looking at Aman who came out of the washroom, finishing his bath, and wiping his wet hair.

 

“Good morning, ASR”

 

“Good morning. When did you come?”

 

“Early morning 3o’ clock”

 

“Then why did you wake up earlier?”

 

“Have to… after all, I’m a police officer…”

 

“Mmm…”

 

“It’s a fate of uniform service”

 

“Hey, do your work with involvement. Then you won’t feel it as a burden. If you don’t love your work, how could you give a good output?”

 

“I’m ready to love my job but my job is not ready to love me…! it’s always challenging me…”

 

“Then, you will get more opportunities to prove yourself. If everything is easy, what could be interesting about it?”

 

“OK, let me see how interestingly you are working. I will try to catch your point, then”

 

Arnav went to the washroom smilingly. when he came out getting fully ready, he saw Aman preparing bread toast and omelettes.

 

“I’m sorry, ASR. I could not provide Indian food today. Please adjust”

 

“That’s not a big deal. I’m always having Indian food only”

 

“Really?”

 

 

“Yeah… everything is available in Scotland too”

 

“Wow… are you preparing your own food?”

 

“Then what? I don’t like outside food”

 

“Then, get married and take Khushi to Scotland. She will

cook for you”

 

“I will cook for her too…” he smiled.

 

Aman looked at him getting stuck.

 

“Stop searching for a girl to cook for you… it’s a basic survival skill. Men should also learn that”

Aman nodded his head from left to right smilingly.

 

“What?”

 

“I will have to talk to Khushi”

 

“Why?”

 

“To tell her how eligible you are for the marriage”

 

“Shut up and get ready” Arnav smiled.

 

“Yeah, you have breakfast. I will be ready in five minutes” he gave the plate to Arnav.

 

Taking it from him, Arnav walked to the couch. He took a bite and said,

 

“Good preparation, Aman”

 

“Thank you, Professor…” Aman said making Arnav chuckle.

 

Arnav took another bite and chewed the toast. He frowned, seeing the HEADLINES in the newspaper. Keeping the plate aside, Arnav took the newspaper and read the news.

 

Aman came stuffing a bread in his mouth, buttoning his shirt.

 

“Aman… why didn’t you connect this case with yours?”

 

“What case?”

 

“Missing case. More than nine girls are missing so far…”

 

“Oh, that one? It’s because the girls do not belong to Delhi. They belong to various areas around Delhi”

 

“So what? What if the killer brought the girls to Delhi?”

 

“No way, ASR… if the killer had brought them, they would not have been quit. They would have shouted to save themselves. The killer should cross many tolls and check post to reach Delhi. Don’t need to explain how protective Delhi is because it’s our Capital”

 

Arnav became thoughtful. He got out of the thought due to a phone call. He smiled seeing Khushi’s name flashing. Before he attended the call, Aman snatched the phone.

“Khushi?”

 

“Give me my phone”

 

“How did she call you?”

 

“I gave her my number”

 

“When did it happen?”

 

“Yesterday, after you left the venue”

 

“Oh…”

 

Aman attended the call.

 

“Hello…”

 

There was no response.

 

“Khushi…”

 

“May I know who is speaking?”

 

“Arnav Singh Raizada”

 

“No… you are not Arnav but should be Aman”

 

“How do you know it’s not ASR?”

 

“It’s not his voice”

 

“You guys hardly spoke yet, could you identify his voice?” Aman asked looking at Arnav who smiled. Khushi was silent.

 

“Ok, before giving him the phone, I want to tell you something about him”

 

“What?”

 

“He is an expert in cooking”

 

“Really?”

 

“Yeah… so, cooking will not be ONLY your duty after your marriage”

 

Khushi smiled.

 

Arnav snatched the phone from his hand and spoke.

 

“Hi…”

 

“Hi… are you comfortable there?”

“I’m certainly not comfortable here. This guy is torturing

me” Arnav said smiling at Aman’s reaction.

 

“Don’t trust him, Khushi… he is lying” Aman shouted.

 

“My Dad regretted not making your stay at our place”

 

“Did you tell him?”

 

“Yes... because my Mom wanted it to happen”

 

“Oh, really?”

 

“Yes, she shouted at my Dad also”

 

“Poor him” He chuckled.

 

“I called you remember we have a coffee date today”

 

“Not coffee date… we didn’t fix it. It’s just a date. It may turn a dinner date too” Arnav said.

 

Khushi smiled.

 

“OK, fine. I will come to the spot directly from my office”

Khushi said.

 

“Ok… I will be there in time”

 

“See you” Khushi disconnected the call.

 

“Coffee date, dinner date… what the hell is happening here?” Aman asked.

 

“I confessed…”

 

“Whaaaat?”

 

“Yeah, I confessed my love”

 

“This is why you came to India on one month's leave?”

 

“Exactly…”

 

“Did she accept?”

 

“We are going on a date, man”

 

“Oh, when are you going to talk to her parents?”

 

“I would have done that today or tomorrow if you had not brought me to your place”

 

 

“Means?”

 

“I was at Khushi’s house when you called me last evening. She wanted me to stay at her place”

 

“You could have told me…”

 

“No, her parents seem nice people. If they expect me to be like their son, my dream will be shattered” he chuckled.

 

“You are so mean, ASR” Aman laughed.

 

“Let’s go”

 

Evening

 

Khushi reached the Café day sooner than the time they fixed. She waited for Arnav, sitting at the corner table and looking through the glass wall.

 

Her facial expression changed. She saw Arnav going with some other girl on a bike. She was shocked to the core. The bike crossed the Café day in a blink of an eye. Yet, she rushed out of the shop and stood panting hard all distraught.

 

To be continued…