After a long day at work, Rajat returns to his home, a simple single-bedroom apartment he rented close to the bureau. Freshening up, he plops down on the sofa looking at his sparsely-furnitured home. There aren't many things he owns, but he's brought in a few boxes. Most of them contain his past adventures, documents and such— stuff that's precious to him — memoirs from his school days, and the clean linens and his clothes which he'd already placed in the wardrobe he recently purchased.

He has lived alone all his life. Save for the early life he led in the orphanage, he never was an organised person. Maybe if someone else were around they would recommend him to clean up the place and get things organised. He as a cop never saw the need to do it.

He sighs, getting up from the couch and moving to the bed. Work begins tomorrow. It might even begin anytime now. If he were to get a call from the bureau he must be ready to go.

So there is nothing wrong to call it an early night and go to bed even though it is only 9 p.m.

As he lies in bed his mind drifts to the events of the day. He usually doesn't think back, but today he feels like ruminating a little. There was the case when they had to rescue that little kid. He saved his subordinate in the spur of the moment. The young woman turned out to be Purvi.

He chuckles, remembering the way she fussed over him. Her guilt was evident and though he told her emotions were useless, he appreciated her concern. It's a great quality to have as long as it doesn't get in the way of your duty.

She looks like the type who's serious about work, there's no doubt in his mind. She'd done his files with diligence and from what he heard from others she never hesitates to stand up and offer help. Even so, the way she was eager to do little things for him...like even fetch him coffee was endearing.

Purvi Desai may be someone who leaves an imprint on the minds of those who work around her. That must be why he's thinking of her now. Else he wouldn't think of his subordinates, not when he's lying on his bed.

Coming to the new case. It turned out that Akash was a sincere lover. Rajat sighs. He wasn't exactly sure of anything. And it was only natural of him to be suspicious.

He thinks, generally analysing the situation revolving around the case. Saccha pyar jaisa kuch nahi hota. Hoga bhi toh shayad ek tarfa hoga. Jitna hum dete hain, utna toh hume kabhi wapas milta nahin... Wo log bahut bhagyashali hai, jinko pyar ke badle pyar mila...

Rajat's thoughts continue to race, and an incident from a few months ago flashes in his head but he shakes it off. He won't think about that woman again. What she did wasn't exactly a betrayal but she beat him in his own game. If given another chance he wants to get an upper hand on her this time. Now, who knows if this chance will fall to him...

Although it is uncharacteristic of him, and although he wants to stop, he keeps thinking about all these things. He also thinks about his new subordinate whose presence somehow seems like a ray of hope among these dark memories, and eventually falls asleep.

***

It is a new day at the bureau. Purvi steps into the office, heading to her desk. She's early and so she finds Rajat's desk empty, as is most of the bureau.

She thinks back to the events of the previous day. She admits, she may have acted a little out of line as Vineet said, but whatever happened, today is a new day.

"Vineet sahi tha. That wasn't like me. What was I thinking? Taking liberty and acting like I please at my workplace? Koi aur hota toh mujhe kya kuch nahi sunna padta. Par Rajat sir... Rajat sir didn't mind it one bit! He was only smiling. I think he's really sweet to have put up with me..."

Just as she thinks out loud, she hears Vineet calling out her name.

"Good morning!" He grins as he approaches her, almost singing the morning greeting. "Arey wah, Purvi you're early! And what are you doing, han? Banda ider nahi toh unke desk ko ghur rahi ho?!"

The smile she summoned to her face to greet her best friend falls from Purvi's lips. Vineet has always loved teasing her. And looks like he found a new subject in which he can tease her.

"Vineet..."

Purvi throws the man a look and steps away from Rajat's desk, realising she's indeed standing near his desk and has even placed her hand over his desk chair! She looks away, a little embarrassed and maybe annoyed, and Vineet whistles again.

"Really... wow? You really got it bad, han? Tum kaho toh main setting karadun teri Rajat sir ke saath Han?"

Purvi gapes at Vineet. They both act very casually with each other. Sometimes they act like silly, easygoing college mates but Vineet is taking it too far. She knows he does this to keep their spirits up, to ease some of the otherwise serious mood that's always around them but...

"Setting karayega..." she shakes her head, pressing her lips together and looking at her best friend while trying not to blush. "Pagal hai? Kuch bhi bolte ho Vineet!"

"Really..." Vineet isn't discouraged and he places a hand over her shoulder. "Are you sure tere ko meri help ki zarurat nahi? I mean main setting karane mein maahir hun!"

Purvi gapes at him again. "Seriously tu mujhe ye bataa! Apne kaam karne mein kab mahir hoga?"

Vineet chuckles. "Wo toh main already hun, haha;"

Purvi places her hands on her hips and stares at him. "Acha zara Abhijeet sir, Daya sir aur ACP sir se pooche?"

Vineet panics hearing her words just a little. He recovers, shaking his head and smiling. " Oh stop it! Yahan main tumhe chhed raha hun, aur ye haq sirf mujhe hai samjhi?"

He winks and Purvi laughs. No matter what Vineet does she can't get mad at him.

"But seriously, apne bich ki baat hai..." Vineet says suddenly, leaning in close. "Main sirf chhed raha tha lekin... jis tarah tumhara chehra laal ho raha tha. Mujhe shak hai... kahin... sach mein.. Tumhe... Rajat sir se...."

Vineet trails off and Purvi has enough. She picks up a file from her desk, rolls it and hits the lad on the head.

"Arey! Ow! Maarti kyun ho!?" He shrieks but is still laughing.

Purvi hits him again. "Abhi humari duty shuru na hui, but please, kabhi toh serious bano tum, Vineet! Subah subah mujhe chhedne me lage ho!"

Vineet dodges her attacks and moves away. She lunges at him, file in hand, swiftly chasing him but stops herself in her tracks as someone suddenly shows up in between.

It's Rajat! Thank the stars she didn't whack him on the head with a file!

"Kya ho raha yaha?" Rajat says, blinking in confusion.

Purvi takes another step back, holding the file behind her back. 'Oh no. Ab Rajat sir sochenge main ajeeb hun... that I'm not acting like an officer. Already pata nahi wo mere bare mein kya soch rahe after what I did yesterday?' She thinks while smiling awkwardly.

"Good morning, sir!" Vineet greets Rajat from behind.

Purvi remembers she must also greet their senior officer.

"Good morning, sir!" She smiles cheerfully now. ".. So sorry about what just happened. Wo..."

"It's okay. Abhi hum duty pe nahin hai but bureau ke andar hai, pata hain na tum donon ko?" Rajat has a calm expression on his face as he looks between Vineet and Purvi. "Kya main jaan sakta hun yaha kya ho raha tha?"

Purvi gets the feeling that Rajat is only curious and not angry. But then, she may not fully know what he's thinking. Before she can answer, Vineet does.

"Sir main batata hun!" Vineet smiles as he faces Rajat. "Purvi ko ek problem hai, sir. Recently uske dimag mein bas usi ka chalta rehta toh... Uska solution bata raha tha main. Main itna sharif, nek insaan usko salah deraha tha, aur woh ulta mujhse gussa ho gayi. Par it's fine, sir. Bade bade shehron mei aur dosti mein ye toh chalta rahega. Aur Purvi is my best friend."

Purvi's eyes widen and her cheeks turn a little red. She hopes Vineet is not about to bring the thing they were discussing just before Rajat showed up.

"Achhi baat hai." Rajat smiles a little facing Vineet. "I know you're best friends. Itna toh mujhe samjh mei agaya tha pehle hi din, but best friends ka matlab nahi ki tum Purvi ko satao."

"Sahi bole, sir!" Purvi nearly smiles in relief but falls silent when Rajat looks at her.

"Aur tum, Purvi," Rajat says, folding his arms and looking at her keenly. "Tum batao. Kya problem hai tumhe? Kya main koi madad kar sakta huh?"

Purvi is at a loss for words. She can't believe her stupid conversation with Vineet has taken this turn. She doesn't know what to say. As she's thinking how to respond, Rajat looks at her with a concerned expression in his eyes.

Now she can confirm he really is simple and sweet. He can be serious about his work but when he's not working he's so down to earth. And even on duty, he's always considerate of those around him. She chuckles wryly, aware of her rapidly growing admiration for this new senior inspector.

"Sir... woh..."

Once again before she can talk, Vineet interjects.

"Sir, sirf aap hi madad kar sakte hai Purvi ki!!"

Purvi gapes at Vineet. She's sure she's blushing now, though she's trying to stay calm. 'Vineet ke bache mujhe fasake maze le rahe ho tum!' She murmurs inwardly, staring at Vineet who's grinning from ear to ear

"Acha..." Rajat , unaware of this, frowns. In a casual gesture, he puts his hand over Purvi's shoulder. The touch is brief, and he pulls away inquiring with his eyes. When Purvi remains silently staring at him, a little red-faced, he clears his throat. "Batao, Purvi... Main kaise madad kar sakta hun..."

Purvi can't form words again as she looks at Rajat. His eyes are so calm and kind. She's totally stumped by how willing he's to help his subordinate right now, and there's Vineet who's trying to hold back his laughter. She feels a mix of trepidation, giddiness and guilt. But what wins out is embarrassment and maybe a teensy bit of happiness.

She doesn't know why, but knowing Rajat sir wants to have her back, makes her smile.

"Sir, woh..." She takes a few deep breaths to calm herself. "Kuch nahi hai, sir. Bas... aapko nahi pata lekin.. Vineet...mujhe chhedta rehta hai. Kabhi kabhi kuch zyada hi... Toh, sach mein koi problem nahi hai, sir. Aap please uski baat na suniye..."

She trails off with a laugh and Rajat now stares at Vineet.

Vineet frowns, knowing the tables have turned. "Oops! Oye! Mujhe kyu fasaa rahi?" He says but it's already late

Rajat glares at him lightly. "Achaa, mujhe samajh mein aa gayi baat. Vineet! Tum abse Purvi ko nahi chhedoge."

Purvi grins as Rajat passes that order. It's so sweet. Vineet is her best friend and she still hasn't got anything against him but right now the way Rajat sir is watching her back is really sweet. She feels truly happy.

"Sir, please!" Vineet tries to explain but in vain. "Maine kuch nahi kia!"

"Mujhe kuch nahi sunna, Vineet," Rajat says, folding his arms, looking authoritatively at the said young officer. "Maine dekha tha ki archives mein files sort na kiye gaye hai. And more than half files need to be digitised. Abhi tum yaha ho, aur tumhe Purvi ko chhedne ka time hai toh jaake unko dekh lo. I want 50% of the files to be arranged by the end of today. Han, agar koi case pe work kar rahe toh bhi... jab we return to the bureau, you can resume. Maybe you can make good use of your break time uss tarah."

Vineet groans and looks distraught. He tries to protest but Rajat looks stern, making him sigh and accept his punishment.

"Yes, sir!"

Vineet leaves, looking dejected, towards the archives. Purvi only giggles at his plight.

"Poor Vinu..." she comments out loud. "He's my best buddy but I think he deserves that! Thank you, Rajat sir..."

She turns to face Rajat and stops chuckling, realising he's staring at her.

"I mean it. Thank you. And I'm sorry, Vinu... I mean... Vineet ne aap ko bhi is sab mei kheench lia."

Rajat nods, looking in the direction Vineet went. "Koi baat nahi, Purvi. Masti bhi zaruri hai. Humara kaam hi aisa hai, ki we need such light moments. But yeh hadd se zyada na ho. Vineet agar dobara tumhe pareshan kare toh mujhe batana."

He smiles at her and gives her shoulder a brief pat. "Ab dekhte hai. Vineet kitne files sort karta aaj. Aur koi case aata hai ya nahi..."

Just as he says that and returns to his desk, the other CID officers begin to pour into the bureau. Purvi can't take her eyes off of Rajat for a moment.

Everyone in CID is so kind and Rajat sir is no different. Or maybe he's extra sweet. She thinks and turns away, hurrying to the archives to find Vineet.

"Yeh Rajat sir Ravan no. 2 hai kya?" Vineet grumbles from where he stands on the high ladder, noticing Purvi has entered the room. He's already on his task of sorting the files. "Honestly, he's favouring you. And I thought he was nice!"

"Vineet!" Purvi says her best friend's name in a chiding tone. "Come on! Don't be like that. Galti tumhari thi. Tumne unko tumhari stupid teasing mein include kiya. Fir bhi unhone tumhe kuch nahi kaha. He really is kind..."

She smiles thinking of the man and Vineet's face lights up again.

"Haha! Don't smile too much," he says, now facing her. "I will feel like you sach mein have a crush."

"Ab bas, aur nahi chhedo..." Purvi says, shaking her head. "Batao. Mujhe tumhe extra kaam karte hue dekh kar maza toh aa raha hai, but you're still my best friend. So batao, main kuch madad karun?"

Vineet shrugs. "You can... but no. I'm fine. And don't worry. I was kidding. I don't think Rajat sir bure hai just because he tasked me with this. You were right, I deserved this."

Purvi nearly feels sorry for Vineet but when he grins, adding, "par mujhe tumhe chhed ke maza aya!", she doesn't know what to say.

"Tum kabhi nahi sudhroge!" With those words, shei leaves him in the archives, but she still has a smile on her face as she enters the bureau.

Just then, there is a call and everyone must attend to their duties. There's a new case. Twin murders at a resort in Wada. Vineet rushes out from archives. He joins Sachin and Pankaj and they speed away to do the basic inquiry.

The rest of the officers stay back, alert and ready to begin further inquiries. Just then, the pune working around the bureau arrives with a letter for Rajat.

Nobody pays Rajat any attention as he opens the envelope and reads its contents. Abhijeet and Daya are going over old case files. ACP sir is in contact with Sachin though the group have only barely left the bureau. And the juniors are all looking at their desktops, looking over general crime data in and around Mumbai.

Purvi too is looking at her desk, doing the same but a crumpling noise alerts her. She turns her face away from the computer just in time to look at Rajat crumpling the letter he's received and throwing it in the bin.

His desk is next to hers. And the steel dustbin is on the ground between their desks. Rajat turns away as ACP sir calls his name.

Though she hesitates, Purvi reaches out and picks up the crumpled letter Rajat threw in the bin

"So you've joined the CID Mumbai..."

The note is written using words cut and pasted from newspapers, not in anyone's handwriting.

"Do you think you can live long that way?"

Purvi's eyes widen as she realises the letter she is holding is a threatening letter. She reads on.

"Jee lo apni zindagi because you don't have too much to live..."

The name at the end of the note reads A1. Just then, ACP sir says her name, "Purvi."

Purvi quickly stuffs the letter in her pocket. ACP sir orders her and Rajat to visit and interrogate the MLA's son who's a close acquaintance of both the victims and also the owner of the resort where the murders took place.

Rajat nods at ACP sir and walks out. Purvi glances at him as she follows the man.

What was that letter? Rajat sir must have thought this was a casual letter if he threw it away, but she must hold on to it and see what it is about. And maybe have a word or two with Abhijeet Sir and Daya sir.

***

So when I began this story I said that this will be light-hearted, but there's going to be action and equal doses of all kinds of emotions as well.

I hope you all like this chapter! <3

Hopefully, I will update soon again! Please vote and comment! <3

Who's the letter from? Is Rajat in danger? What happens next? Who's the woman he's thinking about? Stay tuned for the updates for answers!