Chapter : 9

Daya was running with heavy breathe in the dark alley with sweat on his forehead, his heart beats beating fast, hands and legs trembling as he stooped at a hill area resting his palm on his knees and bending down taking heavy breathes as a gun point touched his back, he gasped with the feel of the gun and slowly turned around to witness shreya standing infront of him with garing looks and gun in her hand.

Daya:(voice choking)sh..shreya...dekho goli chal..chal jaayegi..

Shreya smirked at him as she took step towards him and he taking back steps, Daya looked back at the edge of the hill and again watched shreya with horrified expressions. His took 2 more backsteps as his back hit a person as he turned back and saw Abhijeet stnading. 

Daya felt a relief as he held Abhi hand in happiness but was stunned to see gun in Abhijeet hands as well, Daya immediately took back step as Abhi stepped forward smirking at him.

Abhi : 3 saal... bohut hua tera khel abh khel hum khelenenge.

Daya:(gasping)Bos...s.. tum bhi..

Shreya :(raising her eyes)Haa ye bhi wo bhi..wo bhi..wo bhi.. apne aas pass dekhiye Daya.

Daya turn around and notice he has been surrounded by everyone from team. Abhi, Tarika, shreya, Purvi, vivek, Sachin, Ishita, Kajal were holding gun and taking round around him as he gasped with bitting his lips.

Daya: Tum sab aise..

Kajal: (glares at him as he bite his lips)Sachin sir ko pyaar pe jaise vishwas hua aapne wapas aisa kadam uthaya ki wo aapke footsteps pe chalna chatein hain. 3 saal tak rukna chatein hain.

Sachin : (nodding his head)Daya ye tumse expected nahi tha, aapne phir se kadam peeche hata liye.

Tarika: Daya mujhe iss halat mein bhi pareshan kar rahe ho tum.

Ishita : Sir, kuch to sochte..

Vivek : Not expected sir.

Purvi : Sir aapne humari 6 mahine ki mehnat pe paani pher diya.

Kavin : Mujhe nahi pata tha ki aap itna darte ho rishte nibhane se..

Shreya : Bas, abh baatein bohut hui (raise her gun point at Daya)abh action ka time hain.

Abhi :(smriks)yes action.. 

Everyone point their gun towards him as he gasp with fear and and the air filled with gunshots back to back like crackers bursting air.

Daya jerked from his sleep with sweating forehead as he noticed around and sigh closing his eyes.

Daya: Sapna....

Abh ye kaun hain?

Daya looked at the living room and find Abhijeet, Sachin, Vivek and Freddy sitting munching chips and discussing something. 

Abhi : (glaring at Daya)Maine tujhse pucha ye sapna kaun hain.

Sachin :(looked at daya then at Abhijeet)bura sapna dekha hoga sir.

Abhi (glares at sachin as he bite his lips and again looked at Daya)Jise iski harkate hain usse to isse bure sapne hi aane chaiye.

Daya: (getting up from couch rubbing his eyes)Bure sapne ek the theek tha abh sab milke bure ban bhethe hain.

Abhi :(confused)Kya??

Daya:(nodding his head)Kuch nahi.. 

Abhi got from his chair and ran behind Daya as they took round of the living room with Abhijeet scolding and glaring at Daya.

Daya: Abh maine kya kiya..

Abhijeet: Problem yahi hain ki tu kuch kar nahi raha hain Daya.. kuch kar isse phele ki der hojaye.

Sachin :(interrupting sipping coffee)Der to hogayi sir.

Vivek :(nodding)Haa sir, 6 mahine se Daya sir ne kuch nahi kaha, abh kya hi kahenge.

Freddy :(munching sandwich) Sir jitna aap aane wali zindagi se darte ho utna to main apni biwi se nahi darta.

Daya sigh as Abhijeet throw a sofa pillow at him hitting his head as Daya rub his forhead.

Abhi : Dimag nahi hain ismein warna samjh aata ki shreya jaisi ladki wapas nahi milegi isse.(Daya looks at him)Kya dekh raha hain, thappad marne ki icha horahi hain mujhe.

Daya : Hogaya tum sabka,(nodding his head he move to tea table grabbing sandwich and munching it)bhuk lagi hain.

Abhi : Bhuk.. waha shreya jaa rahi hain, usse rokega nahi?

Daya : Boss...

Abhi :(taking sigh beside him)Daya ek baat bata, 6 mahine phele uss racket case mein jab shreya ko goli lagi thi tu kitna pareshan tha, tune pooja ki, tune manat mangi.. tune uska khayal rakha pura 1 hafta jab tak wo coma mein thi..

Vivek : Haa sir hume laga aap abh unhe kehdoge ki aap unse pyaar karte ho lekin..

Freddy : Kuch nahi kaha..

Sachin : Sir, aapne Shreya ki mom sad ki kitni baatein suni lekin shreya jab tak theek nahi hui uske saath the phir aapne unse kuch kaha ku nahi aur abh aap usse rok kyu nahi rahe ho..?

Daya:(Sighing)Tum log phir interfer kar rahe ho, ye meri zindagi hain.

Abhi :(Waks his head as Daya looks at him in suprise)Teri zindagi hain isliye keh rahe hain, kitne koisish ki inn 6 mahine mein tum dono ko saath mein lane ki lekin ye maharaj dost bane bhethe hain. Itne samay se tune kuch kaha kyu nahi shreya se? 6 mahine se sirf dekh raha hain kaha to jaata nahi tujhse kuch.

Daya: Kya karu??kya kahu..

Vivek: Sir aap pyara karte ho na shreya se?

Daya looks at Vivek as he rest his back on sofa muching sandwich thinking about something looking at them all.

Daya: kya kahu tum sab ki, mujhe ye sahi nahi laga ki apne zindagi mein aage badhna wo bhi tab jab mere 5 saal phele ke ek jhut se tum sabki zindagi badal gaayi, main bas ye chatein tha ki tum sab khushi khushi settle hojao phir main shreya ko apne dil ki baat batadu lekin jab sab theek hua tabhi shreya jaa rahi hain abh kaise roku usse..kaise??

Abhijeet watched Daya as he was munching lost in deep thoughts as he shooked his head. 

******************************************************************************************

The worn rug beneath Shreya's feet felt like a battlefield as she marched back and forth, her brow furrowed in a tight knot. Tarika and Purvi watched her, their worried gazes meeting in silent understanding. Shreya's lips, scarlet against her pale skin, were chewed to a bloody pulp.

The memory of the ACP's words, the news of the US training, flooded back. It was supposed to be a dream come true, a chance to learn the latest technologies, to build a future for herself and a chance to represent her abilities. But it felt like a curse. For three years, she would be gone. Three years of silence, three years of distance, three years of wondering if their unspoken love would wither and die.

**********Acp : (announcing in meeting)CID mumbai se shreya select hui hain.*********

**********Daya: (hesitating)Good.. tumhe jaana chaiyeaisa mauka wapas nahi milega.******

********Shreya: Daya aapko mujhse kuch nahi kehna hain?*******

*******Daya : (confused)Mujh..mujhe.. kya kehna hoga.. mujhe kuch nahi kehna hain.******

Shreya sighed crossing her arms around her stomach. The warm glow of their shared room, usually a haven of laughter and whispered secrets, felt oppressive tonight. It was the weight of Daya's silence that suffocated them all. He hadn't said anything, hadn't even tried to stop her. They all knew the reason – the shadow of his past, the deep-seated fear of love and loss that hung over him like a storm cloud.

Tarika:(holding shreya by her shoulder)Mujhe umhe idhar se udhar karte hui dekhke chakar aarahi hain shreya. So stop! 

Tarika pulled Shreya down onto the bed between them. Shreya, her breath coming in short gasps, finally stopped pacing and sat down.

Shreya (whispered): Kuch nahi kaha unhone. 

Her voice choked with unshed tears as Tarika and Purvi exchanged a look. 

Purvi:(slowly)N..No..Not a word to stop you?

Shreya:(again taking a heavy sigh)Not even a plea.

Tarika : Haq nahi banta abh shayad isliye..

Shreya looked at her as Tarika bite her lips and exchanged a guilty look at shreya holding her hand.

Tarika: Pichli baar mere tumhari life mein baar baar interfer karne se tum dono ki equation kharab hogayi thi main iss baar wo nahi karna chati hu..

Shreya:(holding her hand)Tarika please aise maat kaho, yaha pe problem ye nahi hain ki tum interfer kar rahi  thi ya nahi baat ye thi ki maine kya suna aur kya samjha. (tarika try say while shreya nodes her head)Maine maa se bhi kaha tumse bhi kaha jo hua wo past tha aur i know Daya sir bhi abh inn batein se aage badh chuke hain bas samjh nahi aaraha hain wo mujhe rok kyu nahi rahe hain.

Purvi : Exactly, abh to sab theek hua hain.. Sachin and Kajal are getting married, Vivek and Ishita are already dating...Tarika you're not alone.(gave a mock cough, blushing faintly.)And you know, Kavin and I also in love with eachother.

Shreya's lips curved into a sweet smiles she nodded and layed on bed. Purvi might have been right as she recollected daya words 6 months back.

********Daya: Shreya, main iss rishte ko dheere bohut dheere aage badhna chatein hu, maine jo kiya wo galat tha ya nahi pata lekin haa jiss tarike se kiya wo galat tha isliye main Tarika- Abhijeet ka rishta theek karna chatein hu, Vivek- sachin ko bharosa karna sikhana chatein hu aur..

Shreya: Daya, rishte dil se nibhaye jaate hain dimag se nahi. (she smiles at him)humne humara rishta ek dost ki tarha wapas shuru kiya hain, dekhte hain ye dosti pe khatam hoga ya.. (she smiles as he looks at her)kisine mujhe kaha tha ache logo ke saath acha hi hoga.

He smiles as he looks at her while she moves to her work. During these 5 years they have been on various dates, solved cases together but they were acting as friends, Everyone relations improved but Daya did not take a step forward towards her while she kept waiting for him to say something which did not happen************

She got from bed as both the girls looked at her while shreya sighed holding her head.

Shreya: Daya jab se meri life mein aaye hain meri life ulat pulat hogayi hain.

Purvi : Sahi bol rahi ho(shreya glares at him as she shakes her head)i mean Tarika se keh rahi thi ki wo apne aapko blame na kare,(looks at tarika)tumhe yaad hain na.. kabhi Daya ne ya Abhijeet sir ne tumhe galat samjha bas tumhari baatein thickhi thi(tarika narrow her eyes as purvi again smiles)i mean tab thi because you care abh sweet hain.

Shreya: Haa sach mein(tarika looks at shreya with open mouth as she shut her eyes tightly with shaking her head and purvi chuckles)i mean... baat yaha mere aur Daya ke beech ki hain aur wahi rahegi.

Tarika:(sadly) Lekin mujhe lagta hain Daya tumhe rok nahi raha iska matlabh wo abhi bhi hich kicha raha hain iss rishte ko leke.

Purvi : Girls i think, Daya sir ko iss baat se problem hain ki agar wo wapas relation mein aaye aur wo wapas sare rishte bigad gaaye to wo apne aapko maaf nahi kar paayenge.

Shreya:(smile)Haa 5 saal phele jo hua usse jo rishte pe ashar hua the wo inn 6 mahino mein theek hogaye aur sab aage badh gaaye hain.

Purvi : Correct. Sachin sir ne pyara ko mauka diya, Vivek bhi move on karliya aur (looks at tarika)hum jald hi buwa bane wali hain.

Tarika: Buwa nahi Maasi..

Purvi: Main Abhijeet sir ki bhen hu phele phir tumhari dost.

Tarika: Betrayer. 

Purvi laughs and hugs tarika teasing her while shreya looks at them with a smiled on her face looking their bond which was amended over the time.

****************************************************************************************

Sunlight streamed through the large bay windows, illuminating dust motes that danced in the air like tiny, lost souls.

Now Daya paced, his long strides echoing in the silence, a silver chain clutched tightly in his hand which he took out from his pocket. It was a gift from Shreya, a symbol of their unspoken bond, now a painful reminder of her looming departure.Abhijeet, seated on the plush, leather sofa, leaned forward, his hands gripping the armrests.

Abhi : Daya, tu usse sirf apni life se hi nahi apne dil se bhi jaane de raha hain.

His voice was laced with exasperation, a tremor of concern vibrating beneath it. Daya stopped pacing, sank onto a beanbag, and stared at the chain, his brow furrowed. The others in the room – Sachin, Vivek, and Freddy – watched with a mixture of amusement and pity. Vivek took a long gulp of juice, a mischievous glint in his eye. 

Vivek: sir, ek bata kahu(Daya and all looked at him)Aap Majnu jaise behave kar raheho(Daya narrow his eyes)mera matlabh hain Shreya ke diye hua gift ko tham usse yaad kar rahe ho, kuch keh nahi rahe ho lekin pyaar to karte ho aap lekin mana nahi rahe ho. 

Daya sighed agaiin as Freddy chuckled and downed another glass of juice, the noise echoing in the otherwise silent room.Sachin, sighed, taking a sip of his own drink. Abhijeet, his frustration mounting, looked at Daya, who sat hunched over, a picture of despair. 

Abhi : Daya, kuch hi samay mein shreya ne tujhe badal diya hain wapas wo kisi aur ki khusi ke liye jeene wale daya se apne khushi dekhne wale daya ko, isliye abh please apni khushi pechan aur rokle shreya ko jaane se. 

Sachin: Sir, we understand shayad aap phele apni  financial condition ko leke hesitate kar rahe the lekin you're stable now. And you love her, don't you?'

Daya finally looked up, his eyes reflecting a storm of emotions. 

Daya: Yes..(everyone looked at him with pausing his action)I love her,(looked at Abhi)Boss. I do love her.

His words were barely a whisper with slow sigh, yet everyone in the room felt their weight which wasn't spoken.

Daya: Lekin... (his voice cracking as he held the chain)Agar maine usse roka to aise hoga na ki maine usse uske sapne se dur kiya. Aur iss baat ko agar kabhi wo regreat karegi to main seh nahi paunga boss. please tum sab meri baat samjho.

Sachin : (shaking his head)Shreya bhi chati hain aap usse roka, please rok lijiye sir.

Abhijeet, his shoulders slumped in defeat, let out a frustrated sigh. 

Abhi : Daya, Tu apni hi love story ka villain ban raha hain.

Daya looked at him as Abhi stared back a glaring look at him and sighed getting up.

**********************************************************************************

Purvi : He's scared, Shreya. Hum sab tere saath the inn 5 saal ke Daya ke ne jo jhut bola uss samay lekin wo akele the, shayad isliye abh wo dar rahe hain.

Purvi said softly, her hand resting on Shreya's arm.  Shreya glared at her friend, the injustice of it all burning in her chest. 

Shreya: Ye baat purani hogayi hain aur I love him (teras forming in her tears and her voice cracking)Mujhe pata hain wo bhi mujhse pyaar karte hain phir ye unnessary ka drama mujhe samjh nahi aarah hain. Why can't he fight for us?

Purvi's smile was a flicker of understanding. Tarika, catching their intense gaze, intervened with a laugh, her voice light to lighten the mood. 

Tarika: Alright, alright, enough of this drama. Shreya ko jaane mein 3 din hain shayad ye 3 din mein kuch hojaye. Aur suno (rubs on her stomach)Mujhe mere bache ko kuch khilana hain aur mere husband ko bhi jine lagta hain main apna din pura tum dono ke saath gossips karke bitati hu. 

The tension eased slightly as they turned their attention to Tarika, the concern in Shreya's eyes replaced with a touch of amusement. But as Tarika spoke, as she spoke of Daya's fear of causing her pain, Shreya's heart ached. It was a fear she couldn't bear, a fear that mirrored her own.

Purvi : Shreya, Mujhe lagta hain This isn't the end. Tum jaake aajao shayad tumhara jaana sahi ho, shayad Daya sir tumhe jaane se phele airport pe rokle bilkul filmy andaaz mein. 

Purvi winks at shreya as she noddes her head and Tarika chuckle with they both hugging her. The trio shared a pure bond of friendship which cant be replaced.

But the thought of Daya, his fear, his silent love, echoed in her heart, a melody that wouldn't let her forget. She would go, but she wouldn't forget. And she wouldn't stop loving him.

**********************************************************************************

Sachin slowly got up and sat down near bean bag, staring into Daya's eyes. 

Sachin : Sir, agar aise hua ki aap shreya se dur rahe inn 3 saal mein aur wo inn 3 saalo mein kisi aur se pyaar karne lagi to(Daya jerked at his words)i..i mean agar aise hua to... If she meets someone else, someone who understands her ambition, someone who loves her for who she is, then what?

Freddy clapped his hands together, a wide grin plastered on his face. 

Freddy : Then, Daya, you'll be clapping at their wedding!

Vivek, unable to contain himself, erupted into laughter, the sound echoing through the apartment as Abhijeet resonated with them while Daya was lost in thoughts.

Daya, faced with their relentless thoughts, felt a wave of despair wash over him. He looked at the silver chain in his hand, a symbol of a love that seemed destined to wither away. He realized, with a heart-wrenching clarity, that he was indeed the villain in this story, the man who was holding back the woman he loved.

Daya: Agar, sach mein bhagwan hain to shreya mujhe chodke jaayegi nahi aur nahi mujhe ye guilt rahega ki wo apne sapne mere liye khurban kardiya hain. Main usse rokna nahi chatein lekin aisa kuch hua jisse wo rukjaaye to bas.. main kehdunga usse ki i love her.

Abhi : Main hoona..

Daya:Koi shreya ko nahi rokega, wo bhagwan rokega usse.. 

Abhi : Bacho jaisi baatein kar raha hain.

Daya: Kar raha hu to kar raha hu, abh to ye sahi warna kuch nahi.. Tum mein koi kuch nahi kahega aur nahi kuch karega warna main tumlogo se baat nahi karunga.

A heavy silence descended upon the room, punctuated only by the soft whirring of the ceiling fan. In that silence, everyone knew that the answer to their predicament lay in the hands of a higher power, a power that was beyond their control.

***********************************************************************

The office crackled with unspoken tension as Shreya handed Abhijeet a file, her gaze flitting towards Daya, who sat silently at his desk. Daya's heart ached with every fleeting glance she gave him. Days blurred into weeks, filled with the ghost of their past and the unspoken yearning for a future. Every time she spoke to him, his stomach would churn with a mixture of yearning and dread, the fear of rejection holding him back from voicing his feelings.

The team, privy to their silent love story, decided to intervene with Abhijeet idea.

Abhi : Main aise nahi dekhsakta dono ko..

Tarika: Hmm i agree kuch to karna padega...

They think for something as a idea strucks them while they plan smirking something. A birthday party for Sachin, a fake one of course, was the perfect excuse as boys gathered around Daya desk and girls inside shreya cabin.

Abhi : daya, ye scahin ka asli birthday jaise hi hain.

Abhijeet insisted, winking at Daya who was clearly skeptical. Other were slowly glancing at eachother with failed attempets to conviece Daya.

Sachin :(adding)wo Kajal horoscope mein manti hain to uss hisab se birthday hain.

Daya:(raising his eyebrows)To birthday party? Pooja parth nahi?

Vivek : Sir, kitna time hogaya hain hume kahi gaaye hua..

Kavin : Exactly, mujhe bhi purvi ke saath thoda time milega iss bhanae warna wo kaam mein phasi rehti.. please maan jaiye.

While on the otherside Kajal nodded enthusiastically, her eyes twinkling with mischief.

The plan was set in motion. Shreya was hesitant, convinced it wasn't Sachin's birthday.

Shreya: Tum sab jao please mujhe koi party ka mood nahi hain, 1 din mein jaana hain aur mere pass kaam bohut hain.

Tarika: Exactly, teri farewell bhi hojayegi.. Chalna yaar.

Purvi : Shreya dont be a spoil mood.

Kajal: Please maam, waise Sachin sir ne aapke aane tak humari shaadi postpone kardi hain abh aap party pe bhi nahi chalenge? 

Ishita : Vivek bhi moody behvae kar raha hain, please party ke bhanae sab thoda time spend karenge ek saath. 

Shreya sigh as with  the team's persistent nudging finally convinced her to attend as Dareya agree with team happily smirking for their plan working out.

***************************************************************************************

Daya arrived first, a knot of anticipation in his stomach. He couldn't understand why the team had decided to celebrate the party at the old cafe, a place where their shared memories were etched into every brick and corner. He knew Shreya would be there, and the thought of seeing her again sent a thrill of excitement through him but she leaving the next day sent him back to dark echoes and horrifed dreams he was seeing now a days.

Shreya walked in thirty minutes later, her eyes widening in surprise when she saw Daya alone. He stood up, surprised to see her arrive before anyone else. Their gazes locked, a silent exchange of emotions passing between them.

Daya(noticed her in western dress )Stunning..

Shreya:(confused)Aapne kuch kaha?

daya noded in no as they sat in awkward silence for some moment before the chatter of the approaching rain drops broke the stillness.

The sky turned grey, unleashing a torrent of rain. Daya and Shreya watched as the water began to cascade waranda, washing away the dust. Memories flooded back, memories of rainy days, of them laughing and dancing in the downpour. Daya remembered his first encounter with Shreya, her carefree laughter as she twirled in the rain, an image that had captured him forever.
The rain intensified, drumming against the soil. Daya couldn't hold back any longer. 

Daya: Tumhe yaad hain kaise hum barish mein ghuma karte the, isse kitna enjoy karte the.

His voice husky with emotion. Shreya smiled, her eyes sparkling as he stared at him for while before answering.

Shreya: Of course, I remember. Hum teenager jaise behave karte barisho mein, office se jaldh se jaldh nikalna park emin ghanto bhethna, buta, garam chai pina.. aur iss barish mein nachna. 

Her words stirred a deep longing within him, a yearning for those carefree days. He looked at her, the rain-streaked reflecting her beauty, a sudden urge to hold her taking over. He hle dher hand suprising her as she looked at him while he pulled her outside into the rain.

They both enjoyed like there no tomorrow while the rain drenched them washing away their hesitation and desire to hold eachother. 

He slolwy moved towards her as they eyes were locked with the water flowing down their body,shreya turned as Daya held her touching his back and his hands pacing from her shoulder to hands, interwing with her fingers. His touch sending a shiver down her spine with the rain cascading around them. They stood in same position with silent, for a moment, their bodies close, the warmth of their shared memories enveloping them.

He reached out, his fingers tracing the line of her jaw, his gaze fixed on her eyes. Shreya leaned into his touch, her heart pounding against her ribs. He pulled her closer, his lips finding hers. The kiss was a mixture of longing and passion, a testament to the love that had been dormant for too long.

Daya pulled away, his forehead resting against hers. He traced the outline of her face with his fingers, his heart filled with a joy that he hadn't felt in a long time. 

Daya: I love you, Shreya.. I love you so much.. 

He whispered, his voice thick with emotion. Shreya's lips curved into a smile, a tear escaping her eye. 

Shreya: And I love you, Daya.I love you too...

She whispered back. Their love, like the rain, had washed away all their fears, leaving only the pure joy of being together.

Daya wanted to ask her to stop from leaving but the thunder strom scared her, she warpped her arms around him tightly while her heart fluttered, he smiled and hugged her tightly smiling. His words, so sincere and heartfelt, sent a jolt of electricity through her. With a shy smile, she leaned into his touch, her own heart echoing his emotions.

Daya broke the hug stared at her as she lowered her eyes, he began peppering her face with kisses, each one a soft, feather-light touch that sent shivers down her spine. Shreya felt numb, her senses overwhelmed by his tenderness.

Daya:(wishpering her ear, his breath warm against her skin.)Stop me if you don't like it.

Shreya, unsure of how to articulate the whirlwind of emotions swirling within her, simply placed a kiss on his cheek, her answer unspoken yet clear. A smile lit up his face as he scooped her into his arms, his touch both strong and gentle.

He carried her towards his car, his steps purposeful yet light. Shreya gazed up at him with a mixture of shock and wonder, her heart hammering against her ribs. He winked, a flash of mischief in his eyes that sent a wave of excitement through her.

Shreya:(shyly)kaha jaa rahe hain hum? 

She asked, her voice breathless. He didn't answer, simply holding her closer as he settled her into the car. He tried to push the seat back, but it wouldn't budge.

Shreya: (widen eyes)yaha??? 

Shreya muttered, frowning at the stubborn seat. Daya, with a mischievous grin, started to gently coax the seat back, his touch causing the car to obey. With a sudden lurch, the seat sprang back, sending Daya tumbling onto Shreya, their bodies entangled in a tangle of limbs and laughter.

Shreya: Aapko gaadi pasand hain mujhe bhi zayda hain na? 

Shreya teased hi her eyes twinkling with mirth. Daya, still sprawled on top of her, bit his lip, his eyes locked on hers. 

Daya : Nahi.. Mujhe tumse zyada iss duniya mein kuch nahi pasand... More than this car, more than anything.

Shreya's heart melted at his words. Her eyes brimmed with tears, her gaze locked on his. He leaned closer, his lips brushing against hers, the promise of a kiss hanging in the air. But before their lips could meet, a piercing car horn shattered the moment.

Daya pulled back abruptly, his eyes widening in surprise. He looked out the window and saw a police car parked beside them, its blue lights flashing.

Shreya and Daya exchanged a worried glance. Daya stepped out of the car, his face a mask of composure. The police officers, recognizing him as Senior Inspector Daya, exchanged pleasantries.

Shreya, adjusting her dress, peeked out the window, her heart pounding in her chest. The inspectors, her former wedding guests, recognized the two of them. 

Inspector : Hoo Cid ke marrired couples are both stuck in rain?

Daya couldn't bring himself to confess his divorce and the rekindled romance, so he simply replied.

Daya: Haa wo main apni wife ke saath time spend kar raha tha aur phir iss barish mein attak gaaya... ye gaadi bhi band hogayi..

He kicked the car with guilst as shreya chuckled at his action as he rubbed his hands saying sorry to his car.

The Inspector, eager to help, called for a constable to drop them home. Daya, caught in a web of his own lies, hesitated for a moment, but finally agreed, a look of guilt flickering in his eyes.

Inside the car, Daya and Shreya sat side by side, their hands clasped tightly, a current of undeniable desire coursing between them. They longed to kiss, to hold each other close, but the presence of the constable forced them to keep their desires in check.

Daya: Main tumhe apne ghar leke jaa raha hu. 

Daya whispered, his voice rough with suppressed passion. But before he could act on his desire, Shreya's mother appeared on the road who was also waiting for some help in the rain as she was stuck because of her car. 

Police: Lagta hain aaj sabhi ki gaadi aatak rahi hain iss barish mein. 

They helped her as they drove to shreya home, She pulled Shreya away, her eyes flashing daggers at Daya while she took her daughter with her. The constable, confused by the sudden turn of events, looked at Daya. He stammered out a lie.

Daya: Wo kuch din ke liye maaikye aayi hain.

Constable smiled nodding as Daya watched them go standing outside the car, his heart sinking. He leaned back in the seat, his head resting against the headrest, a wave of regret washing over him. He looked out the window, the world blurring around him, his mind consumed by the warmth of Shreya's touch, the promise of a love that had been lost and now, tentatively, found again.

Daya : Kya kar rahe ho, ishar dete bhi ho phir cheen bhi lete ho.. kya karu main usse roku ya nahi??jaane se.

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Here I end the chapter.. how was the chapter. Thanks to all the support and love. Active reader, commenter and silent readers as well. I am happy this story was appreciated by you all and the way you loved it made it special for me. One more update to go..

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