Hospital Room:

The sterile, white walls of the hospital room seemed to close in on Shreya, amplifying the frantic beat of her heart. Her eyes, swollen and blurry with tears, remained glued to her sister Sejal, who lay unnaturally still on the crisp hospital bed. Bandages obscured half of Sejal's body, her usual vibrancy replaced by an unsettling paleness. The rhythmic beeping of the heart monitor was the only sound that dared to break the heavy silence.

Shreya whispered, her voice thick with unshed tears while gently talking Sejal's hand, her own trembling slightly. The warmth that usually radiated from Sejal's hand was replaced by a cold, lifeless touch.

Shreya:(whispering) Sejal,Please thik hojao.. please uthjao.. Main tumhara har kaam karungi bas tum uth jao.

Their mother, S.M., entered the room, her face etched with worry. Seeing Shreya's tear-streaked face, she pulled her into a tight embrace, gently patting her back.

S.M:(she murmured) Shreyu betu..(trying to inject a note of hope into her voice)doctor ne kaha operation successful tha(Shreya broke the hug, her eyes searching her mother's face)Seju bilkul theek hojayegi, use abhi rest chaiye pichle 6 saalo se unse ek din bhi rest nahi liya hain na?

S.M. nodded, forcing a small smile, caring her hairs while Shreya hold on to her tears.

Her mom cups shreya's face assuring but Shreya was occupied with thoughts and worry.

Shreya(whispered) : Haa maa, main janti hu par mujhe Sejal ko(her gaze returning to Sejal with a wave of fear washed over her)dekhke bohut dar lag raha hain.

S.M., sensing her daughter's fear, took Sejal's phone and gently placed it in Shreya's hand, her own hands clasping tightly over hers, she explaining, her voice heavy with worry.

S.M: Shreyu, CID breaue se phone aarahe hain Seju ek crucial case pe kaam kar rahi thi aur(she then pulled out a crumpled piece of paper from her bag and handed it to Shreya)ye seju ke haath mein tha jab usse hospital leke aaye the.

Shreya:(her brow furrowed in confusion)Ye kya hain mom?

Shreya took the paper,as her eyes scanned the paper, her eyebrows shot up in alarm. It was a photograph – a grainy image of a man's face, circled with a red pen. Beneath the photo, a name was scribbled: Vikram Rathore. She looked back at her mother, then down at Sejal. The image of the man in the photograph seemed to burn itself into her mind.

Shreya :Mom, kahi sejal ke saath jo hua wo accident nahi balki kisine..

S.M:(nodding)Haa.. (glanced at Sejal)Seju ke saath jo hua uska zimedar shayad CID bureau mein se koi hain.

Shreya:(her eyes filled with concern and worry)Matlabh Seju ki jaan ko khatra hain?

S.M :(nodding slowly)Haa mujhe bhi yahi lagta hain(wiping away a stray tear)isliye..(hesitating) seju..sejal ko wapas bureau jaana hoga jisne bhi sejal ke saath ye kiya hain usko pakadna zaruri hain shreyu(looked at shreya)agar tere pass hote to wo bhi yahi kehte.

Confusion clouded Shreya's features. Her mom eyes glued on her as she glanced Sejal then back her Mom.

Shreya:(confused)Lekin, kaise? (worring)Seju.. (her voice choking)Sejal to coma mein hain Mom, to wapas laut kaise sakti?

S.M. looked at her daughter, a sad smile playing on her lips.

S.M : Haa beta sahi kaha tune lekin Shreya to laut sakti hain na?

Shreya :(her breath hitched)Mom kya matlabh?

S.M. took a deep breath, composing herself. She stood up infront of Shreya holding her palms into her with a tough-soft voice yet held a steely resolve.

S.M:(takes a sigh): Shreyu tum dono bhale hi judwa ho, lekin tu sejal ki badi bhen hain wo bhi pure 2 minute se(her voice stiff) isliye tujhe sejal ke doshi ko pakadna hoga.

Shreya stared at her mother, stunned. Thoughts running through her mind, Sejal - Shreya were twins yet were poll apart from eachother, their life, thier style, their concerns and talks everything were way too vary from eachother. 

Shreya:(confused)Mo..m.. main?

SM:(nodded, her grip on Shreya's palm tightening)Haa tujhe Sejal ki jagha leni hogi shreyu..(shaking her head)Tu janti hain maine hamesha teri chinta se zyada sejal ki chinta ki hain wo bhi isliye kyu ki tu samjhdar hain, tujhe choti khushiyo mein khush rehti hain aur tujhe nahi pata lekin tu bohut strong hain. Main Maa hu teri mujhe pata tere baremein lekin Sejal aisi nahi hain.  (she pleaded, running a trembling hand through Shreya's hair)Sejal coma mein hain isliye abh tujhe Sejal banke iss Vikram Rathore tak pahunchna hain. 

Shreya felt a wave of terror wash over her. This felt surreal, impossible for her. The words her mom spoke were digging deep inside her heart.

Shreya:(hesitating with fear)Mo..Mom aap janti ho main aur Sejal bilkul alag hain, main ye nahi kar sakti.. Main?? Ek sirf ek teacher hu wo bhi play school teacher hu aur (glance at her sister)Sejal ek CID officer hain, wo brave, strong, risk se bhari hain. Main soft hu, mujhe se kisi ka dhuk nahi dekha jaata.

S.M:(pulled shreya close, her voice thick with emotion)Tum uski bhen ho Shreya aur ye baat bhulo maat tumne bhi apni police training puri ki hain bas jo tumhare papa ke saath hua uske baad tumne apna sapna chod diya aur Sejal ne pura kiya(Her eyes pleaded with Shreya as she her hands tightly)Jab tak sejal theek nahi hoti tab tak tum uski jagha lo bas, uss Vikram ko dhundo phir Seju shambhal legi aur agar hume usse phele pata chal gaaya to tum iss jhut ko jaldi khatam kar sakti hu Betu.

Shreya looked at her mother, her heart heavy. She glanced back at Sejal, her strong, fearless sister, lying helpless and vulnerable. For years, Sejal had dedicated her life to catching criminals, driven by the need to find their father's murderer. And now, Shreya was the only one who could help her. 

S.M:(thinking glancing at Shreya)Mujhe tujhe khare mein nahi dalna par ek Police wali wife hu, puri zindagi difficult decision karte aayi hu. Isliye iss baar bhi mujhe tough hoke apni emotions ko hata ke tujhe ye karne kehna hoga Shreyu.

Shreya glanced back at her mother, a women who had scarified alot in her life for the sake the family, after losing her father Shreya was the pillar of support for her mom and now they can't lose her sister to the same fate for which they lost their father in the hands of injustice . The weight of her mother's plea, the desperate hope in her eyes, was impossible to ignore. Taking a shaky breath, Shreya made a decision. She would become Sejal, if that's what it took to bring her sister justice.

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CID OFFICE: 

After a week

The rhythmic click of the coffee machine punctuated the otherwise quiet morning at the CID office. The aroma of freshly brewed coffee, a comforting blend of bitter and sweet, mingled with the lingering smell of donuts, a testament to the team's early morning indulgence. It was a typical morning, except for one jarring anomaly that had everyone, including Senior inspector Abhijeet momentarily forgetting their Sandwiches and coffee.

In the center of room, stood awkwardly with a nervous wreck in Sejal's clothes, was Shreya.

The team, comprised of Abhijeet, the stern and stoic senior officer.. Pankaj, the perpetually confused and easily distracted one, stared at her with a mixture of amusement and concern, his brow furrowed in a comical display of bewilderment. Freddy, the rotund and perpetually hungry detective, sat quietly, his attention momentarily diverted from the donut box he clutched in his hands. Varun, the stoic and enigmatic member of the team, his face a mask of impassivity, watched her with a detached curiosity.

Their eyes were fixed on Shreya, who fought to suppress a smile in confusion. Sejal, the vibrant and spirited young, prefect woman who had become an integral part of the team in the past five years, was known for her infectious enthusiasm, he strict, arrogant and working alone in her own world. She was a breath of seriousness, fear and anger which sacred the criminals and team as well. She was a officer of her words and won many medals for her bravery, she was the youngest to reach greater heights. But today, Sejal was nowhere to be found, she replaced instead by this nervous girl with eyes that held a flicker of both fear and resilience and had a big smile on her face.

The team greeted ACP Pradyuman in unison as he walked in with Daya, their voices tinged with a hint of curiosity. ACP walked in center while Daya stood back at the entrance door tying message in his phone . Acp ever astute, noticed the tension in the room, Daya's gaze meet a silent meet with Abhijeet his colleague and best friend.

All : Good Morning sir..

Acp : (glanced at Everyone)Good Morning.. (turn to Shreya)Sejal kaha thi tum, is everything all right now?

Shreya, her lips caught between her teeth, was lost in her own chaotic thoughts. Her palms were clammy, her breath hitched in her throat. She felt like a deer caught in headlights, and the entire team seemed to be watching her with a mixture of amusement and concern. ACP his gaze darting between Shreya then Abhijeet, raising his eyes with curiosity noticed the budding situation.

Abhijeet, who was struggling to keep a straight face, shook his head while others watched him.

Abhi: (looking around)Kuch nahi sir bas aaj Sejal ne(bitting his lower lips and raising his eyes)hum sab ko aake subha subha wish kiya.

Daya, the tall, stern senior officer, known for his unwavering resolve and his aversion to all things frivolous, particularly women, had been a staunch opponent to Sejal's hiring. He had argued against her presence, voicing concerns about her ability to handle the demanding and often dangerous nature of their work. But Sejal, with her unwavering spirit and relentless determination, had quickly proven him wrong, proving her mettle and becoming a valuable asset to the team. Still, Daya had kept his distance, where as Abhijeet knowing his friend concern acted as a barrier between him and the rest of the team, especially Sejal.

Pankaj :(his voice filled with amusement)Haa Sejal hamesha apni duniya mein magan rehti hain.

Freddy:(chimed in with chuckling) Haa wo kabhi aise karti nahi hain isliye hum sab heran..(glance at sandwiches)Mere sandwich.

Daya shook his head moving forward while Shreya was gluing her breathe.  Daya, however feeling he will never be fooled by Sejal who he thought was always a attention gainer. 

Daya :(shaking his head)Case ki jagha tum sab bina matlab ki baatein pe discussion maat kiya karo.

His keen eyes fell upon Shreya, and something within him stirred. The sight of this young woman, so unlike the spirited Sejal he knew, sparked a strange curiosity within him. He had never paid attention to Sejal, her presence barely registering in his world. But there was something about Shreya, an undeniable spark in her aura, that stopped him in his tracks.

Sensing his gaze, Shreya raised her head, her eyes meeting his. And in that moment, the world seemed to pause. Time stood still as their eyes locked, and a silent conversation began to unfold. The coffee, the sandwiches, the entire office disappeared, leaving only them in their own little universe.

Daya's heart, usually as steady as a rock, suddenly started to beat a rapid tattoo against his ribs. The world around him dissolved, leaving only the image of Shreya before him. Her eyes, a captivating blend of innocence and defiance, captivated him. He felt a pull towards her, an inexplicable need to know more about this girl who had, for a brief moment, managed to penetrate his carefully constructed walls.

Shreya, meanwhile, was experiencing an equally strange phenomenon. The tall, strong figure of Daya, with his unwavering gaze, seemed to have an almost magnetic pull. Her breath hitched, and for a moment, she was lost in the depths of his eyes. He was a man of few words, his presence always marked by a quiet intensity, yet there was something about him, something in the way he looked at her, that sent a shiver down her spine.

And as they continued to stare at each other, a flicker of something new, something magical, sparked between them. The world may have been spinning around them, but for a brief moment, all that mattered was the intense connection that had ignited between two souls who had, until that very moment, been perfect strangers.

The rest of the team, watching the unfolding scene with wide-eyed astonishment, barely registered what was happening. They had all known Daya for years, seen him in action, witnessed his unwavering resolve. He was a man who had built his life around logic and reason, keeping emotions at bay. He was the only one who had voiced opposition to Sejal's hiring, citing concerns about her ability to handle the demands of the job. But now, the look on his face, the way he was staring at Shreya, was something they had never seen before. There was a tenderness in his eyes, a flicker of something that hinted at an unexpected vulnerability.

And as for Shreya, well, she was about to learn that life has a way of throwing some unexpected twists and turns, and sometimes, the most profound connections are born in the most unlikely of circumstances.

The connection of their eye lock broke with sound as they glanced at the voice and witness Freddy being the clumsiest broke the coffee cup.

Shreya: (Stuttering)Uh... Good Morning sir... Main Sh..(clench her fist, her eyes darting around the room, and then she smiled, a nervous, forced smile that didn't quite reach her eyes)Sejal..(nervously humming and singing)"Sejal, Sejal, naam mein hai jaadu, Har dil mein rakhti hu khushi ke laadu"

The team stared at her in disbelief. They had never heard Sejal sing, and this was not Sejal's usual cheerful, confident self. Shreya, realizing her mistake, rubbed her head in exasperation, scolding herself.

Shreya: Sejal hain tu, waise behave kar.(gathering her composure, she looked at the team, her eyes now flashing with defiance)Wo..(confidently and with clear crisp, confident voice)"Got you all!" (she declared, her voice rising, regaining its strength. Still feeling the suspicious eyes,she blabbered)Wo Main gujrati hu to lado ko Laadu kehti hu aur meri..meri niece use poem pasand hain (flips her hairs)Specially mere naam ke so ye poem thi..

Varun:(keenly glancing with his voice filled with curiosity)Tumne kabhi bataya nahi ki tum Gujrati ho..

Everyone glanced back her as she took a deep breathe while Abhijeet glancing at Daya unwaving eyes from shreya, smirked pichting in.

Abhi: Logo ko waqt lagta hain Varun, ghulne milne mein.(glance at shreya)Bhale wo 5 saal hi kyu na ho.. Right (mimicking her)"Sejal, Sejal, naam mein hai jaadu,..

Shreya:(smiling at his action and completing him)Har dil mein rakhti hu khushi ke laadu.

Abhi: (instantly shifting his voice to strict tone)Tum badal gaayi ho Sejal...

Shreya, controlling her emotions, met his gaze. She again clenched her fist and blow a breathe and smirked.

Sejal : (Flips her hair)Ye mera style hain agla case solve karne ke liye. (looking around)Now if you may, Let's get back to work. Ya yahi khade rehke case khatam karna hain?

Abhijeet the old Sejal in her tone with he shaking his head but ACP, still suspicious, raised an eyebrow narrowing his eyes at her.

Acp : Kuch to gadbad hain..

Shreya :(controlling her emotions yet again and staring at Acp)Gadbad to hogi sir agar humne case pe dhayan na diya to...(flipping her hair and crossing her arms she barked, her voice leaving no room for debate. She looked sharply at each member of the team, sending a silent message that she was in charge now)so lets gets back to work.. everyone.

Varun:(chuckled, a sense of relief washing over him)Abh lag raha hain Sejal wapas aagayi.

Shreya:(a genuine smile this time,but it quickly faded, replaced by a look of concern)I hope jaldi aaye..(she muttered, her voice a mere whisper but Abhijeet glanced at her, confused, but she quickly cleared her throat and crossed her arms, staring back at him, her eyes holding a hidden message)Please carry on with your work.

The ACP, still suspicious, directed the team to submit their case reports.

Abhijeet nodded, moving to his desk. He watched Shreya, his gaze lingering on her. She narrowed her eyes, staring at him, and he chuckled at her playful defiance. She then looked at Varun, Freddy, and Pankaj, who were taking their respective seats. She noticed two empty desks and one desk overflowing with files, assuming it to be her desk. She moved towards it, her steps hesitant, her eyes searching for a familiar landmark.

Daya, who had been silently observing her, followed her, his hand resting lightly on the desk as if to signal his presence. As Shreya turned to reach for a file, she collided with his chest, shutting her eyes instinctively. Daya watched her, a flicker of amusement passing across his face.

Abhijeet, resting his head in his hand, looked at them, his expression a mixture of curiosity and intrigue. The rest of the team, giggling and whispering amongst themselves, added to the atmosphere of intrigue and confusion.

Daya :(looking into her eyes, his voice a low rumble that seemed to reverberate through the room)Miss. Sejal tumhe koi file chaiye? {Shreya, her eyes slowly opening, met his gaze and shook her head}Phir tum mere desk pe kya kar rahi ho.

Daya raised an eyebrow, a hint of amusement in his eyes.Shreya bit her lip, her eyes darting around the room, panic rising in her chest. Her heart pounded against her ribs, a frantic drum solo of anxiety. She'd was here in replace of Sejal, a sharp-witted, fearless officer , The pressure was immense to hide her identity and her one wrong move can be proven dangerous for her and her sister.

Shreya: (thinking)Do minute mein pakadi jaaungi asie karungi to..nahi aise nahi ho skata.

Her gaze flicked towards Daya, the stoic head of the unit. He was a man of few words, his face a canvas of grim determination. Their eyes locked, and Shreya felt a sudden surge of defiance. She flung her head back, her long, dark hair cascading down her shoulders as if to shield her, and her lips curved into a smirk.

Shreya: So what?? Yaha aana mana hain kya? Huh.. (she retorted, her voice regaining its strength.)Now excuse me.

Daya, his eyes narrowed, watched her go, a flicker of something unreadable crossing his face.

Daya remove his hand from her side as she walks away shrugging her head while other watched her and Daya observing them silently. Meanwhile, in a corner of the bureau, Abhijeet was humming a tune.

Abhi :(singing) Ek sanskari ladki ne dil pe daala daka..(he sang, his voice a playful lilt)Hum brahmchari ladko ka jis'se bheeda taanka.. Phir aan padi duvidha ki ghadi.. Jab sundari ki teer najar uske padoshi se ladi ....

Freddy (leaned towards Abhijeet, his face alight with morbid curiosity): Phir kya hua phir

Daya :(Daya's gaze, sharp as a blade, sliced through the room, landing on them)Phir kaam tamam hua Freddy ka..

Daya's voice laced with a hint of sarcasm. Freddy's mouth fell open, his eyes wide with fear. He scurried behind his computer, hiding from Daya's laser-like gaze leaving Abhijeet giggling silently and secretly watched shreya with curiosity.

Shreya reached her desk, a sleek, immaculate surface that seemed to mock her own chaotic state of mind.

Shreya : Ye desk itna clean hain, waha sejal I am proud of you. Tu apna har kaam time pe finish karti hain.

Daya:(Folding his Arms snap a file on her desk from his place as she passed a sharp glare at him) Ye case mein missing diamond, a suspicious antique dealer, and a hidden secret society aur...

Shreya's eyes lit up, her anxieties momentarily forgotten, she excitedly exclaimed, a thrill running through her voice.

Shreya: (Interrupting) hidden secret society? Wow..mysteries (giggling)Mujhe mysteries bohut pasand hain.

The other officers stared at her, bewildered. Daya, noticing the shift in her demeanor, raised a skeptical eyebrow.

Shreya (her voice almost a whisper, but laced with a newfound confidence a mixture of shreya + sejal): Main handle karlungi.

Daya(scoffed, his expression laced with skepticism): Of course tum karlogi Miss.Sejal. you are evergreen risk taker.

Shreya(thinking) Risk taker??

Daya(continued, his voice a low rumble) : Iss case ko ache se padhlena aur iss case pe Freddy and Pankaj tumhara saath denge.

Shreya looked around, trying to figure out who was who. She glanced at Pankaj and Freddy, their eyes fixed on her with an expectation that she couldn't quite place. She scanned the information she had gathered online about Sejal's cases and met their expectant gazes.

Shreya:(smiles, looks at Daya)Sure, (glance back at Pankaj-Freddy)Please mujhe guide kijiyega.

Pankaj, his hand hovering over the desk, pulled back as if burned. Freddy's jaw dropped, his mouth forming an "O." Shreya, confused by their reactions, flipped her hair again, and looked at them.

Shreya : (Flipling her hair lock back)Alright, team. Hume iss case ko solve karna hain so lets have a quick meeting.

She picked up the file and started to walk, but her foot caught on the edge of her desk, and she stumbled. The other officers chuckled, their eyes filled with amusement. But Daya's expression remained impassive, his eyes narrowed in suspicion.

Shreya managed to catch herself, her cheeks flushed. She glared at Daya, her eyes flashing defiance, before flipping her hair again and walking confidently out of the bureau, followed by Pankaj and Freddy.

Pankaj: (shouting his voice a mixture of relief and bewilderment)Meeting room andar hain..

Freddy (laced with curiosity): Aaj sejal ko hua hain?

Abhijeet slowly walked beside and stood beside Daya, leaned in, his expression a mixture of amusement and concern and curiosity  kabitting his lower lip.

Abhi:Ye Sejal kya hogaya hain aaj?(Daya shakes his head in no clue, lost in his own confusion)Aaj tak har baar tum dono ladte aaye ho jab bhi tune usse cases pe Freddy - Pankaj ki team di thi par aaj wo khush hogayi?

Daya:(suspiciously shaking his head, his gaze locked on Shreya's retreating figure)Boss, kuch to karne wali hain ye ladki.. dekhlena tum.

Abhi:(Abhijeet patted Daya's shoulder, his eyes twinkling)Tumhe har baar hi aisa lagta hain, tum bhi na.. relax karo samjhe.. Aur baki baatein mujhpe chod do..

He smirked smiling while Daya felt a pang of explorer of lightings in his heart and stomach.  

The world was about to get a lot more interesting for them, and at the heart of it all, was a secret that was just starting to unravel.

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Shejal (Voiceover) Mujhe Dad ke katil ko dhundna hain har halet mein.. I will make sure I will do it on my terms.

Daya (Voiceover blushing)Mujhe kabhi nahi laga tha main Sejal jaisi ladki se milunga.(smiling)She's tough, smart, and... adorable.. lovely and i...i...

Shreya (Voiceover) : Mera yaha CID mein aane ka ek hi maksad hain mujhe uss criminal ko pakadna hain jisne Sejal ki ye halat ki hain par usse phele mujhe ek tough, smart CID officer bana padega taki yaha sabko mera jhut ka pata chale.

In the dim recesses of the shadows, a solitary figure stood silently observing. His piercing gaze was fixed upon the CID team, who were gathered around a table, sharing laughter and food. Amidst their camaraderie, one figure stood out—a young woman named Sejal(Shreya).

Her face radiated with joy as the team praised her, her vibrant smile illuminating the room. By her side, Daya beamed with pride, his cheeks flushed with a faint blush. The figure in the shadows watched intently, his eyes narrowed with a mixture of intrigue and longing.

Sejal's every move seemed to captivate him. He marveled at her infectious laughter, her gentle smile, and the way she interacted with her colleagues. As she leaned closer to Daya, her voice laced with a hint of flirtation, a surge of jealousy coursed through his veins.

The figure's hands clenched into fists as he witnessed the growing bond between Sejal and Daya. He knew that his own feelings for her were forbidden, yet he couldn't resist being drawn to her. The more he watched, the more his heart yearned for her presence.

With a heavy sigh, the figure turned away, disappearing into the darkness with heart of rock and determination for revenge on Sejal. 

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Hope you liked the teaser of "Kuch Khatti Kuch Meethi" A twin trouble story .

Stay tune to know how the story will unfold and drop in your views and comments and let me know if you all want me to continue this story.

Do let me know your thoughts 😌

Dareians rocks!