It's a fine day in the CID bureau. Be it any day, police officers, army officers and even the officers of the CID and CBI are never off-duty. They have to pursue their duty always - they can't back off. This is the story of Inspector Priyanka Dhanraj.

Today's her birthday, but she can't have a day off. Right now, she's finished updating the CID database with the recent case that they've solved. Priyanka is early today, as she went to the temple and came straight to the bureau. Her best friend is still missing, seems like she's late.

Priyanka is pondering over her own thoughts, there's only Daya and Abhijeet in the bureau and they certainly don't remember her birthday. And her best friend isn't here to give her a tight birthday hug. As she thinks this, someone hugs her, and shouts in her ears.

"Happy Birthday, Prii!" It's no one but her best friend, Ruhana Mehra.

Ruhana is also her fellow cop and she's very strict and particular when she works. All her focus is on the case they're working on. Right now, Ruhana is hugging Priyanka, and the latter reciprocates her wish. A smile appears on Priyanka's face. She also finds Vineet who wishes her for her big day and so do the other officers.

The seniors bless her while the younger ones tease her for getting a year older. But her reply leaves them astonished.

"Sir, why it is a year old always? It can be a year wiser and experienced!" Priyanka says with a smile.

"Bilkul, that's right, Priyanka! I really like your positive attitude!" Abhijeet smiles at her.

"Aapse hi toh seekha hain! Infact, I'm lucky ki main yahan hoon - of course, aap log meri second family ho." Priyanka says, she's emotional at the moment.

"Hum toh hamesha hain! Waise party ka kya plan hain?" Vineet asks teasingly.

"Party toh tum de rahe ho na, Vineet! Arey mere birthday ki party tum nahi doge toh kaun dega?" Priyanka asks him, gazing naughtily.

"Arey, main kyun party doon? Tum do! Ya apni saheli se kaho!" He says glancing at Ruhana.

"Wo kyun? Tum do! Bhai ho na mere! Jeb khaali karo!" Priyanka chuckles making others laugh.

"Baat toh sahi hain, Vineet! Kuch toh karna chahiye tumhe! Aise hi bol dene se kuch nahi hota." Abhijeet says a smile is playing on his lips.

"Han bilkul! Chalo, ab kuch karo tum! Nahi toh aaj ghar mein no entry!" Ruhana whispers in his ears, but it is loud enough for Priyanka to hear, who chuckles.

"Oops! Dekhlo! Agar garden mein machcharon ke sath nahi sona, toh kuch karlo! Tumhare dost ko toh waise bhi kuch yaad nahi hain." Priyanka makes a face at Vineet.

"Tum dono mujhe kyun satate ho?" Vineet makes sad face at both Priyanka and Ruhana and the girls giggle.

"Because we love you!" They say in unison, of course not loud enough.

"Bhai Vineet! Maan lo na! Nai toh dono ladkiyan tumhare peeche pad jayengi. Aur tum kuch nahi kar paoge!" Daya says, making a face as if he's experienced it.

"Haha! Daya sir ko pata hain ki hum kya karenge! Toh tum soch lo!" Ruhana rolls her eyes at Vineet.

"Sorry deviyon! Maaf karo! Main kuch karta hoon!" He joins his hands before the birthday girl and her best friend.

Priyanka and Ruhana giggle and so does others in the bureau. It's a normal thing -they talk, tease, argue and do everything that happens in the family. That's why they are bonded in one family. Priyanka has no reason to be sad, because she's away from her own family, but she's in another family where people love her for what she is.

Priyanka watches as Ruhana and Vineet have a banter while the others are casually talking. Meanwhile, the phone in the bureau rings and breaks her trance. She's quick enough to pick the call and answer. Her expressions dampen a little-it's a new case! And a long day has begun.

Informing the duo, that is, Abhijeet and Daya about the case- Priyanka sighs. It's the case of a missing child -and maybe a murder. The members divide into two teams and off they go to solve the case, after all, their duty comes first, and their own lives, after that.

*****
The day passes in a blur when the teams return to the bureau, of course, with the criminals. It took them one whole day to solve the case and catch the criminals. It's almost 8 PM when everyone assemble in the bureau and finish the paperwork related to the case.

Priyanka is helping Ruhana and she sighs deeply. He has not turned up yet. Yes, she's talking about senior inspector of the CID, Dushyant. He's been away on a mission but he should be back by now. But why is she waiting for Dushyant?

Oh! They are colleagues and friends too. And it's natural if one friend worries about the other. As for Priyanka, she feels differently about him. She's more than friends with Dushyant. She has certain feelings for the man and he too reciprocates the same in his gestures - - - as per Priyanka.

Dushyant is very caring for everyone- and for Priyanka as well. She's important to him and he has shown gestures to her and Priyanka feels that he has special feelings for her, just like she is holding in her heart.

The day ends on a happy note and Vineet offers to drop Priyanka to her home at which Priyanka makes a face.

"Bas ghar pe drop karoge? Tum toh party dene wale they na!" Priyanka rolls her eyes at Vineet.

"Arey chalo naa! Sab pata chal jayega." Vineet holds her hand and they walk out of the bureau.

Vineet holds Priyanka and Ruhana's hands in either hand and they leave the CID Bureau. Ruhana and Priyanka are laughing occasionally as the former is teasing her.

Ruhana knows that Priyanka is sad because Dushyant is not there amongst them. After all, they are one big family. She sidehugs her Best friend and whispers in her ears.

"Gear up for a surprise!!" Ruhana whispers in Priyanka's ears.

"Huh! Really?" Priyanka looks shocked and she glances at Ruhana who's smiling naughtily.

"Oh yeah! Tumhare bhai ne kuch toh plan kia hoga naa! Kyun Vineet?" Ruhana asks Vineet.

"Han han! Ab chalo, Pri, tumhara ghar aa gaya." he says which breaks the girls' trance.

"Come on in. I can treat you to coffee." Priyanka says.

Vineet and Ruhana oblige her while she unlocks the main door. But she is surprised to find the house pitch dark. Well, she locked it, but she feels something suspicious as she's got one electric light which automatically switches on at 7PM. Maybe she forgot to set the timer in the morning. Chiding herself, Priyanka switches on the light and she's left happily surprised.

Dushyant is standing a few feet away from her. Priyanka is astonished at the moment while he takes baby steps towards her.

"Happy Birthday, Priyanka!" he says softly.

"Tum! When did you come back? Aur mujhe kyun nahi bataya?" She asks him.

"Bata deta toh surprise kaise deta?" Dushyant smiles at her.

"Mujhe laga ki tum bhool gaye!" priyanka makes a sad face causing him to laugh.

"Tumhara birthday main kaise bhul sakta hoon? Come on, I have some surprises for you. " Dushyant says as he holds her hands and she just looks at him.

Priyanka is in awe of the man in front of her. She didn't know that he can plan surprises. Something strikes her mind..

" Tumhe mere ghar ki chabi kisne di?" She asks and rolls her eyes and Dushyant and RuVi as well.

"Maine di. Bhul gayi tune hi mujhe di thi duplicate keys aur mere ghar ki chabi tere pas hai. " Ruhana reminds Priyanka that they exchanged keys of their homes with each other.

"Aur tune...." Priyanka says but Dushyant keeps his finger on her lips.

"Count your blessings, Pri! And you know I am always there," he says while she looks at her.

Dushyant is not the kind to use short names but he took her short name for the first time. And this nickname was given to her by Ruhana. A smile makes way on her lips.

Dushyant holds Priyanka's hand and leads her way. She's clueless about his behaviour but she follows him with Vineet and Ruhana following behind her.

The girl is astonished to see a double storied cake placed at the center of the dining table. She looks at her friends who smile and wish her in unison.

"Happy Birthday!" Dushyant wishes her with a bouquet of red and yellow roses.

Ruhana and Vineet move into the kitchen to arrange the dinner. Priyanka is clueless of the happenings when Dushyant holds her hands in his. She is surprised by his gesture and in the meantime, he places a small gift wrap in her hands. He signals her to open it and upon opening she finds numerous frames - - Priyanka's pictures with her family, her pictures with the CID family and ofcourse, Dushyant himself. The girl is beyond touched. She adores the pictures while he adores her.

He's always loved to see her smile. Okay, he hasn't expressed himself, rather, he doesn't do but this girl has a special place in his life and his heart as well. He knows that this pretty girl adores him but never fails to respect him or do anything out of her ethics.

"This is beautiful! Thank you " Priyanka praises his efforts and thank him.

"Welcome! Of course, you deserve it. " Dushyant says with a smile.

"I'm glad you remembered. Mujhe laga tum bhul gaye. " Priyanka says in her innocent tone.

"Kaise bhool jata? Special logon ke special days yaad rakhne padte hain , Pri!" He says softly.

"So, you mean main special hoon?" she asks rolling her eyes at him.

"Yes!" Dushyant replies, hovering his eyes around them.

"Ah! Good to hear that Mr Senior Inspector! Mujhe toh laga tha tumhe bas cases yaad rehte hai!" Priyanka replies teasingly..

"And in case main kuch bhul jaun toh tum yaad dila dena!" Dushyant says casually.

"Haha! Tum meri kab sunte ho? Tum toh apne best friend ki bhi baat nahi sunte." she giggles.

"I'll listen to you, I promise!" Priyanka laughs and turns around only to find Dushyant sitting on his knees.

She's in awe when he begins to say something leaving her touched.

"It's been a while, Pri. I mean mujhe samajh nahi aa raha tha ki main ye kaise kahun tumse, but it's high time to say that." Dushyant says.

"What are you saying Dushyant?" Priyanka looks at him.

"Wahi jo shayad tum bhi samajhti ho lekin main hi samajh nahi paya. And I'm sorry about that. " he says and pauses again.

Priyanka is baffled, she doesn't know how to react. He is taking her feelings in consideration. But wait, as a friend? Well, yes. She doesn't want to lose his friendship- he, his smile and his friendship- all of it is precious to her. He is precious to her- maybe more than her life.

"Dushyant, dekho seedha bolo na! Mujhe tedhi baatein samajh nahi aati." Priyanka says, eager to know his feelings.

"Main bas yahi kehna chahta hoon ki main hamesha tumhare sath hoon. Bahut derr se realise hua mujhe. But you really are special to me. And..." he pauses in between.

"and?" she looks at him.

"And I realised what you mean to me. I know you adore me and you follow me lekin jo main tumhaare liye feel karta tha, usey hamesha mann se aur dimag se nikaalta raha. Lekin kehte hai na kch rishte waqt ke sath mazboot ho jate hai! Waise hi hua hamare sath. I realised where my happiness is! " He says.

As Priyanka watches him, he takes out a small box from his pocket. She's mesmerized when she finds a platinum ring in his hand. He looks at her, boring his eyes in hers.

"I know I took a lot of time, but really, I am stupid to realise it late. Itna waqt sochne mein na lagata toh aaj kuch aur baat hoti. Par ye bhi sach hi hai - - I Love You, Pri!" he says surprising her.

Priyanka is touched. She doesn't know how to react. Maybe the time when they stood apart made him realise it. She is touched.

" really? "she asks,wanting to confirm.

He nods his head affirmatively. She laughs and then hugs him reciprocating her feelings for him. They share a hug, now they don't want to let each other go away.

Meanwhile, Vineet and Ruhana blow some whistles on them.

"This is the best gift ever. Thanks!" Priyanka says holding Dushyant's hands in hers.

He pulls her in his warm embrace for another time. Later the four of them enjoy dinner, after all, they are one small family.

Life is surely beautiful for them - - A new beginning.

***THE END***

PREETX HAPPY BIRTHDAY, LOVE. ❤️❤️I AM SUPER LATE. BUT HERE IT IS. I HOPE YOU LIKE IT. LOVE YAA😍😘😘😘😘MAY ALL YOUR WISHES FULFILL THIS YEAR ❤️❤️ENJOI! 😍😍😍😍