Ruhana joins the CID Mumbai office along with her brother, Abhijeet. She is glad to be back home —to her elder brother, who is her only family. She gets along well with everyone in the bureau, especially Dr Tarika. Coincidently, it’s the lady doctor’s birthday too and as soon as Ruhana learns it, she announces that all of them are going to party and the host would be her beloved elder brother. Though Tarika protests, but Abhijeet shushes her and requests her to let him throw a party.

“Dr. Tarika, aap itni formality mat kariye na. Bhaiya kehte hain yahan sab family ki tarah rehte hain toh family members toh ek dusre ke liye party host karte hi hain.” Ruhana says softly holding the lady’s hand.

“Baat toh tum thik keh rahi ho, Ruhana, lekin….” Tarika says but Ruhana cuts her.

“No lekin vekin! Aapko maanna padega. Nahi toh fir Salunkhe Sir samjhayenge aapko.” Ruhana says gazing at Tarika.

“Tarika bache, wo itne pyar se keh rahi hain, maan jao! Waise bhi aisa bahut kam hota hain jab Abhijeet party de, hain! Toh usko karne do!” The oldie doctor jokes at which Tarika couldn’t help but smile.

“Kya sir, aap bhi na bas….Abhijeet ke peeche pad jaate ho!” Dr Tarika smiles.

“Main nahi wo mere peeche aata hain.” Dr Salunkhe says and the others giggle.

The cops are having an excellent fun time on a Monday; meanwhile the landline of the bureau rings. Abhijeet informs his team that a woman’s dead body is found on the Mumbai-Pune highway. They divide into teams for solving the case. Abhijeet asks Ruhana to be with him and she becomes happy. After all, being with her brother, she feels safe and she’ll be able to understand things more nicely.

The team led by Abhijeet and Daya leave for the Mumbai-Pune highway. Dr Salunkhe and Tarika also move to the forensic lab. Abhijeet assures Tarika that they’ll meet in the evening for the birthday dinner. Tarika couldn’t help but flash a sweet smile to her beloved senior inspector.

A big day has begun and as quirky and fast as the CID team is, they solve the case by the evening. They had to travel a lot to Pune and then back to Mumbai. They found that the lady belonged to Mumbai. She had gone for a meeting in Pune and on the way back home, she was murdered. Well, it seemed like an accident, but it was a planned murder. Luckily, the CID team found all the clues and arrested the murderer, who happened to be the victim’s family member.

*****

It’s 8 PM in the evening, and everyone is in the bureau, finishing up the paper work. Ruhana is filling up some data on the computer, as directed by her brother. Shreya and Purvi are also around her desk and they look at her.

“So, Ruhana, how was your first day?” Purvi asks.

“It’s not my first day in CID, Purvi. But yes,  I had mixed emotions today. Bhai ke sath kaam karna is another level. Of course, I think I am good, but he’s the best. Toh meri wajah se unhe koi problem nahi honi chahiye. Bas isi wajah se thodi nervous thi main.” Ruhana says honestly.

“Nervous hone ki toh koi baat hi nahi hai, Ruhana. Tum Abhijeet Sir ki behen ho toh extraordinary hi ho. I am sure, tumhari wajah se unko koi problem nahi hogi.” Shreya beams at the girl.

“I wish the same, Shreya! Lekin …..” Ruhana says but cuts, as ACP Pradyuman intervenes in the conversation.

“I am impressed, Ruhana. Tumne waise hi kaam kiya jaise mujhe apeksha thi tumse. You worked diligently. Aaj toh tumhara pehla din tha, aur mujhe vishwas hain, Abhijeet ka sar toh garva se ooncha hi hoga, bas tumhe apna kaam imaandaari se karna hoga.” The oldest member of the team appreciates Ruhana and she is happy.

What more could she ask for? While returning to bureau, she finds Abhijeet’s eyes shining with pride. He has silently conveyed that he is proud of her. ACP Sir has also praised her. Her heart feels full. She thanks ACP who pats her head. The officers finish their work, and ACP Pradyuman leaves the bureau leaving his officers to party on their own.

Everyone seems happy and soonish, they leave the bureau and reach their usual escape spot — Hotel Max Palace. They usually come to this hotel but that happens once in a blue moon. Well, this is because of their busy schedule.

*****

Hotel Max Palace

Abhijeet and Ruhana are the first ones to reach the hotel. The others are on their way to the hotel as they decided to meet after changing their attire. Abhijeet has already reserved a table and Ruhana is famished.

“Wow! This is beautiful, Bhaiya. Aap log hamesha yahin aate ho?” Ruhana asks.

“Kabhi kabhi, bache! But yes, kuch restaurants hain jo hamare favourites list mein hain. “ Abhijeet says.

“Acha hain! Ab toh main sab jagah aapke sath hi jaungi.” Ruhana chuckles loudly.

“Han han, aur jeb khali karvaogi meri.” Abhieet jokes.

“Oh yes! Woh toh mera haq hain. Aur aapko yaad hain aaj Dr Tarika ne kya kaha tha? Wo keh rahi thi ki main aapka kharcha karvaun. Ab aap itne saal se akele they, ab aap mere nakhre uthaaoge.” Ruhana giggles.

“Ruhana thik hi keh rahi thi, Boss! Behen ki baat toh maanni chahiye.” It’s Daya who stands beside her and taps her head.

“Han, aapke best friend bhi ab meri team mein hain. Haha! Ab toh aapko manna padega.” Ruhana says softly and shares a high-five with Daya.

“Han han! Tum ab yahi karogi. Bhai ko pareshan.” ABhijeet makes a grumpy face.

“Han wo bhi tab jab aap meri baat nahi maanoge. Acha aapne order kia?” Ruhana asks reminding him about something.

Abhijeet nods and meanwhile the waiter places a large dish on the table. Ruhana chuckles, it’s a pineapple cake. Daya is surprised.

“Arey wah, cake ka idea kiska tha?” Daya rolls her eyes at the brother-sister duo.

“Ofcourse mera. Aapke dost is not so sensible!” Ruhana chuckles.

Meanwhile, everyone joins them and Tarika is surprised to see the cake as well. Ruhana hugs her tightly.

“Happy Birthday. This is a gift from us.” Ruhana wishes her.

“Oh my god! Is sab ki kya zaroorat thi, Ruhana. Tum log ne mere birthday pe dinner treat karne ka socha, mujhe wish kia, wahi kafi hain, mere liye. “ Tarika says affectionately.

“Yeah yeah, you’re just like my brother. Inko bhi kuch nahi chahiye hota. Mujhse bhi gift nahi lete yeh toh. Tabhi…tabhi you knoelw, aap dono ache dost ho.” Ruhana says, others smile while Tarika is astonished.

“Lekin mera mann tha isliye maine bhaiya se kaha ki aaj hum cake laayein. Chaliye, cut kijiye.” Ruhana says while holding Tarika’s hands.

“Acha okay! I am grateful. You’re so sweet! And this is sure, the best birthday ever.” Tarika says emotionally.

“Yay! And this is the first party for me ever. Hamesha sochti thi ki main kab aap sabse mil paungi, but then here I am!” Ruhana chuckles.

Tarika cuts the cake, and everyone relishes the food and has a gala time. Tarika looks happy, and so does Abhijeet.

They share a glance which is not hidden from Daya. He smiles to himself. He knows that they are bound to come together. And he knows that Ruhana is pulling them closer. It’s only one day and she’s doing things that are bringing Tarika and Abhijeet closer.

Soonish, they finish the dinner and everyone tends to leave. Abhijeet offers to drop Tarika home and she agrees. She can’t deny them further. Abhijeet and his sister have done a lot for her today. The latter has been cheerful and welcoming and due to her, she has seen a new avatar of Abhijeet. She’s also touched at the moment.

The trio drive to Tarika’s home. On the way, Tarika says something to the brother-sister duo which leaves them touched.

To Be Continued.

What did Tarika say to Abhijeet and Ruhana??

Stay tuned.