June 7 2022

~~~~~~~~~~~~~Flashback~~~~~~~~~~~~

It was the afternoon as Charlie was seen in his room, looking at the window as he stared at the streets of Delhi, The school bus drove through the busy road as Singh looked at it, frowning a little.

He finished high school a few months ago, He always wanted to go to university and study criminology. But, His parents didn't want him to accomplish that dream, They didn't believe higher education was necessary. His father wanted him to join the family business or start a construction business, insisting that "books don't feed families" As much as Charlie tried to fight for it, He was forced to obey.

He loved his family so much, But. . . Sometimes he was unhappy with how they decide what to do with his life. Upsetting him sometimes.

That's when he heard someone knocking on the door, He turned around and said "Come In" and Nandini walked in with a smile on her face.

Nandini: Chandramohan! Meri pasandeeda shakhs (Your favourite person is calling you)

Charlie: *Raises an eyebrow* Meri pasandeeda shakhs? (My favourite person?)

Nandini: *Chuckles* Aray bhai, tum jaante ho main kiski baat kar rahi hoon. Hamari agle darwazay wali padosan. (Oh brother, You know who I'm talking about. Our next door neighbour)

Charlie: *Eyes lit up* Anne?

Nandini: *Laughs* Haan, jao aur us se mil lo. (Yes, Go and check up on her)

He immediately ran out of the room as Nandini crossed her arms, smiling. She's been noticing how happy and excited he gets when it comes to his neighbour since they were good friends when they first met at the gathering.

He quickly walked to the front door and saw Anne who had a huge smile on her face while holding a tray of cookies in her hand.

Anne: *Smiles* Hi Charlie.

Charlie: *Smiles* Anne, Hello.

Anne: *Blushes a little* I accidentally made enough cookies to feed the entire neighbourhood. Thought I'd share before Nandini steals them all.

Charlie laughed and looked at the tray, The freshly baked cookies smell hitting his nose, He already wanted to try it.

Charlie: You baked these? You didn't have to-

Anne: Of course I did. You always help us with those heavy boxes, remember? Consider it a thank you.

Charlie: Then I should carry more boxes if it means getting cookies like these.

Anne giggled softly, her eyes sparkled as she handed him the tray. Their fingers touched, just for a second, But it was enough to make Charlie's heart skip a beat. His face softened for a moment and looked at the cookies again before taking a bite as Anne looked at him, waiting for his reaction.

Charlie: Wow, They're amazing

Anne: *Blushes and smiles* Really? Is it sweet enough?

Charlie: *Chuckles* It is, Not as sweet as you though.

Anne's heart skipped a beat as she laughed a little while Charlie blushed a little, realising what he said as he chuckled to himself.

Charlie: Ummm, My friend Aman is right, I'm terrible at compliments-

Anne: *Smiles* No, no. It's fine. . . Thank you so much.

Both of them looked at each other and felt their hearts racing, Charlie took another cookie as Anne had a smile on her face, knowing he really loved the cookies.

Anne: You always say the sweetest things, Charlie.

Charlie: Only when it's true.

She blushed and looked away for a moment before shaking her head while Charlie had a smile on his face.

Anne: Okay, I should go now. Please let me know if Mr and Mrs Singh likes them.

Charlie: Of course, Uhh. Bye Anne.

Anne: Bye and take care.

She was about to walk away as Charlie stood there, looking at her and wanted to say something but he hesitated for a moment before clearing his throat.

Charlie: Whenever you have time. . . Can we go out?

Anne turned around, surprised by his request as his eyes lit up by her reaction and felt awkward and worried at first. Anne stared at him with surprise before smiling.

Anne: Of course, whenever you're free, Let me know. I'd love to hang out with you.

Charlie: *Smiles* Great, See you later, Anne.

She giggled and walked away as Charlie felt his heart racing, He didn't realise that he started eating another cookie. That's when he shut the door and smiled to himself, thinking about Anne while making his way to the kitchen.

Meanwhile Nandini and her mother were in the living room and heard Charlie whistling to himself while placing the tray in the kitchen, That's when the mother was curious and looked at her daughter.

Mother: Aman aaya tha kya? (Did Aman come over?)

Nandini: Nahi, woh Anne thi. Usne kuch cookies di Charlie ko (No, it was Anne. She gave some cookies to Charlie)

Mother: *Smiles* Anne, hmm? Usse toh sirf Charlie se baat karna pasand hai (Anne, huh? She only likes talking to Charlie)

Nandini: Hans kar Main bhi notice kar rahi hoon. . . . aur Charlie bhi khush hota (I've been noticing too... and Charlie's happy)

Mother: Halka sa mazaak karte hue Toh phir shayad humein shaadi ki tayari karni chahiye (Then maybe we should start preparing for a wedding)

Nandini: *Laughs* Arrey maa! Abhi toh dost hain bas (Oh mom! They're just friends for now.)

Mother: Hans kar Har pyaar dosti se hi toh shuru hota hai, Nandini (Every love starts with friendship, Nandini.)

Nandini: Don't let Dad hear this!

The mother laughed at her reaction while Nandini was laughing as well, Charlie heard his mother and sister's laughter and wondered what they were talking about before he walked back to his room while thinking about his neighbour.

~~~~~~~~~~~Flashback End~~~~~~~~~~

Charlie was seen at the police station while Ambrose was talking on the phone, discussing the recent robbery case. Singh was fidgeting with a pen, constantly clicking on it, He was lost in his thoughts as always. When Alex hung up the call, Singh finally looked at him, tilting his head.

Alex: Another night, another robbery. Third one this week. These guys are getting bolder.

Charlie: Bolder or dumber? Robbing the same type of stores in the same area? That's either confidence or no brain cells.

Alex: *Chuckles* If you were a robber, You think you can do better, Commissioner?

Charlie: *Smiles* I already am doing better. Haven't robbed a place all week.

Alex: *Chuckles* Funny. You should try stand-up if you get bored of the police thing.

Charlie: Nah, I'd miss your angry rants too much.

He rolled his eyes as both of them chuckled.

Alex: We've got the same M.O. Masked group, quick entry, in and out within three minutes. Security cameras caught nothing useful again.

Charlie: Hmm. Either they're pros or they're local boys who know the back alleys better than we do.

Alex: So, what's the plan, boss?

Charlie: *Smiles* The plan is, You buy me a coffee, I stare at these new photos till I magically figure something out, and we both pretend we're geniuses when it works.

He joked, holding his laughter as Alex stared at him with disappointment before laughing a little.

Alex: You're lucky you're the boss, Charlie. Otherwise, I'd file a complaint about your work ethic.

Charlie: Oh, Alex. My charm's the only thing keeping this department from falling apart

Both of them shared a laugh together, Alex said he was gonna head out to buy coffee for both of them as Charlie smiled and said "Bye" to him, He left the office as Charlie took a deep breath, A lot goes through his mind but yet he tries to mask it with his jokes. He joked with Alex because he wanted to distract himself.

But Charlie was starting to accept it, Deep down.

That Anne doesn't want him back in his life.

And will no longer see the kids.

Maybe this was fate, To make him relieve the guilt and regret of leaving her. . . Life just wanted to remind what he lost.

Charlie leaned back from his chair and swallowed as Singh hummed his favourite song to himself, trying to distract from the same thoughts.

That's when one of the officers knocked on the door as Charlie turned around.

Officer: Commissioner, Someone wants to see you.

Charlie: Sure, Let them in.

The officer walked away as Singh waited for the person and leaned forward, That's when he heard giggling which confused him at first until he saw who they were.

His eyes widened and felt his heart skip a beat, Anya and Maya. He wasn't expecting to see them again. . . And there were so many questions running through his mind.

Anya: *Smiles* Hi commissioner, I hope we're not bothering you.

Maya: *Smiles* We brought some gifts for you!!!

Charlie looked at them, too stunned to speak. He noticed the gifts they were holding, Maya was holding a bouquet while Anya was holding a box, Both of them walked towards him and gave the gifts to him.

Charlie: Oh uhh. . . Thank you? I wasn't expecting this.

Maya: *Giggles* It was Anya's idea. We were discussing it last night.

Charlie: But. . . Why?

Anya: *Smiles* Just thought you're been working a lot. . . I can't forget about you.

Maya: Me too.

Charlie blinked, completely taken back by what they said, His heart was pounding, but he tried not to show it. He looked between the two girls, Maya's bright grin and Anya's small appreciative smile.

Charlie: You two really didn't have to. But i'm not gonna lie. . . This might be the best surprise I've had in a long time.

Anya: *Giggles* We're glad. Could you open the box?

He looked at the box as Anya smiled but looked a little nervous while Maya placed a hand on her shoulder, smiling as well. Charlie opened the box and saw what it was. . .

Freshly baked cookies. His eyes lit up as the air started to smell like the cookies, He looked at Anya who was nervous but continued smiling as Charlie had a smile on his face.

Charlie: Cookies? Did you make them?

Anya: Yes.

( Just like your mother. . .)

He continued staring at her with a huge smile on his face, thinking about Anne for a moment before he grabbed a cookie and took a bite, It was delicious. . . And he started having memories when Anne baked cookies for the first time.

Charlie: It's delicious, Anya.

Anya: *Sighs in relief* Oh thank god, I was so nervous.

Maya: *Chuckles* She told me to stay away cause she knows I'll burn a batch.

Charlie chuckled and looked at the bouquet before looking back at the cookies, It melted his heart when he thinks about it.

Charlie: Seriously. . . Thank you so much for this.

Maya: It's no problem, Commissioner. We're happy to make your day.

Charlie: *Smiles* You both have a good heart.

His face softened for a moment as the girls continued smiling at him.

Charlie: Does your mother know you're here?

Anya: Uhh no, We just planned it out.

Charlie's eyes lit up and frowned for a moment.

Charlie: You should have told her.

Maya; She wouldn't. . . Mind. We done this a few times with friends.

Charlie: Friends are different, Darling. . .

Anya: Why?

Charlie: Friends are the people you can trust your mother to know about. If something happens, at least she'd know where you were.

They both looked at each other before Maya spoke.

Maya: You sound just like her.

Charlie: *Smirks a little* Maybe she's right, then.

Anya: *Giggles* You sound like a dad, Commissioner.

He smiled when she said that and shook his head.

Charlie: Guess that's what happens when you spend too long trying to keep everyone safe.

They chuckled and looked at each other as Charlie took another bite of the cookie while listening to them.

Maya: We'll let her know when we go back.

Anya: Right, Till then, Take care of yourself, Commissoner!

Charlie: Take care. . . And stay safe okay? Tell your mother to take care.

They smiled and nodded before leaving the office as Charlie was looking at them and felt his heart beating fast before looking at the gifts.

( It's either life reminding me what I lost or. . .

(Forgiving me for walking away.)

A/N: Thank you so much for reading and stay strong!!! :)