Ritu Pov

Achuuu!

I sneezed for the eleventh time in fifteen minutes. Damn this cold!

I went to the kitchen to make hot chocolate for myself. If you all are wondering where is everyone then Kiran has gone to Paris to attend a meeting tagged with his lover girl. Kavya is busy with her NGO work along with modelling. Yes, she always wanted to be a model and now she's giving it a try. I wish her all the luck.

Pranav is with aunt and uncle, I mean Shweta's mom and dad. Since her mom is a house wife, she volunteered to take care of him. He is growing into a cute but strong boy. I'm so happy for them. Priya has gone to a camp organized by her college.

Shweta has gone to attend a campaign to treat the soldiers in Kashmir where Harish is. Priya told this to all of our friends the other day and we hope they get things cleared. Today is Shweta's birthday. I called her in the morning and wished her. I couldn't ask her anything about Harish since she was rushing for her work. She said that she woke up late but she is a morning person. I wonder what made her sleep so late?

Coming to me, I live alone in a flat which my company has provided me. My dad expired when I was just 12. Since then, all I have is my mom. I lived with her in my childhood and now she's staying in our native house. I call her everyday and wish to be with her all the time. Atleast she can come here but she doesn't want to leave the house in which dad and mom lived happily. I can't disrespect her emotions and sentiments, so I let her stay there.

She is like a best friend to me. I share anything and everything with her. She always has my back in everything. She advices me at the right time. I didn't tell her that I got this cold since a week or else she'll ask me to go there or she'll come here. I can't go cause I have some work here and she can't travel alone. I'm all alone now and I feel very lonely. I wish someone was here beside me. But it's my fault that I didn't tell anyone that I'm sick since a week. All my friends keep calling me every now and then but I made sure they don't get any doubt. I don't want them worried or disturbed from their work.

I sipped the last sip of my hot chocolate and came back to my bed only to lay down, covering myself with blanket. I drifted off to deep sleep.

I jerked up to hear my phone ringing on the night stand. I stretched myself and reached to it. It's an unknown number. I attended the call though.

"Hello" someone spoke.

"Yea"

"Ms. Ritu?" He asked.

"Speaking, who are you?" I replied in a weak voice.

"Hey, I'm Aditya, Shweta's friend. Do you remember me?" He asked and yes, I remember him. He helped us with Yash getting arrested.

"Yea, hi. How are you?" I asked him with a weak smile.

"I'm good but what happen to your voice? You are sounding so low!" He asked me.

"Nothing much, just cold" I replied, resting my head on the bed post, wrapping the covers over my chilled legs.

"Oh, please take care" he said and I smiled.

"Sure. So tell me, is it something important that you called me?" I asked him.

"Umm, actually yea. It's something related to Yash but since you are sick, I don't want you to get stressed" he said and I smiled inwardly at his care.

"Nothing like that, I'm fine. Tell me" I replied.

"Well, I called Shweta but she's in Kashmir I guess, so I asked her for your number. I'm sorry if I disturbed you. Please take rest, I'll call up Priya" he said and I sat upright on my bed.

"Relax will you? It's just common cold. And you are not disturbing me. Come to the point Mr. ACP" I chuckled.

"Ok miss hothead. Can we meet up somewhere? It can't be explained on phone" he said.

"When? And where?" I asked him.

"Seriously? You are sick for god's sake and you are willing to travel with your cold?" He sounded a bit angry. What's with him?

"I'm repeating it for the third time I'm fine. I can come. Just tell me the place" I said.

"You are coming no where. I'll come to your place" he sounded angry yet.

"Let's talk there, umm, if it's ok for you!" This time he was calm.

"No problem, I'll just message you my address right away"

"So see you?"

"Yea, bye" I hung up the phone and messaged him my address.

I looked at the clock to see I slept for 4 hours straight. Oh god!

I quickly pulled myself to the washroom and splashed cold water in my face. I changed my dress into a decent one since I was wearing a shorts. I changed into a light blue jeans and pulled my hair into a high pony tail.

I went to the living room, glancing through my phone when the door bell rang.

I opened it to see the ACP of Chennai city standing with a cover and a file in his hand.

I smiled.

"Welcome" I moved in, letting him follow me. He closed the door behind and we sat down on the sofa.

"So how are you?" He asked and concern was clearly visible on his eyes. Maybe he found my face to be extra pale.

"I'm good." He handed me the cover and I opened it to find some fruits. He's so kind! I smiled at him.

"So would you like to have something, a coffee maybe?" I asked him.

"Ok" he answered and I got up from the sofa to walk to the kitchen when he held my wrist. I looked at him.

"Are you alone?" I raised my eyebrows, not understanding him.

"Are you staying alone in this house?" He asked and I nodded my head.

"You mean, there is no one to take care of you?"

"Yea" I answered awkwardly.

"Sit, I'll make coffee for us" he pushed be back so I landed on the sofa.

"Wait" I held his hand and damn! He's so muscular!

"What?" He asked me. I can't let my guests do any work right?

"I'll make it, please sit and make yourself comfortable" I stood up to walk to the kitchen.

He followed me behind. I raised my eyebrows and he shook his head.

I went to the fridge to take out the milk and he jumped to sit on the kitchen counter.

I put the milk on a vessel and turned on the stove. He suddenly put his hand on my forehead.

"What?" I asked him after he removed his hand.

"I was just checking whether you have fever too" he said and I chuckled.

"I'm good" I replied and grabbed the coffee powder from the shelf.

I quickly made two cups of coffee and we settled on the sofa back.

"Wow, damn nice. I missed it" he said after taking the first sip.

"Missed what?" I asked him, sipping my coffee.

"My mom's coffee" he said and that made me smile.

"Well, me too" I said.

"My mom stays in our native place and I kinda miss her" I added.

"Why isn't she here?" He asked me, as if it was a fact.

"I haven't told her that I'm sick. Moreover she doesn't like the city environment. She prefers village air which is way more peaceful" I said and he nodded his head in agreement.

After we finished our coffee, I put the mugs in the sink and we sat on the dining table across eachother.

We discussed the things related to Yash's case. We talked about the valid points which can be against him. We also analysed the court conditions and the judge's decision after we state our points. I can't spare Yash anymore. He has hurt Kavya a lot and I can't let him hurt her more. This is it, I won't let him free now. He has to rot in the prison.

Unknowingly my hand turned into a fist, thinking about Kavya's tears. I won't spare that idiot.

I came back to reality when I felt a hand on mine, releasing my fist. Aditya smiled at me more like assuring everything will be alright. He's good at reading minds.

I nodded and we continued to gather information against him. I, being a reporter, used my sources as well. We even surfed on net since Yash is a famous soldier and is well known in the country. But what got our attention was all the information and articles related to him conveyed that he's a man with good character and a true patriot. He always had a good reputation in his battalion. But how?

After an hour of survey and research, we are finally done. Aditya promised me that he'll be locked in the prison for years and I sighed in relief. Kavya should not suffer anymore.

I realised it's already 4.30 in the evening and we didn't have our lunch. I'm so ill mannered to treat my guest this way. I quickly apologized to him and went to the kitchen to make a quick light lunch.

But again Aditya held my hand, offering to let him cook something. I wasn't giving in.

"Please" he asked, making puppy face. Aww! He's so cute!

I want to pinch his cheeks now!

"If you want to, then go ahead" he said and my eyes widened.

"What?" I almost screamed but he smirked.

"You can pull my cheeks. I know you can't resist my charm" he smirked again and I rolled my eyes, acting like I'm not interested though what he said was 100 percent true.

"Whatever" I said, crossing my arms against my chest.

"Come back,let me cook. You aren't well" he asked me for the tenth time  and I shook my head for the tenth time.

"Arghhhh! F**k it!" He suddenly scooped me in his arms and I squealed.

What is he doing?

He walked to my bedroom and placed me on the bed, ignoring the smacks on his chest. Typical Mr. Arrogant!

"Stay here until I call you" he ordered and walked to the kitchen, locking the door from outside so that I don't run back to him.

So annoying!

Having no other choice, I laid on the bed, staring at the ceiling.

After about 10 minutes, he finally opened the door and I could smell something real delicious.

Wow!

I immediately ran to the dining table and he chuckled seeing my childish act. I don't care! I'm starving now!

I opened the lid to find Maggie! Wow!

"I'm sorry. There are no required ingredients to make something healthy. I searched a lot and all I could find was dozens of Maggie packets" he said and I chuckled.

Yes, I'm a crazy Maggie addict! I can have Maggie all day!

I smiled cheekily at him. I know he's kinda angry at me for not eating healthy food but hey it's Maggie we are talking about!

I sat down on the chair and served us with the delicious , mouth watering Maggie.

I took the first bite and heaven!

He cooks so good!

"Wow, I never know the hand which holds pistol can hold spoon too to cook"  I said him, with my eyes still looking at bowl. He chuckled on hearing it.

"Cooking is my favourite hobby dear" he said and I looked up to see him.

Did he just say dear?

"Wow, that's good" I said, not wanting it to become more awkward.

We ate in cool atmosphere with asking questions to eachother and in the process I got to know a lot about him.

It was his passion since his childhood to become a police officer. His dad was against it but he was stubborn and made it through UPSC and finally became an IPS. He then convinced his dad and they are happy now. He's the only son of his parents and thus got all their pampering and care. It made him a bit arrogant and stubborn and that's the reason he always gets what he wanted by hook or crook. He's  a very good person who cares about others well being more than his needs. He is a sincere police officer and that got him many threats to his family. So he decided to stay away from them.

His parents once asked Shweta to marry him and that made me choke. I didn't know why that got me real bad. A strange feeling crept in my heart and I couldn't put my finger on it. But I was relieved when he told me that he had no such intension to marry her.

We talked about other random stuff and I was quite surprised to see our likes in common interests. He hates maths just like I do. He loves kis and come on, who doesn't? My favourite holiday place is Miami and so is his.

"So do you like Marvel?" He asked me and I chuckled loudly.

"I love it. Marvel is so much better than DC" I replied with a huge smile.

"Of course" he said.

We are currently sitting on the sofa, talking about anything and everything in random not before he forcing me to take my medicines. He asked to to sleep but how can I sleep when I was sleeping the whole day?

"I love iron man too" I squealed.

"Damn! Are we just two people with one mind and heart?" He asked in surprise and I smiled.

I took the remote nearby and switched on the TV. I jumped on my seat seeing Doremon after such a long time.

"Wow hoo! Geez girl! One day you'll give me heart attack" he said and I smiled cheekily at him.

"Shut up and let me watch my cartoon" I said. I'm very much obsessed with cartoons and whenever I tell that to my friends, they make fun of me. They always give me a cold shoulder. It's not that I'm forcing them to watch it with me!

But the weird thing is I found myself comfortable around him. I didn't have to be particular in the way I sit or speak. Generally girls are expected to be obedient and calm in front of everyone and that's what my mom thought me. I was very formal with him in phone and even when we were eating. But he sensed my strange behaviour and asked me to be normal and he wouldn't mind anything. I was my actual self after that and he seems to be surprised by my stunts and behaviour.

"It is really good" he commented and that broke my thoughts.

I saw him watching the TV with such intensity and suddenly he laughed looking at Nobita. I too chucked.

"Don't tell me you are watching it for the first time" I asked him with widened eyes.

"Honestly yes. I have heard a lot about it from the kids of my apartment but I never really payed attention to it. So this is apparently my first time watching Doremon" he said and I rolled my eyes.

"You didn't live your life mister. But don't worry, I'll teach you" I smriked and he smriked back.

"Sure miss"

We kept watching TV and in between I kept sneezing and he offered me tissues. At seven, he went to the kitchen again, ignoring my complaints. He made tasty parathas and I grinned widely taking the first bite.

"I hate to admit it but you are a better chef" I said and he smiled widely.

"Thanks for the compliment" he said and we continued eating watching oggy and the cockroaches. It was so much fun!

At around 10, we winded up everything. He asked me where I kept my medicines and I pointed at the drawer next to my bed. He reached to it while I sat back lazily on the coach.

I saw him coming back with my medicine box in his hand. I sat upright while he was fuming at me. What happened?

"Umm, anything wrong?" I asked him.

"Your medicines are over and you are least bothered about it?!" He almost screamed.

"Oh! I thought...umm,never mind" I replied, letting out a gasp.

"What do you mean by oh? Do you have any other medicines?" He asked, sitting next to me.

I shook my head and he ran his hand through his hair. Darn! It was so sexy. I was literally drooling over him and he suddenly caught me staring at him. Oh god! I immediately bent my head down, fumbling with my fingers.

He stood up abruptly and called someone on the phone, moving to the balcony. Might be an office call! I thought and took my phone from the table nearby. I scrolled down my Instagram feeds when I saw him coming back from the balcony after ending the call.

He sat beside me and there was complete silence. I was looking at him awkwardly while he rested his head on the back with his eyes closed.

"Should I move in here?" He asked with his eyes closed.

"What?" I screamed loudly.

"Geez woman! One day you'll blow away my ear drums" he opened his eyes, looking at me. I was shocked to hear that from him. What does he mean by move in? Does he want to stay with me under the same roof? Nooo!

"What ...what did you...I mean what
.." I stammered.

"Calm down, I didn't mean any of those things you thought of. I was saying that should I also rent a flat in the same apartment so that I can take care of you?" He asked, holding my hand.

"What? Why?" I asked him, feeling the tingles in my stomach because of his touch.

I looked at his eyes, holding truth and nothing else. Why does he want to take care of me? And what about his work back in Chennai?

"I..." The door bell disturbed us.

He looked at our hands together and he immediately removed his hand. Why do I not like it? Why do I feel sad inside when he removed his hand?

Something is definitely wrong with me.

He went to the door and opened it to see a man giving him a cover. Adi payed him some amount and he shut the door. He walked straight to the dining table and filled a glass with water. He walked back to me and opened the cover to take out some tablets.

What?
How did he get them at this hour?

'Ritu, did you forget that he's an ACP and he can get anything he wants at anytime?' my mind voice told me and I can't help but agree to it.

"Here, have this" he handed me my medicines and I took them like a good girl. He ruffled my hair and I waited for him to continue what he was about to say.

He kept the glass on the table and turned to me.

"Ritu, I got transferred here" he said and I looked at him in shock.

Why am I so happy to hear it?

I controlled my inner happiness and gestured him to continue.

"I thought of staying in Shweta's house but now I guess a kid needs my pampering here" he said, more like mocking at me and I smacked his arm.

"You are quite strong for a sick woman" he said, rubbing his hand where I hit him.

Oh! It must have hurt him.

"I'm sorry" I apologized and he stuck his tongue out. He soon began to run away from me and damn!

How dare he!

He...he tricked me!

"You idiot! Wait till I get you" I started chasing him and he ran to the dining table, standing at the other end of it.

I ran across the table to catch him while he ran to the other side.

Urghh! He's so annoying!

I kept running behind him and he ran to the kitchen. I almost caught him while he bent down to escape from my hold and ran outside the kitchen.

Is he a thief or a police?

Only a thief knows how to run like this, not getting caught.

I ran to the living room back where I saw him behind the coach. So he wants to run around the couch now?

I ran towards the couch and as expected he started moving around the couch to escape from me.

I quickly climbed on it and literally jumped on him.

Thanks to his reflex that he caught me safely before I kiss the ground.

We both were panting heavily cause of our chasing game. He still had me in his arms. His hands were around my waist, securing me tightly while my legs were wrapped around his hips and my hands around his neck. Our face was an inch apart and I could feel our breaths mingling.

Realising our position, he quickly made me stand on the floor and I caught his ear in my hand. I twisted his left ear and he groaned in pain. I smirked I'm victory.

"Will you mock at me again?" I threatened him. He was trying to release my hold from his ear but I was twisting it more.

"No, no. I won't, please leave" he begged me and I smirked widely again.

"Fine, I'll release you from the death sentence" I let go of his ear and he rubbed his ear while I laughed at his reaction.

But he's so cute!

I turned around to walk away while he held my elbow and pulled me towards him. My breadth hitched when my back crashed against his hard chest. Damn his six packs!

"I'm gonna be your neighbour soon and I have decided it. So no objection" he whispered huskily in my ear and I felt butterflies in my tummy.

Why does he have to do that?

I nodded my head lightly and he let go of my arm. I felt drowsy suddenly. May be because of the medicine and our stupid game.

I sat on the couch and closed my eyes.

He sat beside me and poked my arm lightly. I opened my eyes.

"I'm leaving now, please to go you bed and take some rest. I'll meet you tomorrow" he said and I nodded.

He walked to the door and I closed my eyes again.

I opened my eyes slightly and felt something soft under me, maybe bed. I closed my eyes again when I felt a little of lips on my forehead.

"Sweet dreams dear. Get well soon"

And I blacked out, snuggling to my teddy on the bed.

_________________________________________

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Love,
Menaka ❤