Part 1 Friends

Inspector Aman Mathur was standing in front of the commissioner, bowing down. He could not answer his higher official's question.

"Do you know what situation we are in, Aman?" Asked the commissioner Anand all frustrated.

Aman gulped down hard. He knew their situation. Yet, he could do nothing. Even after putting in his full effort, the output was zero.

"This is the seventh murder. All are burnt. We don't know who they are. We haven't got a single clue yet. On the other side, small girls are getting lost continuously. Press and Media are tearing us mercilessly and taunting us as useless... what will we do to this, Aman? I'm getting pressure from the political side too. Our CM wants you to be changed. The recommendation is ready"

"Sir, please give me one last chance... not to prove my ability but to catch that Bast

...(Aman bit his lip and swallowed the unparliamentary word) Please sir" he said controlling his wrath.

The commissioner sighed.

"Why should not we approach a PRIVATE DETECTIVE agency?" the commissioner said as he knew Aman was not completely wrong. He understood the complications of the case.

"Sir, please... press and media will laugh at us, sir"

"No... we will not approach any agency in India. There are many A-class agencies in the world. We can appoint an agent from one. No one can know they are secret agent but they will smell anything without difficulty. They are trained unimaginably. They would be so particular. They would not have any records and would look so simple and casual. Until they reveal the truth that they are secret agent, no one will find it out"

Aman was surprised. He had seen many movies in which the secret agents had such abilities. He could not believe such agents really existed.

"He or she will do their work but no one will suspect them"

Aman didn't know what to say but he was sure that he could not deny the commissioner. He slightly nodded and took his leave.

When he came out of the commissioner's office, he got a call. Even though he was stressed and weary, he smiled seeing the caller. He attended it.

"Hi Akash..."

"I hope you don't forget our Alumni function"

"How could I forget it, Buddy?"

"You will... because I know you are under stress..."

"Maybe, that's why I'm waiting for our Alumni function. It will be a stress buster for me"

"I'm glad about it"

"What about ASR? Is he coming?"

"I hope he will come. I talked with him. though he didn't give a strong confirmation, I believe he will come"

"What about Khushi? Is she coming?"

"It's obvious to remember her when we remember ASR, right...?"

"Haha... yeah... you are right. They had an evergreen CRUSH story"

"Yeah, both had a strong crush on one another but they didn't reveal it to one another"

"Why don't you tell ASR that Khushi will also be coming to the function? Then he will cancel all his programs and fly to India, I suppose"

"That's a good idea. Payal invited her I suppose"

"What did she say?"

"I'm not sure"

"Tell her, ASR is coming. Then she will also present"

Akash laughed.

"It seems you are trying to put a TO BE CONTINUED card to their story...?"

"Why should not I try?"

"Do you think they loved each other beyond the feeling of CRUSH?"

"I'm not sure but I think we should try..."

"Well... let's see. We have two functions to mend things then. I will ask Arnav to attend my wedding. I hope he will agree to it"

"Mmm..."

"We will meet at the Alumni function..."

"Sure... bye..." Aman disconnected the call smilingly.

Whenever he thought about their college life, an adoring smile would curl on his lips. It was the beautiful days he spent with his friends and college mates.

As they were the CRIMINOLOGY students, there was no senior and junior scenario in their department. It was because they would be on the ground, for half of the day. Horse riding, Riffle Shooting, Field practice... everything made them feel like they were in police training. It was not wrong though. It was a base for all the criminal-related courses. Aman became an Inspector. Akash and NK became lawyers and Arnav became a Criminology Professor at a Scotland University, after finishing his MS in the UK.

Khushi and Payal were their juniors. Payal and Akash were so close when they were in college. Payal became a JURY CONSULTANT. As they were in the same department, Akash and Payal were in touch which made them realize that they were MADE FOR EACH OTHER. So, they decided to get married.

They wanted all their friends to attend their wedding. They thought the Alumni function would be helpful for them to gather all their friends. So, they were so curious about the Alumni function to which the last ten years of students were invited. They were planning to invite all their seniors and juniors to their wedding and make it another grand Alumni function.

Aman tried Arnav's number but it was switched off. He sighed. Arnav's phone would have been switched off if he had been in the class. He was a professor at Scotland University. His friends would drop him a message if they wanted to convey anything to him and he would reply for sure. He was never without responding to his friends' messages.

Aman was thinking about the private detective agent who was going to be appointed by the commissioner. He tried his best to get clues in the case but he could not. Nothing worked. He never felt so helpless like this in his career. He was weary and ashamed of himself for being useless.

That was when his phone rang. He smiled seeing Arnav's number flashing. He attended the call.

"Hi, ASR..."

"Hi, Aman... how are you, man?"

"Doing good, Buddy"

"What made you call me?"

"Do I need a reason to call you?"

"Not at all... but you should have a valid reason to call me in between your hectic schedule"

"I called you to know whether you are coming to our Alumni function or not"

"I have submitted my leave application. Hope I will get leave"

"Leave application? How many days are you going to take leave?"

"One month"

"Ooooone month? Any special program?" Aman asked as he knew Arnav never thought of taking a long leave. He came to India on leave only for four to five days. As he was a KEY professor, he was not allowed to take long leave.

"Nothing... it has been long since I visited India. Just thought to take a break"

"That's great... get married as well"

Arnav smiled.

"Don't you have any idea about getting married, ASR?"

"Will think about it... by the way, how is Khushi?" He asked.

"There you are... I expected it... you will meet her when you come to our Alumni function. Then, you can get to know about her from Khushi herself"

"Mmm... see you soon"

"We will be waiting for you"

"Bye"

"Bye, ASR" Aman disconnected the call.

It seemed Arnav determined something about ending the hide-and-seek between him and Khushi.

To be continued...