Arriving early to the office way ahead of her colleagues has become her new routine now that she owns a bird. Thiya deposits her sling bag at her desk and looks around the empty hall 57. Despite the grind, dwelling into work right away isn't on her agenda. For sanity's sake, she has to steal some moments to unwind. The main hassle is finding a de-stressing distraction to kill the time.

What better efficient means to pass the time than watch the news? Her duties have kept her so preoccupied, she's unaware of the happenings around the city. This extra morning hour is the perfect excuse to fix that flaw.

The gleaming black surface of the AMOLED TV Soham installed the other day catches her eye. God knows how he gets permission to arrange these things! Undeniably, his efforts to make hall 57 a comfortable workplace are commendable.

The news bulletin goes for half an hour, at the end of which comes across an interesting snippet. Thiya's eyebrows shoot up as she hastily presses the record button on the TV remote. Bingo. Here's a video for her colleagues to see when they arrive.

"Check what happened when we were not around. News clippings from this morning's press conference at CBCID. The ACP went live at seven."

Seyon, Soham, Mira stare at the wall-mounted TV, eyes narrowed, brows furrowed, arms crossed across their chests. The ACP's prim and proper visage on the screen isn't pleasing to their eyes, the words coming from his mouth no way appeasing to their ears.

"There is no slasher. No serial killing. These murder suspicions are the works of detective fiction lovers. There's no evidence to prove murder. So no SIT. But yes, we will guard Kavya Krishnan if she requires it."

The ACP brushes off the rumours of the recent attacks on the actress, the concerns of the press, with a wave of his hand, and ends his speech with an underhanded remark: celebrities' suicide is in rage.

"People are getting depressed. The government is already focusing on mental health. Looks like more desperate measures are needed."

Thiya turns off the TV.

"That's the story he wants to sell to the public?" Seyon drops into his chair and takes off his blazer.

"What does this mean?" Mira settles in her seat and drums her fingers against her desk before reaching to adjust her bun. "Does he want us to solve the case or not?"

Soham grabs the AC remote and tweaks the temperature to a cooler side. "Either way, the ACP has nothing to lose. Why's he doing this?"

"It's okay, guys." Seyon intervenes. "We'll get to the bottom of this. There's a sly, mysterious killer out there. We'll catch him."

"Yeah." Thiya nods, plopping into her chair. "We haven't been officially taken off this case."

Seyon looks at her. "Yeah."

They get back to work. Mostly sorting through paperwork, evidence they collected so far, and researching the web. Seyon is the only one doing field work. Work is a nightmare as is. That afternoon, around lunch hour, Mira's brief visit to the cafeteria turns to be another nightmare. She returns to hall 57, red faced and shaken.

"I can't believe it! Yes, we're holed up in the office on some days, but it doesn't mean we do nothing! Those gossip mongers! It's not our fault we're not put on another case simultaneously. Not that we don't have our hands full already..."

Nobody in hall 57 or the CBCID Complex has seen Mira lose her temper. Today the sun has risen in the west. Soham approaches the lady cop, who's still lingering near the doorway.

"Aren't we always working on something? We are even missing our precious nights' sleep."

Mira's voice echoes in the quiet of hall 57. Soham places a hand over her shoulder.

"Calm down. This isn't like you, Mira."

Simple words from Soham coupled with a slight smile — the tension drains from Mira's stiff posture. "I know, Soham, but I too get frustrated."

Her tone is gentle. She appears calmer. Thiya notices the soft atmosphere between the two. It's been a repeat these days. Perhaps it's always been this way. Soham and Mira's rapport is awe-inspiring. Sometimes jaw-dropping and surreal.

It's sweet. It reminds me of... It reminds me of nobody. Thiya shifts her gaze away from the couple to her sketchbook. She sketched a lot in the past. A habit she reclaimed after she was put on the slasher case.

The brainstorming sessions with Dr Shah these days in the morning are giving her second thoughts. This morning the old doctor said: Sketching is useless. Asterix uses different disguises and weapons each time. I conclude this by re-analysing the forensic reports of the slain celebrities.

Thiya closes her sketchbook. How can she sketch after what Dr Shah said? She moves to the kitchenette to prepare iced watermelon tea (without ice for her), while Soham and Mira chat in the background.

"We need a distraction. Oh, got one." Soham flashes his smartphone at Mira, the screen of which is lit up. "A message from Seyon. He says he's out befriending Aran, trying to get the information out of him. I can't believe this young lad is our Asterix, but... Oh, another one from Sey! He and Aryan were strolling the beach, but the sun was too much. They just hit a cafe."

"Sounds like a date." Mira can't help but chuckle. "On a sunny afternoon."

"Yeah."

Soham beams back. "It's good. Considering Seyon hasn't been on a date in years."

"Oh..."

Mira trails off. Her and Soham's combined gazes land on Thiya unintentionally. Not wanting to be too obvious, they return to their desks. Mira brings her swivel chair close to Soham's, so they can whisper back and forth.

Seyon hasn't? I didn't know that, Soham. This isn't that kind of date, but I hope Seyon is having fun while he's investigating."

Thiya's shoulders jump ever so slightly. Hall 57 is so silent that Mira's whisper is loud enough. She resumes stirring a reddish pink liquid in a glass jar, pouring it into three glasses. She adds ice cubes from the fridge to two of them..

Several thoughts swirl in her head. Sudden and impromptu, like a tornado spinning, uncontrollable. Seyon never went on a date in years? Her hunch was right. She thought he was giving off the lone wolf vibes from the day they met. The woman he cheated her for — should have ditched him then. He deserved it.

Why didn't the wolf hunt for another lamb? That's another mystery, isn't it? Thiya finds it difficult to stay on top of her thoughts. With a dismissive shake of her head, she hands Soham and Mira their beverages and takes a sip of her own.

"Oh, no coffee today, Thiya?"

She relaxes in the wake of Soham's friendly smile. The power of being around positive people. She's starting to regard Soham as the powerful sun, radiating life-giving power to all in his vicinity.

She shrugs. "I thought we should cut our caffeine, as it's hot outside. The ginger mint tea you gave me was refreshing, Mira. I might indulge in more herbal teas."

Mira acknowledges the praise with a friendly smile half hidden behind the rim of her glass. Outside the sun is blazing, the blinding brightness still filtering into hall 57 through the glass windows. The SIT officers have a full day ahead.

***

That evening, Seyon returns to the CBCID after ending his stake out. He doesn't know what others would call his outing, but to him it's a stakeout — spending time with Aran and observing his reactions.

"Aran is on a semester break. His exams, set for June, were recently postponed. He doesn't attend college regularly because it's his last semester in the final year. He still attends on certain days. From what I found, his mentor, Professor Arindam, pays his expenses and guides him. But Aran also does a lot of odd jobs to sustain. Though one wonders what they are. I didn't pry. Too much would be suspicious."

While Seyon regales the spoils of his adventures, those in hall 57 remain in awe of the sheer the amount of information he brings to the table. A question still lingers in their minds: how helpful is this known information?

"Do you think he uses his free time to plot and kill celebrities?" Soham inquires.

Seyon indifferently shrugs and collapses into his chair. The pendulum wall clock behind him strikes eight. Thiya shuts off the computer on her desk and thinks she can go home. She's already heard what she needed to. Plus, it's Soham and Mira's turn to perform night duties. Soham's sudden shriek gives her a pause.

"Seyon! Oh, tomorrow is your birthday, Seyon! We've got to party!"

Seyon laughs in response. "I'm no party animal. But if Amma was here, she would have made my favourite kadalai maavu burfi. And that'd have been enough celebration. Sad she can't make it, huh?"

Sling bag in hand, Thiya shifts her attention to her colleagues. Seyon allows himself a grimace before plastering on a bright smile. Soham's good mood takes a hit, but he bounces back.

"You can party for the rest of your loved ones. We threw a party for Mira. We'll do the same for you."

Seyon brushes off the words with a shake of his head. "We have a case to solve."

"Fine. Let's party when we solve the case."

"Sure..." Seyon takes his leave with the words, "I gotta go. Need some shut-eye. As much as I want to keep working, I need a break."

Glancing at Seyon's receding back, Thiya muses about how bizarre it is for him to crave a break, let alone sleep. Maybe he only desires some personal space.

Mira stands up and faces Soham. "I'll stop by my home and be back. Then we can go see Kavya. Or you could come along too, have dinner with me and my parents."

Soham rejects the offer with a lighthearted laugh. "Thanks, but let's save family dinners for special occasions."

"Sure thing. No worries. Just know that you're always welcome."

Thiya returns her sling bag to her desk, following Mira's exit. She wants to mirror the girl's example but can't. Seyon's gloomy demeanour won't leave her mind. He looked genuinely down. Why? And Soham let him go?

She fidgets, shifting her weight from foot to foot, until she finally addresses Soham, who is checking a file on his computer.

"Are you not going after Seyon?"

Soham shoots a quick look at Thiya, a trace of surprise flickering in his eyes. A little haggard, he faces his computer again. "I'll join him later. He may need some space right now."

"Soham!" Thiya's voice grows in decibel. She rectifies it and gentles her tone. "Why can't... Seyon's Amma make him kadalai maavu burfi?"

Soham spares her another glance and slips into poignant silence. His expression is stiff when he faces her again. "Because... she passed away."

Thiya gasps. "What?" Her eyes widen, then narrow in the wake of sheer agony rising in her chest. Soham's sympathizing smile tells her he detected her sadness.

"Soham, when? How? Seyon was so close to his mother. She was his only family after his father's death during his high school days."

Thiya is thinking out loud, mostly speaking to herself. She doesn't need to. Soham already knows everything.

"Well, seven years passed." Soham exhales to calm himself. "Seyon is probably okay now. He wouldn't want our pity." That's all he says before facing his computer.

***

Seyon kicks off his birthday morning by returning to his work. He did the same thing the year before, and prior. The situation remains unchanged.

Sometimes he'd buy a new blazer to commemorate the day, or visit the Music Bar late at night with Soham, if their time permitted. Otherwise, this is how he celebrated his birthday — working, unless it coincided with Sunday.

This wasn't the scenario when Amma and Thiya were present in his life. It goes without saying that he deeply feels their absence. His life is no longer what it used to be. A burden he'd got used to, he thought, but on days like these it's back to haunt him.

Chin up, Seyon!

Soham's constant presence is comforting, although a few things have been amiss. It's like he lost a part of his heart that won't return. That's life. Life is mostly living with loss. At least his life has been that way. With a slightly heavy heart, Seyon focuses on the computer on his desk. His fingers fly across the keyboard as he digs deeper into the file archives.

His back doesn't hurt as it should, thanks to the cushions Soham put in everyone's chairs. Office chairs now provide comfort. The slasher case is the trickiest. All the SIT officers are here, working on figuring out the best foot forward.

A few hours pass this way. On his first break, a mysterious package finds its way into Seyon's hands. A peon has bought it in. A rectangular cardboard box wrapped in glittering gold gift paper. Thirty-centimetre long, twenty centimetres wide. Going by semantics, weighing about half a kilogram.

No card. No sender's name. Seyon's first thought is that something is fishy. Wait, not fishy, but smells sweet? He discards the outer cover, flips open the box and is astounded by its contents.

"Huh, what? Somebody sent me kadalai maavu burfi? Do you think..."

Amma talked to the gods above and they dropped this package? Seyon keeps the silly thought to himself. His mouth slightly ajar, he looks at Soham. He already has everyone's attention. Everyone has moved their swivel chairs, forming a circle around him. Everyone, except Thiya.

Soham frowns at the package for a minute and shrugs his shoulders as if to say, "no idea." Then his eyes fall on the perfectly squared, golden yellow burfis.

"Somebody from your sea of admirers sent you a gift. Who else?" Thiya sends a snide remark Seyon's way.

Soham's eyebrows shoot upward after hearing that. She disregards his curious stare, keeping her eyes on her sketchbook alone.

Soham wears a smug smile while Seyon scratches his neck, boggled and trying to figure out who sent him sweets on his birthday. Sweets! And his favourite kadalai maavu burfi too? No way. And surely he doesn't have a sea of admirers! This never happened before. Amidst all of this, Mira is apologetic, as she wishes him a happy birthday.

"Thanks, Mira." Seyon responds with a smile, thinking he doesn't have a sea of admirers. Even if he did, none of them are privy to his preferences.

"Well, let's eat!" Mira derails his train of thought. When his eyes focus on her, she trails off with a sheepish chuckle. "Seyon, you want to share, right? That's a big box, and..."

Seyon lets out a laugh. "Of course. There's plenty for everyone. Whoever sent this is quite generous. My gosh, are these handmade, and with ghee?"

Mira reaches for a piece of burfi and jumps back. "They aren't from the killer, right? Not poisoned?"

Seyon and Soham burst out laughing. Soham splits a burfi into two. In one swift motion, he stuffs one piece into his mouth and the other into Seyon's.

"Tastes good. Happy birthday, Seyon. Mira, you're too sceptical. Let's eat."

Everybody enjoys the authentic taste of the kadalai maavu burfi except Thiya, who's allergic to the key ingredient — kadalai maavu, gram flour, as it's called in Tamil.

Moments later, Mira fetches herself some water only to find Soham smirking to himself, alone at his desk. She moves her chair closer to his and lightly taps his arm.

"Something the matter?"

Soham leans towards her, his voice a mere whisper. "I think Thiya got these sweets for Seyon."

Mira blinks, then stares at the empty office. Seyon and Thiya just stepped out. Separately, of course, towards separate destinations, undoubtedly. Thiya must have gone to chat with her best friend Ramya over a coffee. And Seyon must be taking a stroll, making the most of his break time.

Soham rubs his slightly perky stubble and looks at Mira. "Thiya knows Seyon's Amma makes him kadalai maavu burfi on his birthday. She knew him closely, personally. Not all the folks in the CBCID complex can know it's his birthday, you know. It's not a public event. They can't know his tastes and preferences. And just yesterday I told Thiya that Seyon's Amma had passed away."

"Do you think?"

"I have a suspicion."

"Really?"

"I can't comment. But I can guess where this is going for Seyon and Thiya."

"You think so, Soham? I'd be glad for them."

Soham and Mira exchange smiles. Two pure-hearted souls who want their friends to find eternal happiness.

***

The sweetness of the burfi follows Seyon to the CBCID'S gardens, small but cosy patches of green, with wide-enough walkways perfect for catching breaks. The overgrown trees provide respite from the heat, casting shadows, and the birds' song in the air is relaxing.

He's lost in thought during recess again. It's been so in the past few weeks. He tasted kadalai maavu burfi again today in ages. On his birthday. How unexpected. What's even more astonishing is the flavour of the burfi he ate today. The taste was comparable to Amma's own. Almost. And Amma once taught Thiya how to make the burfi using coconut milk.

He's suspicious — no, positive that Thiya made the sweets. Why wouldn't she admit it and be forthcoming? Why make sweets when she didn't even wish him on his birthday? He can't ask, so he will have to keep his thoughts to himself.

They are still poles apart on paper. But it feels that on a celestial, unearthly level, their hearts are realigning. The way they did before. Falling into the orbit of love.

It's remarkable how he doesn't detest this concept, and how much desperation lurks within him to look at these things from her perspective and unearth the truth. Alas, for now he can't act on his thoughts and impulses. He will wait and see what course the universe will compel them to take.

***

AN:if you're reading this story, pls vote n comment guys! I need to see if anyone is reading further. thank you. more later-
maybe next is some thiya pov and more of the case