Started on 13.12.2020

With the on set of winters the whole city gets into festive mood. Christmas and New Year decoration envelopes the city. Amidst the jolly, cozy feel that get sprinkled throughout the air, Sujal Garewal asks his driver to stop at a confectionary.

Getting out of the car he checks how beautifully is the exterior of the confectionary decorated. A smile, almost close to smirk comes on his face. Walking forth he pushes the glass door open of the confectionary to get welcomed by the owner of the shop with her back turned towards him and her hands filled with cupcakes to be placed in the racks for display.

The sudden gush of wind and the immediate blocking of the same gets Kashish alert of someone's presence in her shop. She turns immediately and her beautiful pair of eyes get met by an equally beautiful pair of eyes. His look and aura succeed in having an instant affect on Kashish. Her incapability of drifting her eyes away from him tells Sujal about his success of having an impression on Kashish. A smile that he succeeds in hiding from her comes on his face.

As he walks forth and rests his arms on the counter, entwining his fingers, Kashish's breath hitches and she turns clumsy, as a result of which she loses her control over the freshly baked cupcakes she had been holding in her hands and they hit the ground. Kashish stares at the now fallen cupcakes in horror, thankful that they were packed or else they would have messed up. Sujal too looks towards the cupcakes, then turns to look back towards Kashish.

Kashish knits her brows in nervousness as she finds herself perplexed. Sujal takes a deep breath and walks across the counter to help Kashish to collect the cupcakes. Their hands happen to rest on the same cupcake which results in Kashish's hand resting under Sujal's hand. Kashish notices his perfectly manicured nails; his long fingers. They look towards each other in utter surprise.

Kashish freezes under his touch. Her small and soft hand under his long and hard hand feels warm and it feels it would fit in his hand comfortably. After one deep eye lock, Sujal withdraws his hand, leaving her craving for his touch. Kashish knits her brows, getting out of her reverie. Taking a deep breath she clears her mind. Sujal immediately collects few cupcakes, getting up, placing them on the counter, he adjusts his coat. Kashish too gets up, collecting the remaining cupcakes and places them in the rack properly. As she turns back, Sujal and Kashish stare each other. Kashish finds Sujal intriguing and his stare dark on her.

Clearing her throat, she asks him,

"Yes, how may I help you?"

The shake in her voice tells Sujal that she still is drooling in the after effect of his touch and his proximity around herself. That satisfies Sujal.

"Mujhe ek cake chahiye tha.",

says Sujal, looking straight into Kashish's eyes.

And in that brief moment Kashish and Sujal read each other.

Where on one hand Kashish continues getting trapped by the mysterious aura that Sujal succeeds in building around himself there on the other hand Sujal continues feeling the constant pull towards Kashish, thanks to her beautiful eyes that speak volumes about how much is she in dilemma because of Sujal and the innocence that envelopes her face as she tries to unravel what's hidden beneath the layer of mystery that Sujal is enveloped with.

Sujal knits his brows lightly when Kashish keeps staring him for a period longer than the obvious time one stares a person. His knitting of his brows drags Kashish out of her reading him and she cascades her eyes immediately, apologetically.

"Ahmmm... any particular flavour Sir?",

asks Kashish.

Sujal takes Kashish by surprise, hitching her breath when he takes his hand towards the corner of her lips and rubs the residue of strawberry cream with his index finger. The sudden touch results in accelerating Kashish's breathing rate and her rate of heartbeat. He rubs the cream off the corner of her mouth, ever so slowly, to let her feel his touch and let the feel linger in her mind and skin for further few moments. The way she forgets to blink her eyes and keeps her mouth slightly open out of shock; trying to gasp the air, tell tales about her state to Sujal. Kashish stares him in shock as he never taking his eyes away from Kashish's eyes licks his finger. Kashish's throat dries up.

He looks up towards the ceiling whilst tasting it, as if considering buying cake of this particular flavour - Strawberry.

Having decided, he looks towards a freezed Kashish, freezeed by his audacity to do what he did without her permission. Kashish could feel her whole body running down with current on being touched by him in a manner that can be tagged - intimate! The way he puts his finger into his mouth and rotates his tongue around it, gives Kashish ideas - all dirty, but even then there is something about his aura and captivating demeanor that Kashish fails to look away from him out of hesitation and awkwardness.

"Hmmm... This would do!",

says Sujal, getting into a decision.

"Strawberry!",

he says looking towards a still shocked Kashish who is breathing heavily.

Sujal arches a brow as if trying to pull her out of her thoughts again.

"Ahmmm.... certainly Sir!",

says Kashish, clumsily and gets busy in getting the cake and packing it.

Sujal taps his fingers on the counter, playing notes of the song which has been playing in the radio, whilst checking the displayed cakes - thodasa pyar hua hai, thoda hai baki

"And uss par '15th' likh dena please.",

says Sujal, shouting a little to make himself audible.

"Alright Sir!",

shouts back Kashish in agreement.

Kashish returns back after packing his parcel and places it in front of him whilst announcing the cost.

Sujal brings out a note of one thousand rupees and puts it in front of her.

Kashish stares him apologetically and tells him -

"Ahmm... sorry Sir, I don't have change."

Sujal checks his wallet again and replies apologetically too,

"Me neither!"

They stare each other, smiling in confusion.

"Alright, never mind. I'll give you my number either you just make a call to me, jab bhi apke paas change ho, I'll come and collect or else I'll call you. Apke shop ka number to iss box mein likha hi hua hai.",

smiles Sujal, indicating towards the box containing the cake he bought.

Kashish smiles and nods her head in acceptance.

Before he could leave, he gets a call which he receives immediately,

"Hello.",

he greets.

"Haan main aa raha hun. Ek kaam karo mujhe address de do.",

says Sujal.

Turning towards Kashish, he gestures her for a pen. Kashish provides him with a pen and a notepad immediately. He quickly jots down the address and ends the call without caring to greet the caller with a 'bye'.

Tearing the paper out of the notepad he leaves in an urgency.

Kashish initially stares him in confusion but within moments as she gets out of her thought, her eyes fall on a bunch of keys which she realizes belongs to Sujal. She calls him from behind,

"Arey Sir apki chaabi...",

but she realizes that her attempt to get him will go futile as he has already left.

Kashish shakes her head and places the bunch of keys into the drawer of her counter, expecting him to return in sometime to fetch his keys.

Kashish gets busy in her work.

After few hours Kashish's mind gets dragged towards the radio when a news gets announced of murder of a business tycoon - Anirudh Malhotra. Kashish gets shocked hearing the news.

Before she could articulate with the shocking news she just received, she gets surprised as the door of her confectionery gets pushed and walks in a police inspector along with two of his subordinates. Kashish stares them in utter shock, wondering what has brought them here.

"Kya aap yahan ki owner hain?",

asks the inspector.

"Ye...yes Sir!",

says Kashish, nervously.

"Ek badhiya si chocolate cake dikhaiye, bachche ke birthday ke liye.",

smiles the inspector.

Kashish sighs in relief hearing that.

"Ahmm... kitne... kitne saal ka hoga wo?",

asks Kashish, still nervous.

"Kitne saal ki hone wali hai tumhari beti?",

he asks one of his juniors who have accompanied him, smiling.

"Sir saat.",

blushes the father of the birthday girl, smiling.

Turning towards Kashish, he tells her,

"Ma'am saat saal ki hogi wo."

Kashish nods her head and gives them options if cakes.

They select one cake. While Kashish gets busy in packing it, the inspector hears the news and says,

"Inn businessmen ke dushman kam hote hain kya?",

he shakes his head in dismay.

Kashish knits her brows hearing that.

She turns back with the delivery and gets paid for it. As they leave, Kashish sighs in relief.

She then gets tensed about the news.

"Anirudh!",

she exclaims in shock.

•••••

At night, resting on her bed, Kashish keeps flipping her side but she remains deprived of sleep. The thought of Anirudh keeps filling her mind every now and then.

She gets up and sits on her bed, resting her back against the pillow.

Anirudh had been her regular customer. Soon their formal meetings turned informal. No, there was no romantic string that bind them together. It was a casual friendship which Kashish cherishes still.

The short period of their friendship and now he has been murdered, it gets hard for Kashish to accept the truth.

•••••

Next morning Kashish walks to her shop, rubbing her hands together constantly to get a little warmth in her otherwise cold hands. She shivers as the snowfall turns harsh.

Suddenly she realizes that the snow has given relief to her head or why else the snow would choose to fall everywhere but on her head? She looks up and gets surprised to find a covering placed upon her head - an umbrella! Kashish looks to her right immediately to discover Sujal walking next to her, holding the umbrella.

She gets surprised upon discovering him there and smiles at him. Sujal smiles back.

"Kaam par ja rahi hain aap?",

asks Sujal, smiling, whilst walking next to Kashish.

"Haan. Aaj late ho gayi hun.",

replies Kashish, smiling.

"Hmm... acha hai ke aap late ho gayin.",

smiles Sujal.

Kashish smiles and knits her brows in confusion, looking towards Sujal and asks,

"Kyun?"

Smiling, keeping his eyes cascaded, Sujal says,

"Agar aap pehle nikal jaatin  to kya main apke saath ye walk enjoy kar pata?"

Kashish feels shy hearing that, smiling.

Sujal offers her some Strawberries, forwarding his left hand in front of her,

"Strawberries?",

he smiles.

Kashish's eyes beam in joy.

"Wow! Thank you!",

smiles Kashish and accepts one from the five offered to her.

Sujal smiles at her.

"Hmm... lagta hai apko Strawberry kuch zyada hi pasand hai.",

teases Kashish.

"Cake bhi Strawberry flavour ka hi liya tha.",

she teases further, looking towards Sujal.

Sujal laughs hearing that.

"I think Strawberry flavour subko hi pasand hai.",

smiles Sujal.

"Apko nahi pasand?",

he asks looking towards Kashish, knitting his brows.

Kashish gives it a thought and says,

"Ahmm... haan pasand hai."

She smiles looking towards Sujal.

"By the way, I must say the cake was delicious.",

Sujal gives compliment to Kashish.

"Thank you!",

Kashish smiles in shyness.

Sujal smiles back looking towards Kashish.

They stare each other intimately. Kashish suddenly feels uncomfortable by their closeness.

She looks away and tries to change the topic.

Looking back towards Sujal, she asks him, smiling,

"Waise kiske liye liya tha aapne wo cake?"

Sujal stares her, smiling, still not replying to her question.

Kashish feels uncomfortable by his constant stare and no reply. She wonders has she trespassed? After all they are nothing but strangers. She has no rights to ask him that.

"I.. I am sorry agar apko mera ye puchna bura laga to.",

says Kashish, apologetically.

Sujal smiles and shakes his head before saying,

"No, it's just that I don't usually get open to strangers so soon."

Kashish feels even more guilty now for asking him the reason of buying the cake.

Cascading her eyes out of guilt she says,

"Oh! I am sorry."

Sujal smiles again. Closing his eyes, he shakes his head.

Opening them, he says,

"Maine ye isliye nahi kaha kyunki I wanted you to apologize."

Kashish looks towards Sujal in confusion.

"Fir?",

she asks, knitting her brows.

Smiling, he says,

"May be I wanna be friends with you?"

That surprises Kashish. Her eyes twinkle, staring him. Her cheeks turn deep shade of red. Her rosy lips curve up into a smile.

"So? What do you think?",

asks Sujal, smiling.

Kashish looks towards him and nods her head in affirmative accepting his proposal of being friends.

Sujal smiles back.

"I am Sujal. Sujal Garewal.",

he introduces himself formally.

"I am Kashish. Kashish Sinha.",

she introduces herself back.

Sujal nods his head, staring her throughout. Something about the smile makes Kashish to feel as if he already knows about her! This thought unsettles her.

She bites the strawberry, staying engulfed completely by her thoughts, which results in her choking. She coughs as a result of it. Sujal gets tensed and immediately rubs his hand on her back to comfort her.

"Are... are you okay Kashish?",

he asks concerned.

Kashish coughs further and nods her head in affirmative to let him know that she is fine.

Her eyes turn teary. She looks towards him, smiling a little and jokes,

"Apki... apki Strawberry ne to mujhe rula diya."

Sujal knits his brows lightly hearing that and withdraws his hand immediately and smiles a little.

"Well is that so?",

asks Sujal, straightening up.

Kashish feels apologetical towards Sujal for saying what she said and shakes her head in negative, staring him perplexed.

"Then I must compensate!",

adds Sujal.

Kashish knits her brows lightly and a smile stretches on her lips.

"Compensate? Kaise?",

asks Kashish, smiling still.

"Ahmm... ek cup coffee with a scoop of ice cream on it?",

asks Sujal, excited.

"Coffee and ice cream?!",

exclaims Kashish, widening her eyes, smiling.

Sujal smiles back.

"Coffee to theek hai magar apko nahi lagta ice cream iss mausam mein.... it's an odd combination you know hot and cold!",

laughs Kashish.

Sujal keeps staring her, enjoying her laughter.

"I love doing everything that is odd!",

replies Sujal, staring her darkly, smiling.

Shivers run down Kashish's spine hearing that and because of the way he stares her.

"Waise dekha jaye to compensate to mujhe karna chahiye.",

says Kashish, smiling apologetically.

"Kis baat ke liye?",

asks Sujal, smiling, knitting his brows lightly.

"Change to mujhe apko dena hai.",

smiles Kashish, apologetically again.

And that reminds Sujal of the balance that she has to pay back to him.

Sujal gestures with his hand to let it go,

"Ah! That's fine. Ab to ana jana laga rahega mera wahan. Next time adjust kar lena.",

smiles Sujal.

"Ahmm... no actually I insist, please ye rakh lijiye.",

says Kashish, bringing out the balance she had to pay back to him.

"Are you serious?",

asks Sujal, surprised.

"Of course I am.",

smiles Kashish.

"Please!",

insists Kashish when he still doesn't accept.

"Okay! If you insist.",

smiles Sujal, accepting the balance.

Kashish turns serious. Looking ahead, she thinks of her friend Anirudh.

"Everything alright?",

asks Sujal, discovering her turned serious and tensed.

Kashish looks towards him and smiles a little.

"Agar koi baat hai to aap mujhse share kar sakti hain.",

says Sujal.

"Mera... mera dost Anirudh... he has been murdered.",

says Kashish, turning gloomy.

Sujal turns serious and slowly turns to look ahead.

"I am sorry to hear that.",

consoles Sujal.

"Har waqt uski hi baatein dimag mein ghoomti rehti hain.",

says Kashish and sighs.

They reach in front of Kashish's confectionary. Sujal turns to look towards Kashish. Kashish stares back.

Sujal says,

"Agar coffee nahi peeni so it's okay.",

he smiles.

Kashish turns to look towards Sujal and points towards the café next to her shop,

"Café ye raha. Chalein?",

smiles Kashish.

Sujal smiles back at her. His heart flutters with joy and he nods his head in affirmative.

******

Entering the café, they occupy a table and Sujal walks to order for coffees with scoops of ice cream on them. He gets asked for the flavour of ice cream he would prefer. Sujal replies,

"Strawberry!"

Sitting at her place, Kashish, resting her elbow on the table and her hand under her chin stares Sujal with a smile on her face while he stays engrossed in buying the coffee, unaware of her stare on him.

'Ye mujhe kya ho raha hai? Kyun main Sujal ki taraf kheechi chali ja rahi hun?',

wonders Kashish and blushes.

Sujal returns back carrying two cups of coffee mounted with Strawberry flavoured ice cream.

Smiling, placing her cup in front of her, Sujal takes his seat in front of Kashish.

"So, tell me about this friend of yours.",

says Sujal.

Kashish arches a brow and teases him by saying,

"Mujhe laga mere friend se zyada apko mere barey mein janne mein dilchaspi hogi.",

smiles Kashish.

Sujal rests back in his seat, smiling, taking a deep breath.

"Aapke barey mein to main sub janta hun!",

Sujal surprises Kashish by his words.

Kashish stares him in utter surprise and asks,

"Kya jante hain aap mere barey mein?"

Sujal smirks, cascading his eyes.

His gesture intrigues Kashish and she asks,

"Bataiye!"

"Yahi ke apke parents ke death ke baad aap apne behno ka khyal rakhti hain. Apki behne although apke saath rehti nahi hain kyunki wo alag alag shehr mein hai, koi parhne ke liye; to koi job ki wajah se.",

smiles Sujal, confidently.

Kashish stares him dumbstruck.

"Are you some kind of detective?",

asks Kashish.

That makes Sujal to laugh out loud.

"No! Just that I am too much into you may be. Isliye apke barey mein sub kuch jaan liya.",

smiles Sujal, staring her lovingly.

Kashish blushes and stares him back lovingly too.

"Anirudh!",

she tells his name to Sujal.

Sujal's face hardens hearing that.

"Pata nahi kaise hua ye sub.",

Kashish cries a little.

"Humein miley hue zyada waqt bhi nahi hua tha.",

says Kashish.

Sujal stares her, knitting his brows.

Sujal slowly places his hand on Kashish's hand to console her.

Kashish looks towards their hands.

Sujal slowly weaves his fingers into the space between her fingers.

Kashish tightens her hold on his hand.

They stare each other passionately.

"Everything will be fine Kashish.",

says Sujal softly.

Holding her hand, Sujal slowly rubs his thumb on the back of her hand.

Kashish's insides churn by his intimate gesture.

"Magar achi khasi dosti ho gayi thi humari.",

says Kashish.

"Ek insaan apki zindagi mein kab ayega; kab tak rahega; aur kab jayega, ye sub kuch pehle se taye rehta hai Kashish.",

tells Sujal.

"Aap chah kar bhi uss insaan ko na to apni zindagi mein daakhil hone se rok sakte hain jo apki zindagi ke kitab ka ek chapter banne ke liye aya ho na hi unhe apki zindagi se jane se rok sakte hain jiska kirdar apke iss zindagi ke kitab mein bus chand panno ke liye tha.",

says Sujal.

Kashish stares Sujal, understanding the depth of his words.

Sujal stares back and nods his head slowly.

*****

Sujal walks Kashish to her shop. They stand under a tree to save themselves from the freezing air currents. Kashish stands against the bark of the tree. Sujal hovers her by resting his right hand on the bark of the tree, above her head, and his left hand put into the pocket of his trouser. They stare each other intimately. None saying anything.

"I think I haven't yet had my fill of strawberry ice cream.",

teases Sujal, to pull her out of her depressed mood.

Kashish wonders what made him to say that, staring him in confusion.

"Matlab?",

she asks.

And as for her answer, she gets gifted with a slow and passionate kiss, where Sujal invades the interior of her mouth; tasting it. Having his fill of Strawberry flavour. Turning the kiss sweeter not only because of the strawberry flavour but also because of his keeping it soft and unforced. He enjoys the movement of their lips and tongues against the music of the breeze that engulfs them as if shielding them from the eyes of the evil world.

Kashish slowly fists his hair lightly, tilting his head a little, to give him the exact position to enjoy the depth of what they are doing to each other. Sujal amidst kissing her, licks her lips as if coating them with the Strawberry jelly. Kashish moans at non-uniform intervals. They end the kiss when they get short of oxygen and tries to calm their throbbing nerves by resting their foreheads against each other's. Slowly they open their eyes and stare each other with a smile on the face of each of the two. Their heads still resting against each other.

"Aaj shaam ko mere ghar par dinner?",

asks Sujal, tracing her lips with his thumb, sensuously.

Kashish closes her eyes, feeling his touch.

Opening her eyes, she smiles and nods her head in affirmative.

Sujal smiles and bends down to clench Kashish's lower lip in between his teeth lightly, and pull it. Kashish knits her brows lightly upon feeling what he does, smiling in contentment.

"Taiyar rehna main tumhe lene aunga theek aath (8) baje.",

says Sujal, pulling Kashish's hand towards himself and places a soft kiss on the behind of her hand before he leaves.

"Magar tab tak to main dukan band karti hun.",

says Kashish, in confusion.

"Okay, fir nau (9) baje. You have got one hour. Ready rehna.",

smiles Sujal and leaves.

Kashish smiles back and shakes her head before entering into her shop.

*****

In the evening Kashish gets ready and waits for Sujal, standing in front of her house.

She gets a call from Sujal which she receives immediately and says,

"Sujal? Kahan ho tum?"

"Peeche dekho apne.",

says Sujal, smiling.

His words make Kashish to smile and feel shy. She turns and finds Sujal waiting in his car, staring her throughout, lovingly.

Kashish ends the call and walks towards him. Entering the car she takes her seat next to him.

Staring her throughout, smiling at her, Sujal asks her,

"Thak gayi thi wait kar kar ke?"

Kashish smiles further in shyness and shakes her head.

"Mujhe laga main late ho rahi hun magar yahan to tum hi late ho gaye.",

teases Kashish, smiling, looking towards Sujal.

"Main kabhi late nahi hota.",

says Sujal, confidently, looking towards Kashish.

Kashish arches a brow hearing that.

"Dur se tumhe pareshan dekhne ka maza hi kuch aur hai.",

teases Sujal and brings out a rose from inside pocket of his coat and presents it in front of her.

Kashish's eyes twinkle staring the rose and a big smile stretches on her lips as she accepts it cordially and greets him,

"Thanks."

"Oh by the way, ye tumhare liye.",

smiles Kashish forwarding the box of cake she had prepared especially for him.

Smiling, he says,

"Mere liye? Kashish, iski kya zarurat thi?"

"Strawberry cake hai!",

smiles Kashish.

Sujal smiles wide and accepts it.

"Thank you. But seriously this wasn't needed.",

says Sujal, politely.

"Yes just like this dinner wasn't needed!",

teases back Kashish.

Sujal laughs in shyness.

Kashish laughs too.

Sujal shakes his head , staring her lovingly.

"Acha abhi isse pakadlo tum.",

he returns back the box to her.

"Haan!",

she smiles and holds it.

She places the red rose that he gifted her, on the box.

Holding the flower again, she looks towards Sujal, her heart fills with affection for him.

"Should I consider this as an apology?",

asks Kashish, in a mood to tease him.

"Apology? Kis liye?",

asks Sujal, knitting his brows lightly, smiling.

"Mujhe bekar mein wait karwane ke liye jabki aap aa gaye the already.",

Kashish arches a brow, smiling teasingly.

Sujal laughs out loud, throwing his head behind.

Kashish laughs too.

"Well diya to ye maine apna pyar zahir karne ke liye tha magar if you want to take it as an apology, to wohi sahi.",

smiles Sujal, looking towards Kashish.

His words 'pyar zahir karne ke liye tha' make Kashish to feel shy.

Sujal commences with his drive and chooses to tease her further by asking,

"So what am I going to taste today?"

Naughty smile on his face and his arched brow tell Kashish what he is indicating towards - a kiss.

She smiles out of shyness and chooses to play with him by replying,

"Strawberry!"

Sujal laughs at her cheesy reply. Kashish laughs too out of shyness.

*****

Upon reaching Sujal's home, looking around the posh area, Kashish realizes how wealthy is he.

Walking into his house, her eyes first capture the giant portrays of Sujal that makes him look ever so desirable.

"Beautiful!",

the word of appreciation comes out of Kashish's mouth effortlessly.

Her appreciation makes Sujal to smile and blush.

He turns to look towards Kashish and asks,

"What the portraits or the man in them?"

He smiles teasingly at her having asked the question.

Kashish turns to look towards Sujal, smiling warmly at him. Sujal stares back and smiles back at her, understanding the unsaid.

"Come!",

Sujal holds her hand and pulls her with himself, giving a tour of his house in excitement.

Kashish not only enjoys exploring the interior of his house but witnessing his excitement too as he explains every detail of his house minutely as if he himself has taken pain in decorating every inch of it.

"This is gorgeous Sujal.",

appreciates Kashish, in complete of his possessions and the interior of his lavish house.

Sujal surprises her by saying,

"Janti ho iss ghar ko design kisne kiya hai?"

He turns to look towards Kashish, and finds her staring him with an expectation of an answer to his own question.

Smiling, blushing, Sujal unravels the truth,

"Maine!"

That comes as a pleasant shock for Kashish.

"Wow! Sujal! This is marvelous!",

she appreciates again, looking all around his house, this time with a different perspective.

Sujal smiles in gratitude.

*****

After some moments of chit-chat, they head towards the dining table for the dinner.

Sujal drags the chair for Kashish, in all gentleman style. Kashish smiles and takes her seat and places the rose that he gifted her at the corner on the table.

She gets awestruck by the preparations of his and asks him in surprise,

"Ye sub tumne banaya hai?"

Sujal smiles whilst taking his seat in front of her at the dining table.

His smile gives Kashish his affirmation.

"I can't wait to dive into the taste of it. This looks tempting Sujal. Just perfect.",

Kashish once again gives him compliment.

"Okay enough with your compliments Ma'am, help yourself now.",

laughs Sujal in awkwardness and shakes his head.

Kashish smiles wide, staring him and they begin with the dinner.

"Tum yahan akele rehte ho?",

asks Kashish, whilst having the dinner.

"Hmm...",

smiles Sujal.

"Aur tumhari family?",

asks Kashish, enjoying her food.

"Mumbai mein.",

says Sujal.

"To tum yahan akele kyun ho?",

asks Kashish, intrigued.

"Kaam ki wajah se. Yahan bhi business hai humara. Kisi ko to sambhalna hoga.",

smiles Sujal, looking towards Kashish.

Kashish nods her head in understanding.

"Waise Kashish... tumne kaha tha ke tumhe aur Anirudh ko miley hue zyada waqt nahi hua..",

says Sujal.

Kashish gets serious and alert upon hearing Anirudh's name.

"Fir kya tum itni confident ho sakti ho ke tumhara dost Anirudh wakayi mein ek acha insaan tha?",

asks Sujal.

Kashish looks towards Sujal, shocked upon hearing him. She gets bound to wonder what Sujal asks her.

She realizes, and in her state of daze, replies,

"Nahi!"

Sujal looks towards her such that his forehead gets creased.

Sujal fills wine in their glasses. Whilst doing so, he tries to relax Kashish by saying,

"It's okay Kashish. Main to bus aise hi puch raha tha. I am sure wo acha insaan hi hoga."

Kashish smiles a little but her smile doesn't reach her eyes. She stays engrossed in thinking about what Sujal had pointed towards.

"Waise humein mile hue bhi zyada waqt nahi hua. Dekha jaye to main ye bhi nahi keh sakti ke tum ek ache insaan ho.",

says Kashish, knitting her brows as she stares him without blinking her eyes, considering her own words.

Sujal stares her seriously for a brief moment, then smiles and places his spoon back on the plate. Entwining his fingers, he gives his full attention to Kashish and says,

"Bilkul! Mujh par bharosa karne se pehle sochna to chahiye tumhe for sure. Afterall not everyone is as sweet as Strawberry.",

smiles Sujal.

That gets Kashish all the more alert.

Sujal shakes his head in slow motion, staring Kashish throughout, knowing that she is thinking way too much.

*****

After the dinner Sujal and Kashish take their seats on the sofa with Sujal sitting at the right end of the center sofa and Kashish occupying the left end of the same sofa, resting their respective elbow at the respective handle of the sofa to their side.

"Tell me about your interests.",

says Kashish, resting a cushion on her lap and resting her elbows on it, interwining her fingers together in front, smiling.

"Hmm... I have interest in various stuffs.",

smiles Sujal, then turns to look towards Kashish.

Kashish sits all the more comfortably, eager to hear him, and says,

"Jaise?"

"Amm... Jaise mujhe ek taraf sports ka shauk hai to dusri taraf light music sunne ka.",

says Sujal.

Kashish arches a brow hearing that.

"Wow! Sports!",

appreciates Kashish.

Sujal smiles.

Changing his position again, Sujal looks towards Kashish and says,

"Waise mujhe ek aur shauk bhi hai."

"Wo kya?",

asks Kashish, with great interest.

"Logon ko read karne ka.",

says Sujal, staring Kashish darkly.

Kashish stares him, giving it a thought.

"Jaise iss waqt mera pura interest hai tumhe janne ka.",

smiles Sujal.

Kashish smiles staring him.

Extending his hand, he asks her,

"Janne dogi khud ko tum?"

Kashish stares him into his eyes. She tries to read his honesty in them, but to her discomfort she fails to find it.

"Ye jo tumhari ankhein mujhe tabse parhne ki koshish kar rahi hain na, inn mein jo kashish hai wo mujhe tumhari taraf kheench rahi hai Kashish.",

says Sujal, still keeping his hand extended towards Kashish, his eyes constant on her, his brows knit together, as if her attracting him towards herself is disturbing him.

Kashish notices it all.

"Aur tum iss khichaw se durr hona chahte ho?",

asks Kashish, staring him throughout.

He keeps staring her. His posture and expression remain same.

Kashish, upon not receiving any answer from him, places her hand on his hand, staring him throughout.

Sujal pulls her lightly towards herself. Kashish turns and sits in his embrace, resting her back against his chest. They weave their fingers with each other, feeling the warmth of their hands, staring at their hands as they do that.

As soon as Kashish rests against his chest, Sujal takes a deep breath.

"Mujhe rishte mein bandhna pasand nahi Kashish.",

says Sujal.

That hurts Kashish.

"Aur agar koi aur bandhna chahe to?",

asks Kashish, innocently, slowly, holding her breath.

Sujal smiles at her innocent question and says,

"To main usse warn karunga ke wo aisa na kare."

Hearing that Kashish tries to get out of his embrace in disappointment.

Sujal, who had already anticipated her move, tightens his hold around her chest and on her hand and laughs at her innocent and futile attempt. Kashish sighs in defeat. Sujal laughs further and kisses her hair, inhaling the fragrance of it as if trying to remember it. Letting it linger in his soul for longer period. Kashish too unconsciously does the same, inhaling his cologne, keeping her eyes closed.

And gradually they discuss a little more about random stuffs after which Kashish takes his permission to leave. She gets up to leave but Sujal, who remains sitting holds her hand pulls her back. This comes as a surprise for Kashish! She widens her eyes and in a reflex action, she rests her hands on the sofa behind his shoulders, such that she hovers him. Their eyes meet. Kashish's chest expands and contracts at quick succession. Her lips get apart out of shock. She goes at a loss of thought hence fails to react for a long moment.

Sujal slowly holds her with both of his hands by her waist.

He slowly, never taking his eyes away from her, tilts his head up a little and kisses at the centre of her neck, slowly. He licks her throat slowly, which makes Kashish to moan and shiver a little in his embrace. Sujal tightens his hold on her waist to stop her from shivering, whilst continuing kissing her neck; licking it, biting it softly at times.

Kashish enjoys whatever he does to her. She knits her brows lightly but not out of pain but out of pleasure. As if she could the taste the sweetness of Strawberry in his act!

She remembers that she is getting late. Hence, she steadies him and herself. Cupping his face with both of her hands, her posture still the same, Kashish kisses him deep, making him and herself to go breathless before she ends the kiss.

Ending it she stares at a dumbstruck Sujal, taken aback by her sudden assault. She smiles and smirks at her victory by giving him that expression of surprise. Leaving him she walks to the dining table and picks up her belongings whilst saying,

"Thank you for the dinner."

Sujal who by now has recovered from the after effect of the assault by Kashish, stands up and adjusts his shirt.

"The pleasure was all mine!",

smiles Sujal.

"Come I'll drop you.",

offers Sujal.

Kashish turns and smiles at him saying,

"Nahi main chali jaungi. Waise bhi I am sure you have a lot to think about at the moment.",

teases Kashish, smiling infectiously.

Sujal smiles and blushes hearing that.

Kashish laughs a little.

Bidding goodbye and goodnight to each other, Kashish heads towards her home.

*****

Next day Kashish calls Sujal. She gets taken aback when instead of Sujal she hears some other man on the other side,

"Hello kon bol raha hai?",

asks the man.

"Hello, Sujal?",

asks Kashish, skeptically.

"Inspector Khurana here. Aap kon?",

asks the inspector.

"Ka... Kashish!",

replies Kashish, nervously.

"Apka iss mobile ke owner ke saath kya rishta hai?",

asks the inspector.

That skips her heartbeat.

"D...dost hai mera.",

she replies in nervousness.

"Is everything fine?",

asks Kashish.

"Hmm... it seems apke alawa inka koi dost nahi hai.",

taunts the inspector.

Kashish who had already smelt something fishy about the situation gets doubtful all the more and asks in confusion and shock,

"Ma...tlab?"

"Apke alawa inke phone mein kisi ka bhi number nahi hai. To hui na aap inki eklauti dost!",

taunts the inspector further.

Kashish's mind swivels hearing that. Her breath turns shallow.

"Ye... ye aap kaisi baat kar rahe hain?",

asks Kashish, shocked by the revelation.

"Sahi keh raha hun main Ma'am!",

replies the inspector confidently.

"Aap kahan hain iss waqt? Hum apse milna chahte hain.",

says the inspector.

Kashish gives him the address of her shop.

A constable drives to Kashish and picks her up from in front of her shop and takes her to Sujal's home.

The surrounding of the house gives her a feeling of the place being a posh area as she witnesses it properly for the first time that too in daylight. Last night the darkness and her constant chatter with Sujal didn't let her focus at her surroundings.

"Hum... hum kahan ja rahe hain?",

she asks, despite knowing deep down that she is being taken to Sujal's home.

The constable chooses to stay quiet.

Kashish gets out of the jeep and walks after the constable.

Reaching into the house she gets surprised to discover inspectors there walking around and searching the house thoroughly.

Initially Kashish wonders why has she been brought here? She tries to search for Sujal's presence there, but she meets with his absence. All the presence she feels of him is when her eyes fall on giant photo frames holding the pictures Sujal in them.

Kashish stares at the portrays of Sujal, with sadness in her eyes.

"Miss Sinha...",

the inspector comes to her, calling her to get her out of her state of shock so that he could interrogate her.

"Kya... kya hua iss...",

before she could complete her question, Kashish gets another shock,

"Humne Mr. Anirudh ke murder ke case se related apse kuch baat karna chahte the isliye apko yahan bulaya hai."

Kashish turns to look towards the inspector in shock and exclaims,

"Anirudh!?"

She wonders why would he call her to discuss about Anirudh's case at Sujal's house.

The inspector nods his head into affirmative and says,

"Humein shaq hai ke Mr. Anirudh ka katl Mr. Sujal Garewal ne kiya hai."

Kashish gets yet another shock.

"What?! Aap... aap jante bhi hain aap kya keh rahe hain?",

shouts Kashish, unable to accept the truth.

"Sujal.... Sujal aisa kyun karega?",

asks Kashish, completely dismissing the idea of Sujal being a murderer.

"Ye baat aap itne yakeen ke saath kaise keh sakti hain ke Mr. Sujal aisa nahi kar saktein?",

asks the inspector.

"Main... main janti hun usse. Wo.. wo aisa nahi kar sakta.",

Kashish tries to make them understand.

"Kabse janti hain aap Sujal Garewal ko?",

asks the inspector.

"Yahi kuch 1-2 din se.",

says Kashish, hesitantly.

The inspector smirks and says,

"Ma'am yahan khoon ke rishte bhi dhokha de jate hain aur aap 1-2 din ki dosti par bharosa kar rahi hain?"

His words pierce Kashish's heart.

Kashish stares him in displeasure.

"Apke dost ko zehr dekar mara gaya hai!",

declares the inspector.

Kashish gets yet another shock.

One of the constables calls the inspector from the kitchen saying,

"Sir yahan cake kata gaya hai. Lagta hai janamdin manaya ja raha tha.",

smirks the constable.

The word 'cake' makes Kashish to turn towards the kitchen in shock. She understands that it must be the cake that she had gifted him but she gets shocked to discover the cake that Sujal had bought from her shop on which he asked her to write '15'! She shivers in shock.

The inspector asks the constable to place the cake on the slab. They cover their nose with hanky as the cake stinks. The inspector tries to read what has been written on the cake but the cut part makes it impossible for him to read it properly, hence he asks in irritation,

"Kya likha hai iss par?"

Kashish in a state of shock replies,

"15th!"

All of them turn to look towards Kashish.

"Ye aap kaise janti hain?",

asks the inspector, suspeciously.

Kashish looks straight into his eyes and lets him know,

"Kyunki ye cake meri dukan se li gayi hai. Maine hi banaya hai. Maine hi Sujal ke kehne par iss par 15th likha hai."

The inspector knits his brows and nods his head in understanding.

He interogates further.

"Miss Kashish jis tarah se Mr. Sujal ke call record mein sirf apka hi naam paya gaya hai...",

says the inspector.

Kashish shuts her eyes as his words irk her.

"To isse lagta hai ke achi khasi dosti ho gayi thi aap dono ki.",

adds the inspector.

Moments when they got intimate with each other flash in front of Kashish's eyes and suddenly she regrets it all, but deep down she still keeps her faith in Sujal intact.

"Ji!",

says Kashish, slowly, feeling awkward.

"To kya aapne kabhi unse pucha nahi ke unhone kiske liye wo cake liya?",

asks the inspector.

"I mean normally cake birthday ya anniversary par li jati hai. Aur cake ke uper mention bhi kiya jata hai the reason of the celebration.",

says the inspector.

Kashish nods her head in agreement and says,

"Ye baat mujhe bhi atpati lagi thi. Maine Sujal se dosti hone ke baad usse pucha bhi tha ke wo cake kiske liye khareeda tha usne. Magar usne hans kar baat ko taal diya.",

says Kashish and she gets goosebumps as she realizes that it was a cue that something was fishy but she didn't give much heed to it.

Or may be Sujal was so smart to captivate her in his vicious circle by weaving it around her through his sugar coated words that she forgot it all after being friends with him. This fact hurts Kashish all the more. She regrets being dumb!

One constable reaches the police and tells him,

"Sir humne Sujal Garewal ke padosiyon se baat ki magar kisi ko uske barey mein kuch nahi pata."

Kashish knits her brows tighter and says,

"Wo kafi introvert hai. Aisa kabhi laga nahi mujhe ke uske zyada dost honge. Magar... magar maine ye bhi kabhi nahi socha tha ke uske mobile mein apko mere alawa kisi ka number nahi milega.",

Kashish looks away, frustrated.

"Yes, true that's odd!",

says the inspector, thinking.

His words remind Kashish of Sujal's words -

'I love doing everything that is odd!'

Her heart gets pierced afresh.

"Ek insaan ke mobile mein sirf ek hi insaan ka number hone ke do (2) matlab ho sakte hain...",

says the inspector, thinking.

Kashish gives her full attention to him.

"Pehla...",

the inspector counts on his finger.

"Ya to wo uska bohot aziz ho!"

Kashish cascades her eyes, her cheeks warm up hearing that but there is no smile on her face. She falls in dilemma whether to smile at that or get scared of it!

"Ya fir wo uska dushman ho!",

adds the inspector.

Kashish looks towards the inspector again, shocked.

She wonders can she be his enemy by any means?

"Anyways, Miss Kashish hum Mr. Garewal ke ghar ko seal kar rahe hain. Abhi aap ja sakti hain. Magar hum apko firse bula sakte hain puchtach ke liye. I hope you will co-operate with us.",

says the inspector.

Kashish nods her head in agreement.

Heartbroken Kashish leaves for her home.

A man strands in front of Sujal's house upon discovering police all around his house.

The inspector happens to discover him standing there and eyeing the house suspeciously. He walks to him and says,

"Aap please yahan aise khade mat rahiye, jaiye. Apko dekhkar baki sub bhi yahan aakar khade ho jayenge. Fir police ko kaam karne mein problem hoti hai. Jaiye aap yahan se."

"Kya... kya hua hai Sir?",

asks the man, his eagerness gets mingled with hesitation.

"Yahan jo rehta hai humein shaq hai ke usne kisi ka khoon kiya hai. Jaanch-padtal jari hai.",

says the inspector.

"Haan maine dekha hai iss ghar ke malik ko der raat tak jage rehte hue. Kabhi-kabhi to ghar bhi der raat ko aatey the.",

he tells.

His words drag the attention of the inspector.

"Kabhi kisi se baat karte hue dekha hai?",

asks the inspector, keen to learn more about Sujal.

"Nahi Sir kabhi nahi. Yein waise zyada ghar se bahar nikalte nahi the. Jab nikalte the tab bhi raat ko andhere mein hi nikalte the.",

says the man, having his suspicion on the case on.

"Kya inke yahan koi kaam karta hai? Mera matlab koi naukar-chakar?",

asks the inspector.

"Haan Mohan kaam karta hai.",

says the man.

"Mohan! Aur kahan milega ye Mohan ab?",

asks the inspector.

"Ek minute. Hai mere paas uska pata. Mere yahan bhi kaam kar chuka hai wo.",

says the man.

He provides the inspector with the address of Mohan.

•••••

The left over of the cake gets taken to the lab for getting it tested. Before heading towards Mohan's house, the inspector stops by the lab to learn about the outcome of the test.

"Jis baat ka shaq tha wohi hua.",

says the doctor.

"Matlab?",

asks the inspector, eager to know the outcome.

"Body ka postmortem karne ke baad jo zeher uss mein mila, wo zeher iss cake mein...",

the doctor pauses, letting the suspense stay for further few moments, gauging the reaction of the inspector friend.

"Bataiye doctor, kya raha result?",

asks the inspector, getting impatient.

"Wo zeher iss cake mein bhi tha!",

reveals the doctor.

The inspector pats the table loudly as if he has finally gotten into a conclusion.

"Iska matlab Mr. Sujal Garewal ne cake mein zeher milakar Anirudh ko khila diya!",

says the inspector thinking.

He adds further, his state of dilemma returning again, his earlier smile of success and satisfaction vanishing,

"Ya... Mr. Sujal Garewal ko pata hi nahi tha ke jo cake Mr. Anirudh ko khilaya ja raha hai, uss cake mein zeher hai!",

thinks the inspector, seeing the situation from another perspective.

"Magar Mr. Garewal ka Anirudh se kya lena-dena hai? Akhir kya dushmani ho sakti hai Mr. Garewal ki Anirudh se?",

wonders the inspector.

"Iss baat ko janne mein shayad Mohan humari kuch madad kar sakey?",

wonders the inspector.

Getting determined the inspector shakes hand with the doctor and leaves for Mohan's place.

•••••

Police reaches Mohan for interrogation at a slum area. Initially Mohan gets terrified upon discovering the police there but he finally begins replying to their questions.

"Kabse kaam karte ho tum Sujal Garewal ke yahan?",

asks the inspector.

"Do(2) saal se.",

says Mohan, terrified.

"Maine... maine kuch nahi kiya!",

Mohan begins to plead them.

"Dekho hum bus tumse jo puch rahe hain unn sawalon ka jawab dete jao, tumhe koi kuch nahi kahega.",

assures the inspector.

"Kaisa vyawhar raha hai tumhare Sujal sahab ka tumhare prati?",

asks the inspector.

"Sujal sahab to badey dil wale hain Sahab. Tankhwa dene mein kabhi waqt nahi lagate. Balki waqt se pehle de dete hain. Kabhi kabar to main khud bhool jata hoon mangna magar unhe humesha yaad rehta hai.",

smiles Mohan out of respect for Sujal.

"Acha ye batao kya unse kabhi koi ghar par milne nahi aata?",

asks the inspector.

"Sahab ka kaam phone par hi hota hai. Wo computer mein camera laga kar...",

he tries to explain.

The inspector nods his head in understanding.

"Kabhi dekha hai tumne ke kisse baat karte the camera laga kar?",

he asks.

"Nahi Sahab. Darwaza band kar dete the aur kisi ko ander aane se mana kar dete the.",

says Mohan.

"Acha ye batao jab ye baat ho jati thi, jab wo kamre se bahar nikalte the, to unka mood kaisa rehta tha?",

asks the inspector.

"Kabhi pareshan rehte the to kabhi khush. Lagbhag pareshan hi rehte the. Soch mein doobe hue. Jaise kuch zaruri kaam ke barey mein soch rahein ho. Kayi baar to khana bhi der se khate the. Study mein baithe kuch likhte the room se nikalne ke baad.",

he says.

"Magar kuch dino se Sahab kafi khush rehne lage the.",

remembers Mohan.

"Khush? Kyun aisa kya hua tha?",

asks the inspector, suspiciously.

"Kya pata!",

says Mohan, clueless.

The inspector wonders what could be the reason.

"Haan ek dafa main unke kamre ke samne se guzar raha tha, darwaza khula hua tha halka sa to maine jhank kar jab dekha to computer par ek ladki ki tasveer khuli hui thi. Bohot pyari si thi.",

smiles Mohan.

"Mujhe laga mano Sujal Sahab ki zindagi mein wo ladki khaas mehtwa rakhti ho.",

he smiles further.

The inspector looks towards the constable.

Turning back towards Mohan, the inspector, bringing out his mobile shows to him the picture of Kashish saved from her Facebook account and asks,

"Kya ye wo ladki thi?"

Mohan gets amazed and immediately says,

"Ji! Ji Sir yahi thi wo."

The inspector takes a deep breath. But he gets all the more puzzled how can this be related to Kashish?

*****

Police reaches Kashish at her shop.

"Aap?",

asks Kashish, getting nervous.

"Miss Kashish, hum chahte hain ke aap humein apki Mr. Sujal se pehli mulakat ke barey mein batein.",

says the inspector.

"Ji?",

asks Kashish, confused.

"Detail mein!",

adds the inspector.

Kashish tries to remember and shares the detail skipping the intimacy part.

"Phone? Kiska phone aya tha?",

asks the inspector, suspeciously.

"Ji ye to nahi pata. Magar usne kisika address note karne ke liye mujhse pen aur notepad manga tha.",

says Kashish.

"Kya hum wo notepad dekh sakte hain?",

asks the inspector.

"Ji ek minute.",

says Kashish and quickly provides him the notepad.

"Kya uske baad aapne iss mein kuch likha?",

asks the inspector.

"Ji nahi.",

replies Kashish.

The inspector checks the notepad and through a laser light reads the address.

"Humein yahan jakar dekhna hoga. Akhir kya hai yahan.",

says the inspector, thinking deeply.

"Thank you Ma'am for your cooperation.",

says the inspector after noting the address on a paper.

As the inspector begins to leave, Kashish remembers of the keys Sujal had left. Bringing them out from the drawer, Kashish calls them from behind.

"Inspector, ye chaabiyan uss din Sujal yahin chor kar chala gaya tha.",

says Kashish, extending the bunch of keys towards them.

Walking back to Kashish, the inspector takes the bunch of keys and stares them suspeciously.

"Ye chaabiyan...",

says the inspector suspiciously.

Kashish too stares at the keys suspiciously and says,

"Mujhe laga ke shayad wo wapas aye agar gadi ki chabi hai to. Magar wo nahi aya. Aur fir main bhi bhool gayi usse wapas dena na usne kabhi zikr kiya. Abhi yaad aya to socha apko dikhaun."

The inspector looks again towards the bunch of keys and says,

"Agar ye kisi gadi ya bike ki chabi hoti jo wo regular basis par use karte hain to wo zarur wapas atey mangne."

Kashish nods her head in agreement.

"To fir ye chabi hai kis cheez ki?",

wonders the inspector.

"Khair koi baat nahi. Ye chabi hum apne paas rakh rahe hain.",

says the inspector.

Kashish nods her head again. The inspector leaves.

*****

Police heads towards the given address. Upon reaching the secluded place at the outskirts of the city, they find the door locked of the only house that they found there. Initially they take it as their failure but in moments they remember about the keys they possess with them. They try the keys on the fourth try the door gets unlocked. The police pushes the door open. The constables enter, their hands loaded with pistols. They discover the place as low lit area. Upon opening the door they aim the pistols in front of themselves, without even giving chance to themselves to check what confronts them. When they finally focus, they discover smeone tied up on a chair. His head bowed down - shows his tired and deteriorating self.

"Kon ho tum?",

asks the police, still aiming the pistol towards the man.

The man slowly looks up towards the police. His eyes filled with helplessness and self pity. His eyes turn teary as he tells them,

"Mujhe... mujhe yahan uss gundey ne bandh kar rakha hai. Aap... aap mujhe bacha lijiye inspector.",

pleads the man, his heart beating at a tremendous speed inside his chest.

"Wo... wo mujhe maar dega.",

cries the man.

The inspector stares the tied up man skeptically. He gestures one of his men to untie him.

Meanwhile Sujal walks with someone on the path that leads to this place. He stops abruptly upon discovering the door unlocked and the police's jeep parked at a corner. He understands the scenario immediately. He runs with the man accompanying him, into the house.

The inspector and his men turn towards Sujal immediately aiming at him.

Sujal and the man with him get taken aback.

"De..dekhiye aap...",

Sujal begins to explain extending his arm forward, indicating through his index finger to not take any hasty step.

The policemen stay alert.

"Koi bhi kadam uthane se pehle aap meri baat sunn lijiye.",

says Sujal, eyeing them.

Whilst staring each of them, Sujal brings out his wallet from his trousers' pocket and extends it towards the inspector, disclosing his identity by saying,

"Main RAW agent Sujal Garewal hun."

The inspector eye him skeptically, then looks towards his identity card. Looking towards him, he says,

"Lekin apka to family business hai.",

owing to the fact that his father is a well known personality.

Sujal nods his head and says,

"Aisa mana jata hai ke main bhi apne family business mein hoon."

He shakes his head into negative and says,

"Magar aisa hai nahi."

"Fir isse yahan bandh kar kyun rakha hai aapne?",

asks the inspector, turning polite.

Sujal glares the man and says,

"Deshdrohi hai ye!"

*****

Police calls Kashish and asks her to reach police station while they along with the arrested man and Sujal, head towards the police station.

Kashish glares Sujal as he enters the police station, while Sujal stares her with his eyes filled with nothing more than love and affection for her.

Police asks Sujal to take his seat. Kashish stands at a side and looks away, while Sujal sits, staring her throughout.

"Inspector, puchiye inse kyun kiya inhone Anirudh ke saath aisa?",

says Kashish, angry.

The police begins to explain,

"Dekhiye..."

But Sujal stops the police by indicating him to stop, gesturing with his palm. The police stops abruptly.

Sujal adjusts in his seat and asks Kashish, ever so calmly,

"Kya kiya maine?"

His calm tone irks Kashish. She glares him and accuses him by repeating his question in her words, exclaiming in surprise,

"Kya kiya tumne?!"

Smiling all calmly, staring Kashish throughout, Sujal says,

"Maine to kaha tha 'mujh par bharosa karne se pehle sochna to chahiye tumhe'! Magar tumne nahi socha.",

and he smirks looking towards her.

Kashish shakes her head slowly, glaring him throughout. But Sujal stretches his lips further into a smile.

"Ma'am aap please shant ho jaiye aur baithiye.",

intervenes the police.

"Inspector I want ke Mr. Sujal Garewal ko kadi se kadi saza mile.",

says Kashish out of anger, turning to look towards the police.

Sujal cascades his eyes and smirks at her remark.

The inspector somehow manages to calm her down.

"How can you ask me to calm down?",

asks Kashish anxiously.

Inside she breaks into pieces. This anger and hatred are just cover ups to hide her heartbroken state. How much has she tried consoling herself; kept giving strength to herself, only she knows.

Sujall enjoys witnessing her state.

The inspector introduces Sujal to Kashish revealing his identity.

Kashish stares the inspector, shell shocked upon realizing the truth.

She hesitantly turns to look towards Sujal, trying to imagine him as a RAW agent! She realizes as she stares Sujal in his eyes that deep down she had faith in him. She had broken into pieces upon getting the news that he is behind Anirudh's absence from her life! But she stays perplexed.

"Ye... ye such nahi...",

she trails off, shocked.

"Yahi such hai Kashish!",

says Sujal, looking straight into her eyes.

•••••

Sujal and Kashish stand at an outstretched land, resting their back against Sujal's car. The cool breeze fan their faces. They look in front of them in silence but inside them waves of emotions and questions do somersault.

Sujal takes a deep breath and decides to break the ice. Turning to look towards Kashish he asks her,

"Kya soch rahi ho?"

"Hawa apna rukh jaise ek jhatke mein badal leti hai, kash zindagi ke wo pal jo humare hisab se nahi hote wo bhi humare palke jhapakte hi beet jatein.",

says Kashish, feeling deeply sad.

Sujal looks in front of him hearing her.

"Hmm... Magar aisa nahi hota.",

he says, sadly.

Turning to look towards her he says,

"Afterall life is not as sweet as Strawberry.",

smiles Sujal.

Kashish turns to look towards him, staying serious.

"Jab tum mere dukan mein aye the tab mujhe jante the!",

states Kashish, although sounding calm, but inside her heart beats at a tremendous speed.

Sujal keeps staring her, standing next to her and calmly replies,

"Haan!"

Kashish turns to look towards Sujal, her brows knit together.

They keep staring each other, drowning into the pool of memories of their togetherness.

"Wo cake...",

Kashish begins to ask but gets intervened by Sujal,

"Pooja! Meri bohot achi dost hai. Mere saath hi kaam karti hai. Uski beti ka birthday tha. Maine uske birthday ko celebrate karne ke liye wo cake liya tha."

Kashish nods her head in affirmative, cascading her eyes, as she gets to know the facts gradually.

"To wo cake tumhare ghar par kyun tha?",

asks Kashish, out of curiosity, looking towards him.

Smiling, he says,

"Wapas jatey waqt Pooja ka call aya tha usne mujhe Navya - uski beti ko uske friend ke ghar se pick karne ko kaha tha. Wahan shayad Navya apne friends ke saath birthday celebrate kar rahi thi. Pooja straightaway mere ghar par aa gayi waqt milte hi. So wahin celebrate kar liya humne milkar Navya ka birthday.",

smiles Sujal, looking towards Kashish, his arms folded over his abdominal.

Kashish tries to think what else she needs to ask him. Her mind works upon the information that Sujal gives to her.

"Uss din jab tum dukan par aye the, tumhare paas ek call aya tha. Kiska call tha?",

asks Kashish, holding her breath.

Sujal stares her for a moment, knowing that deep down she must have discovered already. He then reveals,

"Anirudh ka!"

Kashish knits her brows tighter as she accepts the truth.

Sujal turns towards Kashish and takes her hands in his hands, staring them throughout. Kashish too turns to look towards him, curious to know what is going on in his mind.

"Kashish, tumse milne se pehle hi main tumhe janta tha.",

he looks towards Kashish to gauge her reaction to his words.

Kashish tightens her hold on his hands hearing that and knits her brows lightly.

"Tumhari profile dekhi thi maine Anirudh ke social media account par.",

he lets her know.

That comes as a surprise for Kashish.

"Waise to mujhe kabhi kisi ladki mein koi diljaspi nahi rahi...",

Sujal looks deep into her eyes as he continues,

"Magar tumhe dekhte hi maine tumhari taraf ek khichaw mehsus kiya."

"Tumse milna ittefaq tha!",

Sujal smiles lovingly at her, staring her throughout.

"Ek bohot khoobsurat ittefaq!",

adds Sujal.

"Ye to janta tha ke tum kahan kaam karti ho, magar wahan aana, wo unplanned tha.",

says Sujal, earnestly.

Kashish and Sujal stare each other, transmitting their feelings for each other through their eyes. They smile looking towards each other and end up hugging each other tightly.

-THE END-
(22.12.2020)