Abhedya was stunned to see Swarnima there with the police. So he stepped forward and questioned the senior police officer, "what have we done officer? Care to explain?"

"We were just asked to summon you both, Swarnima from year 3rd and Abhedya from year 4th to our S.P. Sir as soon as possible. Reason for this is highly confidential. We will have to confiscate your phones or any mode of communication. So your cooperation is requested." The senior official explained.

"Do you know who my father is? I can't just go with you, I will talk to my lawyers first." Abhedya said with firmness.

"You have to come with us, however, you have the options to talk to your lawyers. And you miss, will you come or you will have your lawyers talk too?" The officer questioned.

"Umm... I trust our system so I will come with you," Swarnima agreed at once.

Abhedya pulled Swarnima to the side and assured, "my lawyers will talk on your behalf too, don't worry. We haven't done any crime they can't just take us."

Swarnima loved this concerned side of Abhedya but she replied, " it's okay sir. We haven't done anything so what's the harm in checking what exactly is the issue?"

"Mr. and miss if you are done let us know soon?" Interrupted the officer.

" I will come," Swarnima declared leaving Abhedya behind.

"IMPOSSIBLE YOU ARE!! why can't you just agree to me once? Fine!! I will come too," Abhedya followed her suite but he was highly annoyed.

"We will come in our car and follow you. We have cooperated with you, now this you have to agree." Swarnima spoke with finality in her tone. 

"Okay. But if you try to act smart it won't be good for you," the officer replied in the same tone.

"I'll get the car," Abhedya moved to get his car.

" No! we will go in my car," Swarnima told Abhedya and pleaded him with eyes to not argue.

Abhedya was amused to see those expressions in her eyes which were mostly barred of any expressions. Today, even if Swarnima asked him to walk to the graveyard at 12 in the night he would have. He was under her spell, so he agreed.

Swarnima went to get her car. She reversed and pulled the car in front of Abhedya. He along with the police were amazed to see the petite framed girl in her 'convertible black metallic sapphire BMW Z4.' She gestured Abhedya to sit inside. He was impressed but very suspicious. The police drove ahead of them and asked them to follow.

Swarnima turned the ignition on and trailed behind the car. Abhedya couldn't control his curiosity so he asked her as soon as they sat in the car, "why cycle? when you have a sexy car?"

Swarnima giggled... the sound was like soulful music to Abhedya. "Cycle causes no pollution, it's a very good exercise, it helps me observe nature closely and ..."

"Why are you so secretive? I don't want to know, okay!" Abhedya cut her in between all annoyed.

Swarnima smiled and added, "that is truly the reason, sir."

Swarnima tapped at a watch from the steering wheel and a person spoke, "hello beautiful! Heard the song you sang beautifully."

"Umm... listen I have company in my car. It's Abhedya sir from college. The news is, the S.P. has summoned us and sent his officers to get us. They have confiscated our phones too." Swarnima explained the other person.

Abhedya understood that Swarnima had a mode of communication pre-installed in her car so she requested that they take her car.

"Oh okay! If there is a problem let me know. I know you can handle everything though, but just keep me informed." The person replied.

"As if you won't find it out yourself," Swarnima remarked with a tease in her tone.

Abhedya was just a spectator of the whole scene. He cleared his throat to gain attention. But byes were exchanged and no one noticed him.

"Who was that?" Abhedya asked bluntly. He was having a sharp sense of 'something' in his heart which he was not liking. He remembered that Swarnima had confessed  "HE IS MY FIRST THOUGHT IN THE MORNING" when she was asked about her someone special.

"He was someone special," Swarnima answered honestly.

Abhedya hated the fact and the boy even without knowing him. So he said in a little harsh tone "I could figure that out. But who is he? Boyfriend? fiancé?"

" Oh! no!! He is just like my brother!! In fact more than my own," Swarnima said the last part to herself in a sad tone but Abhedya heard it.
"Can a girl and boy just share those relations? He is someone who has been there for me all my life, till date and... " she stopped saying further because they were not even friends yet and she didn't owe him an explanation.

"Your conversation didn't sound like that of a brother and sister so I asked. Anyways I am not bothered." Abhedya clarified taking a deep sigh of relief that 'he' was just her brother.

With that exchange of information, they reached the police station. They were taken directly to the S.P.'s room where a middle-aged man asked them to sit on chairs opposite him.

"Hello! My name is Raghav Dutt. I am the Superintendent of Police and you are here because of my orders. Sorry for the inconvenience. I understand that you Mr Abhedya are the son of Mr Rudra R. Singh who I know personally too. But you Miss Swarnima are all by yourself. No parents lived with a grandmother who passed away too and you migrated here from Windsor.
Am I right? Uh!! Of course, I do my homework well.
Coming to the point, you recently prepared a mind-reading game where if you think of world-famous personalities and enter a few details the computer would guess the personality. You made the project and Mr Abhedya approved it but you mentioned in your speech that he pointed out the error in the programming otherwise the programme wouldn't have run.
Umm! Too much detailing. So, now we want you to prepare a similar software where if we enter a few details about the criminals, suspects, we get the answer to the possible options... is that possible?"

Abhedya and Swarnima looked at each other then nodded their head in approval.

"Great !! then whatever details you require... the database, the files or anything, will be made available to you. You can decide the price for your services but conditions are high confidentiality and you both have to stay at one place under surveillance of cameras and police.
We could have asked experts to do the needful but there are some things which cannot be disclosed and we did a background check on you both and found you as best options. So tell us when can you do it." S.P. Raghav finished his explanation on the requirements.

Swarnima and Abhedya didn't say anything and asked S.P. to give them some time to think. The S.P. escorted them to a room and a constable was asked to get them tea or coffee.

"I Am sorry sir. That stupid programme has got you into this. It's okay if don't want to do it." Swarnima didn't want to drag him into this mission.

"Not all hero's fight frontline. I know this is not heroic much but if our state wants us to contribute in some way I think we should definitely help in whichever way we can. So, I hope you don't mind sharing the details of the software." Abhedya professed his point of view.

Swarnima's chest swelled with pride. The man was a true patriot and all set to do what he was born for... she wanted to hug him but just declared, "I have never heard a more heroic statement. We will be together in this. But when should we start? The exams are about to start and this requires a lot of time and..." before Swarnima could finish S.P. Dutt came and intervened, "Miss Swarnima we got to know that since you live all by yours and your immediate neighbour is also out of town Mr Abhedya can stay at your place while you two do the work?"

They didn't know what to say. The suggestion was appropriate but both knew their hearts were not in their control. Besides, the programme would require a lot of homework and might take days to finish up.

Abhedya asked him, "how soon do you require the software? Because we have our final exams and need to concentrate on them as well."

S.P. looked a little worried with that statement so in a requestive tone he communicated, " I can't force you but the sooner the better because... Rajatbhoomi has started with its trespassing again and is planning something big against us. So we not only need to find the culprits but also their plan. You might be aware that the 'heir to Throne' is alive and will soon claim it and we have sworn that this time we will not let Rajatbhoomi's evil plans harm our prince/princess. But as I said I can't force you, kids, it's your choice."

Swarnima unconsciously held Abhedya's right-hand thumb.
This thing only ' she' did. Normally people hold someone's hand when they are scared or something but SHE had always caught his thumb when she was scared. Abhedya also held her hand in his and loved the way it fitted in his. Holding Swarnima's hand he announced with grit and determination, "before our exams start you shall get the software and nothing would touch our prince/princess."

Swarnima just stared at Abhedya without blinking so he whispered in her ears, "You can start your staring session some other time. S.P. Sir is also in the room I am feeling shy." Swarnima immediately looked down and bit her lips because of embarrassment.

"You can leave her hand too, son!" S.P. Dutt commented and started laughing. "I am proud of you kids. But don't worry you can work for two or three hours now and once your exams are over you can do it full time. The details will be provided to you soon. Here are your mobiles you can leave now."

Swarnima and Abhedya left from there and Swarnima told Abhedya, "you can drop me home and take my car to your home."

"So basically you want me to drive." Abhedya teased but opened the car door for her.
Swarnima quietly sat in the car. Her face was pale and dull now. Abhedya noticed the change so to comfort her he offered, "Listen don't worry I'll make the software you can concentrate on the exams and if I want any help I'll call you. But please just let me stay in your house." Abhedya said the last part dramatically but Swarnima just gave a nod.

"What happened Swarnima? Don't be scared of those Rajatbhoomi people. They can't harm us. We are way stronger than them in all areas. They are now at the mercy of the Indian govt. as it is. One wrong move and the Indian govt. won't spare them. Besides you and me can tackle their whole army with just our left hand." Abhedya was just trying to comfort her. 

But Swarnima responded in a high pitch, " you have no idea what the ruler of Rajatbhoomi can do. He is capable of giving the worst nightmares to people. And how much skills we develop he will come up with a plan and destroy life's beyond repair. So don't take him lightly... not now. Not this time"

Abhedya was startled to see the rage in Swarnima's eyes. The girl who barely spoke or spoke softly even with those who mocked her almost shouted.

"I am sorry. I got carried away." Swarnima apologised and calmed herself.

"Your house has come," Abhedya said stopping the car. He figured out she has stuff that bothers her and it has something to do with Rajatbhoomi. He wanted to know but it wasn't the correct time. 

She got down and said 'thank you' when a police officer came and told them they cannot go further as the area is sealed.

"I live here," Swarnima told them and showed her address proof.

"So, you can go inside and you Mr., either you go with her or stay in the car the whole night." The police officer told him about the options available.

"What's wrong?" Abhedya asked in a tired tone. He had, had enough for the day.

"INFILTRATION! we have information that suspects have been spotted in this area. So only the residents are allowed." The police officer revealed them the reason.

"Uhhhh! Listen I live close by. This is my id let me go." Abhedya requested.

"Abhedya sir. It's okay you can stay at my place I have a separate room." Swarnima was back to her soft and sweet voice. "and I will make coffee for you" she added with a smile.

Abhedya reciprocated the smile and joked, "okay. If you insist but will I be safe? I hope you won't take advantage of a young and handsome boy." Abhedya animated as if he was feeling scared.

Swarnima laughed and assured, "I won't. Remember I made a promise to take care of you."
Abhedya could crack all stupid senseless jokes he knew, to hear that laughter. And somewhere in his heart he promised to make her smile and laugh whenever he had a chance. With that promise, he entered her apartment.

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Dear Readers
We have often heard not all heroes wear capes. Each citizen contributes to the country in their own way. In our story, Abhedya and Swarnima were going to develop software that would help identify the criminals.
The sense of satisfaction you get by doing your bit for your country gives you a sense of pride and joy.
Coming update shall reveal the secret of Swarnima
stay hooked.
Lots of love!