PART 26

ACP Arnav singh Raizada was sitting in the confines of his spacious room.A motley of emotions coursing through him,but the dominant one being that of guilt, which was quite oxymoronic,considering it was him.Ever since he had heard Khushi and Akash's conversation in the canteen,he was considerably angey at his pigheadedness.

Khushi's hurt doe-eyes flashed before him,making his heart ache.He had hurt her for no mistake of hers!

But it was not just penitence at his unruly behaviour that occupied ASR's mind and heart,but outright rage.He simply wanted to strangle that guy Shyam for laying his eyes on khushi!

But before that he needed to ask for her forgiveness.ASR shifted in his seat uncomfortably.Never before had he apologised to anyone apart from his family and situation was bound to be awkward. 

Still he couldn't stand khushi's silence and wistfulness.She hadn't so much as glanced towards him,let alone talk since the morning encounter.The office seemed strangely monotonous without khushi's silvery laughter.He missed her craziness and was determined to get it back.

With conviction,ASR reached towards the door knob only to be brought up short by the shrill ring of the phone.

He picked up the phone irritably.It was a call for duty.

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

''Khushi,if you're not comfortable with this then you can go out and get a bit of air.''ACP Arnav singh raizada said in quite mellowed down tone,inviting several raised eyebrows and unhinged mouths.

They were in the sprawling mansion of the great business tycoon,MR.Jayesh Waliya,who was currently lying in a pool of his own blood in his bedroom. His corpse was savagely mutilated and his hollow,rolled eyes were enough to give goosebumps to most toughest of officers.

ASR had noticed khushi's discomfort and found her making faces.He had immediately grabbed the opportunity to initiate small talks with her,trying to thaw her out,like a teenage school boy trying to impress his crush.That was so uncharacteristic!

''I'm absolutely fine,Sir!''Khushi replied,her voice aloof,not looking at him.

ASR's expression floundered a bit before he pulled on his nonchalant facade,now intensely aware of the stunned gazes of others.

Forensic team was all over the place,clicking pictures,searching for finger prints and other clues.

ASR spotted two glass on bed side cabinet and observed them carefully.They strongly smelled of wines.No doubt an exotic one!He searched every nook and crevice and barked orders at others,his mind racing,weighing every aspect. 

He quite literally forgot about khushi and her anger until she offered to go with Rohan,another fellow officer to interrogate the employees of Jayesh Waliya.

''Khushi you're staying with me!''he blurted without thinking.

Everyone looked up at him wonderingly and he internally kicked himself for his folly.

''I mean,with lavanya on leave we need to have a lady officer present here to question Mrs.Smriti waliya,hius wife.She'll reach here shortly.''ASR clarified.

His reason convinced everyone but not his brother who immediately saw through it.

Akash suppressed his smile,trying to keep his face straight.Love truly was all potent and puissant.......