A slice of life

Hi friends, I’m back after sometime. All my previous posts were written some months ago. So personally I was away from writing for a period of time. But after sharing some of my works with you, I felt really glad that all of you liked my works and this encouraged me to write more. So I am trying my hand at writing quite after sometime. Please do read till the end.
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CID Bureau - 10:55 PM
Abhijeet was quite busy with some important case. At one point, he got frustrated because everything seemed to arrive at square one. So he got exhausted mentally and felt like having a break. As he looked at his watch, it was late because everyone had left the bureau earlier. So he decided to leave the bureau. He took some important files and reached the parking lot. It was raining heavily so the land was too slippery that he had to stay careful to keep a step ahead.
He stepped into the car and started driving and the music player started singing some old Hindi melodies. For a moment, Abhijeet’s mind was calm, because it gave him a wonderful feeling. Who on earth wouldn’t enjoy listening one’s favourite song while it’s raining outside!! But Abhijeet’s calmness didn’t last for a while as his car suddenly stopped at one place. He gave a sigh and got down to check his car. But his car had some serious technical issues which cannot be repaired at night. So he gave a call to the mechanic and asked him to pick his car from the spot. He took the files in a cover and started walking slowly in the rain. Suddenly he got reminded of ACP sir as he didn’t turn up to the bureau that day. Abhijeet wanted to visit him but he hesitated as it was night time and he thought if ACP sir would have slept earlier. But he decided to reach ACP sir’s home and wanted to check about ACP sir.
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ACP Pradyuman’s House - 11:15 PM
ACP sir was watching Discovery channel in his TV for some time leaning back on a sofa. Rainy season had given its own effects, in the form of fever and cold. It was really irritating for him to sit at home for this reason but his family doctor made him to do so. Dealing criminals in his day to day life was always challenging, and his love for his duty has always been impeccable. Yet somewhere, he had to fight some inner conflicts which he never revealed to his colleagues. Losing his wife and his only son who turned to be a threat to the nation was something which has left a scar in his life. Though he was referred as a stone hearted person by his colleagues, it was his resilience and tolerance which gave him the strength to overcome the hurricanes of his life.
Though ACP was watching the TV, his mind was revolving around the thoughts about inhumanity and how his son had turned a traitor to his own father. That’s why they say that blood is thicker than water!! He had never imagined that his son would be a nightmare, which made him regret even for years after losing him. But his thoughts vanished as a lightning, when he heard someone ringing the calling bell. Pradyuman walked slowly to open the door.
ACP (Surprised): Abhijeet, You?
Abhijeet: Sorry to disturb you, sir.
ACP (Smiling): Get in, First.
Abhijeet sat on the sofa and Pradyuman got a towel for his junior. Abhijeet wiped his hair with the towel and resumed the conversation. Pradyuman leaned on his chair.
Abhijeet: Sir, Didn’t you sleep till now? I thought you would have slept earlier because you were not feeling well.
ACP: No Abhijeet, I didn’t feel like sleeping. Okay, What about the case which we were investigating?
Abhijeet: I had to rack my brains to get the lead. I have never seen such a complicated case in my life. So I thought of doing it tomorrow. But I wanted to show the case files that’s why I came here. Sorry sir, for disturbing you in this late night.
ACP: Abhijeet, I can understand your frustration, I too face such frustrations every day and it’s quite usual to be like that. For me time really doesn’t matter, whether it’s day or night. So don’t feel sorry for disturbing me. In fact, you didn’t disturb me. You know about me, right? For me, duty is first. Okay, leave it. Did you have your dinner?
Abhijeet: I should have asked you actually. How is your health, Sir? Did you take tablets?
ACP: No, I didn’t take them. I didn’t have my dinner too. I didn’t feel hungry.
Abhijeet: Sir, I didn’t eat because I was busy. But you are supposed to take tablets, right? (In a strict tone) you are not taking care of yourself, sir.
ACP (Smiling): Now you started scolding me. Okay, no problem. Now we both can eat together, Right? Wait, I’ll Prepare Dinner for You.
Abhijeet (Surprised): Sir, I didn’t expect this from you. But I will prepare the dinner for you. Because you need some rest.
ACP: Okay. I will help you too. You can’t deny my order.
Both of them went to the kitchen, and cooked whatever they knew. For Abhijeet, It was surprising to work with ACP sir in kitchen, but for Pradyuman, it gave some new energy. But he was unaware of surprises which are to happen later.
In a matter of ten minutes, they finished some cooking and had the dinner with some discussions. After eating, Abhijeet explained his condition and asked, “Sir, if you don’t mind, Can I stay here, tonight? I will get back home once my car is fine”.
ACP (Smiling): Do you have to ask this Abhijeet? Are you an outsider to me? You are always like my son. This house is always open for you. You shouldn’t ask this.
Abhijeet: Sir, can I ask you one thing? What’s that really pestering you in your mind? Do you think that I don’t know about you?
Abhijeet showed the photo album of Nakul lying on the table and said, “Sir, I know why you were really dull.”
Pradyuman’s face turned pale and said, “Abhijeet, however strong a person is, he cannot hide the scars. Nakul will remain as an unforgettable scar, which cannot be erased with anything.” his eyes were filled with tears.
Abhijeet remained silent. He moved towards him and kept his hand on ACP sir’s shoulder and said, “I am sorry, sir. One time I did say some words for which I am regretting till now. I shouldn’t have reminded you that when you gave Shreya’s custody to her uncle. My emotions made me speak like that. Now he itself became a traitor. It’s always difficult to understand people. For every child, father is a strict person, stone hearted man. For some men, fathers are like villains. Only after a man becomes a father, he realizes that his father is a hero.”
Abhijeet spoke his words out of respect and love he had for ACP Pradyuman. Some relationships cannot be judged, and understood by others. Abhijeet and ACP sir’s relationship was such a relationship, in which one subconsciously views the other person as an important part in one’s life. It is a mistake made by god, which brought Abhijeet and Pradyuman together through their profession, but to put it right, it’s an unconditional love and bond of a father and a son.
Pradyuman said, “What you said is true, Abhijeet. Sometimes we fail to understand others. Only my duty saves me from all such memories of the past. It makes me to feel strong and it has become a habit to tolerate things. That’s what every civil servant does. You know it better. But unless one has some empathy and love towards people who live in this world, one cannot protect a person. So it’s difficult to say that every police officer is stone – hearted.” Abhijeet nodded as he understood his father than anyone did. Suddenly the power went off and the room was dark. The clock was getting ready to strike at 12. Abhijeet said, “Sir, please stay here. I will go and check the fuse.”
But Pradyuman didn’t stay there and went in search of a match box to light the candle. But suddenly the room became bright with the candle. He heard a voice, “You are the sailor, who never minds risking the life.” Pradyuman was surprised because there was no one in the room. He heard another voice, “You are the light, who leads us in our dark times.” Pradyuman got puzzled. Another voice said, “You are the teacher, who taught us more.” next voice continued, “you are the friend, who stood as a backbone to us.” suddenly there was a silence. Lights came on and balloons burst when the clock rang at 12 and the entire CID team shouted, “Happy Birthday ACP sir.”
Freddy and Pankaj were holding the cake and Daya came out from their backside. ACP Pradyuman got shocked to see everyone.
ACP: Abhijeet, where are you?
“Here, sir” said Abhijeet coming in from the entrance. ACP rushed straight towards Daya and Abhijeet and patted on their back and shouted, “Oh, you both came with a plan here then” and hugged the duo.
Dr.Salunkhe asked, “How is our plan? This time you couldn’t find out the mystery. You lost to them”, for which Pradyuman said, “it’s not bad to lose to our own people, and I’m proud enough”.
Purvi and Tarika brought the gifts and everybody reached the table and Pradyuman cut the cake and shared it with everyone. His eyes were filled with tears. He asked, “I’m not very much interested in birthday parties for me. Why did you plan this?”
Daya: Sir, we planned it because we wanted to make you realize that how much special you are to us. We cannot imagine anyone in your place. You are irreplaceable.
Salunkhe: We planned it because we wanted convey our wishes that you must live a happy, healthy and long life and we always want you to keep smiling, my friend.”
Abhijeet: Sir, you gave me a rebirth; you gave me the confidence to live and I found myself through you. There’s nothing wrong in saying that you are my father because you gave me the wisdom about life.
Freddy: Sir, You are our hero, who never lets us down and makes us feel proud. You are our heartbeat sir.
ACP (smiling): That’s all? Do you have anything left to say?
Pankaj, Purvi and Tarika said, “It’s all about how much we love you and respect you. You taught us the discipline and you are a role model to this society.”
Daya continued, “Sir, words are not enough to convey emotions. We are a family made of trust and love and you brought us together and you are the pillar who bears this beautiful fort of relationship.”
Pradyuman said, “I never taught anything to you. It’s really hard to find people like you who are sincere and dedicated in their duty. I’m proud to say that this profession gave me a beautiful family and it will remain unshaken by anything. Thank you very much for being a part in my life. You people made my day today. I don’t know if I really deserve this, but I will promise you all that I will never lose you all at any cost.”
Pankaj arranged a camera and the entire team took a group photo and their smiling faces will remain for ages in the photo to prove that, “humanity begins with love and unity and love has no boundaries.”

THE END.
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Sorry friends. I wrote whatever I felt in my heart. I didn’t know to use the right words in the story. I couldn’t express anything as I have some doubts that whether I’m doing justice to the characters. But I had some intentions behind writing this. First of all, to show that how important a father is in one’s life. Next one is you know what, I’m obsessed with birthdays. I find it great to remember the birthdays of my loved ones. Taking the same plot may seem boring but I felt that birthdays are celebrated because every person born on this earth is unique and deserves a worthy life and one should realize it. Third one is, I wanted to dedicate this story to my friend, to whom I promised a birthday gift. My dear friend, I know it’s late but better late than never. Last but not least, I dedicate this to every CIDian as my belated Diwali gift. I will try to write something different in the near future. With this I’m signing off for now. God bless you friends. See you soon. 😊