Your Smile Is My Gift..

A One shot story based on my favorite tv serial "ARJUN"....Its dedicated to my favorite couple ARIYA (ARJUN-RIYA)

For starters, 

1. Arjun is an crime investigation thriller series airing on Starplus Sat-Sun 8 PM....
2. Arjun Rawte, Riya, Sameer Rathod, Chotu, Shree are the cops who are part of a team called ETF (Emergency Task Force)
3. Riya is not part of the serial anymore but she will always remain in our imaginary stories!

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It was a fresh morning at ETF...a new but fairly simple case was hovering over the entire ETF!

There was something more special regarding the day..It was ETF’s darling Riya’s b’day…..and of course, the day before Christmas ……

Shree and Chotu had special plans for her..of course, surprise ones...But they wished her with flowers the moment she entered the office...It hadn’t gone unnoticed from the super cop...he gave one of his “what the hell” stares in their direction when they made noises…Immediately, she hushed them up…

Riya: [stealthily glancing at Arjun and then turning away before he could notice] shhh...He is glaring at us!

Shree: chill Ri……his eyes are always like that...always ready to shoot us with glaring bullets...dont bother!..[grins]

Riya: [chuckling] Shreeeee...You keep talking all sorts of nonsense about him!

Chotu: naah Riya…Shree is right…anyways, its your b'day today and you can do whatever you wish to do....nobody will scold you...[smiles sweetly at her..she smiles back and quickly adds]

Riya: Chotu, this is ETF…..there are no emotions, feelings, b'days or any special days here...discipline and work is life here!!

Shree: Whats the matter Ri???, rethinking your decision to join ETF, huh???

Riya: no yaar..was just saying the truth……we have 2 senior officers and none of them wished me till now....its seems like its not at all important, right?

Chotu: Riya, You can expect a wish from Rathod sir..he will surely wish you..but Arjun sir!...Never!....dont even expect it!..

Shree: yeah exactly...Arjun sir's life revolves around his revolver and of course the criminals...

Riya knew that it wasn’t true..She understood Arjun too well now that she could see him through...All these courtesies, emotions, feelings were all in him but lay dormant in the deepest corner and bringing them out required time, utmost patience and care...She had been trying to do it ever since she saw him, and started knowing him, understanding him as a person rather than a strict ruthless senior officer……He was a good person, in fact a great human being at heart but he never showed that side of him!

But at times like this, she also regretted a bit for having known him to that extent because it hurt her when he posed such indifference and distance…his cold vibes hurt her very much……A simple b’day wish was all that she wished for and he hadn’t even passed a feel good glance to her direction……

All she could see was an ever fuming angry look on his stern face...what had she done to get this? She thought to herself and let out a deep sigh!

Shree sensed her silence and shook her up “what happened? are you alright?”

Riya: yup i am fine…

Before they could talk further, Rathod stepped out of his cabin……”Team”

His loud call brought them all around the conference table…..Before the case briefing, Rathod looked at Riya “Happy B’day Riya!”

Riya: [smiling back sweetly] thanks sir...[she looked at Arjun in anticipation but he didn’t seem to be bothered about it...it looked as if he didn’t even hear Rathod wishing her..she looked away the same instant regretting the very thought or the expectation of being wished by him!]

Rathod: lets get back to the case..a widow and her 3 children were found murdered in their mansion in the outskirts of the city....its quite clear that the killer is someone known to the family but who?

Arjun: [putting the file in his hand on the table] it wasnt a planned murder……it looks like there was an argument and in a flit of anger, the murder happened!

Rathod: hmmmm...perhaps...may be the kids saw their mother being killed...so the killer killed them too brutally...

Riya: sir..in majority of such cases, the reason for murders is usually money...may be money is the reason in this case too! the family is indeed well off!

Rathod: may be..may be not...anyways, we need to search that house once more in and out...and also question the neighbours and the family lawyer…..Shree, Riya both of you interrogate the relatives and also the advocate...then come straight to the crime spot..Chotu, Arjun you come with me...lets cover the crime sport completely...

Arjun: [looks a bit lost but immediately shrugged out] lets go!

[The day passes slower than usual or it seemed to be slow for Riya...May be because in every passing moment, she expects a call, a message or the times when they came face to face, a simple smile which could just brighten up her whole day and make her the happiest girl in the world on her birthday but nothing of the sort happened……

At the end of the day, like Chotu and Shree said, she was disappointed after expecting it from him!.... maybe she expected too much……

The case was almost solved except for a few glitches…..The team was returning after a long day..Shree suggested that the trio go for a dinner treat…...
Riya was with Arjun in his SUV....Shree and Chotu were with Rathod..

Riya wasn’t excited much about Shree’s plan but she didn’t want to reject it and hurt him..After all he was her best friend and a source of moral support always…...

She was continuously on her phone typing away messages to Shree discussing about the plan…..
Arjun was really annoyed by her behavior but he opted to remain in his own “I don’t care a damn” attitude……

Reading a message, she giggled which irritated him out of bounds but his ego made him fume in silence...She ignored him completely and dialed Shree’s number to talk “yeah Shree, what yaar??? This is not done, huh? I need to change..obviously yaar...i cant go for dinner in these worn out clothes..its stinking after the day long running around…[she stopped mid way because Shree said something from the other side...Arjun couldn’t help but smirk hearing that...]..i mean..come on Shree…its my b'day and Christmas eve too……lets go to ETF office, change…and then head for dinner...thats ok…yeah i know its getting late…but its ok...yeah ok..[smiling into the phone] chalo..see ya...

Shree and Chotu had initially decided to get down on their way to ETF and head straight to the restaurant for dinner as it was already late..but Riya was stubborn that she changed before  going……She always kept spare clothes at office..in fact formal, casual and even a party wear!]

Arjun was relieved for a moment that she stopped talking and was about to say something to her when her phone buzzed again much to his annoyance..it was some friend of hers and had called to wish her...their banter didn’t cease till the SUV turned into the ETF complex...

She got down after voicing a faint bye and sprinted up into the building..she didn’t even wait for the lift…She ran up the stairs to the 2^nd floor where their office was…...By the time Arjun reached, she had already gone to change her clothes……She had promised Shree and Chotu to make it real quick…...

Arjun waited near the conference hall as if to catch hold of her as soon as she stepped out but to his ill luck, Shree, Chotu and Rathod walked in before that…..Arjun was pissed off and walked away into his cabin!

He saw them leaving shortly...She was dressed in a black party gown which reached till her knees...She looked absolutely gorgeous in black...but that sight did very little to cool him down..instead it blew his fuming self even more…..Was she doing all this on purpose? He couldn’t help wonder!

 It was almost 2 hours and there was no sign of her...but something in him told that she would come back…So he waited..pacing down the room, swirling in his chair, but he waited!…

About an hour back, Rathod left...He had come to his cabin to give him some details regarding the case..Once done, he enquired “Arjun, I am going home…..” And looked at him for his response...

That look always meant “and you??” those were some common understood communications between the duo……no words, more of expressions and looks...which spoke more than the words between them!

Arjun replied “I have some more work.....i will leave after that!”

Rathod nodded “okay!” and left

The day was almost getting over...it was 11:45 PM when he heard footsteps……and he could also hear their laugh..their jokes and leg pulling sessions were never ending…..he sighed…”What do these 3 people talk so much??...non stop nonsence!”

As soon as he saw them stepping in, he strained his eyes to see her……there, he caught a glimpse of her……she was laughing uncontrollably……he wondered “Whats so funny that she is laughing so much??”

He stood mesmerized by her and her charming beauty for a long moment..and finally swore to himself firmly..its now or never...not a second more to be wasted!

He walked to her...The trio were quick to see him advance in their direction…..

Shree: [low voice] Why is Arjun sir coming here??? and why is here till now?

Chotu: [low voice] yeah, i thought the office is empty……may be he is coming to warn us hearing the noise!

Riya was silent and was intently looking at him..Something was different…his eyes and body language looked very different! What was he upto? She looked at him puzzled

He ignored Shree and Chotu and stood facing her “Come with me..I need to talk to you!”

Riya snubbed him “tell me Sir...is there any research work to do?”

Arjun: [looking at Shree and Chotu and then at her] not here……I need to talk in private!

Riya wasn’t willing to give up so easily “its just Shree and Chotu Sir...you can tell me here..”

Arjun nearly let out a fume “RIYAAA...dont argue with me now...just come!”

Shree and Chotu decide to leave them alone...but Riya holds Shree back..”you both just stay right here....dont you dare move..[sarcastically].He just thinks too great of himself……and wants us to dance to his tunes…[turning to Arjun]…but Sir, that’s only in official matters……we have our personal time too...and you cant command us during that…..[in an irritated tone, she turns to Shree and CHotu] lets go guys [but Shree and Chotu could feel their senior officer’s glare at them…so they didn’t move one step with RIya…Riya noticed it and shrugged her shoulders] ok fine..I will leave ...Bye!

Riya stomps off to the elevator and as she gets in and before the door closes, he keeps his foot in between and gets in too……She had pressed G...but he instantly stops the lift and presses 12..the top most floor which led to the terrace...She was really furious now…What was he doing? Was he in his senses?? She tried to switch it back but his grip on her hands was stronger for her to resist or do something against him...He was silent throughout the ascend and so was she……though she struggled a bit, she chose to be silent when he glared at her and signaled her to be quiet……

He didn’t let go of her hand till they reached the far end of the terrace...

[The sky looked picture perfect like a beautiful painting with a crescent shaped moon and stars which gave them company! The cool breezy tranquil night was adding charisma to the entire scene too!]

He twirled her around to stand facing him and let go of her wrist..She rubbed her wrist and looked at him angrily “ What are you doing Sir??? Why have you brought me here??”

Arjun: [looks at her intently for a few second and speaks out] dont you know, huh???

Riya: [looking away from him posing an uninterested attitude] no..I dont understand anything……

[Her indifferent uninterested attitude of ignoring him angered him boundlessly]

Arjun: [stepping dangerously close to her, forcefully making her face him and looking directly into her eyes] don’t ever do that to me Riya……I am warning for the last time...

Riya: [stepping back away from him] What the hell! Have you brought me here to scold me again??? [muttering under her breath] its my b'day today....you havent even wished me or even given me a pleasant look in my direction....and now, you scold me for no reason...!!!

Arjun: [his ears were sharp enough to catch that] Only if you give me a chance to wish, right?? you just keep yourself busy in a crowd..[sarcasm visible on his face…she is amused by his reply…she couldn’t believe if he really said that]

Riya: [taking a second to understand what he just said] What??? Shree and Chotu is a crowd for you??? they are my best friends and you can wish me in front of them!

Arjun: [sarcastically] is it??...You have a lot of fun bringing them in between us, right?? Do you think I dont see all that??? What do you want to prove Riya?

Riya: sir…I dont get what you are talking about!! And i dont find the need to know it too..[she tries to leave when he grabs her and pulls her to him……she falls into his arms with a jerk..their faces close to each other...his eyes locking hers as if forever]

Arjun: [as she struggles to free herself] don’t you dare move Riya……[takes a deep breath and speaks in a husky yet mellowed voice]...your dimpled smiles when you see me, turning away from me and blushing...even in a crowd, searching for me stealthily.. do you think I am unaware of all those antics of yours??

Riya: sir plss leave me..[she struggles but he continues without any impact]

Arjun: [not giving up] Arent you spending more time with Shree and Chotu to irritate me?

Riya: [as if in a hypnotized state] NO!

Arjun: [running his fingers over her cheek] arent your lovely smiles, [tucking the lock to the back of her ears with his fingers] this wavy lock of hair on your face, the glint of mischief in your beautiful eyes...arent all this for me Riya??

Riya: No..

Arjun: You keep searching for reasons to see me, speak to me and to be with me……...tell me if these are all just my wild imaginations??

Riya: YES YES…its all just your imaginations!...You misunderstand my intentions always!

[Their eyes were locked again and faces just inches away while they continue their cute bickering]

Arjun: then why dont you make me understand your real intention Riya!

Riya: Sir, if you wanted to understand, you would have done that long before..

Arjun: I have understood Riya...perhaps you havent understood me yet!

[A wide cheeky grin crops up lightening up the entire scene……his hands find their rightful place around her waist and she is locked to him]

His grin relaxed her a bit…She was getting the whole point..he was just posing all this angry acts……It was something else that was in his mind…..She couldn’t control further, she hit his chest in false anger and sobbed like a kid...

Arjun: Happy B’day Riya!  [just a minute was left for the day to get over..he realized that and wished her before it was late...She stopped her sob and looked up at him...]

Riya: [not able to believe if its all really happening or just a dream, hesitantly gathers courage and speaks up] and my b’day gift???

Arjun: gift??? I totally missed that in all these tensions..

Riya: [smiling] You just give me a cute smile..Your smile is my best gift ever!!

Arjun smiles automatically hearing it and that smile was enough to fill her with joy and happiness...she had yearned the whole day to see it...

Arjun adds romantically “This smile of mine is your gift to me Riya..You have given me back my smiles...You have given me reasons to smile again in life!”

She blushes and lowers her gaze from him

He speaks up naughtily “You like my smile so much???”

Riya: [nodding] hmmm……[then adds sarcastically] As a matter of fact, I love rare things...and one among such rare things is your smile.

Arjun: [coming closer to her] And what are the others?

Riya: [blushing by his intimate closeness] a lot of them...you will know them soon..but arent you forgetting something? [he looks up at her enquiringly] you havent yet told me those 3 words???…

Arjun: [giving a confused expression] 3 words?? “I am Sorry”, huh?? but why??? why should I say sorry??

Riya: ohhh no...not that!...you have to tell me “I love you” na??

Arjun: tell me once more....what should i say to you??

Riya : [not understanding his prank, adds loudly] I LOVE YOU!

Arjun: [hugging her tightly and voices loudly as if a reply to her] I LOVE YOU TOO RIYA!

Paaya maine paaya tumhein
Rab ne milaya tumhein
Honthon pe sajaya tumhein
Nagmein sa gaya tumhein
Paaya maine paaya tumhein
Sab se chupaya tumhe
Sapna banaya tumhein
Neendon mein bulaya tumhein

Tum jo aaye zindagi mein baat ban gayi
Ishq mazhab ishq meri zaat ban gayi

Arjun:[slightly parting from her and placing light kiss on her neck and whispering into her ears] this night is magical Riya...I wish this moment just stays forever..

Riya: [a slight shiver goes down her spine as he did that…she blushes pink and holds him tightly and speaks in a mellowed voice, a shiver showing up in it] You have made it magical!!

Arjun: [smiles feeling her uneasiness and shiver] not just me Riya..its magical because you and me are together! [Caressing her hair to make her comfortable to his touch and the intimacy]

It was the first time a man was touching her so intimately and in fact even standing so close to her and Arjun could feel it in her body language..But he knew well how to handle his RIYA with utmost care and boundless love!

Sapne teri chahaton ke
Sapne teri chahaton ke
Dekhta hoon ab gayi
Din hai sona aur chaandi raat ban gayi
Hoo tum jo aaye zindagi mein baat ban gayi

The magical night, the sky, the stars, and the moon stood silent witnesses to their romantic union……As they begin their beautiful happy, love filled life together!

As if to mark the day forever, something very unusual happened…It started snowing merrily…an angel from the heaven was showering all her blessings on them!

My short story ends here but their life together starts from here....

[THE END]