Sense & Sensibilities

Teen

Dr. Mukherjee was sad to know that not everyday there is a new case for ETF to solve. But she was curious about the paper work and report filing her new colleagues did, fascinated by the structure and words and points. Entirely different than how her research papers goes, but the formality felt the same. She remarked to herself as she turned the pages that it did not look that hard, to which Shree looked up with disdain, pushed glassed over nose and said, "Then why don't you try?"

The Doctor shrugged as if it was the obvious, took a few files herself and sat between the junior duo to work on them. Chotu looked at Shree's slightly surprised expression, then around the office. As usual, Arjun sir was busy in his cabin, Rathore sir had gone to attend some high profile meeting. He did not know if they should even let the doctor work on the files- she might do mistakes, also he was not sure what authority she has on ETF properties.

But he chose to say nothing and observe how his new colleague was faring.

One look at the file, and then Shree's nervous nail biting, and Arjun Rawte knew these reports were not written by him. The language was too sophisticated, there were no mistakes, and they were done fast. Shree always submits report at last and there are always some or other mistakes. He gets the technology aspects of cases right, but lacked the interest to do the same for forensics. Whoever wrote the reports loved forensic and autopsy procedure- there were seven pages dedicated to it.

He dismissed the junior quickly, thought to himself for a while before walking out of room with the file in his hand. Predictably, the Doctor was in file room, sitting on the dusty floor. And just like before, she sensed him arriving and greeted with an absent minded "Hello, ACP."

He crouched down to her level and just stared at her until she looked up with a confused look, "Busy?"

She looked like she wanted to deny, but then sighed, "I need to submit this paper by tomorrow." At his look of slight intrigue she added, "This is supposed to be published in the journal of London University next month edition."

He was impressed, had to. "That sounds good." She gave a quick smile at that, immediately looking down at her laptop, "Care to explain why you are filing reports for ETF?"

"Were there any mistakes?"

"There was not any, actually." He sighed, almost smiling at the proud look on her face but refraining, "It's not your job. You are here to consult on cases and help the team. Don't do it the next time."

"I was just trying to help."

"I get it. But don't." She gave a slow nod at that, then looked at the time at her laptop, her eyes wide. In hurry, she put all the papers, books and files around her in her bag. Wordlessly, Arjun took the laptop off her lap and stood up, and watched her doing the same. He did not hand over the laptop when she extended her hand, walked with her till outside and saw her off in a ETF SUV. The whole way Riya explained about the paper she was writing and what contents the journal of London University publishes each month. Silence descended around him when she left, and after a while he turned and headed towards the office.

He is a silent man. He was always a silent man unless he was around people close to him. He has a reputation of being an out of control, angry police officer in the department, so naturally the juniors, even the housestaff were afraid of him. Rathore was always more busy in meetings and handling team that beyond his withering glare, he did not bother arguing with him much. Silence suited Arjun Rawte just fine, but this new Doctor chatted around him uncaring of his reaction. And it was not even her being intruding or talking nonsense- she was lost in her own world and almost always would say some random facts related to a situation. Just the other day Chotu had handed her over a candy and she was talking about history of chocolates and how small toffies came to be. The other night in SUV she just spoke her mind, unafraid, that she did not like shouting. Arjun did not remember the last time anyone was so truthful to him, or looked at him like he was another, normal person.