Ishq-e-Watan

Chapter 51- Ripple In The Water

CHAPTER 51

RIPPLE IN THE WATER

"Hi", Sid said.

Sanju glanced up from her laptop. A small smile curled up her lips. It was a long day and he was a much welcome breath of fresh air. She nodded in acknowledgement. He bounced in happily. "Tu khush lag raho hai?"

"Main? Nahi", he said, rubbing his neck. "Main kyun honga khush?" He glanced away from her, his gaze seemingly looking for something yet nothing in particular at the wall. She frowned slightly. "Mujhe aapse kuchh puchhna tha?"

"Puchh, phir. Mauhrat nikalwaano ki deri hogo kaa?"

Sid paused. "Woh main... puchh raha tha ki..."

"Ki?"

"Aapne mujhe ek bahut important baat nahi bataayi", he said. She raised an eyebrow. "Aapki shaadi ho gayi hai?" Her eyebrows shot up. Sid shook his head. "I know personal question hai par... hum log sab baat kar rahe the aur mujhe suddenly realize hua ki mujhe yeh bhi nahi pata ki aap single ho ya nahi? Husband? Boyfriend?"

She eyed him for a few seconds. She shook her head. "Naa. Humaari shaadi nahi hui hogo."

"Oh." A small smile spread on his face. He nodded a little. He cleared his throat, stifling the grin that was threatening to break through. "Aap... Aap kya kar rahe ho?"

She tilted the screen of the laptop a little when he peeked in. He halted immediately, leaning back. "Kuchh kaam hogo", she said. "Confidential." He nodded. "Tu bata? Agle hafte se exam hogo. Taiyaari hai?"

He sighed. "Kind of?" He said. "Matlab, hai, par itna kuchh hai padhne ko ki bas revise karne mein band baj jaayegi." He grinned. "I want to be first."

She smiled. "Pehla? Tu pehle number par aana chahto hai?"

"I know Monu gives a hard competition par I think I can beat her", he said. He paused. "Help karoge?"

"Madad?"

"Study together?" He asked. He glanced at her laptop. "Agar aap ko apna kaam karna hai, toh we can just sit together? Main distract nahi honga."

She nodded. "Theek hogo", she said. "Aa jaa tu cheezen lekar."

He fist pumped as soon as he was out of the room. She is single and he can spend some quality time with her. That was a good conversation.

---x---x---x---x---x---x---x---x---x---

"Karan Sir", a familiar voice halted him. Karan turned around. Mridul ran up to him. "Jai Hind, Sir."

He tilted his up slightly in acknowledgement. "Kya hua?"

"Sir, woh..." He paused. Karan raised an eyebrow. "Aapne Sanjana ma'am ko kaha ki woh security ki detail banaaye. Aaj jab officers aayenge, uske liye." Karan nodded. Mridul's eyebrows dipped a little. "Kyun?"

"Excuse me?" He crossed his arms. "Kyun?" He repeated.

"Mera matlab hai, mera kaam hai, Sir. Toh Sanjana ma'am kyun? And unka toh expertise bhi strategy mein nahi hai. Toh unhe kyun?"

"I have my reasons", he threw off vaguely. He turned to leave.

"Sir", Mridul halted him again. He turned again, raising an eyebrow. "Maine kuchh galat kara hai kya?"

Karan suppressed a sigh. He really had to go. "Agar tumne kuchh galat kara hota, toh tumhe yeh sawaal puchhne ki zaroorat nahi hoti. Tumhe main already bata chuka hota." He stared down into his eyes. "Mridul, I know tum head of security ho, and yeh sab kaam tumhaara hai and you do your job well, par I have my reasons jo confidential hain and main tumhe nahi bata sakta hoon. And that's all the answers you are going to get from me. Is that clear?"