Sense & Sensibilities

Dual Kick Single Hit

Riya used to have this habit – tap her foot, or her fingers against something. Or just look around to find something interesting. Observe people, read a book. It used to drive her mother crazy how she could never sit still.

She came to Special Squad Head office today and sat still for 20 minutes before the chief, Aryan Khanna, came out to greet her with gentle smile and weariness in his eyes.

"Really sorry for the delay." He said just as she made a motion to brush it aside. "Please, this side."

They sat in a cabin, there were two tables and chairs. One side was completely untouched- didn't look like anyone occupied it for a while. Other side, assuming his, was filled with reports, looolse papers, a Ganesha idol and pictures of a woman and a kid. Riya sat just as he settled, with his ever-present smile yet she could feel his gauzing all the way to here.

He wasn't the only one who did that. There was another man in a long coat who had asked her to sit. There was a man with colored hair and a bespectaled woman who had peered at her. She wondered how much they know – or Aryan Khanna knows. So she started at the beginning.

"Thank you for seeing me."

"Arre," He shook head modestly, "I was curious as well. Please tell me, how can I help you."

She took a deep breath.

"Let me join you for Dustin Coelho case."

She didn't play the "he was close to me " card, but it was probably not needed. There is this young girl who had used connections to meet a department head out of nowhere, sat opposite him and explained the case- no way she wasn't involved in it somehow. She was, actually. Too much. And Aryan understood that. Sadly, the department is filled with tragedies and sense of loss like them. Some move past, some never can. Some burns in the fire of revenge, some drowns in regret.

So he listened to her silently, and just when the air got uncomfortable, he proposed something which was unheard of -

"Why don't we work on this separately?"

See, his logic was simple. This person has something in her. He had spent some time digging around and found out she was academically gifted, with ongoing on and off stint in fellow department. Clearly she had learnt something along with her theoritical knowledge. She has a personal motive for this case, which will fuel her fire to work better. Another part was this – somehow, he had a feeling she can't work together with his team. It can't be easy to get out of ETF and offer her expertise to another group.

If Riya was relieved, she didn't show it. She asked questions, made plans and when she was satisfied with answers of this unknown man whom, she felt like she could trust, nodded her head, said thanks and left office.

"You do your own work. You have complete access to this case and reports – I will personally make sure Neha sends you everything. You want to visit any police station, want any case file or meet any inmate? I will arrange it. You are stuck anywhere, you are welcome to visit here or call my team members or me for a brainstorming session. You try in your way, we will try in ours. Paths will be two, but ultimate goal is same. To solve the case."

"Thank you." She had to clear her throat to speak. "For giving me time."

"Of course." He smiles so easily. "You come highly recommended."

"And miss Mukherjee? I am sorry for your loss."