When our Hearts Aligned

5

Dismissing them both, Amar took another long breathe. Now he would have to take care of Haseena and he was scared from deep within him; scared that he would hurt her, especially now when she was so vulnerable.

Just then a voice spoke up in his unconscious mind, mocking and jeering at him.

'But pain and hurt is all you have given her since you came here Amar, always competed and annoyed her. What's making you believe you can do anything different now?'

And Amar took a step back.

His subconscious mind was mocking him, in ways he had never imagined, tempting him to leave then and there. He might have if not for his gruelling police training that wouldn't let him leave behind anyone in distress much alone a colleague.

He first turned off the television while monitoring Haseena's reaction. Contrary to the expectation that he would have her attention after this, she continued staring blankly in the direction of the now blackened television screen.

"Miss Mallik" he called gently.

No response.

"Haseena ji...Haseena" he tried a second time.

This time Haseena turned to him. Her eyes were red and puffy. Haseena's gaze was fixed on him now but this time Amar couldn't keep up the eye contact for long and looked away everywhere except her beautiful face which now was crushed under the weight of vulnerability and guilt that she didn't deserve.

"Yes Sir?" Haseena asked standing up now. Her voice though very quiet it carried some of her old composure and command.

"Miss Mallik you know right that you don't have to call me sir, we are both of the rank of Inspector" he said, encouraged by her talking.

"But you are the only SHO of this thana now and that demands I address you with respect."

Haseena's reply was calm, way too calm for Amar's comfort. Agreed, she was always collected and composed but her voice never was bereft of emotions as it was now.

"But we are friends right? Haseena ji?"

Amar found his question lame to his own ears. How could he dare to call himself her friend after the big mess the thana and she were in under his presence.

"We are on duty officers now, Sir" Haseena replied, subtly taking in a deep breathe, "Professionalism is a thing? Amar ..Sir?"

Haseena deliberately stretched the syllables of 'sir' making Amar wince imperceptively. The even coolness of her tone and expression right after the devastated numbness that had made room on her face just minutes back. It was so unsettling to him.

"As you wish..Haseena ji...ehm.." Amar began saying awkwardly after some time, "You also must be knowing that you have been temporarily suspended and..."

"And I will be facing departmental inquiries in a few hours" she finished for him, standing up shakily, holding the chair for support.

"But you could certainly visit a friend as her friend" Amar Vidrohi had not planned on saying that but for the fraction of a second he saw the flicker of something warm in her eyes that made him add, "Come with me."

He gave out his hand which she conspicuously refused as they stepped towards the door of the thana. He shrugged nonchalantly, it didn't really matter now when there was more that enough of tensions on his head but he couldn't ignore the unexplainable, slight pang of hurt that registered somewhere in his chest. 

Hey friends 

Back after a long time feels almost surreal. 

I hope you all are doing good