Timeless Bonds : Dhruv Tara × Arjun

3. The Wild Heart

Lazing on her queen size bed, Tara dialed the familiar number, her heart racing with anticipation. "Hey Dhruv, how have you been?"

"I'm good. How about you, Piya? Are you doing better now?" Dhruv asked. I missed you. What? His mind couldn't comprehend the heart's musings. This is purely professional.

"It's been such a long day. It was a tough case, and I'm just drained."

Dhruv's voice was soothing. "I'm here, Piya. Tell me."

She sighed, feeling a bit lighter. "Well, I can't share the details but can you talk about something else? Like take my mind off?"

Dhruv smiled. He picked up the novel he had been meaning to read. "How about I read you out something from this novel?"

"Thanks, Dhruv. Just hearing your voice makes it better." Her heart felt elated as he read out the novel to her.

After reading a few pages, he paused. "We'll do the next reading later, okay?"

"Sure! Thank you so much for helping me out. You're a life saver, Dhruv."

"Well that's my profession. Doctor's vow to save lives."

"Indeed. You're a wonderful one!" Tara put the phone away. She would always look forward to chat with this stranger. He was so kind. He must be pretty, too.

So was Pratap and you knew him since childhood. He still cheated on you. Her mind chided.

Dhruv is not like that. Her heart protested.

How do you know? You don't know anything about him. Her mind reasoned.

Tara lay on the bed, drifting off to sleep while her heart and mind continued to fight.

🌠⋋✿ ⁰ • ⁰ ✿⋌🌌

The ETF team gathered in their conference room, the air thick with tension. Their investigation had led them to "DRINKS Beverages," a seemingly innocuous company mixing drugs into soft drinks.

Liza placed a nondescript box on the table. "I analyzed the samples," she said, "Traces of cocaine and heroin."

Tara nodded in agreement. "This isn't just about spiked sodas. It's a dangerous cocktail."

"The manager seems like a tough guy, won't give any details." Chotu said.

"This guy... I think I know him." Aisha looked at the photograph carefully.

"What? How?" Tara asked.

"When I was undercover, I took drugs from him for a while. He used to go by the name Johnny."

"You sure?" Arjun questioned.

"That tattoo on his neck, I remember it very well." Aisha nodded in confirmation.

"When did you last meet him?" Sameer questioned.

"Lonavala, more than two years ago." Aisha remembered the dark alleys.

"Can you give us any details, like who all were with him, where did he get supplies from, anything else?" Arjun asked.

"I don't know where exactly he got it from, it was mostly imported and the quality was really good. He didn't have many varieties but only the best and expensive products. He used to bring them in tiny glass bottles. He also had a friend, both of whom would mostly come together." Aisha recalled her case.

"I confirmed the story that Ricky told, matches with the jail records at Pune and the Jailer confirmed it. That means they both are really working in this factory with a new start of their lives and have had a clean record ever since. They are also involved in local charities and welfare of the poor." Tara placed pictures on the table, supporting her claims.