The following weeks saw a gradual shift within the team. Though there were still moments of awkwardness—Freddy occasionally making offhand comments and Daya still adjusting to the new dynamic—things were beginning to settle. Abhijeet and Vineet, now no longer hiding their relationship, felt the relief of being able to be themselves around the team, even if it wasn’t always easy.
One evening, after a particularly tough case, the team gathered at a local café to unwind. Freddy, in his usual good-natured way, was cracking jokes while Daya and Abhijeet discussed the intricacies of their latestcase. Vineet sat quietly beside Abhijeet, sipping his coffee and observing the easy camaraderie between the team. Despite the initial tension after their secret had been revealed, things were slowly returning to a new normal. It wasn’t perfect, but it was enough.
As the evening wore on, Daya leaned back in his chair, his gaze resting on Vineet. “You know, Vineet,” Daya said, his voice thoughtful, “I wasn’t sure about you when you first joined the team. You were… hard to read. But you’ve proven yourself. Not just with your work but with the way you’ve handled everything.”
Vineet blinked, surprised by Daya’s words. There had been a time when he thought Daya would never accept him, that the wall of suspicion between them would remain forever. But now, hearing this acknowledgment felt like a breakthrough.
“Thank you, Daya Sir,” Vineet said, his voice steady but filled with emotion. “I know I wasn’t exactly welcomed with open arms, but I understand why. I’m just glad I’ve earned your trust.”
Daya nodded, a rare smile tugging at the corners of his lips. “You have. And, for what it’s worth, I don’t care who you’re with as long as you have my back in the field.”
Freddy, who had been eavesdropping on the conversation, leaned forward with a wide grin. “See? I told you Sirs we’d be fine. A little drama, sure, but nothing we can’t handle!”
Abhijeet chuckled, shaking his head at Freddy’s usual lightheartedness. But there was a warmth in his eyes as he glanced at Vineet, a silent acknowledgment of how far they had come.
As the team laughed and shared stories late into the night, Vineet felt a profound sense of belonging. For the first time since he had joined CID, he felt like he was truly part of the team, not just as a colleague but as someone they respected and trusted. His relationship with Abhijeet, though complicated, had only strengthened the bond between them. And now, with the team’s acceptance, he felt that perhaps they could move forward—together.
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Trust in Shadows
FanfictionDCP Chitrole appointed him so naturally no one trusted him but their opinions didn't matter to him what mattered to him was just the opinion of one person. Why even he didn't know. Let's find out shall we.
