Friendship Tales ✔

Part Three

Part Three

Daya had managed to lure the tribals into his clever game to expose Peshwa as Abhijit. As the tribals busied themselves with the intriguing game Daya had devised, Daya's eyes remained fixed on Peshwa, observing his every move.

Peshwa excused himself from the lively game that Daya had organised to divert the villagers' attention and silently slipped away toward his hut. As he walked, Peshwa's mind churned with conflicted thoughts and emotions.

He replayed the events of the day in his mind—the unexpected arrival of Daya and the cleverly crafted game that seemed to be unraveling his carefully guarded secret. Reaching his hut, Peshwa closed the wooden door behind him with a soft thud, shutting out the sounds of the game and the laughter that echoed faintly from a distance.

He sank onto the cot heavily, running a hand through his tousled hair in frustration. The watch lay on the table before him, its familiar ticking filling the silence of the hut. Peshwa stared at it for a long moment, grappling with the implications of Daya's discovery and the difficult choices that lay ahead.

Memories flashed through his mind—the rigorous training at the bureau, the years spent working alongside Daya in the CID, and the mission that had brought him to this remote tribal village undercover. He had assumed the identity of Peshwa, the respected leader among the villagers. The watch now threatened to expose his carefully constructed facade.

With a heavy sigh, Peshwa picked up the watch and examined it closely. As he held the watch in his hand, Peshwa's thoughts turned to Daya—the loyal friend who had seen through his disguise and uncovered his true identity. Despite the tension and uncertainty between them, Peshwa felt a sting of annoyance for Daya's determination to uncover the truth.

Daya hurried back to Peshwa's hut, his mind racing with thoughts and suspicions about Peshwa, whom he strongly believed to be Abhijit, his longtime friend and fellow officer. Pushing the creaking door open cautiously, Daya's eyes widened in suspicion as he spotted Peshwa hunched over a small table, fidgeting nervously with a watch that looked strikingly similar to the one Daya had seen earlier in Peshwa's possession.

Daya hesitated momentarily, debating whether to confront Peshwa directly or observe quietly to gather more clues. His mind raced through the events of the day—the game, the villagers' reactions, and Peshwa's evasive behavior—all pointing to the conclusion he desperately wanted to confirm.

Steeling himself, Daya cleared his throat softly, causing Peshwa to startle and look up abruptly. Their eyes locked in a moment of silent confrontation, each trying to read the other's thoughts. Peshwa's gaze flickered with a hint of guilt and apprehension, a stark contrast to the confident demeanor he had displayed earlier in the day.

"What are you doing with that watch, Peshwa?" Daya's voice was calm yet firm, betraying the intensity of his curiosity and suspicion.

Peshwa's jaw tightened momentarily before he replied, his voice tinged with a touch of nervousness, "Oh, uh, Bidzil... I was just... um... checking the time. Yes, that's it."

Daya narrowed his eyes, unconvinced by Peshwa's feeble explanation. He stepped closer, his footsteps muffled by the woven mat beneath their feet. "You've been acting strangely, Peshwa," Daya continued, his voice now sounding like a mixture of concern and determination. "First the game, then the watch... What are you hiding?"

Peshwa shifted uncomfortably, avoiding Daya's penetrating gaze. His hands fidgeted nervously with the watch, betraying his inner turmoil. The silence stretched between them, heavy with unspoken questions and the weight of their shared history.

Finally, Peshwa sighed heavily, realizing he could no longer evade Daya's probing questions. "I... I can't keep this from you any longer, Daya," he admitted reluctantly, his voice barely above a whisper. "I am... I am Abhijit."