Friendship a little ahead

chapter 3

Sameer can't take his eye off that girl. She is blushing. Which is not helping at all. But when something gave him enough distraction to come out of that shock, he witness Arjun comes running and taking her into another hug. But not an awkward one like his. His emotions are showing. He is happy. Arjun starts talking.
"I cannot believe Ayona you are here. I'm lost. Ayona. I.."
"Shhh.. I know." She said.
For everyone around them it is beyond belief. They are seeing their second in command happy. For the first time. But Sakshi's face darken. She is hurt as seeing someone so close to Arjun who is not her. Arjun is smiling. The smile that she wanted to put on his face for so long time. God only knows what not she did to do so. Now she is able to see that breathtaking smile. But she can't reflect it as she knows that the reason behind his smile is not she but a girl no one knows. No one heard off. Who just arrived some minutes back. They pull away. That look filled with love is hurting. She can't stop herself  and asks
"Who is she Arjun?"
Arjun smiles at her and says
"Ayona Shekhar. A dear friend. Source of my mental peace."
"But right now I'm here for professional reasons." She says.
Everyone look at her even strangely. She turns to Sameer and says
"Chief! Ayona Shekhar reporting for duty sir. If your department heads didn't mess up with my joining letter then you must have informed about me."
Sameer was shocked but now he is much controlled.
"Ofcourse Miss Shekhar. But I wasn't expecting.." Sameer can't understand how to put the words. Ayona nod curtly.
"That's understandable chief. I requested not to be mentioned untill I reached. And I hope you forgave me for my behavior earlier, in the excitement of seeing him (eyes Arjun) after ages my senses wasn't working.. inke dhoke main apke gale pad gayi."
Everyone chuckled at it. Even Arjun.
"And chief please call me Ayona. Miss Shekhar always will be my mother."
Sameer nod at her and says
"So team this is Ayona Shekhar, ex Indian agent. She will be joining us. Ayona you know Rawte. This is Shree the tech expert."
"I know him also. Actually the whole team Arjun talks about you all." Ayona says. "I know you have so many questions but I'll answer you after formal introduction."
The commissioner enters.
"Ayona.. I see you have reached."
Everybody straighten and stand in formal manner.
"Thank you Ayona for joining the force. You were the only one who was involved in that case and went this far. But as now you are a mystery. So no one will notice if you disappear."
"And no one will care if I die."
She says so calmly yet so venomously.
"No Ayona department do care for you."  Commissioner says
She scoffs at him before saying.
"Department didn't care for its own. Im still a outsider." Arjun instantly understands it was about his wife's death.
"Ayona.."he starts to stop her but she left her hand and says
"Arjun. I'm talking. Don't interrupt me. Mr commissioner if I'm here it's just because of him. I still hate you and your department with same passion." She finishes.
Shree whispers to Chhotu.
"I never thought I would see someone bossing Arjun sir around."
Chhotu nods.
"Miss Shekhar you will not talk to me like that I'm your superior." Commissioner says angrily.
"Sorry sir but I have only one superior. Commander in chief of ETF ACP Sameer Rathore. Only my chief can order me. That's on my joining letter." She says in same calm voice.
Sameer looks at her surprised then at Arjun who also looks at him.
"Rubbish. I didn't signature at any contract like this." Commissioner says
"Doesn't matter. Central home ministry did. From now on I belong to chief." She replies.
Commissioner looks at Sameer who gave him a assuring node.
"I did my homework. Now it will be a great help if you do your bring those information so that we can carry on."
"Ayona that's enough. Step back." Sameer says.
"Yes chief." She does what she was told.
"Take a day break. Until I get those information." Commissioner says before going out.
Everyone relaxes. And are sitting at conference room.
"We must say Ayona, you have something."Shree says. Ayona laughs at him.
"Where were you and why don't I know that you were working with the agency? You know what I think of you putting yourself in danger." Arjun says.
"Relax Arjun. I wasn't in any danger." Ayona says.
"Oh you were just on desk?" Sakshi asks as Ayona get up to have coffee.
"I was doing Honey trapping."
Everyone look at each other.
"Ayona!" Arjun complains.
"Female spies are using this method from civil war. May be even before that." She says while making coffee.
"That doesn't make it any less risky." Arjun says dismissively.
"What is honey trapping?" Shree asks
"In honey trapping, female spies use their beauty to get information. Because still today a woman's ability is underestimated. They don't see a beautiful woman as a threat." Sameer says looking at Ayona as she gives Chhotu coffee. Ayona smiles at him and gives him another mug.
"Chief." Sameer smiles at her.
"So do you have to you know.. for mission." Shree asks when she was giving coffee to Liza and Sakshi. She looks at him. And everyone looks uncomfortable.
She puts down a mug Infront of Shree and leans down. Shree isn't looking at her so she guides his face with her fingers and looks him in eyes before saying
"Babu if everyone gets the honey there will be no value for it na? We don't do that. From the beginning we plan this accordingly. If this situation happens and there is no option..." She stops and everyone get serious. She leans back and stands like she remembered something which disgust her.
"We understand that our mission has been compromised. We have been compromised." She says venomously and picks last two mugs of coffee. She put one Infront of Arjun saying
"Aary.."
Sakshi spokes in.
"He doesn't drinks coffee."
"Really?" Ayona says sarcastically as per everyone's surprise Arjun drinks from the mug.
"So you and Arjun sir are best friends." Liza asks.
"Yes. We know each other when we were at school. he was 3 years elder than me. After school I changed city. But we remain in contact. When I heard of Roshni. I was devastated. I wanted to leave everything and come back. But could not."
"Why not?" Sakshi asks.
"Farz dosti ke bich agayi Sakshi. I was hoping that Arjun is ok. Then I got a chance to be here but your department compromise my mission. But I knew what a jerk of this department is I didn't reviled my true identity to them. I had to move." Ayona says as a tear rolled down.
(Duty came in the middle of friendship)
"It's ok Ayona you were doing your duty. And I know Rawte would understand." Sameer says. She looks at him and that look make him get a ping at heart.
"Inhone to hamesa samjha hai, hamesa sath dia hai. Gam to bas isibat ka hai chief ki main na de Pai, tav jav inhe sabse jada jarurat thi." Arjun places his hand on top of her.
(He understands. Always. And always be there. But the sad part is I was not there chief when he needed me the most.)
"If you haye the department why you are here?"Sakshi asks. Liza is understanding her fury, and is worried that this can cause Sakshi a lot, clearly this new girl has so much influence on everything.
"I don't understand how they get you in the first place?"Arjun asks.
"Arry do you really think they could find me if I wasn't planning on to be found." Ayona says smirking.
"So you did left clues behind?" Sameer asks.
"Yes chief. in the mission they compromise I was working on a this case. I knew they would want me again. I call him every day in a hope that he would find something to live for, when he joined ETF i was very happy. And wanted to come back." She said.
"Why? What's so special about it?" Liza asks.
"Well there is two reasons. One he was doing what he is best at. And second is Sam."
Everyone looks at her.