A New Journey

A ride to home

A New Journey

Tarika was making her way out of the Bureau building, fiddling with her phone when she noticed Abhijeet talking with the guard. It was her second week in lab and first day of being so late to return home. She never knew high profile cases demanded so much of works. Half hour ago when Tasha had called her to inform she was leaving, the forensic expert didn't know that she would be free within the next 30 minutes. Thank to Dr Salunke, he agreed to take the rest of the burden to himself, given the condition she would report early in morning. Reporting early was never a problem to her. She checked her phone. 10. 30 pm. She sighed. She once thought to inform Tasha that she was leaving but dropped the idea thinking she might have been sleeping.

Taking her steps towards the main exit she recalled she never had a chance to talk to Abhijeet after that canteen incident. She almost talked to everyone, more than one occasion. Some had been good friends to her already. But the person standing before her, a few foots away, talking with the guard seemed a bit different to her. He never strike a conversation if not related to cases. But when talked, never let the people in front of him feel dejected or unwanted. And he's exceptionally quiet, but not shy. Confident but not show off. His attitude was something which felt natural, not created.

Thinking this and that she finally reached the main gate beside Abhijeet. He looked at her and smiled cordially. She had hardly seen him smiling like this during the entire week. Well, he never had a female colleague who was not his direct colleague, had he? Still, she felt him extra warm towards her. She brushed away the thoughts. She was being stupid. Tasha wasn't wrong after all. Now, when she's recalling her best friend's words she came into realization that Tasha had stopped bad mouthing Abhijeet nowadays, surprisingly. In fact, she had caught her praising him in some rare occasions. So unlikely of Tasha. She hardly used to praise her mentors. She loathed them all.

''Hello Dr Tarika,'' Abhijeet greeted her finally not having been replied with his smile.

''Oh.. Hi Abhijeet sir,'' Tarika smiled, shyly.

''You were lost,'' said Abhijeet and at the same time turned towards the guard, ''Remember from next time okay? Now get back to your work.'' Abhijeet said to the guard. The guard left, nodding.

''Nothing. I was just wondering, one week has passed,'' said Tarika hugging herself, ''It's cold outside. Finally winter has arrived. I love winter.''

Tarika found it extremely weird, talking with a person she barely knew, about weather.

''I don't have special attachment to kind of seasons,'' he smiled yet again and stretched his hand forward indicating her to take her steps ahead, ''shall we?''

Unromantic.

Tarika couldn't stop but concluded in her mind. They started walking side by side and came out on road.

''You will take a cab too?'' Tarika asked Abhijeet.

''No, I am planning to get you one. I have my car,'' replied Abhijeet.

''Oh please don't bother. I will manage. You go ahead.'' Tarika assured him.

''Are you sure?''

''Absolutely,'' Tarika gave a curt nod.

''I don't know. It looks bad you know, leaving a beautiful lady alone on road..''

Tarika couldn't help her blushing smile. Beautiful- one word, yet it came out from his mouth rather unexpectedly.

''Beautiful?'' Tarika asked, a teasing smiled playing on her lips.

''Well, I am not flirting.''