Don 3: Heart's Desire

Chapter 49

The next morning Don woke Roma up in the best way possible and didn't allow her to leave the bed for a long while. She couldn't complain but did mention that she'd be late for work

'I already regret the fact that you need to go back... but it's only for a few days I guess...' he said between kisses

Roma then smiled trying to push him off her playfully yet again 'I'm already late! I'll get fired and then the plan won't work' she giggled as he kept on kissing her neck

'Uff' he sighed and let her grab her robe and head towards the bathroom 'And what shall I do here all alone, poor me?'

Roma shrugged 'I don't know, read something'

Don raised an eyebrow 'If I have to do it, then it's no fun. I only read when I feel like reading'

'That's pretty much your motto for everything you do' she giggled

'It's too risky to leave the apartment. I'll go nuts in here' he widened his eyes and Roma burst into laughter

'I'd like to see that. Aren't you already crazy?' she then ran towards the bathroom as Don threw a pillow at her

When she stepped out of the shower Don had already cooked breakfast for her 'No no no, I'm 2 hours late already Don!'

Don gestured for her to be silent and seated and she complied immediately

He placed a cup of coffee next to her plate and sat opposite to her at the dining table 'Now do I need to run you through what you should and should not do today?'

'What's that supposed to mean?' Roma asked irritated. She didn't like being patronized

Don pressed his lips into a straight line 'Roma, I'm serious. You need to be very careful'

'I'm well aware of that'

'Keep in mind that even the slightest mistake can blow the whole thing off'

'Don. I got it. Would you drop it?' she placed her fork back on the table and grabbed her mug standing up

'Where do you think you're going?' he snapped

'I'm leaving for work. Where you are sending me. I'm nervous enough as it is and here you are getting me all hyper'

He grabbed her by the elbow just as she was about to leave 'Wait... I'm sorry, alright?' he inhaled trying to calm down 'I'm worried, that's all. Everything lies in your hands and I have to sit here and do nothing. It's really hard for me to do that. I'm always the doer. I'll grow gray hairs in these few hours' he chuckled

She smiled faintly and hugged him 'Don't worry. It'll be alright' she then winked at him 'Trust me'

He kissed her and finally let her go

She stopped the car in the headquarters' parking lot and took in a deep breath. This was it. She entered the building and greeted everyone in her way. Suddenly it occured to her how she would miss it all. She tried to shake the thought off, and not become emotional.

She knocked on detective Malik's office door and he was surprised to see her 'Roma! Finally you show your face. You've got us all worried. I didn't want to disturb you on your vacation, but...'

'... But you made a few inquiries' she smiled 'Anushka and my neighbor told me. You needn't have worried. I was fine'

Malik smiled back 'I'm sorry to have invaded your privacy like that'

'Don't mention it sir. I understand. And your worries are not unfonded. I have been trying to get over all that has happened and ... it's harder than ever. I was about to give it all up but thought I should give it one last shot...'

'Matlab?' Malik furrowed his eyebrows 'You're not thinking of leaving us, are you?'

Roma shrugged and lowered her gaze 'I'd be lying if I said I haven't thought about it. I have to think of my own welfare, sir... it's been years since I've been struggling and I think I need a complete change of scenery...'

Malik sighed 'Roma... I can't say I wasn't expecting this... I know how much of a toll this all has taken on you. But you're my best officer and we need you here. So I'm kind of caught up in the middle. As your friend I support you, but as your boss I'd like you to stay. Maybe there's something we could do for you?'

'Nahin sir, there's nothing that could help. I'm here to finish any paperwork ... I'll give it a serious thought for a few days and if I really can't go on, I'll hand you in my resignation'

Malik sighed again 'Roma... I support your decision regardless' he gave her a reassuring smile

'Thank you, sir' she smiled back and left his office

'What's this I've been hearing about you leaving us?' Arjun came to her desk, hours later, as she was going through some files

She sighed 'The word spread fast...'

'Roma!' he said as he grabbed a chair and sat next to her 'What are you doing? Where's your ambition yaar? I really didn't expect you to just give up like this!'

'Kya? Arjun, I'm not giving up anything. On the contrary, I'm trying to get on with my life' she snapped back at him

'I can't believe what that bastard did to you' he said between his teeth

Roma caught her tongue. She wanted to slap him but couldn't 'Let it go, Arjun'

'If I were you I'd put all those feelings to good use and help us catch that son of a b*tch!'

'Arjun!'

'I know why you stopped the search that day when we had the lead on him'

'...Kya?' she furrowed her brows questioningly

'He was here, Roma. I'm 100% sure. He might still be here. But you stopped the search. And I know why!'

Roma looked at him in shock, her heart was beating so fast it was about to break free from her chest

'Because you couldn't handle seeing him again!' he finally said

She managed not to sigh in relief and looked at him irritated 'That is not true. I just thought about it and it made no sense'

'Still, it wouldn't have hurt to look, na?' he raised an eyebrow 'But you couldn't do it. And now you're running away!' he crossed his arms over his chest and stood up 'I don't recognize you anymore, Roma. What happened to you, where's your spirit? Did he break your spirit too, aside from your heart?'

'That's enough!' she stood up too and pointed her finger at him warningly 'Don't cross the line, Arjun! I may be quitting soon but that doesn't give you any right to disrespect me like this! I have a life and a mind of my own to make decisions that do not concern you in any way, thank you very much!'

'I'm sorry if I came across as disrespectful. You know how I look up to you ... and how I care for you' he stepped closer and she immediately stepped back

'You're unbelievable! Here you go on and on about me acting foolishly because of a so-called broken heart. But what are you doing? The very same. Just stay away from me' she squinted at him and left the office angrily

She finished off handling her files and left for the day. As she drove back home she couldn't help but weep. It had turned out so much more difficult than she had expected. Tiredly, she opened the door to her apartment only to stare at it in shock.