Chapter 6: A Small Love?

Dheer's POV:

I went to the kitchen and prepared Mitra's favourite food. I knew her favourites as I had stolen her diary back in college. I knew every little thing about her.

I prepared vegetable biryani, mixed vegetable curry, raita, Gulab jamun, and fruit salad. I sent it through constable, asking him to say that he brought the lunch from a restaurant. I sneaked upon her to know whether she liked the food or not.

"Madam, lunch for you," the constable said.

Mitra looked at the food tray and smiled, seeing the items. She took the first bite of the food.

"Wow! It's scrumptious. Who prepared this?" Mitra said.

"We ordered it from a restaurant, madam," the constable said.

Constable went off, and I looked at Mitra. I smiled, seeing her enjoying the food. I went to the station after having lunch.

Mitra's POV:

I had the best food for a long time. Staying in a hostel and focusing on the work made me lifeless and emotionless. Dheer and mom are bringing me back to life. I remembered my bitter past. No, I shouldn't develop an attachment to this family. Without Dheer's acceptance, I can't stay here forever.

Mom returned home in the evening. We were chit-chatting about the profession and family.

"Mom, breakfast you prepared was awesome," I said.

"I didn't prepare breakfast. I went to the temple early in the morning," mom said.

"What? Then who prepared it? It's delicious."

"Maybe Dheer prepared the breakfast. Cook is also on leave today."

"Does Dheer know cooking?"

"Of course, Dheer knows cooking. Cooking is his hobby. Dheer prepared the lunch too," mom said, and I opened my mouth wide.

I saw Dheer standing at the door, smiling at my expression. Mom turned towards him.

"Dheer, didn't you say to your wife that you know cooking?"

Dheer came inside and took the water bottle.

"I have already told her, mom," Dheer said and drank water.

Dheer told me, but I didn't believe it.

"Go and get fresh. I have some work," mom said and left us both alone in the room.

"Can you please bring a coffee for me, if you don't mind? Cook is on leave," Dheer said.

Coffee? Is he asking me? Few scenes from the past blurred before my eyes, making my eyes wet.

"Are you ok, Mitra? It's ok. I will prepare the coffee. I am a bit tired as I went on the field because of some case, so I asked you," Dheer said, patting on my shoulder.

"No, Dheer. I am fine. I will bring the coffee," I said and brought coffee for him.

Dheer is studying the file of a case.

"Coffee," I said.

"Dheer, please take a rest as you are tired," I said, averting my gaze from him.

I am leaving, but he held my wrist.

"Is anything bothering you, Mitra? Your eyes are red, and you look upset," Dheer said.

His voice is filled with concern, and his eyes show unknown feelings, which can be assumed by me as love. However, I am sure he didn't love me.

Dheer stood up and looked into my eyes. I looked into his eyes for a few minutes, and then unknowingly, I hugged him. Then I feared thinking Dheer may shout at me. But he caressed my hair, making me feel comfortable in his hug.

After some time, I broke the hug.

"I am sorry," I said.

"It's ok. We can't be a couple, but we can at least be good friends," Dheer said.

At night, I laid on the bed to sleep.

"Mitra, a small request. Please don't go out at night alone. Wake me up if you need to go."

"But..."

"Don't worry; it will be a secret. I just asked you not to go alone because it's unsafe to go alone to those criminals. You should be careful," Dheer slept, saying that to me.

The next morning, I went to the office as I couldn't stay away from work for more than a day. Assistant Director called me to his cabin and said an IAS officer committed suicide at his home today. Dharma is a suspect in the case.

IAS Lokesh deals with the sand mafia case where Dharma is a culprit, an open truth, but none can arrest him as there is no proof.

As per the Assistant Director's order, I went to the press conference with Dheer. I sat as usual in the first row. Dheer looked at me.

"Good morning, everyone, It's sad to know the death news of IAS Lokesh. We are trying to find out the truth. We sent his body for post mortem, and as soon as we get the report, we will proceed further. We won't leave the culprit whoever it is," Dheer said.

"Do you think it's a murder or suicide?" I said.

"I can't say anything without seeing the post mortem report," Dheer said.

"Everyone in the state knows the truth, DCP sir. Are you trying to bury the truth or save the criminal?" another reporter said.

"No criminal can escape from the law," Dheer said.

"IAS Lokesh is dealing with the sand Mafia case. Do you think Dharma is involved in it?" I said.

"I don't know."

"Till now Home Minister Dharma did many crimes. But, he never got arrested as he leaves no proofs. Is this case going to become one among them?" I said.

"We can't arrest a person without the proofs. Soon I will trace out the truth," Dheer said.

"Can you arrest Dharma, if he is the culprit?" I said.

"I will arrest the culprit at any cost. I don't mind whether it's a Home Minister or even if it's the Prime Minister. Everyone are equal before the law."

"You may arrest anyone, but can you arrest your best friend who is almost a part of your family in the past? We heard Dharma is your best friend in the college days, is it true?" I said.

"I have no friends, and Dharma is not my friend," Dheer said, while his eyes are fury. Dheer ended the press meet.

In the evening, I went to the home, and after some time, Dheer returned home. I looked at him to understand his mood. He caught me while looking at him.

"Don't worry. A profession is a profession. I am not mad at you. I think you enquired a lot about Dharma and me, right?"

"No. I enquired about Asha. In that process, I found this," I said.

Dheer's POV:

I remembered my college days. Dharma is my best friend who taught many things to me. His sincerity, love, friendship, honesty inspired me. But I never thought these qualities in him are just action, and there is something hidden in him. I realized it only when Dharma murdered my other best friend, Jay.

"Dheer, what happened to you? Why are you upset?" Mitra said.

"Can you please leave me alone for some time? You are no one to me to share my personal life with you," I said, and Mitra went off of the room.

I noticed her tears. I don't want to hurt Mitra but avoid her as she didn't have any feelings. I love her, but I don't want to force my love on her.