The Wait

Part-22

Dinner was a silent affair since none of the house members were present except the house helps who served the dishes on the table.

Everyone retired to their room aftermath except Rathore who went to the garden for a night stroll.

Everything was the same.

The garden, the swing , the palace and even the people inside ; he could see hardly any changes in them except his feelings.

He didn't expect to be feeling like a guest in his own house. It was rather suffocating than peaceful to be back home after so many years.

Even though it was assuring to have his team members with him , yet he feared his team would get to know what kind of people he lived with.

The people who doesn't mind erasing their blood relations in the name of Honor , the people he called family once and ran away from.

He wondered what Arjun must be thinking about coming back there even though he came only to complete the case.

The only good memories in the house left with him were the time he spent with his beloved sister and the youth he had spent with Arjun dreaming preparing to be a police officer.

"Coffee.?"

His chain of thoughts were brought to an halt by a voice and he looked up only to find Ayesha standing there with two mugs of coffee smiling down at him.

"Kitchen ka raasta mil gaya tumhe.?"

Rathore asked taking one mug from her ,and motioned her to sit beside him on the swing.

"Thoda muskil tha per 2-3 logon se puchha toh mil gaya raasta."

Ayesha answered ,at first hesitating at his offer but then took the seat beside him after ensuring no one was watching them.

Rathore chuckled at her reply and took a sip.

"Apka ghar bahut achha hai."

Ayesha said after a moment of silence.

"Kaash andar se bhi utna achha hota."

Rathore muttered under his breathe ,which she heard and kept mum sipping her coffee.

" Pata hai Ayesha , ek police officer ke liye sabse muskil kaam kaunsa hai .?"

He asked thoughtfully.

She angled her head to him without uttering a word waiting for him to continue.

"Apni duty aur farz ke bich me kisi ek ko choose karna."

Rathore replied then continued.

"Jab maine apna duty choose kiya tha tab mujhe koi guilt nahi tha per aaj tak ek guilt hai ki maine apne bete hone ka farz nahi nibhaya."

"Per mujhe aesa nahi lagta Sir.

Baat yahan sahi aur galat ki hai aur sahi ka sath dene ke liye kabhi kabhi farz pichhe chhodne padte hain."

Ayesha mumbled assuring him , thus he fell silent afterwards.

___________

As the night passed morning arised,

Riya, Ayesha ,Sakshi got ready and scooted downstairs only to meet with an elderly woman standing in the hallway, along with a man who by looks was oozing royalty.

"Whoa ! Iss mahal me itna handsome banda bhi tha ,kal se dikha nahi."

Sakshi whispered in Ayesha's ear as they slowly stepped down off the stairs.