Shadows Of Yesterday

part 1

Ayushman’s expression softened, a flicker of emotion crossing his eyes.
“Family…” he whispered under his breath, as if the word carried memories.

Purvi noticed the depth in his tone, but said nothing.

Pradyuman continued,
“Come, let’s head to the briefing room. From today, you’re one of us.”

As everyone walked ahead, Pankaj whispered loudly,
“If the new ACP didn’t scold me on his first day, this is officially the best welcome of my life.”

Abhijeet smirked, “Wait till he sees your report handwriting.”

Daya added, “Or your habit of eating the entire snack box before anyone else.”

“Hey! Stop roasting me on my first day with him!” Pankaj complained.

Laughter echoed through the bureau as the team walked forward—
and Ayushman stepped into the CID world, unaware that the people he just met were connected to the deepest chapters of his  childhood.
.....

A Few Minutes Later in the CID Bureau

The bureau hummed with quiet activity.
Files shuffled, keyboards clicked, and everyone was busy updating reports from previous cases.

Pankaj leaned over Purvi’s desk, peering into her file.
“Purvi, do you ever get tired of writing so neatly? I mean, look at this—perfect lines! My file looks more… artistic.”

Purvi didn’t look up. “Your file looks like a toddler tried to draw the alphabet.”

“Hey! That’s rude,” Pankaj gasped. “My handwriting has character.”

“Yeah,” Purvi replied dryly, “horror character.”

Abhijeet, sitting nearby with a file in hand, couldn’t hide a smile.
“Pankaj, leave her alone. If she gets angry, she’ll make you rewrite all her reports.”

Pankaj’s eyes widened. “No, please! I’d rather face ghosts than her reports.”

Purvi shot him a glare. “Good. Then go face some.”

Behind them, Bhoomi and Kritika were busy arguing over a computer screen.

“Bhoomi, I told you the cursor is moving because you’re holding the mouse!” Kritika groaned.

Bhoomi frowned. “No! I swear it just moved on its own. Maybe… maybe the system is haunted?”

Kritika slapped her forehead. “Great. Another Pankaj.”

Pankaj turned around dramatically. “Did someone say my name with respect?”

Both girls chorused, “No!”

Abhijeet chuckled under his breath.
“This bureau is a circus today.”

---

Inside the Cabin

Ayushman sat at his desk, observing the lively chaos outside through the glass wall.

His eyes moved from Daya’s steady work… to Abhijeet’s quiet smile…
but his gaze lingered a little longer—too long—on Purvi.

She tucked a strand of hair behind her ear as she focused on her file, occasionally rolling her eyes at Pankaj’s nonsense.

Something about her… the way she wrinkled her nose when she got irritated…
the way her eyes softened when she read something serious…

A feeling tugged at Ayushman’s chest—familiar, warm, old.

He whispered under his breath, almost unconsciously:

“…Piyu?”

He blinked, catching himself.

No. It couldn’t be.

Still, his gaze drifted back to her, drawn like a quiet pull from  past.

Outside, Purvi sensed someone looking at her. She turned slightly—
but Ayushman quickly looked down at his file, pretending to read.

Purvi shrugged lightly and went back to her work.

Ayushman exhaled slowly.

Something was happening inside him. Something he had buried for 22 long years.

And it had just been triggered by the girl sitting across the bureau.