I look at this woman, who I met not even a week ago and I have already begun to admire her. Her aspirations and dreams..and above all, Her strength..

And when I entered this room, she was on call with her father. She turned to look at me, and the detective in me knew she had been crying as her eyes gleamed with a hint of tears.

And now..I sat near her, what started as an attempt to make her feel better, going some other direction.

"So.. she wants you to divorce me ?" she says wiping the tear off her cheek and I instantly feel the need to cheer her up.

"Why? Are you already in love with me?" I say teasingly and she looks at me confused.

"I know I am charming and I very well know that you are falling for me.. That's why you think that you can't live without me.. So I won't let you die.."

I say with a very serious look, as the worry lines on her forehead dissipate forming a furrow, her both eyebrows rising towards her hairline.

"I won't divorce you.." I say and break the serious act laughing out loud.

"You are so deeply up your own ass that you thing the world revolves around you.. but let me tell you.. I don't care.." she says after pointing an accusing index finger, and getting up, picking the night suit she had taken out earlier and going to the bathroom to change.

I sat there thinking about how adorable she looks shouting in anger when her phone rang.

Vikram calling..

It said, as the memories of the first night when I met Samayra at the precinct came to my mind and I looked at the time.

9:48pm.

Why is a suspect for the drug racket, calling my wife so late at night..

I pick it up and put it to my ear.

"Sammy, I have this.." He spoke without waiting for the other side.

"Who the fuck do you think you are.. calling my wife with a nickname? Her name is Samayra.." I growled.

"Your wife? Are you that Inspector guy ?"

"I am an SP, four ranks above an inspector..and 3 ranks below the commissioner"

"Look whoever you are, hand the phone to Sammy.." He says almost with kindness in his voice.

"Call her Dr.Samayra.."

"Dude if you don't give her the phone and she finds about it later, She's gonna chop your dick off and feed it to the pigs.." he says.

"Excuse me.." I say trying to sound offended, but I was kind of scared.. I had no doubt, because by now I knew, that this woman can do anything..

"She's a vet, Castration isn't very hard for her either.. She's a pro at it, no post-surgical complications guaranteed.. So, if you don't want your own balls in your dinner tomorrow give the phone to her before the camel dies.." He says and I actually feel threatened as the door opens and she walks out wearing a tshirt and shorts.

"Is that my phone.." she says with squinted eyes and I extend my arm giving the phone to her dumbfounded.

She takes it looking at the screen and puts it on her ear."Hello, Vicky.." she says and walks to the balcony. Vicky ? His name us Vikram..

Honestly, my first instinct is to go after her, but instead of pissing her off further I change into my shorts for the night and get in bed.

I was scrolling down the insta feed when she came inside still on the phone.

"And call me if there's any change..." She says and he says something.

"No.. Whatever the time.. just call me okay.." she says and hangs up, keeping the phone on the bedside table.

"WHAT.." she says and I realize that I was staring at her.

"Grandma will have a heart attack if she saw you wearing that.." I say turning my attention back to the screen with a smirk , so she knows I'm joking.

"Honestly, don't care.." she says and gets in bed.

"You forgot to turn off the lights.." I say casually, back to scrolling through my insta feed.

"It's on your side.." she says picking up the blanket.

"But I am already in bed.." I say and shrug my shoulders.

"I turned it off yesterday.." She abruptly replies as if this was a competition.

"soo.." I say..

"So, you should do it today.." she says and I shake my head.

"Then let's leave them on.. I have no problem.." I say, knowingly very well that she can't sleep with the light on. She huffs getting up going to the switch turning it off, and then the lamp on my side of the bed and then walks to her side of the bed turning of the lamp there and getting in bed.

I keep my phone aside and put my head on the pillow.

"Ayra.." I say and look up at the dark ceiling.

"Hmm.." she mutters.

"Whose Vicky to you ?" I say and almost regret it after it was out of my mouth. She turns to look at me.

"Ohh.. He's my ex.. My dad didn't like him.. So we never got married.." She says with a huff and I put my head up supported by my elbow as she looks at me, trying to look serious but a smile tugging at her lips, until she bursts.

"hahahahahahahahhhahhahhhaaaa" she laughs out loud, hearty and deep and it felt like the world was a better place.. I hadn't heard her laugh with everything going on with her dad. But now that I heard it, I knew I won't ever be tired of hearing this.

"oh my god.. No.. Okay.." she says clutching her stomach tight in mockery.

"He's just my best friend and colleague.. Haha.." she says still laughing and I frown.

"I didn't find it funny.." I say and she smiles.

"Look.. We both are good friends.. that's it. That's why I met you for coffee that day.. Why would I meet you, if I had a guy in my life?" she says "and you call yourself a good detective.." She adds.

"You could have been forced by your parents.. It's not always your own choice.. Like it was the pressure from Chetan and Mom that I ended up at the coffee shop."

I shouldn't have said that. Should I ?

"Oh.. Soo you didn't want to get married.."

"I don't know, before I could form an opinion, you had already rejected me."

"You were a douche.."

"And now I'm your husband.." I say and she huffs.

"For how long.." she whispers but I heard it. And I could feel pain in her words.

"Excuse me.." I say as she sits up and turns on the bedside lamp.

"We need to talk.. "

"I'm sure it never means anything good." I say as I feel something wrong.

"Now, that depends on you." She says and I huff sitting up beside her and turn on the lamp on my side.

"Ambar.. look.."

"I am looking.." I say and open my eyes wider, try to dissipate the tension.

"Listen.." she says a little more sternly and I nod.

"What's wrong?"

"It's just.. that.." she starts the sentence and pauses to take two deep breaths.

"I can do this." She says and I couldn't resist the temptation to make a joke.

"You mean.. Talk? Ofcourse you can do it. I have no doubt on your capabilities. That's what you've done all this time, since I met you."

"Ambar.. I.. I can't be a mother.."

My jaw drops as I stare at her shocked. It was like.. Someone had dropped a bomb on me.

"Most probably.." she adds nervously fiddling with her hands. She wasn't sure.. Why would she tell me something that has a chance of not being true.

I look at her beautiful face, lightened up by the dim lights from the lamp. Her long lashes casting a shadow on her cheeks, as she bit her lower lip.

"Why? I mean... How?" I mutter out incoherent words as she looks up.

"You know my mom-dad are old.. and it is because I was born a little over 18 years.. that is 19 years after their wedding.."

"Whhatt.." I say shocked.

"They got married in December 1979 and I was born in August 1996. One of them, mom or dad had issues.. I can't tell who because Indian families tell us that kids happen, when God wants them to happen. We don't talk about sex or medical issues related to it." She says and I see the dull shadow of a tear slide down her cheek. I wanted to interrupt but I also wasn't sure, if I'd say something wrong and offend her further.

"I had issues with my periods from the starting, but I never suspected anything. Sometimes, I'd miss periods for 3-4 months straight. The doctor said it'll get fine after 18, when I went with my mom." She says looking straight at the off LED tv in our room.

"2 years later, I was at college in a different city and didn't get my periods for 6 months. I went to the gynac, she got some blood tests, ultrasonography done and.." she paused to wipe her tears and take a deep breath.

I picked up the jug from the side, poured her a glass of water and handed it to her. She took a few sips before continuing.

"It was hormonal imbalance leading to PCOD. The cysts in my ovaries were gigantic. Alot worse than normal. The doctor told me to start the medication, exercise and try to remain away from stress."

"Somethings happened in my life that caused more stress and made it worse.. I've been trying to get back on track since an year. Exercise, good eating habits.." she says and I interrupt.

"And medicines?" I ask. She shakes her head in disagreement.

"No, taking them for a longer time would have predisposed me to breast cancer.. So, the gynac told me to stop and have a healthy lifestyle.."

"And did you?" I ask and she shakes her head again.

"why?" I ask as she looks up trying to meet my eye. Her eyes shone in the dim light reflected by the tears.

"I couldn't.. between study and responsibilities.." she says and I kind of knew that she was lying.

But this wasn't the time to point it out.

"Responsibilities greater than your health ?" I ask and she looks down at her hands, placed in her lap. She goes quiet for a minute or two.

"Mom-Dad don't know about it.. Please don't tell them.."she says and I exhale, closing my eyes and trying to remain calm.

"Please Ambar.. If you wanna divorce me, just say that your grandma doesn't approve of me.. or because I can't cook... just.. Just don't.. "

"You can't cook?" I say surprised with my eyebrows raised in shock and she nods.

"Only the basics.." she says and I run my hand through my hair.

"Fuckk.." I cuss as she looks at me. I get out of bed finding a shirt to wear. She doesn't say a word as I get ready to leave. I find a pair of jeans slipping it on.

"I just remembered something I need to take care of.. Go to sleep, I'll be out late.. Ohhh.. and.. Grandma wanted you to make breakfast for everyone, tomorrow and I said yes.." I say and buckle my belt on the jeans and walk out as she stares at me shocked, with her mouth wide open. I knew she wanted to say something, but even she was confused about what to say..

I pick up my car, my brain playing the conversation we just had on loop as I drive towards the precinct.

She can't be a mother.. and I can't be a father.. most probably..

But her parents had her, so there's a chance for us too..

Or maybe not.

I can't divorce her. That is crystal clear.. but.. what will my family say about this problem of hers.

And then tomorrow morning, she has to make breakfast as well.. She can't cook. Why would someone marry their daughter, if she can't cook.

I park in the precinct, 2 spots from where I had found Samayra, this monday crying by the side of her jeep and I had to accompany her to the hospital..

How that incident changed my life..

"Sir.." I hear and look up to a constable saluting me.

"Dubey.. I haven't see you for a while.. Doing night shift these days?" I say and he smiles. I put on a fake smile and pat his back.

"Ji sir.. Aap Chai peeyenge?"

(Yes sir, will you have tea?")

"2 krvalo.. Ek meri, ek apki.. mere khaate pe"

(Make it two, one mine and one yours and put it on my tab.)

He looks unwilling to get that and I smile.

"I got married Dubey ji, You deserve a small treat.."

"Then, tea isn't enough sir.. Fir toh achi vali party chahiye.."

(I want a better treat.)

I laugh and nod patting his back again.

"Why not.. Now tell me where's the suspect for the drug racket.." I ask and he tells me the cell number.

"Dubey ji, You get the tea, it's late at night.. I need energy and then bring some ice cold water, my Baton, a blade and some chains.. In the meantime I'll do some warm up with the suspect.." I say walking inside surprised to find Avinash still working.

Why has he not left for home, yet ? I really don't want to answer his questions..

"What are you doing here? What kind of a man are you? Are you even a man?" He says looking at me and I frown, giving him my stern bossy glare.

"Not now, I am making up for your incompetency. I told you I need answers before the DNA report." I say and walk towards the cell, my hand forming in a fist, anger raging through my veins.

I need to solve this drug racket.

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