The week had been way too hectic for him.. accomplishing new assignments, solving issues, night duties, overtime office works and what not.

He had hardly got any time to relax or sit and chat with Cabir since last few days, so going to the gym and working out was totally out of question here. Moreover, the Sports Complex used to get closed by the time he was free.. And that's the reason why he had to start going out for jogging for an hour or so, health came first in his priority list, unlike his dear friend Cabir. Manik had asked him to tag along for a jog, but he simply denied as he wanted to sleep in order to keep himself 'alive for the next day at office'. (as Cabir quotes it)

Not that he complained, he was okay being alone too. As usual, while passing through the lane connecting the Murthys' residence, he would be seen staring at no particular window, as he didn't know which one might be hers, thinking how long it had been since he last met her.

Was he awaiting to meet her soon?

Was he missing her?

Maybe yes... maybe no.. he himself couldn't figure out.

Days passed the same way. Like everyday, post dinner, getting ready in his name imprinted navy blue tracksuit and white sports shoes, our hero made his way out.

And again like everyday, he lowered his pace and was found staring at no certain window at Murthys', sighing in disappointment and jogging away again.

Anyways, while passing by the Sports Complex, he saw a girl figure at a distance jogging from the opposite direction. All these days, he certainly didn't see anyone except for a few peons or officers returning back from office.

Dismissing it, he proceeded jogging again just then he noticed a car coming his way. As if i a cue, his eyes reached out to the girl, who seemed oblivious of the car behind as she continued jogging through the middle of the road.

"Hey!! Move aside!", he tried to shout out to her a multiple times but all in vain. He couldn't just witness an accident in front of his eyes due to the carelessness of either the driver or that girl. Without any further do, he rushed to save her from any kind of mishap.

With the decreasing distance, that girl's face came in his visibility range, making him run faster cutting all the fog between. Upon reaching, he locked her firmly in his arms and swiftly moved aside.

Whereas, the girl had tightly kept her eyes shut at the sudden jerk and peeked through her fingers just to see the very same face she had unknowingly awaited to see soon, the same person she was longing to meet again.

"Nandini where were you lost?", he yelled.

Just then he saw her earplugs on, as she turned her head to see a car passing by them. His hands quickly pulled out both her earplugs making her look back at him. "Seriously?!", he asked glaring, showing those earplugs in his hand. "Who the hell wears these while walking on the road? How can you act so careless? What if the driver wouldn't push the break at the right time? What if the driver had failed to spot you due to fog? What if something would've happened?", he almost roared.

He knew he was over reacting, but then it was needed to make her realize the gravity of the situation too. Not always he's gonna be there to protect her. His own thoughts made him feel woeful.

He tightened his grip further as she tried to move out of his hold, making her frown and trying to scare him with a glare. That made him laugh, yet masked it with a straight expression.

After all failed attempts, she finally managed to push him away or maybe he loosened his arms and reverted, "Maine jan bujh k thodi kiya ye sab? What is a person even supposed to do while jogging alone, he'll listen to music only na! I may not have eyes behind my head to see what's going on behind like you, but I am not careless."

Saying that she turned her face to the other side pouting like a kid, indicating that she was angry, making him laugh at her antics.

"You're a kid Murthy.", he said pulling her cheeks.

She jerked his hand away, snatched her earplugs, glared him hard and walked ahead leaving him behind in full attitude. It didn't take him more than 3 steps to reach her, thanks to his Eiffel Tower like height.

"Err I'm sorry?", he apologized blocking her way.

She still didn't look at him and tried to walk away again, but he held her by her shoulders and softly said as if trying to make a kid understand, "I know I acted a bit over and I shouldn't have just shouted like that. But, please try to understand my motive, my point of view too? Of course you aren't at fault and listening to music while walking or jogging is no big deal.. many people do that, but not at least while walking through the road right? You can surely wear them while walking through the sidewalk, no one is stopping you. But wearing them on road can be dangerous, you understand that right?"

Firstly their proximity and then his killer tone, there was no way she was gonna stay angry anymore. And he hated him for that. "I hate you.", she uttered cutely.

"Haha not a prob! I know how to get my old friend back.", he winked saying that.

Without giving her a moment to react, he started to tickle her, making her laugh hard. Seeing her getting out of breaths, he stopped annoying her any further. As soon as, he left her free, she started to beat him with all her might. And to save himself from getting killed by this jungli billi, he ran for his life and soon turned into a catch and run play.

Almost giving a round in the full Navy quarter, both took a seat on a bench by the park. Catching breathe, she complained, "You're very bad."

"If caring for your friend makes you 'bad', then I take that as a compliment, my friend.", he joked.

After some moments of silence, feeling each other's presence and gathering in the oxygen they needed after their long marathon, she asked, "Jogging for the first time? I mean, never saw you jogging before.."

"Not first time.. I had this only option left for keeping myself fit. What 'bout you? I didn't see you here before too.."

"I'm a regular jogger here okay! It's just, I was down so skipped for a couple of days.", she said casually.

On the other hand, this guy almost turned into a tomato. Reason was unknown, whether it was because of long exertion or her talk.

Not getting any reply, she turned to face him, and burst out laughing seeing his state, "You're so cute Officer."

He got up from the bench informing, "I'm going."

"Ya sure. And what if I wear these earplugs again and meet with an accident while returning home then? Koi nhi. Who cares..", she said adding up to the fuel.

"It's not a joke.", he said in his ever so soft yet husky voice making her go weak on her knees, eyes held so much of concern, that made her lower her lashes to save herself from getting burnt by their intensity.

"Ok ok sorry. Now don't scold me again"

He shook his head in disbelief and dropped her home.

~•~
A/N: Finally our hero is backkk!! How much I was craving to hear this news officially from him. So happy Samthaan😭🤧❤️