Arjun woke up hearing the sound of morning alarm which he set in his mobile. He found Radhika is sleeping peacefully completely covering herself with the blanket. He stretched himself & get up from the bed. First, he went to bathroom to freshen up. He opened the knob of shower, cold water hit his body. He shivered, but soon got adjusted with the temperature. He remembered last night hallucination. He can feel light pain on his forehead. After bathing, he wore his Yoga clothes & climbed up the stairs & went in terrace. Fog covered the whole atmosphere just like his mind clouded with confusion. It is his daily routine to do Yoga for two hours. He started with Pranayama to control his stressed mind. He closed his eyes, but he failed to concentrate. Flashes of Passing out Parade Ceremony coming in front of his eyes. His own voice taking pledge before few years, resonated in his ears.
“I do solemnly declare upon my honour and conscience that I will act at all times to the best of my ability and knowledge in a manner befitting a police officer.”
“I will preserve the dignity and will respect the rights of all individuals”
“I will discharge my duties with integrity and will promote understanding and conciliation”
“I will exercise my authority as a police officer in the manner intended by the law”
“I will faithfully obey the orders of my superiors and will be ready to confront danger in the line of duty “
“I will act with honesty, courtesy and regard for the welfare of others, and will endeavour to develop the esprit de corps”
He opened his eyes & bytes his lips. “Are you following these oaths you took? You are neglecting your duty. It is wrong. It is equal to corruption. How are you going to look at your daughter eyes, who considered you as her HERO?? How are you looks at yourself in mirror? “ His inner voice shouted at him.
“Shut Up, just Shut up. If I investigate the case honestly, I know, I will put my family in danger. I can’t do that.”
“Don’t you know it when you joined in the Police service? Why the hell did you chose the career if you that much weak? You know about this kind of challenges. Now, you are backing off? Shame on You.” His inner voice again shouted at him. He tightly closed his ears with his hands.
“You are my HERO papa. Mom said, you punish bad men & protect us all.” Little Ava said encircled her small arms around Arjun. Arjun noticed the brightness on her face. He lovingly looked at his daughter. But she fades in front of him. “HERO???” his inner voice mocked him.” You are a backboneless man.”
“Shut Up” Arjun frustratedly shouted.
“Determination excels all barriers. Just Stay calm, keep your mind focused & proceed.”He recalled his Trainer advice.
Arjun again closed his eyes. This time calmly, he already made up his mind. He will proceed. He was down in his memory lane. Little Arjun is sitting with the book in front of him, his mother sitting in front of him, getting him prepared for the poetry competition in school.
“Where the mind is without fear and the head is held high
Where knowledge is free
Where the world has not been broken up into fragments
By narrow domestic walls
Where words come out from the depth of truth
Where tireless striving stretches its arms towards perfection
Where the clear stream of reason has not lost its way
Into the dreary desert sand of dead habit………………………”
Darkness had long surrendered to the light. Now, the fog also getting clear. The first orange hued rays of sunrise kissing the sky. The yellow shining sun started rising. It filled the sky with mighty colours of red and splashed the clouds with endless rays of pink. It was bright and mesmerizing.
After completing his exercise, Arjun went to kitchen & made tea. He poured it in two cups & came in the bedroom, where Radhika is sleeping completely under blanket. “Radhika, wake up. It’s morning.” As usual, without getting any response, he came & sat in the bed beside her. He uncovered the blanket from her face & shook her gently. “Arre wake up yaar.” Arjun put his cold hand on her.
”eeeks” Radhika made an irritated face & almost pushed him. Arjun decided to sprinkled water on her face but changed his mind. He took a flower from the vase & started tracing her face with it. She made a cute face & turned other side. He smiled seeing her innocent move. He came close to her & again started tracing her neck this time. She tried blocking him with her hand but he changed the position of flower everytime. She tried to catch hold of the thing which was disturbing her. Finally, when she could not take any more, she woke up with a start.
Radhika- I hate You.
Arjun- But I love You. ( He lightly hit her face with the flower).
Radhika- Why you disturbed my sleep?
Arjun- Check the time. By the way, who said that I was disturbing your sleep, I was just loving You. Good Morning & hot tea for my lovely wife.
Radhika lazily rubbed her eyes. She is a late riser, so every day Arjun wakes her up & make tea for her.
Radhika- Morning.
Arjun got up from the bed with his cup & took the newspaper to see the headlines. Radhika is keenly looking at him.
Radhika- Arjun, are you fine??
Arjun- Yes. Why??
Radhika- nothing. I thought last night, you were upset & lost in some thoughts.
Arjun- nothing to worry Radhika.
Radhika- I know you better. Please say what is bothering you.
Arjun came & sat beside her in the bed.
Arjun- A rape case…..
Radhika ( hold his hand)- Arjun please, you are too sensitive. Please don’t take the case personally.
Arjun- I did not even take it professionally.
Radhika- what?
Arjun- I made my mind, I will not back off.
Radhika( confused)- what you are saying Arjun?? I am not getting anything.
Arjun- I am fine Radhika.
Radhika looked at him & hold his chin. She looked directly in his eyes.
Radhika- Just listen what your heart says. Do your duty, else you will not live in peace & neither us. I can guess you get some threats about harming us. I trust you. No need to back off.
Arjun- Thanks & I love you. Sorry for last night.
Radhika narrowed her eyes. She looked at the clock & her eyes widens. “ohh god, I am late.” She almost pushed Arjun from the bed & jumped down. Arjun caught hold her hand, with a naughty glint on his face.” What about tonight?”
Radhika-now, I don’t have time for this kind of bakwaas. You are a father of one child & we are not newly married couple. So, don’t give this type of expression in morning.
Arjun- I will give you this type of expression when we become grandparents.
Radhika rolled her eyes. “Get lost Arjun.”
She went inside washroom to freshen up. When, she came out, she looked Arjun already get ready wearing his Uniform.
Radhika- You get ready so early??
Arjun- I have some important work Radhika. So, need to go early.
Radhika- Please wait , let me make breakfast for you.
She rushed inside kitchen. Arjun took the newspaper & came out, sat in the dinning table. Soon, Radhika served him breakfast. He ate in hurry.
Radhika- Btw, Ava told about her maths exam. She got good scores. Before going, sign her exam copy.
Arjun- hmm, my intelligent daughter.
Radhika- accha listen naa, I am thinking that I should start teaching again. I am getting bored.
Arjun- Why you asking me this?? Just do what you want. Bas, Stay safe. The place is not nice.
Radhika nodded her head.”You are the Inspector here. Make it a nice place.”
Arjun went in his daughter room. Ava is sleeping. He took out the copy from her bag & signed it. He kissed her forehead lightly & went out.
Arjun gave a side hug to Radhika, took his cap & went outside. He mumbled “tonight” & winked at her.
I know, its small update. So, Sorry. UPDATED & Waiting for reviews.