Hello Friends!

This fanfic is for all those readers to whom I have caused distress with "Lost Love" and "One More Day." I portrayed Purvi in depressing scenarios in both the one-shots, but now I wish to make amends. To be absolutely honest, I am writing this because I have run out of ideas on Dareya. I decided that I should try something different for a change. I hope Dareya lovers will pardon my temporary digression.

I chose to write on Sachvi, not because I particularly like them, but because they are one of the current much-discussed couples in the fandom. Those who are uncomfortable with this ship are free to replace Sachin with Rajat, Kavin, Pankaj, or anyone else. You may also replace Purvi with Kajal, Saloni, or anyone else. I have no problems with that.

For a change, I also decided to write in pure English. No Devanagari this time. I would like to assure my readers, however, that the Anthology and any Dareya fics I write will always be in Devanagari.

At the bureau…

ACP: Sachin and Purvi… go to the forensic lab and collect the post mortem reports.

Purvi: Yes sir.

Sachin: Me?

ACP: Yes, you. Any problem?

Sachin: N… No sir.

Abhijeet: (delighted) No problem Sachin. If there is a problem, I can go to the lab. You stay here.

ACP: (glaring at Abhijeet) Why? When he does not have a problem, why do you have a problem?

Abhijeet: N… No sir, I was just…

ACP: (to Sachvi) Go already!

Sachvi: Yes sir.

En route the forensic lab, Sachin appeared completely lost as he drove the car. He did not talk, nor looked towards Purvi.

Purvi: (thinking) What's wrong with Sachin sir? He has been acting really weird for a few weeks now. He usually keeps discussing something or the other, shares his observations about the case, anything, but at least he never keeps this quiet…

Sachin: (thinking) What's happening to me? This is wrong. Just so wrong. This can't happen to ME! Of all people…

Purvi: Sir… Sir… (louder) Sachin sir!

Sachin: (confused) Yes? (concerned) Are you alright?

Purvi: You overshot the forensic lab by half a mile, sped through a red light and have traffic cops on your trail. Now, are YOU alright?

Sachin: No.

Purvi: What?!

Sachin: I mean, I'm sorry.

He pulled over and allowed the traffic cops to catch up. They fined him, of course. Although himself a cop, he was not chasing a criminal. But that was the least of his concerns. He paid the fine and started driving straight ahead, without bothering to collect the receipt.

Purvi: Sir! Stop! Get off the car.

Sachin abruptly braked. The car screeched to a halt.

Sachin: What?!

Purvi: I said get off the car!

Sachin: Why?!

Purvi got off and walked over to the driver's side. Opening the door, she said…

Purvi: Let me drive.

Sachin: But why?

Purvi: The forensic lab is BEHIND us. You didn't even bother to turn around before speeding down the highway once again. Before you get us both killed, let me drive.

Sachin: I'm sorry.

Sachin walked over to the passenger side without one more word and Purvi drove the car.

Purvi: What's wrong with you sir?

Sachin: Nothing. I'm just… a bit lost. I'll be fine.

Purvi: Lost? Where?

Sachin: Nowhere.

Hoping to diffuse the tension, he said…

Sachin: Besides, would I be lost if I knew where?

Purvi: (narrowed eyelids) Bad joke.

Sachin: I know. (thinking) It's happening once again. I'm flushing from head to toe. This can't be happening to me. No. Not towards a junior…

Purvi: Sir… Sir…

As it appeared to Purvi, Sachin was blissfully staring out the window, ignoring the world around him.

Purvi: (louder) Sachin sir!

Sachin: (confused) What happened? Everything alright?

Purvi: Either there's something wrong with my voice, or something wrong with your ears. We've reached the forensic lab. Get off.

Sachin: Hmm.

Purvi was not used to getting monosyllabic or one word replies from Sachin. No one was. He was not known to be talkative, but neither was he known to be quiet.

Inside the forensic lab, Dr. Tarika handed Sachin a file.

Dr. Tarika: This file contains the post-mortem and DNA reports of this man (pointing to the dead body).

Dr. Salunkhe and Dr. Tarika then explained their deductions. Sachin kept nodding absent-mindedly.

Purvi: Sir… Sir… (shaking him, louder) Sachin sir!

Sachin: (confused, looking around) Yes?

Purvi: The doctors have explained everything. Now stop nodding your head and let's move. ACP sir is waiting.

Sachin had left his head nodding, without realizing that the doctors had finished their explanation. The doctors exchanged puzzled glances as Sachvi walked away, with Sachin bumping into two tables within the forensic lab.

Purvi had now started to suspect something sinister. As soon as they exited the lab, …

Purvi: Sir, stop.

Sachin stopped, puzzled.

Sachin: What happened?

Sachin had his back to the wall. Purvi brought her face mighty close to Sachin's. To an onlooker, it would appear as if she was trying to kiss him.

Sachin: (jerking away) What are you doing?

Purvi: (holding him below the elbow) Stay still.

Sachin closed his eyes and tried to free himself from the grip. However, being a trained CID officer, Purvi knew a pressure point right below the elbow, which deactivated the triceps and rendered his arms temporarily useless. Of course, Sachin knew the technique too, but Purvi had attacked first.

She took her face close once again, and sniffed a couple of times. Sachin had almost frozen by now, and was trembling. Partly out of fright, and partly out of an indescribable feeling.

Finally, she withdrew her face and loosened her grip on his arms. Walking back two steps, she announced…

Purvi: You're not drunk.

Sachin collapsed on to the floor, as he had almost frozen over.

Sachin: Of course I'm not drunk! I never drink. What made you think so?

Purvi: You've been acting really weird lately.

Sachin: Forget about that. Let's go back to the bureau. We're getting late.

Purvi: Okay.

The return journey was mostly without event, except when they reached the bureau and Purvi had to shake Sachin out of his dream world before he would get off the car.

At the bureau…

ACP: What took you so long?

Sachin: Sorry sir.

ACP: Where is the report?

Sachin: Yes sir.

It was then that Sachin realized that he did not have the report with him.

ACP: Where is it?

Sachin: Sir… Actually, I…

ACP: What? Will anyone tell me what's going on?

Sachin: Sir I think I left it in the lab.

ACP: What?! What the heck were you doing out there?

Sachin: Sorry sir.

ACP: At least tell me what was written in the file. The doctors must have explained.

Sachin: Sir, the man died because of… because of…

Purvi: Asphyxiation. He was suffocated to death. And…

Purvi took over and narrated the entire story. Sachin just stood there dumbfounded, staring at the floor.

After the case was solved, everyone else dispersed from the bureau, except Sachin, who was still seated at his table, in deep thought. Purvi noticed this, and approached him.

Purvi: Sachin sir?

Sachin: Yes?

Purvi: What happened sir? You look lost. You've been this way for a few weeks now. What's wrong, sir?

Sachin: N… Nothing. It's just… I'll be fine.

Purvi: No sir. You won't be fine unless you tell me about it. I mean, tell someone about it. Is it something to do with your family? Are you getting transferred? Is some criminal threatening you?

Hoping to calm her down, Sachin replied…

Sachin: No, no, and no. I don't have a family. I live alone. I'm the senior most out here, after ACP sir, Abhijeet sir and Daya sir. I'm pretty stable. You're not getting rid of me anytime soon. And since when have CID officers started fearing criminals? Don't worry, go home now. It's getting late.

Purvi: Well then, that confirms my initial suspicions.

Sachin: Initial suspicions?! What did you suspect?

Purvi: You ARE in love, aren't you?

Sachin: Yes. (realizing) I mean no. What are you saying? Why should I be in love? Whom should I be in love with?

Purvi: (smiling) Well then, that just gives me further confirmation.

Sachin: Look, there is nothing of the sort. Don't concoct any stories. Go home, it's getting late.

Purvi tossed some careless words over her shoulder as she walked out with a triumphant gait.

Purvi: Don't worry Sachin sir, your secret is safe with me!

Sachin: But there is no secret… Listen…

Sachin's words fell on deaf ears. Assuming they even fell on anyone's ears.

Sachin collected his files and left for his house.

However, his thoughts just would not stop tormenting him. They resounded louder and louder in his skull everytime he thought of her. He was even trying his best to avoid thinking about her, but just could not. Her sweet voice, her charming smile which is always accompanied by a dimple, and most of all, her long, flowing hair. None of these were helping.

Sachin: Ahhh… Why can't I get that girl out of my head? What's wrong with me?

He had been going through these emotions since a particular incident a few weeks back. Prior to that, he had never harboured any feelings for her. He never looked upon her as anything more than a junior. An able junior, he'll admit, but just another junior.

He had dinner and went to sleep. Sleep did afford his body some rest, but his mind was forever occupied with her thoughts. He just could not escape her.

This is just an experiment. Please let me know if you are okay with Sachvi. If I get an overwhelming number of reviewers wanting Rajvi, Kavi, or Sajal, I will change the first chapter accordingly.