Life moves at a fast pace. They say you should live your life the way it comes to you. That's true as well. One should live their life as if there's no tomorrow. You never know what turns your life may take, so you should live the moments fully. Maybe, a wedding, a night out with your friends or a moment with your family, you should live all of it nicely. There's nothing more important than the moments that happen in your daily life. Spend those moments with utmost zeal and make the most out of them.

This is the truth and it is taken very seriously by the officers who protect our country from enemies and terrorists. The officers of the Crime Investigation Department (CID) live their life fully and they believe that whatever little time they save, they should utilise it. Obviously, they do not get holidays frequently but whenever they get time, they enjoy it. Sometimes, it means dining in a restaurant or to let someone entertain others at their home. This is the entertainment routine for the CID officers.

CID is more like family to these people who come from different cities and states but the love for their mother country is just the same. They're different and thus they mingle easily and they accept their flaws as well. Life is good for them, truly.

The CID team is not just a professional team but a family and they share an emotion equally.

*****

It's a normal day in the CID bureau in Mumbai. The officers are on duty, yet there's no case reported yet. They seem to be on one or the other things. The duo, Abhijeet and Daya seem to discuss something, maybe about any case. Purvi and Shreya are busy finalising the case file of the previous case. As per the order from their boss, they need to send the files to headquarters by today. Senior inspectors Rajat, Dushyant and Sachin are also talking about something, amidst which, Sachin is silent. The other two are occasionally laughing and chuckling.

ACP Pradyuman is not in the office, so, the environment is a little lively. Freddy is helping Priyanka Mehra, fondly called Priya, in sorting some files. The other day, while searching for some files, everything got misplaced.

"Freddy Sir, how many files more?" Priya asks, making a face.

"Priya, are you tired? You must rest, I will manage these files." Freddy smiles affectionately.

"No, Sir, I will help. I am dine. But we're doing this since an hour already." Priyanka makes a face at her beloved senior.

"We have to do it, Priya. Shreya and Purvi are busy in filling the database, we will have to finish this, otherwise, ACP sir will scold us." Freddy reasons, his tone convincing and sweet.

Priyanka glances at Freddy. This man has been kind to her ever since she entered the CID bureau. The team often makes fun of him, but he never says anything to them. This has not only earned him love, but respect too. And Priyanka is in awe of him, for, he never complaints, he happily becomes the crown for his team, whom he loves like his own family. Freddy catches her off guard while smiling.

"What? What are you thinking, Priyanka?" He asks, his gaze curious.

"You're so cute, Sir. Everyone tease you, often make fun of you, but you're always smiling. You never say anything to anyone. And this is why, you are my favourite." Priyanka says, her tone genuine.

"It's nothing, Priyanka. Tum toh jaanti ho na, Priya, hamara kaam itna serious hai, toh thodi masti bhi toh honi chahiye. Abhijeet sir , Daya Sir mujhe chidhate hain par phir ache dost bhi toh hai. Aur ACP sir, chahe kitna bhi naraaz ho, hum sabse pyaar bhi toh karte hai. Aur acha hai na, kam se kam sab log haste toh hai, chahe mujhpe hi kyun nahi." Freddy smiles while Priya is in awe of his nature.

Priyanka is adoring this man in front of her. Freddy's the most genuine of the team, well, everyone is. He may become a clown in front of his teammates or he may ask some silly questions, but he cares a lot about everyone in this team. He's comforting Priya to take a break and let him do the task. But the girl denies his offer. Obviously, she doesn't want him to work all alone, he's her senior after all. Meanwhile, Shreya joins them and nudges them for working on the files alone. They quickly finish the work and Priyanka is surprised to see that they finished the work in less than thirty minutes.

Shreya, Purvi and Priyanka sit together and then their gaze falls on Vineet, Dushyant and Rajat, who are indulging in some serious talk.

"It's so calm, today. ACP Sir bhi late hain." Freddy says, his tone is relaxed.

"Ye toh hain, Freddy. Tumhe ghar jaana hain toh ja sakte ho. Bhabhiji wait kar rahi hongi tumhara." Abhijeet says teasingly.

"Sir, kyun aap meri wife ko beech mein laate ho? Han, aapki shadi nahi hui na isliye. Shaadi hogi toh samajh aayega aapko." Freddy says, making a face.

"Yahan toh pehle se hi kabab mein haddi hai!" Abhijeet murmurs, downing his gaze.

"Haddi nahi Dr Salunkhe hain." Daya corrects him and turns his eyes around.

"Yaad dilana zaroori tha?" Abhijeet glares at his best buddy while Daya giggles and so does the others.

"Arey haan, mujhe yaad aaya, Sir. Aaj Salunkhe Sir aur ACP Sir old age home jaane wale they. Ho sakta hai, wo dono wahin gaye ho." Purvi says.

"Old age home? Tumhe kaise pata?" Daya narrows his eyes at her.

"Sir, main bhi jaati hoon wahan Sundays ko. ACP Sir wahan jaane wale they, shayad koi confidential baat hai." Purvi says.

"Acha, ho sakta hai wahin derr ho gayi hain, Sir ko." Abhijeet says thoughtfully.

"Han boss! Chalo, hum thoda waqt relax kar sakte hain." Daya says, his tone relaxed.

Meanwhile, Priyanka's eyes fell on the trio -Vineet, Rajat and Dushyant. Sachin is still working on some files.

"Vineet sir, Dushyant, kaam band kijiye na. We can relax for a while." Priyanka chides them.

"Why don't you tell Vineet to stop working? Why are you always behind me?" Dushyant rolls his eyes at Priyanka.

'It's just last-minute tasks, Priyanka. I'll just finish it" Vineet says without looking at the ladies.

"You always have to work, I know, you don't want to talk to us." Shreya speaks while eyeing Vineet, who downs his gaze.

"But the work is important, Shreya. I will make sure that he will join us after finishing the work." Dushyant assures the ladies.

The environment in the bureau is light as there's been no case until now. They have finished the paperwork and now there's no work left. Everyone has decided to relax and wait for their senior officials. If any case comes up, it's fine, otherwise, they will call it a day off. Meanwhile, Dushyant announces that the work is done. A feminine voice echoes in the bureau at the same time.

"Why don't you do your work by yourself, why troubling others?"

Everyone turns around and finds a young girl entering the bureau. She's in her mid-twenties. She's fair and tall, approx 5 feet, 7 inches tall. Her long hair is beautifying her already beautiful personality. Her pretty smile is adding glow to her beauty.

"Inspector Ruhana reporting on duty! " The young lady greets the senior officers, showing her identity card.

"Ruhana Dhanraj? " Dushyant asks while gazing at her.

"Surname chahe kuch bhi ho, naam ek hi rehne wala hai mera, samjhe! " The newcomer, Ruhana replies mischievously, she winks at him.

"Aur surname change tujhe pasand nahi. Hain na?" He asks, tapping her head lightly.

Ruhana nods negatively while Dushyant pulls her in a warm bear hug. She giggles at the moment while the others are astonished to see them. Priyanka breaks the silence, rolling her eyes at both Priyanka and Dushyant.

"You two know each other?" Priyanka asks, surprised at the moment.

"Yeah, we are school buddies!" Dushyant says, breaking the hug, putting his arm across her waist.

"You're lucky, Ruhana." Priyanka says, greeting her with a smile.

"He's lucky to have me, you know. But, he's not interested! He almost forgot me. Such a jhalla he is." Ruhana says dramatically.

"Oye hello, main seedha sada banda hoon, sabse badi jhalli tu hain. " Dushyant says, his tone playful.

"Han han isliye tujhe jhel rahi hoon main. " Ruhana teases him.

Dushyant glares at Ruhana and they break into a chase, forgetting about as she pushes him and runs away. Dushyant chases her for a while but catches her holding her wrist. She teases him saying that everyone will be in her team not his and so he should do things very carefully. Meanwhile, Daya steps in and stops them. Ruhana and Dushyant share a glance and apologize for their behavior.

"You two are CID officers. Don't behave like kids. ACP Sir can come any time." Daya says, his tone sweet yet playful.

"Is ACP Sir really very strict?" Ruhana asks, her curiosity piqued.

"Yes, he can punish you if you don't work properly." Dushyant teases her while Ruhana glares at her best friend.

"Ooh, then, you should take my punishment! It'll be fun!" Ruhana replies teasingly.

"I am very sincere, you will get punishments, you're not so
Sincere." He continues to tease her.
"Yeah, and you'll suffer, haha! It'll be fun to see you getting scolded. I will tell ACP Sir that you did the mistake." Ruhana says, her tone playful and there's a mischievous grin in her eyes.

He makes a face and is ready to send a tease her way while everyone is enjoying this fun banter between two best friends. It's heartwarming to unite with your best friends, and here these two are meeting after seven long years. Dushyant attempts to send a tease to Ruhana one more time, but at the same time, Vineet breaks the silence and nudges hsi friend.

"Dushyant, why are you scaring her? Ruhana, it's nothing like that. ACP Sir is strict, but he won't get angry for no reason. You just have to work hard, and he will only praise you. For him, work comes first, and he's the head of this family out here.." Vineet explains as he signals to everyone around them.

Ruhana looks at Vineet. He seems to be soothingly calm and she smiles at his words. He's being kind towards her and making her feel better. She shakes her head and looks at Vineet.
'
"Sir, he's mad. He loves to pull my leg, and if I will get angry, he will monofy me, don't worry." Ruhana explains, her tone convincing and defensive for Dushyant.

"Such a kiddo! Ek dum bachon ki tarah baat karti hain. Aur iski baaton ka bura bhi mat maanna, Vineet." Dushyant says.

"And if you will stop her at every little thing, she will go far away from you, Dushyant. Let her be the way she is." Vineet replies calmly, his tone holds a lot of composure and pain.

Ruhana is astonished at his words and watches as Vineet moves out of the bureau. She turns towards Dushyant to ask about Vineet, but at the same time, the landline phone in the bureau rings.

It's the case, surely. And they have to attend to it on priority.

To Be Continued.