CUFFLINKED FOREVER

Savi:

That night, inside our room, moonlight streamed through the curtains, dancing through the floor and walls as Rajat and I lay, draped in silence, the occasional rustling of the leaves outside lulling us to sleep.

My mind was unsettled, still stuck on his hardened jaw and stormy eyes earlier from the day. The question remained:
Who was DCP Rahane? Why was Rajat avoiding him?

Glancing at my side, I saw his softened features under the moonlight--calm and relaxed. His long eyelashes cast shadows under his eyes, his dark beard framing his perfect face. My fingers itched-- I grazed them across his cheek, careful enough not to wake him up.

Who knew how many scars this man held?
How much did I really know him?
Could these gaps ever be bridged?

The thoughts clouded my mind, and ever so slowly, my eyelids shut, the day ending..

(The next morning)

Rajat:

When my eyes opened, the blazing sunlight indicated that it was way past dawn. The bed beside me was cold, the sheets still ruffled and smelling faintly of Savi. I got up, and checked my watch. 10:00 by my watch.

And I obviously didn't have a single second to waste.

Savi:

Diksha and I were at the station earlier than usual. Dhariya and Patil were busy briefing us about the case when all of a sudden, I heard footsteps outside our station.

Rajat.

I stepped outside, and stopped in my tracks.

The man who was standing before me, was a man of honour. Immense honour and respect. The man whom I had idolized ever since I joined police force.

Dcp Atharv Rahane.

His inexplicable intellect, his posture, voice, body language---everything was the epitome of perfection. His countless tales of bravery and spontaneity made criminals shiver and police officers bow down to him.

My knees shook just a little ; I quickly greeted him with a salute.

"J-jai Hind Sir. Aap yahan?"

"Jai Hind. Aap Inspector Savi Chavan hai?"

Ohhh myyyy godddd..how did he know meeee!!??

"H-haan Sir. Main hi Savi Chavan hoon."

"Mujhe Acp se milna hai. Rajat Thakkar se."

His crisp voice sent a slight wave of goosebumps across my skin. And perhaps, his desolate, trained pair of eyes beneath his grey eyebrows noticed.

The moment didn't stay for long as Rajat's jeep entered the station right after. He descended from the car, looking sharp and perfect as usual, only his eyes bearing a silent aftermath of his hurry. He stopped in his tracks when he noticed Rahane sir, but didn't recognise him probably. So he greeted him from behind. "Good morning Sir. Bataiye?"

Dcp Rahane turned--- now face to face with Rajat.

Honestly, I had expected Rajat to be surprised, happy that such a profound officer was visiting us. But the way his jaw ticked, his eyes narrowed slightly, eyeballs burning with quiet fury, and his fists clenched at his sides, made me furrow my eyebrows in surprise.

"Aap." Rajat barely whispered. Then he looked-- past Sir's shoulder to me, his piercing gaze asking me whether I knew why Sir was here. I shook my head slightly, and he looked back at him-- his eyes burning into Sir's.