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who nods, even though still unsure.
The wall-mounted TV behind the breakfast table is tuned to a local news
channel. Amit increases the volume of the TV as something catches his
attention. The TV reporter is telecasting from the scene of yesterday’s
operation.
    “Yesterday, during a special
operation carried out by the Mumbai Narcotics Department, several key players
of the drugs cartel have been put behind bars. Officials state that as much as
two tons worth of heroin has been captured. It is the largest cache of drugs
seized by the Mumbai police in recent days.”
    There is no mention of a
killing. Nor of the official that was arrested by RAW overnight in the stealth
operation. Riya excuses herself and walks out to get to her room and get ready
for school. While looking into the mirror and brushing her hair, she gets lost
for a moment, recollecting the events of last evening. It has been a crazy 24
hours! At that very instant, Arjun knocks at the door and enters.
    “Arjun! Where have you been
all night?” Riya shrieks in an ecstatic tone.
     “Hi!” Arjun is more composed
in his greeting.
    Riya responds with a gentler
“Hi”, but again, almost with a tone of enquiry.
    “Listen I wanted to… thank
you.”
    “Really?…. For what?”
    “I wanted to say… the
testimony that you have provided… we arrested our man! Actually even before that
I wanted to…” he hesitates and continues in a gentler tone, “…apologize for my
behavior yesterday.”
    Arjun stammers a bit, his
manner an obvious acknowledgement that he had been really harsh on Riya last
night. Riya flaunts a gentle mischievous smile as if enjoying the moment, eager
to get back at Arjun and to bell the rebellious cat.
    “Excuse me, I didn’t hear
clearly. Would you please mind speaking up a bit?”
    “I know I’ve been harsh on
you, so please don’t rub it in!” he repeats the words slowly but loudly. “Riya,
I am really, really sorry. You know I am.”
    “OK! OK! Apologies accepted!”
she smiles gladly. 
    “You don’t realize how much
you’ve helped… so I really wanted to thank you…”
    Riya interrupts Arjun
mid-way. “Excuse me Mr. Arjun. Are you the only one who’s taken ownership of
our country? What do you think? You have become a super cop overnight? I don’t
need your thanks, because I’m also a citizen of this country and am very well
aware of my duties,” she continues loudly, “And I can lay down my life for this
country just like you, if necessary! So please spare me the thanks and keep it
to yourself.”
    She immediately realizes that
her harsh statements have made Arjun a bit defensive, judging by his body
language. Riya in turn softens upon realizing this. 
    “Listen. In friendship
there’s no sorry, no thank you! Right?”
    “Right! Sounds like a line
stolen from a flop Bollywood movie!” Arjun responds with half a smile,
realizing that she is only playing around with him. 
    “A Bollywood movie, yes…but
not a flop one! So just chill, OK! … Friends?” Riya offers her hand as Arjun
shakes it vigorously with a smile. “OK listen, come down now; everyone is so
eagerly waiting for you.”
    Just then Shanti enters the
room. Following her is a little kid, who jumps on to Riya for a big hug.
    “Mausi!”
    “Hello my lion! How are you
my dear?”
     “Arjun, this is Rohan,
Priya’s son! He has grown up, hasn’t he?” Shanti introduces the kid to Arjun,
smiling with motherly love. “Beta, is everything all right now? We were so
worried about you throughout the night!”
    “Aunty, everything is fine
now. We have captured a dangerous gang and the entire operation has been a big
success.”
    Priya, Riya’s elder sister,
enters the room too, “On that note should we have some breakfast together
Arjun!”
    Arjun moves forward to greet
Priya, “Hey didi! How are you?” they hug each other, “So nice to see you after
such a long time!”
    “How are you dear? You have
been in India barely two months and