Winning Pursuit ✔

|| 32: Internal Issue ||

Bhumika

The moment Bhumika stepped out of Daksh's apartment, a heavy weight lifted from her chest. The air outside felt crisper, lighter, had her breathe without the tightness that had filled the room moments before.

It wasn't the tension with Daksh-it was his mother. The woman had barely said anything, but her cold, assessing look had been enough. The polite words exchanged between them had done little to mask the disapproval in her eyes. Bhumika didn't have to be a detective to recognize that she wasn't welcome.

As she walked down the street, the uncomfortable interaction replayed in her mind. Why had Daksh's mother given her that look? Was it because she was a police officer? Or was it something else? Bhumika had felt the shift in the room the second Daksh had mentioned her profession, but she couldn't shake the feeling that it wasn't just that. There was something more to it.

She shook her head, trying to brush off the thought. It didn't matter. She wasn't there for Daksh's family approval. She had only been doing her job—helping a friend. Yet, for some reason, the look Daksh's mother had given her lingered, gnawing at the back of her mind.

By the time Bhumika reached her place, she had managed to shove the unease aside. She had bigger things to focus on—like the case, which was still on her shoulders, and the work waiting for her tonight. Whatever happened at Daksh's place was a personal matter, and she wasn't going to let it cloud her focus.

*-*-*-*-*

Later that evening, Bhumika was preparing to head to work, fastening her badge and slipping on her jacket. The day had been relatively quiet, which she appreciated after the long weeks of tension. She was just about to step out the door when her phone buzzed.

Daksh.

She hesitated for a second, wondering what could be on his mind, then picked up the call.

"Hey," she greeted, keeping her tone light.

"Hey," Daksh replied, his voice slightly subdued. "I wanted to talk about earlier."

Bhumika frowned slightly, leaning against the doorframe. "Earlier?"

"My mom," Daksh clarified, sounding a bit apologetic. "I'm sorry about the way she acted. She didn't exactly... make you feel welcome."

Bhumika's lips quirked into a small, dry smile, though she doubted Daksh could hear it. "Oh, you noticed that, huh?"

"Yeah," Daksh admitted, clearly embarrassed. "She's... well, you know how she is. But I wanted to make sure you didn't take it the wrong way. It's not about you."

Bhumika bit her lip, sensing that Daksh wasn't done. "It's fine, Daksh. I wasn't expecting a warm welcome."

There was a brief pause on the other end before Daksh continued, sounding a bit more resigned. "There's something else. My mom brought over some profiles... for me to look at. You know, potential matches. She's been on it again, and today she decided to drop them on me."

The words hit Bhumika harder than she expected. She didn't know why-Daksh's mother pushing him to get married shouldn't have surprised her. But somehow, hearing it from him stirred something unsettling inside her.

"Profiles? Like... for marriage?" she asked, keeping her voice casual, though she felt a knot forming in her chest.

"Yeah," Daksh sighed, sounding frustrated. "She thinks it's time I settle down, and she's already lined up a few lady doctors for me to meet."

Bhumika's mind raced, trying to process what he was saying. She felt an odd discomfort growing, but she quickly shoved it down, unwilling to show it.

"So," she said after a beat, her voice adopting a teasing edge, "you're going to meet these perfectly respectable doctors? Maybe one of them can fix that stubbornness of yours."