I'm posting the story here but if you have Ao3, please leave a comment and kudos if you like my work!!
Disclaimer: This work is purely fanfiction based on the movie Dhurandar. All the characters belong to The Great Adhitya Dhar. This work is not based on the real life terrorists and the author does not approve terrorism.
Author’s Note: Please don't repost it in any other site. If I want I will do it. I'm introducing an OC puppy in this fic.
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Love thy neighbour (and his puppy)
Chapter 1 : Puppies and Meet-cutes
When Jaskirat (Jassi as everyone called him) woke up that morning and decided to go for a walk in the park two streets away from his apartment, he didn't know his entire life was going to change. The park was so beautiful, peaceful and somewhat big with many trees to sit under and relax. Jassi walked around the park for some time and sat under a peepal tree to meditate in the nature. He had chosen the tree because it was hidden from plain sight, so no one would disturb him intentionally.
It might have been about 30 minutes into his meditation and he heard a scrunch of dried leaves. He let it wash over him, not caring if anyone stumbled upon him. A few more minutes went by and he heard the sound of dog breathing through its mouth in front of him. He still didn't care. Suddenly, the dog decided his lap was the perfect space for a nap and climbed him. It gave his hand a lick and laid down. Jassi just let it be because it was not disturbing him and he didn't want to disturb it.
This went on for sometime, till he heard a voice shouting in panic. "Sheru.. Sheru where are you? Come to papa baby." Jaskirat felt the dog on his lap jerk and finally opened his eyes. He looked down at the dog and it was a golden retriever puppy, looking at him curiously. "Sheru?" He whispered and the puppy got excited. He then noticed it's collar with a charm and it read "If lost, please return to Uzair Baloch. Contact: xxxxxxxx09". He tried calling the number to reduce his panic but the guy didn't answer.
" Come on let's get you back to your dad alright?" He said and tried to remove the puppy from his lap but Sheru growled at him. He tried again and the puppy whined. Jaskirat sighed and looked at him? her? He couldn't say in the shadows of the trees. He then held the puppy and got up quickly, without giving time to realize it was being lifted. He started walking towards the panicked voice while Sheru laid contently in his arms.
Then he saw Uzair Baloch. Jassi had always known his sexuality but kept his mouth shut about it, acting as if he was just like other heterosexual people. But damn, he would gladly come out of the closet if he could date the man. The guy was taller than him, lean and handsome like a model and looked about 33, same as his age. He knew the practicality though. This guy must've broken atleast a dozen hearts, married a fellow model like lady and fathered 4 supermodel babies by now. Jassi then realized he was standing there looking at Uzair creepily and approached him.
"Mr. Uzair Baloch?" He called out once near and the taller guy turned abruptly. When he saw Sheru sleeping peacefully on Jaskirat's arms, his eyebrows shot up in surprise. He carefully approached it and whispered "Sheru?" The puppy immediately woke up and leaped over to Uzair's arms, licking his face. Uzair gave a delighted laugh and started scratching it's fur.
"You gave papa a heart attack. I thought someone kidnapped you or you ran to the road. Why would you frighten me like that Sheru?" He asked in a stern voice and Jassi thought Sheru looked ashamed. Then the puppy turned towards him and tried to leap back but Uzair held firmly. He looked up at Jassi and for a second it looked like he was taken aback but then he blinked. For the first time he addressed Jassi properly.
"Thank you so much for finding him. He usually doesn't do this. He's an introvert and I've never seen him go to anyone, not even my brother's family. So this was a surprise and I honestly thought someone must have kidnapped him. By the way, where did you find him?" He asked. " There is a peepal tree inside the park. I usually meditate there. Sheru came and laid down on my lap and I didn't mind thinking he was a stray. But only when I heard you call him, I realised he must be yours. He heard you but for some reason refused to go. I tried calling you but couldn't reach you." Jassi replied.
Uzair explained how the puppy kept on pulling him to take a walk that he forgot to take his phone on the way and only realised after reaching the park. "We moved to the neighborhood last week only. So I'm still learning the streets." Uzair said. Jassi found Uzair refreshing and even if he can't get a relationship, he wanted to try friendship. So he asked where he lived and to his shock, Uzair also lived in the same appartment.
"Oh I live there too. Apartment 4B. Near the lift." He replied, surprised. Uzair eyes grew wide. "Wait, what? I live in Apartment 4C, dude!" He laughed. " I can't believe I didn't notice a new family shifted opposite to my house for a week! I have been pretty swamped with work and extremely tired but usually I notice better than this, I can assure you." Jassi said.
"Oh no my brother and rest of the family are not living here. And since I'm not married, it's just me and this little cutie. " Uzair clarified. "Are you done with your meditation? Do you want to walk back with us?" He asked and Jassi readily agreed.
As they stepped onto the main pavement leading out of the park, Jassi realized he hadn't even introduced himself yet. "I just realized I haven't even told you my name. I'm Jaskirat, but everyone just calls me Jassi."
Uzair smiled down at him, the tension in his shoulders visibly relaxing. "Nice to meet you, Jassi. I'm Uzair, as you already know from the dog collar." They talked the whole way back about local places Uzair could visit for basic necessities.
"By the way where do you work?" Uzair asked. "I'm a manager at The Doodhsoda Café". Uzair was perplexed. " Doodhsoda? What is that I've never heard of something like that?" he enquired and Jassi explained about the café owner naming it because they made signature Punjabi doodh sodas with their own secret ingredient. " But won't the milk curdle because of the soda?" Uzair enquired. " Ah no. Since everything is extremely chilled and ice is added when required, it stays perfect. But it should be consumed immediately." Jassi replied.
"What about you? What's your job?" Jaskirat asked and Uzair spoke about being a Data analyst at Central Publications and his hectic work. "I love the books they choose to publish. The quality of writing is very high. But your work sounds intense" Jassi said after listening. " You have no idea. Sometimes it feels like a prison sentence. Like I'm at Central Jail and not Central Publications." Uzair joked. By then they had reached their apartment.
Once they reached 4th floor, Jassi invited him in for tea. "I don't mind if you bring Sheru. I'm a sucker for cuties" he said and for some reason, Uzair's cheeks turned pale pink.
"I have to get ready for work now. Will it be alright if I come over this evening?" Uzair asked. "Absolutely, sure. I too have to leave around 10. I always return around 6.30 pm after work. We can meet after 7 if you want" he offered and Uzair accepted. Jassi went into his home, already anticipating their evening meet-up and got ready for work.
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I'm tagging you all again. Let me know if you want to be added or removed.
