Bikhre moti (Scattered pearls)

10.3 A Villain (part3)

There was still sometime for daybreak and the faint, fading moonlight along with cool breeze made that pre-dawn time even more intimidating.

Amidst all this, Arnav and Khushi were on their way to Lucknow. He had suggested that they leave early so as to go out of Delhi before the day started and Khushi had found herself to trust him with her safety. Her instinct had told her, she was safe with him. She leaned back on her seat and stifled a yawn...Arnav took a glance at her at that moment.
His open jeep had allowed wind to freely invade their space and now her hair were flowing with the air. He saw as she had almost dozed off and subconsciously trying to get that bang of hair out of her face. He reached out to do it for her, when-

suddenly they heard many cars tailgating them, with loud honks. and before they knew it, there were 2 cars on both sides of his jeep. They were cornered. Khushi's heart was thudding at an erratic rate and before she knew it, she heard a gunshot-

"NO!" Khushi shouted and Arnav backtracked his hand that was going to tuck that hair behind her ear

He too jumped a bit before securing the steering wheel tightly again.

"Khushi? what happened?" He asked, it didn't look like that 'no' was for him to not touch her, but something else. 

She was looking all around them with a frightened gaze, as if trying to locate something, "ku-kuch nai, bura sapna (nothing, I had a nightmare)" she explained and he nodded

"don't worry, you're safe." he said confidently, assuring her and himself that he would keep them safe.

--*--

After an hour of driving, he pulled the jeep off road and Khushi gasped in fear "What happened? Why did you stop?" she asked holding his hand to stop him from stepping out.

Arnav smiled at her, "fuel." he indicated to jeep's ignition key indicating he needed to fill petrol... "I wasn't prepared for a 300 km drive you see?" he asked smilingly and jumped out of the jeep.

Khushi too smiled sheepishly at her still persistent fear. They were away from Delhi now, they were safe...

.

.

Someone kept a hand on her shoulder just then and thinking it's Arnav, she asked without turning, "Itni jaldi ho gaya (done already)? cool, let's go." she said in a cheerful tone.

"Yes, sweetheart, you have to GO!" he said

And Khushi froze! It was HIS voice! SHYAM!!!

Khushi hoped this was a nightmare once again...but the evident touch of his cold, firm grip on her shoulder told her, this was very much real!

"LEAVE HER" they heard Arnav's voice from a short distance.

He had gone for bathroom break before this and just as he was heading back, the scene in front of him made his blood boil in anger and disgust!

"Aah! Look who's here! My dear CHOTE! How are you little brother? We are meeting after ...let me remember...5 years right?" Shyam asked, now suddenly more interested in Arnav who had already stood before him and was ready to pounce.

"DO NOT EVEN USE THAT WORD! A criminal and a murderer like you can never be anyone's anything!" Arnav spat, holding his collar

"And a backstabber like you is? You had ensured I will be jailed! I would have even been hanged to death!" Shyam pushed Arnav, freeing himself

"You deserved it! So many innocent lives you took Shyam! So MANY! But enough is enough. I will ensure you surrender to police!"

"hahaha good joke! you will do something if I let you be alive right? You see, I came prepared!" he said dangling the gun and brought it near Khushi's head, "But you will have to wait a bit. Because I am going to kill her first and then you." he said as he turned his attention back to Khushi.