Her Helpmate

18. Arrogant Minaret

"Saira!" 

"Baby Bear!"

"Saira! Wake up!" 

It's Shaurya. This voice belongs to Shaurya. I opened my eyes and saw myself crunched in the space between seats and the car was still moving. I remembered the last incident before I lost consciousness. Shaurya received a bullet.  "Saira!" I didn't find the familiar stiffness in his voice. "Sai-" I rose and saw his right arm turn red and a few drops were dripping from the hook of his elbow, reddening the cream-white leather seats of the car.

"Shaurya!" I moved and kneeled upon the handrest, between the driver and passenger seats. I pulled open the glove compartment and took out the first aid kit. After I pulled out a few gauzes from the Kit, I pressed over the bullet injury.

He appeared weak, yet the smirk he forms on his lips to annoy me was strong. "I love when you care about me!"

"Shut up. Just shut up! You are losing blood!" I tilt my head toward the windshield and a view of the pond took in my picture. "Shit! Shit! Shaurya watch out, please!" his hand dropped from the steering wheel slowly. "No! Shaurya stomp over the break now!" I yelled and steered the steering wheel around and around towards the right until it got halted just in front of a tree.

"Baby...Bear! I can't!" his head tilted on his right shoulder. That dropped my heart to the floor. 

I cupped his cheek and held his head up. "You can! I will drive, we will go to the hospital!"

"I don't think, I can make it to the hospital." I stared at him in shock. 

"What..." a tear escaped from my eye. "...do you mean by you can't!" I demanded. 

"Baby..." he took a firm breath. "You have to take out the bullet!"

"I...dunno...I never did this...I can't!" I tilt my head right and left finding a clue or direction of the road. But we traveled so far that I doubt, it will be an easy task to find a road or help. Even if I find it, those criminal bastards might be waiting for us.

He cupped my cheek and jerked my head to him, making me face him. "You can! If you want me to be alive for you. You have to!" 

I stared at him. His hands were cupping my face and mine were cupping his. He gave me a courageous look. I took the lead in reducing the distance between us and placing my lips on his without giving it a second thought. His lips which used to be warm, were cold that day. I moved my lips slowly and took his bottom lip and squeezed it between mine. His hands shifted to my waist and pulled me close, accepting my invitation of showing him, love. I shifted on his lap, without breaking the kiss. I have no idea why I was kissing him. But it felt wonderful and different. And the way he was responding with softness to my kiss, spread bliss in my heart. I closed my eyes and felt like, I am on cloud nine. It was enticing and even exciting to feel him with my whole heart. Till now whatever we had was either confusion or competition. And this is different, this said that the person I am kissing is mine.

For once I recalled my anger upon him to spat those heartbreaking words. 

And it didn't feel meaningful, because he is going to...

No!  I broke the kiss and saw his worn-out face. Why did I think that? 

"Nothing will happen to you!" I assured him. I closed my eyes and let the tears pass from my eyes. I wiped my eyes and shifted back on the handrest. I swallowed a boat of courage and asked, "How...should I do it?"

"In my left sock towards the lateral, there is a pocket knife!" I nodded and leaning downwards, took out the pocket knife. "Tear my shirt!" I tore it, exposing his wound, smeared with a lot of blood. My head snapped at him when I heard an annoying chuckle "When would that day come when I will rip off your clothes and make love!"