Saisha smiled mischeviously and asked.
"Really? Then why did you eat the cake I made with that huge smile on your face?"
He was busted. He closed his eyes in embarrassment and spoke with his teeth gritted.
"Fine! I do like you! Then what? We can never be together Saisha. My job is just too dangerous. You have no idea kitne dushman hai mere. Roz kitne threat messages aate hai mujhe."
Her smile fell a little and she asked.
"It doesn't matter. I trust you Aarish. I know I'd be safe jab tak aap mere saath ho."
He sighed and pinched the bridge of his nose.
"You're not making it easy for me. Mai tumhe nhi samjha sakta. Bas itna jaan lo ki jo tum chahti ho wo possible nhi hai."
She chuckled mockingly and said.
"So you mean that you can like me, but now want me."
He smiled sadly and whispered.
"No! I can like you, want you but still not have you."
She looked at him with a pleading look and he knew what she was going to ask her. As much as he wanted it he can't do it. It would leave her hurt.
She opened her mouth to speak but be stopped her before she could.
"Aarish- kiss-"
"Saisha! No! Please! Don't do this to yourself. And don't do this to me."
He turned but stopped when he felt a tight grip on his wrist. He closed his eyes and softly removed her hand without looking at her. A tear fell her eye as he left.
Saisha was home the next day. She didn't want to go to the shop. He wouldn't be there today.
She spent half the day lazing around but by lunch she became bored. She decided to go to the shop and got ready.
She was just a step away from the gate when she heard someone call her from behind.
It was her father's younger brother.
"Chachu? Kya hua? Pareshan lag rhe ho?"
Her chachu looked extremely tensed and worried.
"Pareshan toh honga hi na beta. Itni badi chori hui hai. Upar se uske baad do aur choriyan ho chuki hai. Ek hafte ke andar andar. Hamari toh reputation kharab ho rhi hai na."
She looked at him shocked. How did he know about the other two thefts. She did not tell anyone at home.
"Aapko kaise pata do choriyon ke baare mai?"
"Saari society mai baatein ho rhi hai beta."
"Papa ko bhi pata hai kya?"
Her father was already taking too much tension. His BP would shoot further.
"Nhi! Bhaisahab itna bahar nhi jaate na ab. Police se kuch baat hui? Kaha tak pahuchi investigation?"
Hearing about police her thoughts went to Aarish and their conversation yesterday.
"Police sab kr rhi hai jo wo kr skti hai chachu. Aap tension mat lo. Wo chor jaldi pakda jaayega."
He nodded and left but she frowned. Was that fear she saw on his face? She sighed. Ofcourse. Everyone was scared about their family's reputation. People have started talking about it in the neighborhood.
A few days later Saisha received Aarish's call. She was shocked because he had never called her personally. And after their last conversation she did not think he would contact her.
"Hello?"
"Hi Saisha! Are you free right now?"
Well, well, well! She wasn't expecting him to ask this.
"Umm-yes I am. Kuch kaam tha?"
"Haan. Can we meet for lunch?"
Wow! Now this took her offguard.
"Lunch? With you? Akele? I mean kyu?"
Aarish smiled and said.
"Kuch baat krni hai important."
He said and disconnected the call without waiting for her reply. She got his message a minute later explaining the location.
Saisha sat for a full minute just staring at the message. When she realised she wasn't dreaming she got up in a hurry and left to meet him for lunch.
Was he finally going to let go of his reasons and propose her? She was excited. Only if she knew how the day was going to change her mood 360°.
She reached the place and he was already sitting there waiting for her. He was in his casuals again.
She sat in front of him trying to control her grin but failing miserably making him chuckle. She too giggled and then he got serious.
"I have some news for you."
She hummed waiting for him to continue but his eyes flickered on something behind her. They widened in fear and he lurched forward towards her.
"Saisha!"
He yelled covering her body with his just as a loud gunshot resonated. She heard him groan as they landed on the floor with his body still covering hers. She clutched his shirt tightly in her fists as she looked into his eyes with fear.
She couldn't comprehend what happened? Did someone try to kill him? Or her?
He made her sit and cupped her face.
"Are you okay?"
She couldn't say anything. She couldn't nod. It felt like she was paralyzed. He looked back at the man who fired the shot.
He definitely was a first timer because he was still standing there gaping at them.
Aarish made a run for him and the man started running away. Luckily for Aarish the station was nearby. So he caught the person and locked him up.
He then went back to Saisha. She was still sitting in her place looking into oblivion. She looked shit scared.
He went to her and cupped her face looking for any injury.
"Saisha! Look at me! Are you hurt somewhere?"
She looked at him and just stared into his eyes.
"Who was that?"
She whispered in a broken voice and he sighed.
"We don't know yet. But we will find out. He is caught. Are you okay? Saisha? You look pale."
She looked at him and then around herself. People were looking at her with shock and muttering things to themselves. Some even left the moment the shot was fired.
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