Pocket Full of Lies

28- Neighbour

Rehaan's POV

It was so much fun to rile her up!

I laughed so hard when I saw her stomp her leg in frustration, before the door of the lift closed.

It had been so fun riling her up, especially when her expressions changed when I deliberately made a stupid decision in the departmental store.

It was all fun and games in the front, but truth to be told I was so scared before I saw her there. I was literally trembling inside while trying to shop. Knowing that she was there for me, that she was near me to handle everything; it calmed my pounding heartbeat.

Her presence brought a sense of sereneness in my chaotic mind.

I wasn't even angry that she didn't trust that I could handle everything alone. I probably would have failed badly if it wasn't for her help.

As much as I was thankful, I felt even more apologetic. Because of me, she got harassed by the security.  I left her alone so she could rest but ended up causing more trouble for me. She probably had run towards the store without a second thought.

Never thought that such a disheveled appearance could make someone's heart skip a beat.

Totally not talking about myself.

Yeah right.

If it was possible, my subconscious would have been rolling his eyes at me.

She did look cute though. That much I could freely admit.

★★★★★

Muskaan's POV

Poor Rehaan!

That was the first thought that came to my mind, when I reached the 5th floor and saw him face to face with the neighbour aunty.

Throughout the time I was in the lift, I had been getting ready for his teasing. But now every trace of the fun had vanished and awkwardness and panic had taken its place.

Surprisingly enough, aunty looked more awkward than Rehaan. Probably because it was the first time she was actually talking to Rehaan. The previous Rehaan never had even greeted anyone. Now, although awkward, he stood there politely with a small smile on his face.

"Muskaan!" Aunty called out happily, visibly relaxing at the sight of me. She hurried towards me, exactly as she had done on the day Rehaan had got hurt, and held me by placing her hands on my shoulders.

"You are back!" She exclaimed happily, before she noticed my appearance and started her detective work.

"What happened? Did you fall? Or did you get into a cat fight? Did Rehaan...," she stopped mid-way when she remembered that Rehaan was still here.

"Nothing like that." I chuckled. "I just remembered something and got out in a hurry," I explained.

"Oh! Then it's fine. How are you two? What did the doctor say?" Her question was for Rehaan, but she kept looking at me.

Glancing at him once, I turned my attention back towards aunty. "He just got discharged this morning. Everything is fine; we just need to be a bit careful."

"This morning? Ooo, I wasn't at home, so I didn't come to know. Or else, I would have come to greet you two earlier itself."

"No problem, aunty."

"Sorry that Uncle couldn't come to help you again. He had to go for an urgent business trip," Aunty said, looking apologetic.

"Oh no no, that's fine. You two have helped enough." I waved my hands, letting her know that she had nothing to be sorry about.

Seeing that Rehaan was confused, I explained, "Uncle admitted you to the hospital. And he was there until I reached, which unfortunately was quite late." I winced at the end. The thought of going to help him had come so late to me.

"Oh! Tha...Thank you for the help," Rehaan said to aunty, in a quiet yet grateful voice.

"In fact, aunty was the first person to find you in those circumstances. She was the one who called the ambulance and police." I added, letting him know that he wasn't alone. There were well-wishers around him, even if he didn't know them that well.

His eyes widened upon hearing, and rushed to come near us.

"Did you...did you see what happened?"

Something felt weird. No, not the question. It was something anyone would have asked. But the tone with which it was asked seemed unsettling to me.

Rehaan wasn't eager or curious to find out about the culprit. In fact, he looked scared.

Scared that someone knew the truth?

His actions were already strange, but when he sighed in relief when aunty replied in negative, this really didn't sit well with me.

"Thank you so much for helping me," Rehaan said to her again, before holding my hand and pulling me towards his flat.

Since when holding hands became second nature to him?

"Wait!" Aunty called out hurriedly, "Didn't the police catch the culprit yet?"

"No...They closed the case as an accident," I informed her with a sad smile.

"Then the culprit is still on the loose!" She shouted, looking here and there as if someone would just jump on us suddenly.

"Be careful okay," she advised both of us. "Keep your eyes and ears open every time."

Nodding at her, we waved as a final bye and finally turned to open Rehaan's door.

"Aunty's words actually make sense," I muttered as we entered the house and asked Rehaan, "Should we change the lock of the main door?"

"What?"

"The lock...for safety, you know," I answered, trying to explain but it came out awkwardly. "The culprit probably knows how to open the current one."

His eyebrows furrowed once again, just like it had when we were standing outside the departmental store. When I had told him that I followed him because I thought someone could hurt him there.

Changing the locks, it was a normal suggestion. He could have just refused if he didn't like it. However, he kept mum, staring at me like he was trying to figure out something.

What exactly are you thinking, Rehaan?