Change Ahead

Chapter - 12

We held hands and started running towards a so called safe zone. We were not sure when we may reach it. Varun seemed to know something about those guys. I did not know anything about him except for I used to work with him.

But I liked him. Somewhere in a corner of my heart said that he was being honest to me.

They were just behind us. I turned back trying to recognize their faces. They were not the group that gave a big hug to Varun on his birthday night. These people were different. By the time, we had run a very long distance.

We came to a halt. Labored breathing.. I asked him, "Varun.. Who are these people? Why are they chasing you?"

"I know you have so many questions, but for now, just come along with me. I just am trying to save you. " I wondered, if they are really chasing me or chasing him. If it was me, why do they have to do it? I did not do anything wrong or hurt anyone. You can bet that the number of questions to him increased.

"But... I.... I did not do anything..." even before I completed, he looked left and right on the road and crossed the road. I was still standing here. He got us water.

"Drink it.. We may have to run even more."

"But, why?"

He gave a naughty smile and said, "Come on." He held my hands and we started running again.

I turned back again to see if they came, I did not see anyone. I dropped his hand and said, "I do not see the group coming. Why do we have to run?"

"I know a safe haven. We will reach there and then we are safe."

"No.. I can't run. Ask for a lift at least."

He agreed and said, "Ok. Wait. Let me try."

He tried to stop a few vehicles, and made some calls. Someone came to pick us up. I suddenly got a hunch... a girl's hunch. 'Something was wrong. My brain failed to trust Varun also. I felt something bad was going to happen. My instincts had never failed me. I tried to recollect all my martial arts stuff. I tried to remember the path we travelled. But it was pitch black dark. I could barely see a few things. I knew one thing for sure; we travelled for a short distance only.

We reached a place where I could see the other group of guys who hugged Varun on his birthday.

They all appeared huge to me. Different faces. I was so sure that they should also be rowdies but for some reason they were helping Varun and saving us.

They treated me with utmost respect. I was overwhelmed actually.

"I hope you recognize some of them." He smiled.

I gave a quick glance at all of them and nodded yes.

"They have always saved me from all sorts of danger. We should be thankful to them." He added.

I looked at him with questions.

"My father is the owner of Aashikas..!" It is one of the biggest textile showrooms in the city. My next thought was 'Why did he have to work here?'

"My parents did not have kids for a very long time. So they adopted a son for themselves. Soon after they adopted, I was born. But they raised both of us together. When I finished my college, my father sent me to our shop for training and to learn to live on my own. But after a few days, I came to know that my father had been killed by my brother and now he wants to kill me too. So that he can have the money for himself. I hope you get a clear picture why it is all happening." He completed talking and looked at my face. I could realize his face as if he waited for an answer.

I said, "Ok. But what happened to your mom?"

"She passed away when I was 3 years old, Breast Cancer."

I pitied him. I took his hand and kissed on it. "Don't worry. Everything is for good." I tried to deliver a neutral smile to him.

He slide down on my shoulders. A light breeze slowly moved the hair on his forehead and kissed it. He closed his eyes. He should have felt relieved as he had come to his safe ground.

I was still nervous.

"How do you know them?"

"They used to work for my dad. One day, they came to my rescue. That is how I learnt about my brother." He paused for a few seconds and asked me, "So... Do you still love me?"

"Yes, I love you." I said not realizing what I meant.

He seemed so happy suddenly. He jumped up and down. He came close to me and asked, "Did you mean what you just said?"

I was indulged in the questions. I went blank on what I had said to him. 'Oh my god! Did I say something wrong? What did I say?'

"What exactly did I say?" I asked.

He smiled and laughed at me. "Poor girl..!! You are so in love with me."

He laughed out loud and jumped and ran to those huge guys, hugged them. I could hear mixed shouts and cries of happiness.

They all were happy.

Varun came running to me. "Gaze... I need a kiss now. Right away..!! Come on. Come on.. Give me." He was falling on me holding both my hands trying to get a kiss.

I shied. 'How can he ask for a kiss in front of so many people?'

I nodded no and shied away. He forcefully tried to kiss me. I pushed him off.

"I can't kiss here."

"Ok. I will take you to some place where you can kiss me. It will be a lonely spot. I promise." He dragged me to a room and closed the door. He latched the door and turned towards me.

"Gaze... Did you say you love me?"

I shied and turned my back and smiled, thinking of what I had told him.

He came close to me and said, "You can kiss me now. Nobody is here. I need a kiss. Now!" He urged me.

I went close to him such that our bodies touched each other's. He was able to feel every part of mine. I was sweating. This kiss was something special. I went further close to kiss him.

I smelled something odd in there. I turned around to analyze the room. I could see some old rags and blood stains in there. Door creaked. I felt some one has locked it from outside. I saw some shadows near our door. My anticipation was into action. I pulled his hand and jumped out of the window. We ran far off and hid ourselves behind some old garbage and shrubs.

From there, what we saw was the most gruesome act.

My intuition has never failed me.

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