Zeeshan's POV

It's been a week, the most heart wrenching week of my life. Every time I saw her, all I wanted to do was pull her into my arms and whisper apologies.

But not now.

Right now, what she needs is some space. I have hurt her enough already, and I cannot add to her pain by forcing my decisions on her.

A tap on my shoulder broke my chain of thoughts. Turning around, I saw Naman looking at me in a strange way.

“You okay, man? You look like a sixteen year old heartbroken lover.” He said. His expression would have been almost comical if I wasn't actually a heartbroken lover.

Am I that obvious?

Clearing my throat, I said, “Ha I was just thinking.”

“Thinking about what?” he asked, leaning back in his chair.

“His past lover,” Vidit chimed in, wearing a mischievous smile.

“You had a past lover?” Naman asked, looking utterly surprised.

“Kyu chaunk gaye na? Iss sadde hue kutte ki bhi past lover thi.” Vidit replied before I could say anything.
(Why, got shocked? Even this rotten dog had a past lover.)

“Fir mere andar kya kami thi” Naman said, examining himself in his phone’s camera.
(Then what's wrong with me?)

“Zeeshan konsa vrat kara tha tune?” He added.
(Zeeshan which fast did you keep?)

“Chup kar saale kaam par dhyan de. Aur meri koi past lover nahi thi.” I said, throwing a paperweight at his face.
(Shut up asshole, focus on your work. And I don't have any past lover.)

They burst into laughter while I stared at them with a tired expression.

“Get back to work if you are done laughing like a broken tape recorder,” I said, returning to my work, the new case we were handling.

“Waise tere phool par titliyaan mandra rahi hai,” Vidit muttered, pretending to focus on the file I had been reading earlier.
(By the way, butterflies are hovering over your flower.)

I looked at him in confusion, waiting for him to continue. “That Naksh, he was trying to flirt with Ayesha. He even offered to drive her home when her car broke down.”

“She agreed?” I asked, my eyes widening slightly.

“Obviously not. Thankfully we were right on time and we dropped her home,” he replied, making me exhale in relief.

“But it won't be long teri titli kisi aur bhavre ki ho jae,” he added.
(But it won’t be long before your butterfly becomes someone else’s bumblebee.)

“What's with this titli and phool? She has a beautiful name. Call her Ayesha,” I said, annoyed by his poor taste in music.

“Haa wahi but that's not the point”
(Yeah same.)

“Shut up and go back to work.” I cut him off and slammed the file on his face.

Wait.

“Actually, you know what, I need your help.” I said. After I explained the idea to him, he let out a low whistle of approval and went to do what I had instructed.

Ayesha’s POV

“Okay team, since you already received the case files a day prior, I am assuming you have gone through the basic information.” that shit faced asshole said.

Zeeshan Kapoor pisses me off so much, I am not even kidding.

“Yes sir,” the team affirmed in unison.

The case is about the disappearance of a large shipment of rare medical isotopes. These isotopes are used for cancer treatment, and they can also be used illegally to make dangerous explosives that can create panic and contaminate a place with radioactive particles.

“We will be forming small groups and each group will investigate different aspects. Since we do not have much time, we expect you to work overtime.” Naman sir added.

“Let’s head to the research center. For the teams, Miss Isha and Mr Bharat will be assisting me. Miss Ritika and Mr Ansh will be assisting Zeeshan. And Ms Ayesha and Mr Naksh will be assisting Naman. Any questions?” said Vidit bhai, looking around for objections. When we all shook our heads, he nodded and continued, “Grab whatever you need and meet us at the parking lot. We are leaving in fifteen minutes.”

All of us saluted and scattered to prepare.

“Bach gayi tu toh iss baar eshu.” riti whispered as we packed our things. Nothing big, just a notepad, a water bottle, gloves just in case and a mask.
(You are saved this time, eshu.)

“Haina. Soch rahi hu bhagwan ji ko ladoo chadha du.” I muttered, folding my laptop charger. She chuckled quietly.
( I know right, I was thinking I should offer sweets to god.)

“Oh by the way, he is coming back.” I said as we walked toward the parking lot.

“When?” Riti asked, her excitement so infectious that it made me smile.

“They are boarding tomorrow so I guess they will land on Monday.” I replied, and she nodded.

“So you were not lying when you said you were going to attack him directly?” she asked, connecting everything.

“No. I am done playing this hide and seek with that fucker. I will not let him live in peace now after he decides to ruin mine.” I said with a no nonsense tone, making her nod.

“Are they here yet?” Riti asked as we waited.

“Yeah, they went to bring their cars." Ansh replied. We nodded.

“And who is going with who?” I asked, looking around.

“I am not travelling with Zeeshan sir. He is scary.” Bharat said, raising his hands in surrender.

“Me neither,” Ansh and Naksh added together.

“Are you guys for real?” Isha asked. Riti and I were too stunned to speak.

“What? We do not want him drilling holes into our bodies with his icy glares.” Bharat explained. The other two boys nodded in agreement.

“Fine, I will go.” Isha said, sighing dramatically in mock sadness, though her eyes were clearly excited. Ritika and I rolled our eyes.

Zeeshan Kapoor, you better stay away from this dramatic ass.

Just then, their cars pulled up in front of us. Faking a sigh, Isha walked toward Zeeshan’s car.

“Miss Isha, you are not coming with me. Go and sit in Vidit’s car.” Zeeshan said just as she was about to slide into the passenger seat. The rest of us barely held back our laughter.

“Bharat you better walk your ass and grab that passenger seat. I am not letting that witch anywhere near my man.” Ritika murmured through gritted teeth while smiling.

Bharat nodded and sprinted to Vidit bhai’s car, grabbing the passenger seat door before Isha could. “I call for shotgun,” he shouted, making Isha roll her eyes and settle in the back seat.

“Miss Ayesha, get in.” Zeeshan said, looking at me with a stern expression.

Do I care? Hell no.

“My apologies sir, but I think since Naman sir is my officer in charge for this mission, I should travel with him.” I said, giving him a sweet professional smile sweet enough to burn his soul.

“Let’s go Naksh,” I added, dragging him before he could say anything.

From the corner of my eye, I saw Zeeshan clench his jaw and glare daggers at me, but he cannot expect me to let him walk all over me again. If he thinks his sudden realisation will make me fall at his feet, he is wrong.

The entire car ride went by with Naksh and me discussing the case with Naman sir. He gave us valuable insights that taught us a lot.

Once we reached the research center, we were instructed to wear disposable coveralls and tie our hair in buns to prevent contamination.

“Miss Ayesha, help me investigate the female researchers here please.” Zeeshan said as he walked toward me.

“I am sorry sir, I need to assist Naksh with the CCTV footage. I hope you understand.” I replied, walking toward Naksh. As I walked away, I heard Zeeshan sigh in disappointment.

“Let’s go, we need to check the CCTV footage.” I told Naksh. He nodded and together we went to the security control room.

“Show us all the CCTV recordings from the day of the theft. Every camera, with no cuts.” Naksh instructed the security staff.

After hours of footage from countless angles, we were sure of two things.
Someone fabricated the footage.
And that someone is from the hospital, because he knew exactly how to pull this off within twenty minutes.

“Make a copy of all the footage and send it to the CBI office by tomorrow morning.” Naksh warned, and we left to look for Naman sir.

“You go that way, I will go this way. We will meet at gate four.” I said and walked to the right.

Opening a random door, I stepped into an equipment room. There was no chance of finding Naman sir there. I turned to leave, but before I could react, someone pushed me against the wall. The familiar scent of Zeeshan’s cologne hit me and I froze.

His face was close, very close to mine. The room was dimly lit and I could barely make him out, but my body felt his presence, his breath, his warmth.

He slowly leaned in. The proximity overwhelmed me and my eyes shut on their own before I could rethink.

And then, his lips touched my skin slowly, painfully close to my lips. Just an inch more and they would have met. But he stopped, careful not to cross that line.

“Tomorrow not even you can stop me." he whispered, his voice soft and barely audible.

But I heard every word. And I felt every word causing my cheeks to burn instantly.

And...He left without waiting for my response.

What does he think of himself? As if I care about his empty threats.

I took a few breaths to calm myself and the blush heating my face, then continued my search.

“You okay? Why are you red all of a sudden?” Naksh asked when I reached gate four.

“I don't know, maybe because of sweat. Let’s go. Sir is not on this floor.” I muttered, tapping my cheeks to stop blushing.

“So does your boyfriend not get scared when you work on dangerous missions?” Naksh asked as we walked.

“I don't have a boyfriend, Naksh.” I said, glancing at him.

“So can I shoot my shot?” he asked, making me pause.

“Sorry?”

“You heard me.”

“When I say I don't have a boyfriend, it does not mean I do not like someone. I am already deeply in love with someone else. I hope you understand.” I said gently.

“No problem. I was just trying. But I hope he treats you right.” Naksh replied with a genuine smile. I nodded and we continued toward Naman sir.

After updating him on our findings, we called it a day. The rest of the team had also finished.

We were the last to reach the parking lot. And the only empty car was Zeeshan Kapoor’s.

“Hell no.” I muttered, glaring at Ritika who looked nervous. That asshole was smirking from the driver’s seat.

“I agree.” Naksh muttered, sighing.

“I am not sitting on the passenger seat.” he added and headed to the back.

“I am going to kill you Naksh, don't you dare.” I growled, grabbing the door.

“Please.” he said, pouting like a five year old ready to throw a tantrum.

“No.”

“Plea-”

“NO.”

“Ple-”

“I don't have the whole day for you two to act like children. Get in or I am leaving you behind.” shouted Zeeshan. Naksh finally slid into the passenger seat and I happily took the back.

After a tiring forty minute drive, we reached the CBI office.

“Good job team. You can take a thirty minute break before resuming your work.” Naman sir said, making all of us sigh in relief.

“Let’s go, I will treat you to some ice cream.” Naksh said, nudging my shoulder.

“No.” Before I could respond, Zeeshan’s voice cut in.

“Huh?” Naksh asked.

“I mean the weather is changing. We don't want our officers falling sick and taking days off during a crucial mission.” Zeeshan said. I was sure I heard Vidit bhai laughing.

“I think I will be fine sir, thank you for your concern.” I said, giving him a sweet smile that was not sweet at all.

“Miss Ayesha, I don't think you understood what I meant.” he said, tilting his head, clearly jealous.

“I understand completely sir. Thank you for your concern but I have a great immune system. Let’s go Naksh.” I said, dragging him away. Everyone else had already walked ahead.

Turning back, I saw Zeeshan glaring holes through me, jaw clenched so tight I feared he would break his teeth.

The sight made me chuckle quietly. I gave him my best wink and left him to fume in his jealousy.

Zeeshan's POV

She saw how much I wanted her to deny that ice cream offer.

She saw me fuming in jealousy.

And what did she do? She winked at me and left to enjoy that damn ice cream.

Fiesty much?

“Come back.” I said as soon as Vidit picked up the call.

“Why?” he asked, annoyance clear in his voice.

“Ek kaam bola tha saale, terko kitna saal lagega?” I spat, matching his tone.
(I asked you to do something, are you going to take years for that?)

“Arre haa. Sent you the address. Her brother is out of town. Now is the right time to do this.” he whispered, and I could hear the background noise fade slightly.
(Oh yes.)

“And what about the others?” I asked.

“For now she lives with her brother and sister in law. Ab jo bola hai woh kar. Kal subah 8 bje pohoch jana uske ghar. Aur jaise tune bola tha, uske driver ko paise khila dunga mai, uski car k tired puncture kar dega woh, tera raasta saaf hai baaki.” he explained, his voice almost inaudible, but thankfully I heard him.
(Now do what I said. Tomorrow morning at 8, reach her house. And just like you said, I’ll bribe her driver,he’ll puncture the tyres of her car. The path is clear for you after that.)

“8 bje late ni ho jaega? Subah 6 bje pohoch jau?” I asked, confused.
(Won’t 8 o’clock be too late? Should I reach at 6 in the morning?)

“Saale aisa kar tu abhi chala ja. Jitna bola hai utna kar, mere pass terse jyada experience hai. Rakh phone ab, merko meri bandi k sath ice cream khane de.” he muttered, annoyed.
(You idiot, do one thing,just go right now. Do only what I told you to do. I have more experience than you. Now hang up, let me go eat ice cream with my girl.)

Wordlessly, I disconnected the call. I was not in the mood to listen to his annoying monologue about how he is more experienced.

See you tomorrow, Ayesha Mehra. Let us see how long you plan to continue this.