Author's POV

It is often said that when your doom is near, you tend to overlook many things that could have been avoided to delay it.

Something similar was happening with Karan Reddy. In order to save his illegal properties, he had completely lost his senses and left his warehouses unattended.

“Sir, we've left the warehouse unattended for days now. It would only be fair if we sent some of our men to guard it,” one of his men suggested.

“If nothing has happened to it till now, it means it is safe. Forget about it for now and just send those girls to London. With those bastards lying handicapped in the storehouse and being of no use, we've been facing a shortage of manpower here, and I cannot risk anything,” Karan instructed, his attention solely focused on dialing Abhir's assistant since Abhir had disconnected his fifteenth call.

“But sir, the warehouse-”

“I said if nothing has happened to it till now, then surely it is-” Karan was cut off by one of his men rushing inside.

“What now?” Karan asked as the man took a few desperate breaths.

“T-the warehouse…” he huffed.

“What about it?” Karan shouted, his eyes widening in fear.

“S-someone set it on fire,” the man informed.

“How?” Karan whispered, feeling himself go numb as he thought about the shipments he was supposed to send.

“I-I don't know, boss. But the guard at the main door said that out of nowhere, many fireworks burst in the sky, and when he turned around, the warehouse was on fire. Because there were a lot of guns inside, it caused an explosion and the whole warehouse completely burst into flames,” he explained.

Karan could not help but fall back into his chair, his hands clutching his head as if they were the only things keeping it from hitting the glass table.

He was at a loss for words. He had lost arms and ammunition worth crores, and now he had no idea how he would repay the money he had taken in advance for the shipments that were due.

“I… what am I going to do now?” Karan whispered to himself.

Just then, his phone rang and Abhir's name flashed on the screen.

“H-hello Abhir, t-the wareh-house. F-fire. S-shipments…” he blabbered senselessly.

Abhir, who was leisurely enjoying his cold whiskey while lying on a comfortable chair in his London mansion, the one he had made Karan name after him, smirked to himself. He was already aware of it. In fact, it was the best news he had heard so far.

Now do not get him wrong. Everyone was aware of Karan Reddy's deeds and, being a mastermind clever enough to make Karan his pawn, Abhir had several sources up his sleeves who could easily inform him about whatever Zeeshan and Ayesha were planning. He was quite amused because they were rather good at what they did, a quality they had perhaps developed as CBI officers.

‘On the right spot once again, Mr and Mrs Kapoor,’ he thought before clearing his throat.

“What are you saying, boss?” he asked, pretending to be shocked.

“Someone set the warehouse on fire,” Karan explained, his hands trembling uncontrollably.

“What are we going to do now?” Abhir asked, swirling the ice in his glass of whiskey.

“I-I don’t know. They are going to ask for shipments and I have none to offer,” Karan whispered, feeling himself lost once again.

“I think I know what to do,” Abhir said.

“What?” Karan asked desperately.

“Go back to India. It is the only place where you will be safe right now,” Abhir said calmly.

“You know I can't,” Karan sighed.

“No, boss, you can. Think about it. They know about your scandals in India and would not bother searching for you there because, according to them, you would never walk into death’s mouth yourself. Besides, you can always change your identity,” Abhir explained, knowing he had struck the right chord.

“R-right. I should leave for India as soon as possible,” Karan muttered.

Abhir hummed and ended the call, but not before dropping a message,

“And with that, I am done with my work.”

Karan, on the other hand, called for the man handling the situation after Abhir, who rushed in worriedly.

“Book the earliest ticket to India,” Karan instructed while searching for his fake passport.

“For whom, boss?”

“For me. I am going back to India,” Karan said flatly.

Ayesha's POV

Slamming my car door shut, I rang the farmhouse bell continuously because my patience today was hanging by a thin thread.

“Who the fu-” Vidit bhai stopped midway, probably expecting someone else.

“Move,” I said.

He furrowed his eyebrows in confusion and asked, “What’s wrong?”

“Aapka bestfriend mere haath se pitega aaj?” I muttered, respectfully pushing Vidit bhai, who choked on his saliva.
(Your best friend is going to get beatings from me today.)

I had no time to observe his reaction because I took off my sandal and shouted, “ZEESHAN KAPOOR.”

“Hua kya hai?” Vidit bhai asked, trying to stop himself from laughing. Others had arrived too, looking at me with widened eyes.
(What exactly happened?)

Everyone except Zeeshan stood in front of me in confusion.

“Where the fuck is this extra brave Zeeshan Kapoor?” I shouted, looking everywhere for him.

“Zeeshan fucking Kapoor, if you don't come out right now, I swear to God I will not marry you,” I shouted.

There he was, walking towards me from the kitchen with a glass of water in his hand.

“Don't bring that in front of me. I am going to throw it on your head,” I warned. He still brought it while sighing.

“Everyone out,” I shouted.

Everyone left. Come on, I cannot possibly hit my boyfriend in front of others, that too with a sandal.

“Will you listen to me, Aayat?” he said cautiously, keeping the glass on the table.

“Listen to what? Billi ho aap? Bhagwan ne 9 lives di hai aapko? Who the fuck told you to be a macho man and fucking set that warehouse on fire alone?” I asked, smiling sarcastically.
(Are you a cat? Or are you blessed with nine lives from God?)

“I-I was not..alone,” he reasoned, looking anywhere but at me.

“Yeah right, you had 3 to 4 idiots along with you. But is this seriously how you are going to justify your actions?” I asked, glaring at him in disbelief.

“I am not justifying my actions because I have no justification for them. I know what I did was not discussed earlier and I should have taken more security with me, but it was a great opportunity. It would have been a waste to lose it,” he said softly, holding my hands.

“You know what?” I said, he nodded at me hopefully.

“Don't show me your face or I might actually throw my sandal at you.” I warned him.

“Listen-” he started, but I ignored him. After jerking his hands off mine, I walked out.

“Ek baar sun toh lo,” he said. I knew he was walking behind me.
(Listen to me for once.)

“Ayeshaaa.” Now my name is Ayesha? Wow.

“Aayat.” I ignored him again. I knew everyone was probably giving us looks, but I ignored them too.

“Jaaan.” I walked towards the kitchen to get some ice cream.

“You'll catch—” I glared at him, daring him to say another word,“A cold,” he whispered anyway , looking anywhere but at me.

I ignored him and almost walked past him when he gently grabbed my hand in a firm grip.

“Leave my hand,” I warned.

“Zeeshan-”He cut me off.

“Aayat-” I cut him off this time.

“Leave my hand-”He cut me off again.

“No,” he said firmly, tightening his grip.

“I'll kill you, I swear to God,” I warned, pointing my spoon at him, which he swiftly took from my hand and placed on the counter.

He then pulled me closer and hugged me. I did not reciprocate, even though his heartbeat calmed me and my heart finally felt relieved knowing he was fine.

“Nothing happened to me. I am fine. Look at me,” he whispered, softly caressing my hair.

“It was so dangerous. What if it was a trap? What if he did something to you?” I muttered, glaring at him though my tears blurred my vision.

“I am completely fine, love. See?” he whispered. His hand moved from my head to my cheek as his thumb gently caressed it.

“You are not lying?” I asked, scanning him from head to toe for any injuries, thankfully there were none.

“I would never lie to you, Aayat. Sooner or later, I would always tell you everything,” he said softly, his eyes filled with sincerity.

“You are so bad,” I whispered, this time initiating a hug that I desperately needed to calm my racing heart.

“I know,” he replied, tightening his hold around my waist.

“I hate you,” I whispered again, glaring at his bicep because that was all I could see.

“I don't,” he replied, chuckling softly.

“Zeeshan zinda hai kya?” Vidit bhai’s voice echoed from the living room.
(Are you perhaps alive, Zeeshan?)

“Haan saale abhi toh 30-35 saal aur teri chaati pe moong dalunga baith k,” Zeeshan replied, making me chuckle as I pulled away from the hug.
(Yes idiot, I'll sit on your chest and annoy the fuck out of you for the next 30 to 35 years.)

“Let's go,” I said. He nodded and followed me, though he took the ice cream from me, put it back in the kitchen, and said, “ab aap ghussa nahi ho toh ab mai ye kar skta hu.”

“But-” I tried to reason, but he cut me off and dragged me outside.

“Aaj toh sandal padh hi jaati sir aapko,” Rishi said, chuckling loudly.
(Almost got beaten by a sandal, didn't you sir?)

“Rishi, tujhe ek kaam bola tha woh hogya?” Zeeshan asked, smiling sweetly at him.
(Rishi I asked you to do something, is it done?)

“Theek hai chup hu yaar,” Rishi sulked.
( Fine, I'll shut up.)

Everyone laughed at the interaction, but nonetheless we headed back to work. Bhai and bhabhi joined us later.

As usual, the moment Bhai saw me sitting next to Zeeshan, he glared at him and said to me, “iss chumbak ko chipakne k alawa kuch kaam nahi hai kya?”
(Is this magnet going to stick to you like this? Does he not have any work?)

“Bilkul nahi hai,” Zeeshan replied instead of me, holding my hand in his
(Not at all.)

“Door hoja usse haramkhor,” bhai said, glaring at him.
(Maintain some distance, asshole.)

Zeeshan smirked mischievously and pulled my chair closer to his in one swift motion, making me squeal and grip his bicep. Bhai was about to retort, but I cut him off.

“Stop it,” I hissed, glaring at both of them.

Bhai scoffed while Zeeshan smirked even more. Bhabhi, on the other hand, was busy drafting the petition and unaware of this drama.

Though I tried to appear stern, my heart raced uncontrollably inside, but no one needed to know that.

“Dev, what's the status?” Zeeshan asked, pulling me back to reality.

Right. Working.

Dev bhai was tracking Karan Reddy's whereabouts, simultaneously coordinating with Abhinav and Abhirudh.

“I don't know. For some reason, he is out of range,” Dev bhai informed, his attention fixed on the laptop screen.

“What do you mean?” I asked, confused.

“It means either he is travelling or he found the device,” Dev bhai explained, looking up.

“Finding the device is an impossible task for that old hag, so travelling it is,” Vidit bhai stated the obvious.

“But travelling where?” Rishi asked, mirroring everyone's confusion.

“India,” Zeeshan and I said at the same time. Everyone's eyes widened in realization, including ours.

“Oh my God, yes,” bhabhi gasped.

There was silence around the table. Everyone realized it was time for the most awaited moment.

“We are going to file the petition when he is in India. He will not be able to run away this time,” she added. Everyone nodded.

It was clear that Karan Reddy's end was near, but there were still things that needed to be unveiled by..me.

And I had no idea how I was going to do that.

“What do we do till then?” Rishi asked.

“We destroy his warehouses in Phuket,” I replied, leaning against the headrest.

“I have contacts, and by the time he reaches India, he will receive the best welcome ever,” I added.

“Do it. You have our full support and we believe in you,” Zeeshan said. Others nodded in agreement.

I nodded slowly and took a sip of water from the glass in front of me.

“In the meantime, we will gather more evidence against him to strengthen our case,” Vidit bhai added.

“Let's start working on our respective tasks,” Zeeshan announced.

Everyone dispersed to their respective work stations focusing on the tasks assigned.

“Aap dono bhi rest karo ghar jaakar, I'll be back home soon,” I told bhai and bhabhi
(Both of you should rest too, I'll be back home soon.)

Bhabhi nodded understandingly, but my brother is a kilsi hui saas in disguise, asking multiple questions.

“Kyu?” he asked.
(Why?)

“Kyuki mujhe kaam hai bhai,” I deadpanned.
(Because I have work to do.)

“Kiske saath?” He narrowed his eyes at Zeeshan, who was discussing something with Dev bhai, completely oblivious to what was happening.
(With whom?)

“Not with him,” I sighed.

“Kya kaam hai?” Oh for God's sake.
(What work?)

“Ritika and Isha are getting discharged tomorrow. I am going to Vidit bhai's home to help bhai clean before he brings her home. And before you ask, Dev bhai made sure to clean her apartment, so there is no need for me to do that,” I said, overexplaining everything to my overly concerned and curious brother.

“And there are things he cannot do if he wants to respect her privacy, so he asked for my help. Now do you want me to tell you the private things as well, bhai?”

“No, that's enough,” he said, nodding in understanding and I finally took a breath of relief.

Bhabhi, on the other hand, was enjoying our banter as always. She once mentioned that it was quite entertaining for her. Weird? I agree.

“Come back soon and take care, hm?” bhabhi said softly, patting my cheeks.

I nodded with a smile. They left for home together, and I went back to work.

A few hours passed with all of us focusing on our tasks. No one spoke unless it was necessary.

I deliberately threw Zeeshan out of the conference room so that we could focus on our work and not get distracted by each other.

Just then my phone rang.

“Got a New Year gift, Miss Mehra. I must say, your man killed it.”

“I am glad, Mr Ahmed. Since you got your gift, it is only fair that I get mine too,” I said calmly, my voice steady and authoritative.

“Surely,” he chuckled. It was a slow, cold chuckle before he added, “How can I help you?”

“I want his Phuket warehouse turned into ashes before 12 pm tomorrow,” I replied, not realizing how cold I sounded.

But he did not care. Thankfully, he never does. Maybe because both of us share the same hatred toward that man and it does not matter as long as the work gets done.

“Consider it done,” he replied and ended the call.

With a satisfied sigh, I leaned back in my chair. So, two out of three warehouses. Check.

My thoughts were interrupted by a series of knocks on the door and an evidently sulky Zeeshan Kapoor gesturing to open the door. I sighed before opening the door.

He walked in immediately, as if afraid I might slam it on his face, looking anywhere but at me.

What’s…with him?

I had no idea what was wrong, so I blurted the first thing that came to my mind, “Are you..drunk?”

“What?” He blinked. “No, obviously not.”

“Then why are you standing here as if mai aapki izzat loot lungi,” I deadpanned.
(Then why are you standing here as if I am going to attack your dignity.)

“I am not.” He exclaimed looking extremely scandalized, I raised my eyebrows.

He sighed, before saying,“I was just..making sure that you are not mad at me anymore.”

“...What?” I blinked, baffled.

He nodded, looking away as his ears turned visibly red.

“Aww,” I cooed, patting his cheek, making him sigh defeatedly.

“So, are you?” he asked while I packed my stuff.

“No,” I replied, smiling softly.

“Great. Then let's go on a cleaning date,” he said instantly.

“A..what?”

“On a cleaning date. Vidit had to go fill up some forms for Ritika's discharge, so it is just you and me. We are going together to help Vidit clean. Hence, a cleaning date,” he explained, his eyes sparkling with excitement.

It would have been rude to laugh at him, so I bit back my laughter, cleared my throat, and nodded. Nonetheless, he is cute.

“Let's go,” I said, picking up my bag.

He swiftly took it from me and held my hand as we walked out. I shook my head and followed quietly, my lips curving into a content smile.

We drove to Vidit bhai's home in my car since he had to urgently take his car after it suddenly stopped working.

Unlocking the apartment door, we stepped inside. The house was mostly clean. It felt as if no one had entered for days.

“Let's start by mopping the floor,” I said.
He nodded and began looking for a mop.

“I'll go clean Ritika's room,” I said. He nodded again showing a thumbsup.

Walking into Ritika's room, my eyes widened at the mess. Clothes were scattered on the floor and her desk was overflowing with random items.

It was not surprising since I had lived with her for a year or two. I knew she was messy, but this was extreme.

Taking a deep breath, I started by putting her laundry into the washing machine and cleaning her desk. After that, I mopped the floor. By the time I finished, the laundry was done, so I quickly folded the clothes and kept them in place.

“Are you done?” I asked as I walked out.

“Yes,” he said. I nodded as I walked towards him.

And to my utter bad luck, the next thing I knew, I was slipping. Zeeshan, who tried to help me, slipped too.

We landed on the sofa with Zeeshan on top of me and our lips touching.

I froze. He froze. Our expressions mirrored each other.

The mop fell to the floor, breaking the trance. Zeeshan quickly got up, clearing his throat.

He helped me up as well, looking anywhere but at me. Honestly, I was doing the same.

“A-are you okay?” he asked again.

My lips burned from the sensation and I could still feel his touch which raced my heart uncontrollably and my cheeks felt like they were on fire.

“Aayat,” he called, pulling me out of my thoughts about that kiss.

Or was it a peck or just a touch?
...Never mind.

“Y-yeah, I am fine,” I stuttered.

He nodded, clearing his throat again. His face was just as red as mine.

“I-I think I should go cook something for Vidit bhai and Ritika,” I stuttered, hurrying into the kitchen where I could finally breathe properly.

For the next hour, we avoided talking about it and avoided each other. Honestly, I was glad. I am not ready to talk about it.

“Aayat,” Zeeshan called from the living room.

“Y-yeah?” I replied.

“Can you come here, please?” he asked, taking a deep breath, I walked out.

“Yes?”

“We need to talk,” he said firmly.

Fuck no.

Oops awkward hogya🫢