As soon as Chaits entered the passenger exit – he didn’t have to look around – his sight was arrested by glamorous Alisha who looked even more attractive & fit in comparison to what she was when she’d been to airport, six months ago…
He couldn’t hide his feelings of happiness as their eyes met and for a moment Alisha’s tension & nervousness disappeared… she quickly reached Chaits and hugged him hard and planted a peck on his cheeks – smiling wide…
Chaits held her for a long minute as he felt warmth of love & sense of belonging in her. Then he released her, “Hi! Alisha! I must admit you look more beautiful now…” he smiled as he picked up his bags…
Alisha was very happy in her heart – six months – and no feelings lost – instead they were on rise – he was finding her to be more attractive than what she was before… she knew she’d done nothing extra in those six months except hard work at gym to keep her fit…
She happily grabbed one bag from Chaits’ hand and walked close allowing Chaits to put a free hand around her waist… her mobile beeped & she looked at a message sent by her colleague…
‘We are ready & waiting for your instructions… the baggage is in the van & we all geared up to go…’
That brought her tension back… meeting smiling Chaits had made her forget the tension she’d been carrying over for a week…
Chaits was close enough to read that message on her mobile & saw the tense expression on Alisha’s face,” Hey! Is everything ok? What happened?” he asked in a concern.
“Nothing much… We need to hurry.”
Alisha said in curt & tense voice, her eyes looking, watchfully scanning every person around at the airport as she hurried with Chaits to the parking lot…
Alisha heaved a huge sigh of relief as they sat comfortably in her car though her eyes were still watchful… Chaits understood that something had gone wrong drastically – Alisha seemed tense & the way her eyes scanned every person & every nook & corner of the scene around heralded trouble. Was her life in danger?
She took a deep breath & released her tension a bit by exhaling air out… she turned the keys & the car cruised to the exit of the parking lot where a guard stopped them for the parking ticket…
“It’d be Rs.25/- madam” he said clumsily as he couldn’t believe he was actually speaking to the famous Alisha Fire… Alisha didn’t have change on her & fished out a Rs 100/- note…
The guard lifted the barricade and stepped toward the counter to get a change… His attention was drawn to a fleet of police cars that were fast approaching the airport with sirens blazing. “Hmmm… Another nincompoop of a VIP” he said with smug expression as reply & turned…
“Keep the change” said Alisha with a sweet smile & raced her car dangerously out of the airport… Chaits said nothing but kept a careful watch on the road & the speedometer…
He was wondering… he knew Alisha well enough… she’d never give a tip that was thrice the bill… somehow Chaits felt that she was trying to elude the police… what had she done to run & shun cops? What had happened when he was globetrotting? Why are cops hunting for her? Why is she so tense? What was the operation she had planned that she was so tense? Many questions – but he had to wait for the answer…
Alisha’s car sped through busy morning rush of Delhi – she almost jumped over the flashing red signal at few points – as they neared home, Chaits was worried – he’d never seen Alisha so tense…
Alisha’s car approached the building where Chaits stayed – she slowed down for a moment as her eyes watched the building & the road… suddenly they heard the familiar police siren & 2 police cars approach on the other side of divider… Alisha hit the windscreen cleaner as the fluid splashed on the windscreen, she turned on the wipers & pressed hard at the accelerator… making sure they were not seen in the car by approaching police…
She drove speedily leaving Chaits building behind and fast approached the building where she stayed – Chaits looked back as the police cars took a U-turn & halted in front of his building…
She drove into her parking rashly & the car came to a screeching halt… “Come with me Chaits” she almost ordered him and bewildered at everything that he experienced since he got down at airport – he meekly obeyed & followed Alisha to her apartment…
As soon as they entered her apartment, Alisha quickly bolted the door behind them and fell in Chaits arms and began to sob uncontrollably she could just manage to utter ‘Chaits’ name in gasps…
Chaits still had no clue as to what had happened or what was happening… he could do nothing else but put his arms around her & caress her to comfort her… he slowly led her to the Indian settee in her hall & made her sit – he sat next to her slowly caressing her neck & shoulders to comfort her…
“Hey! You tough girl…” he said in a gentle comforting voice, “tell me what’s going on I’ve never seen you so tense. Now that I’m here – nothing would go wrong… I’ve a month long holiday coming up – I promise to spend entire of that with you – lending you a helping hand whenever & wherever you need… won’t you tell what’s happening to your best friend?” Alisha still sobbing looked at his smiling reassuring face with tear filled eyes as he continued, “In fact I’d say – let’s finish your work here & then come along with me to attend. Chaps’ wedding – that’ll get you out of your stress and also give you an opportunity to meet my friends & Priti…”
In reaction, Alisha hugged him & sobbed all the more…
“Hey! Look at me, Alisha… look at me and tell me what’s wrong…” he almost commanded to get her out of that plight.
Alisha looked at him and attempted a smile, “Nothing – I met you after so many months – I couldn’t control my emotions” she said getting up as she moved to kitchen, “Let me brew a cup of coffee for you & me – you must be tired from all that globetrotting…”
Chaits looked at her brewing coffee ‘You still can’t speak untruth, Alisha’ he thought, ‘well – she’ll eventually get it out, I need to give her some time to think how to say that to me…!’
“Chaits… I’ve to go to my office – it’s a bit urgent – I’ll be back in 3 to 4 hours I’d advise you rest for some time & then we got talk – I’ve got to collect some important items from my office – if you feel hungry – I’ve made sandwiches for you they’re kept here…” said Alisha as she walked back with a cup of coffee.
“Alisha! Why didn’t you drop me at my place? Why did you get me here instead?”
At this question Alisha sipped a bit hard at her coffee thinking hard what to say… “In fact, I want to say sorry to you – till last week I was able to maintain your apartment taking time out of my work – but then suddenly the load increased and I’m sure – you’d have had to clean the mess the entire day – so I decided to make up for that and brought you here…” Alisha said avoiding his eyes hoping he’d buy this story…
“Thanks a lot Alisha” said Chaits trying not to get his disbelief in his voice – ‘Why is Alisha avoiding all my questions?’
She got up and started to freshen up “Would you want me to accompany you Alisha?” Chaits asked in a concerned voice.
“Noooooo!” that was a big NO… “I’ll tell you everything Chaits – every bit I know & every bit that I’ve heard – but – please let me finish the pending work at my office first – It’d take me just 3-4 hours & then I’ll be with you…” Alisha was almost frantic.
“Okay! Cool down – I’ll stay here – and then I’m sticking to my plan – I’m not letting you out of my sight – at least for a month & you better apply for your leaves ’cause you’re going with me & attending Chaps’ wedding and meeting my friends…”Chaits said this softly but firmly – at the mention of Chaps & his other friends Chaits could see tears trying to overflow again in Alisha’s eyes…
“Yes. Chaits… I’ve already applied for my leaves & I’m coming with you wherever you go – I’m going to be in your sight & you’re going to be in mine – maybe for a month – maybe more – and if possible – my entire life…” Alisha said this a bit tense confusing Chaits even more…
“I’m going to be out to my office – and one request – please do not open the door if anyone knocks – not even if I knock – I’ve the key & I’ll open the door – do you understand what I said?” Alisha asked sternly & Chaits simply nodded in acknowledgement.
She sighed & pulled the door shut as she left leaving a confused Chaits wondering what was wrong…
He was tired due to continuous travel & work for past six months & decided to wait for Alisha to come back & tell him what was going on… he was famished and thankfully munched at sandwiches Alisha had prepared & then went into the bedroom where he gratefully saw the bed inviting him to rest.
He spread across the bed trying to sleep but his thoughts returned to haunt him & he lay wondering on the bed about what was wrong…
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