Chapter 7

                                                   Chapter 7

A/N

Well, I'm awfully late. And take note of the new character in the chapter. You're gonna see her a lot of in some of the upcoming chapters.

And for the PJ of this chapter. None of these are mine by the way.

What do you call an alligator in a vest ?

An in-vest-igator.

"Oooofff", Aryan grunted tripping over a box and falling down with all the books in his hand. A bunch of things followed him in his journey to the ground making unpleasant sounds ring through the empty apartment. He stared at the cardboard boxes lying around him, frustrated and confused about how much his life has changed in the last 4 days.

"You know.." a woman's voice called out to him from the entrance, "displaying so many guns is not ideal. If you have so many murder weapons, you hide them in a dark corner in the house"

Aryan looked in confusion at the new voice and looked up to find a woman in her early thirties towering over him. Her accent indicated that she  didn't live in India and the gigantic suitcases in her hand only proved the point.

"Excuse Me?", he questioned, "Who are you ?"

"Oh, I'm so sorry. I'm your neighbour. I was bringing my luggage up when I heard a really loud sound. Stupid airlines, how hard is it to not misplace luggage. Anyhow, I expected some broken china and an old lady on the ground. But boy, things here are hot. I can't decide whether what's hotter. The weapons on the ground or the guy on the ground. Oh fück !! I wasn't supposed to say that out. Anyways, now that I have said it out, who are you ?? You look rich, like mansion rich. What are you doing in an apartment?", she stopped to take a breath.

Aryan stared, jaw slackened at the woman who wouldn't stop talking. Yes, he had seen Komal try it in anger, but she always lost trail of words and storms out. He was about to speak, when the woman continued again.

"Oh, what is wrong with me? I should be helping you. Look at the poor state" she walked into the house, extending her hand and Aryan, hoped that she'd help him. His eyes widened to the size of tennis balls when the woman walked right past him to the books spilling out of the cardboard. Carefully picking up the box, he saw her begin to clean the books delicately.

"Excuse me.." he spoke again, "Ms. whoever you are, would you mind giving me your hand and then introducing yourself. As much as I'd like to hold a conversation with you, you're still a stranger."

"Oh my Rama.." she exclaimed sheepishly, carefully placing the book in the box, "I'm so sorry, I forget things when I see books." She rushed to help him up and began to introduce herself.

"I'm Riya", she shook his hand, "Riya Krishnan. I'm your neighbour-cum-the daughter of the owner of your flat. And rich boy, what are you doing here?"

"I'm sorry, rich boy ?" Aryan squeaked, horrified at the name.

"Well, you haven't introduced yourself and you are rich enough to rent a luxurious, furnished flat in South Delhi."

"I'm Aryan. Aryan Singh Rathore", he shook her hand, "I shifted her with my newly wed wife"

"Damn it..", Riya shouted, "Why must you be married ??? I thought India had no dearth of hot single guys and all I meet are married hot guys. So, what do you do ?"

"I'm a businessman" Aryan promptly introduced himself, shocked at the woman's ignorance of his wedding, given the national spectacle it was.

"Well, that explains the flat", she bobbed her head, "Like I said, I'm Riya. I'm sexual health educator all the way from Canada. So, where's the missus ?"

Aryan then realised Imlie's absence in the room and whipped out his phone to call her. He (im)patiently as the covid message was read out and she answered the call on the first ring.

"Yes Mr. Rathore", her low voice rang through his phone.

"Umm..where are you ?" he whispered lowly.

"What happened to your voice ?" he heard the other side ask and turned around to see if the strange woman was still in the hall. Quickly walking into the kitchen, Aryan spoke again.

"Where are you Ms. Satyakaam, the last time I heard, we were supposed to move in together ?"

"I'm at work Mr. Rathore. As a police officer, I have odd work hours", she spoke, and Aryan could sense the barely restrained frustration, " And next time, don't think I'll appreciate sass. If you can't lift up those light cartons, let them be locked in the car and I'll pick them up."

"That is not what I meant and you know it. Anyone would be curious if a person vanishes into nowhere " Aryan muttered, "It's okay, I can carry those boxes myself. Oh and next time, please don't leave a box full of weapons in the hall."

"Oh fück, Mr. Ra-" Aryan cut the call and rushed out, hearing his new neighbour scream.

Amaan stood in his best friend's new house pointing his gun at the strange woman picking at guns in the room.

"Amaan.. what are you doing ?", he warned the man, "put the gun down. She's the owner's daughter and our neighbour."

"Then what business does she have touching the guns ?" Amaan stared at Riya and downed his gun, but never losing his tight grip.

"I was curious okay ? It's not everyday that I find guns lying around I am from Canada, for God's sake. Not America." Riya explained herself in indignation, her voice laden with fear.

"And you !!", Amaan turned towards Aryan, "Why are these guns lying around and not safely tucked away ?? An intelligence officer lives her Mr. Rathore and different rules apply here. We don't just invite strangers into the house."

"Then you should tell the same to your friend. I didn't even know there were guns in that box until I tripped over the damned box. And thanks to your friend's intelligent plan and your oh-so-very capable department, I'm not traumatised for life about guns. I'm not even supposed to be here and yet somehow I am. So excuse me, if I don't know how stuck up police officers live."

Amaan sighed, trying to cool his temper down. The other man was right. Aryan Singh Rathore was equally a victim and his protectiveness and paranoia were just messing up Imlie's chances of having whatever normal life she can in the next year. It's not everyday you marry a stranger at gun point and then move in with them. Well, unless you were Imlie Satyakaam and Aryan Singh Rathore. He giggled at his own joke and heard the other man clearing his throat.

"May I know the joke ?", Aryan snarked, "You're in my house after all, I believe I'm entitled to know"

"Oh Don't worry, it's not worth sharing", Amaan replied, "I need to talk with you Mr. Rathore. I completely understand your outburst but that attitude will have to end. The wedding might be forceful but the only thing stopping you from getting an annulment is your company and Imlie, her job. So, the game of blaming her will have to end if you want any semblance of a peaceful life. If you plan on blaming Imlie everyday, I'd suggest you walk out right now."

Aryan's mind reeled back to the day he barged into Kabir's office, yelling at him for the vandalising of his offices.

"What do you mean by this is to be expected ?" Aryan hissed at the older man, "There are livelihoods depending on these companies Mr. Iqbal. You either have to find a way to stop these or I'm going to drag your department to the court."

"And we'll see how well that goes Mr. Rathore", Kabir replied coolly, "You will be standing against a department whose activities are termed illegal if done by a civilian. Believe me, it is not very for the government and it's lawyer to send this case to obscurity and if it doesn't, by the time the case ends, you'll be 50 and I'll be dead."

Aryan stared at the nonchalant officer. And he was right, it wouldn't take much for the government to win against him. Money speaks but nothing speaks like power. Power that the simply dressed man in front of him has in the small of his palm.

"So, what do you propose we do ?"

"Good", Kabir drawled, "You're on the right track now. I've spoken to the minister and Imlie will be here in few minutes. I was about to call you as well, but clearly you prefer entrances in a style. Please don't make it a habit."

Aryan shrunk into the seat, well, not literally, as Kabir settled his gaze on him. He could see the sharp calculations happening behind his eyes and he knew his life would never be the same again. He turned his head, as the door opened and sharp clicks of boots announced Imlie's arrival. His eyes widened as she sat next to him, placing the gun in her hand on Kabir's table.

"Not again Imlie", Kabir chided the woman in firm voice, "I'm going to restrict your access to the range". Aryan would have taken the warning in all it seriousness if not for slight twitch of lips and glint of mischief on Kabir's face.

"Dream on, old man", Imlie sassed, "You know I'm the best shooter there is and you know that  I don't need your approval to shoot or use the range. So why did you call me here"

Aryan's jaw dropped at the dynamics between Kabir and Imlie. His stared at the officers in the room as if watching a tennis match while their banter continued.

"Don't be surprised Mr. Rathore." Kabir's voice broke through his confusion, "I know Imlie and her monkey of a best friend from their childhood. I'd call myself a 'father figure' and they'd mimic Jake Peralta and call me a 'bother figure'. My so called "bachelor pad" is your sasural, if you may"

Aryan stared at Kabir as if the man had lost all his marbles. What the hell was he speaking about ?

"You're growing senile sir", Imlie gave her opinion, "Why would your house be his sasural?"

"I was coming to that. You know, he's the husband of my daughter-like-figure. So yes, it's his Sasural. As both you know, Rathore industries and businesses in certain conservative states are being attacked. People are hurt. Their main anger is about the fact that you somehow made a mockery of their religion. Normal I'd ask them to go screw themselves. But the government is after my ass. All these places are their vote bank and they don't want to lose them."

Silence reigned in the room as the news began sinking in the brains of the "married" couple. 

"They asked you to make a choice didn't they", Imlie shot up her seat, her chair tumbling, "They probably want me to be suspended or dismissed. Or what else could they do ? Post me in the loop line ? Post me in an extremist infested area ? Do they want me to do desk job? I'll kill the Pandey, that idiot is the cause of all this mess."

"Imlie, sit down", Kabir's authoritative voice rang through the room, "You know Pandey is not the only one to blame. You went into this harebrained scheme of yours without full preparation and most importantly, without my approval. You put your whole team at risk by taking them into a forest infested with anti-social elements. So, sit down and for once, stop thinking with your temper. You have caused enough damage."

Aryan saw Imlie visibly flinch at Kabir's reprimand and sink into her seat, a cold mask on her face.

"They want you to put up this charade of a marriage. You will have to share a roof and public will be fed with the story of how you were in love and you're following a long lost tradition of Imlie. Because the damn thing is actually practiced. You guys can apply for a mutual consent divorce after an year or so, and we'll pull some strings to make the process easier."

"No", Imlie's firm refusal silenced the room, "I'm not putting up with this charade. I know I made a mistake but that doesn't mean I'm forced to live in a marriage. We can apply for annulment."

"And risk lives of my employees, Ms. Imlie ?" Aryan spoke for the first time, "It's no longer just about you or me. There are bigger issues now. My companies are being vandalised and my people are being hurt. Not to mention, you might risk your job"

"He's got a point Imlie. Just one year. I'll try getting you as many out of station tasks as I can. Just stay out of each other's way"

"Do I have to do it ??" Imlie whined, resignation apparent, "I mean why can't we just tell them that we're living together and go our separate ways ?"

"Because the media knows me, officer" ,Aryan offered, "Both of us are pasted on news channels and we'll be under scrutiny. We need to make those bloodsuckers believe it"

"Well, do what ever you want", Imlie stood up, picking her gun, "I'm going to the range and you" she pointed towards Kabir, "Do not tell Amaan that I'm in the range".

"Mr, Rathore", Kabir continued the conversation, "I have more to tell you. I know Imlie's team got you into this mess. But you're agreeing to this living arrangement out of your own reason too. So, I want you to give all the respect she deserves and there should not be further blame game. She'll have a tough few months at the job. I'm her Godfather but that doesn't stop me from being her boss. I don't want you to make it hard for her and it turn, make it harder for yourself. Because believe me, Imlie and Amaan are my family and I will destroy anything that hurts them."

Aryan sat shellshocked at the turn the conversation took.

"I'll take your leave now" Kabir smiled at him, "I'm supposed to be at meeting"

"ARYAN !!!" he felt Amaan shaking him, "Oh Thank God, you're not dead. Dude, so creepy. You just stared off into space and your face had all these weird expressions."

"It's nothing. Your warning was eerily similar to your boss's"

"What warning ?", a third voice rang through the room

Aryan and Amaan whipped their heads to see Imlie stand at the door with a carton in her hand.

"And why are these guns all over the floor ?"

"Ask your husband, Imlie" Amaan quipped, rushing to take the box from her hands, "I'll put this in your room. Which one is it by the way"

"The one facing the pool" "The one nearer to the kitchen"

Imlie and Aryan spoke at the same time and turned to scowl at each other.

"What do you mean by the one nearer to the kitchen. I want one with the pool view" Imlie argued

"Why would you get that ?" Aryan retorted, "If anything, I get that. I work late into the night and I need the relaxation !"

"And what am I , a teacher with 9 to 5 job ?. My hours are extremely stressful and I need the ventilation"

The couple stared at each other angrily, not knowing how to get out of the impasse.

"Woah, woah", Amaan's voice broke the silence, " This is clearly a deadlock"

"Yes Amaan, thank you for telling the obvious." Imlie hissed at him.

"So, you want to throw a toss" Imlie questioned Aryan.

"Hell no !!!", Aryan screamed, "My luck has abandoned me"

"Then what the fück are we going to do Mr. Rathore ?"

"I have an idea. You guys could arm wrestle" Amaan suggested and the other two, fell into contemplation.

"Sounds fair" both of them spoke at the same time.

"Well, march to the counter top" he ordered giggling.

"What's going on ?" a fourth voice interrupted. Amaan and Imlie whipped their guns out at the sudden interruption.

"Woah !!!" Komal screamed, "It's just me. Drop the guns guys. Aryan wouldn't like if his best friend is shot."

"Oh God, why is she here ?" Amaan muttered for the the room to here.

"What do you mean by that you ass ?" Komal yelled, "I'm his best friend, why are YOU here ?"

"Well, I'm HER best friend !!, how did you even get the clearance to come in here ? The security should have stopped strangers." Amaan retorted.

"If they can allow you, they'll allow me. And stop acting like a snob. Aryan put up our names for clearance."

"Well, it's not my mistake if he makes bad judgement calls"

"How dare you ?" Komal lunged at Amaan.

"We should really sort the bed room situation out" Imlie whispered, "Let's go"

Aryan followed Imlie and both of them walked into the kitchen, sitting on either sides of the island.

"One and Done, Mr. Rathore."

"Deal" both of them shook hands and got into positions, hands nestling into each other.

"1, 2 ,3 and GO !!!" Imlie spoke.

Aryan and Imlie put all their strength into their hands, their opponents being equally strong. If Aryan expected Imlie to be weak because of her sex, his assumptions were thwarted by the way she was halting him effortlessly and if Imlie expected Aryan to be weaker because of his civilian status, she was proved wrong by the determination his eyes held.

Aryan gritted his teeth as the competition got harder, sweat trickling down his forehead. Imlie huffed out air, putting all her energy into the game. The bedroom was a price that none of them wanted to lose.

Imlie felt herself getting weaker, the day's exhaustion finally catching up to her. The chase she did behind a criminal a few hours ago didn't help. She needed that room and she'll damn well get it by hook or crook.

"So, are you actually a virgin"

Aryan's ears turned red at the sudden personal question and his grip slackened, letting Imlie slam his hand on the marble and yell out victory sound. He stared, his senses still shocked out of their wits.

A/N

Well, excuse all the mistakes, because I find it too cringey to read my own chapter. And tell me all your thoughts. Well, just the ones about the chapter I mean. Knowing ALL your thoughts might be a little awkward, overwhelming and very TMI. I'm gonna stop now.

Bubye