Chapter 18

RECAP:

Armaan picked up the ringing phone at the fifth ring irritably. With taking care of Riddhima, worrying about her…and his increasing workload, he felt completely drained.

 

 

"Hello Armaan Mallik here"

 

 

"Sir Riddhima Gupta has left her apartment with Anjali Sharma in her car. It seems agent Atul has given them permission…but Sir the problem is an unidentifiable car has been following their car ever since they left…we are fearing it might cause trouble….they don't even know they are being followed……."

 

 

Armaan felt his world stop…Riddhima had walked into trouble????




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Riddhima relaxed into the plush leather seat and looked out, with a small smile playing on her lips. It felt great to be out in the open. The past two months had almost seemed like a literal house arrest to her. Armaan being the typical extra cautious type had refused to allow her to leave the house on her own. He hardly had time to take her out, not that past two months had been the best phase of their relationship either. The moment Anjali suggested of going out Riddhima had grabbed the opportunity. Deep down, a twinge of guilt did raise its head. Armaan was going to have a fit that she came out, but well she couldn't spend the rest of her life looking behind her shoulder to see if there was a gun aimed at her or not. There wasn't any specific person targeting her. It was an international organization. Even if they nabbed a few men of theirs, what guarantee the others would leave her alone? And even after she gave up the papers, what proof again that she wouldn't be the target??

 

 

Pushing down the growing guilt Riddhima turned to face Anjali. This was her sister. She was for real. Riddhima reached out and touched her hand resting on the gear.

 

"Thanks Anjali, you really rescued me from that prison."

 

 

Anjali smiled and shook her head.

 

 

"Well don't let the pleasure go to your head, you have to face your bodyguard when you go back home." She grinned.

 

 

"Though I convinced Atul to allow us, I doubt Armaan will take this lightly." She added.

 

 

"I know….he won't take this lightly." Riddhima sighed ruefully.

 

 

 "But Riddhima, you needed a change, ok not for rejuvenating, I mean with your life in danger, enjoyment hardly comes into the equation but heck you need to clear up your brain. If you want to arrive at a decision, you need to think clearly. This might just help you." Anjali squeezed her hand.

 

 

"I know…." Riddhima nodded.

 

 

"And I am here to protect you." Anjali winked. "Much better then Mr know-it-all" she added.

 

 

Riddhima giggled.

 

"Where are we going.??" She asked a minute later.

 

 

"You'll see." Anjali grinned looking at her.

 

 

 

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Riddhima almost gasped getting down from the car….looking around. It was her very own shooter club. The club where she had practiced and perfected the art she prided herself in. Shooting!

 

 

"Happy??" Anjali asked from behind.

 

 

"Love you." Riddhima mouthed marching towards the gates.

 

 

"Enjoy babes, I will wait here. don't have the membership card and I cant just stand in there idle, you know the rules." Anjali called out.

 

 

"Ok, see you half an hour." Riddhima answered bubbling with excitement. It was too good to be true. Holding the powerful metal weapon in her hands, knowing it had the immense destructive power and channeling it to act as her strength, controlling it by taking a perfect aim gave Riddhima a sense of immense satisfaction and an unmatched pleasure and feeling of being strong and in control. She had always been termed as the impulsive, act first repent later sort of an agent. But she had always cracked her cases hadn't she?? Perhaps Armaan wouldn't approve of it, she thought, her time with him told her that he was exactly her opposite. Think first, act later sort of a guy.

 

 

The shooting range stood in a converted warehouse in the club. It was private and exclusive, catering mostly to those with the money to pay for the best or those who had exclusive rights to be here, just like Riddhima……

 

She scanned his membership card, and then headed for the scored target room. After checking; then loading her Glock, she put on ear protection and stepped into the room.

She could still hear the sound of gunfire and see the flash of the shots of other shooters. Ignoring the other shooters, she walked to the end of the aisle and faced his target.

 

 

As she pressed the trigger, screwing her eyes in concentration she recalled her first mission. When she had single-handedly nabbed the bad guys. Then came those drug dealers and then more….she had always been successful, ok she had screwed a couple of times due to her impulsiveness but well it was her nature…..this was her life….she thought as her bullet soared past the room.

 

 

"Damn" she muttered under her breath as it missed the target.

 

Stepping back and repositioning herself she took an aim again. This had been her life, but it had been planted, crafted by Armaan. She was here because of him but wasn't this what she wanted to too??

 

 

Yes, a small voice spoke in her head. This had been what she wanted. This life excited her, allured her. Why hadn't she given this a thought earlier?? True she joined FBI for all wrong reasons, they had taken her in because Armaan had instructed them to do so…also maybe because she was Shanshank's daughter, but well all the cases she had handled hadn't been fake or dummy. She had risked her life and had emerged

 

 

She drew in a deep breath and forced her from his mind, then lined up his gun with the target and fired six rounds, one after the other. All hit the target one by one. She grinned inwardly. Earlier the focus had been lost, just as she had been lost in a web created by her own self. She loved him a lot. The fear had been natural. Hadn't her father been sucked up by this very world. She knew in her heart she had asked Armaan to leave because she loved him way too much but how could she ask him to leave when she herself wasn't willing???

 

 

"Hey, Riddhima. Haven't seen you in a while." Riddhima turned to see George, the manager of the place, walked over.

 

 "I know. Been busy." She smiled.

 

 

George eyed the target at the far end of the room. "Did you miss one?"

 

 

Riddhima pushed the button to bring the target closer, then nodded…... Sure enough, one of the bullets had missed the target completely….her first aim had been poor, just like her first assumptions and attempts to get her life back on track. She had been thrown into a world that had existed and had lost her way just like the bullet. But no more……

 

 

"You're not usually off your game Riddhima….you are by far one of our best……." George said. "Hoping to see more of you."

 

 

Riddhima nodded and the other man left.

 

 

 

 

Yes it was time to take control. The target fluttered slightly as Riddhima returned it to its original position, then she stared down the barrel of her gun. She knew exactly how to fix things now…..

 

 

 

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Armaan restlessly paced out in the lobby and swore. How could she have done this to him??? It was outrageous. How could she have gone with that Anjali when she barely knew. He had blasted Atul for giving them permission. Heck Riddhima was his responsibility, his life. The car that had been following them had disappeared halfway as Anjali had approached the club, he had been informed according to his reporters. Anything could have happened. Couldn't Riddhima have waited  a day??? Atleast the danger looming on her head would lessen once she gave up those damn papers.

 

 

"Damn Riddhima…." He swore again running his hand through his hair. Here he was, thinking that they would have spent a nice quite evening, he would tell her, he was ready to leave if she wished for but no, Riddhima had to go ahead and spoil it. Her impulsiveness was going to cost her big time he grimaced. He had already dismissed Anjali much against her will .Talk about sisterly resemblance .Stubborn and defiant traits so blatant Armaan though quickening his pace. He was going to take her home straightaway now.

 

 

Riddhima froze seeing Armaan pace like a charged warrior in the lobby. She had expected him to come down heavily on her later but so soon. She smiled. She still had trouble believing that he had actually fallen for her.

 

The footsteps stopped and he paused in the middle of the lobby gazing at her.

 

His strikingly handsome face was grimly set a cold grey gaze projecting hostile scorn at her. His mouth curled mockingly as he saw Riddhima starring at him still clutching her gun case tightly.

 

For a moment he stared back and she felt herself beginning to burn, heat surging into her cheeks. He nodded, as though she'd given him the reaction he wanted, and then turned away. He marched forward and grabbed her by her elbow.

 

 

"Armaan." She sputtered bewildered.

 

 

"You better keep quite if you know what's good for you." He hissed as he marched her out and opened the car door of his sedan parked just outside.

 

 

The hold wasn't tight, just a gentle tug and yet Riddhima could feel his emotions raging.

 

 

"Where's Anjali?" she whispered as he settled down beside her.

 

 

 

"I sent your partner in crime away. Sisters…" he muttered starting the engine.

 

 

As he drove on to the main street Riddhima shifted her weight nervously. He was mad at her, royally annoyed.

 

 

"I just……just I mean I wanted to…" Riddhima muttered looking down. Armaan stole a glance at her and the rear view mirror.

 

"Save your explanations for later….for right now we have company, we are being followed."

 

 

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Anjali parked the car in the basement and got out. Why did all the male specimens in the world behave as though they were the kings and the only ones capable enough of doing something??? She shook her head giving an exasperated sigh and kicked the door closing it. Armaan was a perfect example. The way he had nearly come upon her for merely taking Riddhima out??? Absolutely disgusting!! True he was concerned about his love but heck was Riddhima a 5 year old child?? Or was she herself a baby??? He had come over her, fired her for being irresponsible and careless, warned her to stay in her limits with Riddhima and then stormed in muttering he would take Riddhima home. What had been her fault???

 

 

She had merely tried setting back Riddhima's life back on track. While  Riddhima had been recruited for many reasons, one being keeping a close eye, she had been treated as a responsible officer. There hadn't been any concessions towards Riddhima. If they would have made concessions people would notice. Riddhima herself would feel something wrong. Hence even if the case were difficult she was assigned. And she was good. Anjali couldn't help being proud of her new found sister…she smiled thinking so as she walked towards the elevator.

 

 

 

"Created problems for Armaan? You never improve do you?" she stopped. Turning around she saw Atul leaning against the pillar, his hands tightly clasped in the side pockets of his jeans.

 

 

"What exactly do you mean?" Anjali smiled sardonically taking a step towards him.

 

 

 

"You very know, what I mean." Atul shrugged.

 

 

 

"Well you are forgetting. You gave me the permission honey."

 

 

 

"Yes I did, but little did I know you were taking her to our club. I thought you were just taking her out for a drive." Atul shrugged narrowing his eyes.

 

 

"Well so what?? I took where she belongs. She needed a break. She needed this to realize where and what her life is Atul." Anjali sighed turning around and started walking towards the elevator.

 

 

"Well all she needs to realize now is that her life is in danger and we need to make sure nothing happens to her. Once we get those papers, take her wherever you wont, I won't care." Atul muttered from behind falling in step with her.

 

 

"Typical you Atul, all that you care is this mission, this assignment, this case….tell me have you ever given a thought to anything more??" Anjali glanced at him sideways.

 

 

"No, this is my life, obviously it matters the most to me and I hate anybody breaking the rules and meddling with it." Came a sharp retort.

 

 

"Right, so expected of you Atul honey. The poor girl was dying sick in that house arrest you and that your boss put her in, how could you guys do that to her? You gave her this life, made her feel a part of this world and now you expect her to sit like a kitten in the house?" Anjali stopped walking and turned to face him.

 

 

 

"Whatever Anjali, the fact is right now it's the best for her, these are the orders and we are supposed to follow them and…."

 

 

"I know I know…" Anjali sighed raising her hands dramatically in the air.

 

 

"You and your job and your rules, well why am I even arguing with you, so much for a husband who tried governing his marriage with rules set by him and his job. Forget it Atul." Saying so she started walking again only to be pulled aside again, gently though.

 

 

"Look Anjali" she glanced at his fingers pressing into her shoulders. And looked up at him. he immediately dropped his hand and looked away. Putting on his sunglasses he turned to look at her again.

 

 

"Atul I don't want to create a scene here, come up if you want to talk or say something more."

 

 

"I don't want to come up Anjali, I just wanted to say…" he took a step forward and pointed a finger at her.

 

 

"Stay away from Riddhima, we are handling her. The last thing we need is you meddling. You have caused Armaan enough trouble already. Do you even know you were being followed?? No, you want to be mart, break rules, show off…..look Anjali stay away from this case….or.."

 

 

"We were being followed???" Anjali gave a small gasp. Looking triumph ad smug Atul nodded.

 

 

"So couldn't you call me and inform?" Anjali glared at him.

 

 

"Well.."

 

 

"No Atul, you called Armaan, I agree the need to inform was there but heck I was driving, you should have notified me…or perhaps you didn't even consider me responsible enough….." Anjali paused looking at him. This was the man she had opened her heart to. And what had he done?  Trampled it with his feet.

 

 

"You weren't on this case, nor do you belong to the force. To us you are a normal citizen. There was no need to inform you and warn off the attackers, its against the rules…"

 

 

"Rules??? Atul not again…anything could have happened…. you should have informed me first……"

 

 

"Yes, rules…..not that they matter to you sweetheart. And talking about Riddhima, you should have given it a thought before acting super smart…..I have just come to wan you off…"

 

 

"You know what Atul…..cut it, you just reinforced my belief that smart as I might be, I still committed one big error in my life….and that was you." Saying so she briskly walked away.

 

 

The elevator door closed and Atul could hear the buzz of it going up. Yet he felt still inside, all around him an unnerving empty stillness.

 

 

"Perhaps it was a mistake Anjali…."he sighed looking up.

 

 

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Riddhima glanced up in the rear view mirror and saw the blue civic following them closely. She almost turned back to crane her neck and see behind when Armaan laid a hand on her thigh.

 

"Stop, don't look behind. I don't want them to know that we know we are being followed Riddhima, sit straight and don't look behind." He spoke without taking his eyes off the road.

 

 

Riddhima sighed sitting straight and fiddled with her seat belt. Clearly things were looking bleak now. She had expected him to be annoyed with her, shout at her….but well with a car on their trail, she knew Armaan would might as well kill her. Suddenly her bold, brazen act and all hopes of telling him that she would join him seemed to be squashing and crumbling.

 

 

"What are we going to do now Armaan?" she asked him cautiously.

 

 

"Nothing….wait and watch. Let them make their first move." He muttered glancing in the mirror.

 

 

"But we cant just sit here Armaan, what if they…..they shoot or….

 

"You should have thought of this madam before going off without my permission, anyways I'll handle you later. For now shutup." His voice was dangerously low and chilly. Riddhima could almost see his knuckles turn white with tension gripping him as he gripped the steering wheel tighter.

 

 

Riddhima felt her pocket for her silencer and slightly patted. She then removed it and placing it on her lap.

 

 

"Don't even think about it. You are going sit here and behave Riddhima, I had enough." Armaan rasped.

 

 

"But Armaan……OUCHHHHHH!!!!!" Riddhima felt the car shudder as something big and fast moving rammed into them from the side, pushing them into oncoming traffic on the busy street. Armaan's car skidded, but he easily kept control. Even as he steered back into the correct lane and avoided an accident, he scanned for the attacker while pulling his gun out of its holster.

 

 

 

"Armaan……we need to action." Riddhima almost yelled jumping in her seat and freed herself from the seat belt.

 

 

"Riddhima keep quite." Armaan muttered looking at her stonily and glanced up in the rear view mirror again. He had never felt so unnerved before. It was that he was dealing with a situation like this for the first time. But this time….Armaan felt a pit of tension curling in his stomach. It was Riddhima besides him, if anything happened to her…..

 

 

He saw it again. The blue civic, it headed for them again, closing on them again. The sun worked against him, keeping him from seeing the driver.

 

 

He had already called up his backup. They were trailing them….he just needed a diversion…..the blue civic shot past them suddenly from Riddhima side. Riddhima saw it blur past and instinctively reached for her gun. She couldn't just sit here watching. She had created the mess and she wouldn't let Armaan handle it alone. She pressed down the button on her arm rest to let the window glass down to open the window and take an aim.

 

 

"Riddhima no…" Armaan yelled looking at her distractingly.

 

 

"Armaan…" but she couldn't complete her sentence as Armaan had accelerated and they were almost in par with the civic.

 

 

"Shot them now Armaan…."

 

 

"If we shoot them, they will surely panic, run away. We might never get hold of them….I am trying to push them aside, leave them no space and force him into a mild crash or collision………"Armaan gritted.

 

"But Armaan….fine I don't care…." Riddhima shifted her weight and prepared to take an aim.

 

 

"CRASH!!!!!!!!"

 

 

It had just been a mere second. Riddhima felt her head dizzy with the loud crash, the following vibrations and then realized she had squeezed her eye tight.

 

Opening them she noticed. They were still. Armaan was unfastening his belt. She glanced ahead to see the blue civic crashed into the light pole.

 

 

Armaan was already out and heading towards the wreck. He hurried over to the wrecked car and was soon joined by other officers from the force. The driver in question was pulled out and held captive. After a few rapid fire questions it appeared that the guy knew nothing at all. Barely out of college he was a drug addict who had been asked to follow Riddhima's car and try to crash into her or if possible hoot her.

 

 

"He might be lying." Armaan muttered and turned around to face the other officers.

 

 

"Take him away and hold him till tomorrow morning. I'll get back to him tomorrow."

 

He strode towards his car and opened his door sliding in. the paramedics had arrived as well and one was busy questioning Riddhima for any after shocks or injuries.

 

After a routine check-up run on himself Armaan started the engine and looked at Riddhima looking white and pale.

 

 

"Time to go home." He muttered grimly.

 

 

 

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Riddhima shivered as she stepped into her apartment with Armaan following her closely behind. She was surely dead meat now. She turned to face him as he closed and locked the door behind them.

 

 

"Armaan…" she whispered not sure……she folded her arms tightly around her trying to build some support. Armaan strode forward and pulled her close holding her by her shoulders.

 

 

"Armaan I am sorry……I…" Riddhima lowered her eyes only to feel his finger on her lips.

 

 

"Shh." He traced her lip and gazed into her eyes.

 

 

For now his total focus was Riddhima. Dear God, if anything had happened to her... He closed his eyes against such an anguished visage.
It helped to put his hands on her. The instinctive reassurance of touch……he lowered his head to hers and pressed a gentle kiss on her temple.

 

She didn't respond outwardly but he could feel the heat building up…..he lowered his mouth against and touched her lips with his…….

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Well well......i had promised myself no updating till 31st....two more papers left but i had to!! For all you guys!! Who have given me so much love and support and such beautiful wishes....i am just completely baffled and supremely overwhelmed!! Guys i wont say thanks....as i have been reprimended seriously for over dosage of sorries and thanks

but well I'll just "I love you guys...you are my family...for now and forever!! Well always be here for you guys!!"

Coming to the part...its pretty long...a thankyou token from my side!! To ll you wunnerful folks out there!!! Pls do leave your views as seriously i need a boosterand most of all i need to know whether my little token was even worth...love u all!!

Lastly IMP NOTE: I will be replying to all ur pms...wishes ...and ff updates...just give me a little time...two more papers to go, so just give me some time i'll be getting back to each of u!!! MUah and thanku for ur patience, support and immense love which really had me in tears!!