Chapter 20

"I just can't do this.. " Shilpa mumbled as tears formed in her eyes. She tried to cool down her mind in the shower. But it was no use. All she could think of was about him. What he have become now..

"Oh Armaan why cant you just come back to me.. " She sniffed as she wrapped herself in the towel and stared at herself in reflection. Her state was no surprise to her. She looked paler and weak. But atleast she didn't look dirty anymore. Shilpa acknowledged grimly.

After getting out of the shower she dressed herself while keeping an eye on Sleeping Arav. Tenderness filled in her eyes seeing how innocent he looked while sleeping. "My darling." She drawled with a smile. She turned back to the mirror and studied herself. The sweater and jeans made her look casual on her. She ran her hands down on her hips distractedly when..

"Done checking out yourself.. ? " Came a husky voice just behind her..

Shilpa turned out.. Way too fast. It made her wince as pain shot through her wound.. "Ouch.."

"Damn women.. " Steve muttered as he came and stood in front of her.. "How many times I have to tell you to be careful."

Her eyes fluttered open as she stared at him mesmerized. Today he looked quite different. Dressed in a designer black shirt and black trousers he looked eye catching. The rugged look was still there which made him drop dead gorgeous. Her eyes ran on his every feature. Studying them. Seeing if there was any similarity. He was still the same Armaan. But the rugged sexy look made him look utterly dangerous which made her heart flip.

Steve gritted his teeth as he tried to fight back with the desire building inside him. Why the hell was this woman staring at him like that? She looked so mesmerized and stunned. He felt more intrigued as she stared back at her equally taken back. What was this chemistry between them? For god sake he only had met her yesterday. He acknowledged grimly. Was there really something between them? Did they really have a past... "NO WAY! " His heart denied at once. "She is not even my type! " And then a soft sound came deep from his heart.. "You cant deny she is utterly gorgeous. Inside and outside."

Shilpa came out of her trance when suddenly he took a step towards her. Now they stood close as their bodies brushed together. His nose brushed down on hers as he slowly leaned down to her. Shilpa gasped as she stared up at his dark eyes. She licked her dry lips unintentionally, but noticed the way his eyes followed the action. She tried to take a step back when he snaked his hand on her neck and rubbed her skin sensuously.. Shilpa let out a soft moan and closed her eyes enjoying the sensation. When she opened her eyes he was staring down at her with such a passion which took her breath away.

And then the moment broke. He took a ragged breath and stepped back from her..

Shilpa felt her cheeks go red as she looked away. What was she hoping? He would take her in his arms and love her like before. "Stop thinking this is Armaan infront of you.. This is Steve.." She reminded to herself.

Steve clenched his jaw and narrowed his eyes as he stared down at her neck.. "Your bandage is wet.."

"Ohh.." Shilpa ran her hand on the bandage and realized she hadn't been much careful as she took the bath. "My mistake. I wasn't much careful in shower.. " She mumbled shyly..

His eyes flashed as he tried not to let his imagination wander.. "Why cant you just be careful when you do something " He muttered harshly.. "Silly women. Now I have to change it again.."

"I am not even asking you to change.. " She retorted back.. "I can do myself."

"Like hell you can do.. " He growled. And instantly regretted as he heard the cry from the corner of the room..

"Now look what you have done.. " Shilpa scolded.. "Arav.. " She ran to her baby who was now crying his lungs out.. "Don't worry mommy is here.. "

Steve stared at her fascinated as she soothed the baby in one minute.. "I will get the bandage.. We have to leave soon.." He muttered as he strode out of the room..

"But.. " Shilpa tried to protest but he had left before she could say a word.. Shilpa grew tensed as she recalled his words.. Leaving where ? Where was he taking her.. ? What if he was going to get rid of her and Arav.. A sudden chill ran down her body as she realized the possibility of it.. Oh god what if..

He walked back to the room with the first aid kit. He grew still as he noticed her clutching the baby to her chest and glaring at him..

"For godsake women !What did I do now.. " He asked frustratedly..

"I wont let you do it.. " Shilpa muttered through her tears..

"What.. " Steve asked taken back..

"I wont let you hurt us. Not my Baby at all.." She mumbled through her tears..

"Why don't you just stop crying.. " He spoke impatiently.. "And tell me what I said to offend you.."

"I know what you are trying to do.. " She spoke bitterly.. "You are going to get rid of us aren't you.. "

"WHAT !! "

"Get rid of your own child.. ? " Shilpa spoke disgusted..

"Shut up ! Just shut up.. " Steve paled as he spoke.. "Firstly I have no intention of doing ANYTHING to you or your Baby. Secondly stop referring him as my kid.. "

"But he is .. " She protested..

"ENOUGH !" He growled angrily which made her go silent at once..

Shilpa cleared her tears and stared down at Arav who was silently staring at Armaan. She could clearly see the curiousness in his eyes.

"Just leave us Alone.. " Shilpa stated as she place Arav done on the cot.

Steve felt his anger drain as the minutes passed. With a grim look he came towards her as she took a step back.. He gritted his teeth in frustration.

"Lets do it this way. " He muttered dangerously.. "You Quietly listen to what I am saying , and do as I say. I will make sure you stay safe.. "

"Yea right.. " Shilpa muttered sarcastically..

He ignored her tone and leaned down touching her neck.. She flinched but stood quiet..

"You're a little stubborn thing aren't you.. " He asked amused as he cleaned her wound..

Shilpa kept staring at him but didn't bother replying..

"And so much temper." He shook his head.. "You aren't going to talk right.. "

Shilpa looked away as he started to stare down at her..

As he finished putting on the bandage he took a step back and spoke.. "Now I want you to listen to me carefully.. Pack whatever things you have and get ready. We are leaving.. "

"I am not going anywhere.. " Shilpa protested softly..

"So you got back your tongue.. " He smirked..

"Get lost. " Shilpa spoke frustrated..

"No ! " He spoke firmly.. "Be ready in an hour."

"And what if I don't " Shilpa called back as he started to leave..

Steve reached to the door and glanced back at her blankly.. "Then I may have to hand you back to Robin.. " He gave a smile… "Regretfully."

Several hours later :

CRUISE! This was a Bloody Cruise! Shilpa acknowledged grimly as she took a seat in her bed. She stared around the cabin dispassionately. It was so small. Had little furniture, a small bathroom and a double bed. They had put her in a servants cabin. She had realized the moment she walked inside. Shilpa glanced down at Arav who was now sleeping peacefully. He had been cranky whole day. As he had been new to the sea experience. Since there was no cot Shilpa knew she had to make him sleep beside her. Which made her feel good. Infact she was grateful she had a separate cabin. Which made her feel safe away from all those gangsters.

She slowly lay down on the bed staring up at the ceiling.. Armaan.. No Steve.. Had completely ignored her through out the day. He hadn't once glanced at her as they made their way to Cruise. Instead he kept his attention focused on the women who was accompanying them in the trip. What was her name.. ? Was he involved with her ? Her heart hurt as she started to have the thoughts.. Forcefully she blocked away the thoughts and closed her eyes in hope for a better tomorrow..

"Steve " Steve stiffened as he heard the sultry voice which came from behind in the hallway. Irritated he turned around to see Lisa brown who came to him with a seductive smile. A smile which did nothing to him..

"What do you want Lisa.. " Steve asked trying to keep his patience..

"What Steve.. Cant you be nice to me at all.. " She faked a innocent look.. "You spent all the day with me. Why not the night too.. " She asked with flattering lashes..

Steve clenched his jaw as he recalled the day dispassionately.. Its true he had spent the day in her company. Rather it was forcefully. He knew he couldn't afford being close to Ms.Shilpa. Not after the way he had seen his body react to her. So he had make sure he kept himself busy in the company of Lisa brown. But it had been useless. He couldn't even hold a slight interest on her. No matter how hard he had tried to ignore Ms.Shilpa he kept sparing glances at her as she set quiet in the corner holding her baby. Something twitched in his heart whenever he saw them alone. Still he stopped himself from reacting. This was not Steve. Steve was never sensitive. Never.

"Lisa.. " He spoke patiently. "I am hell tired. So why don't you go back to David. " He gave a smile.. "The one who had brought you on this trip.."

"No way " She pouted... And then suddenly she came closer and snaked her hands around his neck. "Its you I want no one else.. "

Steve stiffened and tried to push her away when they heard a sound across the hallway.

"I am sorry. " Shilpa mumbled softly and took the book she had dropped down.. She dragged her eyes away from the scene which she had witnessed unfortunately. Her heart breaking into pieces.

"Get away women.. "Lisa retorted "Cant you see we are busy.. "

Shilpa took a step back and left to the other side of the hallway... She had to get away. Get away soon before she would break completely..

Steve shook his head and instantly pushed her away from him.. "Go away Lisa ! " He growled angrily..

"But Steve ! "

"GO ! " He ordered.. "And stay away from me.. " He spoke angrily as he stormed to the way Shilpa had left..

"I shouldn't have bothered coming.. " Shilpa mumbled as she cried softly.. "He has no memory of me. "

Maybe she had done wrong by coming here.. Maybe she should have stayed home and accepted the fate.

But what about Arav.. ? She acknowledged sadly.. Arav needs his father. And most importantly she knew she needed him. She had no one beside him. Without him she would just die..

"I love you so much it hurts.. " She mumbled as she brushed away her tears angrily..

"What are you doing here.. ? " Came a soft voice behind her..

Shilpa stiffened as she hurriedly cleared her tears and looked back at him.. Steve stood at the end of hallway staring at her grimly..

Shilpa gripped the railing and stared at the dark sea.. "I couldn't sleep.. "

"Me too.. " He spoke joining her..

Shilpa moved away a little from him and stayed quiet..

"What you saw back there.. " he spoke hesitantly.. "It wasn't like that.. "

"Why are you telling me.. " Shilpa asked looking at him..

"Why ? "Armaan frowned wondering himself.. "So that you don't make any assumptions.. " He lied quickly..

"What assumption would I make.. " She asked frowning..

"Yea right.. I wasn't imagining the devastated look on your face back there.. " He spoke sarcastically..

"Ofcourse I felt bad.. My baby's father with a another women.. " She replied back in same tone..

"How many times… " He muttered and stopped.. "I have nothing to do with her.. "

"Ya right.. " Shilpa shot back to him.. "So what were you doing whole day in her company.."

"This is just absurd.." He shook his head disbelievingly.. "I was just trying to ignore.. " He stopped instantly..

Her eyes shadowed "You were ignoring me.. I already know that. "

"I wasn't.. " He protested lamely..

"Don't bother lying.. We both know the truth.. " She replied with a sudden sad look.. "I guess I should go now.. "

Shilpa tried to leave when suddenly he pulled her back.. She gasped as she crashed to his chest. He held her tight and stared down at her angrily..

"Who the hell are you ?? " Steve asked dangerously..

Shilpa stared at him with a bitter smile and whispered.. "I am the person you chose to forget so easily.."

He loosened his grip and stared down at her frustrated.. She shook her head.. "All this time I was waiting for you like a mad.. And you just forgot me so easily.. "

"Listen here.. " He tried to interrupt..

"I will leave now.. " She spoke firmly and ran back inside.. He ran a hand through his hair and stared into the dark sky.. Her words haunting him throughout..

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