NEW ASHLOK FICTION : GUILTY Chapter 29page 140 - Page 41

"No, thank you I'll take a cab. Thank you for your help" she said.

"In case you didn't know, all taxis in Mumbai are on a 24 hour strike. If you plan on spending the night here then by all means" he said getting irritated with her attitude.

"You don't have to worry about me, by the way does your poor unsuspecting wife know that your offering lifts to random women in the night" she said with disgust.

"Who told you that I'm married. Did you get me married off to some random girl that I don't know of. This is the second time. How come you know more about me than my own self. Tell me is she pretty, no hot and sexy?" He asked in a sarcastically.

Joke all you want. But I know what I saw. You can't fool me" she said confidently.

He burst out laughing. "You've got it so wrong. She does call me Papa. But im not her biological father. And she's not my wife for your information. Not that I owe you any explanation. What I do with my life is none of your damn business."

"It becomes my business when you try to come close to me by force and when you offer me a ride"

"That's it. I'm just offering you a ride back home. Not asking come home to warm my bed." Although that does sound very inviting. Cow girl Finlay getting her moo. Or rather me getting my moo on. "Forgive me for trying be civil and do the right thing. Unless you have any other means of getting home I suggest you get in the car"

She felt bad. But he could very well be lying through his teeth. Without any shame or any hesitation. They are thought to lie during training.

"It may be nothing to you but I have something call ethics. And I live by them. What is with you and my wife. Do you hate me so much that you want to see me married and miserable. She was my partners wife, he was killed on 26/11. he was called in when I didn't answer my phone. So there you go, he got killed because me. Mumtaz was 8 moths pregnant with Sandhya. I'm the closest they have to family. And that little girl is the only real thing in my life. He that truthful enough for you?" He asked glaring at her.

Then she realised she has been just like everyone else has been towards her, exactly the kind she hates and despised. He's not what he presents himself to be. It's just a persona, like a protective shield he's built he's built around himself. Just like her. She wanted to apologise to him, but she was afraid. She quietly got in his car. It had been a extremely warm day. And even being sun settled for the day didn't seem to make a differnce. And trying to start the char and standing out in this humidity filled air didn't help either nor the argument.

Both we're perspiring. Once inside the car she removed the top button and was wiping the sweat off her neck. The AC was on full blast. But nothing seemed to be helping them. Both were sweating like pigs. She was fanning herself with a sheet of paper that she took out from her bag.

Shlok was sitting and was looking at him self from the rear view mirror. She saw it and he saw her. She too held her gaze. Didn't back down. He liked this new her. He started the car and she looked outside the window. She wasn't sure what to make out of this unusual man. Who can't get enough of looking at himself, and on the other hand being father to a child whom otherwise wouldn never have known the meaning of fathers love.

He was unusually happy. He couldn't wipe off the smug grin. What was the reason? Was it her. It's not the first time he's given a lift to a beautiful girl. No. But now ko don't think I'd ever want to see anybody else take this place. Nobody can come close to! Come close to what Romeo? I don't know. Just let me cherish this moment. My boy you're a gone case. She's got you hook, line and sinker.

She kept looking outside. But he couldn't get away from his gazes. She could see him trowing glances at her in from his reflection on the glass. She thought he looked extremely handsome and studied the contours of his face, his eyes, deep, dark, sharp and mysterious. His perfectly formed nose, clean well groomed stubble and those lips.. He licked his lips an ... She could feel her body heat rising up again. Is it the really that warm or is it just her, is she coming down with fever or soemthing. She even put her hand to her forehead and no! It was cold as a icicle. He did notice all this. And his heart was doing somersaults and doing singing the happy song. She's affected by me, by my presence. So it's not one way traffic.

She could feel the blood pumping to her cheeks, one could've been able to count her pulse rate without even touching her, they could've just done it listening. She though even he can hear her heartbeat. But the next moment she felt ashamed of her self. You're worst than a s**t... Don't you have no shame? You've just buried your dead husband and you're fantasising about another. What is wrong with you?

The silence was adding to the tension inside the car. He switched on the stereo. She looked at him. She asked him "ain't you gonna be in trouble for discussing the case with the primary suspect?"

"I will be. But whose gonna tell?" He said looking at her.

"Why do you want to put your reputation and your job on the line for a cold blooded murderer like me?"

"I never said that. But If the hat fits you then wear it by all means" he shot back at her.

"Well you sure have a very strange way of not saying it. From the first moment you looked at me not just you it's every single person that thinks I killed him or got him killed. Can you honestly say that you never thought of me to be a gold digger" she asked looking at him.

"Can you blame one for thinking like that. You're a beautiful intelligent young girl. Why would you want to marry a man that's old enough to be your father" he said.

You accuse me of jumping to conclusions and here you too are doing the same thing. You're nothing but a hypocrite. Just like all the rest. Just stop the car. I can't stand you! Just stop the car or I'll jump" she threatened pulling the the door Handle.

"Have you totally lost it. If you wish to join you're dead husband so soon then by all means please do. but don't do it on my watch. I have enough shit to deal with already" he said stopping the car.

"Just go to hell!" She said with disgust and opened the door.

"I'm already there" he said nonchalantly

Nickelback was playing In the stereo ...

My best friend gave me the best advice

He said each day's a gift and not a given right

Leave no stone unturned, leave your fears behind

And try to take the path less traveled by

That first step you take is the longest stride

If today was your last day

And tomorrow was too late

Could you say goodbye to yesterday?

Would you live each moment like your last?

She froze for a moment, then turned towards him.

He kept looking at her..

"I thought I was the only one minus all the devils. Where have you been? I haven't seen you there. I've been lost" she said

Leave old pictures in the past

Donate every dime you have?

If today was your last day

Against the grain should be a way of life

What's worth the prize is always worth the fight

"Well now you found me" he said

Every second counts 'cause there's no second try

So live like you'll never live it twice

Don't take the free ride in your own life

"Do you want to go back?" She asked

If today was your last day

And tomorrow was too late

Could you say goodbye to yesterday?

Would you live each moment like your last?

Leave old pictures in the past

Donate every dime you have?

Would you call old friends you never see?

Reminisce old memories

Would you forgive your enemies?

Would you find that one you're dreamin' of?

Swear up and down to God above

That you finally fall in love

If today was your last day

"I don't care, now that. I've found you!" he said

If today was your last day

Would you make your mark by mending a broken heart?

You know it's never too late to shoot for the stars

Regardless of who you are

So do whatever it takes

'Cause you can't rewind a moment in this life

Let nothin' stand in your way

Cause the hands of time are never on your side

The words of the song meant so much more at that moment. They seemed to feel and understand what the song was saying. He kept looking at her with intent, as if he wanted her to take away all the pain that he's been drowning. All that mattered to her in that moment was he wanted her and she wanted him. Not think of the past or the future but just that moment. Once passed you can't relive that moment ever again. She didn't want to pass this moment in her life.

If today was your last day

Would you make your mark by mending a broken heart?

You know it's never too late to shoot for the stars

Regardless of who you are

So do whatever it takes

'Cause you can't rewind a moment in this life

Let nothin' stand in your way

Cause the hands of time are never on your side

She reached upto him and kissed him on his lips. That was the sign he was waiting for, she couldn't have been more clearer than that. He was onto her like a fire on gasoline. His desires exploded. He was not gentle, they kissed as of they have never been kissed and this is their last chance. It's now or never. She grabbed onto his collar and he cupped her face with his hands and pulled her closer to him still. "I want you...now..." he was whispering in her mouth. She kissed him with equal passion. They say Passion can only follow desire. Therefore passion absolutely must be a result of desire! Yet desire leading to passion is very special. Passion is not shared between strangers! Then are they friends? lovers? What? Did they desire each other?

She felt like the Barron earth that was getting flooded after a long and harsh draught. Everything coming alive. All the cracks seemed to disappear, new life seemed pop up in an instant. Colours changed. The smell of death seemed to be getting washed away with the heavy Down pour.

If today was your last day

And tomorrow was too late

Could you say goodbye to yesterday?

Would you live each moment like your last?

Leave old pictures in the past

Donate every dime you have?

Would you call old friends you never see?

Reminisce old memories

Would you forgive your enemies?

Would you find that one you're dreamin' of?

Swear up and down to God above

That you finally fall in love

If today was your last day

Both were lost in the intensity of the moment. Kissing is like drinking salted water, you drink and your thirst increases. He nor she wanted to stop what they were doing. Both felt if they stop they may never get a second chance. Their existence and sanity depended on that kiss. As if the kiss proved they're still amongst the living and they'r capable of feelings. Capable and worthy of being wanted and loved. He wanted to feel her in that moment. "Tell me you want me too" he said in his deep dazed voice. She looked at him as if to say yes. And crushed his lips on hers with even more vehemence. Both were lost in their carnal passion.

His hands started to explore her when he tried to reach under her blouse she pulled away from him as if she was struck by a taser stun gun. She quickly got out the car. And started walking down the road. He was out and after her the next minute. He grabbed her hand from behind and she screamed at him "don't touch me. Don't touch me" but he didn't let go of her. He grabbed her with both hands and pulled her to him. She held on to his hands. "What am I doing? I shouldn't have done it...It was wrong. It was so wrong" she said getting hysterical with her crying.

"It's not wrong. It was so right in so many ways. Do you regret it?"

He tried to pacify her.

It should never have happened. I feel ...I feel.. as if I cheated on him" even before she could Finish the line he let go of her.

"Do you still love him. Do you still consider to be married to him" he said with disgust and disbelief.

"Now I feel cheap and disgusted. Just like all the scumbags I arrest. I've never slept with married women. And I'm not about start now. I'll drop you home. I'm sorry I thought you wanted this too. Well I guess I was very wrong. I apologise for my error in judgment and the sexual harressmant. I assure you Mrs. Almeida it will never happen again. Now Just get in the car" he said without even looking at her

She didn't move, just stood there. In the middle of the road. He was about to turn and walk back towards the car when he saw another car coming at them. She was motionless. He grabbed her just in time. "what is wrong with you? Are you deaf and blind as well. Are you trying to get your self killed" he said while pulling her towards the car.

"I don't have guts to do that even, I'm sorry. My father is right, I was a mistake. Giving life to me was a mistake" she said.

He just looked at her. He wanted to hold her and tell her it's not so. It's there loss they never saw her for who she really is. Rare and precious Just like the Red Emerald.

As much as he hated her for the way she made him feel, he didn't want to see her in that broken state. They drove in complete silence. They both understood that silence speaks when words can't.