Chandni Bar - Updated 23rd Nov - Page 19

Chapter Fourteen

"All right, you have two minutes. Explain yourself."

Rathod couldn't even look at Noor. The sight of her made him want to drive his fist into a wall or swear profusely or... or simply shake the woman by her shoulders and demand to know why he had to fall for her.

She glared at him and her anger only served to spark his.

"Well?! Don't just stand there! Tell me why you did it!"

"What the hell are you talking about, old man?"

"I'm talking about you," he jabbed an accusatory finger at her chest, "throwing Roshni off a high-rise building and thinking you can get away with it."

Her face, which had previously been flushed from anger, began to lose its colour. When she spoke, her voice was cold and, from his point of view, controlled. "I don't know what the hell you're talking about."

"Oh, really? How many more lies are you going to tell, Noor? Do you really think batting those pretty eyes and flirting with me is going to blindfold me from your crimes?"

"Oh, please. If I flirt with you, it's because I'm doing my job. So kindly bring yourself back to earth, Rat-wh**e."

"I believe that's your title," he replied calmly. "Not mine."

"Meow! A kitty with claws. Well, aren't you a chhupa rustam?" She offered him a malicious and calculated grin.

Rathod pinched the bridge of his nose. He had never before referred to a woman in the way he had done just now. But one look at her unrepentant face forced him to hide his guilt.

"It'll be easier for you if you accept what you did."

All traces of her smile disappeared as her eyes implored his. She spoke in a soft, sincere voice.

"I didn't do it, ACP."

He gulped and ran a hand through his hair in frustration.

She seemed to detect his hesitation, for the hardness in her voice did not return. "Bring me proof that I did it. Bring me proof and I will happily go away with you."

Her eyes were almost sympathetic as she walked away.

His shoulders slumped and he fingered the diamond in his pocket.

He couldn't find the heart to tell her that the evidence was already here. And the fact that his instincts were driving him away from his responsibility disappointed him more than she ever could.