Chapter 2
Harman had been awoken by the rustling of leaves in the distance. He had impeccable hearing and the perks of being a vigilante were that he had developed an acute awareness of his surroundings. He had inched his head to watch the lone police officer joined by his mate in keeping watch over the warehouse. Harman could see the eastern sky diffuse to a violet hue. Time to get up he had rued, casting a vagrant look on the slim form beside him, breathing softly. At some point during her sleep Soumya's head had come to rest on his shoulder, he resisted the urge to brush her locks away and gingerly woke her up. "Utho, subeh honey waali hai. Yahan sey nikalna pareyga iss sey pehley key baaqi key baarati bhi aa jayein." He had whispered to a semi-conscious Soumya. She had straightened herself and had done as directed, following him in the heart of the adjoining forest. Harman had thought it best to take cover in the thick foliage making their way to the bridge that would lead them to her home.
Soumya plundered behind him, the darkness obstructing her vision. Once or twice she had slammed in Harman's broad back as he navigated the premise cautiously. Harman had reached for her hand intertwining their fingers he had helped her grip him further more as her hand had involuntarily closed on his arm. "Hum kahan jaa rahe hain?" Soumya had asked fearfully, she had no clue of her whereabouts and the dark expanse frightened her immensely. "Terey ghar jaa rahe hain aur kahaan" Harman had replied irritably, his usually sharp brain was addled by Soumya's gentle touch, a touch he had never quite known prior to this. It wasn't that Harman lacked charm or that women weren't willing to fling themselves at him at a mere bat of an eyelid. It was just that Harman had never really considered anyone worth the time or effort. To him women were a unique species. He had been taught by his mother to respect women and to not play with anyone's emotions, a notion he followed strictly and did not plan on abandoning those teachings now.
They had made it to Soumya's village in record time and Harman had been pleased with his efforts on escorting her home safe and sound. He had left her at the chowk hoping to return to his own house for a change of clothes and a much needed shave but apparently God had planned differently. Morning light had lit the world up making it hard for Soumya to remain unnoticed; the few villagers who were early risers had spotted her and were now encroaching her with a sense of urgency. A hue and cry had caused Surbhi to investigate the matter only to find her sister being tortured by the villagers slandering her. Surbhi had been quick to alert her family who had followed; Nimmi had run forward to grasp her beloved daughter only to be held back by wresting arms and wagging tongues accusing Soumya of having indulged in dishonoring behavior. Soumya was shocked never had she anticipated her unwilling departure to yield such horrific results. She stood rooted to the spot her ears drumming with the incoherent allegations, reality only resumed when she felt the first stone hit her. She flailed helplessly trying to protect herself from the volley of stones being pelted on her, sobbing at her wounds.
Harman who had been ready to put the event behind him was stunned to see what unfolded before his eyes; his Gulabo being manhandled. All he saw was red and before a chivalrous villager could lay his dirty hands on her Harman had wrenched his hand away in disgust. "Buhut ho gaya" he had bellowed throwing the villager away he had helped a skeptical Soumya to her feet. "Koi meley kii dukaan hai jahaan pathhar phenkne sey prize mil jayega" he had growled his anger boiling beneath his carefree aura. How dare they touch Gulabo, he noticed she was bleeding from a gash on her forehead. He felt deeply disturbed and had pushed her behind his back shielding her, he could feel her tremble and his rage had deepened. If it had come to him against the world for her, so be it. He couldn't, he wouldn't let anyone hurt her.
CID
Bade Achche Lagte Hain Naya Season
