"Kahin hai khayal, kahin hai raaz, kahin hai kuaan, kahin hai khaie"

~ Author ~

Mumbai, India

Whenever Meher thought she could take a breather, the masked guy would come back again to fuck with her head. She covered her face with her palms, wanting to scream her frustration but was reminded that Kabir was sitting beside her, patting her back, comforting her.

Without giving it much of a thought, she sank into his arms, taking solace in the comfort he gave her.

"Seriously Meher," Kabir's chest vibrated as he started speaking, "did you ever make an enemy? A common enemy? Someone you might have had a tiff with?"

Meher turned her head up to look at him. "What do you mean?"

"You know what I mean is, there must be someone who has a purpose of coming after you all. You might want to find that person and probably jog through your memories."

She shook my head, thinking over that possibility. "If you did not know, Kabir, I was quite of a wallflower in the college, a loner," the warmth of his arms was now replaced with that of the cold air as he left. She straightened myself and looked at him only to see him looking at her in shock. "Are you trying to say that you were invisible?"

Meher wanted to laugh at his disbelief. Considering Kabir was always the kind who enjoyed attention and was constantly under the public's eye, this kind of reaction was expected from him. "Yes," she answered and his jaw hung in shock. She pushed his jaw up, closing his mouth. "Stop giving me that reaction. I mean being a daughter of a rich man doesn't entitle me to become popular. And anyway, I was thankfully no celebrity back then so it was easy to avoid people's attention. I had a few sets of friends and that was about it."

Honestly? She was pleased to be in that bubble where people didn't treat you differently and that you got to do whatever you wanted to do, which was indeed satisfying. If like Kabir, Meher was recognised everywhere, she would have to go to fancy cafes every day to get her coffee instead of enjoying tea at a tapri.

Her friend circle would have been very different as it would have been something that she couldn't have avoided, like ever.

But Kabir being Kabir did not understand. He kept opening and closing his mouth. "But how did you—"

"Survive?" Meher finished the question for him. He nodded, confirming my words. "Being a wallflower in college doesn't always mean that you are surviving. People kill to be in that position where people don't question their every action. And I had friends, it's just they were not from the same year." she shrugged.

"And that did not bother you?" For Kabir, he had never lived a life away from the limelight and unlike Meher, he was privy to attention— always. It wasn't like he enjoyed it, sometimes he sure did but there were times he would want to spend some time alone but never had that liberty to do so as there were always people around him.

Meher shook her head, a small smile morphing her features. "I always knew I was born to be in this position and that meant being under public scrutiny. So I just used my maximum time to be in the shadows with good company," she gave him an amused smile. "It's important to have friends otherwise it becomes a little tough to survive."

Kabir felt a tug at his heart. To the world, Kabir socialised with everyone, to his employees he was close to a tyrant and coming to his family? He did not know.

"Kabir," Meher called him, his eyes fluttered in her direction. "Hmm?"

"Are we not going to talk about what happened in the cabin?" her voice immediately mellowed, making him smile.

"About the kiss?" he asked, amused by how she turned red.

"Yeah," she composed herself, "that. Kabir, would you shut me up every time like that whenever I would confront you?"

Kabir's eyes narrowed, trying to understand what Meher was getting at. "You mean, will I always shut you up with a kiss whenever you try to confront me?" he asked, his voice low and husky.

Meher's face turned a deeper shade of red, and she looked away, her eyes avoiding his. "Yeah, that's what I mean," she muttered, her voice barely audible.

Kabir's mind raced with thoughts. He hadn't realized his actions had spoken so loudly. He had kissed her to shut her up, to calm her down, to comfort her but also to avoid the conversation. He hadn't thought about how she would perceive it.

"Meher," he called out, his voice soft. "Look at me."

She hesitated for a moment before turning her face back to him. Her eyes searched for him, looking for answers.

"I promise," he started, his voice sincere. "If ever we disagree, I would never resort to that," he said referring to the kiss, "I'll face the conversation, no matter how difficult it gets. What I did was a mix of everything I was feeling in that moment and I know that although you gave into it, you must have wanted to handle things differently. But can I ask you something?"

Meher nodded, her eyes still searching for him.

"Why did you sink into my arms so easily? Why did you let me comfort you?" Kabir's eyes bore into hers, seeking the truth.

Meher's face softened, and she looked away, her voice barely above a whisper. "Because, Kabir, after a long time, I felt like I had someone beside me, as a partner. Someone who wouldn't judge me for who I am."

Kabir's heart skipped a beat. No one had ever said anything like that to him before. No one had ever looked at him like that before. He felt a pang in his chest, a feeling he couldn't quite explain.

"Meher," he called out again, his voice gentle. "Look at me."

She turned back to him, her eyes locking onto his.

"I'm here for you, Meher. I'll face whatever comes our way, together."

Meher's face broke into a small smile, but her eyes still held a hint of uncertainty. "Kabir, I want to trust you, I really do. But it's hard for me to forget what happened in the cabin. You kissed me to avoid talking about Sahil being alive. How can I trust that you'll be honest with me from now on?"

Kabir's face fell, realizing his mistake. "Meher, I— I didn't think. I was trying to protect you, but I understand now that I made a mistake."

Meher's eyes narrowed. "Protect me? Or protect yourself?"

Kabir took a deep breath. "Both, I guess. But that's not an excuse. I promise to be honest with you from now on, no matter how difficult the conversation gets."

Meher's expression softened slightly, but her eyes still held a hint of doubt. "Okay, Kabir. I appreciate that. But where do we go from here? Is this just a contract marriage, or do we want something more?"

Kabir's heart skipped a beat. He hadn't thought about it before, but now that Meher mentioned it, he realised he didn't want just a contract marriage anymore. He wanted something more, something real.

"Meher," he started, his voice sincere. "I want something more. I want us to work on our relationship, to build trust, to be honest with each other. I want us to be partners, not just contract-bound spouses."

Meher's eyes searched for him, looking for the truth. After a moment, she nodded, a small smile on her face. "I want that too, Kabir. Before anything, we need to build trust within each other which starts with you sharing with me, everything," she emphasised.

"You don't regret it, right?" he asked, "The kiss?"

Meher smiled, her palm eventually reaching up to cup his cheek as leaned forward to drop a kiss on the other cheek. "I could never. It was everything I imagined it to be." she dropped her eyes shyly.

Kabir's eyes locked onto hers, his gaze intense. "I'm glad you felt something too," he said, his voice low and husky. "I've been wanting to do that for a long time."

Meher's face flushed, but her eyes never left his. "I've been wanting you to," she admitted, her voice barely above a whisper.

Kabir's face drew closer, his breath mingling with hers. "I want to be honest with you, Meher. I want us to be real. No more games or secrets."

Meher's hand slid from his cheek to his chest, her fingers tracing the contours of his muscles. "I want that too, Kabir. I want us to be raw and honest, to confront our fears and desires together."

Kabir's lips brushed against her ear, sending shivers down her spine. "I want to explore every inch of you, to know every secret and every desire. I want to be the one you turn to when the world gets too much."

Meher's voice was husky, her words laced with longing. "I want that too, Kabir. I want us to be each other's safe haven, our own little world where nothing else matters."

Their lips met in a slow, sensual kiss, their bodies swaying to the rhythm of their own desires. The world around them melted away, leaving only the two of them, lost in the depths of their own passion and intimacy.

After they ran out of their breath, panting, Kabir joined his forehead with Meher's, inhaling her fruity scent. "I will be very straight, Meher," his voice turned solemn, "I want you, physically, emotionally and mentally. But—"

"It is not today," she completed for him. "I know and I want that too. When we do that, I want us to be completely trusting of each other, so that there would never be a situation where one of us is doubting the other."

Kabir smiled and nodded. "Till then," his hands skillfully snaked around her waist, pulling her on his lap, "I will be very satisfied with a kiss."

His mouth captured her lips again and Meher closed her eyes, returning the kiss in equal fervour.

*   *   *

Meher looked at the address given to her by Aashna Mistry.

Sunaina Thapar.

The name did not ring a bell at all.

Meher navigated the winding streets, with Alpha and Beta, her bodyguards trailing closely behind her, her heart was racing with anticipation. Officer Mistry's request had piqued her curiosity. She turned down a narrow alley, the buildings growing older and more weathered. The air thickened with the scent of decay and neglect. Meher quickened her pace, her eyes scanning the surroundings. Finally, she stopped in front of a worn door, adorned with rusty hinges and a small iron knocker shaped like a lion's head.

Meher hesitated, her hand hovering over the doorbell. What would she find inside? Officer Mistry's words echoed in her mind— Sunaina needs your help, Meher. Be careful.

She steeled herself and pressed the doorbell, stepping into the unknown. The door opened and her eyes met a beautiful pair of amber orbs, but not in a good way.

Those eyes which she assumed to be of Sunaina's flashed with anger as she opened the door, her voice firm. "I don't want to talk to the police. Leave me alone."

Meher held up her hands, palms facing Sunaina, to calm her. "I'm not from the police, Sunaina. I'm here to help. Officer Mistry sent me."

Sunaina's scowl deepened, her grip on the door tightening. "I don't want to talk to anyone. Go away."

Meher took a gentle step forward, her voice soft. "Please, Sunaina. I'm here to listen. And I think we have a connection— Do you know Tara Jaiswal? She was my friend."

And all of a sudden her expression changed, a flicker of curiosity appearing. "Tara? You were friends with Tara?"

Meher nodded. "Yes, we were close. Tara's death was not a suicide and I know you know that."

Sunaina's eyes narrowed, her voice cautious. "What do you know about my situation?"

Meher shook her head. "Nothing. Honestly. But I want to help if I can. Please, let me in."

Sunaina's gaze searched Meher's face, then she nodded slightly and stepped aside, allowing Meher to enter. As Meher passed by her, she whispered, "Be quick. I don't have much time." she closed the door, locking it.

As Meher entered the dimly lit room, she saw the fear and paranoia in Sunaina's eyes. The latter gestured her to a chair, and Meher sat down, trying to appear non-threatening.

"Officer Mistry said you wrote a letter saying you're not coming back but you turned up when your intentions were completely the opposite," Meher began gently. "What's going on, Sunaina? You can trust me."

Sunaina's eyes darted around the room as if searching for an escape or a potential threat. "I— I was sold into a brothel," she whispered, her voice trembling. "Tara and her friends rescued me, but there were still two girls trapped from our college, and I was so scared that they would find me."

Her eyes darted around the room, her gaze lingering on the shadows. She spoke in hushed tones, her voice barely audible. "I've been living in fear, Meher. Always looking over my shoulder, waiting for them to find me," Her hands trembled as she poured water into delicate glasses. "I've seen things, unspeakable things. I can't let them catch me again."

Sunaina's voice cracked as she described, her words painting a vivid picture of despair. "Girls as young as twelve, sold into slavery, the sounds of screams and tears still haunt me," Meher's eyes welled up with tears as Sunaina recounted her escape, the bravery and resilience evident in her voice.

Meher's eyes widened as Sunaina revealed Tara and the boys' mission. "They rescued you?" She felt a mix of emotions— shock, admiration, and a hint of fear. "I had no idea, Sunaina. I thought they were just— ordinary college students."

Sunaina's face lit up with a warm smile. "Tara and the boys saved me, Meher. They risked everything to give me a second chance. I'll be forever grateful," Her eyes sparkled with tears as she grasped Meher's hands. "You're part of this now, Meher. You have to be careful."

Meher felt overwhelmed, her mind racing with questions and doubts. Was she ready to be part of this dangerous mission? Could she handle the weight of this story and the risks that came with it? She took a deep breath, trying to calm her racing heart.

Sunaina's voice dropped to a whisper. "I'm so scared, Meher. I can't lose anymore. Please, you have to help those girls and also me, I want to live a normal life now," Her eyes pleaded for reassurance, for a promise of safety and protection.

Meher's eyes locked onto hers, her voice gentle but urgent. "Sunaina, can you tell me more about the brothel? Anything that might help us find some more evidence?"

"It was a house— a big house in Bangalore. I don't know the exact location, but I remember a lady, who was in charge. Her name was Kavitha. She was cruel, Meher. So cruel." Sunaina's eyes locked onto Meher's, her voice barely above a whisper.

Meher's grip on Sunaina's arm tightened. "What did Kavitha look like? Anything distinctive?"

She closed her eyes, her brow furrowed in concentration. "She was tall, with long black hair and a scar above her left eyebrow. She always wore a red bindi."

Meher's mind raced, committing every detail to memory. "And how were you rescued, Sunaina? How did you meet Tara?"

Sunaina's eyes opened, tears welling up again. "I was running away from the brothel, and Tara found me on the street. She took me in and hid me from Kavitha's men. She was kind, Meher. She saved me."

Meher's eyes widened with understanding. "I see, Sunaina. The two girls were trapped in the brothel years ago when you were rescued. Do you know what happened to them after you left?"

Sunaina's expression turned bleak. "I don't know, Meher. I've been living in fear, thinking they might find me again. I've heard rumours of other locations, Meher. Hyderabad, Bangalore, Chennai, even Mumbai. But I don't know if it's true."

Meher's expression turned gentle, yet inquiring. "Sunaina, can I ask you something? Why have you been avoiding the police and hiding in such a secluded area? You're safe now, but I want to understand."

Sunaina's gaze dropped, her voice barely audible. "I was scared, Meher. I thought if I went to the police, Kavitha's people would find out and come after me. I've seen it happen to others who tried to escape— they were dragged back, and— and worse."

"You were protecting yourself, Sunaina. I get it. But now, you have our protection. We won't let anyone harm you."

Sunaina's eyes welled up again. "I was also ashamed, Meher. My parents died out of shock upon learning that I had supposedly run away. I lost my family in that incident. I felt like I'd brought shame to my family, and my community. I didn't want anyone to know what had happened to me."

Meher wanted to hug her so bad. No one deserved this kind of treatment.

Her voice was softened as she spoke. "Sunaina, you've done nothing to be ashamed of. You're a survivor, and you're strong. We'll help you rebuild your life, and we'll make sure Kavitha and her people pay for what they've done."

Sunaina took a deep breath, her voice trembling. "When I heard about Tara's suicide and Abhimanyu's accident, I knew it was foul play. But I was too scared to go to the police. Sahil had warned me not to come out of hiding, no matter what."

Meher's eyes widened in shock. "Sahil? Why did he tell you to do that?"

Sunaina's eyes dropped, shame and fear etched on her face. "After what happened to Tara and Abhimanyu, he was also scared of Kavitha and her people. He told me to stay hidden, to never come out of this place. And I listened. I was too afraid to disobey."

Meher's grip on Sunaina's arm tightened. "What do you mean, 'this place'? Where are we, Sunaina?"

Sunaina looked around the small, dingy room, her eyes filled with a mix of shame and resignation. "This is where Abhimanyu, Tara, and Sahil sent me after they rescued me. They put me on a ship and gave me this address to stay at. I've been here for five years now."

Meher's mind raced with questions. "But why here? Why this place?"

Sunaina shrugged, her shoulders slumped in defeat. "I don't know, Meher. I was just grateful to be safe. And despite having a degree in mass media, I have to do small job at a call center nearby. It's not much, but it's something."

Meher's eyes widened in disbelief. "A degree in mass media, and you're working in a call centre? That is so sad. When all of this gets over, come to AV Media, we always have space for new people."

Sunaina smiled. "I would appreciate that."

Meher proceeds to punch her phone number in her phone. "Put me on emergency contact and call me when you need me. And lastly, can you tell me if you know anything Tara and the boys had planned?"

Sunaina shook her head. "They were very secretive about this one. And since they did not want to involve me, they chose not to tell me anything."

What the hell had you three been planning?! For the nth time, she calls upon them hoping to somehow get some answers.

And we are at the end of this chapter. A chapter full of changing relationship dynamics and a new lead, opening a new path. What do you think of this chapter let me know in the comments below.

By the time you will be reading this chapter, it will be already a week since I start my college. And as you know, with the start of college, I may get super busy and the updates may turn irregular. But I hope I don't reach that stage.

I hope when this chapter gets updated, the rains start and give us mercy from this scorching heat.

Do VOTE, SHARE and COMMENT. Comment a heart if you enjoyed reading this chapter.

With Love,

Akii.