22) I didn't say the s-word

Guess who's arriving in this chapter?

Kiara's POV

I was pulled harshly in a dark alleyway, my back roughly hitting a wall. The scream that escaped my lips was muffled due to the palm covering my mouth. My eyes were screwed shut in fear and it felt like I was going to faint any time. But the next words that my not-so-subtle kidnapper spoke, made my eyes flew open in shock.

"Kiara?"

Although it was quite dark, my eyes could still make out the silhouette of the person in front of me, standing too close for my liking. And I could never mistake that voice even if I had heard it only a few times.

Arjun.

It was Arjun.

Slowly, he removed his hand from my mouth and glared at me. I have never been so happy to see him as I was now. Actually, I had never been happy to see him.

Breathing a sigh of relief, I acted on my instinct and did the most stupid thing in my life.

Wait. Let me rephrase that. One of the most stupid things in my life.

I hugged him. My arms snaked around his neck and I pressed myself against him, my cheek against his shoulder. Tears spilled out of my eyes as one of the old memories resurfaced where he was chasing me. I tried to fight it. I really did. But apparently, I wasn't that strong. Cause the flashback played and played in my mind, drowning me in my misery. Closing my eyes, I took deep breaths.

Don't go there, don't go there.

While I was trying to forget about the horrid memory, I realized, only a few seconds late, that Arjun had completely frozen in his place.

Oops.

What did you do, Kia? It would look like you took advantage of his vulnerability the way you pounced on him.

Quickly breaking the hug, I pressed myself against the wall, looking anywhere but him. Wiping my tears hastily, I muttered a small sorry. Arjun still seemed to be in a state of shock with what had happened. If it had been another time, I would have laughed my ass off at the look on his face.

What have I done?

Thank god, he came at the right time and s-

Wait a minute.

"What are you doing here?" I whisper yelled at him.

He snapped out of his trance and his face turned blank. "Can't you see? I'm on a picnic." He answered, sarcasm dripping from his tone.

Was that sarcasm really necessary?

"Forget me. What the hell are you doing here?" He asked.

"Can't you see? I am joining you on this picnic." I arched my eyebrow.

"This isn't the time for bickering." He hissed.

"Oh really? Who started it?"

"I d-" He suddenly became quiet. I was going to ask him what happened but my voice died in my throat when we heard approaching footsteps.

"Where did she go?" Someone spoke and I bit my lower lip nervously, taking a step closer to Arjun.

I looked at him and he placed a finger on his lips, signaling me to be silent. I nodded my head. Placing his arms on my waist, he pulled me further into the dark shadows. I was trapped between the wall and Arjun.

"We'll wait till they leave." He whispered in my ear, his hot breath fanning across my earlobe as goosebumps arose on my skin and I forgot how to breathe.

What was happening?

Why was he helping me?

And why was I seeking comfort in him?

He scared me but at that moment I felt safe in his presence.

What the hell?

I think stress had an impact on my brain.

As the sound of footsteps became loud, he quickly turned us in such a way that his back was facing the way where we had come from.

As I had nothing better to do in such a situation, my eyes fell on his clothes and I squinted my eyes. "Are you wearing a leather jacket?"

"Congratulations, your eyes work completely fine." He retorted, his voice dry.

Can he stop with the sarcasm for like one second?

I gasped and hit his chest lightly, peering at him with wide eyes. "Don't tell me you were here for some secret mafia deal."

"For the last time, I am not in the fucking mafia. If you say this one more time, I'll personally go and leave you with those men." He growled angrily, his face mere inches away from mine.

"But you're wearing a leather jacket."

"So?"

"So? So, all delinquents wear that."

He groaned, rolling his eyes and looking at the sky. "How the heck did I get stuck here?" He muttered under his breath while I pouted.

None of us spoke anything else (which was very difficult for me) and a few minutes later, Arjun glanced behind his back when there was no sign of those big guys. Walking quietly at the end of the alley, he looked around, first left and then right. "The way is clear."

He turned towards me and spoke. "Come."

A very small, extremely dirty part of my mind residing in the corner took my imagination to another level as I blinked once and then twice.

What the hell is wrong with you? Stop thinking immediately.

He extended his hand towards me and I got the shock of my life.

Arjun Singhania willing to help me?

Raising my head high, I walked past him. "I am a strong, independent woman. I don't need anyone's help."

Strong, steady footsteps behind me ensured that Arjun was following me. A few feet away from us, a dog sat in the corner, licking his tail. When we reached there, its head snapped towards us and the dog barked at me, causing me to yelp and immediately cling to Arjun's side.

"Where's the strong, independent woman gone now?" His voice was lined with a little bit of smugness and dry humour but I chose to ignore him and we walked away from there.

I am strong. But I think I'll wait till we are out of the dog's sight to show this devil my strength.

I glanced back and the dog was nowhere to be seen. So, I left Arjun's side and maintained a good distance of 3 feet between us. I could feel his eyes on me but I squared my shoulders and walked confidently although his gaze made me nervous.

"There you are." All of a sudden, the tattoo guy stood in front of us.

Where did he come from?

While I looked at him, I couldn't help but think I had seen him somewhere. But where?

Oh yeah! Now it clicked me.

"Don't you think he looks like Thanos?" I whispered to Arjun, my eyes trained on the huge guy. Arjun's head immediately snapped to mine and he looked at me with the weirdest expression on his face.

"Hmm." Tapping a finger on my chin, I analysed him carefully. "Maybe his chin could be a little more broad. Don't you think?" I asked Arjun.

"Do you need a fucking psychiatrist?" I made a face at his comment and concentrated back at ugly Thanos.

I stepped forward narrowing my eyes. "What will you do huh?"

Will you shut your mouth? You're already in a lot of trouble.

He cocked one of his eyebrows and slowly took out a knife from his pocket, brandishing it in air. "We'll see."

Arjun took hold of my arm and pulled me towards his side. "Shut up. I'll manage this."

"Look." Sending a hard glare, he spoke in a cold voice that was enough to send anyone running for the hills. "We mean no harm. Leave before-"

"Before we make you." I yelled, suddenly feeling very brave with Arjun beside me.

"Oh really? What can a petty princess and a handsome guy do?" The ugly Thanos laughed evilly.

"Wait. So, he gets to be called handsome? And I am just a petty princess?" I almost shouted, outraged.

He called you princess. Technically, it's a compliment.

He called me petty, too. And since the devil beside me calls me the same, it's equal to an insult.

"And you're thinking of fighting us?" I added.

"Do you even know who he is?" I patted Arjun's chest in pride, my other arm resting on his shoulder but soon moved it away when I felt him shooting daggers at me through his laser like eyes. I loved my hand way too much to lose it.

I need my hands to turn the pages of my books. And to eat chocolates.

"No." The huge guy said but it sounded more like a question, his eyes flickering between Arjun and me.

"Ha." Jerking my head, I took a step and put my hands on my waist. "He is in the mafia, you big dumbo. He can kill you and your stupid friends just with a snap of his fingers. So, if you want to live, leave nicely. Otherwise, there'll be severe consequences." I said, throwing his own words at him. I crossed arms over my chest, smirking at the end for a better effect. Glancing back at Arjun, I found him looking at the ground and shaking his head.

Pinching the bridge of his nose, he looked up and sighed irritatedly, his eyes crinkling with frustration. "I don't know this girl. You can take her."

I gasped and rushed towards him. "Okay, fine. I won't say it again." I huffed.

"Enough of this bullshit." The big guy growled. "Look man, we don't want anything to do with you. Just handover the girl to us."

Arjun stared at me blankly. "What did you do this time?"

"I didn't do anything." I shrieked, the tip of my ears turning pink.

If possible, his face became even more stoic, his expressions screaming do you really think I would believe you?

"Stop lying." Of course, he didn't believe me. Plus, I really can't help my intrusive nature.

I was so much engrossed in our bickering that I didn't even notice ugly Thanos covering the distance between us and reaching out to touch me. It all happened in an instant. As the guy was about to touch my arm, Arjun pulled me behind his back and stood protectively in front of me, my heart fluttering at his action.

"Leave."

Would it be wrong to admit that I was having very strong fangirl feels at that time?

This is a very serious situation. Can you please concentrate?

"W-"

"I said... Leave." Arjun didn't raise his voice but his voice was cold enough to scare the shit out of someone.

His tone seemed to have its effect on Thanos as I could see the worry lines on his face and he hesitated a little.

Just as I thought that everything was going to be okay, another two bulky guys joined Thanos from the opposite lane.

Great!

Thanos looked at them and then smirked at us. "You really can't fight the three of us." I peeked at them from the back of Arjun's shoulder nervously.

"Oh, believe me, I really can." Arjun removed his leather jacket slowly and handed it to me, my eyes becoming wide as saucers.

I really like where this is going.

Shut up, shut up, shut up.

"And I would love to." He rolled the sleeves of his shirt precisely, making sure to maintain eye contact with the guys. In my mind, I was already fanning myself dreamily. "But" he put his hands in his pocket, shrugging, "I don't want to."

Such a dramatic bit-

Inconspicuously, I touched the corner of my mouth.

No drool. Good.

"But David can. And he would love to." He smirked.

Who's David?

"David!" Arjun shouted and from an adjacent alley came a guy dressed in complete black, wearing black shades.

Ooh. Plot twist.

The guy, who I assumed was David, wore a mask of indifference on his face and stood stoically beside Arjun.

Who was he?

A member of Men in black?

I got no time for pondering on the question as David took out a gun from the inner pocket of his coat and pointed towards the guys.

Woah.

Were we in an action movie?

Thanos growled and tried to throw a punch at David but he ducked and punched him square in the face. A small shriek escaped my lips at the scene in front of me and Arjun immediately came beside me, taking his jacket from my hands.

"Come on. We're leaving." He held my elbow and dragged me from there.

"Who's David?" I asked glancing back where David was fighting the guys quite skillfully, I might add.

No answer.

"Arjun?"

Silence.

"Arjun?"

That's enough.

I tried to pull out of his hold but he was stronger and tightened his grip, glaring at me.

I planted my feet in the ground and said sternly. "I'm not going anywhere until you tell me."

He sighed, his mouth set in a grim line.

"He's my bodyguard. Now, keep walking."

"Why didn't I see him before?" I asked.

"Because I only take him with me when it's extremely important or dangerous. I don't like to rely on others for every small thing."

"Important or dangerous like a- "

"You mention the mafia one more time and I swear to god I will personally hand you over to those guys."

I shut my mouth.

We reached his car parked near a hotel.

"Will David be okay?" I glanced back where we came from.

"He'll be fine. He's a trained fighter."

"But should we at least wait- "

"I said he'd manage." His voice turned harsh. "You're so fucking annoying." He muttered to himself.

"I am not coming with you." I crossed arms over my chest and looked away.

Why is he always so rude?

"Who said I was taking you with me in the first place?" He sat in the car, without as much as a glance in my direction.

I gasped. Meanie.

He looked at me from the window. I stared back at him.

"Get inside the car." He said after a few seconds of our glare competition.

"Make me."

"Either you get inside in the next 5 seconds, or I'll get out and pick you up myself. The choice is yours."

Oh, please for the love of God, get out and pick me up.

Even though I was so tempted to go for the second option, I went and sat inside the car, promising myself that I won't talk to this grumpy man ever.

He started the car and I stared ahead.

Two seconds passed.

Three seconds passed.

I ended up talking to him.

"How did you find me anyway?" I asked. A few moments passed and I thought he wasn't going to answer me but I was surprised when I heard his voice.

"I had just signed a deal in a nearby restaurant and was going back to where my car was when I saw you and those people. And then of course, I had to come to save you. And don't think that I did it for you. I only helped cause you're my responsibility and I didn't need one more problem in my life." Rubbing his forefinger on his lower lip, he took another turn as his brows furrowed and he blew out a breath. "It's already a mess since you came."

Same goes for you, mister.

Even if his words bothered me a bit, he did help me a lot unknowingly.

"Thanks." I said awkwardly after some time, clearing my throat. "Though I didn't need your help. I could have handled them easily." I shrugged non-chalantly.

"Of course, you would have." He replied, passing me a fleeting look and I narrowed my eyes at him. Was that humour that I noticed in his eyes?

No.

I really need to get my eyes checked.

We didn't speak the rest of the ride but it wasn't uncomfortable like our last one together. We hadn't talked after last night. After dinner, he went to his room immediately. And when I woke up today, he had already gone to his office.

We reached the penthouse and as my hand touched the car door, the other on the seat belt, his voice froze me in my place.

"Wait."

I turned around slowly, like the female lead in a horror movie who's going to die by the hands of the ghost.

Was I being a little dramatic?

I looked at him questioningly as he clenched his jaw tightly.

"I wanted to say something." He spoke coldly, staring ahead.

Oh no. Now what?

"What?" I was thoroughly confused with his behaviour.

Clearing his throat, he pushed back a lock of hair that was falling on his forehead.

"I...um..I" He stuttered.

Wait, what?

He stuttered?

"I...I ju-...Look...I wanted to say that...um...Damn it!" Raking a frustrated hand through his hair, he banged it on the steering wheel harshly and I jumped a little.

It seemed as if he was in an inner monologue with himself. While I was scooting closer to the door slowly.

Who knows when will he blast?

His knuckles had turned completely white due to his hold on the steering wheel.

Poor steering wheel. RIP.

Was he going to turn into the hulk?

"Ughh." He closed his eyes and let his head rest on the seat, groaning audibly and messing his hair.

I narrowed my eyes skeptically.

Was he constipated?

"Why the fuck is it so hard?" He muttered to himself.

That's it. He had lost his sanity.

Just like you had a long time ago?

"I shouldn't have behaved like that." He said it so quietly that if I hadn't been paying close attention, I would have missed it.

For 10 complete seconds I kept staring at him dumbly, not understanding what was he saying. And then I asked in a whisper. "Like what?"

He said through gritted teeth. "For how I did 2 weeks ago."

And then it struck me.

He was talking about our wedding day. My mood turned sour as I recalled the day. Ho-

Wait, wait, wait!

My head snapped to Arjun, my eyes huge and mouth slightly open. If it hadn't been for the seat belt, I would have smashed my face in the dashboard.

What did he say?

Mr. I-will-turn-everyone-into-ashes-before-I-say-sorry was actually trying to apologize?

To me?

And that too from his own mouth?

Has the Earth stopped spinning?

"Huh?" I stared at him, open mouthed. I was stunned.

"What I mean to say is that I'm... "

I came back to my senses as I watched him struggling for words and my face brightened with amusement.

"Yeah, yeah. Go on." Placing a hand on my cheek, I leaned back while his frustrated, angry eyes bored into my amused ones.

Someone bring me popcorn.

This was going to be fun.

"I...I apologize." He finished with a dejected huff, without looking at me.

"Mr. Arjun Singhania," I leaned forward excitedly, my eyes wide with astonishment. "Are you trying to say sorry?"

"No." He spoke almost immediately, his voice rising.

He looked so...cute trying to apologize.

I didn't know that I would live to see this day.

"I did not say that s-word. I just said that it would not happen again." He said in a gruff voice, the muscle in his jaw ticking.

I could see how much it was paining him to do this.

"Okay." I nodded and looked out of the window, pressing my lips together, a wide smile threatening to form on my lips.

Why was I smiling? No idea.

"Now you can get out of my car." My head swivelled towards him.

Uh?

"I said get out." He repeated.

I blinked.

What was his problem? First, he almost gave me a cardiac arrest with his apology and then he ordered me to get out of his car, though he wasn't as rude as I was expecting him to be.

Opening the door, I got out (cause he would have thrown me out if I hadn't) and entered the building, still in a haze.

Was this a dream?

The great Arjun Singhania apologizing?

Although he didn't actually say sorry. But he apologized. Even if it was in a weird way. But still, coming from him, it was a huge matter. And I was happy that he realized his mistake.

I pinched myself just to make sure if this was real and winced when it actually hurt.

So, it was not a dream after all.

I couldn't help the sub-conscious upward twitch of my lips. With a stupid smile on my face, I entered the lift and pressed the top button, blinking twice. The lift was about to close when someone stopped it and entered, my eyes flickering towards the intruder.

GUYS OUR DAVID 🎀POOKIE🎀 IS HERE! DID YOU MISS HIM???