Part 34 | On The Run

Eight Months Later,

KARTIK

" This is insane! "

For a brief second Arjun took his eyes off the laptop to look at me but resumed his work.

I sighed and walked to his side. Closing his laptop I forcefully grabbed his attention.

" Kartik, I have work to do! " he sounded irritated.

" Yeah, I am the jobless one here, trying to knock some sense into your stupid brain! " I scoffed.

" I know what I am doing. This is the wise thing to do. "

" of course! Watching your fiance marry some stranger in another city. Very wise! " Sarcasm dripped in my voice.

Arjun averted his gaze away and mumbled ," It wasn't my decision. She wanted an out."

I don't know if I should yell at him for being stupid or sympathize seeing my bestfriend hurting inside.

Aditi and Arjun, they were doing fine but last month things went downhill. Difference grew between them leading to intense arguments.

I can't convince Aditi, she wouldn't talk to me. I hurted her bestie and in her eyes I am still the bad guy.

Somewhere I feel if not for me, their relationship would have been easier. After what happened that night, things have never been same.

I have no clue about her. It's not like I can't get her details, just a snap of finger is all it will take. Trust me when I say I want to, so badly.

I wanna know her whereabouts and knock on her door, pull her into my arms and say how sorry I am, how miserable I feel without her and most importantly that I love her!

But alas, she doesn't want to be found.

" Arjun, you aren't thinking. Aditi is getting married today. It's 3 pm already. In another 4 hours she will become someone else's wife. This isn't any fiction, you can't undo things. We need to stop - "

" Kartik, She decided to leave and now if she wants to marry someone, let her do so. Who am I to stop her! I don't wanna talk about this anymore. " Arjun stood up and walked to the door.

" So you are giving up on your love without a fight? " My words made him halt the very moment.

I could hear him take a deep breath. Turning back he spoke in a calm tone.

" It hurts to let her go but, asking someone to stay despite knowing all they want is to leave, it's more painful. " Arjun smiled faintly.

"And out of all, you know this better" with that he left the cabin.

I closed my eyes taking a shaky breath.

" I have never asked you for anything, but just this one.

If you are searching for me, please Don't. Let me go. "

---------

It's been 15 minutes since Arjun left me to wait in the middle of a deserted road, Saying that he wanted to be alone for a few minutes.

We were returning home after a meeting Arjun compelled me to attend.

It was half past 7, Aditi must have got married by now.

What the heck universe!!

Annoyed I cursed under my breath and stepped out of the car. Loosening the last buttons of my suit I sat on the car bonnet.

Leaning I cushioned my head above my flexed arms as I watched the sky.

Only the sound of wind and my own breath was audible. The night was young. Stars glimmering in the dark. The moon was beautiful, curved into a perfect crescent.

She loved star gazing!

And I loved watching her all night as she talked.

A smile crept on my lips.

I stretched my right hand out. Everytime we watched the night sky, her head used to either rest on my biceps or my chest.

I wish she was her.

I withdrew my hand back under my head and continued gazing the sky. Alone.

After a couple of minutes, I heard sounds of footsteps, just a few feet away.

Finally!

I got off the car bonnet and walked around, " Arjun you better have a freaking explanation on ... "

I stopped my rattle when I saw a women turned the other way, with her back facing me. Dressed in a grey lehenga, her layered long hair cascaded down her hip.

" Excuse me ! " I frowned when the women didn't respond but instead stood froze.

" Ma'am? " I called out again, moving closer.

In an attempt to turn around, she tripped on her pencil heels.

" Woah caref - " words clogged in my throat as my breath hitched.

Her hands clutched the sleeves of my arm, while I held her secured by waist. Holding her in my arms, The touch felt familiar. Like the one I never wanted to leave.

The breeze brushed the strands of hair behind which was hidden, the face I behold in my heart.

The eyes I yearned to catch a glimpse of, locked with mine.

My insides churned, my heart did a summersault.

My eyes scanned her facial features, right from the creases on her forehead that eased on knowing she didn't fall, her arched eyebrows down to her black orbs and tiny button nose, finally to her painted pink lips.

My voice came out in a breathy whisper.

" Naira "

It felt like history was repeating,

But this time I wanted to write it right!

--

I didn't realise how long we were in that position until she wiggled in my arms, meekly punching my shoulder.

I mouthed a sorry and helped her stand erect on her feet.

" What did you do to your hair? "

Really Kartik!!

What a way to start.

She shrugged her shoulder, " coloured it. Cocoa brown. "

" Oh! "

Okay! You are useless.

I had a thousand questions running in my mind.

How is she?

Where does she live?

Was she in this city all the while?

Is she happy seeing me again?

And many more but I couldn't bring myself to ask her anything.

I shifted on my feet nervously, opening my mouth to speak but no words escaped.

I kept staring at Naira without a blink of eye, still not believing she is right in front of me.

" Naira! " Arjun yelled from a distance grabbing my attention, but he wasn't alone.

He walked up to us carrying a petite body of a women on his shoulders. Naira rushed to him.

" Did someone see you? " She questioned to which he answered with a no. " The chloroform effect should last for another 4 hours. "

I frowned but my eyes widened when I realised the women was none other than Aditi, all decked in her pink bridal lehenga.

" Arjun! This better be a joke. " I shouted in disbelief.

" Kartik I'll explain. " Saying he moved ahead of us and gently placed an unconscious Aditi inside the jeep which was parked a few metres before my car.

" What do you think you are doing!! " I half screamed.

" We have no other choice. Aditi won't listen, she's busy being an ass. " Naira complained in annoyance.

" Don't tell me you knew about this. ' I narrowed my eyes.

" This was entirely Naira's plan. " My jaw dropped.

" You planned to kidnap your bestfriend on her very own wedding day ! " I stressed on the sentence.

Perhaps I heard it wrong. Didn't I?

" I did. That dumb head she was ready to marry is no match for her. Douche! " Arjun giggled but stop as I shot him a sharp glare.

" Dhruv will be so mad if he gets to know. "

Dhruv is generally not a hot headed guy, but here it's about his sister.

" He knows ! " They said in unison.

" What! "

" This jeep belongs to him. " She shrugged.

I threw my hands up in the air, unbelievable.

" This is crazy! We are forcefully making her elope from her marriage. " I argued.

" Technically no, because the groom is no more! "

" What the f***, You both killed him!?? "

" No! " They looked at each other in horror, " No! Ofcourse not "

I sighed in relief, " thank god "

" Now, Will someone clearly explain what's happening here? " I crossed my arms.

" Apparently the wedding came to a halt, the groom didn't make it to the the venue. " Arjun said.

" I knew Dhruv will do his job flawlessly. " Naira chuckled.

" I can't believe this. " I rubbed my forehead.

Her phone rang, " ah, it's Dhruv. "

As she was in a call, I pulled Arjun aside.

" You didn't care about her getting married in the morning , now what changed ? " I asked curious to know the reason.

I am missing out something here.

His silence just confirmed my suspicion, " what is it? " My voice came out tough.

" Aditi is pregnant with my baby. " He dropped a bombshell.

How many more shocks am I have to deal with, Today !

" How long? " I questioned.

" 4 weeks. "

" You didn't know anything about this. "

" Clueless. " He replied.

I narrowed my brows, " If she had chose to hid this from you, Then why would she tell you today. "

" Aditi doesn't know. " Naira spoke gently from behind.

" She was feeling sick and nauseous for the past couple of days, yet ignored the signs stating she was just stressed.

But I couldn't turn a blind eye to her intense cravings, moody behaviour and morning sickness.

I informed Dhruv, we didn't want her to freak out in case it turned positive. So we took her to the hospital, saying it was just a normal check up and got her checked.

The reports came this afternoon. I thought Arjun should know this before anyone. " Naira explained.

"So basically we are dealing with a kidnap, hostage and a pregnancy. Can this situation get any worse! " I shook my head.

" Oops, I forgot to mention. The groom can be dumb but he is Home minister's brother in law. " She added.

I gasped, " you got to be kidding me! "

" The minister's men should have already started searching for the bride. If we don't hurry up, there will be no tomorrow for us. "she stated casually.

How can she be this carefree?

Tensed, I rubbed my neck.

" I am not convinced yet." I looked at Arjun.

" That doesn't matter here, Arjun is fine with this plan. " She said.

" Arjun don't listen to her! This isn't even a plan, it- it's just ridiculous. " She scoffed.

" Yeah. Yeah, as if you have a better plan. " She rolled her eyes.

" Oh please, you are planning on getting us killed! "

She gasped dramatically, " who me !?"

" Yes you! "

" Scared cat" she mumbled under her breath.

" What did you say? " I huffed.

" You know what, You should stay back. Arjun let's leave! " She rebuked.

" No one is going anywhere! " I said in a stringent tone.

" Watch me! " Saying she marched to the jeep and jumped into the driver seat.

Securing her seatbelt, she made engine roar. A smirk danced on her face.

One thing hasn't clearly changed - her stubbornness.

" Kartik You have always supported me, do it again. I am out of options, I love her and I am not ready to lose her. Please."

" fine!" I gave in, briefly looking at Arjun then at Naira," But on one condition, I'll drive. "

" I don't need your help. " She said.

" I know but my life is dear to me. " She glared at me.

" Naira, let him drive. Anyways you have been running all day, you should rest. " Arjun insisted.

She huffed, " Okay fine! Whatever. " Muttering she scooted to the passenger seat.

I called my driver and ordered him to drop my car home.

" Don't ever make that puppy face. " I grunted looking at Arjun, shoving my phone inside my pocket. He beamed with a nod.

Arjun got into the backseat beside Aditi while I took the wheels.

" Where to ? " I looked at Naira.

She turned on the GPS and entered the destination.

" Seatbelt. " I eyed her.

Once she fastened her seatbelt I pulled back the gear. The jeep soared and leapt through the highway.

345 kms to go!

*********

**********

And they meet again!!

❤️🤧

Hello fellas!!!

Sorry for the delay

Hope you liked the chapter

The chapter was long so I had to divide it into 2 parts.

The second part coming up

mostly by tomorrow.

Shower your

Vote and comments

That's my motivation!

✨❤️✨

So yeah,

Stay tuned

❤️