|KABIR|
~Past~

I scanned the area, hid behind the pillar, and waited for Jeffrey's men to show up. I can't wait to catch each one of them and wring their fucking necks.

Jeffery is a bastard who happens to be a terrorist who enjoys bombing places. Fucking asshole! I want to kill him with my own fucking hands. 

What makes them think that they can enter here and threaten my people and my country?

I nodded discretely at my teammate Aarav and pointed at one of the bastards. We shot a few of them and cleared most of the area. I kicked one of them in the stomach as he lunged towards me. I grunted when I felt someone kick my back, I stumbled slightly but caught my balance. I threw a punch and shot him. He fell with a thud.

I hoped that Meera and Veer had caught hold of the device that was being planted in this building which would cause havoc if not caught at the right time. I ducked when one of them slashed a knife at me. I felt a sting on my shoulder. My blood boiled as he smirked and flipped the knife with his fingers, twirling them around as if he were an expert. 

I growled and pointed the gun at him. I pulled the trigger and wiped the smirk right off his face. There were gunshots heard everywhere. I panted and wiped the sweat rolling down my forehead.

"Kabir!! On your left!" I turned to find a couple of them charging towards me. I shot them within seconds. Fuck! My bullets are over. I  hit one of them with the gun and he spat out blood. I smirked and threw the gun. I clenched my knuckles and punched his face. Aarav took care of the other guys.

We can't let them go on top. We need to stop them here. The fewer people on that floor the better chances Meera and Veer have of stopping the bomb blast.

I dodged a few of the punches that were thrown my way. "You think you can stop. You can't do anything. You measly poorly trained officers." One of them said and smirked. The audacity of these bastards. I kicked his stomach and twisted his hand, his bones crunched under my grip. yet he kept smiling. 

"Goodbye." He muttered and said boom. I jerked back when I felt a sting on my arm, a bullet.

"Kabir! Move away!" I ducked down and another bullet flew by me. My arm hurt like hell. I felt warm liquid trickle down my arm. I punched them and kept moving forward. Finally, the backup team arrived.

Aarav and I guided them to the next floor. Most of their group members were either dead or severely injured. I  kicked one of them when he tried to attack Aarav. Before I could think or reciprocate I sucked in a breath and stumbled back. I took deep breaths and held my palms against my stomach. I felt blood ooze out of my stomach.

It was the same guy who had goaded me. He smirked and fell as Aarav shot him. I groaned and stood up. I held a beam for support. My ears rang as my knees buckled. I felt a blow behind my head. 

My vision blurred. I heard gunshots and the last thing I saw was a bunch of officers hovering over me. Their voice seemed distant.

"You are going to be fine Officer Kabir! Stay with us for a few more minutes." I felt breathless and everything went blank. I can endure anything for my country. 

***

I groaned and blinked my eyes open. My head throbbed when the lights in the room pierced my eyes. I closed them again and sucked in a breath. I tried to sit up but I couldn't move. The last thing I remembered was one of the backup team officers asking me to be awake. That bastard had shot me! At least the crises are solved for now.

"You are awake! Thank god!" I frowned and turned. Ira's familiar scent hit my nostrils. I frowned as her worried face filled my vision.

"Ira!" I whispered. I slowly lifted my left hand to trace her face but the stupid drip attached to it was restricting my moments. MY right arm was bandaged up and I had a sling around my shoulder. What is she doing here? Or am seeing visions because of the medication?

"Kabir, I was so worried. I'm so glad that you're awake." She whispered, I felt a kiss on my forehead. Her hair tickled my face.

"Ira, are you real?" I closed my eyes and muttered. I smiled when I heard her laugh. Maybe she's here.

"Want me to prove it to you?" She asked. I gazed at her as she traced her fingers against my cheek.

"Depends, how are you going to prove that? A kiss or a hug?" I smirked. Ira chuckled and shook her head. I moved a bit I sighed as pain shot up.  Not the first time I was shot but it still hurt a lot.

"Don't move so much. It's only been a few hours since your surgery." Ira whispered and rubbed my chest soothingly. 

"I'm okay Ira. Don't worry. I still didn't get a kiss or a hug. I could still be dreaming." I said.

I smiled when I felt Ira kiss my cheek. "I kind of expected a kiss on the lip for a complete reality check but for now this  works."

Ira chuckled and shook her head. She pinched my left arm lightly and I flinched. "Ow! Ira! I'm already injured why are you torturing me instead of loving me."

"Shut up Kabir! I think this is enough proof that I'm here and not just your imagination." Ira said and sat on the stool that was next to the bed. I made a face and grunted.

"Are you feeling okay now? Does it hurt anywhere else? Do you want me to call your parents?" Ira shot questions and nervously bit her lip.

I held her hand and shushed her. "Relax Ira. Breathe. I'm fine. This is nothing new for me. As for my parents, I'll inform them later. I don't want to worry them, they are in some medical conference. It'll only freak them out."

Ira frowned, "Doesn't matter Kabir you should still tell them." I sighed. I know she's right but I didn't want them to worry about me. I'll tell them later today when their conference is over.

"Wait! Ira, how did you know I was here?" Ira sighed and tucked her hair behind her ear.

"I overheard my mother talking to Annie Aunty. She said that Meera Di and Veer Bhai were both injured. I-I freaked out. I called Karan Bhai and asked him. He hesitated but told me that you were injured. I couldn't help myself so I told my parents and we flew down here immediately." Ira ranted and took a deep breath. My heart dropped when her eyes glistened with tears.  She told her parents about me! I knew she would tell them eventually just not this soon.

"Ira, are they outside right now?" She bit her lip and nodded.

Before I could ask her any more questions the doctor came in and did some routine check up. He checked the wounds.

"Everything looks good. Let the wounds heal well okay? No exertion for a few weeks. You know the rules." I made a face while he grinned.

"I'm giving you some medicines. Take care, Kabir."

"Thank you, Doctor Vinod." He smiled and nodded. The nurse attached another IV before attaching the IV she helped me walk to the washroom. I brushed my teeth with my left hand and splashed some water on my face. and Ira came back a few minutes later with some food.

I made a face when I looked at the stale kichidi. "Just eat it, Kabir," Ira said, I raised my arm and shrugged my shoulder. She laughed softly and began feeding me.

"Here are your medicines. Take it." She passed me some tablets and a glass of water. 

Before I could ask her about how her parents reacted Ira's mother entered the room. I have met them both when Meera had invited me for breakfast a few months back. That was the first time I saw Ira. That memory always gave me a warm feeling. 

She smiled at me warmly much like Ira and patted my arm. "How are you now Kabir? Feeling better?"

"Hello, ma'am. I'm fine now and your daughter's presence certainly made everything much better." I glanced at Ira and chuckled when she blushed.

Ira's mother laughed and pulled her cheek. "Don't call me ma'am, aunty or even mom works for me." She winked at me. What did she ask me to call her mom?

"Mumma! Stop it!" Ira exclaimed and gestured with her eyes silently asking her mother to stop embarrassing her. I laughed but stopped immediately when Ira glared at me.

"Okay okay, my baccha I'm only pulling your leg. I have never seen you blush so much. I can't help myself. I hope you are feeling better now Kabir." I smiled and nodded.

"I'm feeling much better now Aunty." Indu Aunty smiled and patted my hand.

"Mumma where's Papa?" Ira asked.

That question made me nervous. I had met Ira's father before but at that time I wasn't exactly dating his daughter but now I am.

"Papa is with Arjun. Meera went back to handle things again and she's injured. Don't worry she's fine now."

Ira sighed in relief and so did I. Thank god everyone is fine. "He'll be here soon. I'm going to go check on Naina. Veer is awake now."

"Is everyone okay Aunty?" I asked her. She smiled and nodded. "Yes, Kabir all your teammates are okay. Veer too was shot but he's fine now. Don't worry."

"Mumma! Don't go! Please. What if Papa comes here in your absence?" Ira said.

"Oh, Ira! He's not angry with you trust me. He's protective of you. Relax. I'll be back in a few minutes." Indu Aunty patted Ira's arm, gave me a warm smile, and left the room.

"Well, it seems that I have your mother's approval. Damn! I am charming!" I said and smirked at Ira.

Ira scoffed and pinched my arm again. I clicked my tongue and grabbed her hand with my left hand. Thank god the IV was finally removed. She yelped as I yanked her closer.

"I still can't believe that you are here." Ira smiled, I chuckled when I noticed her cheeks turn red again. 

"I'll always be there for you Kabir. Always." Ira whispered, her amber eyes twinkling. I leaned forward closing the distance between our lips. Our lips touched and I forgot about everything: the pain, my fear of Ira's father and the world.

Our lips moved against each other passionately. I leaned forward and grunted when pain shot through my other arm. Ira smiled against my lips and pulled away. I frowned and pouted.

"Kabir enough stop." Ira laughed and slightly pushed my chest. I laid down on the pillow and pouted again.

"Yeah pout all you want. This is the last kiss that you are going to get in here." Ira said.

"We'll see about that you can't resist me. I'll get you to beg me to kiss you." I smirked giving her a challenging look.

"Okay! We'll see about that." Ira replied. We spoke casually for a few minutes.

"Are Veer and Meera going to be okay?" I asked once again. I was worried about them. They were finally sorting things between them and now another obstacle is thrown on their way.

"They are fine Kabir. I went to see them after I bought your medicines." Ira said and squeezed my hand. I entwined our hands together and kissed her palm.

"You never told me how did your parents react when you told them about us?" I asked her.

"So I wanted to tell them immediately but I couldn't build up the courage. Mumma was already suspicious. But when I got to know that you were injured I told them about us. Mumma said that she already had guessed. She is genuinely happy for us. She likes you, Kabir." Ira smiled.

I nodded and chuckled. "I like her too. What about your father?" I asked. 

"Papa is acting sort of weird about it. I have never seen him react so seriously about anything. Even when I almost failed a subject in 11th grade he was the jovial one. I think he was startled and ever since then, he hasn't spoken much to me. Mumma says that he's just protective of me and is scared to let go of me. I'm scared Kabir. I don't want to disappoint him." Ira said. I could see the distress in her voice.

Before I could reply I heard someone clear their throat. I glanced behind Ira to find Neel Uncle her father standing right at the entrance of the door. Behind him was Indu Aunty who smiled at me warmly.

Ira stood up still holding my hands tightly. "Hello, Sir." I greeted him. I could feel Ira gripping my hand tighter and sweat dripped down my back. He had a stoic expression on his face.

"Hello Kabir. First things first are you feeling better now?" I swallowed and nodded.

"Yes Sir. I'm fine now." Neel Uncle nodded.

"Ira, Indu could both give me a moment. I want to talk to Kabir alone." Ira glanced at me and then at her father. She nodded, squeezed my hand one last time, and walked to the door.

"Ira, you did not disappoint me. We'll talk later." Neel Uncle said, Ira grinned at her father and nodded. I sighed in relief 

The room was cool but I could still feel the sweat dripping down my back. He sat on the stool that was next to the bed and I straightened my back. My right arm began throbbing again. 

"Kabir, Ira is very precious to me. She will always be my little girl no matter how old she gets. I am protective of her." He paused for a second.

"All I'm saying is if you hurt my little girl I will show you hell. I hope we are clear on that." He had a lethal look on his face.

"Yes sir! Crystal clear." I replied and gulped. I felt like I was being given warnings by my senior subordinate. Nothing new there but this was more intense.

"Great! I think we can get along fine if you can follow that one thing." He smiled and stood up.

"Don't break her heart, Kabir. Please," he said again, his eyes revealing the vulnerability he felt.

"I would never do that Sir. Never. She's precious to me too. I hope you understand. I have never felt like this with anyone. Your daughter is the best thing that has ever happened to me. I will treasure her for life." I stated with conviction. I meant every word.

He threw one last glance at me and with a nod, he exited the room. I chuckled when I heard Ira's mother say, "I hope you didn't scare that poor boy."

Ira entered the room and sat on the stool. She fiddled with her fingers and shook her head when she heard her father reply. "Indu I'm not scary and he is no boy." I chuckled and then heard their retreating footsteps. She raised her brows probably waiting for me to tell her what her father had said.

"He gave me a warning." Ira sighed.

"I'm not surprised. I feel like he was preparing his speech the entire way here." She leaned forward and supported her chin with her palm.

"I swear he was very scary. You owe me more kisses for enduring that." She chuckled and pinched me again. I scowled at her and was about to pull her closer when she pulled her arm back.

She stuck her tongue out at me pulled out a magazine and began flipping the pages.

"Ira, I want to take a nap." She shrugged her shoulder and looked up for a second.

"Okay, then go to sleep." She said and went back to flipping the pages. I pulled the magazine out of her hands and slammed it on the side table.

She glared at me while I moved to the side making some space for her to lay down on the bed. I patted the bed.

She smiled at me and lay down beside me. I wrapped my left arm around her. She traced her fingers against my chest, which gave me a soothing sensation.

"Ira!" I whispered. She hummed and gazed at me.

"This is how it's going to be. Are you okay with that? This is my normal. This is all I can give you."

She sighed and moved closer. "I'm happy with you and your normal. As long as you come back to me safely I don't care about anything else." She leaned forward and kissed my lips. I smiled and caressed her hair.

"Now go to sleep." She commanded.

"Yes ma'am." My eyes began drooping as I fell into deep slumber. Hope we can make this work. I don't think I can live without Ira. I know what this is but I'm still scared to admit it.

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A/N: I'm back! Sorry for the late update! I had a bit of a writing slump but now I'm out of it!

I loved the cute moments between Ira and Kabir! Neel's reaction was hilarious!

What was your favourite moment in this chapter?

Hope you liked this chapter! If you did please do vote and comment! I would love to know what you guys think!