27
Later that night, Darshan is strolling down Rajpath. It is midnight. The streets are vacant with a few street vendors at a distance. He continues walking towards India Gate but stops hearing the heavy tread of someone running and a soft barking of a dog. He turns to see a woman running after a little puppy who is on a leash. The puppy runs up to him as the woman lets go of the leash. The puppy sniffs his shoes. Darshan kneels down and takes him in his arms.
Darshan: Miro! What's up buddy?
Miro shuffles around in his arms.
Darshan: Hi Ayesha.
Darshan looks up at the woman not hearing any sound. He sees Jaimi standing there with her hands in her pocket. She is wearing a cooling hoodie to cover her face and upper body. He walks towards her after putting Miro down.
Darshan: I'm sorry! I thought you were Ayesha.
Jaimi: No problem.
Darshan: Are you feeling better now?
Jaimi nods her head not knowing what to say. The tension in the atmosphere is so thick that it can be cut with a knife.
Darshan: Can we walk and talk?
She hums in response. Jaimi holds her hand out signaling him to lead. They walk closer to the India gate. He stops in front of an ice cream stall.
Darshan: One chocolate ice cream, please!
He turns to look at Jaimi who has a poker face.
Darshan: What would you like to have?
Jaimi: I'm good.
Darshan: Don't worry I haven't paid him to mix poison or anything in your ice cream.
Jaimi looks away and presses her lips together to fight the urge to smile. She looks back at him and rolls her eyes.
Jaimi: That was a very bad joke!
Darshan: Look at who is saying that. The one who tortured me with those jokes for days. Now, can't even take one that came your way.
Jaimi: Personally, I didn't want to do that, but it was the best option at that time.
There's a peaceful silence afterward.
Darshan: Your order?
Jaimi: Nothing.
Darshan: C'mon! You can have ice cream with me at least. I promise I don't bite!
Jaimi: I can't have solids.
Darshan: What?
Jaimi: Due to the impact of the explosion, I can only have liquids as solids are hard to process in my body as of now.
Darshan: Oh. I'm sorry! I didn't know that.
Darshan looks at the vendor with a sorry look on his face.
Darshan: I don't want the chocolate either. Sorry!
Jaimi: You can have it. It's fine with me!
Darshan: No. It's not very nice to eat something in front of someone who can't have it.
Vendor: He wouldn't be able to eat it either way because I don't have any more chocolate ice cream left.
Darshan: No problem. Thank you!
They start towards India Gate. They stand there for some time with the silence surrounding them.
Jaimi: I'll see you later if we ever get a chance.
Darshan: What is that supposed to mean?
Jaimi: You don't need to worry about it!
She gives him a faint smile.
Jaimi: I'll leave. Bye!
Darshan: Where do you stay?
Jaimi: I'm at the apartment complex with Ayesha as of now.
Darshan: Oh. We have the same destination then.
Jaimi: Surely.
They both walk back towards the apartment complex with Miro in Jaimi's arms as he decides to doze off.
Darshan: Will Miro still be coming to the office with Ayesha?
Jaimi: No! He's going to Tekanpur for training.
Darshan: Ok.
Jaimi: You grew fond of him a lot in a day, haven't you?
Darshan: You can say that!
Jaimi: Don't worry! It won't be for long till he comes back. He should be back in a month, so Ayesha and I will rotate.
Darshan: At least I will get to play with this little munchkin.
Jaimi hums with a nod. They part their ways upon reaching the complex. Darshan goes to bed while Jaimi sits on her window seat with her head against the glass window.
After a few minutes, Asif walks out of the elevator and sits on a bench under a tree. He looks up. He turns his neck to see Adaa sitting next to him. She offers him a soft smile which he returns with a nod. He looks back at the window to see that Jaimi has fallen asleep. Adaa follows his line of vision and looks away to keep the tears from leaking out.
Adaa: You really love her, don't you?
Asif looks at her.
Asif: More than my life!
Adaa: You still love her knowing she hates you?
Asif smiles.
Asif: Yes, I do love her knowing she hates me. How can I hate my life?
There's a brief silence afterward.
Asif: Have you ever loved someone or still love them?
Adaa looks at him for a few minutes before looking away as he looks at her. She simply shrugs her shoulders.
Asif: You probably think what kind of idiot I am to love a girl who cannot stand the sight of me, but the truth will always remain that I love her.
Adaa: What if she loves someone else? Will you let her go?
Asif: She is not mine, so I have no right to stop her. And, the fact about her loving someone else... I would be happy if she moves on and finds someone else. I don't want her to suffer. I made her suffer enough in these past three years.
Adaa: That is very complex!
Asif thinks about it for a minute before replying.
Asif: If I put in simple words then... um... she's the moon I crave and desire, but can never have!
Silence engulfs them again.
Asif: I'm sorry?
Adaa: Huh?
Asif: I know I haven't been the best person to deal with in the past years. I was so immersed in my pain, guilt, and suffering that I never took note of how bad I was and am treating you. I really am sorry for that.
Adaa: It's fine.
Asif: No! It's not. What happened that night was my fault. I was drunk and...
Adaa: It's fine! At least, I got Aahna from it. I wouldn't have made it this far without her. Why don't you tell her the truth?
Asif: I can't!
Adaa: Why?
Asif: I don't want her to suffer more. She hates me and that might be the motivation for her to move on.
Adaa: I should apologize as well.
Asif: For?
Adaa: Marrying you knowing you loved someone else. Trust me if I knew you loved her so much I would have never done anything like this.
Asif: You didn't have a choice and neither did I. It's just our fate playing with us.
They sit in silence for some time before retiring back to their apartment.
The next morning comes faster than usual. It's around 6 in the morning. Darshan, Jyugal, Naushad, Asif, Daksh, and Inaya are jogging in the park in the apartment complex. They all make their way to the compound as they see Ayesha walk out of the elevator with a luggage bag.
Asif: Ayesha, where are you going?
Ayesha: Nowhere!
Daksh: Then, what's up with the bag?
Ayesha: Jaimi's.
Naushad: Why is her bag here?
Ayesha: She was given orders yesterday about leaving by today so...
Naushad: She never follows my orders, but she's going to follow these stupid orders.
Pakeeza, Adaa, Aahna, and Ali walk out of the elevator.
Ayesha: I guess it's best for everyone that she goes away right now. It will help her think through her choices and calm her down a bit.
Naushad: Yeah. She needs to calm down a bit.
Jyugal: Her safety?
Daksh: You are talking about Jaimi Patel! She can take down fifty people without a single weapon.
Naushad: Where is she going?
Ayesha: God knows! She told me last night that she's leaving today.
Naushad: Booked tickets or is going with someone?
Ayesha: Nothing.
Jaimi walks out of the elevator with a handbag in her hands. She stands beside Ayesha as she's conversing with someone on the phone. She is wearing a white hoodie dress that reaches her knees. She has paired it with white sneakers and her hair is pulled back in a messy bun.
Jaimi: I swear get up here in two minutes or I'm about to leave you.
She hangs up the call and looks towards the gate. A male wearing dark grey trousers, a white long-sleeved t-shirt, and a dark grey striped blazer with its sleeves rolled up to his elbows walks through the gates. She hands the bag to Daksh and runs towards him. He takes her in his arms and spins her around as they giggle like little kids. He sets her down and she hugs him. He hugs her back and they walk towards where the others are standing. He takes off his shades and looks down at Jaimi. He is about 6'1" in height. He wraps his arms around her shoulders and pulls her in front of him so her back is touching his toned torso.
Daksh/Ayesha/Asif: Murat?
Murat: Yeah. That's me!
Ayesha: You... two?
Daksh: How?
Jaimi slips out of his grip and fishes out a small car remote from her bag. She presses a key on it and a black car comes alive. The headlight blinks and it makes a beep sound before going back to its original state. She moves towards the car and they see a small steel step coming underneath from the body interior to aid when climbing into the car. It is a black Mercedes G Wagon. She drops her bag in the back seat and is on the call as she makes her way back to where the others are standing. She ends the call and kneels down as Aahna tugs on her dress to grab her attention.
Jaimi: Hey little one!
Aahna: Are you mad at daddy?
Jaimi: Who's your dad?
She points towards Asif with her tiny fingers. Jaimi breathing becomes rasp. She quickly composes herself and plasters a smile on her face.
Jaimi: I'm not mad at your dad, sweetheart!
Aahna smiles.
Aahna: Angel is that your prince?
She points towards Murat. He kneels down beside Jaimi.
Murat: Her prince is your d...
Jaimi elbows him and shakes her head telling him to keep his mouth shut. Pakeeza's expression shows fear.
Murat: Yeah. I am her prince charming!
Jaimi rolled her eyes and stood up after giving Aahna a pat on her head. Murat gets up after giving Aahna a small hug. Jaimi tugs on his blazer and pulls him closer to her. He is leaning down a bit.
Jaimi: Can you not make up a fucking lie?
Murat: I don't lie to kids, Jay! And, I guess you have some explaining to do in the car.
Daksh: Can you two stop whispering?
The two nod their head and straighten themselves.
Ayesha: Wait a second, why are you here?
Murat: You're not happy to see me?
Ayesha: It's not that, but you know you two... uh... forget it! I don't know what's going on in anyone's life.
Murat: We're going together!
Naushad: Where?
Murat: Haven't decided yet! She resigned and I am on a leave, so probably going to go around and have fun.
Pakeeza: Murat, if you have time then, please come home.
Murat: Not today aunty, but surely next time!
Ali: We'll see you around. Jaimi, you come with him. Anabia will be really happy to see you!
Jaimi nods her head. Murat leans down to whisper in her ear.
Murat: You have a daughter named Anabia who you never told me about?
Jaimi: Shut up you idiot! I don't have any kids. That's Asif's sister.
Murat: Oh.
Ali, Aahna, Pakeeza, and Adaa leave from there.
Jaimi: We should leave as well. I don't want to catch the early morning traffic.
Murat: Yeah. I don't need you to be angry in the traffic.
Jaimi gives him a side glare before moving towards Ayesha. She hugs Ayesha and Daksh. She shakes hands with Jyugal, Naushad, and Darshan. She nods at Inaya and stares at Asif before turning on her heels to see Murat doing the same. He hugs Asif and then stands beside Jaimi who is talking to Daksh. He takes the keys from her and loads his bags in the car.
Jaimi: Bye!
Daksh: Have fun!
Daksh motions towards Murat with his eyes. Jaimi looks behind her to see Murat settling himself down in the driver's seat. She chuckles and turns back to Daksh.
Jaimi: Surely will!
She winks at him. Ayesha scrunches her face in disapproval.
Ayesha: There's something called a text message!
Daksh: Why stare at a screen when we can talk face to face?
Jaimi chuckles and turns on her heels. She waves her hand in the air without looking back at them.
Jaimi: Love yaa! Bye!
They say bye to her as she hops into the car. Murat pulls out of the parking lot as they bob their head to the music.
They get ready for the day and make their way to the office. Naushad and Darshan are sitting in Naushad's cabin.
Naushad: You've shortlisted her biggest enemies, but we can't really rely on this list.
Darshan: I know! I'm trying to get into the Thai authority' records to see if they took out the boats from the water so we can find out the cause of the explosions.
Naushad: Ok. Even the smallest thing might help us reach the real culprit.
Darshan: I'll keep you posted.
They turn their head toward the door as Gautam walks in.
Naushad: Darshan, you continue with your work and keep me updated.
Darshan: Yeah.
Naushad: Close the door on your way, please.
Darshan: Of course!
Darshan leaves the cabin closing the door behind him.
Gautam: Where is Jaimi?
Naushad: She left with Agent Wish!
Gautam: Ok.
Gautam sighs and plops down in the chair across from Naushad's.
Gautam: We need to keep an eye on the two!
Naushad hums in response. They continue on with their chat.
**********
Burak Deniz as Murat Shah and Agent Wish
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