Quick note to myself- Be more polite to the homeless people. They have enough problems as it is apart from dealing with your rudeness.

Not that I encountered one or anything. In fact, I was the one who was considered as a homeless person by the departmental store's authorities.

I wasn't offended by their assumption. My wrinkled clothes, all thanks to the fact I slept in them, my messy hair and of course, the lack of shoes; I could totally understand where they were coming from. But they didn't have to be so rude, and they didn't need to call me a thief either.

I threw my hands up in frustration. The audacity of them accusing me just because of my disheveled appearance.

It's not like my strange behaviour of hiding and sneaking over Rehaan was at any fault.

I seriously hated when my subconscious mind taunted me.

'Yeah, yeah, I agree that apart from my appearance, it was my suspicious behaviour that got caught in the CCTV, was the main reason behind my ordeal.' I huffed at getting bested by my own mind.

"I swear I am not a thief," I told them for the tenth time, but they were still looking at me with accusing eyes.

I was on my way to the exit, following Rehaan when suddenly two security guards and one officer came over, blocking my way from going out. It had been five minutes since then and we were repeating the same lines over and over again.

"Then show us your receipt of purchase."

"I already told you that I didn't buy anything." I sighed tiredly, before faking bravado and asking, "It is not mandatory to buy something once you enter the store, is it? I just didn't like anything, so I want to leave. What's so wrong with that?"

"If you haven't taken anything then it's fine. But for now, please come aside for checking," the officer muttered, looking like he didn't give a shit about what I was saying.

"Just check the CCTV!" I yelled, throwing my hands up in the air.

"We are here after checking the CCTV. We found out about your strange behaviour there itself. Not to mention, there were more than five scenarios where you went towards the blind spots the CCTV couldn't capture."

"I went near the blind spot, so I stole?" I looked at incredulously.

"If you haven't then why are you getting scared of a mere checking?" He questioned back, looking smug.

Because I forgot to take my wallet in a hurry. If they find out about this piece of information, then it will just strengthen their doubt.

Although accusatory the officer was at least talking respectfully until now. But as I refused more, the security guards took over, talking to me in a way I couldn't explain even if I wanted to. I hadn't ever felt degraded like this, not even when Rehaan had fired me ruthlessly.

One of the men from security came threateningly towards me. But before he could manhandle me, a voice yelled from afar in a breathless tone. "She is with me."

I turned to see Rehaan running towards where I was standing, seemingly having re-entered the store.

My eyes widened upon seeing him come to my rescue. He skidded before halting. He gently pushed me behind him, as he effortlessly took over the conversation.

After my initial shock was over, all I felt was relief. Relief of having him beside me.

"Here is the receipt of our purchase," he said, handing the receipt to the officer, while glaring down at the security guards.

"We were just playing around. You know sneak attack kind of thing. So it must have looked suspicious. But she is not a thief."

His left hand came behind, squeezing my hand reassuringly.

"Didn't you just enter the store?" The officer raised his eyebrows, obviously having seen Rehaan coming from the entrance door.

Rehaan rolled his eyes, before gesturing towards the receipt. "I have been here for an hour or so. You can see the timing of the payment in the receipt. It was just made five minutes ago.

"I left after making the payment. Unfortunately, I realized it way later that she wasn't behind me, like I had assumed. I tried coming back, but the guard didn't let me enter from the exit and I had to round up the entire area to come from the entrance." Rehaan informed, sighing at the end.

Rubbing his forehead tiredly, he said, "If you still aren't sure then go and check the CCTV again. You will find that for the entire time she was here, it was always around me."

Upon seeing the officer's questioning gaze, Rehaan clarified, "Told ya, that we were playing a sneaking game. Making the boring task enjoyable. Is that a crime too?" He asked at the end, faking a smile.

The officer nodded understandingly, and finally left after muttering a small apology. I gritted my teeth and showed my fist to the security guards as they were leaving.

My fist was fast to come down when Rehaan turned towards me. I gulped, while smiling sheepishly at him as he looked at me with amused eyes.

"You knew," I whispered, scratching the side of my head.

I had seriously thought that I succeeded in being discreet.

"Obviously I did," he said with a roll of his eyes, before taking my hand and gently pulling me towards the exit.

I bit my lips as I quietly followed him outside, still baffled by the whole situation.

"Stay here," he commanded softly, once we were out of the store.

Probably having gone to take back his bags which he must have left behind, before coming to my rescue.

I played anxiously with my hands as I waited for him to come back. How was I supposed to face him now? Not only did I tattered my image in front of him, but also ruined the confidence he had gained from shopping alone.

He must have been thinking so low of me.

"Back to earth, Muskaan." Rehaan waved his palm in front of me, bringing me back from my thoughts.

"Here," he said, putting down the sandals beside my feet.

"Wha..."  To say I was shocked was an understatement. I wasn't expecting this. Anything but this.

"Sorry if they don't fit perfectly. I didn't know the size, I just bought a pair randomly," he said sheepishly, looking eager for me to try it on.

"You didn't have to," I muttered, yet the gratefulness in my voice was clear.

He blinked his eyes reassuringly at me, silently urging me to try it on.

Smiling at him hesitantly, I wore them. They were a little loose, but it was the thought that counted. So I thanked him with all my heart for being so thoughtful.

"Stop being so scared. It's over now." He assured, looking back at the store.

He is probably thinking that I was shaken because of those authorities, but he doesn't have any idea that I was more scared of his reaction to my actions.

I nodded mutely, before taking some of the bags from his hands to divide the load.

"When did you find out?" I asked in a quiet voice, as we started walking.

"Huh? Oh, about you following me?" Rehaan questioned back, raising his eyebrows. He started wiggling them, when he saw my face turning red.

"Sorry," I mumbled, looking down.

"Raise your head, Muskaan. I am not angry. Seeing your condition, it is obvious that this wasn't your planned idea."

I self consciously smoothened my t-shirt at his words.

"You must have been worried." He guessed.

"Because it was my first time doing this work?" He asked when he saw me nod.

"That and also because I was afraid that your head could start hurting or someone would attack you again." I told him truthfully.

His eyebrows furrowed for a second, before he shook his head to clear his thoughts.

"Back to my previous question, when did you find out that I was following you? Or did you know from the start?"

"I saw your reflection on the lift's closed door when I was waiting for my turn," he replied, making me face palm.

Damn! I should have been more cautious.

"I was surprised by your presence and was about to call you, but then I heard another one of the helpful conversations which had been helping me from the start to make decisions over the purchase." He gave me a look as he said that.

I cleared my throat, trying to get rid of the embarrassment. Cat was out of the bag now. He not only found me following me around, but also caught me in the act.

"I...," I trailed off, not knowing how to explain.

"It was kind of fun, so I didn't inform you and let you continue helping me discreetly till the end," he informed me as he caressed my hair, before he started walking ahead of me as we entered the building.

Turning back after a few steps, he cupped his hands near his mouth and shouted, "I might have even faked being confused a few times. It was fun acting deliberately stupid to see your reaction."

That jerk winked, literally winked at me, before entering the escalator alone to avoid my lash out.