Unlawfully yours - Chapter 11: Chapter 11

Ishani stared at the screen, her fingers hovering over the keyboard. The weight of the discovery sat heavy in her chest. This wasn’t just some case anymore. It was real, and it was dangerous.
She looked at Aarav, his jaw clenched, his fingers pressed against the edge of the table like he was barely holding himself back. His mind was already ten steps ahead, calculating his next move.
“We can’t go straight to the police,” she said, breaking the silence.
Aarav let out a humorless laugh. “Mujhe laga tum forensic student ho, law ki nahi.” (“I thought you were a forensic student, not a law student.”)
Ishani rolled her eyes, but her voice remained firm. “Agar Dr. Sinha itna influential hai ki forensic reports badal sakta hai, toh socho uska network kitna bada hoga.” (“If Dr. Sinha is influential enough to alter forensic reports, imagine how big his network must be.”)
Aarav’s gaze darkened. “Toh tum keh rahi ho ki hum bas baithe rahein?” (“So you’re saying we should just sit and wait?”)
“No,” Ishani said quietly. “Main keh rahi hoon ki humein smart banna padega.” (“I’m saying we need to be smart about this.”)
Aarav studied her for a moment, then exhaled, leaning back in his chair. “Toh ab agla step?” (“So, what’s the next step?”)
She swallowed. “We watch him. We find out exactly what he’s hiding.”
Aarav smirked slightly. “Tum mujhe illegal surveillance karne ke liye keh rahi ho?” (“Are you asking me to do illegal surveillance?”)
Ishani folded her arms. “Kya tum waise bhi nahi karne wale the?” (“Weren’t you going to do it anyway?”)
Aarav chuckled, a dark glint in his eyes. “Tum mujhe kaafi achi tarah jaan gayi ho.” (“You’ve started to know me well.”)
Ishani didn’t reply, but the tension between them was impossible to ignore.
Aarav leaned forward. His voice dropped, turning serious again.
“Ek baar proof mil gaya, toh main khud usse expose karunga.” (“Once we have solid proof, I’ll expose him myself.”)
There was something about the way he said it—so sure, so intense—that sent a shiver down her spine.
Ishani nodded. “Toh hum yeh kaise karenge?” (“So, how are we doing this?”)
Aarav’s smirk returned, but this time, it was full of something dangerous. “Uske peeche jaakar.” (“By going after him.”)
The next day, Ishani found herself sitting outside the faculty building with Aarav, pretending to be lost in her notes while he scrolled through his phone. They were waiting. Watching.
Dr. Sinha walked out of the building, speaking to someone on the phone. He was calm, composed—just another respectable professor in the eyes of the world.
Aarav’s eyes followed him sharply. “Chal.” (“Let’s go.”)
They stayed at a distance, following him as he exited the campus and walked toward the parking lot. Ishani’s heart pounded. This was real. They were actually following someone who could destroy them if he found out.
Dr. Sinha got into his car and drove off. Aarav didn’t even hesitate—he grabbed Ishani’s hand and pulled her toward his bike.
“Kya kar rahe ho?” (“What are you doing?”) she asked, her voice slightly breathless.
“Pata kar raha hoon ki yeh aadmi kahan jaa raha hai.” (“Finding out where this man is going.”)
Ishani didn’t argue. She just climbed onto the bike behind him.
The ride was fast, the wind cold against her skin. The city lights blurred as Aarav expertly maneuvered through traffic, keeping a careful distance from Dr. Sinha’s car.
Fifteen minutes later, the car pulled into a gated compound. It wasn’t his house—it looked more like an old office building. The windows were covered, and the area was eerily empty.
Aarav parked the bike a few meters away and turned off the engine.
“Tum yahan rukogi,” he said, his voice leaving no room for argument. (“You’ll stay here.”)
Ishani’s grip on his jacket tightened. “No way.”
Aarav sighed, rubbing his temple. “Ishani—”
“Main forensic student hoon, mujhe bhi pata karna hai yeh sab kyun ho raha hai.” (“I’m a forensic student, I need to know why this is happening.”)
Aarav stared at her for a long moment before muttering something under his breath. “Ziddi ho tum.” (“You’re stubborn.”)
“Shukriya.” (“Thanks.”)
Aarav gave her an exasperated look before getting off the bike. She followed closely.
They moved quietly through the shadows, making their way toward the side of the building. Aarav peeked through a small opening in one of the windows. His jaw clenched.
Ishani moved closer, her shoulder brushing against his as she peered in.
Inside, Dr. Sinha was sitting at a table with two other men. Papers were spread across the table, and one of the men was counting bundles of cash.
Her stomach twisted.
Black money. A payoff.
She strained her ears to hear, but the voices were too low.
Aarav nudged her back slightly. His voice was barely a whisper. “Yeh sirf forensic reports badalne ka kaam nahi hai.” (“This isn’t just about changing forensic reports.”)
Ishani swallowed hard. “Yeh kuch aur hai.” (“This is something bigger.”)
Aarav’s hand lightly gripped her wrist, a silent signal. Time to go.
They moved quickly, making their way back to the bike without drawing attention. Once they were far enough, Ishani let out a shaky breath.
“Yeh aadmi sirf forensic reports nahi badal raha. Yeh kuch aur illegal cheezein bhi kar raha hai.” (“This man isn’t just altering forensic reports. He’s involved in something bigger.”)
Aarav nodded, his expression unreadable. “Aur humein yeh sabit karna hoga.” (“And we need to prove it.”)
Ishani shivered slightly, and Aarav noticed. Without thinking, he reached out and rubbed her arms, his touch warm against her cold skin.
“Tum thik ho?” (“Are you okay?”) he asked softly.
Ishani looked up at him, their faces close in the dim streetlight. Her heartbeat picked up. “Haan.” (“Yeah.”)
Aarav didn’t move for a second. Then, his fingers lightly brushed her cheek before he pulled back. His warmth disappeared, replaced by the cold air between them.
“We’re getting close,” he murmured. “Aur jitna hum sach ke kareeb jaayenge, utna yeh log aur dangerous ho jayenge.” (“And the closer we get to the truth, the more dangerous they’ll become.”)
Ishani nodded. “Mujhe koi farq nahi padta.” (“I don’t care.”)
Aarav smirked, shaking his head. “Tum sach mein pagal ho.” (“You’re seriously crazy.”)
She smiled slightly. “Shukriya.” (“Thanks.”)
Aarav just chuckled, his eyes lingering on her for a second longer than necessary.
Then, his expression hardened again.
“Let’s end this, Ishani.”