Unlawfully yours - Chapter 13: Chapter 13

Aarav leaned against his bike outside Ishani’s hostel, arms crossed, waiting for her. His mind was still racing from everything they had uncovered. A forensic professor involved in a web of crime, Ishani’s near exposure, and now, the possibility that these weren’t just cover-ups, but actual assassinations.
Ishani walked out, a small bag slung over her shoulder. She hesitated for a second before handing him a helmet.
“Pehle bata do, yeh sach mein zaroori hai?” she asked, raising an eyebrow. (“First, tell me—are we really doing this?”)
Aarav smirked. “Agar marne ka shauk hai toh ruk sakti ho.” (“If you have a death wish, you can stay.”)
Ishani rolled her eyes. “Itni drama mat karo, Arrogant Aru.” (“Don’t be so dramatic, Arrogant Aru.”)
Aarav chuckled, shaking his head. He didn’t correct her. Instead, he handed her his extra jacket. Nights were cold, and she would never admit if she was freezing.
Ishani hesitated before slipping it on. It smelled like him—leather, soap, and something unexplainably Aarav. She shook the thought away and climbed onto the bike behind him.
As soon as she wrapped her arms around his waist, he stiffened for a second, then exhaled.
“Dheere chalaana,” she muttered. (“Drive slow.”)
Aarav smirked. “Sapne dekhna band kar. Yeh toh aur tez jaane waali hai.” (“Stop dreaming. This is going even faster.”)
Before she could protest, he revved the engine, making her yelp as the bike sped off into the night.
They reached Aarav’s apartment—a sleek, modern space in a high-rise building, completely opposite to what she imagined for someone like him. She had assumed he’d live in a cramped space filled with case files and law books, but this was… luxurious.
“Tu lawyer hai ya gangster?” she muttered, stepping inside. (“Are you a lawyer or a gangster?”)
Aarav smirked, locking the door behind her. “Dekh ke kya lagta hai?” (“What do I look like?”)
Ignoring him, she threw her bag on the couch and pulled out her laptop. Aarav grabbed two bottles of water and sat across from her.
“So, tell me,” he said, watching her intently. “Kya mila?” (“What did you find?”)
Ishani exhaled and pulled up the files on her screen. “There’s a pattern, Aarav. Every single altered autopsy report we’ve found? They all link back to cases where powerful people were involved.”
Aarav frowned, leaning closer. “Politicians, businessmen…”
“Bank fraud cases, land disputes,” Ishani added. “And most of them?” She looked up, her eyes dark with realization. “Whistleblowers.”
Aarav’s jaw clenched. People weren’t just dying. They were being silenced.
For a moment, the only sound in the room was the low hum of the city outside.
Then Ishani sighed. “Aur ab woh jaante hain ki hum kuch dhoond rahe hain.” (“And now they know we’re looking into it.”)
Aarav ran a hand through his hair. “Agar yeh sach hai, toh sirf Dr. Sinha nahi, pura system involved hoga.” (“If this is true, then it’s not just Dr. Sinha. The entire system is involved.”)
Ishani nodded. “Aur mujhe nahi pata hum kitna aage ja sakte hain bina pakde jaane.” (“And I don’t know how far we can go without getting caught.”)
Aarav leaned back, watching her. She looked exhausted but determined as hell.
He had been in dangerous situations before. He knew how to handle them. But Ishani? She was stepping into fire for the first time.
And he wasn’t sure if she understood just how deep this could go.
“Ishani,” his voice was quieter now, more serious. “Tu nikal sakti hai. Abhi bhi.” (“You can still back out.”)
She looked at him, unblinking. “Aur agar tu hota meri jagah?” (“And if you were in my place?”)
Aarav exhaled. He knew his answer. He would never back down.
And neither would she.
“Thik hai,” he muttered. (“Alright.”)
They were in this together now. No turning back.
The next morning, Ishani headed to her forensic lab as usual, trying to act normal. Aarav had insisted she text him every hour. She had rolled her eyes, but deep down, she knew he was right to be paranoid.
She was halfway through her work when a message popped up on her screen.
Unknown Number: Curiosity is a dangerous thing, Miss Verma.
Her breath hitched.
Then another message.
Unknown Number: Some questions are better left unanswered.
Ishani’s fingers tightened around her phone. Her heart pounded, but she forced herself to stay calm.
She quickly forwarded the messages to Aarav.
Ishani: We have company.
Seconds later, her phone rang. Aarav.
“Where are you?” he asked sharply.
“In the lab,” she whispered.
“Stay there. I’m coming.”
For the first time since this started, a flicker of fear settled in Ishani’s chest.
They weren’t just looking into something dangerous.
They were being watched.
That night, Ishani found herself back at Aarav’s apartment.
Neither of them spoke much—Aarav was pacing, thinking, planning. Ishani sat on the couch, flipping through files, her mind racing.
At some point, exhaustion kicked in. She leaned back, stretching.
Aarav glanced at her. “Thoda rest le. Tu thak gayi hai.” (“Get some rest. You’re exhausted.”)
She shook her head. “Nahi, bas—” (“No, just—”) She sighed. “Bahut zyada ho raha hai.” (“It’s just… a lot.”)
Aarav watched her for a moment, then sat beside her.
“Yeh toh bas shuruat hai, forensic girl,” he murmured. (“This is just the beginning, forensic girl.”)
Ishani scoffed. “Agar mujhe forensic girl bulana band nahi kiya, toh main tujhe chhod ke chali jaungi.” (“If you don’t stop calling me forensic girl, I’ll leave.”)
Aarav smirked. “Jhoot bol rahi hai.” (“You’re lying.”)
Ishani rolled her eyes but didn’t move away when he leaned in slightly. There was something about the way he looked at her—like he was memorizing her face.
For a second, she thought he was going to kiss her.
Her breath hitched.
But then, he leaned back. “Sone ja.” (“Go to sleep.”)
Ishani blinked, caught between disappointment and relief.
She huffed. “Tujhe thoda bhi romance nahi aata, na?” (“You really don’t know anything about romance, do you?”)
Aarav smirked but said nothing.
As she walked to the bedroom, he called out—too casually.
“Ishani.”
She turned.
His gaze was unreadable.
“Main seekh raha hoon.” (“I’m learning.”)
Her stomach flipped.
She shut the door behind her, exhaling.