Unlawfully yours - Chapter 31: Chapter 31

The night air was thick with tension as Aarav and Ishani stepped out of the Malhotra estate. A black SUV was already waiting for them, its engine idling softly. The moment felt surreal—two law students caught in a web far beyond their world of textbooks and courtroom arguments. But this wasn’t just about them anymore. It never had been.
Ishani tightened her grip on her bag, stealing a glance at Aarav. His expression was unreadable, but she could sense the storm raging beneath the surface. He was focused, cold—a hunter preparing for war.
“Where are we going?” she asked as he opened the car door for her.
Aarav slid in beside her, shutting the door with a quiet thud. “To meet someone who doesn’t exist.”
She frowned. “Matlab?” ("Meaning?")
He exhaled sharply. “He’s off the records. No legal name, no digital footprint. But he sees and hears everything that happens in this city.”
The driver, a man Ishani didn’t recognize, said nothing as he pulled the car onto the main road. The city lights flickered past in a blur, but inside the car, silence reigned.
Ishani couldn’t shake off the unease curling in her stomach. She had spent years dissecting crime scenes, analyzing evidence, and studying the psychology of criminals. But this—being right in the middle of it—was different.
Aarav must have noticed her tension because, after a few moments, he spoke, his voice lower than usual. “Agar abhi bhi lagta hai ki wapas jaana chahiye, toh bol de.” ("If you still think you should go back, say it now.")
Ishani met his gaze, her heart pounding for reasons beyond just fear. “Jahan tu jayega, main bhi wahin jaungi.” ("Wherever you go, I’ll go too.")
Aarav’s lips curled into a smirk, but there was something else in his eyes—something unspoken.
The car took a sharp turn, leaving behind the familiar roads of Mumbai. The buildings grew older, the streetlights dimmer. The air smelled of damp concrete and rusting metal.
Finally, they stopped in front of an abandoned warehouse. The driver didn’t speak, only nodding toward Aarav, who opened the door.
As they stepped out, Ishani shivered. It wasn’t the cold—it was the sheer emptiness of the place.
Aarav walked ahead, his posture relaxed but alert. Ishani followed closely, her senses on high alert.
A single hanging bulb flickered near the entrance, casting eerie shadows on the cracked walls. Then, a voice rang out from the darkness.
“Ladka bada ho gaya hai.” ("The boy has grown up.")
Ishani turned sharply, but Aarav didn’t flinch.
From the shadows, a man emerged. He was dressed in all black, his face partially hidden under a hood. But his voice held familiarity—a past connection with Aarav that she didn’t yet understand.
“Ishani,” Aarav said, not taking his eyes off the man. “Meet Rehaan.”
Rehaan smirked, his eyes gleaming with amusement. “Aur yeh forensic wali kaun hai?” ("And who is this forensic girl?")
Ishani lifted her chin. “Forensic wali nahi, forensic expert.” ("Not a forensic girl, a forensic expert.")
Rehaan chuckled, glancing at Aarav. “Badi tez hai.” ("She’s sharp.")
Aarav ignored the exchange. “You have a name for me?”
Rehaan’s expression sobered. He pulled out a folded piece of paper from his jacket and handed it to Aarav. “Is bande ko dhundh. Tera mastermind wahin milega.” ("Find this guy. Your mastermind will be there.")
Aarav unfolded the paper. Ishani leaned in to read it too. The name was scrawled in messy handwriting:
Rudra Seth.
She frowned. “Yeh naam suna suna lag raha hai.” ("This name sounds familiar.")
Aarav’s grip on the paper tightened. “Because it is.”
Ishani looked at him. “Kaun hai yeh?” ("Who is he?")
Rehaan sighed. “Ek samay par yeh underworld ka ek bada naam tha. Lekin fir achanak gayab ho gaya. Koi nahi jaanta ki woh kaha hai.” ("Once, he was a big name in the underworld. Then he disappeared. No one knows where he is now.")
Ishani’s mind raced. “Agar yeh gayab hai toh humein yeh kaise milega?” ("If he’s disappeared, how will we find him?")
Rehaan smirked. “Jise dhoondhna aata hai, uske liye kuch bhi namumkin nahi hota.” ("For those who know how to search, nothing is impossible.")
Aarav folded the paper and slipped it into his pocket. “Toh ab humein bas ek kaam karna hai.” ("Then we have only one job now.")
Ishani arched a brow. “Aur woh kya?” ("And what’s that?")
Aarav’s smirk was razor-sharp. “Mastermind se milne ka invitation bhejna.” ("Sending an invitation to meet the mastermind.")
Hours Later
Ishani leaned against the kitchen counter, watching Aarav as he poured himself a glass of water. The tension in the air hadn’t faded. If anything, it had grown heavier.
“Yeh sab kitna dangerous hai, Aarav.” ("This is all so dangerous, Aarav.")
Aarav took a slow sip before placing the glass down. “Mujhe pata hai.” ("I know.")
She studied him for a long moment. “Toh phir kyun kar raha hai yeh sab?” ("Then why are you doing all this?")
Aarav took a step closer, his voice dropping to a near whisper. “Kyuki ab yeh sirf ek case nahi raha, Ishani. Ab yeh personal ho gaya hai.” ("Because this isn’t just a case anymore, Ishani. It’s personal now.")
The intensity in his eyes sent a shiver down her spine. He wasn’t just fighting for justice. He was fighting because someone had dared to threaten what was his.
She exhaled, her heart pounding. “Agar yeh sab personal ho gaya hai, toh tu safe nahi rahega.” ("If this has become personal, you won’t be safe.")
Aarav reached out, his fingers lightly brushing against her cheek. “Agar tu mere saath hai, toh mujhe kuch nahi hoga.” ("If you’re with me, nothing will happen to me.")
Ishani swallowed hard, the moment stretching between them. She could feel the heat between them, the unspoken words, the undeniable pull.
And then, without thinking, she whispered, “Aur agar main tujhe chhod kar chali gayi toh?” ("And if I leave you?")
Aarav smirked, his fingers tilting her chin up. “Toh tujhe wapas laane ke liye poori duniya hila dunga.” ("Then I’ll shake the entire world to bring you back.")
Silence.
And then, she let herself melt into his touch.
Because despite everything, despite the danger, despite the risks—she knew there was no turning back.