Unlawfully yours - Chapter 32: Chapter 32

The city skyline stretched before them, a glittering expanse of lights reflecting off the calm waters of the bay. Aarav and Ishani stood on the terrace of his penthouse, the cold breeze brushing against their skin. It had been a long night, but neither of them had any intention of sleeping.
Ishani leaned against the railing, her fingers tapping lightly against the metal. “Toh ab kya? Ab hum is Rudra Seth ko kaise dhoondenge?” ("So now what? How are we going to find Rudra Seth?")
Aarav, standing beside her, exhaled deeply. His hands were shoved into his pockets, his usual sharp demeanor slightly softer in this moment. “Mujhe lagta hai ki wo khud humein dhoondhne wala hai.” ("I think he’s going to find us first.")
Ishani turned her head toward him, confused. “Matlab?” ("Meaning?")
Aarav smirked. “We’ve made too much noise. Jo khel hum khel rahe hain, usmein sirf ek hi rule hai—agar tum kisi ke peeche pade ho, toh samajh lo ki koi tumhare peeche bhi pada hai.” ("The game we’re playing has only one rule—if you're after someone, assume someone is after you too.")
A brief silence stretched between them before Ishani spoke again, her voice quieter this time. “Aur agar wo humein dhoondhne ke liye aaya, toh kya hum tayaar hain?” ("And if he comes looking for us, are we ready?")
Aarav turned to face her fully, his intense gaze locking onto hers. “Main hamesha tayaar hoon. Aur jab tak tu mere saath hai, mujhe kisi aur cheez ki zaroorat nahi.” ("I’m always ready. And as long as you're with me, I don’t need anything else.")
Aarav’s words sent a shiver down her spine, but this time, it wasn’t fear. It was something deeper, something she wasn’t sure she had the courage to acknowledge.
She swallowed, looking away. “Aarav…”
He took a step closer, invading the small space between them. “Kya?” ("What?")
Ishani hesitated for a moment before speaking. “Tu kabhi darte nahi hai?” ("Are you never afraid?")
Aarav’s voice dropped, his eyes darkening. “Darta hoon.” ("I am.")
Ishani’s breath caught. She hadn’t expected that answer. “Kis cheez se?” ("Of what?")
Aarav lifted a hand, his fingers brushing lightly against her cheek. “Tujhe khone se.” ("Losing you.")
The words hung between them, heavy with meaning. Ishani felt her heart pound against her ribs, the air suddenly too thick to breathe.
For a moment, neither of them moved.
And then, slowly, Aarav leaned in.
His lips hovered inches from hers, his breath warm against her skin. “Agar tu abhi bhi chahti hai ki main rukh jaun, toh bol de.” ("If you still want me to stop, say it now.")
Ishani’s mind screamed at her to think—to be careful, to not fall deeper into something she might never escape from. But her heart?
Her heart had already decided.
Instead of answering, she closed the gap, pressing her lips softly against his.
Aarav stilled for a moment, as if caught off guard, before responding with equal intensity. His hand slid around her waist, pulling her flush against him as the kiss deepened.
The city lights flickered behind them, the cold night air wrapping around their entangled bodies. But in that moment, nothing else existed except the two of them.
An hour later
Ishani sat curled up on the couch, her fingers absentmindedly tracing patterns on the glass of water she held. Aarav sat beside her, one arm resting lazily along the back of the couch, watching her.
“Tu chup kyun ho?” ("Why are you so quiet?") he finally asked.
Ishani sighed. “Bas soch rahi hoon… yeh sab kab khatam hoga?” ("Just thinking... when will all this end?")
Aarav didn’t answer immediately. Instead, he leaned forward, elbows resting on his knees. “Jab hum ise khatam karenge.” ("When we finish it.")
She looked at him, searching his face for something. “Aur tab tak?” ("And until then?")
Aarav smirked, reaching out to tuck a stray strand of hair behind her ear. “Tab tak… hum jee rahe hain.” ("Until then... we live.")
Ishani held his gaze, feeling the truth in his words. Maybe that was all they could do—live in the moments they had, because in their world, tomorrow was never promised.
She exhaled, letting herself relax for the first time in what felt like forever. “Agar aaj sab kuch khatam ho jaye, toh tu sabse pehle kya karega?” ("If everything ended today, what’s the first thing you’d do?")
Aarav thought for a moment before answering. “Tujhse shaadi.” ("Marry you.")
Ishani’s eyes widened, her breath catching. “Aarav, tu mazak kar raha hai, na?” ("Aarav, you're joking, right?")
He shook his head, his expression dead serious. “Bilkul nahi.” ("Not at all.")
Ishani swallowed. “Aur agar yeh sab khatam hone mein bohot waqt laga?” ("And what if this takes a long time to end?")
Aarav reached for her hand, intertwining their fingers. “Toh main intezaar karunga.” ("Then I’ll wait.")
The weight of his words settled over her, making her heart ache in ways she hadn’t expected.
She squeezed his hand lightly. “Tu itna pakka kaise hai?” ("How are you so sure?")
Aarav lifted her hand to his lips, pressing a soft kiss against her knuckles. “Kyuki mujhe pata hai, ki jo bhi ho, main hamesha tere saath rahunga.” ("Because I know that no matter what happens, I’ll always stay with you.")
Ishani felt a lump form in her throat. This wasn’t just words. This was a promise.
For the first time in her life, she didn’t feel alone.
She had Aarav. And he was hers.