Unlawfully yours - Chapter 9: Chapter 9

Aarav wasn’t a man of patience. Especially not when someone crossed a line.
And tonight?
Someone had crossed a line.
He sat in an empty classroom, fingers tapping against the desk, his mind racing. The image of Ishani’s blood on her fingers burned in his memory.
He had promised her he wouldn’t do anything impulsive.
But she didn’t say anything about calculated revenge.
Aarav took a deep breath, pulled out his phone, and made a call.
The voice on the other end picked up. “Mehta.”
Aarav’s tone was ice-cold. “Mujhe ek naam chahiye.” (“I need a name.”)
The man hesitated. “Kis ka?” (“Whose?”)
Aarav leaned back, his grip on the phone tightening. “Jo forensic lab ke bahar tha. Jo Ishani ko chhune ki galti kar chuka hai.” (“The one who was outside the forensic lab. The one who made the mistake of touching Ishani.”)
A pause.
Then, a low chuckle. “Toh tum yeh case personal le rahe ho.” (“So you’re taking this case personally.”)
Aarav’s voice was razor-sharp. “Main tab se le raha hoon jab maine uska khoon dekha.” (“I’ve been taking it personally since I saw her blood.”)
Ishani lay on her bed, staring at the ceiling. Sleep refused to come.
Every time she closed her eyes, she felt it again—the hand gripping her mouth, the knife grazing her skin, the voice whispering in her ear.
She exhaled, trying to calm her nerves. She wasn’t weak. She had studied enough cases to know that fear was a tool criminals used.
And she refused to be a victim.
Her phone buzzed.
Aarav: Soya nahi ab tak? (Still not asleep?)
She hesitated before replying.
Ishani: Tumhe kaise pata? (How do you know?)
The response came instantly.
Aarav: Agar tu so rahi hoti toh main bhi so raha hota. (If you were sleeping, I’d be sleeping too.)
Ishani blinked, her fingers pausing over the screen. What the hell was that supposed to mean?
Before she could respond, another message appeared.
Aarav: Dar lag raha hai? (Are you scared?)
Ishani sighed. Was she?
She wanted to say no. But for some reason, with Aarav, she didn’t want to lie.
Ishani: Thoda. (A little.)
This time, Aarav didn’t reply immediately. When he did, his message was simple.
Aarav: Main sab thik kar dunga. (I’ll fix everything.)
Not “we.” Not “the police.”
Just him.
Ishani swallowed. What was he planning?
By morning, Aarav had a name.
And that name was Aditya Khanna.
A security guard. Worked night shifts. Always quiet, never caused problems.
But last night?
He had been stationed outside the forensic lab.
Aarav walked toward the admin building, his eyes locked on the man leaning against a pillar, sipping chai. Aditya.
He was young, maybe late twenties. Average height, lean build, nothing intimidating.
But Aarav wasn’t fooled.
He approached casually, hands in his pockets. “Bohot subah subah chai peene ka mood bana?” (“Early morning chai craving?”)
Aditya looked up, surprised. “Sir?”
Aarav tilted his head. “Kal raat forensic lab ke aas paas kya chal raha tha?” (“What was happening near the forensic lab last night?”)
Aditya blinked. “Sir, mujhe nahi pata—”
Aarav smiled. The kind of smile that wasn’t friendly at all.
“Pata chal jayega.” (“You’ll know soon.”)
And before Aditya could react, Aarav grabbed his collar and slammed him against the pillar.
Aditya choked on his words, eyes wide. “S-Sir—!”
Aarav’s face was calm, his voice dangerously soft. “Jis haath se tu Ishani ko touch kiya tha, usko tod doon?” (“Should I break the hand you touched Ishani with?”)
Aditya’s face turned pale. “Maine… maine kuch nahi kiya!” (“I-I didn’t do anything!”)
Aarav’s fingers tightened around his collar. “Jhooth mat bol.” (“Don’t lie.”)
“I swear!” Aditya gasped. “Main sirf—main sirf message dene gaya tha!” (“I only… I only went to give a message!”)
Aarav’s grip didn’t loosen. “Kisne bheja tha?” (“Who sent you?”)
Aditya gulped. “M-Mujhe nahi pata! Bas ek call aayi thi, anonymous number se! Usne kaha ki forensic student ko sirf dara do, bas!” (“I-I don’t know! I just got a call from an anonymous number! They said to just scare the forensic student, that’s all!”)
Aarav’s eyes narrowed. Anonymous. Smart.
But not smart enough.
Because now?
Aarav had a face.
He let go of Aditya abruptly, letting him stumble back.
Aarav’s voice was calm, deadly. “Agar dobara Ishani ke aas paas dikha na… toh forensic lab ka next case tu khud hoga.” (“If you go near Ishani again… the next forensic case will be yours.”)
Aditya ran.
Aarav exhaled slowly, his hands still clenched.
He wasn’t done yet.
Not even close.
Ishani was staring at her notes when she heard someone drop into the seat next to her.
She didn’t need to look up. She already knew who it was.
“Tumne kuch kiya na?” (“You did something, didn’t you?”) she asked, without missing a beat.
Aarav smirked slightly. “Aisa tumhara opinion hai.” (“That’s just your opinion.”)
Ishani finally turned to him. His knuckles were slightly bruised.
Her stomach twisted. He had done something.
She exhaled. “Aarav—”
Before she could finish, he leaned in, voice low.
“Naam mila hai.” (“I got a name.”)
Ishani’s heart skipped. “Kaun?” (“Who?”)
“Aditya Khanna.”
Her breath caught. “W-Wo security guard?” (“T-The security guard?”)
Aarav’s eyes glinted darkly. “Haan. Par usse kisi aur ne bheja tha.” (“Yes. But someone else sent him.”)
Ishani swallowed. This was bigger than she thought.
Aarav studied her face. Then, suddenly, his gaze softened—just a little.
“Tum thik ho?” (“Are you okay?”)
Ishani hesitated. Then, finally, she nodded.
Aarav exhaled, leaning back in his seat. “Good.”
And just like that, the coldness was back.
Ishani knew one thing for sure now.
Whoever had started this game… Aarav was about to finish it.