Chapter 8

"Ishaan... Please take a seat, let me get something for you." Shilpa spoke after sending Jiya off to freshen up. Even though Ishaan refused, she wouldn't take no for an answer. He conceded with a smile and took a seat on the couch while Amarjeet sat down on the recliner.

Before they could talk, the doorbell rang. One of the maids opened the door, and Raunak stormed in. "Uncle! Have you found Jiya? Is she safe?"

Brigadier approached Raunak and explained how Ishaan brought her back home. "Thank you, Ishaan! Thank you so much for bringing my Jiya back home."

Clearing his throat, Ishaan mumbled, "Don't worry, she is safe now."

This was crazy! Maybe he should just bolt! Ishaan thought ruefully.

Jiya chose the exact moment to step into the living room.

"Jiya!" Raunak was quick to pull her into the embrace. Startled, she returned the hug but her eyes were glued to Ishaan's piercing gaze. As they settled down, Ishaan fought to keep his cool without letting his emotions wander. Shilpa came over with a maid and served coffee, and snacks to everyone in the room.

"Sir... The threat is not over yet." Ishaan spoke with a serious look, sipping his coffee. Brigadier nodded, "I have increased the security... and the military intelligence is working relentlessly to identify the group. From what we know, it seems like, there was one more troop hiding in plain sight. We will get to them."

"You gave this case to me, I would like to see it through." Ishaan's determined look had Amarjeet smiling. "I knew you wouldn't stop until you reach your goal Ishaan. Fine, you lead this. I will make it official."

"Thank you, sir, I assure you, this won't take longer than a day. I have a strong lead, and I believe, it will take us to their hideout."

"What? Are you sure?" Amarjeet asked quizzically.

"Yes, Sir. I know exactly what to do. I have already alerted my team, and by the end of this week, we should be able to ambush the militant group at their hideout."

"This weekend?" Raunak asked. Amarjeet and Ishaan looked at him in surprise. Amarjeet had totally forgotten he was also in the room. "Shit! I am sorry... I shouldn't have discussed this in front of a civilian."

Raunak laughed nervously, "Array! I am a doctor at Military Hospital. I have known a lot of secrets and know very well to maintain discretion officer. You can trust me!"

Ishaan sighed, finishing the last of his coffee, "Of course." He refused to look in Jiya's direction, aware that she had been staring at him all along.

"I trust you would eliminate the threat, Captain Ishaan," Amarjeet stated when Ishaan got up to leave. "Thank you, sir, I won't let you down." He gave a brief nod and a warm smile at Shilpa before settling his gaze at Raunak, who again thanked him. Ishaan, couldn't muster enough courage to look at Jiya.

As he walked out, Jiya followed him silently in a daze. He had barely reached the gate when he stopped in his tracks. Knowing all too well that Jiya was behind him, Ishaan drew a long sigh turning around. "Ishaan."

"Take care Jiya."

Shaking her head, she ran into him and pulled him for a hug throwing her arms around his neck. "It's all my fault! This is the price I pay for my stupidity... Ishaan, I was always crazy about you... But I was too scared to act on it. And now, I feel like I am losing the most essential part of life."

He breathed against her hair, hugging her tight. After a moment had passed, he slowly released her. Ishaan cupped her face and stared deep into her tearful eyes. "Jiya. Whatever we do, we will never be able to change our destiny."

"So.. Raunak is my destiny?"

Ishaan snickered, "That is for you to decide, or... you can let fate play on its own."

"When did you get so philosophical?" Jiya frowned.

Chuckling at her comment, Ishaan wiped her tears and caressed her moist cheeks. He hated goodbyes and his heart squeezed painfully to let her go.

"Get back inside and please... No more unsafe shenanigans. I beg you."

"Fine."

"Bye Jiya."

***

"Let's wrap up the mission asap, officers," Ishaan said determinedly stealing a glance from the side mirror of his SUV. Jiya still stood by the gate, staring in his direction. Soon Raunak came out and coerced her to get back. Once they went in, Ishaan signalled the other army jeep parked at a distance to approach. 15 Officers got down and came running towards him. "Subedar Kishan, you will take point on this one. I want extra protection at Brigadier's residence tonight. Cover all of the areas. I need reports every once in 30 mins. Got it?"

"Yes, Captain!" The officers saluted and took positions around the house strategically for protection.

"Did you do what I asked?" Ishaan asked Lieutenant Junaid who was seated in the back of the car.

"Working on it, captain. Need a few moments," he replied, keeping his focus on the laptop screen.

"What about CCTV footage?"

"It's ready, we will have to go to the barracks to analyze it further," Junaid replied.

"Lieutenant Mayur, let's go to the barracks and get working," Ishaan instructed the other officer who was behind the wheel.

***

It was past 11 pm when Ishaan came home. The officer stationed at Dhillon's bungalow hadn't sent the report for the last 30 mins, and Ishaan was a second away from calling Subedar Kishan and giving him a punishment that he would remember for a lifetime.

It had been a long day. Running through the forest, reuniting Jiya with her family and planning for the upcoming mission. Ishaan hardly had time to breathe!

Before he could dial Subedar Kishan, he got a call from Junaid. "Captain. We are ready for the ambush."

"Great. 6 AM Sharp then," Ishaan confirmed, disconnecting the call, his mind still worrying about the missing update. On cue, he got another call.

"I thought I was pretty clear when I said I need the report every 15 mins. Don't you understand? Dhillon's need high security, and anything can happen tonight! I would have stayed there myself if I knew how irresponsible you guys are." Ishaan barked, picking up the call.

"Erm... Captain! Sorry... about that.. actually.. .something.. there... is..situation... I don't know how to put it.." Kishan mumbled, setting Ishaan's heart on standby mode. Did something happen?

"What's wrong, Subedar? You know what, forget it, I am coming there!" Ishaan announced, pulling a jacket over his t-shirt. "Captain... actually... it's Miss. Jiya Dhillon.."

"Jiya? What's wrong? Is she okay? CAN SOMEONE FREAKING GIVE ME A PROPER REPORT?" Ishaan yelled, unable to hold back his emotions. Right then, the doorbell rang and kept ringing. Frustrated, sleep-deprived and on the verge of losing his cool, Ishaan strode over to the main door, ready to give the person a piece of his mind. To his surprise, standing by his doorway was Jiya Dhillon, smiling like crazy. Three of the 15 officers he had stationed at the Brigadier's Bungalow were in the car parked outside his quarters. Ishaan stared at her with a mix of emotions ranging from surprise, anger and extreme urge to pull his hair out or maybe hers - oh those beautiful wavy tresses!

She always had to do the opposite of what was asked. How politely he had requested her to not do anything stupid, and stay clear of her shenanigans?

"Miss. Jiya Dhillon insisted on seeing you and said she didn't feel safe at her own home. She was very persistent, and we didn't know what.. we couldn't.. so I sent her with three officers.. I am sorry Captain.. I.." Kishan stammered on the call.

Of course, Jiya was Jiya. When had she not gotten her way?

"It's okay, Subedar Kishan. She is here. You guys remain at the Bungalow, as decided." Ishaan ordered before disconnecting the call. He signalled his men to camp out at his place while pulling the joyful Jiya inside with a maddening glare.

"How many times-"

"I chose you!" Jiya blurted and placed a kiss on his cheeks. Ishaan narrowed his eyes, "What?"

"I choose you, Ishaan! All of you... come whatever may! The only person I am ever going to be with is YOU!" Jiya spoke with a grin. Fisting his shirt by his neck, she pulled him closer to her, brought him down to her face and placed her lips on his, devouring the taste of his mouth.

It took all of his fortitude to break apart from her and stare down at her in a daze. "What are you talking about? Look Jiya-"

"I told Ma and Dad everything. I told them how I can't spend the rest of my life with Raunak and may also have hinted that a certain captain has my heart. Guess what! They had already planned on cancelling the wedding. I even informed Raunak and apologized to him. He was a little upset but he understood and left. I couldn't hold back and when Ma and Dad slept, I demanded your officers to bring me here."

"You are crazy." Ishaan was appalled.

"And selfish? Self-centred? Yeah. You can call me all that. I don't care. I couldn't help it. I felt like if I miss this chance, I would never see you or get another opportunity, ever again. Ishaan... You don't know what that feels like. I had to act on it!"

Shaking his head, Ishaan closed his eyes briefly. He was overwhelmed with every bit of emotion that passed through his body. Above all, the happiness that burst inside him was uncontrollable. When he opened his eyes, Jiya watched him with all the love in the world. It was exactly what he wanted, what he had dreamed of, what he craved and prayed for. Jiya! She chose him.

What had been complicated and a tangled mess was now a beautiful reality. Ishaan didn't waste another moment before swooping her up in the air and claiming her lips hungrily. Jiya, wrapped her legs around his waist, as he took her to his room with a burning passion.

He dropped her to her feet after shutting the room door, his lips parting from hers only for a brief moment as she urged him to remove his shirt. He undressed quickly, throwing away his shirt and pants. Eliminating the distance between them, Ishaan kissed her passionately, pouring all his love. With her hands all over his hair and his back, Jiya couldn't get enough and wanted more. Realizing, she was still fully clothed, Ishaan took quickly freed her of her clothing. He was in no mood to go slow. He had waited years, to make her his, forever.

The desire was so deep that even Ishaan couldn't help but feel, if not this moment, then never.

Holding onto each other, exploring every part of their bodies between the heavy breaths, Ishaan sighed. Settling gently between her, he caressed her face, "You sure about this?"

Jiya rolled her eyes, "If there is one thing in my life that I have always been sure of, it is you. I am not going to let my fears hold me back anymore, Ishaan."

"I love you." Ishaan breathed, his heart bursting with joy.

"I love you too, Captain!" Jiya said before closing the distance between them and joining their bodies in ways they have only fantasized about each other in their dreams.