Well, it’s been a while since college I got engaged in a fight. I hope I can keep up with the goons. Taking a deep breath I opened the door. And to my surprise, there stood four men looking at me suspiciously in police uniform.

I sighed in relief. At least I don’t have to fight and break my bones. The four men were looking at me like I am some wanted criminal. The one looked like Khader Khan, seems to be the inspector. He moved forward and slowly pushed me to the side and entered into the room.

He looked around and saw a small figure standing at the corner, whose one hand is holding the chair tightly and the other one holding a backpack to her chest.

The inspector looked at her and then at me in suspicion. “So, what’s happening here? Mid night entertainment?” he asked me with a mocking and disgusting face.

What?!! Oh the mentality of these people. I felt my anger firing up. I looked at the girl. She too had this shocked expression.

“I think the information was correct sir. Should we arrest them for immoral traffic?” one of the constables asked the inspector.

That’s it. They crossed the limit. “Excuse me. This is not what you are thinking. Okay. We were in unusual situation. There is nothing illegal going on here okay.” I said irritated.

“Oh really, fine then we will take to you both to the hospital for check up and then to the police station then we can meet the reporters. What you say?” the inspector asked with a weird smile.

“Fine, do as you wish. I don’t mind.” I said with equal mocking tone

Tears were falling from her eyes. It made a knot in my stomach. I feel pity towards her. Just as her one nightmare ended another started. I know I can handle the humiliation and can teach the officer a lesson soon, but I don’t want to make her go through all those.

I kept silent and thought what to do. The inspector looked at her and walked towards her she took a step back.

But the inspector held a sympathetic face. “Is he making you do something bad, which you don’t want to? Are you here without your concern? Is there anybody threatening you?” he asked calmly.

She nodded her head in no. The inspector sighed. “So you are here with him by yourself.” He asked again. This time she nodded in yes. I was relived. If she wanted she could have framed me and escape the situation. But she didn’t. I feel happy inside.

“Then why are you here in this motel? Don’t you know this is famous for illegal activities?” the inspector said.

She was in the verge of breaking down. What can I tell to convince the officer so that he will leave us alone? He doesn’t seem like a money hungry man.

“Give me your id. You both” He asked again signalling both of us. I was about to pick my purse from my pocket when she spoke. “I don’t have any. I left in a hurry so I didn’t get time to check my purse.” She said in a weak voice. “Fine. Give me your family’s details and phone number.” The inspector said again.

She was looking at her feet. “I don’t have any. I am an orphan.” She said without looking up. I was startled. She is an orphan? My heart pained for her. The inspector gave a disbelief sigh.

“Look I’m trying to help ok. But don’t try to be over smart. It’s better to take you both to the police station.” He said irritated.

She looked at me; her eyes were begging me to help. I was thinking of an excuse that will help us to get out of this situation. “Come on lets Go.” The inspector said.

“Ah-Uh, hmm, Sir please listen to me for a second. We, we can’t go to the police station.” I said.

“And why is that?” the inspector asked curiously.

“Hmm because... We eloped. You know, she is an orphan and mine is very orthodox family. So they didn’t agree to this relationship. And they fixed my marriage with some rich girl by threatening me. But I was so in love with her I couldn’t let that happen. So yeah, we eloped.” I said with all my acting skills to make it maximum natural.

I looked at the people around me. The policemen were amused and the girl was having a shocked expression on her face and her mouth hung open. I signalled her to go with the flow. She closed her mouth and gave me weird look.

The inspector turned towards her, “Is this true?” he asked. She looked at me. I pleaded her with my eyes. If this act gets caught, then definitely we are going to the police station. The inspector seems like he believe half of it and he was confirming it with her.

“Ah- uh, hmm yes.” She replied in a low voice. And her head hung low.

“My family is very powerful so they are trying to get a hold on us. It all happened in hurry, and we were not prepared enough.” I tried my best to make him believe the drama I scripted.

He looked at both of us with a thoughtful face. He walked out of the room and gestured the constables to follow him. I left the breath I was holding. And smiled at the victory of my act. I gave myself a thumps up in my head. I was about to close the door, but the inspector appeared in front of me again. He came into the room again and looked at our faces with a serious face.

“You both are coming with me.” he said. The victory dance happening in my head stopped instantly.

No I am not good at acting. You suck at acting Sid. I scolded myself. Disappointment filled in my face.

I thought I could protect her from this mess but no, you made it messier.

Looking at her saddened face made it worse. She gave me sad smile. Sighing in defeat we both walked out of the room with the inspector.