~KIARA~

" Do you frequent Mumbai ? " I asked him .

He gives me a side glance .

" You have been laughing on me for past 10 minutes "

"Uhmmm "

" Do you not see where I am going with this ? "

"Not really "

" Kiara , I am not going to answer until I restore my dignity and ego . Which will take a few more minutes "

And with that I burst out laughing once more . You see , after I saw that spices hoarding I kept my eyes on the road like a hawk . I found Arjun on agarbatti hoarding , dresses as a welder , plumber . Not be mention he looked good in all of them but he does not need to know that .

" Imm mm ... sorry . I swear this is the last . I never saw your banners before today and looks like they all are coming to be together " I turn around in the seat to face him .

" This is not helping you " He again gives me a side glance . He is trying to sound stern but he has a smile plastered on his face .

" I am not going to say a word about it again " Arjun has his hand resting on his thigh , I feel conscious for what I'm about to do but I go ahead and tap his hands as a gesture of assurance . This makes Arjun gives me his full attention.

" You are forgiven " He says giving a smile which leaves a dimple on his cheek.

" So Mumbai ? " I ask again.

" I am in Mumbai for a day or two of every month when I'm in the country. I have to go there for campaigns, shoots , award shows or party of the movie fraternity "

" Movie fraternity? " I ask confused .

" Yes . Umm Bollywood actors "

" You know Salman khan ? " I ask half excited and half shocked .

Ajrun looks at me and laughs .

" Your voice just turned deafening "

" I got excited " I say loudly.

" Ohh I can see that " He says teasing and trying to sound like me .

" Let's get past that . But you know Salman khan ? "

" I do know him . I have met him at various events and parties . He is a huge cricket fan so we have had good conversations . Cap is really close to him given that he is his favourite cricketer "

" He is handsome isn't he ? " I asked like a 9 year old fangirl .

" Kiara , guys do not notice how another man looks . But I would say that he does looks good and has a great personality which fills up the whole room with his presence "

" You said too much for someone who said man do not notice other man "

I repeat his exact words with a heavy voice .

He gives me a deep meaning look and looks straight again .

" If you ever want to meet him , you should try being nice to me "

" You can make it happen " My eyes almost pop out .

" Ofcourse " He says like its a no big deal .

" My 9 year old self is crying "

" You love Salman khan that much. I mean its no shock he's a superstar "

" I love him so much that I thought he was an angel "

Arjun gives me a confusing look .

" Whatever that means "

" No . When hello brother came out I thought he was so cool to pass through walls and humans and then in the end he's flapping his hands like wings and sitting on a cloud with wings on his back and a halo . I thought he is like that in real life "

Arjun laughs out so loud that I freeze and look down shyly.

" you thought... hahahahahay "

This goes on for god knows how long.

" Let mee get this "

He says breathing fastly to calm himself.

" You thought he was an angel because he dresses up as one in a movie, a freaking movie " And he laughs again .

" I was a huge fan anddd andd STOP IT"

I shout out . Arjun turns and look at me with shock.

" You are scary " He says with wide eyes .

" I can be very very scary if you don't stop right now " I move forward very close to him to prove my point.

He nods his head and I retreat back , fix my glasses.

" That never happened " Arjun says spreading his hands wide .

" We are never talking about this again"

Rest of the ride is quite.

When Arjun and I reached the airport he took us towards a private terminal and on the way I remember making an very important call and there was no network . I did tell Arjun something like ," shoot . Shucksss. I'll be backkkkkkkk " . Yes the letter ' k ' lingered on for a while till I disappeared from his eyesight.

Now I have a brown paper bag and pepsi in other hand as I saw burger king on the way . When I reached the private terminal and started to go through the gate guards stopped me .

I was sipping on my pepsi without looking ahead .

" You can't go in madam "

" Uh I was here like 15 minutes ago "

" Why did you not go in then ? You think you could pass on the security without them noticing. "

" I swear I have a jet to board . I was with Arjun . Where did that idiot go "

I grumbled the last line to be audibale to myself.

" Arjun who ? "

" The cricketer. Malhotra . He is inside let me go in and call him he'll clear this up " I march forward but two security guards dragged me back holding my arms .

" Hey ! Leave me , this is mishandling. You guys could go to jail for that "

My pepsi was spilling !

"But you'll be good to go for trespassing the private terminal "

" I swear to God I am reporting this to the police . Arjunnnnnnnnnnn "

I thought this was my only resort. I was being dragged away and I did not have his number to contact .

" You must be his fan . These stunts have happened way too much in the past" Spoke one of the guard near the door .

" I know him and he knows , I'm a judge I would never do that just please call him out . Arjun.. "

" Yes , we do believe you know Arjun malhotra " His tone was mocking me .

" No doubt about that rightt " .

Spoke a familiar voice. Arjun was standing at the door with a grin on his face , hands in his pockets .

I snatched my hand away from the guards and they let me .

" What took you so long ? Is that Burger King ? " His eyes narrow at the brown paper bag .

" They had a offer... " I sat meekly.

" Any fool would miss that now come on let me hold that handbag for you , must be getting heavy " . He reached me and slides the handles off my shoulder.

" Come on , we have a flight to catch "

He guided me forward with his hand on my lower back . We pass the threshold of the entry door .

" Kiara , wait for a minute please "

I nod and sip on my beverage . Arjun goes out again and then I hear a thunderous voice .

" I respect you all for doing your jobs and protecting me and I know its hard to trust when something like this has happened in the past but give the other person a chance to explain . She's a Judge which makes her far more important than I am "

He sounds really furious. Suddenly , a warm feeling engulfs me . I feel weirdly tingly and my heart is racing. Why am I feeling like this ?

Arjun comes back and smiles at me . He guides me forward .Oh his hands are so warm and kind of ticklish.

I was sipping on the pepsi nervously during the walk to the runway and looking down . If it wasn't for arjun I would definitely have bashed into something . When we reached the runway that's when I broke the silence.

" They were not agreeing when I said I know you "

" I don't blame them but you do know me and I think you need to have my contact on you and definitely a picture. When we are out of this mess you can show off you know like I know Arjun Malhotra , do you know anyone famous ? "

This made me crack up .

" I would never do that and you know that "

" You should try but don't sell out my number for money "

I have him a murderous look .

" Ok so not that lively right now " . Arjun says with a laugh .

I look straight and there stood a big plane .

" Oh my god " I am pretty sure Arjun must think that the stuck up suit has turned into a teenager.

I ran forward and stood at the stairs of the plane and turned around ,

" Arjun , this is awesome . Thanks for taking me with you " . My jaw hurt , I was smiling that hard .

Arjun stood there somewhat away from me and he is smiling at me whole heartedly . I do look like a teenager right now .

" Whenever you want Kiara "

There was sincerity and determination in his voice like he was sure that I'll be with him even after this ends . This made my smile waver a little.

We climb the stairs with arjun tailing behind me and the ambiance was

Sublime like some 7 star hotel .

Gold , brown ,beige and it screamed luxury .

" Kiara , you can sit you know " That brings me out of my trance . I shake my head and move forward towards the seat . There were 8 seats and just 2 of us . I took the first seat on the left and sat down. Holy mother of God its soft .

My eyes automatically close and I make a moan. Yes , its that good .

Arjun takes the seat in front of me .

" I think you are comfortable enough " . He asks me with a smile .

" You bet I am . A foot massage and I am at cloud 9 "

Arjun removes my heels and I stare at him with wide eyes .

" Wha what are you doing? "

" Massage . Trust me I am really good at that "

I was about to say something to stop him but his thumb starts doing the magic .

" Ohhh go on " I recline back on the seat and close my eyes. He is really good at this Before I knew I was asleep.

I woke up with the sound of pilot announcing that we are about to land . I rise somewhat from the seat and look around . Then I feel something heavy on my feet . Arjun is sleeping on my legs . He has my feet in his lap and his head in on my knees .

Arjun stirs and slowly get up looking around and then he groans .

" My back " He flexes his back muscles and the cloth around his arms tightens.

" You slept on my legs " I inform him . My cheeks feel warm and my movements are haste .

" I think I fell asleep while massaging. Atleast you enjoyed the ride "

" Oh I did indeed " I spread my arms on the armrest.

" It would be a shame if I didn't make your first private jet experience comfortable " He winks at me .

This gesture makes my heart beat faster and my ears feel warm .

The pilot says we are to land . I fasten my seatbelt . When we get down from the jet and walk towards the exit but then Arjun gets into my way startling me .

" What are you trying to do ? " I give him a look which screams you are crazy.

He presses his lips in a thin like and fists his hands . He closes his eyes for a few seconds and looks at me worrying.

" How comfortable are you with being at the centre of media attention? "He asks softly.

" I despise it . " I reply .

" I thought so . " He gives me a warm smile as if he was not worried just a few seconds ago . He unties the hoodie from this waist and covers my face .

" What is this behaviour? " I shout trying to remove the cloth but Arjun holds it tightly.

" There is media outside so just please ok " He says softly and I stop my movement . He grabs me in his arms , one hand draped around my shoulder and other one holding my hand . I do not protest and let him lead me .

Suddenly the voices go loud coming from all the directions. Arjun holds me tighter and pulls me closer to him .

" We are near , I got you " He murmurs into my ears as his lips touch my ear shell and a termor shoots down my whole body , his closeness does not even give me a warning sign .

" Get down the car is here " He speaks in my ears again as he guides me into the seat . As soon as I am seated I drop my head into my lap . I heat the door to my left close and car moving .

" Hey . We are safe now " Arjun shakes my shoulder and I get up throwing the hoodie at the back seat . I am pretty sure my hair are all over the face and its confirmed when Arjun gives me a comical look . I do my best to suit myself again as if I was not sailing through the ocean of cameras in the arms of a celebrity.

" You have a car in Mumbai?" . I say out of the blue to calm my nerves.

Now that's a stupid question. He owns a jet kiara .

" I have a place here. Me and my brother come here alot for work reasons . My driver drove it here and he would hire a cab and go back. I was in a mood to drive " He shrugs.

" This is your first time in Mumbai right ? "

"Ahha "

" let's make it good " He looks at me and speeds up the car . I jerk back in my seat . I place a hand on his shoulder .

" Arjun , if we die this trip is surely going to be memorable " I am terrified. He is driving really fasttt .

He laughs and says something that makes my heart stop .

" Don't worry babe "

I turn to look at him so fast that my neck snaps and muscles pull but he is looking straight.

_______

Arjun speeds down the roads of Mumbai like he owns it .

" Ohh ohh there we go . We are going to bash into it " . I say in a monotone.

I have been saying this for last 10 minutes with intervals . I hold tight my seatbelt and armrest. Yes , this car has a armrest and looks weird from outside which means its expensive.

" That car is like at the end of the road . Do you see how wide these roads are ? I am not going to snail the car . Pull up your grandma pants " . Arjun , laughs like I am some crazy old twat .

" Did you just call the judge who has your career in her hands , an old grandma ? " . I shrieked on him .

" I have a question to clear the air . At which speed do you drive the car ?"

He turns to give me a look .

" umm 80 " . I sound unsure even to myself. I don't drive that fast but he does not need to know that .

He gives me a look and raises an eyebrow.

" Ok . 60 . Never a point above 60 . "

I throw my hands in the air like a child .

Opps ! That's what he meant . I am an old twat .

" let's get past this " . I brush down a non-existent lint off my jacket .

" And we are here " . I look outside and a 3 storey building with " The zarza " written in a sublime calligraphy on the top of it . Wow ! This is something. The building screams that only elites allowed . There is a gate on the side and we drive through it . Its like a illuminated tunnel .

" I know it looks amazing but you can stop gaping . You get the chance to get inside . Lucky you . "

I turn to look at Arjun with my narrowed eyes . He is half smiling and oh that dimple.

" Now that I have you attention. My brother is here and let me warn you beforehand he cann well he's handful . He will drive you crazy . You are headstrong but stay clear. Don't kill him please " . There is something in his eyes which says that he is serious. I might actually want to kill his brother.

If he's so infuriating imagine the predicament his brother is .

" I won't kill him . He can't be that bad "

I shrug my shoulder nonchalantly.

" Ohhoo then let's give your brain something to strain on "

He opens his door and jogs to my side of the door . He opens it for me and offers me his hand . This car is quite low . I take his hand . Its warm and fulfilling.

" Remember headstrong "

I look at him . He's giving me all these warnings but he's quite chilled for himself.

" He's my brother. I am immune, well learned to be immume to his welll nature but he gets me in the end " .

He replies and rubs in hand on his forehead as if thinking what his brother makes him go through. We are still holding hands . He guides me into the elevator . I notice there is only one car which looks expensive so it put two amd rich together and believe it must be his brother's.

" Is this a a night time kind of place? There are no cars here "

" This place is full 24×7 . We came through the private elevator which directly connects the office. "

The elevator tings and we step outside to be greeted my a guy , wait let me rephrase. A very beautiful guy . Tall , muscular just like Arjun.

ARJUN IS MORE HANDSOME

He is grinning like teeth wide opposed to what Arjun does that half smile .

" Malhotraaa my baby brother " . He shouts and dashes towards us and engulfs Arjun into a tight hug . Arjun breaks into a smile , a real one which makes his eyes shine .

" I missed you . Are you ok ? Is the trial giving you any tension? Are you taking any pressure? "

He moves away at looks Arjun dead in the eyes . There is concern in his eyes .

Then his eyes move to me and then narrows at our joined hands then back at me again .

" Why are you holding his hand ? "

Don't anger it Kiara.

" Uhh .. . I am Kiara singh . Arjun's trial judge " .

" You are the judge " . He steps towards me and looks me dead in the eyes.

He looks mad .

" Karn Sharma, Arjun's elder brother.

Remember that ! " . He was so jolly and happy when he saw Arjun but his eyes turns ice cold when he looks at me . He loves Arjun way too much .

I am to open my mouth to reply but he beats me to it .

" You are quite young and beautiful too . Malhotra don't you think ? "

Is he bipolar or what . He was glaring at me one second now he's smiling at both of us .

" Yes . She is "

Arjun turns and looks at me with a full toothy smile .

" How do you stay concentrated ? "

Karn looks at me and removes my glasses .

" No . Don't remove these glasses " . With that he puts them back again .

He then looks down at our joined hands and again narrows his eyes at me .

He removes our joined hands .

" I don't trust you enough to touch my brother "

He was ok like a nanosecond ago !

" Now I'm good . Malhotra , nemesis come on . I have made a new drink and you lucky humans are the first ones to try it "

Karn turns around to a mini bar in the corner which looks like a chemistry lab with beakers .

" Just take a sip and pretend to drink if you want to stay normal. No , alive " .

Arjun whispers in my ears . I nod my head without looking at him . I am solving a mystery that is karn sharma . He has puzzled me in 2 minutes meeting .

" Kiara , you try this first "

Karn well he's smiling now . I take the glass and tilt it to take a sip . Karn snatches Arjun to his side and steps back .

" Why are you moving away ? Is there something in the drink ? "

Karn looks flustered now .

" What ? No . Its completely normal "

He swings his hand in the air like a "Oh come on " reaction. I look at Arjun for assurance ans he nods his head . Being around karn has made me rely on Arjun. What good days have come .

I take a sip . Its sweet then its sour then it turns bitter and then my whole mouth is on fire. I cough and open my mouth for air .

Karn takes away the glass in a hurry and keeps it on the bar counter. Arjun holds me by my shoulders.

" What is it ? How does it feel? "

Concern is itched to his words.

" Hottt very hott " . I keep my mouth open . God it hot !

Karn comes closer with something in his hand . While Arjun holds me at place by my shoulders , karn holds the back of my head and thrusts the glass into my mouth .

" Its cold milk . Drink it "

I gulp down the whole glass within a second. Karn rushed to the counter and comes back with another glass.