What time do you usually sleep? I used to sleep only after 2AM but now, I sleep by 12AM!

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Chapter 6: Can you stop saying my name?

I lean back on the couch with a cup of coffee in my right hand, a fashion magazine in my left hand and my feet on the glass table in front of the couch. I hum quietly as I read through the latest fashion trends and what celebs are wearing. I don't care much for that stuff but it's the only kind of magazine one can find in Sania's house and I can't watch anything on my phone because the second I turn it on – I'll be bombarded by calls and messages and they'll track me instantly. If they haven't already.

Honestly, I am mentally prepared for my father's security to storm through the front door anytime with their big fat guns.

I hear some shuffling and smile as Sania walks in, even after just waking up, she looks stunning. Her hair still curly as ever but she looks good in her silk night suit. And her face somehow has a morning glow. She returns my smile with a scowl. "Your dad called me."

I quickly straighten up, throwing the magazine to the side and staring at her with wide eyes. "What did you tell him?"

"Nothing." She grunts, joining me on the couch. "I was asleep. But he kept calling and calling and calling. How am I going to get my beauty sleep with so much disturbance?" She pushes her phone into my lap. "And he is still calling. Just tell him you are here, Aisha. For his mental sake and my sanity."

I look down at my lap, 'Shaan Mehta' flickers continuously on her phone screen and after talking a deep breath, I decide there's no use fighting the inevitable. I click on the accept call.

"Oh, thank God. She picked up the call! Sania, have you seen Aisha?" My father's strained and worried voice rings though the mobile and for a second it, I feel happy and guilty about it. He seems genuinely upset – which means he cares. "She left yesterday night, we think, and her mobile is off and-"

"Hi, dad." I whisper.

There's a long pause, from behind I can hear feet shuffling, low whispers and gasps. "Aisha?" His voice is hesitant.

"Yes."

There's a loud exhale and then comes the tone I are most familiar with. He starts to yell. "What the hell were you thinking? Have you lost your goddamn mind? I told you, you are grounded! What part of that do you not understand? Come back home, right this second. You have some explaining to do, young lady. I shall not tolerate such rash and irrational behaviour from you. You are going to be grounded till you turn 30. Do not test me! You ran away – ran away – how childish." Behind him, I can hear Nimit's tense voice, telling him to calm down but my father isn't hearing it. "I want you back in your room within an hour. An hour, Aisha. Do not test my patience! I have already been lenient enough with you."

Once I know his rant is done, I say. "I am not coming back home, Dad. At least, not for a few days."

There's another long pause and then a disgruntled heave from him. "I can't talk to her. You talk, make her see some sense, Nimit. Otherwise, you are fired."

I gasp at that threat. Why should be Nimit be fired because of this? That's insane. "You can't fire him!"

I hear his muffled voice from behind. "Watch me."

Then Nimit's low comforting voice takes over. "Where are you? Are you okay?"

"I am good. I am at Sania's place, the Embark flat."

"Okay, good. You know what you did was extremely reckless and stupid, right? I had told you not to do something so dumb."

I chew on my lower lip, he isn't yelling like my father yet his tone makes me feel more guilty than ever. "I know. I had to leave. I needed space."

"When are you coming back?"

My father's voice rings in the background. "Now! Call her back home now!"

I sigh heavily. "Not soon."

"You need security, Aisha." His voice turns sterner, firmer. "You are not safe despite what you might think. We are only thinking about your safety here. And you are making it very difficult, for all of us."

"No, you aren't-"

"I wasn't finished."

"Oh."

"There's a reason there's a bodyguard assigned to you, a valid reason. And we'd appreciate it if you could understand that. Don't make a joke of our reasons and concerns. You are old enough to understand how ruthless the world can be. Don't take such rash decisions. You can stay with her for a week."

There's instant protest from behind but they grow lower, it seems Nimit has walked away from my father.

"But I will be there with you. And that is not up for negotiation. After a week, we come back home. Your father travels to Russia then for few weeks so it will be fine." His tone is conclusive, leaving no space for debate.

And I feel like a child getting scolded by the teacher after failing a test. My shoulders slump and I have no retort. "Okay."

"Good. I'll be there in 15." Nimit's says then adds. "And turn on your phone, Aisha. We went crazy worrying about you."

And the call is cut.

I can't help but smile at the phone, feeling oddly consoled and calmed. Sania smirks at my expression and wiggles her eyebrows. "So? Is he coming?"

I roll my eyes and give her a short nod. "Yes. In 15."

She leaps off the couch in a millisecond, staring at me in horror. "15? That's not enough time!" Without waiting for a reply, she runs back into her room to take a shower and change into some clothes. Knowing her, she'll pick the sexiest ones.

I frown at the thought, Sania and Nimit under the same roof, is that a good idea? It's obvious that I get jealous when it comes to Nimit, is this going to cause an issue between me and Sania? I hope not.

I rush to get ready myself. After a very quick shower, I pick up an outfit from the few clothes I have – blue denim shorts and a white crop top. Sania, on the other hand, is wearing a knee length sleeveless green dress that fits her flawlessly and accentuates the curve of her breasts. I gape at her in a daze. "What the hell, Sania? This isn't a dinner date."

"Better to be prepared, huh?"

I don't appreciate her optimistic attitude at all. "It's not even 10 in the morning yet. He'll know that you are over doing it."

Sania shrugs a bare shoulder. "Good, then he knows that I am putting in efforts for him. Men like that stuff."

I don't know what else to say that might not sound offensive, so I keep quiet. I scan the kitchen and start to make breakfast, as per the deal. Very soon, the bell rings and Sania scampers to open the door. I walk out of the kitchen too, spatula in my hand.

"Nimit! Hi, you remember me, right? Sania." Her voice is silverly, flirty. It's a tone she uses frequently with men.

"I do. Thank you for letting Aisha stay here." He sounds formal, aloof, like himself.

"No need to thank me. she's one of my closest friends, of course, I'd let her stay here." She moves to the side to let him walk in and that's when I notice the huge suitcase he is carrying.

My eyes snap from the suitcase to meet his. I stagger back at the dark intensity in them, it's unnerving. "Ms. Mehta."

I can't even smile in repose. Suddenly realising that I had missed him, I had actually missed his presence, his faded smile, his piercing eyes. Barely 12 hours without him and I was already yearning his company. The relief and bliss I feel the second I lay my eyes on him is startling. And unhealthy.

Nimit's eyes turn to the suitcase. "I bought some of your stuff."

That's when the reality sets in. I gasp at him, pointing the spatula in his direction. "You went through my stuff?"

"Would you have preferred your father to go through it?"

"No! But one of the maids would have been better."

"There wasn't much time, plus, I know your likes and dislikes." He states without a hitch and then drops his smaller backpack on top of the suitcase.

"That's yours? That's it?" Sania questions with a disgusted frown on her face. Nimit nods in repose. "I don't need much."

"Yeah, he only wears suits anyway. I think he must sleep in one too." I mutter under my breath. "Do you want some breakfast?"

He blinks at the spatula in my hand. "Pancakes?"

"Yes."

"Um, okay." He nods rather reluctantly. He turns to Sania. "Where can I stay?"

Sania clears her throat awkwardly and I pause at the kitchen entrance too. I had forgotten all about that. Since I am so used to Nimit being outside my bedroom, I guess I forgot that he must need his own room too, his own bed and cupboard. But that's the thing – this flat only has 2 bedrooms. One is Sania's and one is a guest bedroom – which is currently occupied by me.

So where will Nimit sleep?

Sania seems to be dealing with the same dilemma. She sneaks a glance at me and then grins apologetically at Nimit. "We only have two bedrooms. So, um, you can sleep in mine. If that's fine with you."

"No!" The reply leaves before my brain can stop my mouth. It's instant, it's loud and it's unexpected. Nimit's head snaps to face me and Sania's eyes shoot towards me. I blink and chuckle forcefully, shrugging a shoulder. "Um, I mean that – he can't protect me all the way from your room now, can he?"

"Why not?"

I try to think of a valid reason but come up blank.

"I think it's unprofessional. Thank you for the offer, Sania. But I can take this couch." Nimit saves you by jumping in the conversation. He nods at the couch in the living room. It's big but not big enough for a man of Nimit's height and size.

"No! That's too small for you. You can sleep with Aisha if that makes you feel more comfortable."

I gasp at her audacity and glare at her. She simply shrugs innocently. Nimit's lips twitch but he maintains the emotionless façade. "That's rather unprofessional too. The couch is best. This way I have quick access to the entrance and if there's an intruder, I'll be the first to deal with him. All I need is a pillow and a blanket. If you could provide that."

Sania smiles at him and nods. "If that's fine by you, it's fine by us. I'll get you the stuff. Come on, let me show you the washroom."

Nimit follows Sania inside and I turn back into the kitchen, quickly making pancakes for the three of us. I scan her fridge for any sign of vegetables, knowing that he prefers to eat a salad in the morning. I luckily find a few raw vegetables like tomatoes, cucumbers, cabbages and purple spinach and cut them up, adding olive oil and pepper to make a salad. I take a quick bite of my recipe and my lips twist in distaste. "It's yuck. Is it supposed to taste so... plain and raw?"

I blink at it, wondering what to do. Nimit enters from behind, looking at the salad bowl across my shoulder. "You made me a salad?" The wonder is evident on his face and it's too late to throw the salad now. I give him the bowl with a nervous heart, watching him take the bowl delicately in both his hands, like it's made of diamonds and he's afraid that it would fall and break into pieces. "Thank you." There's awe and gratitude that makes my chest swell and an unknown emotion flicker through my veins – something very similar to being praised. Something I rarely feel. It is both empowering and humbling.

"It's not a big deal." I say hastily, trying to curb the subtle blush rising up my cheeks. "I don't eat salads so I don't know if this is as per your liking."

Nimit smiles, it was a big one, a sight rarer than Painite. It is a smile that is both fleeting and timeless. The world seems to pause momentarily. And I am too spellbound and awestruck to say anymore.

"I am sure I'll love it." Nimit assures and sits on the chair around the dining table. The smile disappears as quickly as it came, but its impact lingers. It takes me a few seconds to rather my scattered thoughts and get the image of a smiling Nimit out of my head. Sania chooses that moment to enter and she helps herself with a pancake.

I scowl at that. "Only one?"

"You know I can't eat much." Sania complains, looking wishfully at the heavy set of pancakes.

"Why did I make so many then? You said you wanted breakfast." I argue back with a fierce scowl.

She shrugs apologetically. "I wish I could eat more but I'll have to spend an extra hour at the gym then and my trainer will kill me if he finds out I ate so many calories."

"One more pancake isn't going to make you look like a Scrooge McDuck!" I snap back, forcefully dropping another pancake into her plate. Sania glares but doesn't complain. She sits next to Nimit, surprised to see him eat a salad. "Hey, why didn't I get a salad? I can eat that."

"Make it yourself." I grumble, helping myself with four pancakes, apparently, I'll have to finish them all by myself now.

"But you made it for-" There's a slight pause and Sania frowns in confusion. I quickly stiffen and stare at her, wondering what is going on in her mind. But then she shakes her head and shrugs a shoulder, dropping the topic. I sigh in relief.

Safe... for now.

"I have an audition today. What are your plans?" Sania starts to make light conversation after a few minutes.

"I am binge watching a series and need to do some studies – but that's for later."

"I am wherever Ms. Mehta is." Although, I know that he means it only in professional sense, it still doesn't stop my cheeks from turning pink. Sometimes I hate the effect he has on me.

I am even more surprised when I see Nimit finish the salad enthusiastically, like he genuinely liked it.

"Enjoy you two. Don't do something I wouldn't do." Sania comments, washing her plate.

"There's not much you wouldn't do." I mutter back.

She turns to wink at me. "Exactly."

After two hours, I am sitting on the couch in front of her large TV mounted on the wall. I sign into my Netflix and scroll through the movies and series. I fold my legs, the shorts riding up, barely covering my crotch. I look around for any sight of Nimit but it seems he's doing what he does best – disappearing into the shadows. I sigh and put a pillow across my legs, leaning my elbows on it and pausing at a Korean Drama.

Just as I am about to play it, I hear light voice coming from the balcony. I strain my ears to eavesdrop, curious who Nimit might be talking to. I move a little closer to the balcony, hiding behind the flowing curtains.

"She is fine, I'll be with her." Nimit's voice rings over the breeze. "She was just angry. Let Mr. Mehta know that I'll stay here to protect her. Yes, nothing will happen."

Aren't they taking my protection far too seriously?

"Do you have any update on the issue we talked about?" Nimit's voice lowers just a little but it's still enough for me to hear. "You can't trace the mailer yet? Yes, I am aware there are no fingerprints... but handwriting analysis? Hmm... Okay. Did you get any new letters? Keep me updated if you do. No, it's not wise to tell her just yet."

I am smart enough to understand that he is talking about me and that increases my concern. Are they hiding something from me? Why? And more importantly, what?

As if he has heard my thoughts, Nimit turns around and his eyes widen in surprise at my presence. He cuts the call quickly without another word. He looks at me with apprehension, waiting patiently for me to say something, maybe even yell and demand questions. But I don't know what to ask him, I don't know if I want to know about it, so I just force a smile. "Want to watch a movie?"

Relief floods into his gaze and he gives a brief nod. "I would love to."

We settle on watching Pirates of the Caribbean, it's one of my absolute favourites and now I know that Nimit likes it too. I can't help but keep glancing at him frequently, it really should be illegal to look so handsome.

"Can you stop that?" His voice is low, his eyes still on the screen.

"Stop what?"

"Staring at me." He turns to me, eyes colliding with mine, a shiver runs down my spine.

"I – uh, I wasn't staring." I whisper back, lips trembling as the lie worms out. His eyes darken and my hands clutch the pillow, like it's life jacket saving me from drowning into the depths of his eyes.

He leans closer, close enough for me to get a sniff of his masculine scent. "You were. I am not complaining but I am holding onto a very thin thread of restraint."

"Restraint for?"

"Crossing that professional line."

"Oh." My lips part and my heart lurches at his words, a short-lived joy spreading through my veins.

"But we both know that would be a colossal mistake."

And there it is, the dull, disappointing reality that nothing will ever happen between me and Nimit, no matter how much I want it to. I force a smile on my face and turn my face back to the screen, the movie almost ending now, much like my optimism. "You are right, it would be a mistake."

"Aisha..."

"Can you stop saying my name?" Without looking I continue. "It makes me want to hear you scream it in my bed."

There's a shocked gasp and from the corner of my eyes, I see Nimit's neutral face fill with surprise and disbelief. Even I can't believe that I blurted out my thoughts without filtering them. My lips waver, trying to think of a change of topic, but of course, now I can't speak.

I could probably write a book – How to embarrass yourself 101.

Nimit clears his throat, his throat effectively a shade of pink and it makes me smile a little. But I am far too mortified by myself to make fun of him. "You – uh..."

I interrupt before he can say something more – like 'this is highly unprofessional.' "Where do you live?"

Nimit's mouth stops, still agape, his eyes blink and eyebrows furrow. "Huh?"

"Where do you live?" I repeat. "You must have a home or something, right?"

"Yeah. Uh-" He is staggered by the swift change in topic but I notice how his stiffened shoulders relax a little. He wants to avoid talking about it as much as I do. "I have a place in the city side, an apartment. It's nothing lavish because I don't get to stay there much."

"And your parents?"

His eyes turn away from me, facing the screen now. A heavy cloud hovering over his head. "My mother stays with her sister. And my father – he is dead."

My eyebrows shoot up and mouth drops slightly. That was not expected. I feel insensitive and obtrusive now. "I am sorry, I didn't know."

He shrugs a shoulder. "It's fine." But the way his tone wavers, I know it's not. "It was a long time ago."

"If you don't mine me asking, when did it happen?"

"I was 7."

I know how it is to lose a parent at that age. I was 6 when I lost my mother and although I know it happened a long time ago, it doesn't feel so. On some days it feels like it happened yesterday. And on most days, it comes back to haunt like a nightmare. Losing a parent, no matter at what age, affects a person terribly. "Do you want to talk about it? I am a great listener."

Nimit offers a forced smile but shakes his head. "Maybe another time."

"Whenever you want to. I'll be there to listen," I want to ask how it happened but I know it would a step too far in being intrusive. I have a few days to get to know him now. So I curb my curiosity. The mood has changed, it's silent, chilly, and there's a sense of vulnerability hanging in the air.

I quietly pick at the thin strands of my pillow, unable to concentrate on the movie playing. Even Captain Jack Sparrow is powerless against Nimit.

"Will Sania be back for dinner?"

I shake my head. "I don't think so. She usually eats outside. Or she doesn't eat dinner. Her diet is torturous."

"Hmm, okay. I'll cooks us dinner tonight."

That would be a first, I have never seen Nimit cooking, I didn't even know he could. My heart skips a beat and my lips curve upwards. The idea of Nimit cooking dinner for me, for us, is thrilling and makes me feel special. My cheeks flush. "Okay."

"It's a date then."

My eyebrows shoot up and my jaw drops. I turn my eyes to face Nimit but he is already walking out of the room, into the balcony, away from me. I stare at his retreating back in a mystifying daze.

Wait, what did he say!?

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Um, wait what? if you wanna see how their date goes - vote and comment! Kay, thanks!