"Tanvi!"

Samrat's jeep stops next to Tanvi as she hurries along the deserted road that leads to the officer's residences.

The gated community lies at least two kilometres from the base. She thought she'd walk as fast as she can, but Samrat has come after her. He's also seen through her lie.

"Tanvi, tum desert ke route par aise kapde pehan kar walk karogi? Main tumhe drop kar deta hu. It's still within defence area but it's unsafe at night, yaar!"

Samrat points to her sequined maxi dress. She reluctantly, wordlessly, gets in his jeep. It's the two of them alone on the sunsaan road. She feels safe in his presence, but also vulnerable. Their ride begins, and there comes the question she expects. He asks,

"Tumne kyu jhoot bola ki Abhi, Sam ke sath ja rahi thi?"

"Woh... Just because I don't enjoy spending too much time at parties doesn't mean, main apne doston ko enjoy karne se rokoon."

"Uh huh. Aur Saumit ke saath tumhara dinner date?"

Tanvi hangs her head, unable to respond. It might be the nerves. She knits her hands together, squeezing them tightly. Suddenly, she can't breathe. Lying to someone dear to you isn't easy. She doesn't know how she did it until now. She's biting her lip, staring vacantly at the dirt road illuminated by the jeep's headlamps. Samrat untangles her fingers and takes one of her hands in his.

"Huh? Kya kar rahe ho?"

She looks at him, the sight of him manoeuvering the wheel with one hand bringing a slight smile to her face

"I'm trying to offer you some comfort, silly girl. Tum pareshan ho rahi thi, nahi?"

You read my mind again! Touched, she can only chuckle breathlessly. "Sam, you're always like this..."

"Like what?"

Samrat's eyes are focused on the road even as he enmeshes his fingers with hers. Her heart skips a beat.

"You're t-too kind..."

"Kind? You're calling an ex-terrorist kind?"

"Sam! Tum woh shabd dobara use mat karo!" Angered, Tanvi tries to pull her hand away but in vain. Samrat chuckles, still focusing on the road.

"Achha, baba. Don't pout."

How does he know what expression I'm making when he won't even look at me? Tanvi thinks, but sees where his eyes are — on the rear-view mirror, adjusted so he can see her face! How sneaky! She tries to pull her hand away. He grips it more tightly.

"Haath chodo, Sam!"

"Aur waise kya baat hui?" He blatantly ignores her words. "How could you lie just because you want me and Farhan to enjoy the party? Haven't we enjoyed a lot already? Friends hote isliye ke ek dusre ka sath de sake. You know this na, Tanz..."

Tanvi falls silent. Her hand belongs to Samrat until the end of their ride. She resigns to this fate. She takes a few deep breaths to calm herself. "Right. I know. I won't do it again."

Samrat finally glances at her with a smile. Or is that a smirk? They drive along in peace for a few more moments, the balmy night air caressing their cheeks.

"Waise I must say. I'm surprised you're walking home alone, Tanvi. Saumit ne tumhe drop karne ka nahi socha after your dinner date? What kind of guy he is..."

Samrat says it casually with a laugh. Tanvi fidgets in her seat.

"He offered, par maine..." She trails off with a sigh. Nope, she cannot lie anymore.

"Achha." Samrat nods, but a laugh soon leaks out of his lips. "Haha! You're such a terrible liar, Tanz..."

And you know me so well! Tanvi hangs her head in shame and also guilt. How will she explain why she lied? Because she has to hide her crush from her best friend? Lying is awful, for whatever reasons! Samrat lets go of her hand to pat her head, then reclaims her hand again.

He pulls outside her apartment block inside the residential community. They climb out of the jeep and face each other. She opens her mouth to speak first

"Thanks, Sam... And sorry. Actually, yes... I lied to you."

Samrat is surprised when he hears that.

"I don't like Saumit. There's no one I like..."

Her words are firm, convincing. "Waise bhi hum air force officers hai, Sam. Woh bas Farhan meri tang khichayi kar raha tha uss din aur... Woh aise jhoot mei badal gaya. I mean, I really don't know why I said a random name. I'm so mindless na—"

He holds a finger to her lips to shush her and quickly pulls back.

"Tumhe safaai dene ki zarurat nahi hai, Tanz. I won't ask you to explain tumne waise kyun kiya. How can I make you uncomfortable? I understand. Things just happen... So yeah... It's... good if you don't have anyone you like. That's the best, you know. Pyar sirf dard hi deta hai..."

Tanvi nods in understanding. Any other girl would have misread Samrat's words here, but she knows he's referring to his abbu-jaan he loved dearly. The abbu-jaan that didn't love him back, used him as a pawn and backstabbed him.

"I know, Sam..."

Samrat shows her a small, conflicted smile. "But then, how could we not love? How could we not care? How could I ask you to follow my ideals? You don't have to be like me. I hope you find the right person who will love you right."

Such kind words, but Tanvi feels like she's been stabbed in the heart. "Hm, but you care too, Sam, don't you?"

"I do... Just you, and everyone in the hawks."

Samrat shows her another soft, sad smile and pats her head. He then turns on his heel, his jeep swiftly taking him away from her. While she's trying to suppress the bitterness in her chest, he's praying that what she told him must be the absolute truth — she doesn't harbour any special feelings for him.

***

🌀TBC 🌀

Finally it's a wrap of the valentine's arc!

word count: 942🌈💞

💬❣️Up next: Samrat is still trying to figure out what Tanvi feels for him. The guys and girls have a fun day out and then -- it's time to work on the new aircraft project. Samrat, Tanvi are to work together again! where will destiny lead them to?

💬❣️AN: That's all for now. Please v & c. I may slow down a bit from now on while updating but can't say, stay tuned to read more!