Sameera

A happy ending. That's what we all wanted.

I was so happy to get a little sister from all this chaos. She is worth all the hardships I went through. Leaving her behind wasn't easy. Though Ansh promised to wait until she is legally an adult, I still had my fair share of suspicions.

I knew Sapna needed some time to herself. After all that has happened, it's only normal for a teenager to want a vacation instead of a marriage. But she couldn't bring herself to say it out, knowing all too well how much Ansh needed her by his side. So I intervened like a good elder sister.

Now I am sitting inside Arav's super car, about to drive out of the Sea Moon Pack territory. Joseph left this morning with his own super car.

"Ready?" he asked.

Buckling my seatbelt I answered, "Yes" as he drove the car out of the pack lands.

"I heard about the imprinting stuff. You seem quite overwhelmed." He commented trying to start a conversation.

"Yes, I am. Being a Luna's big sister comes with a great responsibility, you know." I shared my true feelings regarding my new relationship status.

Though I was already an elder sister to my naughty twin brothers, but with Sapna it's different. Having a sweet, kind, werewolf for a little sister was going to be a different experience. I was sure of that much. 

"And a great honor." Complimented Arav.

Ask him to calm me down. He surely knows how to keep me relaxed even at twisted circumstances.

"Yes. And so is being a close acquaintance of a super cop. If only  you consider me your friend, that is."

He smiled at my wordings.

I remembered our conversation the night before I got kidnapped. One of us must resume.If he won't, I will.

"You loved it didn't you? This supernatural world, Sapna, Ansh, Wolverine...me?" He said, a bit uncertain about the last one.

"Yes. I surely do. These past few days have been the best roller coaster ride of my life. Something that I never wanna let go of." The reason I decided to remember this supernatural world.

And much to my shock, wolverine agreed to let me keep my memories. Everyone agreed. His exact words were, "It's too much bother to erase your memories when they are bound to resurface the next day."

It's still a mystery why no memory wipe technique ever worked on me. Sapna denied that it was her doing. She said it's not under her capabilities to bring forth someone's suppressed or wiped memories. Plus the source of my dream dysfunctions is still a long term mystery in itself. I mean now I am starting to understand that my dreams indicated towards the supernatural realm. But how could I have dreamt about something I have never even heard of? Cause as much as I know, we only dream about the stuff we know, stuff we've seen or heard. Sometimes we even dream about the happenings of our previous life as in our previous incarnations.

So does that mean I was familiar with the supernatural world in my previous life? No idea.

"Then why do you wanna let go of everything you earned on this journey? Most importantly, everyone's trust." He said looking at me, disappointment in his eyes.

His sudden change of tone from a joyous curiosity to disgust surprised me.

"What do you mean?" I asked confused.

"Don't act innocent. They allowed you to keep your memories only because they trusted you to keep their secret safe. The reality of their supernatural identities. It's not everyday they let a human roam free knowing their secret. Our secret. They trusted you. And what are you giving them in return? Betrayal. And for what? TRP." He accused.

Why do I feel like he knows?

"I know about the video Sameera. The video of the Sea moon pack werewolves you have been recording since Mitali's arrival." He answered looking at my stunned expression.

I am dead.

But how? How come Arav knows? Even Ansh had no clue.

"W-why didn't you prevented me before if you knew all along?" I asked defensive of my actions.

"I wanted you to realize what mistake you were committing on your own. Watching your dedication for saving Sapna's life, I thought you would understand soon. I mean, you were the one who was ready to go to any lengths to save a child who you never saw clearly. I thought you had a good heart. So I waited until now hoping you would realize yourself. I am so very much disappointed in you." His words were sewn with the pain of betrayal, of broken faith.

"But you still have the video in your possession and you are planning on broadcasting it on your channel. You broke everyone's trust. Tell me if I am wrong." He blamed while trying to maintain his stern cop look.

But I noticed a flicker of emotion on his face. Sadness. He was sad because in the end, I broke his trust. I couldn't meet his expectations. It's absolutely my fault. I totally deserve his suspicious glare that's boring into every cell of my skin right now.

As Trishna gave me a small visit around the house, I convinced her to show me the place where Ansh installed the signal jammer. She trusted me enough by then to fulfill my request without hesitation. Only, I wasn't looking forward to satisfying my curiosity. There, I switched off the signal jammer very discreetly. Since that moment I have been recording them all, gathering proof about the existence of the supernatural world. I knew this was gonna be the greatest reveal of my career. But that wasn't the only reason I did it for.

"Yes, you are right. But I didn't do it for TRP or my career. The humans deserve to know of the existence of this supernatural community among them. On Earth. Just think of how much support we will gain in favour of all the good supernaturals. This will aid your cause. If the humans knew, there will be no reason for all the supernatural races to hide behind the woods. They can roam freely wherever they want. They will be accepted by the human race."

He still didn't seem convinced. So I ventured further.

"And all those rogues will turn good if they get what they want. Freedom. That's what you told me their primary goal is, right? Then what's the problem? None of you would have allowed me if I had told you. So I kept it to myself. I wanted to help." I justified my reasons, hoping for him to understand my good intentions. I really meant well for everyone.

"Your intention is pure. But that will cause more trouble than benefits. Rogues just don't want freedom. They wanna rule over everything that exists on this Earth. And humans will never accept the existence of such species that threatens to overpower them in every field."

Is that so.

Oh come on. Humans won't mind cohabitation with the supernatural. Will they? Arav's making me second guess my decision.

"This mindset has caused many wars in the past, killing thousands of lives. And it's not like they don't know. There are many humans who know of the supernatural community. They act like a bridge between the supernatural world and the human race. Not to forget the human half breeds are part of both the worlds." He explained.

"True. Then what's the problem in letting other humans know about them?" I asked.

"There is. Good and evil are two sides of one coin. Just like rogues exist, evil humans exist too. They would always try to overpower other supernatural species, abuse their abilities." He's right.

Human's aren't as pure as Gangajal (holy water) either. There are some humans who won't hesitate to murder their own family members for personal gain. There's no doubt such lowly humans won't harm the supernaturals once their existence is confirmed by my video.

"And most importantly, revealing their identities will only endanger their lives. Sapna's life was in danger cause the rogues knew of her identity as a werewolf Luna. The truth isn't always supposed to be revealed Sameera. Some truths are best to be kept to a limited population. So you decide. What is more important to you? Revealing the truth or saving millions of lives?" He explained his point of view, asking me to choose.

As I compared it with my point of view, I had my answer in an instant.

"As a journalist, it's my oath to reveal the truth to the audience. But sometimes if a lie can save an innocent, then I am ready to forget my oath for that particular circumstance. And this seems to be such an exceptional situation." I hope I won't regret this.

"You are right, Arav. Saving lives is more important. Before a journalist, I am a human. A weird one at that." An involuntary laugh escaped past my lips. "Plus, a true journalist knows what to publish and what to not."

Taking out the pendrive that had the only copy of my recording, I handed it over to Arav. He inserted it in a section of his car that deleted all the data that the drive contained, deleting my days long hard work. Recording a pack of werewolves in their wolf forms and a certain werelock casting magic spells wasn't child's play.

"Thanks. I am glad you made the right choice."

Of course I did. I chose you. I mumbled silently so as he won't hear my words.

"I am sure everyone else will be as much proud of you as I am. But there is no need to let them know of your greatness, as they already have many examples. It's better if we keep this one secret to ourselves only." He praised me.

Of course he wouldn't tell anyone about my sneaky act of betrayal. They would be so disappointed with me. Especially Sapna. I won't be someone they would ever trust again.

He handed me back the empty pendrive. Putting it in my bag I turned to look at Arav with a goofy grin. Now that everything's sorted out, it's time for a very important discussion.

"We have come so far haven't we. I never thought I would meet you again after I helped you navigate through the forest. In fact I thought we will never meet after I decided to join the Super cops. But I am happy that we did." Arav began where we left off as if the last 20 minutes of our differed opinions never happened.

How could he so easily forgive and forget? Not that I am complaining.

"Yes, we have. I guess it's fate. I remember our first awkward meeting. I should thank that little girl though. If not for her we would have never met. And none of this would have happened. I would still be living as a usual journalist, ignorant of this supernatural realm." And then a thought crossed my mind.

"This may sound unusual coming from me, but I have a feeling that the little girl was no ordinary little girl. I think she too was a supernatural being. I mean what 5 year old human child can vanish in thin air and travel up to 50 meters per second." I shared my doubts with him.

He nodded in agreement. Smile never leaving his lips. I have never seen him smiling for so long. What's the occasion? Is it because I deleted the video?

Well whatever it is, what I am about to tell him now will surely make him super happy. Only if my feelings and instincts are correct. Time to test my theory.

"So now that everything is sorted out and I am getting back on my job, I remembered something I had to arrange for this weekend. And I need your help with that." I told him.

He pressed the breaks as we reached outside my apartment.

"What is it?" He asked.

And for some reason my palms started sweating like a broken dam.

Come on Sameera it's not that difficult. At least he won't throw you out of his car. You have got to give him that much credit. Shouted my mind.

Well, here goes nothing. I should just let it out of my system before it's too late. He's not staying here forever. What if he goes away for a very long term mission? I won't be able to tell him then.

"There is a party this Saturday in our office to celebrate our news channel's 15th anniversary. And everyone is supposed to bring a.... d-date."

Just a little bit more. My inner self encouraged me.

"So...would you like to accompany me to the party this Saturday...a-as my date." There I said it. As confidently as possible.

Finally the one thought that's been bothering me for days has been spelled out by me. Now don't ask me since when? I don't know the answer myself. The only thing I know is, he's worth a chance.

I saw Arav's expression change from concern to shock to neutral to indecisive to.....oh my god.

Grinning like a 3 year old boy who got his favorite toy robot, Arav unbuckled his seat belt and took my palms hands in his. This lead a blush to rise upto my already flushed cheeks.

"Yes Sameera, I will accompany you to this party as your date. And just for the record, I am counting this as our first date, if that's okay with you?" He asked unsure of my reaction.

How can he be so unsure of my reply after I took the initiative?

"I am more than okay with that, officer Arav." With a playful smile dancing on my lips, I hugged him real close.

"So are you gonna tell me our relationship status now or not?" He whispered in my left year, making that spot tickle.

Boys can be such idiots. What's the meaning of this question after I practically asked him out on a date. A girl won't do that until she isn't serious. At not a girl like me.

"That's a discussion for another day. " I replied playfully and got out of his car.

If he wants to play, two can play the game. He's not getting his answer anytime soon if he's gonna pretend being so oblivious.

Waving him goodbye, I proceeded towards my apartment.  I have got a question shower waiting for me ahead. Ahh, home sweet home.