HER

CHAPTER-28

AUTHORS POV

"We needed to go straight" she said
"I know" he replied driving the car
"So?" She asked
"Instead of ordering we are cooking" he said pulling car in supermarket parking
"You must be tried and I can't cook to save life so let's just order" she said
"We will manage" he said getting down the car.
He walks up to her side and opens door for her motioning her to come out.
She shakes her head

"Takeout" she said
He unbuckles the passanger seat belt and lifts her up by waist
"Ya wha-"
He closes the door and locks the car.
Taking her hand in his he starts walking to entrance.
Rishika follows behind digging her heel on road trying to stop him but he just drags her inside.

He pushes a shopping cart along with a sulking girl who is rolling her eyes and making faces.
"We could've saved energy you know" She said
He picks up two spaghetti packet comparing their price and weight Satisfied with the right one he puts one in the cart and other back to shelf.

He see 10 packets of ready to made food in the cart that weren't there before. He crosses his arm over his chest narrowing his eyes on Rishika who is stuffing every sort of ready to eat food in the cart.
He shakes his head at her disapprovingly and starts putting them back on shelf.
"Yeah what?"....."I want them" Rishika said snatching a packet from his hand.

He snatches it back from her and puts it back glaring at her
"You don't We are here to buy real groceries not this" he said putting everything back
"Then what will I eat I told you I can't cook" she said putting her hand on her hip
"I-i" he stuttered
"Yeah see so let me put them back wait" she said about to run back
He pulls her back by arm .

Her head hits his chest making both of them look at each other wide eyes. They both instantly pulls back and looks here there awkwardly. Ashton clears his throat nervously
"I will teach you" he said
She looks at him bewardly
"I will teach you how to cook" he said walking ahead feeling his ear turning red.

"You will?" He heard her from behind
He nods his head not looking back.
Rishika smiles looking at him.
Image of both of them standing in close proximity comes in her head making her smile more widely.
She shakes her head. And follows him behind.

The whole grocery shopping goes by her putting junk food in cart and him putting it back in shelf.
When they both reaches the cash counter Ashton was about to take his card out when Rishika beats him to this.
"Let me" she said giving her card to cashier
He looks at her then her card and nods letting her pay.

Taking grocery bags form counter the both walks to parking towards the car.
Putting all the bags in the backseat.
Rishika takes the seat behind the wheels and he in passenger.
"It's late we have spent 2 hours in as of today let's just eat takeout and cook some day else" Rishiak said starting the car
Before he could reply she cuts him off
"You can teach me how to cook anytime we have so much time spent together" she said

"I mean for app as well as this fest we will be working together so we have time. Chill" she adds
He nods agreeing with her.
She heaved a sigh of relief thanking her quick witted head for the save.

Later that night they both went to her place ate take out and video called their friends to talk.
She apologized for spoiling the plan and promised them to treat them all in a nice lunch tomorrow.

Bidding Ashton bye she sits on the couch with her head in hand.
She looks at the cigarette pack kept on table and rufles her hair.
Throughout the day she smoked just two which is a big surprise for her.
She smiles at herself thinking of the day and a particular guy. How things are turning good with just his presence.

She roams her eyes around the living area. Her smile instantly fading away.
Image of her brother tied there on a chair blood dripping down his body comes in her head she looks at the stairs image of herself standing there on middle stair with her hand on her mouth and tears running down her eyes. She closes her eyes instantly taking a deep breath.

She felt her hands tremble and breath getting shaky. She instantly pulls out a cigarette from the packet lighting it up and she takes a deep puff.
"You are not supposed to forget" she mutters to herself trying to control her uneven breath and shaky hands as she felt her chest heavy.

Once she was better she pulls out a phone from a small cabinet attached to center table and dials a number
"It's time we met " she said and hangs up the phone.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~
A man with files in his hand walks straight in the corridor. His juniors salute him and nod at him out of respect. He stops outside a room commotion and shouting can be heard outside the door. He clears his ear with a finger irritated and opens the door. The whole room turns silent. He closes the door behind him with a thud.
Boston police station
INTERROGATION ROOM

Banner falls down because of force. Officer outside picks it up and looks at his friend.
"From the moment he has entered the station I have sworn to never come across this man" he said
His friend saws nothing just looks at the now close door.
"Vica versa" the guy whisper to himself and walks away .

Inside the room even though the loud commotion has died whispers are going on among both the accused criminals and police staff .
"Sir you didn't have to come here I would have handled it" a police officer says trying to put up a brave face but the moment he recieved a glare from his senior he steps back looking away in fear.

"Who is the IO?" He asked
A woman officer who is sitting on a chair folding her arms looks up and raises her hand
He slams the file on table
"Sign them I am taking over" he commands
The officer was about to argue when she saw her fellow officers shaking their head pleading her not to argue.

But nevertheless she stands up and looks at him
"Sir you can't do this. It's my case" she said looking straight at the now glaring officer
"You are in no position to argue with me just sign them" he said taking deep breath calming himself
"Sorry to say but if I wasn't you won't be here to take my sign" she said

"Look ms-"
"McKellen"
"Look Ms McKellen just do as you are asked to" he said
"Sir I- " she gets cut off when his phone rang
He takes out his phone to see an familiar yet unfamiliar number on screen.

He picks up the call.
Ms McKellen looks at her fellow officers to see then all looking at her with pity
"How much time is left?" She heard him ask
"30 hours sir" she answers
"You have first 15 and i have later 15 who so ever gets more evidence takes the case" he said and rushes out of the room.

Everyone present in room heaved a sigh of relief including accused criminals.
"We don't have time to waste so get your asses up and get back to work" the woman officer shouts running her hand through her Bob cut hairs.