“Did-did you see that too?”

Avantika asked, still reeling with shock. Prakhar nodded and said.

“I did. But I wish I hadn't. Why are you guys eating each other? It's so…blehh!”

He asked and made a gagging face. Avantika nudged his side and glared at him, indicating to him to keep quiet. She then looked at the two of them with a wide grin.

“I can't believe this is finally happening! I thought aap dono ki shaadi dekhne se pehle mere bachhe bhi ho jaayenge. Seems like I won't have to wait much. Oh my God I can't believe you're finally together!”

She gushed and Aastha frowned, while Khushal chuckled.

“You knew?”

She asked Avantika.

“Knew what? Your feelings for each other? The whole Task Force knows this. Kaafiyon ne toh bet bhi lagayi thi about the time you'll confess. A lot are going to lose now.”

She said and giggled, making Aastha even more surprised.

When Avantika continued to look at her with that teasing smile, she excused herself and rushed to the washroom only to get shocked to see her condition.

Her lipbalm was gone, hair a mess, lips swollen and cheeks flushed. One glance at her and anyone could say that she just had the best first kiss ever. She herself blushed seeing her condition and remembering the kiss. Oh the kiss! And the man!

Avantika was looking through the videos like a maniac, without a break. Her eyes had started paining and her head felt like it would blast. But she wouldn't stop. She had to get that killer before he made another hunt.

“Avantika? Take a break! Kal kr lenge. Go home now. Hum sab bhi nikal rhe hai.”

Aastha said but Avantika shook her head.

“Nhi mam. I'm fine. Iss pendrive ki videos toh aaj khatam krke hi jaaungi.”

“Are you crazy? These are too many videos.”

“And I have all night mam.”

She replied with a smile.

“Arre but we can do it tomorrow na.”

“Can't take this risk mam. Just because we know who the killer is, doesn't mean he'll stop killing. We have to catch him as soon as we can.”

Aastha nodded and then smiled.

“I wish I could stay. But mom -”

“I know. Aunty is alone at home. And you should be there for her. Don't worry mam, I understand. You leave mai hu yaha.”

She said but Aastha looked concerned.

“But it's not safe to be alone wo bhi itna late.”

“Don't worry! I'm here with her.”

Prakhar came with two mugs of coffee and passed one to Avantika who smiled at him. He offered the other mug to Aastha but she refused politely.

“Ok then! Take care!”

She said in a teasing tone and Avantika blushed.

“Aastha? You're leaving! I'm also leaving, come I'll drop you.”

Now it was Aastha's turn to blush as she heard Khushal's voice.

“Umm…it's fine. Mai chali jaaungi. I'll take the metro like usual.”

“I'm also leaving Aastha. Mai drop kr dunga na. Chalo! See you tomorrow Avantika! See you tomorrow sir!”

Avantika and Prakhar returned the greeting as the two left. Aastha followed him while a red hue covered her cheeks permanently now.

As soon as they were out of the office premises, Khushal held her hand and intertwined their fingers making her look at him surprised.

He winked at her, making her feel butterflies in her stomach as she lowered her lashes.

Khushal stopped the car in front of Aastha's home and they sat in silence for a minute before Aastha turned to his side and asked.

“Andar aaoge?”

“It's too late! Kabhi aur.”

She nodded and thanked him. When he didn't say anything else, she turned and started getting out, only for him to stop her and put his palm behind her nape as he held her in place.

His lips came down on hers and he kissed her softly. A surprised gasp escaped her lips not expecting this.

He pulled back after a few seconds and she looked at him in daze.

“Good night.”

He whispered in his velvety voice and she felt herself melting into a puddle right there. Collecting herself, she got out of the car and ran inside her house feeling a swarm of all the insects inside her body.

On the other hand, Avantika, instead of keeping awake after having her coffee, went into deep sleep.

Prakhar looked at the woman sleeping peacefully, keeping his shoulder as her pillow and her arm wrapped around his.

He smiled and caressed her hair before planting a kiss on her head. She released a content sigh and he kept his head against herz and sighed too.

She was making him feel things, he shouldn't be feeling for a woman so much younger than him. But the age gap between them only made him more protective of her.

His gaze fell on the paused video and his expressions hardened remembering why they were still in office.

“Avantika?”

He called softly so that she could sleep properly somewhere. But she just stirred a little and rubbed her face against his shoulder making him smile. Realising that she was in a deep sleep and wasn't waking up any soon, he picked her up in his arms and placed her on the sofa.

As soon as he put her on the sofa, she shivered due to the AC being just over her head. Prakhar searched for the remote and lowered the temperature and also diverted the wings so that it doesn't hit her directly.

He then removed his jacket and covered her with it which she clutched as soon as she felt its warmth.

He then took his seat and got to work.

When Avantika woke up next, it was 4 in the morning. She looked around trying to realise where she was. When she did, she searched for Prakhar but the office was empty.

She then went to the desk where she was watching the video and saw it paused at a particular clip. A clip with Prakhar's face but the faint tattoo revealed who it actually was. The arm band tattoo Prakhar told them Prashant had. 

Plus, she knew it was Prashant because Prakhar didn't have any such tattoo. It was prohibited for secret agents. She noted down the location and drove there knowing Prakhar would be there only.