: I'll Look After Thy Heart :
It was roughly half past six.
Tarika was getting ready to go home from work. It had been a tough week if she was being honest. Three corpses in four days! It was insane.
What is happening to the world? she muttered to herself.
Dr Salunkhe had left earlier that evening to go on a date with Dr Sonali. He had been pestering Tarika to convince Sonali to go on a date with him. After more than two months of sweet talking, Sonali agreed.
Tarika left the lab and went to the parking area. As she reached closer to her car, someone tapped on her shoulder, making her jerk and turn around. She heaved a breath of relief to find Abhijeet in front of her.
"Abhijeet!" she exclaimed, "You scared me you prat. What are you doing here? I was going to go over at yours now."
"Wanted to see you. Can we go and sit somewhere? We need to talk."
They went to a nearby restaurant and ordered dinner. They were fortunate enough to get a private booth at such a prime time. After the waiter had left with their orders Tarika sat straighter and quirked a perfectly shaped eyebrow at him. It unnerved Abhijeet to no end how she could be so intimidating at times.
He sighed.
"I've been asked to represent our team at the shooting competition. You probably have heard," he said, then waited until she said something.
"Yes, I heard about that," her voice had a hint of amusement in it.
"Well, I can't do it. Not after that incident," he said bluntly. That softened Tarika to some degree and she put her hand on his on the table.
"You can't let that one incident break you Abhijeet," she squeezed his hand.
"Well it did. Broke me, that is," he admitted. "I can't even look at my gun without going back to that day. I have nightmares, still."
"Oh honey!" Tarika walked around the table, sat beside him and gave him a side hug. He turned towards her and hugged her properly.
"I've missed you Tarika," he muttered in her curly mane.
"You shouldn't have pushed me out of your life Abhijeet, in this difficult time," Tarika murmured, putting her cheek on his shoulder comfortably and he pulled her in the hug tighter.
"I know," he mumbled in her hair, "I'm sorry."
"You're forgiven love," she pulled away after leaving a swift kiss on his neck. Tarika held his one hand and squeezed it to show him her support.
"No matter what, you're going to participate in this competition and you're going to win. And I'm going to cheer for you on top of my lungs in every step," she smiled and his lips tilted upwards slightly as well.
"To make you scream my name, I'll do anything," he winked and smirked, making Tarika blush.
"Oh shut up you," she mumbled, looking away.
A/N : If you don't like this bit, I won't blame you. I don't like it very much myself. But I didn't want to stretch it unnessecerily either. So crossed my fingers and posted it.
Review.
... ...Re-edited chapter on 2nd October, 2017.