Rohan's P.O.V.

Ahh what is wrong with me?

"Some day this mouth is going to get you in trouble!" I scolded myself as I slapped my mouth.

A kiss on forehead? How could I even ask that!

"Just because you got a chance to wake up to her that day doesn't mean you'll get to kiss her on the forehead Rohan!"

I tried to focus on working on my case but couldn't focus on anything. Meeting Monica and saying those words to Sanjana had messed up with my mind.

I got up for a coffee break but the telephone started ringing.

"Yes Lilly,"

"A family is here, they would like to meet you,"

"Lilly, you know the protocol,"

"I know sir but it's urgent," she pressed on.

I knew that she rarely used the words urgent or called me directly.

"Fine, help them settle in the meeting room, call Sanjana as well," I said and hung up.

I collected my notepad and my file as exited the office to find Sanjana doing the same.

"It's serious," I said as we walked towards the meeting room.

My breath hitched as I took in the view in front of me. The mother and father were crying hysterically as someone consoled them.

"Urm.. hello,"

They both looked at me and immediately leapt to their feet and got on their knees.

"Sir please help our daughter, they ruined her, they didn't spare my 17 year old daughter," the father cried as he held my hand.

"Sir, calm down, we're both here to help you," Sanjana said in a tight tone.

Something must have triggered her. Was it the mention of daughter? Or the fact that the parents claimed their daughter was ruined?

"Come on ma'am, let's sit down and talk okay?" I said as I put an arm around the lady and helped them up.

"Lilly, call Satish and Nisha as well," Sanjana said as she sat down next to me.

Nisha was off her maternity leave and had joined back two weeks ago, she was an expert in crime against women and children.

As they both walked in and sat down, Sanjana started enquiring the parents.

"My daughter, she was coming home from school when two guys, they... They threw acid on her," the mother broke down as she hid her face in her hands.

"She had told us there were two men who had been following her for the last few days, I thought they would leave her alone but... They threw acid on her face,"

"How did they get the possession of acid?" Nisha asked as she looked in my direction.

"Those guys, they are the sons of the MLA of our area, they are very powerful, when we reached out to the other lawyers, they didn't want to take the case, sir please don't deny us, we want our daughter to get justice, sir please," the father said as he joined his trembling hands and started crying.

"Sir, we will work on this case for sure, we would go in more details about this but could you tell me more about your daughter?"

"My daughter's name is Sunidhi, she's only 17," the mother choked out and Sanjana stiffened next to me.

Was it the age?

I entwined our fingers under the table and squeezed it lightly. She stared at me but I focused on the parents.

As the parents briefed us more about the details, Nisha jotted down all the details.

Once they were done, Satish led them out as we three sat in silence.

"She is 17," Nisha growled in frustration as she slammed her hands on the tables. Sanjana, who was startled by the sudden outburst shuddered.

"Hey, you okay?" Nisha asked softly as she looked at her.

Sanjana did indeed look pale.

"Yeah, I'll just go wash my face," she said as she got up and walked to the washroom.

"Is she also--"

"Maybe," I said as I stared at the door.

Nisha had worked in this field for more years than me so she knew how to identify people.

We waited for Sanjana to come out before we started the discussion and laid out the plans about how we'll start the process.

°

"I'm so tired," I said as I walked inside the house.

Sanjana had left early today and I had to drive alone.

"Why do you work so much? Come I'll serve you dinner,"

"Sanjana ate?"

"Yeah, she ate with Monica," mom said.

I immediately ate the Dal, rice and chapati as mom talked about her day.

"We are letting Monica stay in the guest room, not that I care about the society but it's still better if Sunil and Monica stay in different rooms, she may not be comfortable with sharing a room with Sunil," mom said.

"Good idea," I said as I finished eating, quickly did the dishes and walked towards my room.

On my way to the bedroom I passed the guest room and heard Sanjana and Sunil in the room.

"Hey guys," I said as I walked inside.

"Hey Bhai," Sunil said while Monica and Sanjana waved.

Monica signed something to Sanjana and Sanjana signed something back. As if they were discussing something too private for our ears.

"What?"

"She just asked how long it had been since our marriage," Sanjana said.

"Ah, how long has it been? A month already huh?"

"Hmm," she hummed.

"Okay Sunil, get out and you too Rohan, I need help her get changed and then we'll discuss about your situation okay Monica?"

Monica nodded and I and Sunil left the room. By the time Sanjana was helping Monica, I decided to get changed as well.

"Sanjana is amazing, she knows sign language," Sunil said as he followed me in my room.

"Mhmm, I just wonder under what circumstances she had to learn that, like is it something like Monica?" I pondered as I changed in my closet.

"She didn't tell you yet?"

"We are not even as close as friends Sunil,"

"What?"

"She has trust issues, one moment she'll be nice and understanding and the next moment she'll question my intentions, I think whoever did whatever with her must have been really close," I said as I walked out.

"Yeah, he was someone close to me Rohan," Sanjana said as she walked inside the room.

"Sanjana--"

"I'm sorry I was eavesdropping, but when it was me you guys were talking about I couldn't help it. Also, Monica is ready but she would like to rest tonight so you," she said as she pointed as Sunil, " get back to your own room,"

"Why? I'm meeting her after so long," he whined.

"Just do as I say Sunil, trust me," Sanjana said.

"Fine, good night you both," he said as he left us alone.

Cue to awkwardness.

"Urmm... I'll sleep,"

"Let's be friends Rohan,"

"What?"

"Friends, let's be friends," she said as she faced me.

"Okay friends," I said but muttered to myself, "for now,"

"Friends,"

"Can I ask you something if you don't mind?"

"Yeah go ahead,"

"Was it the age of that girl that triggered you?"

"Yeah," she breathed out.

"Were you--"

"Good night Rohan," she said abruptly.

"Good night Sanjana,"

__________________________

Another day, another update.

They're friends.

Also thank you so much for the suggestions yesterday. Just so you know your suggestions would always be welcomed!!

P.S. instead of my regular endnote, I wanna try something different, would you tell me if you prefer this or the old one?