"Can you really not tell me what you are up to?" Ira'a eyes were filled with disappointment as she was not able to get anything out of her brother.
Abhinav was so stubborn that he doesn't want to let her know about those things that was happening in the village and he had also promised Shiv to keep it a secret from her until he decides to tell her himself.
After pouting for a while, Ira went back to her room completely dejected from her brother's response.
"Why can't I find Shiv today of all days? I really want to know what is happening... The more they try to hide things from me, the more I am curious to know what it is..."
....
"Shiv there is another report on the missing persons. As you suggested I went to the neighbouring village where we are currently performing trade and found that a few people were missing on their end as well." Abhinav was dressed neatly like his usual self unlike the appearance he had when he met Ira a few minutes back. He disguised himself as a poor farmer and entered into that village to find out some possible clues about the investigation being carried on for the missing people.
Shiv just returned after paying a visit to the hidden village's water source. He was dressed in a light blue coloured silk clothing with a cloak. He was still wearing his mask as he just entered into his room.
"How many people were missing there?" His voice sounded so stern and cold the moment he heard what Abhinav told him.
"Four... Three adults and one child..."
After hearing the news, Shiv arched his brows.
"Did you find anything on their disappearance?"
"Nothing much.. But there is one thing that keeps on bothering me... It seems like those people were out of contact after they entered into our village. They were all merchants. The child was an orphan that they used for odd jobs..."
"So.. now totally there are seven people that went missing in this village... This is causing to become a huge pain!
....
Ira who was unable to sleep decided to take a stroll along the pond. There were simply many thoughts that ran in her mind which prevented her from sleeping.
"Just what in the world is going on? *Sighs* I don't know what is what anymore..." She sat near the pond as she continued to stare at it without batting a eyelid.
"What are you doing here?" The sudden voice from behind scared the shit out of her. She was so startled that she yelled at the person.
"WHAT THE!! You scared me!!!"
"Sorry my bad. I saw you taking a stroll so I just decided to join. Is that okay?"
"Why bother asking when you are already here?" Ira sounded a little annoyed at him.
"What is the matter? Are you perhaps mad at me?" Shiv could not understand why Ira was suddenly angry with him.
"Why would I be annoyed at you... It's just that, I have been trying to find you from the morning like crazy.. but you were nowhere to be found..." Ira sounded so disappointed as she sighed heavily.
A soft chuckle escaped Shiv's lips the moment he heard her say that. He was a little happy to learn that she was searching for him like a madman.
'Why do I suddenly feel the urge to slap that grin off his face?' Ira stared at him annoyedly as he continued to grin.
"So now tell me, what did you want me for?"
"First promise me that you will answer all of my questions. Then I will speak!" Ira sounded so determined to find out the answers from his mouth.
Shiv arched a brow at her as he looked at her straight in the eye. He immediately understood that she was being serious this time. He was not sure whether he could promise her something like that. But it was her that was asking him, so obviously he would comply to her every wishes even if it was something that he doesn't want to do.
Shiv gave a slight nod at her words in the form of agreement.
Without breaking the eye contact between them Ira continued to speak.
"What are you trying to hide from me? Did you find any clues about that lighter??"
Shiv stayed silent for a while, the silence between them were deafening. His mind was in a turmoil whether he should say her everything or not..
Ira went closer to him and took his hand in her's as she gently caressed it with her thumb.
"No matter what that news is, I will take it well. I am not as weak as you think I am."
The spirit in her eyes were so strong and unwavering. Her dark black eyes glowed under the light of the moon as they stared deep into his soul.
"It feels like the person that the lighter belongs to is involved with the missing people in the village. As of now seven people have been gone missing.. three from our's and the four from the neighbouring village. The case of these missing people is so abrupt. We could not find any clues on them after a certain point."
Ira broke in between, as he was speaking...
"And that place is this village's water source and also the place where the lighter was first found?"
Shiv gave a quick nod.
"I was a little worried that this news might cause sorrow to you. That was the reason why I tried to hide it from you.. Forgive me..." He looked like a puppy that got caught by it master for breaking his master's favourite pot. Seeing his cute expression Ira could help but smile to herself as her hand went ahead and stroke his head gently.
She lost count of how many times her body loses control and acts as if they have a soul of its own whenever she was in that man's presence.
"Thank you for telling me.. Now all that is left is to find that guy and our problems might get resolved." With her hand still on his head, Ira smiled at him brightly. Her smiles were just too beautiful to be compared. The dimples that appears on her cheeks each time she smiles were quite a sight to see.
Shiv held her hand that was on his head and brought it near his mouth as he placed a soft yet sweet kiss on her palms which completely took her off guard.