"I'm here at the cafe," Inaya said.
"Why did you not answer your phone? I have been calling you all day," Johan sounded so angry.
"What happened? What is the matter? Why did you take Jiya with you?"
"Harold Bow was released. Someone from a big group bailed him out. I wanted to inform you to stay safe and stay out of his site," he said, sounding worried.
"Oh," Inaya's heart began sink. She looked into Johan's eyes, expecting him to shoot her with questions any time.
"Oh?" Johan asked. "That is it?" Johan was still so mad. "You are not concerned? This is all you could think of saying?" He asked her.
"What am I supposed to say?" Inaya raised her voice this time. "That I'm scared? I need protection?"
"For heaven's sake, yes," Johan told her.
"And I don't think there is a need for it," Inaya quickly stopped getting angry. She controlled her emotions, and she spoke calmly. She looked at him, not moving her gaze.
"You are too too much," Johan began. "I wanted to help you, when you were alone. Be there for you, when there was no one there for me. I did not want you to go through the same, and this is how you are treating me now," Johan sounded sad.
Inaya was nit feeling anything though. Nothing made sense to her except the fact that whether Johan knows her past or not, whether he will ask her again or not. That is all that mattered to Inaya.
"What is your relationship with Harold Bow?" Johan finally asked that question. Inaya looked around immediately to see if there is anyone looking at them or listening to them. She felt uncomfortable immediately.
"Why don't we step out?" She suggested.
Johan walked out immediately to the footpath while Inaya closed the door behind her.
"Now tell me. Harold was very very clear about you. He knew you. He pulled your hand after making sure it is you. This can be solved if you settle before going to court. But if you are not willing to settle, you surely must know, you will be in trouble, because it appears you two have a connection, knew each other before and I know you are hiding something from me," Johan disclosed the fact how he does not trust the girl standing before him. "So tell me. What is going on? What happened before? Tell me clearly. I will help you. The guy who has come now to help Harold Bow is not an easy guy," Johan made it very clear to Inaya.
Inaya could feel her body turning hot and tensed.
"I.. I was found in the river, and taken to a nearby hospital where Harold was working previously. I had health issues. Pretty severe. And doctors claimed that I also have mental health issues and put me under hid supervision. I stayed there. My treatments, analysis, and all sorts of counselling and session began, but they were futile as none of it worked on me. And they talked about sending me to an orphanage or some convent. So I ran away from there. And it landed him in series of troubles," Inaya revealed only a few part of the flashback. Johan stood thinking, looking at her. He rubbed his cheek and asked her something Inaya was least expecting.
"Do you want me to believe it? Like nothing else had happened between you two?"
"Are you doubting me now?" Inaya snapped.
"I don't want to, but my colleagues told me something different," he told her.
"What? Said what?" Inaya asked angrily.
"That you were pregnant," he said finally.
"So you believe others. You believe them and not what comes from me. You believe those people but not your friend who had gone through it. You don't believe in the actual side of the story but bunch of gossips," Inaya stormed at him.
Johan stepped back. He raised his hand midway.
"I'm not taking anyone's side. I believe you I do. But I wanted to verify it from you, to make sure you are okay and that your side is clear. Nothing else," he quickly told her to not anger her anymore.
Inaya looked away and smirked. 'I know I'm the liar here. But I don't care. I have to save myself. I need to live peacefully. I want a normal life, live in a normal home,' she thought. 'I am not going to fall for any sentiments. All that matters to me is myself and will always be. I am not changing from that. Even if this means that I become the anti hero.'
"Ok leave it. Let us go. Let us eat something nice. I'm hungry from searching you all around. Where were you all day? Tell me that? Why did you not answer my calls?" Johan started with that.
"You are too invested in me, aren't you?" Inaya mocked him.