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Chapter 22 - words that always turn into wounds

📖 Episode 22: When Shadows Chase

Opening – After the Gunshot (Immediate Danger)

Start right after the shattering glass.

Sensory overload: sound of rain hammering on roof, smell of gunpowder mixing with smoke, Suleman's weight pressing her down as shards cut into the floor.

Aaniya's ears ringing, heart thudding.

She feels his breath near her ear as he whispers again:

"When I say run, you run."

Describe physical closeness: His body shielding hers, the heat of his arm around her waist, how her breath hitches despite fear.

---

Scene 1 – Chaos & Move to Back Exit

Another gunshot – this time hitting the wall behind them.

Suleman grabs her hand and moves fast toward the kitchen/back exit.

Show Aaniya's disoriented fear: stumbling, bare feet slipping on glass, adrenaline making her shake.

They burst into the back corridor — but it's pitch dark except for emergency lights flickering.

Rain visible through half-open back door, wind howling.

Romantic undercurrent:

When Suleman checks the door, his wet shirt clings to him, and Aaniya notices how close they are in this small space.

Dialogue:

Aaniya: "Who is that? What do they want?"

Suleman (jaw tight): "Not you. Me."

Hint at secret: He mutters something like "I should've ended this long ago."

Aaniya hears but doesn't understand.

---

Scene 2 – The Silent Chase

They escape into the rain.

Detailed rain scene: Clothes sticking, cold water, streetlights glowing like ghosts.

They keep low, running through side alleys. Suleman constantly scans behind.

Aaniya asks: "Why are they after you? Tell me!"

He says nothing except: "Not here."

Describe Aaniya's conflicting feelings:

Terror for life

Frustration at being kept in dark

Strange security in his grip on her wrist.

---

Scene 3 – Shelter in an Abandoned Place

Suleman leads her to an old warehouse/garage safe house.

Inside: dark, smell of rust and dampness, broken windows letting in rain.

He locks the door, checks the corners with gun raised.

Tension moment: Aaniya touches his arm to stop him, asks:

"Are you going to tell me now?"

Suleman finally speaks a little:

"That voice… he's someone I once trusted."

Aaniya: "Who?"

Suleman: "Someone who wants to destroy everything left of me… and maybe you."

Romantic beat:

She's shivering, soaked. He removes his coat, wraps it around her shoulders. Fingers linger.

Close POV: describe how this small act feels like more than kindness.

Her lips part as she looks at him — but then BANG! A door somewhere inside slams shut (false alarm, just wind).

Fear crashes back.

---

Scene 4 – The Note Reveal

Aaniya notices Suleman still has the folded paper from earlier.

She snatches it before he can hide it.

Written in bold:

"You can't protect her. Not this time."

Her blood runs cold.

Dialogue:

Aaniya: "What does this mean? Why me?"

Suleman: "Because they know what you saw… and what you might find out."

Aaniya: "Find out what?"

He looks at her with something like pain and guilt:

"That the man you married… wasn't who you thought."

---

Scene 5 – Past Connections Unravel

Suleman starts revealing the truth piece by piece:

He knew Aaliyaan long ago.

They were in the same business circle (maybe shady deals, maybe something illegal).

Aaliyaan owed dangerous people money and betrayed them.

When Aaliyaan died, those people believed Suleman had something to do with it.

Aaniya shocked: "Are you saying… you killed him?"

Suleman steps close, eyes fierce:

"If I wanted him dead, he wouldn't have suffered."

Aaniya stunned — the way he said it feels both threatening and protective.

---

Scene 6 – Darkness Again & Emotional Break

Power at warehouse flickers and goes out — complete darkness except lightning flashes.

Aaniya panics slightly, stumbles. Suleman catches her — arms tight around her.

Describe the moment slowly:

His heartbeat against her cheek.

Rain dripping from his hair onto her skin.

Whispered words:

"You think I'd let anything happen to you?"

This is the first almost-intimate moment. Her breath trembles, and for a second she forgets the danger.

---

Scene 7 – New Threat Appears

Suddenly, footsteps inside the warehouse.

Not one person — multiple.

Suleman curses under his breath, pulls her behind a stack of crates.

He whispers:

"If they catch you, they won't keep you alive."

Her heart nearly stops.

Voices echo: "Suleman… come out. No need to make this messy."

Suleman grips her hand tighter: "When I move, you follow. No sound."

---

Scene 8 – Escape & Cliffhanger

They sneak toward a broken window at the back.

But just as they're about to slip out, a gun clicks behind them.

Voice cold, amused:

"Going somewhere?"

Aaniya freezes, turns slowly — and sees a familiar face from her past (cliffhanger reveal: maybe her old friend or someone linked to Aaliyaan).

End with gun pointed at Suleman and the line:

"You should've stayed dead, Suleman."

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