Dawn arrived quietly, but nothing about the world felt calm.
Meera Verma stood near the window, watching the city slowly wake up.
It looked normal.
People walking. Cars moving. Life continuing.
But her life… had already crossed into something else.
Something she couldn't name anymore.
Behind her, Kabir Rajvansh gave final instructions on the phone.
His voice was low, controlled.
"Route cleared… no mistakes… she moves safely."
A pause.
Then colder—
"If anyone touches her path… they don't leave it alive."
He ended the call.
Silence returned.
But his attention never left her.
Meera turned slowly.
"Where are we going?"
Kabir adjusted his coat.
"A place no one knows."
A pause.
"Even my enemies."
That sentence should have comforted her.
But instead… it made her more anxious.
Because a man like Kabir didn't run unless the danger was real.
Very real.
Hours later, they were inside a black vehicle moving through unknown roads.
Meera sat silently.
Kabir sat beside her.
Not touching.
But close enough that she could feel his presence like a shield.
She finally spoke softly.
"You never tell me everything."
Kabir didn't look at her.
"You don't need to carry what I carry."
Meera frowned.
"But I'm already in it."
A pause.
Silence.
Kabir finally turned his head slightly.
"For now," he said quietly.
"That's my fault."
The words hit differently.
Not cold.
Not distant.
But responsible.
Heavy.
The car stopped in front of a large, isolated property.
Hidden behind trees.
No noise.
No neighbors.
No signs of life.
Meera stepped out slowly.
"This is it?"
Kabir nodded.
"Safe house."
A pause.
"Temporary."
She looked around.
"It doesn't feel safe."
Kabir's eyes darkened slightly.
"Nothing is safe for you anymore."
That truth made her stomach tighten.
She turned toward him.
"Because of you?"
Silence.
Kabir didn't deny it.
Because denial would be a lie.
But then he said something softer.
"Yes."
A pause.
"And that's why I won't leave your side."
Meera looked at him carefully.
For the first time… she wasn't just afraid.
She was conflicted.
Inside the house, everything was prepared.
Security. Locks. Guards outside.
Kabir checked every corner himself.
Like a man who trusted nothing.
Not even his own system.
Meera watched him.
"You always live like this?"
Kabir paused.
"Yes."
A pause.
"Until you."
She blinked.
"What does that mean?"
Kabir didn't answer immediately.
Instead, he walked closer.
Slowly.
"It means…" he said quietly,
"…I started caring about something I can lose."
Silence fell again.
But this time, it wasn't empty.
It was dangerous.
Because care in his world… was weakness.
And Meera had become that weakness.
Outside, a radio crackled in Kabir's car.
A single message.
Unidentified.
Untracked.
Kabir's expression changed instantly.
His entire body went still.
Meera noticed immediately.
"What happened?"
Kabir stared at the device.
"…We're not alone."
And for the first time in this "safe house"…
Meera understood the truth.
There was no safety.
Only time.
Before the world found her again.
And Kabir Rajvansh… already knew it was coming.
To be continued… 💔