By-RAJANI KANTA DAS
The rain poured heavily over the city, washing away sins that would return by morning. Neon lights flickered through the mist, casting shadows that danced like ghosts on the empty streets.
Inside a black luxury car, Armaan Khanna sat silently.
A name that made grown men tremble. A man who ruled the underworld like a king without a crown. Deals, blood, power—his life was built on things most people feared to even whisper about.
"Boss, we've reached," his driver said cautiously.
Armaan didn't respond immediately. His sharp eyes were fixed on something outside—a small bookstore, glowing softly in the middle of the storm.
It was… out of place.
"Stop the car."
The driver hesitated. "Sir? This area isn't—"
"I said stop."
The car halted.
Without another word, Armaan stepped out into the rain. His black shirt clung slightly to his body, droplets sliding down his face, but he didn't seem to notice.
His attention was locked on the girl inside the bookstore.
She stood near the counter, flipping through pages of a novel, completely unaware of the storm… or the world outside. A soft smile curved her lips, like she existed in a different universe altogether.
Peaceful.
Untouched.
Alive.
For a moment, Armaan forgot who he was.
Inside, Meera looked up suddenly.
She felt it.
That strange feeling of being watched.
Her eyes met his through the glass door.
And everything… paused.
He was intense. Dangerous. The kind of man her instincts warned her about. Yet, there was something else in his gaze—something broken, something searching.
She frowned slightly, confused by her own reaction.
Why wasn't she scared?
Instead… her heart skipped.
The bell above the door chimed softly as Armaan entered.
Silence filled the air.
Even the rain seemed to quiet down.
"Closing time," Meera said gently, trying to ignore the way her pulse raced.
Armaan stepped closer, his presence overwhelming the small space.
"Then close," he replied, his voice low, calm… but commanding.
She swallowed. "You should leave."
"And you should be careful," he said, his eyes scanning her face, memorizing every detail.
A strange tension wrapped around them.
"Why?" she asked, raising her chin slightly. "Are you dangerous?"
A faint smirk touched his lips.
"Very."
For a second, she should have stepped back.
She didn't.
Instead, she smiled.
"Then maybe you should stay away from me."
That… surprised him.
No fear. No hesitation.
Just boldness wrapped in innocence.
Armaan let out a quiet breath, something he hadn't done in a long time.
"What's your name?" he asked.
"Why?"
"Because I'll remember it."
She stared at him for a moment, then said softly—
"Meera."
He repeated it under his breath.
"Meera…"
Like it meant something.
Like she meant something.
Outside, thunder roared again.
Inside, something far more dangerous had just begun.
Because in a world of guns, betrayal, and darkness…
Armaan Khanna had just found the one thing he could never control—
his heart.
If you want, I can continue Chapter 2 where danger enters her life and Armaan has to protect her 😏