Chapter 56 The Shadow #2
"You're not leaving me. I'm telling you to get somewhere safe."
Naina looked at the people still standing around them.
Then at Aadhira.
She knew that tone.
Aadhira wasn't asking.
Naina sighed.
"Fine."
One of the armed guards moved toward her.
Naina pointed at him.
"Don't think this means I'm happy about it."
The guard simply gestured toward the exit.
Naina looked back at Aadhira.
"Be careful."
Aadhira nodded.
"You too."
Naina finally left with the guard.
Vikrant suddenly lunged toward Aadhira.
She stepped aside.
His shoulder struck the wall.
Before he could recover, Aadhira grabbed his arm and slammed him against the surface.
"You should've left Naina alone."
Vikrant struggled.
"You think you've won?"
Aadhira's expression was cold.
"No."
She released him.
"I know."
Vikrant looked confused.
Then he noticed the mysterious figure approaching.
His eyes widened.
"Wait."
There was no response.
He stumbled backward.
"Listen. We can make a deal."
The mysterious figure continued walking.
"I can give you money."
Nothing.
"Business connections."
Still nothing.
"Anything you want."
The figure stopped.
Vikrant's breathing became uneven.
Aadhira stood several feet away, watching.
She didn't interfere.
Vikrant looked around for help.
There was none.
The mysterious figure raised the weapon.
Vikrant's face changed.
"No."
A single shot echoed through the warehouse.
Vikrant collapsed.
Silence followed.
Aadhira looked at him for a moment.
Then she turned away.
The fight was over.
---
Outside, Naina was waiting near the car.
She looked toward the warehouse every few seconds.
When Aadhira finally stepped outside, Naina immediately walked toward her.
"You took your time."
Aadhira raised an eyebrow.
"You were the one who wanted me to stay safe."
"I changed my mind."
Aadhira almost smiled.
"Of course you did."
They began walking toward the road.
Neither noticed the vehicle approaching from a distance.
Arjun had been waiting long enough.
Hours had passed since Aadhira had left.
She had told him she would return.
He had trusted her.
But as time went on and she still hadn't come back, the worry had become impossible to ignore.
He had traced the location and driven there himself.
Now, seeing Aadhira and Naina walking out together, he finally released the breath he had been holding.
He stepped out of the car.
"Aadhira."
She looked up.
"Arjun?"
His eyes immediately went to the blood on her clothes.
His face tightened.
"What happened?"
Aadhira looked down at herself.
"This?"
"Yes."
"It's not mine."
Arjun's gaze moved from her to Naina.
Naina shook her head.
"I'm fine too."
Aadhira looked at him.
"It's Vikrant's and his men's."
Arjun went silent.
He had expected trouble.
He hadn't expected this.
His eyes searched Aadhira's face.
She looked tired, but she was standing perfectly straight.
"Are you sure you're not hurt?"
"I'm sure."
Arjun nodded slowly.
He didn't ask anything else.
Not there.
Not with Naina standing beside them.
He simply opened the passenger door.
"I'll drive you both home."
Aadhira didn't argue.
She got inside.
Naina climbed into the back seat.
Arjun took the driver's seat and started the engine.
The road ahead was dark and nearly empty.
Aadhira rested her head against the seat.
Naina stared out the window.
Arjun kept both hands on the steering wheel.
Then, while checking the rear-view mirror, he noticed movement behind them.
Someone was walking out of the abandoned house.
Arjun's eyes narrowed.
The figure stopped near the entrance.
Slowly, one hand moved toward the face.
The covering came away.
Arjun froze.
His fingers tightened around the steering wheel.
He knew that face.
He had known it for years.
His eyes widened.
For a moment, he couldn't make sense of what he was seeing.
What are you doing here?
He looked at the mirror again.
The person stood there for another moment before turning away.
Arjun's gaze shifted toward Aadhira.
She hadn't noticed.
Neither had Naina.
He looked back at the mirror.
The figure was already walking away.
Arjun said nothing.
Not a single question left his lips.
His expression returned to normal, but his mind was anything but calm.
He knew Aadhira and that person were not supposed to be at same place.
At least, that was what he had always believed.
Yet he had just seen that familiar face walking out of the same place where Aadhira had been.
Arjun tightened his grip on the steering wheel.
There were questions.
Far too many.
But he kept them to himself.
For now.
The car disappeared into the darkness, leaving the abandoned house behind.
And somewhere in the distance, the person Arjun had recognized continued walking without knowing that one pair of eyes had seen through the disguise.
To be continued.....
Author's Note:
That's it for today!
The story continues tomorrow with the next chapter. Stay tuned-you won't want to miss what happens next! ???