The next morning—
Two security guards stood outside the apartment.
Ananya stared at them.
"What is this?"
Aarav adjusted his watch calmly.
"Protection."
"I didn't ask for this."
"I didn't ask either," he replied.
"But it's necessary."
She turned to him, frustrated.
"You can't just control everything!"
His eyes flashed.
"I'm not controlling you. I'm protecting you."
"By watching my every move?"
"Yes."
Silence.
Sharp.
Emotional.
Ananya stepped closer.
"I lived six years without you. I can handle this."
Aarav didn't move.
"I know."
"Then trust me."
He looked at her.
Really looked.
"I trust you," he said quietly.
A pause.
"But I don't trust the world."
Her anger softened slightly.
But the tension remained.
Because deep down—
She knew he wasn't wrong.