We didn't stay in that villa for long.
Rudra didn't give us time to think, to question, or to argue. Within minutes, everything was decided. Bags were picked up, lights were left on, and just like that… we left.
Outside, the night was colder than before.
The cars were already waiting.
Rudra walked ahead. Arin followed him, still alert, while Rehan stayed close to me, his presence silent but steady.
I hesitated for a second before getting into the car.
Something about leaving like that… so quickly… didn't feel right.
But I didn't stop.
None of us did.
The drive was quiet.
The kind of silence that doesn't need words.
Streetlights passed one after another, their light briefly filling the car before disappearing again. I kept looking out of the window, watching everything blur, trying to make sense of what was happening.
No one spoke.
After what felt like a long time, the car finally slowed down.
A large gate appeared ahead.
It opened slowly.
Another villa.
Different… but not completely.
Bigger. More isolated.
More hidden.
We stepped out one by one. The air felt still.
For a moment, I just stood there, looking at the place.
Inside, everything was already arranged.
Lights on.
Rooms prepared.
Like someone had been expecting us.
Or like this place had always been ready.
For the first time since everything started, there was no immediate chaos.
No running.
No shouting.
Just silence.
Disha moved toward the kitchen area almost immediately, trying to settle things, checking on Myra, who slowly started relaxing as well. Her small voice filled the space, bringing a softness that the place didn't naturally have.
Arin leaned against the wall, watching everything with a quiet focus. He looked calmer, but not careless.
Rehan stood near the entrance, still observing, like he didn't fully trust the place yet.
And Rudra…
He stood slightly away from everyone.
Lost in his own thoughts.
I noticed.
Without thinking too much, I walked toward him.
"You didn't say anything the whole way," I said softly.
He looked at me, his expression unreadable for a moment.
"There wasn't anything to say," he replied.
That didn't feel like the truth.
"There's always something you're not saying," I said quietly.
For a second, he just looked at me.
Then a faint smile appeared.
"You're starting to notice," Rudra said.
I frowned slightly.
For a moment, neither of us spoke.
It wasn't awkward.
Just… quiet.
Later, everyone ended up sitting together without really planning it.
Disha insisted now we should eat.
And surprisingly, no one argued.
The table wasn't perfect, the food was simple, but the moment felt different.
Almost normal.
Arin was trying to make Myra laugh.
Rehan looked less tense than before.
Disha seemed calmer.
And Rudra…
He was watching everything.
Later that night, I stepped out onto the balcony. The air was cool.
For the first time after long days...
I just stood there peacefully.
Breathing.
"You look calmer."
I turned.
It was Rudra.
Standing behind me.
"It feels strange, this kind of silence in a danger." I admitted.
A small smile appeared on his face.
And in that moment…
Everything felt normal.
Not perfect.
Not safe.
But… normal.
I turned to go back inside.
Then paused and said...
"Good night, Rudra."
He watched me for a moment.
Then said quietly—
"Good night."
I walked away slowly.
I could feel his gaze on my back.
Even without turning… I knew he was still there.
When I reached my room, I closed the door softly behind me.
My heart felt… lighter.
Not because everything was okay.
But because…
for the first time I didn't feel alone.
I lay down on the bed, staring at the ceiling.
His words echoed in my mind.
His voice.
His presence.
That moment on the balcony.
A small smile formed on his lips.
Outside, he must have left by now.
And inside, I slowly closed my eyes.
This time…
sleep came easily.
The next morning—
I woke up later than usual.
For a moment, I didn't remember where I was. Then everything came back.
The villa.
That night.
And him.
I sat up slowly, brushing my hair back.
And without meaning to…
I smiled.
"Okay… what is wrong with me?" I muttered softly.
After getting ready, I stepped out of my room.
The hallway was quiet, but not empty.
Soft sounds came from downstairs.
Voices.
Normal ones.
As I reached the dining area, everyone was already there.
Disha was arranging breakfast.
Myra was sitting on the chair, playing with something in her hands.
Arin leaned against the table, casually talking.
And Rehan…
He was watching the moment I walked in.
"You're late," he said.
I ignored him and walked in.
"Good morning to you all," I replied.
Arin smirked lightly.
But before I could sit..
I felt it. That familiar presence.
I looked up.
And there he was.
Rudra.
Already watching me.
For a second everything went quiet.
"Good morning," I said softly.
There was a brief pause.
Then...
"Morning," he replied.
I quickly looked away and sat down.
My heartbeat had already started acting up.
"Did you sleep we'll ?"Disha asked gently.
I nodded. " Yes."
I didn't need to lie this time.
I looked down at my plate, trying to ignore the tension.
But I could feel it.
Something had changed.
After breakfast, I stepped out into the hallway. Because I needed a moment.
Just a small one.
I had barely taken a few steps when—
Someone said...
"Running away again ?"
I stopped.
Closed my eyes for a second.
Then turned.
It was Rudra.
"I'm not running," I said.
He stepped closer.
Not too close.
But enough.
A small silence settled between us.
Then he said softly—
"You were smiling this morning."
My breath caught slightly.
"So?" I replied, trying to sound normal.
"It suits you," he said.
That wasn't what I expected.
I looked away immediately.
Don't say things like that so casually, I muttered.
"Why?"he asked.
I didn't answer.
Because I didn't know how to answer that.
Then suddenly, someone said...
"Am I interrupting something ?"
We both turned.
It was Rehan.
Standing there.
Watching us.
The air changed instantly.
Rudra's expression hardened slightly.
Rehan's gaze didn't move from me.
And just like that...
That quiet moment was gone.