Chapter Fifteen: The Weight of Secrets

Chapter Fifteen: The Weight of Secrets

The city buzzed with life around them as Tara and Abhay maneuvered through narrow streets and bustling crowds. Despite the chaos, there was an unspoken understanding between them—a silent bond forged in fire and danger.

The tension from the phone call still lingered like a shadow over their heads. Tara stole a glance at Abhay, his jaw set tight, his eyes scanning every passerby with sharp vigilance. Even in the midst of uncertainty, his presence steadied her.

"Where to now?" she asked, her voice low but steady.

Abhay didn’t look at her. "There’s another safe house on the outskirts. It’s not ideal, but it’ll buy us time."

Tara nodded, trusting his judgment. They walked in silence for a while, their footsteps echoing against the concrete jungle.

As they approached an abandoned warehouse on the edge of town, Abhay slowed his pace, turning to Tara. "Wait here," he said, his tone leaving no room for argument.

Tara crossed her arms, her brow arching. "Not happening. We do this together, remember?"

He sighed, a mixture of frustration and resignation crossing his face. "You’re stubborn, you know that?"

"I’ve been told," she replied with a faint smile, a flicker of humor easing the tension between them.

Inside the warehouse, the air was thick with dust, the faint smell of rust lingering. Abhay checked the perimeter, his movements precise and calculated, while Tara secured the doors.

When they were finally alone, the silence became heavier, the weight of their situation pressing down on them. Tara leaned against a wall, her arms wrapped around herself.

"Do you ever wonder what life would’ve been like if we weren’t caught up in this mess?" she asked suddenly, her voice almost wistful.

Abhay froze, his back to her. He turned slowly, his expression unreadable. "Sometimes," he admitted, his voice quieter than usual.

Tara looked down at her hands, her fingers tracing invisible patterns on her sleeve. "Maybe in another life, things could’ve been different."

He walked closer, stopping just a step away from her. The proximity made her heart race, though she didn’t dare show it. "You can’t think like that, Tara. What-ifs won’t save us."

"I know," she said, meeting his gaze. "But sometimes... it’s hard not to wonder."

For a moment, neither of them spoke, the space between them charged with unspoken emotions. Abhay’s gaze softened, and she saw something there—something he quickly masked with a flicker of his usual resolve.

"You’re stronger than you think," he said finally, his voice almost gentle.

Tara’s lips curved into a small smile. "And you’re not as cold as you pretend to be."

The faintest hint of a smile tugged at the corner of his lips before he turned away, breaking the moment. "Get some rest. We move again at sunset."

Tara watched him retreat to the other side of the room, her chest tightening with feelings she couldn’t quite name. She knew better than to dwell on them. Now wasn’t the time, and this wasn’t the place.

But as she lay down on the cold floor, her thoughts strayed to the man standing guard in the shadows, his presence both a comfort and a curse.

And somewhere deep inside, she knew—whatever this was between them, it couldn’t be ignored forever.

***Download NovelToon to enjoy a better reading experience!***