A loud Confession

Ahana shifted, still feeling the lingering weight of their conversation. The silence stretched between them, thick with unspoken thoughts. Her fingers fidgeted with the edge of her sleeve, her mind still caught in the storm of what they had just discussed.

Aksh, watching her closely, suddenly sighed. "Come here," he said, his tone leaving no room for argument.

Ahana blinked. "W-What?"

Without waiting for her response, he grabbed her wrist gently and pulled her toward the couch. Before she could protest, he sat down and tugged her along, making her stumble forward.

She gasped as she nearly fell, but he caught her easily, maneuvering her so that she was sitting between his legs, her back resting against his chest. Her breath hitched as his arms loosely wrapped around her, caging her in his warmth.

"Aksh—"

"Shh, just stay still." His voice was softer now, less commanding, more... comforting.

Ahana stiffened at first, completely unaccustomed to this kind of closeness. But as the steady rhythm of his breathing surrounded her, the warmth of his presence seeped into her, melting away the cold fear that had clung to her since she woke up.

He rested his chin lightly on her head, his arms still holding her, but not too tight—just enough to let her know he was there.

"You're thinking too much again," he murmured, his voice a low vibration against her.

Ahana swallowed. "I just... don't understand. How can we have the same nightmare?"

Aksh didn't answer immediately. Instead, one of his hands moved, brushing over her wrist, his fingers lightly tracing the faint lines of her pulse.

"I don't know," he admitted. "But you're not alone in this, Little Flower."

Her throat tightened at his words.

For so long, the nightmare had been hers alone to bear. A shadow she never thought anyone else would understand. But now, in this quiet, stolen moment, wrapped in his warmth, she realized—she wasn't the only one haunted by it.

Slowly, she let herself relax against him, her head resting just beneath his chin. His embrace felt steady, unshakable, as if no nightmare—no mystery—could reach her here.

Aksh let out a small, amused breath. "See? That wasn't so bad."

Ahana rolled her eyes, though her lips curved slightly. "You're annoying."

His smirk was evident in his voice. "And yet, you're still here."

She didn't respond. Because, for once, she didn't want to pull away.

As the quiet moment between them stretched, Aksh finally shifted, pulling away just enough to look at her. "Come," he said, standing up and offering his hand. "Let's get some air."

Ahana hesitated for a second before slipping her hand into his. His grip was firm, yet gentle, and without another word, he led her outside.

The night air was crisp, a soft breeze brushing against her skin as they stepped onto the open terrace. The city lights stretched far beyond, flickering like a reflection of the stars above. Ahana leaned against the railing, trying to clear her mind, but something still lingered—something small, irrational, and frustratingly persistent.

She hadn't forgotten Meher.

She stole a quick glance at Aksh, who stood beside her, his hands in his pockets, eyes scanning the view with that same unreadable expression. He looked calm, completely unaffected.

Of course, he was.

Ahana, on the other hand, wasn't. The memory of Meher standing beside him, speaking to him like she knew him better than anyone else, gnawed at her. They had looked good together—effortless. The kind of familiarity that only came with time.

She didn't even realize she was frowning until Aksh suddenly turned to her, an amused glint in his eyes.

"You're awfully quiet, Little Flower," he remarked, tilting his head slightly.

Ahana's spine stiffened. "I'm just thinking."

"About?"

"Nothing important." She looked away too quickly.

Aksh exhaled a quiet chuckle. She didn't realize how transparent she was being, but he did. The slight pout, the way her fingers tapped against the railing, the quick avoidance of his gaze.

She was jealous.

And the realization was unexpectedly cute.

He smirked but didn't call her out on it. If he did, she'd be too embarrassed and probably deny it. Instead, he decided to put her at ease without making it obvious.

"You know," he started, his tone casual, "Meher has been working for me for years."

Ahana glanced at him, her expression unreadable now. "Oh?"

"She's the head of my Intel security. One of the best in the field." He shrugged slightly. "She's saved my life more times than I can count."

Ahana blinked, absorbing that information. "So… you two have been working together for a long time?"

"Yes," Aksh replied smoothly. "She's a trusted ally. Nothing more."

Ahana bit the inside of her cheek, feeling something loosen in her chest, though she wouldn't admit it. "I wasn't asking that," she mumbled.

Aksh smirked but didn't push. "Of course not."

She shot him a look, but he only turned back toward the skyline, a satisfied glint in his eyes.

Ahana exhaled, staring at him for a moment longer before shaking her head.

Maybe she was overthinking.

Ahana tugged at Aksh's sleeve as they walked down the quiet street, her eyes gleaming with a sudden idea.

"I want to go to a convenience store," she declared.

Aksh raised a brow. "Right now?"

She nodded eagerly. "Yes, right now."

He exhaled, amused but indulgent. "Fine."

Within minutes, they arrived at a small convenience store lit up against the night. Ahana wandered through the aisles, picking random things—snacks, a small plushie, even a pack of stickers. Aksh followed beside her, casually carrying whatever she handed him.

But then, mid-walk, he suddenly stopped.

"Wait here," he said, his voice low yet firm.

Ahana blinked, watching as he set down the items and walked out of the store. She frowned but didn't question it immediately. Instead, curiosity tugged at her, and she stepped toward the glass doors, peeking outside.

Aksh stood a little distance away, talking to a truck driver. His posture was relaxed but authoritative, his sharp gaze locked on the man as he spoke.

Ahana tilted her head. What was he doing?

Her thoughts were interrupted when, out of nowhere, a second truck came barreling down the road at full speed.

Her breath hitched.

The next second, the truck crashed.

A deafening screech of metal against metal filled the air. The impact was violent, sending shockwaves through the ground as thick smoke erupted into the night sky.

Ahana's body went rigid, her ears ringing. The place where Aksh had stood was now a wreck of twisted steel and flames.

Her heart stopped.

"A-Aksh…"

Her lips trembled. Her vision blurred.

Then, she ran.

She didn't think. Didn't hesitate. The only thing that existed in that moment was the wreckage and the horrifying thought—he was in there.

"AKSH!" she screamed, her voice raw with panic.

Her feet barely touched the ground as she rushed forward, ignoring the chaos around her. People were shouting, but she didn't hear them. Someone tried to grab her arm, but she yanked away violently.

She fell to her knees, her hands desperately pulling at the broken truck door. Blood smeared across her fingers as metal cut into her skin, but she didn't care.

"Aksh, where are you?! Please!"

Her sobs shook her entire body. Smoke stung her lungs, but she refused to stop. The thought of losing him—of never seeing him again—ripped through her like a nightmare come to life.

She almost collapsed when a strong hand grabbed her waist and pulled her away.

"Ahana!"

A deafening explosion tore through the air.

The truck erupted in flames, the blast sending a fiery shockwave in every direction.

Before Ahana could react, Aksh moved—fast, precise, like a predator shielding his prey. His arms wrapped around her, pulling her against his chest as he spun, shielding her from the deadly force. The impact sent them rolling across the pavement, his body absorbing the brunt of the fall until they landed behind a nearby wall.

The heat, the ringing in her ears, the chaos—it all blurred.

But none of it mattered.

Her fingers trembled as they dug into his shirt, her face buried against him, her body shaking uncontrollably. The moment she realized he was still holding her, her tears fell harder.

She was sobbing, violently, brokenly.

"Ahana!" His voice was firm but edged with something rare—concern. His hands framed her face, tilting her chin up. "Why the hell didn't you move? The truck could've exploded at any second!"

She hiccupped, her breath shallow and erratic, her chest heaving. Her eyes, red and swollen, locked onto his. "How could I?" she cried, voice cracking under the weight of her emotions. "How could I move when you were there?!"

Aksh stiffened.

"You should've run," he said, his voice softer now, but still commanding. "Even if I was there, you—"

Her hands shot up, grabbing his collar in a tight, desperate grip.

"Don't you understand?!" she screamed, her voice raw, her pain pouring out of her like an open wound. "I love you, Aksh! I can't lose you"

The words shattered the air between them.

Her body trembled as her grip loosened, her knees finally giving out. She fell forward, collapsing onto the ground, her head hanging low as violent sobs wracked through her small frame. Her hands clutched the fabric of his shirt, like he was the only thing keeping her from breaking apart entirely.

Aksh just stood there, frozen.

The explosion, the chaos, the pain—none of it compared to the storm inside him at that moment.

She loves me.

She… loves me.

His sharp, calculating mind, always two steps ahead, always untouchable, suddenly faltered. For the first time in his life, he didn't know what to do.

All he knew was that Ahana, his small, fragile Little Flower, was crying as if her entire world had crumbled at the mere thought of losing him.

And it shook him to his core.