"Unspoken Wounds, Silent Fears"

Avira stood outside Ananya's office, glancing at her watch for the third time in the past ten minutes. She sighed, tapping her foot anxiously. Something didn't feel right. Ananya was never this late, and she hadn't called or texted either. The unease in Avira's chest only grew stronger.

She pulled out her phone and dialed Ananya's number. After a few rings, Ananya finally picked up.

"Ananya! Where are you? I've been waiting outside your office."

Ananya's voice came through the line, but it lacked its usual energy. "I... I'm fine, Avi. I'll come home directly. Just had a long day."

Avira frowned. "Are you sure? You don't sound okay. Did something happen?"

"No, nothing. I just needed to talk to you, but I'll do that at home," Ananya quickly said, trying to mask the shakiness in her voice.

Avira wasn't convinced, but before she could press further, Ananya hurriedly ended the call.

Still holding her phone, Avira let out a frustrated breath. She felt like something was terribly wrong, but without any proof, she had no choice but to wait until Ananya came home.

Just then, a deep voice interrupted her thoughts. "What happened?"

Avira turned to find Aditya standing behind her, his piercing gaze studying her face. The concern in his eyes caught her off guard.

"I don't know, sir," she admitted, rubbing her arm. "I feel like something is off with Ananya. She sounded... different. But maybe I'm overthinking. I'll talk to her when she gets home."

Aditya nodded slightly, his expression unreadable. "Let's go. I'll drop you home."

Avira straightened. "No need, Mr. Aditya. I can go on my own."

He arched a brow. "I didn't ask you. I ordered you. Come, before I have to carry you. Unless… you want me to?"

Her heart skipped a beat at his words, and she quickly looked away. "Fine," she muttered, having no other choice but to follow him.

When Avira reached home, she found the door locked. Ananya was still not back.

Frowning, she tried calling her again, but there was no answer. Avira's worry deepened. Ananya had promised to come home directly, so where was she? She stood outside, waiting, hoping to see her friend walking toward her any minute.

After a while, Aditya, who had dropped her off, decided to leave. "Call me if anything happens," he said before driving away. But Avira barely registered his words. Her mind was preoccupied with worry.

Meanwhile, Raj carried Ananya into his apartment, holding her tightly in his arms. She had fallen asleep while sobbing, her exhaustion taking over.

He gently placed her on the couch and went to grab a first-aid box. Kneeling beside her, he carefully pulled up her jeans slightly to examine her wounded leg. The sight of her bleeding cut made his jaw tighten. He dipped a cotton swab into an antiseptic and pressed it against her wound.

Ananya woke up with a sharp intake of breath, flinching at the sting. Her eyes darted around in panic, but when she saw Raj in front of her, concern written all over his face, her body relaxed slightly.

"It's okay," Raj murmured, his voice softer than she had ever heard. "You're safe now."

Tears welled up in her eyes again, and she let out a broken sob. Without thinking, she gripped his hand tightly, her body trembling. Raj's heart clenched at the sight of her so vulnerable, so scared.

He didn't say anything, just pulled her into his arms, letting her cry against his chest. His fingers ran through her hair soothingly. "I'm here," he whispered. "No one will ever touch you again. I swear."

After a long moment, Ananya sniffled and pulled back slightly. Raj reached for a bandage and carefully wrapped her wounded leg. She watched him silently, noting the crease in his brows, the tension in his jaw. He was hurting for her, and that realization made her heart ache in a different way.

When he finished, he reached for the coat he had given her earlier. "I'll take this back now," he said, but the moment he touched it, Ananya flinched.

Raj stilled, his eyes flickering with understanding. He exhaled slowly before saying, "Relax. I just meant I'll give you some clothes to change into."

She nodded hesitantly, and he disappeared into his room, returning with one of his oversized shirts. He handed it to her. "Go change. You'll feel better."

She hesitated before taking the shirt and heading to the bathroom. When she came out, she was drowning in his shirt, but she looked more comfortable, at least physically. Raj gave her a small, reassuring smile.

At the same time, Avira paced back and forth in her living room. She was too restless to sit still. Something didn't feel right. She decided to call Raj, remembering that he might know where Ananya was.

But Raj didn't pick up.

Her frustration grew. She dialed again. Still no answer.

Heart pounding, she tried Aditya instead. The moment he picked up, she blurted out, "Sir, Ananya isn't home yet. It's already past eleven. I tried calling Raj, but he's not answering either. If this has anything to do with Raj, and if something has happened to Ananya, I swear I will kill you both!"

Aditya sighed, running a hand through his hair. "Let me call you back in a few minutes."

He immediately dialed Raj's number. When Raj finally answered, Aditya didn't waste any time. "Is Ananya with you?"

"Yes," Raj confirmed, his voice quiet.

Aditya exhaled sharply. "Are you out of your mind, Raj?! What the hell are you doing with her this late at night?"

Raj clenched his jaw. "She's safe with me. And before you assume anything, she… she needed me tonight."

Aditya sensed the seriousness in his tone. "What happened?"

Raj hesitated before telling him everything. Every single disgusting detail about what Ananya had gone through.

Aditya's grip on his phone tightened, his blood boiling in anger. "That bastard..." he growled.

"Yeah," Raj muttered. "But I handled it. And right now, Ananya needs rest."

"Fine. Just take care of her," Aditya said. "I'll inform Avira—"

"No!" Ananya's voice suddenly interrupted from the other end.

Aditya froze. "Ananya?"

"Please… don't tell Avira," she pleaded, her voice shaking. "She's not in a situation to handle this right now. She's already suffered so much. She already has enough on her plate. If she finds out, she won't be able to manage… please don't tell her."

Both Aditya and Raj exchanged glances, confused by her words. What did she mean by Avira having too much on her plate? What was she hiding?

Raj reached for her hand and gave it a gentle squeeze. "Okay. We won't tell her. But promise me one thing—you'll let us take care of you."

Ananya nodded weakly, her exhaustion taking over again.

Aditya sighed. "Take care of her, Raj. I'll handle Avira."

As he ended the call, his mind swirled with questions. What was Ananya hiding about Avira? And why did she think Avira wouldn't be able to handle the truth?

One thing was certain—this wasn't over.