Chapter 2: The Warning

Avni's days passed like a quiet stream, but her thoughts were a storm. The man she'd met by chance lingered in her mind. She didn't even know his name, yet his piercing gaze followed her everywhere, like a shadow she couldn't escape.

A week later, she was at the local bookstore flipping through novels. The small bell at the door jingled, and a hush fell over the shop. She looked up and saw him. The man from that day.

Aarav's eyes found her immediately, and the corner of his lips curled into a subtle smirk. He walked towards her, every step deliberate, his presence commanding the room. Avni felt her heartbeat quicken, but she looked down, pretending to focus on the book.

"You like books?" His voice was smooth, yet it carried an authority that made her uneasy.

She glanced at him and nodded. "Yes."

Aarav picked a random book from the shelf, flipping through the pages as if he were interested. "This part of town isn't safe," he said casually, his eyes fixed on the book.

"I've been coming here for years," she replied, her voice quieter than she intended.

"Things change," Aarav said, looking up. His dark eyes held hers, sending a shiver down her spine. "Stay careful, Avni."

Before she could respond, he placed the book back and left without another word.

Avni stared after him, her mind racing. How did he know her name? And why did his words feel like both a warning and a promise?