Part 9 – The Meeting with Aditya

The first thing Maya noticed when she woke up was warmth—and the unfamiliar weight draped over her waist.

Her eyes fluttered open, and she found herself tucked against Arjun, his arm loosely wrapped around her. Their legs tangled beneath the sheets, his face close enough that she could see the faint stubble on his jaw.

For a moment, she just stared.

Then reality hit.

Her heart slammed against her chest, and she stiffened. What the hell happened last night?

As if sensing her thoughts, Arjun groaned, shifting slightly. His grip on her tightened before he finally opened his eyes. The moment their gazes met, both of them froze.

A long, awkward silence stretched between them.

Then—

"Uh—"

Maya practically leapt away, sitting up so fast that her head spun. "We need to get ready."

Arjun cleared his throat, running a hand through his hair. "Yeah. Right."

Neither of them mentioned the way they woke up.

Getting Ready

Maya stepped into the bathroom, grateful for the cold splash of water on her face. She needed to clear her mind.

The memory of last night—of his warmth, his words, the kiss—it all lingered.

But they had bigger things to deal with.

When she emerged, fresh and dressed, she found Arjun already ready, his usual playful demeanor back in place. Though, if she looked closely, she could see the way he stole glances at her when he thought she wasn't looking.

Breakfast was simple—toast and coffee. Dr. Varman barely acknowledged them, lost in his own thoughts.

Soon, they were on the road again, heading towards their next destination.

Aditya.

Aditya's Café

The café was small but stylish, tucked in a quiet street not far from a residential area. Warm lights, wooden interiors, and the rich scent of coffee filled the air.

And then—there he was.

Aditya.

Maya felt her breath catch for a second.

He was… beautiful.

Tall, with an easy confidence, his sharp jawline and dark, piercing eyes gave him a magnetic presence. He wore a fitted black shirt, sleeves rolled up to his forearms, revealing a watch on his wrist and a thin leather bracelet. His hair was neatly styled, a few strands falling over his forehead in a way that felt effortlessly perfect.

Maya could practically feel Arjun tense beside her.

"So you're Maya." Aditya's voice was smooth, laced with amusement as he leaned against the counter. "I've been expecting you."

Arjun let out a scoff, crossing his arms. "Of course, you have."

Maya shot him a look before turning back to Aditya. "You knew I was coming?"

Aditya nodded, gesturing for them to sit. "Dr. Varman gave me a heads-up. Besides…" He tilted his head, studying her. "People like us always find each other."

Maya stilled. "People like us?"

Aditya's lips quirked into a smirk. "The ones who see things."

The Discussion About Visions

They sat in a quiet corner of the café, steaming cups of coffee in front of them.

Maya leaned forward. "You have visions too?"

Aditya nodded. "Not exactly like yours, but yes. I dream of things before they happen. Sometimes I get flashes when I touch something—or someone."

Maya's stomach tightened. He understood.

Arjun, however, was less impressed. "And what, you run a café instead of doing something about it?"

Aditya chuckled. "Not all of us go looking for danger, pretty boy."

Arjun scowled. "I'm not—" He stopped when Maya placed a hand on his arm.

She turned back to Aditya. "I need to know more. Do you know why this happens to us?"

Aditya's expression darkened slightly. "It's not a gift, Maya. It's a curse."

Maya's breath caught. A curse?

Arjun shifted beside her, uneasy. "What do you mean?"

Aditya exhaled, running a hand through his hair. "You think the visions come without consequences?" His gaze locked onto Maya's, serious now. "Every time we see the future, it takes something from us."

The air between them grew heavier.

Maya swallowed. What had it taken from her already?

She needed to know more.

And somehow, she knew Aditya was the only one who could give her the answers.

Arjun's Jealousy

As the conversation continued, Arjun's irritation became more obvious. He was too stiff, his jaw too tight.

Maya didn't realize how close she had leaned toward Aditya until she felt Arjun's hand on her knee, gripping it lightly.

She turned to look at him, surprised.

His expression was neutral, but his fingers tightened just slightly—a silent claim.

Aditya smirked as if he noticed.

"Relax, man," he said smoothly. "I'm just helping."

Arjun let out a slow breath, but he didn't move his hand.

Maya didn't push him away.

But she also couldn't ignore the feeling that the tension in the room had shifted—and it wasn't just about the visions anymore.