The uninvited guest

The night was calm, the distant hum of the city blending into the rustling of leaves as Dhruv walked through the empty streets. The chill in the air didn't bother him. His mind was elsewhere, still replaying the entity's words... "You already know."

The words clung to his thoughts like an echo refusing to fade. What did it mean?

His steps were measured, unhurried, his sharp gaze observing the stillness of the human world. But just as he was about to turn a corner, a sudden, frantic voice pierced through the silence.

"HELP! SOMEONE, SAVE ME!"

Dhruv stopped.

A young man sprinted toward him at full speed, flailing his arms as if his life depended on it. His wild hair was a mess, and his oversized hoodie slipped off one shoulder. Behind him, a group of rough-looking men was chasing him, their faces twisted with aggression.

The young man who looked barely in his twenties caught sight of Dhruv and gasped dramatically, as if he had just seen a divine savior.

"Oh, thank the heavens! You!" he shouted, pointing straight at Dhruv before throwing himself behind him. "Save me! Protect me! They want to kill me! I have so much to live for!"

Dhruv stared at him blankly.

The group of men skidded to a halt, eyeing Dhruv warily. He didn't look like someone they wanted to mess with his aura alone carried an unsettling weight.

One of them, a burly man with a scar on his cheek, stepped forward. "That guy stole from us."

The young man peeked from behind Dhruv's shoulder. "That's a LIE! I just borrowed some food! And I was going to return it… eventually."

The men scowled. "Return it? You already ate it!"

Dhruv sighed. He had no interest in human quarrels, but he didn't like unnecessary trouble either. With a mere flick of his fingers, an invisible force swept through the air, sending the thugs stumbling backward as if a gust of wind had shoved them.

They paled. "W-what the hell?"

Before they could question further, Dhruv's sharp gaze flickered toward them, a silent warning.

The men didn't need more convincing. They bolted, vanishing into the night without a second glance.

The young man let out a relieved sigh, brushing off his hoodie. "Whew! That was intense! I thought I was going to die, but look at me! Still standing, still breathing, thank you, my hero!"

Dhruv turned to leave, uninterested.

"Hey, hey, wait! Where are you going? You just saved my life! Shouldn't we, I don't know, have a moment? Maybe shake hands? Exchange names?"

Dhruv ignored him and kept walking.

The young man, completely undeterred, ran after him. "Alright, alright, I get it, you're the strong, silent type. That's cool, very mysterious. But listen, I'm in a bit of a situation right now. No home, no food, nowhere to go. What if those guys come back for revenge? You wouldn't just leave a helpless citizen like me, right?"

Dhruv stopped walking and shot him an indifferent glance. "That's not my problem."

The young man clutched his chest dramatically. "Not your problem?! But fate has brought us together! You can't just walk away after saving me. That would be cruel."

Dhruv resumed walking.

The young man didn't give up. "At least tell me your name!"

Silence.

"Come on, give me something. A hint? A letter? I'll guess if you want!"

"…Dhruv."

His eyes lit up. "Dhruv! A strong name for a strong guy. I like it. I'm Sunny, by the way. Well, my full name is a bit longer, but let's keep it simple."

Dhruv still wasn't interested.

"So, Dhruv," Sunny continued, falling into step beside him, "where are we going?"

"We?" Dhruv shot him a cold look. "I'm going home. You are not."

Sunny grinned. "Oh, so you do have a home! Perfect. I was worried I'd have to sleep on the streets. Say, is your place big? Do you have food? A couch at least?"

Dhruv sighed. "Leave."

Sunny gasped as if Dhruv had just kicked a puppy. "You're seriously leaving me out here? That's heartless! What if I get robbed? Kidnapped? Worse, what if I starve?"

Dhruv had already started walking again, ignoring the exaggerated monologue behind him.

Sunny pouted but didn't stop following. Man, this guy is tough.

After a few minutes of relentless talking on Sunny's part and silence on Dhruv's, they arrived at an old yet grand mansion.

Sunny's jaw dropped. "Whoa… Is this where you live?! This place looks like something out of a historical drama! The architecture, the vibe—so antique, so classy! It totally fits your personality. Cold, but sophisticated."

Dhruv didn't acknowledge the comment. He unlocked the door, stepped inside, and almost managed to shut Sunny out.

But Sunny was fast. He slipped in just before the door could close.

Dhruv turned around, eyes narrowing. "Get out."

Sunny held up his hands. "Okay, okay, hear me out! Just one night. That's all I need. Let me sleep here for one night, and tomorrow I'll find a way to survive on my own. Deal?"

Dhruv considered kicking him out immediately. But after a long, exhausting night, he really didn't feel like wasting energy on an annoying human.

"…Fine."

Sunny beamed. "Yes! You won't regret this, I swear! You'll barely even notice I'm here."

Dhruv seriously doubted that.

As Dhruv walked toward his room, hoping for some peace, Sunny trailed behind, still talking. "So, what do you do for a living? You seem like the 'mysterious businessman' type. Or maybe a secret agent? An assassin? Come on, give me something."

Dhruv shut his bedroom door in Sunny's face.

Sunny blinked. Then he grinned. "Alright, alright. We'll work on that."

And just like that, Dhruv's once-quiet life had taken an unexpected turn.

- - - to be continued - - -