The night felt heavier after that meeting.
Kabir Rajvansh sat alone in his private room, the city glowing far below like a world he no longer belonged to.
His tie was loose. His sleeves rolled up. Blood from a recent deal still faint on his knuckles.
But none of it mattered.
Because for the first time…
his mind wasn't on power.
It was on Meera Verma.
He exhaled slowly, staring at the glass in his hand.
He had built an empire on control.
No emotion. No weakness. No attachment.
That was the rule.
That was survival.
But she…
She didn't fit into any rule he created.
His assistant stood near the door.
"Boss… should we increase security around her?"
Kabir's eyes darkened instantly.
"No."
A pause.
Then colder—
"If she gets surrounded by my world… she won't survive it."
Silence fell.
Even his men understood now.
This wasn't just protection.
It was restriction.
It was fear.
It was love… in its most dangerous form.
Meanwhile…
Meera Verma couldn't sleep.
She kept replaying his words.
"You are the only thing I can't afford to lose."
What did that even mean?
If he didn't want her close…
why did he look at her like that?
Like leaving her hurt him more than staying away.
She sat near her window, hugging her knees.
Outside, the world was quiet.
But inside her heart… everything was loud.
Confusion. Curiosity. Fear.
And something worse.
Attachment.
The next morning, Meera went to college again.
But this time…
she felt watched.
Not in a scary way.
In a familiar way.
Like someone she couldn't see… was still there.
And she was right.
Across the street, a black car stood parked.
Still.
Silent.
Kabir Rajvansh sat inside it.
Watching her.
Not moving.
Not speaking.
Just making sure she reached safely.
Like a man who said "stay away"…
but couldn't stay away himself.
His right-hand man spoke quietly.
"Boss… this is getting dangerous. You're personally watching her every day."
Kabir didn't take his eyes off Meera.
"She's already in danger."
A pause.
"From me."
Meera suddenly looked up.
For a split second…
their eyes met again.
Distance. Glass. Rainlight between them.
But this time…
she didn't look away immediately.
And neither did he.
Inside Kabir's chest…
something tightened painfully.
Because he realized the truth he had been avoiding.
Ignoring her was no longer protection.
It was torture.
For both of them.
And as Meera slowly walked away…
Kabir whispered to himself for the first time without control—
"I said I wouldn't get close…"
A pause.
"But I already am."
To be continued… 💔