CHAPTER 1: A DANGEROUS MEETING

...🥀🙂. I hope . Ya all will support mah work . also. 🥲. Writing novals is confusing for meh ..

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The ambiance at the lavish Malhotra mansion was both opulent and stifling. Arjun stood leaning against the wall, the rain drumming against the windows like the chaotic beat of his heart.

Are we seriously doing this again?” Veer stressed, pacing nervously. “You can’t keep pushing people away because you’re scared of intimacy.”

“I’m not scared,” Arjun snapped. “I’m protecting myself. The world is a dark place, and if I let people in, they’ll only betray me.”

“Not everyone is like that, Arjun. Meera is different—”

“Keep her out of this,” Arjun growled, his voice low but laced with a palpable menace.

“Fine,” Veer said, frustration seeping into his tone. “But sooner or later, you’ll regret isolating yourself.”

As if summoned by fate, the doorbell rang and cut through their tense conversation. Arjun’s face twisted into a frown, and he turned to Veer. “Who the hell is it?”

“Maybe it’s Meera,” Veer replied, guilt painting his features.

“Then I don’t want to see her,” Arjun spat, moving to the door. He swung it open, and in front of him stood Meera, drenched from the rain, her innocent smile contrasting sharply with the storm brewing inside him.

“Arjun!” she exclaimed, brushing her hair out of her face. “I just wanted to check on you!”

“What do you want?” His tone was as sharp as glass.

Her smile faltered, but she stood her ground. “I just thought you might be alone… I mean, it’s pouring outside. Is—is everything okay?”

For a moment, the vulnerable side of Arjun flickered in his gaze, but he extinguished it quickly, a scowl replacing it. “You shouldn’t have come here, Meera. This isn’t a place for you.”

“Why do you always say that?” she countered, her voice tremulous but defiant. “I care about you, Arjun. Can’t you see that?”

He scoffed, stepping away, the weight of her words feeling like a noose in the air. “Care? It’s nothing but a fantasy, Meera. You’re deluding yourself thinking you can do something for me.”

“I’m not delusional! You’re pushing everyone away. Why can’t you just let someone in?” Her words hung in the air, heavy with a desperate plea for connection.

“Because it will end in betrayal. It always does,” he shot back, the darkness swirling in his eyes.

“Not this time,” she insisted, stepping closer, her heart racing. “I can help you. I know you’re struggling inside—”

The sudden rage in Arjun erupted as he grabbed her wrist tightly, a flicker of surprise crossing her face. “You think you can help me? You’re just a child playing in a world above your head!”

“Let me go!” Meera gasped, staring up at him with a mixture of fear and defiance.

“Make me,” he taunted, his grip firm but not unyielding enough to hurt her.

Before she could respond, Veer stepped in swiftly, grabbing Arjun's arm. “Enough! You don’t need to do this. Let her go.”

Arjun’s eyes narrowed, the air around him thick with tension. Veer knew how to walk the tightrope between loyalty and sanity, and right now, he was doing all he could to keep Arjun from crossing a dangerous line. “She’s not here to hurt you, Arjun. Remember who you are when you’re not lost in darkness.”

Arjun gritted his teeth, releasing Meera with an abrupt shove that sent her stumbling back. She caught herself against the doorframe, shock written across her face.

“See?” he said, his voice dripping with contempt. “She can’t even handle the truth.”

“Stop it!” Meera yelled, pain flashing through her eyes. “I came here because I care! You don’t have to do this alone!”

“The moment you entered my life, you invited darkness. And I don’t want you here!” he roared.

Tears welled in Meera’s eyes, and she quickly turned to leave. “You’re right, Arjun. I don’t belong in your world. But I’ll never stop caring no matter how much you push me away.”

As she frosted out, Veer’s jaw tightened. “You’re a monster, Arjun.”

“Maybe, but only because you keep letting them close. This world is ugly, Veer. And those who think they’ll change it are destined for pain.”

Veer inhaled, trying to mask the anger building within him. “You need help. I can’t keep doing this—being the only one who can calm your storm.”

Arjun dismissed the thought with a wave of his hand. “I don’t need help. I only need control.”

....

THE END .

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🥲🙂🥀.. For me it's was bit tiring.. As it's 807 words ..

Bye .. Have good day ..

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