Meera's POV

The cafe smelled of roasted coffee beans and warm pastries, but the aroma barely registered. My mind was still tangled in the memory of the airport - Aarav's teasing smirk, Kabir's protective glare, and that mysterious message flashing on my phone.

"Welcome back, Meera. This time, you won't escape."

I shivered slightly. The city felt familiar yet dangerous, just like the man sitting across from me now. Aarav. The same man who had haunted my past and now. apparently, my present.

Aarav (smirking ,leaning forward) : " you look even more stunning than I remembered. careful, I might get used to this view."

Meera (blushing, trying to act nonchalant): " Used to what? Your consent teasing?"

Aarav (grinning): "Exactly. that... and the way you try to hide that little spark in your eyes."

I laughed nervously, and suddenly it felt like the world outside the cafe didn't exist. His presence was magnetic, pulling me closer with each world, each glances. My fingers brushed the coffee cup, but the warmth I felt came from him, not the drink.

Meera (thinking): Why does he do this to me every single time? Every look, every word... it's like he knows exactly how to get under my skin.

Aarav (whispering): "I've missed this.... missed you. don't tell me you didn't think about me at all these years?"

I swallowed hard. My heart was betraying me, but I had to stay composed.

Meera: "Missed you? Aarav, don't get carried away. Things... things are complicated."

Aarav ( leaning even closer, teasing): "Complicated ? That's my specialty, remember? And you.... you're my favorite kind of complication."

The cafe lights dimmed slightly as evening set in. I caught movement outside the window- a shadow lingering just beyond the glass. my pulse quickened.

Meera: "Someone... outside. watching us."

Aarav's smirk vanished for a fraction of a second. protective, calculating dangerous - all at once.

Aarav: " Looks like someone wants to make this interesting. Don't worry, I've got you."

From across the room, a familiar figure appeared - Kabir. He didn't approach, but his presence was felt. Watching, alert. protective. My silent reminder that danger didn't always come from strangers.

Kabir (muttering to himself, almost to me) : " Be careful, Meera. don't let him fool you."

The tension between Aarav and Kabir was palpable, unspoken words and warnings hanging in the air. I felt torn - the dangerous pull of Aarav, the protective shield of Kabir, and the unknown threat from the message and shadowy outside.

AS we sipped our coffee, Aarav leaned back casually, letting his smirk return.

Aarav (teasing, low voice): " You know, every time you try to stay composed, it makes me want to test your limits."

Meera ( blushing, whispering): "Aarav... stop. People might hear you.

Aarav (grinning, almost a whisper): "Let them. I like the idea of a little chaos around us.

Time slipped by unnoticed. Laughter, teasing, the brush of hands - each moment pulling me closer to him despite my better judgment. But the shadow outside didn't move, and my mind kept returning to that message:

" This time, you won't escape."

And then, as if on cue, my phone buzzed again. I froze, staring at the screen. The unknown number. same message, repeated. my chest tightened.

Meera (thinking): "Who...? And what do they want?

Aarav (leaning closer, whispering, protective) : "Looks like someone really wants to ruin our little moment. don't worry... I won't let anyone touch you."

I swallowed, torn between the thrill of closeness and the chilling sense of danger. My heart was racing, caught between laughter, teasing, and the unknown.

As we left the cafe, the shadow outside remained, watching. Kabir followed discreetly behind, While Aarav's hand found mine, fingers brushing just enough to make me forgot me fear.

The city seemed quiet around us, but inside me, chaos raged. one thing was clear: nothing about this night - or this man - was safe.

And somehow, I knew... this way just the beginning.