I Found You

44.

• Adhira •

I entered the room, expecting to find him there, but it was empty. And the balcony door was slightly ajar, the only place he could be.

The familiar scent that wafted through the air, made my heart clench involuntary. I placed the cup of tea on the coffee table as
I headed towards the balcony.

As I slid the glass door, my nose scrunched up reflexively, a frown forming on my lips as I stepped out.

There he was, leaning against the railing, his broad shoulders tense, lost in thought.
The cigarette dangled between his fingers, its smoking curling up while another lay finished in the ashtray beside him.

"Adhira, not now." His voice cut through the quiet. He didn't even turn to look at
me, his gaze fixed on the buildings beyond.

"What?" I asked, my voice softer but a little disappointed. I stepped closer, wanting to reach him, bridge the gap that the cigarette represented.

He turned around, and the moment our eyes met, my breath caught in my throat.  His jaw was clenched tight, muscles taut beneath his skin and his eyes-they bore in
to mine with a fierceness that I had never seen before.

It wasn't just anger, it was something more darker and deeper, that made a cold shiver run down my spine. I felt fear, not only for myself but for what might be going inside him.

"Leave." He gritted out, in a low voice that laced with an intensity that left no room for an argument.

"But I didn't say anything," I whispered, and the vein on his neck stood out, pulsing visibly.

"I'm just standing here." I was rooted to my place, unwilling to walk away. I know he was hurting and hating to show it. "I want to be here, for you." I added after a pause.

His gaze didn't waver, didn't soften, and I could see the internal battle playing out behind those eyes. I hope he doesn't throw me off the balcony.

"And that's exactly why you need to leave," he snapped, "because if you stay, I might say or do something I'll regret."

My heart ached at his words. Why was he behaving so rude with me? I didn't even do anything. I took a deep breath to calm my racing heart, which turned to be futile.

I reached out, my hand trembling slightly  as I laid it on his chest. "Aap aise kyun baat kar rahe hain? I know you're-

But before I could finish, his gripped my arm and the cigarette was thrown carelessly as he yanked me inside the room.

He let go with a rough jerk, leaving me off balance. I stumbled back, my mind racing to catch up with what had just happened.

"Why did you hide it from me?" His jaw tightened even more as if he was trying to hold something in.

I stared at him, my mind reeling. I knew exactly what he was talking about, but it was the intensity of his reaction that left
me speechless.

"Come to me, when you're in a state to talk." I snapped back, my own frustration bubbling as I stared at him.

I turned on my heel to leave, to put some distance between us before things could escalate further.