bounded by shadows

Chapter 19

Love is not about possession. Love is about appreciation."

                                                                                                                                - Osho

The car ride back was filled with palpable tension. Janaki sat in the passenger seat, her hands clasped tightly in her lap, occasionally glancing over at Michael. His grip on the steering wheel was ironclad, veins popping in his forearms as he drove with a noticeable intensity.

"Michael, you said you wanted to talk," Janaki ventured, her voice cautious.

Michael gritted his teeth, his jaw tightening visibly. He didn't respond, his eyes focused straight ahead, the speed of the car reflecting his inner turmoil.

"Did I do something?" Janaki asked again, her voice laced with confusion and concern.

Without warning, Michael swerved the car to the side of the road, parking it hastily. He turned to Janaki, his eyes blazing with a mix of anger and possessiveness. In a swift motion, he pinned her against the window, his hand beside her head, trapping her in place.

"Why did he touch you like that?" Michael's voice was a low growl, filled with barely contained fury.

Janaki's eyes widened in surprise and fear. "What are you talking about?"

"That man," Michael shouted, his voice echoing in the confined space of the car. "I don't like people touching you, looking at you like that."

Janaki's heart raced, both from his proximity and the intensity of his emotions. "Michael, you're scaring me," she whispered, her voice trembling.

His eyes softened for a moment, but the possessiveness didn't fade. "I can't stand it, Janaki. I can't stand the thought of anyone else being close to you. It drives me crazy."

"Why?" she asked, her voice barely audible.

Michael's gaze bore into hers, his breathing heavy. Micheál wanted to say, "I don't know why I am feeling like this," but the words stuck in his throat. Every time he thought about Janaki being with someone else, a surge of anger welled up inside him. He couldn't understand why it affected him so deeply .

Janaki, seeing Micheál's heavy breathing and clenched fists, moving closer to him. She gently placed her hand on his cheek, her touch soft and calming. Pulling him closer, she rested her forehead against his, their breaths mingling. She began to whisper soothing words, her voice a gentle balm to his turbulent emotions.

"It's okay, Micheál. Breathe. Just breathe," she murmured, her fingers lightly tracing circles on his cheek.

Micheál's body slowly began to relax against hers. The tension in his muscles eased as he focused on the steady rhythm of her heartbeat and the comforting sound of her voice. Her presence grounded him, drawing him away from the storm of his thoughts. As he slumped against her, he felt a strange sense of peace. Janaki's warmth enveloped him, her whispered reassurances seeping into his mind. His anger dissipated, replaced by an overwhelming sense of relief and connection.

In that moment, nothing else mattered. The world outside faded away, leaving just the two of them, entwined in a quiet embrace..

Minutes later, Micheál calmed down, his breathing steadying as he slowly pulled away from Janaki. Her hand was still in his grip, their fingers interlaced in a comforting hold. Janaki's mind was overflowing with questions she wanted to ask, but she decided against it. The way her hand fit perfectly in Micheál's made her heart warm, and she didn't want to disrupt the moment with words.

Micheál started the car, his grip on the steering wheel firm, but not as tense as before. He drove with one hand, the other still holding Janaki's. The silence between them was comfortable, filled with unspoken understanding and a shared sense of calm.

Janaki glanced at Micheál, noticing the subtle relaxation in his posture. She could feel the warmth of his hand, the strength in his fingers, and it made her feel safe. Despite the tension and the unanswered questions, this small connection between them brought her a sense of peace.

As they drove through the city, the soft hum of the engine and the rhythmic passing of streetlights created a serene atmosphere. Janaki's thoughts wandered, but they always returned to the feeling of Micheál's hand in hers. It was a simple gesture, yet it spoke volumes about the bond that was slowly forming between them.

The journey continued in silence, each of them lost in their own thoughts but united by the touch of their hands. The cityscape blurred outside, but inside the car, time seemed to stand still. It was just the two of them, navigating their emotions and finding solace in each other's presence.

Eventually, Micheál pulled up to their penthouse. He turned to Janaki, his eyes softer than before, a hint of a smile playing on his lips. She smiled back, feeling a flutter in her chest. Without a word, they both knew that something had shifted between them, a connection deepened by the simple act of holding hands.

As they stood in the elevator, the silence between them was filled with a quiet, shared happiness. The soft ding of the elevator indicated their arrival, and as the doors slid open, they stepped out, their hands still intertwined.

Walking towards the penthouse, an unsettling feeling began to creep in. When they reached the door, it was ajar, swaying slightly as if recently disturbed. A cold shiver ran down Janaki's spine, and she instinctively tightened her grip on Michael's hand.

As they cautiously approached the entrance, the scene that greeted them made their hearts stop in horror. The living room, once a place of comfort and memories, was now in disarray. Furniture was overturned, and the walls were marked with signs of a struggle. Broken glass glittered on the floor, catching the light ominously. Their eyes darted around the room, searching for any sign of life. The sense of foreboding grew stronger as they took in the chaotic scene. Papers were scattered across the floor, and the remnants of a broken vase lay amidst the mess. The place that had been their sanctuary now felt violated and unsafe.

They stood at the threshold, their hearts pounding with fear and uncertainty. The once familiar and warm environment now felt hostile and dangerous. Michael's protective instincts kicked in, and he quickly pulled Janaki behind him, ready to face whatever threat awaited them inside.

The suspense was palpable as they hesitated at the doorway, bracing themselves for the unknown. The peaceful happiness they had felt moments ago was shattered, replaced by a gripping fear of what lay ahead.