Whispers Of The Shadows-The UNKNOWN

The person behind shadow

"Sweetheart, please understand, the meeting is really important. We'll go out later, okay?" Victor's tone was pleading, as if trying to calm Zahra down, sensing her frustration.

"Fine." Zahra cut the call, her voice clipped and controlled. This was the fourth time in a month that Victor had canceled their plans. They had been together for three months now, and everything had felt beautiful, almost effortless, until the past few weeks.

Lately, things have been different. Zahra noticed Victor's growing obsession with work every moment they shared, his attention seemed divided. Even when they were together, his phone was never far from his hand, emails and calls taking priority. Zahra, a businesswoman in the same field, knew how demanding work could be. But still, she managed to carve out time for their relationship. It felt like she was the only one trying to make it work.

How long could she keep understanding without Victor showing even the slightest desire to meet her halfway?

Zahra stepped out of her office, keys in hand, and decided she needed a long drive alone. She hadn't been feeling well, battling a fever since morning, but still showed up for her meetings, determined not to fall behind. As she started the car, the engine's roar felt almost too loud, mirroring her unsettled mind. Without really thinking, she pulled out of the garage and onto a road she hadn't planned to take, not even realizing she was heading into unfamiliar territory.

As Zahra sped down the dark, empty road, her thoughts were just as chaotic as the rush of wind outside.

"How can he not see how hard I'm trying?" She clenched the steering wheel, her knuckles white, replaying every moment she had made time for them, always putting him first. But Victor? He seemed to slip further away with each passing day.

"Why am I the only one who cares?" The thought hit her hard, like a punch to the chest. It felt like she was the only one making an effort, always the one adjusting, always understanding. She was tired of being the one holding it all together.

"Is this really how it's going to be?" The question echoed in her mind as she drove further into the darkness. She had thought they were building something special, but now everything felt one-sided. Was this really what their future looked like?

"I deserve more than this." She blinked back tears, her anger mingling with disappointment. She loved him, yes, but she also knew her worth. She deserved someone who valued her time, her presence, someone who would meet her halfway.

Then came the doubt. "Maybe I'm being too demanding." Zahra hated how easily the self-blame crept in. Was she asking too much? Was her frustration valid, or was she overreacting? The uncertainty gnawed at her, making everything feel even more suffocating.

She glanced at the unfamiliar road ahead, no houses in sight, just an endless stretch of darkness. "I don't even recognize this road... just like I don't recognize us anymore." It felt like she was lost, not just on the road, but in her relationship, in her own emotions.

And still, she kept driving, as if the speed and the empty road could offer her the clarity she so desperately needed.

As Zahra drove deeper into the dark, unfamiliar territory, a sense of unease settled over her like a thick fog. The isolation of the road was unnerving, and she could feel a growing tension in the air, as if the shadows were watching her every move. Suddenly, headlights appeared behind her, a black SUV that loomed closer with an unsettling presence. The vehicle quickly pulled up alongside her, and men in dark suits emerged, their expressions unreadable as they signaled her to stop. Zahra's heart raced as she complied, her instincts screaming that she had crossed a line she couldn't see. The moment felt charged with unspoken danger, leaving her trapped in a web of uncertainty about what awaited her beyond the headlights.