SoulMates

chapter 7

It's been a few days since the tense conversation between Anya and Kabir.

Anya has tried to stay out of his way, but Kabir's strict presence is always looming.....
Tonight, after everyone has gone to bed, Anya once again finds herself restless...

She slips out onto the balcony to catch some air.As she leans on the railing, staring at the stars, she hears the creak of a door. Turning around, she sees Kabir step onto his own balcony, which is right next to hers. He hasn't noticed her yet.
He looks different tonight-less rigid, more thoughtful.
Anya (softly): "You can't sleep either?

"Kabir, startled, turns toward her, surprised by her presence.
Kabir (a little awkward): "I didn't realize you were there.
"Anya smirks, leaning back on the railing.
Anya (teasing): "Yeah, I'm quiet when I'm not arguing with you.
"Kabir doesn't smile, but there's a slight relaxation in his expression as he steps closer to the railing, looking out at the night sky.
Kabir (quietly): "It's peaceful out here. Sometimes it's the only place I can think."Anya studies him for a moment, seeing a side of him she hadn't before. She decides to push a little, but more gently this time.
Anya: "What do you think about?
"Kabir (after a pause): "Responsibility. The future. How to keep things... in control.
"Anya lets the silence sit between them for a moment before responding.
Anya (gently): "You can't control everything, you know.
"Kabir (sighing): "Maybe not. But I can try."Anya steps closer, sensing that this might be the first real conversation they're having-one where they aren't on opposite sides.
Anya (softly): "Sid told me about your dad. About how you feel like you have to carry everything on your shoulders."Kabir tenses at the mention of their father, but he doesn't snap at her like she expected. Instead, he exhales slowly, looking down at his hands.
Kabir (quietly): "It's not easy."Anya, feeling the vulnerability in his voice, softens even more.
Anya: "I get it now. Why you're so... rigid. You think it's the only way to keep everything from falling apart.
"Kabir finally meets her gaze, and for the first time, there's no coldness in his eyes-only tiredness and a hint of something else. He steps closer to the railing, now standing just a foot away from her.Kabir (softly): "Maybe I've taken it too far."Anya gives him a small smile, her voice gentle.
Anya: "Maybe. But that doesn't mean you can't change."They stand in silence for a moment, the air between them shifting. Anya can feel the warmth of Kabir's presence, and despite the tension of the past, there's something new here. The distance that once felt insurmountable has shrunk.Suddenly, a cool breeze blows through, making Anya shiver slightly. Kabir notices and, without thinking, takes off his jacket and hands it to her.
Kabir (quietly, almost shyly): "Here."Anya is taken aback for a second, surprised by the gesture. She hesitates before accepting it, draping the jacket around her shoulders.
Anya (softly): "Thanks... Mr. Roy."Kabir chuckles softly, a rare sound from him.Kabir: "You can call me Kabir, you know.
"Anya smiles, the tension between them dissolving further.
Anya (teasing): "I don't know... I kind of like Mr. Roy."Kabir (smirking): "Suit yourself."There's a pause, but this time, it's not filled with awkwardness or tension. There's a quiet understanding between them, a shift in how they see each other. Anya leans against the railing again, this time much closer to Kabir, feeling a strange sense of calm in his presence.
Anya (softly): "You're not so bad when you're not bossing everyone around, you know.
"Kabir (smiling slightly): "And you're not so difficult when you're not trying to break all my rules."Their eyes meet, and for a moment, the world outside seems to fade away. There's a warmth in the air, a subtle spark. Anya's heart beats a little faster, and she can feel a similar shift in Kabir's posture-his usual stiffness is gone, replaced by something more open, more... real.But just as the moment lingers, Kabir clears his throat and steps back slightly, breaking the spell.
Kabir (softly, almost regretfully): "It's getting late. You should get some sleep."Anya, sensing the retreat but not wanting to push too far too soon, nods. She smiles softly as she turns to head back inside.
Anya (teasing again, but softer this time): "Goodnight... Kabir.
"Kabir watches her for a moment before responding.Kabir (quietly): "Goodnight, Anya.
"As Anya slips inside, she can't help but smile to herself, wrapping his jacket tighter around her. She glances back one last time to see Kabir still standing there, staring out at the sky, but she knows something between them has changed.
The days after their late-night conversation are different. Anya and Kabir no longer argue as they used to, but there's something else lingering in the air. The tension hasn't disappeared; it's just shifted. Kabir seems to be pulling back, keeping more to himself than usual, while Anya can't quite figure out why.
One evening, as the family gathers for dinner, Kabir is unusually quiet. Anya notices that he's been distracted for the past few days, his mind clearly somewhere else. He barely engages in conversation, responding with short, clipped answers when necessary.
Aunty (smiling, trying to lighten the mood): "Kabir, you're unusually quiet tonight.
Everything okay at work?"Kabir barely looks up from his plate, his voice cold and distant.
Kabir: "Everything's fine."Anya raises an eyebrow, sensing the abruptness in his tone. Something feels off, and it's starting to unsettle her. She glances at Sid, who is also watching Kabir with curiosity.
Sid (trying to ease the tension): "Anya, how was college today? Did you do anything fun?"Before Anya can answer, Kabir suddenly stands up, pushing his chair back with more force than necessary.
Kabir (coldly): "I'm done. I've got work to finish."The room falls silent as Kabir walks away, leaving his barely touched dinner behind. Anya watches him leave, feeling a knot tighten in her stomach. This is different. Something's wrong, and it's not just his usual strict demeanor.Later that night, as Anya gets ready for bed, she can't shake the feeling that something is going on with Kabir. His behavior is colder than usual, almost... distant. She walks onto the balcony, hoping to catch some fresh air and clear her mind, but instead, she sees Kabir in his room across from hers, pacing restlessly. His expression is intense, and there's an edge to him that she's never seen before.Curious, Anya watches him for a moment before deciding to approach. She knocks gently on the door connecting their balconies.
Anya (softly): "Kabir?"Kabir's head snaps up, his eyes locking onto hers with a sharpness that makes her hesitate. There's something in his gaze-something dark, almost dangerous.
Kabir (sternly): "What do you want, Anya?"Anya is taken aback by the sudden change in his tone. This isn't the Kabir she spoke to just a few nights ago-the one who had opened up, who had shared a moment of vulnerability with her. This Kabir feels... distant, almost like a stranger.
Anya (carefully): "I just... wanted to check on you. You seem different lately.
"Kabir's jaw tightens, and for a moment, Anya wonders if she's made a mistake by coming to him. He takes a step closer, his posture tense.
Kabir (coldly): "I don't need you to check on me. I'm fine."Anya crosses her arms, trying to mask her unease with frustration.
Anya (firmly): "Really? Because you don't seem fine.
"Kabir's eyes narrow, and for a second, the tension between them feels heavier than it's ever been. His voice drops to a dangerous whisper.Kabir: "You have no idea what's going on with me, Anya. Don't pretend you do."Anya steps back slightly, her heart racing. She can feel something beneath his words-something hidden, something he doesn't want her to know. But now, her curiosity is piqued.
Anya (calming herself): "Then why don't you tell me? What's going on, Kabir? Why are you shutting everyone out?"Kabir's expression hardens, and for a moment, it seems like he's going to say something, something important. But then, he pulls back, his walls coming up again.
Kabir (coldly): "Stay out of it, Anya. This is none of your business."Anya clenches her fists, feeling a mix of frustration and concern. She wants to push him, to force him to open up, but she knows it won't work. Not like this.
Anya (softly): "Fine. If you want to shut me out, go ahead. But I'm not blind. Something's going on with you, and you're not as good at hiding it as you think."Kabir's jaw clenches, but he doesn't respond. Instead, he turns away from her, his back tense as he looks out into the night.
Kabir (quietly, almost to himself): "You don't understand, Anya. You never could."The words hang in the air, filled with something dark and cryptic. Anya watches him for a moment longer before turning to leave. As she steps back onto her own balcony, she can't shake the feeling that whatever Kabir is hiding, it's bigger than she realized.She slips back into her room, her mind racing. What could Kabir possibly be keeping from her? And why does it feel like he's teetering on the edge of something dangerous?For the first time, Anya feels a flicker of fear when it comes to Kabir. Not fear of him, but fear for him.
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