chapter 9

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It’s late in the evening. The house is bustling with people, and Kabir stands at the edge of the room, watching Anya across the crowd.
She’s talking to Sid again, smiling and laughing easily, and the sight makes his blood boil.
Kabir (thinking, frustrated): Why does this bother me so much? Why does she have to be so... carefree with him?His jealousy is clawing at him, but beneath it is something else—something deeper he refuses to acknowledge. His eyes are locked on her every move, and when Sid touches her arm lightly as they laugh, Kabir can’t take it anymore.Before he knows it, he’s moving through the crowd, his steps quick and determined. His mind races with every reason to stop himself, but none of them are strong enough. All he knows is that he can’t stand by and watch.As he reaches them, Anya turns suddenly, stepping backward to avoid bumping into him, but she stumbles, her foot catching the edge of the rug. Her eyes widen in shock as she starts to fall.Without thinking, Kabir’s arms shoot out, catching her just before she hits the floor.
His hands grip her waist firmly, pulling her upright in one swift motion.For a brief moment, everything else fades away.
Anya is pressed against his chest, her breath coming out in soft, startled gasps. Kabir’s heart races, not just from the adrenaline of catching her but from the sudden, overwhelming closeness between them.
Kabir (quietly, intense): "Careful."Anya looks up at him, her wide eyes locking onto his. The air between them shifts—charged with something they’ve both been avoiding. Her hands grip his arms for balance, but the touch feels far more intimate than it should.
Anya (breathless): "I... I didn’t see you."Kabir doesn’t respond immediately. He’s too focused on the way her body feels pressed against his, the softness of her breath against his neck. His emotions are a mess—jealousy, lust, confusion—and he’s no longer sure which one is winning.For a moment, Kabir’s hands tighten on her waist, his grip almost possessive. He wants to pull her even closer, but he knows he shouldn’t. This isn’t what he planned. He tries to step back, but his body refuses to cooperate.
Kabir (low, his voice rough): "You need to watch where you’re going.
"Anya (softly, still catching her breath): "Maybe you should stop sneaking up on people."There’s a teasing edge to her voice, but the tension between them is undeniable. They’re too close, and both of them know it. Anya’s gaze flickers to his lips for the briefest second before she quickly looks away, her cheeks flushing.
Kabir notices, and something in him shifts. The intensity between them is too strong to ignore, and he feels his control slipping. His thumb brushes lightly against her waist, sending a shiver through both of them.
Kabir (gritting his teeth, trying to maintain control): "Anya..."But before he can say more, Sid interrupts, unaware of the tension hanging in the air.
Sid (jokingly): "Whoa, didn’t mean to break up a moment here. You two okay?"Kabir stiffens instantly, the spell between him and Anya breaking. He pulls away quickly, his usual guarded expression snapping back into place.
Kabir (coldly, avoiding eye contact with Anya): "She’s fine."Anya steps back, her heart still racing, her mind spinning from the intensity of what just happened. She meets Kabir’s gaze one last time, but his eyes are unreadable now—closed off again.
Anya (murmuring): "Thanks, Kabir."Without another word, Kabir turns and walks away, his mind a whirlwind of emotions he can’t process. He doesn’t understand why he feels so out of control around her—why every touch, every glance makes him feel like he’s losing himself. But one thing is clear: this thing between him and Anya isn’t going away, no matter how hard he tries to fight it.

Kabir’s mother walks into his room as he’s getting ready for his day.
Kabir’s Mom: “Kabir, can you please drop Anya at college today? Her car is still in the shop.
”Kabir hesitates, his mind racing back to the confusing emotions that have been building. But he can’t refuse.
Kabir: “Fine.”Later, in the car, there’s a noticeable tension. Neither Kabir nor Anya says much during the drive. Kabir’s hands tighten around the steering wheel, his mind buzzing, trying to push away the irrational jealousy and frustration he feels whenever she’s around.
They finally reach the college, and Anya begins to open the door.
Anya: “Thanks for the ride, Kabir. I’ll see you later.”Just as she steps out, Kabir watches her walk towards the entrance. That’s when he spots another guy approaching her, someone from her class. The guy greets her with a friendly smile, and Anya responds warmly, laughing and casually touching his arm.

Kabir’s jaw tightens, a sudden surge of jealousy overtaking him. He grips the steering wheel harder, his knuckles turning white. A flood of possessiveness he doesn’t understand hits him as he watches them interact.
Kabir (thinking, frustrated): Who the hell is that guy? Why does this bother me so much?He tries to look away but can’t. The guy leans in closer to Anya as they talk, and Kabir’s heart beats faster, an unfamiliar intensity overwhelming him.
Kabir (thinking): She’s just talking to him... but why does it feel like this?Unable to shake the feeling, Kabir slams his hand against the steering wheel in frustration before pulling away.
Even as he drives off, the image of Anya with the other guy lingers, fueling a storm of jealousy and confusion inside him.
Kabir arrives at his office, his mind still replaying the scene of Anya laughing with that guy at college. However, as soon as he steps into his domain, his focus sharpens. Here, he’s in full control, unshakable.
His lieutenant, Raghav, briefs him on a delicate situation involving a rival gang.
Raghav (firmly): "Boss, Rajveer’s crew interfered with the last shipment.
"Kabir listens carefully, his mind switching fully to business.
Kabir (calm but authoritative): "Take care of it. Send a clear message—we don’t tolerate interference."Despite the irritation gnawing at him, Kabir maintains his composure. His world outside the office might feel chaotic, but within these walls, he rules with precision.
His mafia dealings are clean, efficient, and he refuses to let emotions cloud his judgment here.

After dealing with the mafia business, Kabir heads back to his office, but his mind drifts to Anya again. The image of her with the guy at college flashes through his head, causing a flicker of annoyance. As he sits at his desk, his fingers tap restlessly, a sign that something deeper is unsettling him.His phone buzzes—a message from Raghav about a meeting with another gang—but Kabir’s focus is elsewhere.
He stands, pacing the room. His control in the underworld is perfect, but the feelings Anya stirs in him—jealousy, confusion, desire—are out of his grasp.Kabir (to himself, muttering): “This is ridiculous. She’s just... another distraction.”He tries to bury his emotions, but for the first time, he feels like he's losing control outside of his work.

The office is now quiet, with the only sound being the occasional rustle of paper and the faint hum of the air conditioning. Kabir sits at his desk, the earlier frustration replaced by a determined focus. The desk is now organized, with files and documents neatly arranged.Kabir flips through a stack of papers, his expression intense as he reviews the details of his various operations. He takes notes, making decisive marks on a report, clearly working through his issues systematically.
KABIR
(to himself, muttering)
“Alright, focus. We’ve got the shipment coming in tomorrow. Raghav’s meeting with the gang needs to be sorted, and the distribution needs to be on track.”He picks up the phone, dialing a number with precise movements. As the phone rings, Kabir’s gaze remains fixed on the documents in front of him.KABIR
(into the phone)
“Raghav, we need to re-evaluate the plans for tomorrow. I want a detailed briefing on the gang’s structure and their possible strategies. And make sure everyone knows their roles.”RAGHAV
(over the phone)
“Got it, Kabir. I’ll have the details ready for you.”KABIR
“Good. Also, I need an update on the warehouse security. We can’t afford any slip-ups.”He hangs up and takes a deep breath, feeling a sense of control returning. He reviews the documents again, each page providing a sense of grounding. His earlier distraction is now replaced by a renewed sense of purpose.As he works, Kabir’s thoughts are more organized, but a subtle tension remains in his eyes. He’s managed to channel his frustration into productivity, but the underlying issues with Anya still linger, just beneath the surface.
KABIR
(to himself, resolutely)
“This is where I excel. No more distractions.”Kabir continues to work through the night, his focus sharp and his movements precise. The office becomes a sanctuary of order amidst the chaos of his emotions, but the quiet hum of the city outside serves as a constant reminder of the unresolved feelings stirring within him.

I know it's too short but post next chapter as soon as possible but please comment about this chapter

What do you think about Kabir frustration?

Anya increasing confusion towards Kabir?

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