---
Darshan spent the next few days preparing for the inevitable. He knew it was only a matter of time before his enemies made their move. His instincts
had kept him alive this long, and they were screaming at him that the storm was coming.
He hadn’t returned to the café since his last conversation with Trisha. Every day he thought about her—about the way she had looked at him, so calm, so determined to stand by his side despite the danger. It tore him up inside, knowing she was involved now.
Late one evening, as Darshan stood by the window of his apartment, watching the city lights flicker in the distance, his phone buzzed on the table. He checked the screen. It was a number he didn’t recognize.
He answered, his voice low.
“Who is this?”
There was a pause on the other end, then a familiar voice spoke.
“You should’ve stayed away, Darshan.”
It was the man with the scar, his voice dripping with menace.
Darshan’s jaw clenched. “What do you want?”
“We warned you. Now, it’s time to remind you how this works,”
the man said.
“You’ve been playing it safe, hiding, but we know where you are. We know who you care about.”
Darshan’s blood ran cold. He gripped the phone tighter. “If you touch her—”
The man chuckled darkly.
“You’re not in a position to make threats, Darshan. Here’s the deal—you come back to us, no questions asked, and she stays safe. If not, well… accidents happen.”
Darshan’s pulse quickened, but his voice remained steady.
“I’m not playing your games.”
“Then you’d better say your goodbyes. Because we’re done waiting.”
The line went dead, and Darshan stood there for a moment, the phone still pressed to his ear, rage boiling inside him. They had crossed the line. Threatening him was one thing, but bringing Trisha into it? That was a different story.
Without wasting another second, Darshan grabbed his jacket and headed out the door, his mind racing. He had to see her. He had to make sure she was safe.
---
When Darshan arrived at the café, it was closing time. The lights inside were dim, and Trisha was wiping down the counter, getting ready to lock up. She looked up as he entered, her face lighting up for a brief moment before she noticed the tension in his expression.
“Darshan, what’s going on?” she asked, concern creeping into her voice.
“We need to talk,”
he said urgently, his eyes scanning the street behind him. He walked over to her, his voice low.
“They called me. They know about you.”
Trisha’s face paled, but she didn’t flinch. “What did they say?”
“They want me to go back. To return to that life, or they’ll come after you,” Darshan replied, his frustration clear.
“I’m not letting that happen.”
Trisha took a deep breath, her hands gripping the edge of the counter.
“So what do we do?”
Darshan paced the floor, thinking fast
. “I need to get you somewhere safe. There’s a place outside the city—a safehouse. You can stay there while I deal with this.”
Trisha shook her head, her resolve firm.
“No. I’m not running, Darshan. We’re in this together, remember?”
Darshan stopped pacing, looking at her, his face hard.
“This isn’t a game, Trisha. These men will do whatever it takes to get what they want. If they think hurting you will make me bend, they won’t hesitate.”
Trisha stepped closer to him, her voice calm but firm
. “And if you go after them alone, they’ll kill you. I’m not letting you face this without me.”
Darshan stared at her, torn between his need to protect her and the truth she was speaking. She wasn’t backing down, no matter what he said.
“We’ll need to be careful,”
Darshan finally said, his voice quieter.
“They’ll come for us both now. We need to stay one step ahead.”
Trisha nodded, determination in her eyes. “Whatever it takes.”
Darshan sighed, running a hand through his hair. “Alright. I have some people I can trust, but it’s risky. We’ll need to move fast.”
Trisha grabbed her coat, ready to leave. “Let’s go.”
Darshan looked at her one last time, knowing full well what they were about to face. This was no longer just about him; it was about both of them. And the stakes were higher than ever.
---
Darshan and Trisha realize the danger is real and imminent, while showing Trisha’s commitment to standing by his side.
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