ENIGMA

TRAPPED

Advik stepped closer to Ruhani, his stern demeanor softening for a moment as he wrapped his arms around her in a warm, comforting hug. The gesture took her by surprise, and for a brief second, she stiffened. But the warmth of his embrace felt strangely reassuring, and before she knew it, tears began to spill from her eyes. The weight of everything — the engagement, the sudden decisions, and his control — overwhelmed her.

Noticing the silent sobs, Advik pulled back slightly, his hands moving to cup her face. His thumbs gently wiped away the tears that clung to her cheeks. He wasn’t angry, but the intensity in his eyes made it clear he wasn’t going to let this pass unnoticed.

“Why are you crying?” he asked, his voice patient but probing.

She tried to avoid his gaze, feeling embarrassed by her outburst. “I’m just... afraid. Afraid of all these changes, everything is happening so fast. I don't know how to handle it.”

Advik sighed softly and brought her face a little closer, ensuring she couldn’t look away. “Listen to me carefully,” he began, his voice low but firm. “There’s no need to be afraid of me. If you’re good — if you do as I ask — there’s nothing to fear. But...” His tone hardened slightly, a subtle warning creeping in. “If you step out of line, if you think you can act without telling me, then it’ll be a different story.”

Her breath hitched, the weight of his words sinking in, but she nodded slowly, too exhausted to argue.

“I understand,” she murmured, though a part of her still wasn’t sure what to make of the rapidly evolving dynamics between them.

There was a brief pause before She hesitated, biting her lip nervously as she shifted in his hold. “I was hoping to meet my friends today,” she finally admitted, her voice small, as if testing his patience. “I miss them, and I haven’t seen them in a while.”

Advik’s brow furrowed in disapproval. “You want to meet your friends today? After everything?” His tone wasn’t harsh, but it was clear that he wasn’t pleased.

She quickly added, “Please, Advik. I just want a little time with them. I promise I won’t be long.”

Advik crossed his arms, his expression hardening. “Those ‘friends’ of yours, Ruhani, left you alone in a bar in a foreign country. How exactly am I supposed to believe that they are safe for you to be around?”a,
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Ruhani’s face fell, and she averted her eyes again. “They were drunk that night,” she explained softly. “It was a mistake. But this time, I’ll make sure nothing like that happens again. I’ll be careful, I promise.”

Advik studied her for a long moment, the room growing uncomfortably quiet as he weighed her request. Ruhani knew better than to push him too far, but her best chance was now. Mustering all her courage, she looked up at him with her wide, pleading eyes, the ‘puppy dog’ look that had gotten her out of trouble so many times before.

“Please, Advik?” she whispered, her voice soft and sweet.

For a moment, he remained still, his gaze unflinching, as though he was considering his options. Finally, with a deep sigh, he said, “Fine. But only this time.  And if anything goes wrong, that’s it. You won’t be seeing them again.”

A smile lit up Ruhani’s face, and before she could contain herself, she threw her arms around him in a hug. “Thank you, thank you!” she exclaimed, the relief in her voice clear.

Advik’s rigid posture softened slightly in response, though he maintained his air of authority. Just as she pulled away, his phone buzzed in his pocket. He pulled it out and glanced at the screen. It was his mother calling.