falling for a criminal

Tara Bansal

The sound of my heels clicking against the pavement is drowned out by the music playing in my ears. The sun is beginning to set, casting an orange glow over the street as I approach my car. Today has been a good day. No, today has been a great day. I won. After weeks of hard work, I finally got Rohan’s innocence proven. A sense of pride swells in my chest as I unlock my car and slide into the driver's seat. I glance at my reflection in the rearview mirror, a small smile tugging at my lips. But there’s still a lot to be done.

As I start the engine, a strange feeling prickles at the back of my neck. Something doesn’t feel right. I look around, everything seems normal, but my instincts tell me otherwise. I pull out of the parking lot, and as I drive down the road, I notice a car behind me. It’s probably nothing, I tell myself.

But I’ve noticed this car before. It’s been following me for a while now. I grip the steering wheel tighter, trying to shake off the growing unease. I slow down slightly, giving the car a chance to pass. Maybe I’m just imagining things, I think. Maybe they’re just going in the same direction as me, and I’m overthinking it.

I glance at the rearview mirror again. The car is still there. My heart skips a beat.

Could it be...?

I don’t let the thought finish. Taking a deep breath, I ease the car to the side of the road, hoping they’ll take the opportunity to overtake me. My eyes flicker between the mirror and the road ahead. Every second feels like an eternity.

Come on, just pass.

But they don’t. The car stays behind me, trailing my every move.

My pulse quickens, and I try to stay calm. Maybe it’s a coincidence. Maybe I’m just paranoid from all the work stress. But deep down, I know something is wrong. I can feel it.

What if it’s Vijay Shekhar’s man? What if he’s following me to kill me?

Panic begins to bubble up inside me. My chest tightens, and I start to feel the weight of the situation pressing down on me. Think, Tara. Think! How would an intelligent person handle this? My mind races as I bite my nails, my thoughts spinning out of control.

Come on, come on... Then, suddenly, an idea hits me. Yeah, I’ve got it.

I slam my foot on the accelerator, making sure my speed picks up quickly. I’m not going home, not like this. I change directions fast, taking turns down unfamiliar streets. I know the city well enough to lead this person into a maze, to lose them in the winding roads.

Sweat drips down my forehead. I can’t let them figure out where I live. I shouldn’t be scared of them, but I am. My heartbeat quickens. It’s all happening so fast, and I’m panicking, which I hate. I always get like this when trouble strikes, when I don’t have control. It used to be so much worse—crippling, even.

When I was a child, my social anxiety was unbearable. I could hardly speak to people, let alone handle situations like this. That’s why I chose to become a lawyer—to force myself to overcome it, to be someone strong, someone confident. I didn’t want people to think I was weak.

It wasn’t easy. My first semester of law school was a disaster. I couldn’t speak publicly, my anxiety would take over, and I felt like a failure. But I worked hard—three times harder than everyone else. I pushed through and graduated with good marks, got a job, and built the life I wanted.

And now, this moment—it feels like a test of everything I’ve worked for. I will not let them know where I live.

I glance in the mirror. The car is still there. Fuck, I curse. It’s fine, I’m not scared anymore. I have a plan now. I’m not giving them my home address on a silver platter. They might figure it out eventually, but not tonight.

Taking another sharp turn, I head into a crowded area, weaving through traffic. My final move. I pull into a parking lot, where dozens of cars are parked, and hide mine among them. I make sure my car blends in, matching the surrounding vehicles perfectly.

Let’s see if they can find me now.

Well, my plan worked. They’re not here. I don’t see their car anymore. I sigh in relief, my body finally relaxing as I take deep breaths to calm my racing heart. I didn’t know if it would really work, but guess what—it did. No more panicking.

I came here because every parking lot has cameras. If they tried anything, the police would easily find out. Good thinking, Tara. I smile slightly, knowing I made the right choice. Guess I got lucky today.

Now that the coast is clear, I start driving toward home again, feeling much calmer. They’ll never figure out where I live now, I think confidently, the tension finally easing from my shoulders.
Here's the continuation:

I reached my home. Finally. I unbuckled my seatbelt, grabbed my purse where I keep my keys, and stepped out of the car, making sure to lock the door carefully.

The street was quiet, almost eerily so, but I brushed off the thought as I turned the key in my front door. As soon as I stepped inside, I exhaled deeply, the familiar warmth of my space immediately calming my nerves.

I closed the door behind me, locking it securely. The silence of my apartment felt heavier tonight, maybe because of the adrenaline still coursing through me. I leaned back against the door for a moment, letting the tension from the evening finally leave my body.

Home.

I set my purse down and tossed my keys on the table before kicking off my heels. My mind was still racing, trying to process everything that had happened. The car, the chase, the fear—it all felt surreal now that I was safe inside.

But I knew this wasn’t over. Something was still off.
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"Thank you for joining me on this journey with Tara and Rohan! As we delve deeper into their story, you'll discover the complexities of their lives and the challenges they face. I hope you find yourself as invested in their journeys as I am.

Stay tuned for the upcoming chapters where secrets will unravel, and relationships will evolve😉. I appreciate your support and feedback as we navigate this thrilling tale together!"😘❤️❤️