The keeper of time

Chapter 11: Underneath the Masks

The sun hung low in the sky as the group made their way back to the camp. The ruins were behind them, yet Anaya's mind remained caught in the lingering tension of the day. She could feel the sweat on the back of her neck, the cool evening air doing little to ease the heat of her anxiety.

Aryan walked ahead, his posture as confident as ever. His broad shoulders moved rhythmically with each step, and even from behind, Anaya could sense the weight of his presence. She let her gaze fall on him for a moment longer than she intended before shaking her head to clear her thoughts. He was infuriating—charming, teasing, always in control. And the worst part? He knew it.

As they reached the camp, Aryan glanced over his shoulder at her, as if sensing her thoughts. His smirk was subtle, but she caught it, and it made her roll her eyes.

"You seem quiet today," Aryan said, his voice casual but laced with that usual hint of provocation. He slowed his pace until he was walking beside her, his arm brushing against hers.

"Just thinking," she replied, trying to sound indifferent. She could feel her heart picking up speed, though she wasn't sure if it was from the long trek or his proximity.

"Dangerous pastime," he teased, throwing her a sideways glance.

She shot him a look. "You're one to talk."

"Touché." He grinned. "But really, what's on your mind? You've been in your head all day."

"You've noticed?" she asked, genuinely surprised. She hadn't thought he paid attention to much beyond his own self-assured arrogance.

"I notice more than you think," Aryan said, his voice lowering as they reached the edge of the camp. He stopped walking, and for a moment, the air between them felt heavy with unspoken words.

Anaya blinked, unsure of what to say. There were so many things spinning through her mind—her fears about their mission, her confusion about Aryan, her growing suspicion that something wasn't quite right with the world they'd found themselves in. But she couldn't let him see any of that. Not yet.

"I'm fine," she said quickly, stepping around him and moving towards the fire where Arjun sat, fiddling with a piece of equipment.

Aryan's Thoughts

Aryan watched her walk away, his eyes narrowing slightly. He wasn't sure what it was about Anaya that unsettled him. She was smart, strong-willed, and sharp-tongued, always ready to challenge him. But it was more than that. She was a puzzle, and Aryan wasn't someone who liked unsolved mysteries.

He thought back to the banter they'd shared earlier, how easily she deflected his teasing, how her eyes sparked with irritation and something else—something deeper. He had to admit, he enjoyed pushing her buttons. There was something about the way she fought back that made him want to push harder, to see how far she could go.

But then there were moments like this, moments where her guard dropped, just for a second, and Aryan caught a glimpse of the vulnerability underneath. It was brief, but it was there, and it made him even more curious.

As Prime Minister, he was used to reading people, to understanding their motivations and weaknesses. But Anaya? She was different. She had walls built so high he wasn't sure even he could scale them. And that both intrigued and frustrated him.

"You're going soft," he muttered to himself, running a hand through his hair as he turned to follow her.

Arjun's Dilemma

Meanwhile, Arjun was feeling the weight of Aryan's presence more than ever. He had always been close to Anaya—closer than anyone else in the group. They shared a history, a bond that he thought was unshakable. But ever since Aryan had arrived, things felt... off.

He watched as Aryan and Anaya exchanged words, the way Aryan leaned in, the way Anaya didn't pull away. There was something between them, something Arjun couldn't quite put his finger on. It was subtle, but it was enough to stir a knot of jealousy deep in his chest.

Arjun wasn't used to feeling like this. He had always been calm, steady, the one who kept everyone grounded. But now, with Aryan around, he felt like the ground was slipping out from under him.

"You alright?" Anaya's voice broke through his thoughts as she sat down beside him, her eyes soft with concern.

"Yeah," he said quickly, forcing a smile. "Just thinking about tomorrow."

Anaya nodded, her eyes drifting to the fire. "Me too."

For a moment, they sat in comfortable silence, but Arjun couldn't shake the feeling that something had changed between them. He wanted to say something, to ask her what was going on, but the words caught in his throat. Instead, he just watched the fire, letting the flames dance in his eyes as his thoughts churned.

The Banter Continues

As the night wore on, the group gathered around the fire, eating quietly as the stars began to dot the sky. Aryan, however, seemed to be in a lighter mood, his teasing nature returning as he plopped down across from Anaya.

"So, tell me," he began, his voice carrying a playful lilt. "What's it like being the second-most sarcastic person in this camp?"

Anaya raised an eyebrow. "Second-most? I wasn't aware there was a competition."

"There always is," Aryan shot back with a grin. "And I'm winning."

"In your dreams." She crossed her arms, smirking as she leaned back against a log.

Aryan chuckled. "You're lucky I find your defiance amusing."

"You're lucky I let you live after that ridiculous comment," she quipped, rolling her eyes.

Arjun watched the exchange from across the fire, the knot in his chest tightening. The way they talked, the way Aryan seemed to bring out a side of Anaya that Arjun hadn't seen before—it made him feel like he was losing something. Something important.

"You know," Aryan said, leaning closer to Anaya, his voice lowering in that infuriating way that made her heart skip a beat, "you don't have to keep pretending you don't like me."

Anaya's eyes widened, and she shot him a glare. "Who says I'm pretending?"

"Oh, come on," Aryan teased, his grin widening. "You're practically blushing."

"I am not!" Anaya sputtered, but she could feel the heat rising to her cheeks.

Aryan just laughed, his eyes gleaming with mischief. "You're cute when you're flustered, you know that?"

"I will throw you into that fire."

"Promises, promises."

Anaya groaned, burying her face in her hands. "I hate you."

"No, you don't." His voice was softer now, more sincere, and when she looked up, she found him watching her with an intensity that made her breath catch in her throat.

For a moment, the teasing stopped, and the air between them felt charged with something new. Something neither of them was ready to admit.

Arjun's POV

Arjun watched the exchange with growing unease. He couldn't deny it any longer—there was something between Anaya and Aryan. Something that made him feel like an outsider in a place where he used to feel most at home.

It wasn't just the banter or the teasing. It was the way they looked at each other, the way they seemed to gravitate towards one another without even realizing it. And it made Arjun's heart ache.

He cared about Anaya—more than he had ever admitted, even to himself. And now, with Aryan in the picture, he was starting to realize just how deep those feelings ran.

But what could he do? He couldn't just tell her how he felt, not now. Not when things were so complicated. So instead, he kept quiet, watching from the sidelines as the dynamic between them shifted, knowing that whatever happened next, things would never be the same.