Tujhko Jo Paaya.

Chapter 10 Walls of Silence

As we rode through the winding streets of Delhi, I felt the rush of the cool evening breeze against my face. The city was alive in a way that almost felt like it was feeding my spirit. Arjun rode next to me, his expression both relaxed and concentrated as he expertly maneuvered through the light evening traffic.

Arjun had been a breath of fresh air ever since he arrived in India. Although he was busy overseeing the hospital and handling the business side of things, he made time for me, pulling me out of my routine and showing me a different side of life. We laughed, we joked, and sometimes, we talked about his life in Dubai and his journey in the medical field.

"Can you believe it?" I shouted over the noise of the city. "You're back in India, managing a hospital! It must be so different from Dubai."

"Different? It's a whole new world," he replied, grinning as we sped past the India Gate. "But it's good. I've always wanted to reconnect with this place. Plus, Mom and Dad really wanted me to start our base here."

I nodded. I knew how much Munmun Masi meant to him. His eyes softened every time he mentioned her or the hospital she built from scratch.

"But tell me, Samira," he continued, his voice softer now, "Are you happy here?"

I hesitated, caught off guard. "I don't know... Some days, yes. Some days... I feel like I'm still learning who I am in all of this."

He gave me a sympathetic look and was about to respond when the sound of screeching tires tore through the evening calm. A black SUV came to an abrupt halt right in front of us, cutting us off.

Ahan stepped out, his face pale, his jaw tight, and his eyes locked onto mine with an intensity that left me breathless. I'd never seen him look like this. There was something unsettling in his gaze, something that almost looked like... fear.

"Samira," he said, his voice low but firm, and without another word, he motioned for me to get off the bike. His tone was usually calm, but there was something desperate in his expression now. I felt a tug of resistance in my chest, but his eyes told me there was no room for argument.

"Ahan, what's going on?" I asked, confused by his urgency.

"Just... get in the car," he replied, his voice barely above a whisper, but there was a vulnerability there I'd never heard before.

I looked at Arjun, who was watching Ahan with a mixture of surprise and protectiveness. Ahan hadn't even acknowledged him, his eyes solely fixed on me. Arjun opened his mouth, but I shook my head, signaling him to stay calm.

"Fine," I replied softly, more for Ahan's sake than my own. I turned to Arjun, who gave me an encouraging nod. "Come over to the house after this?"

He nodded, his eyes filled with concern. "Sure, I'll meet you there."

Ahan silently opened the car door, and as soon as I settled inside, he climbed into the driver's seat. Without a word, he started the car and drove, his knuckles white on the steering wheel.

The drive was silent, thick with tension. I stole glances at him, hoping to catch a hint of what he was thinking, but his face was closed off, unreadable. His jaw was clenched, and his gaze was fixed on the road ahead. I'd never seen him so tense, and it left me uneasy.

Finally, after what felt like an eternity, we arrived at the flat. Ahan opened the door and walked straight inside without a word, leaving me to follow. I lingered at the door, watching him. There was something deeply unsettling about this side of him, the way he seemed trapped in his thoughts.

Moments later, Arjun arrived, his usual lightheartedness replaced with a sense of worry. He looked between me and Ahan, clearly sensing the tension.

"Samira, what's going on?" he asked, keeping his voice low.