In His Shadow

untold secrets?

---

The soft whir of the air conditioning hummed through the office as Aradhya organized her desk, her eyes darting to the entrance every few seconds. When Kabir finally walked in, his shoulders slightly tense, she didn't waste a moment.

"Kabir! Where were you?" she called out, her tone a mix of curiosity and exasperation. "Three days, no calls, no texts, no office. Koi emergency thi kya?"

Kabir paused mid-step, a flicker of something-guilt, maybe-crossing his face before he plastered on a casual smile. "Nothing like that, Aru. Just some... personal work," he said, pulling out a chair opposite her.

She wasn't convinced. "Personal work? For three days? Kabir, tum mujhe fool mat banao. Batao na, kya hua tha?"

[Personal work!? Dont make me a fool and tell me what happened]

He chuckled nervously, avoiding her gaze. "You're overthinking, Aru. It wasn't anything serious. Just helping out a friend."

Her brow furrowed, her curiosity now fully piqued. "Konsi friend? Your mysterious best friend you never introduce me to?"

[Who's that frd?]

Kabir shifted uncomfortably, scratching his neck. "Haan, woh hi. Waise bhi, you won't like him. Tumhari wavelength match nahi karegi."

[Yeah yeah he's that frd...and anyways you wouldn't like him..ur vibes are different]

Aradhya rolled her eyes but her eyes widened when she saw some bruises on his face, she hence asked pointing at this bruises,"ye sab kya hain kabir? Ek tho tumhara ghar aana band ho gya...aur ye sab bruises?"

[What are all these kabir? You don't even come home these years and wth are these bruises]

Kabir straightened, his tone sharpening slightly,"aru...jab time ayega tb sab kuch bta dunga", he then continued,", suna ki tum late thi kal? Kisne drop kiya?"

["Aru, when time comes I'll myself tell u...please give me some time and I've heard that you went home late at night, who dropped u?" He asked changing the topic]

Aradhya blinked at the sudden shift. "Um, Rudra sir. He saw me waiting outside, and it was too late to find a cab."

Kabir's jaw tightened, his casual demeanor slipping for just a second. "Aur suna hai, he bought you something to eat?"

[And i heard that he bought u smtg to eat?]

"Yes," she said, a bit defensively. "Itna bura nahi hai woh, Kabir. Mujhe laga tum usse jaante ho. He's your friend, right?"

[He's not that bad...and ig uk him..he's ur frd rt?]

Kabir sighed deeply, rubbing his temples. "Yes, he's my best friend. Aur mujhe pata hai woh accha hai... apne tarike se." He paused, his voice dropping. "But Aru, jo woh karta hai, uska ek side hai jo tum samajh nahi paogi. I'm just saying-don't get too involved."

[He's my best friend..and he's good enough in his own way..but aru, whatever he does..you've only seen one side of him..i don't want u to see the other side...just dont get too involved]

Aradhya frowned, his words stirring a mix of confusion and unease. "What do you mean, Kabir? Woh insaan hai, koi puzzle nahi. And I don't think you have any reason to warn me about him."

[He's a human not a puzzle not to understand him!]

Kabir leaned forward, his voice firm but tinged with something darker. "Aru, bas itna samajh lo. Rudra apne duniya ka raja hai, lekin woh duniya tumhare liye nahi hai. Woh tumhe apne saath kheench lega, aur main tumhe us jagah nahi dekhna chahta."