You Feel It Too
992 Words
The night felt… different.
Too quiet.
Too still.
Reya stood by her bedroom window, staring out at the dark sky.
But she wasn’t really looking at it.
Her mind was stuck on one thing—
Everything.
The attack.
Her father’s truth.
And Aarav.
Especially Aarav.
The way he held her wrist.
Firm. Unyielding.
Like letting go wasn’t even an option.
She exhaled slowly.
“Why does he affect me this much…” she whispered.
Annoying.
Frustrating.
And yet—
Impossible to ignore.
She turned away from the window.
Pacing slowly across her room.
“They’ve found her…”
His words echoed again.
Her chest tightened.
“This has been happening for years… and no one told me?”
Anger flickered inside her.
But beneath that—
Something else.
Fear.
She clenched her fists.
“No… I’m not going to be scared.”
But even as she said it—
Her heartbeat told a different story.
Knock.
She froze.
Her eyes shifted to the door.
“Who is it?”
“Aarav.”
Her breath paused.
For a second—
She didn’t move.
Then—
“Come in.”
The door opened.
And there he was.
Calm.
Composed.
Like always.
But something about him tonight…
Felt heavier.
“What now?” she asked, trying to sound normal.
Aarav stepped inside.
Closing the door behind him.
“You shouldn’t be alone.”
Reya raised an eyebrow.
“I’m in my own room.”
“That doesn’t change anything.”
She sighed.
“You’re really not going to stop, are you?”
“No.”
Straight. Simple.
Reya let out a small laugh.
“Of course not.”
She walked closer to him.
Slowly.
“And what if I say I don’t want you here?”
Aarav didn’t move.
“I’ll still stay.”
Her eyes locked with his.
“Why?”
A pause.
Then—
“Because I don’t trust anything right now.”
Her voice softened slightly.
“Or anyone?”
His gaze didn’t waver.
“Anyone.”
That included her.
For some reason—
That stung.
Reya crossed her arms.
“Good to know I’m on the suspect list too.”
“You’re on the risk list.”
She frowned.
“What does that even mean?”
“It means…” Aarav stepped closer,
“…you don’t always make safe decisions.”
Reya scoffed.
“Oh, here we go again—”
“You walked out after hearing you’ve been targeted for years.”
She went silent.
Because he wasn’t wrong.
But she wasn’t going to admit that.
“I don’t like being controlled,” she said firmly.
Aarav’s eyes darkened slightly.
“Then stop putting yourself in situations where you need to be protected.”
The words hit.
Hard.
Silence filled the room.
Reya looked at him.
Really looked at him this time.
“You act like this is personal,” she said slowly.
Aarav didn’t answer.
“You act like…” she stepped closer,
“…this matters more than just a job.”
Their faces were inches apart now.
“Why?” she whispered.
For a moment—
Aarav didn’t move.
Didn’t speak.
But his eyes…
Said something.
Something deeper.
Something hidden.
Then—
“I don’t lose people I’m responsible for.”
The answer came.
Cold.
Controlled.
But it didn’t feel complete.
Reya tilted her head slightly.
“That sounds like experience.”
A flicker.
Just for a second.
Pain?
It disappeared too quickly to confirm.
“You’re not answering me,” she said softly.
“I gave you an answer.”
“Not the real one.”
Silence again.
Tension building.
Then suddenly—
Reya stepped even closer.
Too close.
Close enough to feel his breath.
“Tell me something honestly,” she said quietly.
Aarav’s jaw tightened.
“What?”
Her eyes locked into his.
“Do you feel it too?”
A pause.
A dangerous one.
“What?” he repeated.
“This…” she gestured slightly between them,
“…whatever this is.”
The air shifted.
Heavy.
Charged.
Aarav didn’t answer immediately.
Because the truth?
He did.
But saying it—
Would change everything.
“Reya,” his voice dropped,
“you don’t know what you’re asking.”
“Then make me understand.”
Her voice was softer now.
Not challenging.
Not teasing.
Real.
For the first time—
She wasn’t playing.
And that made it worse.
Aarav took a slow breath.
Trying to regain control.
But she was too close.
Too distracting.
Too—
Dangerous.
“You should stay away from me,” he said finally.
Reya frowned.
“That’s not an answer.”
“It is.”
“No, it’s not.”
Her voice sharpened slightly.
“You’re avoiding it.”
Aarav stepped back suddenly.
Creating distance.
And that distance…
Said everything.
Reya felt it.
Something in her chest tightened.
“Wow,” she let out a soft laugh,
“so the fearless bodyguard is scared now?”
Aarav’s gaze snapped to hers.
“I’m not scared.”
“Then why step back?”
Silence.
Then—
“Because getting close to you…” he said lowly,
“…is a mistake.”
That hurt more than she expected.
Her expression hardened slightly.
“Good,” she said.
Turning away.
“Because I don’t make mistakes.”
But her voice—
Wasn’t as steady as she wanted it to be.
Aarav noticed.
Of course he did.
But he didn’t say anything.
Because if he did—
He might say too much.
And that wasn’t allowed.
Not for him.
Not for this job.
Not for her.
But deep down—
One thing was becoming clear.
This wasn’t just about protection anymore.
This was something else.
Something neither of them was ready for.
Something that could either protect them…
Or destroy them.
To be continued… 😏🔥
“What is Aarav hiding from his past…
and why does Reya feel drawn to someone she should avoid?”
- Writer
