FEAR AND FALLING
2. FIRST MEET｡*ﾟ+*.
ANAYA SHARMA (FL)
I... Missed it...
That left almost a whisper in air, unheard by the world as I missed the last bus.
I sat on the bus stop's bench, looking at the bus I just missed.
my breath fogging the air, my gaze shifted to my feet as water soaked through my shoes.
ANAYA SHARMA (FL)
Why can't our government make some platforms on bus stop?💭
I sighed, looking up at the sky. Nothing, it was just empty. Covered by the dark clouds.
The street was nearly empty. Shops shuttered. Streetlights flickering suddenly, like they might give up any second.
I checked my phone—2% battery. Not enough to call someone, so I didn't even tried.
ANAYA SHARMA (FL)
what else could go bad?
Home was still 1 hour away on foot, even if I try to run there I'd end up soaking myself in the rainwater.
I pulled my bag tighter around my shoulder and started walking, walking towards the place I shouldn't go to.
The rain grew heavier, drumming against the road, blurring everything into shadows and reflections.
By the time I reached the turn near the old bridge.
My clothes clung to my skin and my fingers were numb, almost impossible to feel.
my mother's voice echoed in my head.
ANAYA SHARMA (FL)
Never take the bridge route at night.
I whispered to myself, before looking ahead.
I showed my steps, almost hesitant to step forward.
The longer route meant another forty minutes. The bridge would cut it in half.
ANAYA SHARMA (FL)
I hesitated only a moment before finally stepping forward, looking ahead. Shoulders straight.
Under the bridge, the sound of rain softened, replaced by something worse.
Something echoed, a sound—no, a voice.
ANAYA SHARMA (FL)
Voices? Whose voice was that?
I stopped, listening carefully.
My heart was beating like drum against my chest, breathing quickly in the cold air.
ANAYA SHARMA (FL)
I wish I would have listened to mom's words...💭
Yellow light spilled weakly from a lone bulb, revealing figures I hadn't expected—four men near a black SUV.
Standing close to the bridge end, I can run. But I wasn't able to move at all.
ANAYA SHARMA (FL)
They've been always here?💭
My eyes fall on the man beside the car.
random MAN
*on his knees, hands tied, head bowed.*
my heart slammed painfully against my ribs.
He was on his knees, what does it mean?
ANAYA SHARMA (FL)
Am I in danger? 💭
I took a careful step back, my foot splashed against the rain water.
The sound echoed far too loud.
Every head turned towards me, making a shiver running down my spine.
UNKNOWN
*Cursed under his breath*
UNKNOWN
*hand went to his waist.*
I just stared at them, not able to move.
UNKNOWN
*stepped forward calmly.*
I kept my eyes on him, not looking away for even a second.
UNKNOWN
*lifted his hand.*
I stared at his hands, before noticing everyone has stopped their movements. As if they were told to stop moving.
ANAYA SHARMA (FL)
what's happening? 💭
ANAYA SHARMA (FL)
Am I supposed to run? 💭
ANAYA SHARMA (FL)
Would I be de@d if I tried to run?💭
I stared at those man, froze like statues.
random MAN
*trembled harder, knees bl€€ding from kneeling for too long*
my gaze lifted to the stranger.
The man stood as I watched carefully, almost analyzing.
Rain dripping from his hair like he was part of the storm itself. His face was calm—dangerously calm.
For a second I didn't move. His eyes dark, maybe black or dark brown.
he wasn't angry, Not even surprised, just measuring.
UNKNOWN
You shouldn't be here.
his quite voice stilled something inside me.
Wait for the next chapter Lovies♡
3. GO HOME
The man's voice controlled, but it carried enough weight to silence the space between them.
ANAYA SHARMA (FL)
I— I missed the bus.
she was confused about what to say, so just spilled it like the most perfect excuse.
ANAYA SHARMA (FL)
I’ll just— I’ll leave. I’m sorry.
he studied her for a moment, eyes flicking to her soaked clothes, her clenched hands, the fear she wasn’t hiding well.
he said, almost absently.
that was the moment she realized she actually wasn't hiding it well
another man from behind stepped forward.
he didn't acknowledged him, just his hand lifted slightly. Enough to silence even the begging man on ground.
Anaya, who still stood there watched carefully.
then slowly, she turned. Shoes slipping on wet concrete. just as she was about to break into run her foot tripped over something.
she closed her eyes, already prepared for the all she didn't sign up for.
a small gasp let her lips as she was pulled back by something—someone.
He was closer now, too close. For a second, something shifted in his eyes. Not cruelty.
Conflict.
That calmed the storm in her mind, she finally realised there was nothing to be actually afraid of.
ANAYA SHARMA (FL)
Th-thank you
just a whisper, unsure why she was thanking a stranger she should be terrified of.
He looked at her like he hadn’t expected that. Like it was the least thing someone would say. Then lower.
Not you're welcome, not It was an instinct. But his name, like he was introducing himself to someone who meant something.
For a second she just stared at him.
ANAYA SHARMA (FL)
Anaya...
low like a whisper, but loud enough to hear without being close.
she, because he wanted her to know.
Him, because he'll know it without even being told.
As the rain begin to fall harder, faster. She broke into a run.
She didn’t look back, Under the bridge, the rain continued to fall.
Aarav watched until she vanished into the darkness.
The night obeyed.
And somewhere between fear and falling, a line had been crossed—quietly, irrevocably
4. YOU CAME BACK
Don't forget to follow me.
I had told myself, I wouldn't cross the bridge again.
My father specially told me not to go there during nights. Not because he was controlling, but because he always knew something he didn't want to tell me.
I had always obeyed, but that day...
ANAYA SHARMA (FL)
No, not again.
The rain has already begun, and as always. I forgot to bring the umbrella.
ANAYA SHARMA (FL)
I wouldn’t take the bridge again.
ANAYA SHARMA (FL)
Only an idiot would.
ANAYA SHARMA (FL)
I can't forget what happened three days ago.
but the sky doesn't seem to have the same plan.
My shoulders relaxed slowly
Then I stood up suddenly, walking towards the exit door.
This library has been my favorite place, an escape I can always choose.
I looked up at sky, noticing as the stars shined
through, the moon isn't shining.
they, they always bully me. and I couldn't even do something.
The streets emptied. the clouds gathered, heavy and low.
ANAYA SHARMA (FL)
Don't be serious.
I told the sky that night until the first drop of rain hit my forehead.
ANAYA SHARMA (FL)
Here it is. My bad luck calling out for me....
By the time I reached the bus stop, my shoulders were dump in rain water. The buses were delayed. Again.
The history is written so that we don't repeat it. But here I am.
I stood under a broken shelter, arms crossed, replaying the memory I had tried all day to forget.
The kneeling man, the black SUV, the stranger’s eyes that hadn’t looked away even once.
that left without permission as the sky grew darker.
Just a name. Nothing else.
When the rain turned cruel, I made the decision I swore I wouldn’t.
But the bridge was closer.
I hadn't realised, but I was already walking towards it. My steps slowed as I approached the bridge.
my heart thudding louder than the rain in my chest.
The yellow light was still there, flickering like an old warning.
He stood where he had the night before—hands in his coat pockets, posture relaxed, as if he belonged to the dark.
Waiting, soaking in the rain as if it didn't even touch his skin.
ANAYA SHARMA (FL)
my breath caught, I almost chocked out.
but the sound alone echoed, he noticed it instantly.
his voice, almost surprised. I hesitated, thinking of a reply.
then stopped a few feet away, hugging the bag to my chest.
ANAYA SHARMA (FL)
It started raining again.
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