The rain poured relentlessly over the city turning the streets into shimmering rivers of light and shadow. People rushed past with umbrellas and hurried steps - but she walked slowly as if the storm didn't matter.
Zoya Khan had long stopped caring about getting wet.
Her thin dupatta clug to her shoulders, her worn - out shoes soaked through as she clutched a small paper bag close to her chest. Inside it were medicines - cheap but all she could afford - for her ailing mother.
"Please be okay..." She whispered under the breath .
Like had never seen kind of her . After her father's death, depts swallowed everything -her her home , her education, her dreams. Now worked as a small cafe, earning just enough to survive. Every day was a battle, and every night ended with silent tears she never showed the world.
A loud screech of she tries suddenly cut through the rain.
Zoya froze.
A sleek black car had stopped just inches away from her. It's just polish surface gleamed under the streetlights, looking completely out of place in her broken world.
The car door open slowly.
Out stepped a man.
Tall , sharp , dangerous
Even in the dim light, his presence was overwhelming. He wore a perfectly tailored black suit, his hair slightly damp from the rain, piercing eyes scanning eyes scanning her likes she was something unfamiliar... Our perhaps insignificant.
Zoya instinctively stepped back
I- I am sorry ", she stammered lowering her gaze.
The man didn't respond immediately. Instead, he studied her her trembling hands her soaked clothes, the fear in her eyes.
" Watch were you r going " he finally said, his voice could and controlled.
There was no anger, no warmth - just authority.
Zoya nodded quickly. " Yes I will ".
She turned to leave clutching her bag tighter. But just as she took a step, the bag slipped from her wet fingers and fell of the ground.
The medicines scattered into the dirty water.
" No she gasped, kneling instantly, trying to pick them up.
Her hand shoked as she gathered the shoked packets, her eyes filling with tears she tries desperately to hold back.
A shadow fell over her.
The man had stepped closer.
For a brief moment, something flickerd in his eyes - something unreadable. He bent down, picking up one of the medicine strips.
" These are important"? He asked.
Zoya nodded unable to speak.
" They're for my mother", she finally whispered, " she s sick ... I can't afford more ",.
The rain seemed to grow heavier, as if the world itself was watching this fragile moment.
The man stood up, holding the medicines in his hand, for a second it looked like he might say something more... But instead, simply turned toward his car.
Zoya s heart sank .
Of course why would someone like him care ?
But just as she gathered the last strip, a voice stopped her.
" Get in the car.
She looked up shocked.
The man stood by the open door, his expression unreadable.
I don't repeat myself," he added.
Zoya hesitated.
She didn't know his name, she didn't know who he was.
But something about him felt.. . Dangerous.
And yet , for the first time in a long time, gaye seemed to be knocking on her door.
Slowly. Uncertainty, she stood up.
Little did she know.
This one decision would change her life forever.
If you want I can continue chapter two 😊