Next MORNING PENTHOUSE
The air in the penthouse felt heavy.
Silent… suffocating… like something was about to break.
Adhira stood near the bed, clutching her bag tightly.
“I have to go…” she said softly.
Adhirath didn’t respond.
He stood by the window, his back facing her, jaw clenched, hands in his pockets.
“Adhirath…” she called again.
Suddenly—
He turned.
His gaze was sharp. Dark. Intense.
“So you’ve decided?” His voice was low… controlled… but dangerous.
Adhira froze for a second.
“It’s not like that… I have exams—”
Before she could finish—
He started walking toward her.
Slow. Steady. Calculated.
Each step making her heartbeat louder.
She instinctively stepped back.
“Adhirath…”
He didn’t stop… until she was cornered against the wall.
No space. No escape.
He placed one hand beside her head, trapping her between him and the wall.
“Understand one thing, Adhira,” he said quietly, leaning closer.
“You’re not leaving…”
A pause.
“…I’m letting you go.”
Her breath hitched.
That tone.
That authority.
“Do you understand the difference?” he whispered, his face inches away.
She nodded slowly.
“Yes…”
His gaze softened for a brief second… but the control remained.
“You’ll stay there,” he continued, calm but firm,
“But nothing happens without me knowing.”
She looked up at him, confused.
“What do you mean—”
“No late nights.”
“No unnecessary friends.”
“And if any guy…”
His jaw tightened.
“…even tries to come close to you—”
He didn’t finish the sentence.
He didn’t need to.
Adhira blinked, surprised… but not scared.
Her heart was racing for a different reason.
“Don’t you trust me?” she asked softly.
His expression shifted instantly.
He lifted her chin gently.
“I don’t trust the world.”
A pause.
“I trust you.”
That hit deeper than anything else.
Her eyes softened.
“Okay…” she whispered.
For a moment… they just stood there.
Too close.
Too aware of each other.
Then suddenly—
He pulled her into him.
Hard.
Adhira gasped as she collided with his chest.
His arms wrapped tightly around her, holding her like he didn’t want to let go.
“You’ll call me every day,” he murmured against her hair.
“I will…”
“If you don’t…”
He pulled back slightly, his forehead resting against hers.
“…I’ll come get you myself.”
A small smile escaped her.
“You’d come anyway…”
A faint smirk appeared on his lips.
“Getting smart, aren’t you?”
His hand moved to her face, thumb brushing her cheek slowly.
Possessively. Intimately.
“Remember this…” he said quietly,
“You might stay there…”
A pause.
“…but you’re mine.”
Her gaze dropped, cheeks flushed.
“I know…”
That moment held everything—
Control. Surrender. Trust.
Finally—
He stepped back.
Just enough to let her go.
She picked up her bag and walked toward the door.
But just before she could leave—
His voice stopped her.
“Adhira.”
She turned.
His eyes locked onto hers, intense as ever.
“Don’t make me wait.”
A soft smile touched her lips.
“Never.”
And when she walked away this time…
It didn’t feel like she was leaving him.
Because a part of her…
Belonged to him.
GIRLS HOSTEL.......
“Distance… Makes Him Worse”
The hostel room felt small.
Too quiet.
Too empty.
Adhira dropped her bag on the bed, looking around.
Same walls. Same space.
But everything felt… different.
Because he wasn’t there.
Her phone vibrated.
Unknown number.
She frowned slightly and picked it up.
“Hello?”
Silence.
For two seconds.
Then—
“Reached?”
That voice.
Low. Calm. Possessive.
Her lips curved instantly.
“Adhirath…”
“Answer the question.”
She smiled softly, sitting on the bed.
“Yes… I just got here.”
“Room?”
“Hmm.”
“Alone?”
She blinked.
“Yeah…”
A pause.
Like he was processing… confirming… owning that information.
“Good.”
Her heart skipped.
There was something about the way he said it.
Like he had just secured something that belonged to him.
“What are you doing?” she asked softly.
“Thinking.”
“About?”
A slight pause.
Then—
“How long I’m going to tolerate this distance.”
Her breath caught.
Before she could respond—
His voice came again.
“Video call. Now.”
She froze.
“Adhirath… I just came, I look—”
“I didn’t ask.”
Her heartbeat instantly sped up.
Without arguing… she opened the camera.
The call connected.
For a moment… neither spoke.
His gaze scanned her.
From her messy hair…
To her slightly tired eyes…
To the way she was holding the phone nervously.
“Turn around.”
“What?” she whispered.
“Turn. Around.”
There was no room for argument in his tone.
She slowly stood up… and turned once.
Her breath uneven.
“Stop.”
She froze.
“Now come closer.”
She walked back toward the bed, sitting down again.
His eyes didn’t leave her.
Not even for a second.
“Missed me?” he asked quietly.
She looked down.
“…yes.”
“Look at me when you answer.”
Her eyes lifted instantly to the screen.
“Yes.”
A faint smirk appeared on his lips.
“Good,” he murmured.
Then his expression darkened slightly.
“Anyone there?”
“No.”
“Anyone talked to you?”
She shook her head.
“Better not.”
Her heart raced again.
Not fear.
Something deeper.
Something that made her feel… his.
“Adhira,” his voice dropped.
“Hm?”
“You remember what I said?”
She nodded softly.
“No late nights… no unnecessary people…”
“And?” he pressed.
She swallowed.
“…and you’ll know everything.”
“Exactly.”
A pause.
Then, softer—
“Miss me properly.”
Her lips parted slightly.
“I am…”
“Not enough,” he said, leaning slightly closer to the camera.
“I want it worse.”
Her breath hitched.
Before she could recover—
“Sleep early. Call me before that.”
“Okay…”
“And Adhira—”
She looked up again.
His gaze softened just a little.
But his voice didn’t lose that edge.
“Don’t get used to staying away from me.”
Her heart melted.
“I won’t…”
The call ended.
And Adhira sat there…
Phone still in her hand…
Heartbeat refusing to calm down.
Because distance didn’t make him softer.
It made him worse.
More controlling.
More intense.
More hers.
“Come With Me”
It was past midnight.
The hostel was silent.
Lights off… corridors empty… everyone asleep.
Adhira lay on her bed, staring at the ceiling, her phone resting on her chest.
She couldn’t sleep.
Not when every thought somehow led back to him.
Her phone vibrated.
Adhirath.
She picked up instantly.
“You’re still awake,” his voice came, low and knowing.
“You too…”
“Open your window.”
She frowned slightly.
“What?”
“Adhira,” his tone dropped.
“Do it.”
Her heartbeat picked up.
She got up slowly… walked to the window… and pulled the curtain aside.
Her breath caught.
Down below—
His car.
And him… leaning against it.
Looking straight up.
At her.
“Adhirath…” she whispered, shocked.
“Come down.”
Her mind went blank.
“Right now?? It’s midnight—”
“I know what time it is.”
A pause.
“I’m waiting.”
That was it.
No argument.
No choice.
Within minutes—
She quietly made her way downstairs, her heart pounding with every step.
The moment she stepped outside—
He straightened.
Eyes locked on her.
“You took too long,” he said.
“I came as fast as I could…”
He walked toward her.
Closing the distance in seconds.
“Cold,” he muttered, noticing her bare arms.
Before she could react—
He took off his jacket and wrapped it around her.
Firm. Protective.
“Why didn’t you wear something warm?”
“I didn’t think—”
“Exactly,” he cut her off.
“You don’t think. That’s my job.”
Her lips parted slightly.
That tone again.
He opened the car door.
“Sit.”
She obeyed quietly.
Inside the car—
Silence.
Heavy… but not uncomfortable.
He got in, started driving.
One hand on the wheel.
The other… resting on the gear.
Close enough to her.
“Did you eat?” he asked suddenly.
She hesitated.
“…not really.”
The car stopped abruptly.
He turned to her slowly.
“Not. Really?” he repeated.
“I wasn’t hungry…”
His jaw tightened.
Next second—
He leaned closer.
Too close.
“You skip meals now?” his voice dropped.
She shook her head quickly.
“No, I just—”
“Don’t do that again.”
Not loud.
But absolute.
Her heart raced.
“…okay.”
He stared at her for a second longer.
Then leaned back… starting the car again.
A few minutes later—
They reached a quiet place.
Empty. Peaceful. Just them.
He stepped out, came around, opened her door.
Held her hand as she got out.
Not letting go.
“The Way He Holds Her… The Way She Stays”
The night felt still.
Almost like the world had paused… just for them.
Adhira sat on the hood of the car, his jacket wrapped around her, still carrying his warmth.
But it wasn’t just the jacket.
It was him.
Everywhere around her.
Adhirath stood close—too close—his presence overwhelming in the quiet.
His eyes were on her.
Not casually.
Not lightly.
But like he was feeling her… not just seeing her.
Inside him—
There was something restless.
Something that didn’t like this distance.
Didn’t like the idea of her being away… out of his reach… even for a few hours.
He wasn’t used to this.
Caring this much.
Needing someone this much.
And that’s why…
He kept control.
Because control was the only thing stopping him from completely losing himself in her.
“Why do you look so quiet?” he asked softly.
Adhira looked at him.
And for a second… she didn’t answer.
Because how could she explain this feeling?
The way her heart felt safe around him…
The way his presence made everything else fade…
The way even his scolding felt like care…
“I just…” she hesitated,
“…feel different when I’m with you.”
His gaze didn’t move.
But something in his chest tightened.
“Different how?” he asked, stepping closer.
She looked down, her fingers gripping the edge of his jacket.
“Like… I don’t have to think too much.”
A small pause.
“Like… you’ll handle everything.”
That did something to him.
Something deep.
His hand came up, slowly, gently lifting her chin.
“Because I will,” he said quietly.
And he meant it.
Not just words.
A promise.
A claim.
Adhira’s breath softened.
There was no fear in her eyes.
Just… trust.
And that trust?
It made him even more protective.
He moved closer, standing between her legs now, his hands resting lightly on either side of her.
Not trapping.
But surrounding.
“You need to take care of yourself,” he said, his tone softer now, but still firm.
“I will…”
“You didn’t eat.”
She looked away slightly.
“I wasn’t hungry…”
His expression changed instantly.
Not anger.
Concern.
Sharp. Immediate.
His hand moved to her cheek, thumb brushing under her eye.
“You think I won’t notice?” he murmured.
Her heart melted a little.
“You’re not allowed to be careless,” he continued.
“Not with your health.”
A pause.
“…not with yourself.”
Adhira nodded slowly.
Not because he said it.
But because… she felt how much he meant it.
Inside her—
There was a strange warmth.
The way he noticed small things…
The way he didn’t let anything slip…
The way he spoke like she belonged to him…
It should have felt overwhelming.
But instead…
It felt safe.
“Why do you care so much?” she asked softly.
For a second—
He didn’t answer.
Because the truth was simple.
Too simple.
“Because it’s you,” he said finally.
That was it.
No explanation.
No justification.
Her eyes softened instantly.
He pulled her closer again.
This time slower.
Gentler.
Her head rested against his chest.
And for a moment…
Everything felt right.
Inside him—
The chaos quieted.
The need to control.
The irritation.
The restlessness.
All of it faded…
Just because she was there.
In his arms.
His hand moved to the back of her head, holding her close.
Protective.
Instinctive.
“Stay like this,” he murmured.
She closed her eyes.
“Hmm…”
And in that moment—
Adhira wasn’t thinking about exams.
Or hostel.
Or distance.
She was just feeling him.
And Adhirath—
For the first time in a long time—
Wasn’t thinking about control.
He was just…
Holding her.
Don’t Go… But Go”
The drive back was quiet.
Too quiet.
Adhira sat beside him, holding onto his sleeve lightly… like if she let go, the moment would end too fast.
She wasn’t talking.
Neither was he.
But inside—
Both of them were feeling it.
Adhirath kept his eyes on the road… but his mind wasn’t there.
It was on her.
The way she had leaned into him…
The way she listened to him…
The way she trusted him without questions…
He didn’t like this.
Dropping her back.
Leaving her there.
Away from him.
His grip on the steering wheel tightened slightly.
Adhira glanced at him.
She could feel it.
That heaviness.
That reluctance.
Without thinking—
She slowly shifted closer… and gently held his arm with both her hands.
Resting her cheek against his shoulder.
His breath paused for a second.
“Adhira…” he murmured.
She didn’t move.
Just held onto him tighter.
“I don’t want to go…” she whispered, her voice small… almost childlike.
That hit him.
Hard.
For a second, he almost turned the car around.
Almost.
But instead—
He exhaled slowly.
And one hand left the steering wheel, coming to rest over hers.
Holding it.
Firm.
Reassuring.
“You have to,” he said quietly.
Not harsh.
Not forcing.
But certain.
She nodded slightly… but didn’t let go.
By the time the car stopped outside the hostel—
Neither of them moved.
The silence returned.
But this time…
It was heavier.
Adhira slowly lifted her head… but her hand was still clutching his sleeve.
Like a child refusing to let go.
“I’ll call you…” she said softly.
“You better,” he replied.
She hesitated.
Then—
Very slowly…
She leaned into him again.
This time hugging him.
Tightly.
Adhirath stilled for a moment.
Then his arms wrapped around her instantly.
Stronger.
Closer.
One hand at her back.
The other at her head.
Pulling her in like she belonged there.
“Adhirath…” she whispered against his chest.
“Hm.”
“Don’t stay away for too long…”
His jaw tightened slightly.
“I won’t,” he said.
Low. Certain.
She pulled back just a little… but her fingers were still holding onto his shirt.
He looked at her.
Her slightly teary eyes…
Her soft pout…
The way she clearly didn’t want to leave…
And something in him softened.
Deeply.
His hand came up to her face.
Gently brushing her hair back.
“Look at you…” he murmured.
“Acting like a kid.”
She sniffed slightly.
“I am not…”
A faint smile touched his lips.
“Yeah… you are.”
Then—
He leaned in.
Slowly.
And placed a soft kiss on her forehead.
Lingering.
Calm.
But full of something unspoken.
Adhira closed her eyes.
Feeling it.
Holding onto that moment.
“Go now,” he whispered against her skin.
But she didn’t move immediately.
Instead—
She clung to him one last time.
Arms around him.
Tight.
Like she was storing his warmth.
He didn’t stop her.
Didn’t rush her.
Just held her.
After a few seconds—
She finally pulled back.
Reluctantly.
“Bye…” she whispered.
He looked at her.
That same intense gaze.
But softer now.
“Go carefully.”
She nodded.
Step by step…
She walked toward the hostel gate.
But just before entering—
She turned.
And there he was.
Still leaning against the car.
Still watching her.
Like he always would.
Her heart felt full.
And heavy.
At the same time.
She gave a small smile.
Then quietly walked inside.
And Adhirath—
Stayed there for a moment longer.
Because leaving her there…
Never felt right.
But he let her go anyway.
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