Aira

I woke up earlier than usual.
Today was the day I'd finally go back to college.
After almost a month of silence, strange routines, and unspoken rules-I was stepping out. Into the normal world again. Or at least... pretending to.

I walked into the kitchen quietly and began preparing breakfast like I always did. His diet chart echoed in my mind-two eggs, multigrain toast, half avocado, no sugar black coffee. My plate was simpler. But this morning... everything felt heavier. Final.

I served the food on the table just before 7:30 AM, timing everything like I had learned to do.
He came down a few minutes later.
Hair damp. Shirt crisp. Eyes darker than usual.
He didn't say anything.

Just pulled the chair and sat down, scanning the plate as always. Approved.
I sat across him.

There was tension in the air. Like we both knew what today meant.
I cleared my throat softly. "Your coffee's warm."

He nodded once, sipping it slowly. His gaze never really left me, though.

After a few silent bites, I dared to speak.
"Thank you... for letting me go."
His eyes slowly met mine. Calm. Unshaken. Dominating.

"I'm not letting you go, Aira. I'm just allowing you to step outside."
His words wrapped around my spine like invisible chains. A reminder. A threat wrapped in care.

I simply nodded.
Once we finished eating, I cleared the table quickly, grabbed my college bag, and came back to the living room.
He was already waiting-keys in hand, sunglasses on, like some dark knight from a mafia dream.

🥀🥀🥀

Karan

She came down the stairs with her bag slung over one shoulder, wearing a simple shirt and jeans. Modest. Clean. Innocent.
But she still looked like a sin.
My sin.

Her lips were slightly pink, maybe from biting them in anxiety. Her hair tied in a loose braid, a few strands falling in front of her face. She was trying to look normal. Like a regular college girl.
But she wasn't. Not anymore.
She was mine.
And today, I was sending her out there.
Into a world that didn't deserve to look at her.

I clenched my jaw as I grabbed my car keys and signaled toward the door.
"Let's go."
She didn't speak. Just nodded quietly and followed me to the car.

The ride was silent for the first few minutes. Just the sound of traffic and her quiet breathing beside me.
Then I spoke.
"Stick to your schedule. Attend lectures. Don't wander."

"I won't," she said softly.

"Don't talk to anyone unless necessary. Especially boys."

She hesitated. "O-okay."

"If anyone touches you... even by mistake-" I paused, knuckles tightening around the steering wheel. "I'll know. And I won't be calm about it."
She swallowed but didn't argue.
Smart girl.

We reached the college gate.
A few boys were already there. Laughing. Hanging around bikes. Eyes wandering.
I parked the car at the far end and turned to her.

"I'll pick you up at 4. Sharp. You'll be waiting right here. If you're even five minutes late..." I didn't complete the sentence. Just let it hang like a blade in the air.

She nodded quickly. "I will be here."
I leaned in closer, brushing a strand of her hair behind her ear.

"I've never liked sharing, Aira. Don't give me a reason to regret this."

She looked into my eyes then, nervous... but brave. "I won't."

I watched her walk away, disappearing into the crowd. And every cell in my body screamed to go after her. To pull her back in the car.
To lock her up forever where no one could reach.
But I didn't. Because sometimes... you have to let the leash loosen.
Only so you can tighten it again later.

🥀🥀🥀

Aira

The air smelled the same.
Damp concrete. Chalk dust. That strange, comforting scent of brewing coffed from the canteen. It should've made me feel at home.
But it didn't.bNot anymore.

College used to be my escape. Now it felt like walking into a dream I had already woken up from. Everything looked the same. But I didn't feel the same.

I reached my department, a familiar voice broke through the morning buzz.
"

AIRA! You're back!"

I turned to see Wren, my closest friend. Her smile wide, eyes lit up like I'd come back from the dead."God, where have you been?!" she said, hugging me tightly.

"Hey... I missed you," I replied, hugging her back. It felt good. Safe.

Other classmates joined in, some teasing, some asking where I had disappeared. I gave vague answers-family stuff, personal break, needed time off. None of them knew I'd been living in a different world for the last few weeks-a world ruled by silence, rules, and eyes that saw too much.

I smiled. Laughed a little. Listened. I even took my old seat in class. Scribbled notes. Tried to blend back in. But my mind kept wandering.
To the man who dropped me off like he was sending me into enemy territory.
To the quiet way he said "I'll know."
To his rules. To his hands.

I wasn't scared of anyone here anymore. But I was scared of what I had become. The day passed quietly. Classes felt long. Familiar. Safe.
But my body remained tense all through it.
I didn't break any rules. I didn't talk to any guy.
I didn't even reply to joey's smile when we crossed paths near the water cooler.
Because I remembered what happened last time I did.

When the final lecture ended, I called him. Like he asked. "Done for the day?"

"Yes."

"Good. I'm outside."
I smiled to myself. Nervously. And walked out.

🥀🥀🥀

Author :- That's it for this chapter. I know its a little short, but its okay....