Canvas of Timeless Fate

Chapter 22 - Whispers of Death and silent gestures

I shouldn’t be this excited.

But I was.

And that terrified me.

I exhaled, closing my eyes tightly. This is just temporary, I told myself. This is just because he’s charming and knows how to play with words. It doesn’t mean anything. It can’t mean anything.

But the heat curling in my stomach, the way my skin still tingled where he had touched me…

It was telling me a different story.

A dangerous one.

I sighed, rolling onto my back.

I needed sleep.

Because tomorrow… tomorrow, I would have to face him again.

And I wasn’t sure if I would survive it.

The morning air was crisp, carrying the faint scent of freshly baked bread and flowers from the nearby market. I wrapped my shawl tighter around me as I stepped outside, careful not to make a noise. I needed to get out before Chitra woke up—if she caught me, there was no doubt she would tease me mercilessly about yesterday’s incident.

I sighed, shaking my head. That woman has a sixth sense for romance, even where it didn’t exist.

Did it exist?

I shook the thought away immediately and walked toward the market.

The streets were already bustling with vendors calling out their wares, children running past with joyful giggles, and carts rattling against the uneven stone paths. I stopped by a fruit stall and casually picked up some sweet apples, munching on them as I made my way to the meeting point.

As I neared, I saw them—Adinath and Manik already waiting.

And him.

I ignored the way my heart twisted at the sight of Viraaj standing there, his sharp eyes instantly catching my movement. I didn’t acknowledge him and instead casually tossed the fruits toward him , Adinath and Manik, who caught them with ease.

“Breakfast,” I mumbled simply, still not looking at him.

I felt his gaze.

It was intense, burning into me like he was trying to read my every thought. But I wasn’t going to give him the satisfaction of my attention.

Instead, I quickly diverted the conversation.

“Did you find anything?” I asked, looking at Adinath and Manik.

Adinath nodded, swallowing his bite of apple. “Yes, we found the owner. It was from a jewelry merchant.”

I frowned. “A jewelry merchant?”

Manik gave me a knowing look. “I know. We expected it to be from a painter or an artist, not a merchant. It’s odd.”

I nodded. “So, we go there today?”

“Yes,” Adinath confirmed. “You can see the painting and the owner too.”

Without another word, we started walking.

I kept my pace quick, my mind focused, but—

Of course.

Viraaj fell into step beside me.

I continued to ignore him.

Even when he slowed his steps to match mine. Even when I felt the way his presence lingered close, like he was waiting for me to acknowledge him.