---
The late evening breeze curled through the narrow lanes, carrying the scent of wet dust and street food. Akhil's house stood at the far end, its gate creaking with the wind.
She was there.
Still.
Waiting.
Hoodie zipped, bag at her side, head tilted slightly down. Streetlight painted her hair in shades of gold.
She heard it first — the faint crunch of gravel under approaching footsteps. Her heart jumped.
"Akhilllll—" she called out, half joy, half relief.
But the voice that answered was not his.
A man emerged from the shadows, tall, in a light coat. His eyes scanned her calmly before he stopped a few steps away.
"Oh," he said casually, "Hi, young lady. Are you waiting for someone?"
She froze. Her voice turned cautious. "Who are you?"
The man smiled faintly, introducing himself with an oddly rehearsed rhythm. "John Yatharth. From Japan. I'm looking for someone… someone who hides in darkness."
She frowned. "What?"
Before John could elaborate, a sharper voice cut through the street from behind him.
"Get aside."
John turned. There he was.
Akhil.
Hood down, hands in pockets, eyes glinting under the dim streetlight. He didn't rush forward — just studied John, slowly, deliberately.
John's lips curled into a half-smile. "Two inches."
Akhil narrowed his eyes. "What do you mean?"
"Oh, nothing," John replied smoothly. "You're just… a bit taller."
But Akhil's attention had already shifted. He looked past John at the girl sitting on the steps.
"Babe?" His voice softened into something sweet, almost gentle. "What are you doing here? It's quite late. May I take you to your place?"
She lowered her gaze, cheeks warm. "I was just worried about you… but now I'm relieved."
John's voice cut between them like a blade. "Sorry to interrupt, but I have business with you, Akhil."
The sweetness in Akhil's tone vanished instantly. "Shut your mouth." Then, softer again, "Let's go, babe. I'll drop you home."
As they passed, Akhil threw one final glance at John. "We'll talk later."
John tilted his head. "Will you come back?"
Akhil didn't even break stride. "One hundred percent."
They disappeared around the corner, their footsteps fading.
---
John sat down on the steps, pulling his phone from his coat pocket. It rang almost immediately.
Hinata's voice spilled through the line, fast and anxious. "Did you meet him? How is he? He's alright… right?"
John kept his eyes on the street where Akhil had gone. "Wait, Hinata. Just a little."
---
Scene shift – Taxi Stand
They stood beside the rows of idling yellow cabs, engines humming faintly. The street smelled of petrol and fried pakoras.
"What's the matter with that man?" she asked, voice wavering. "And why were you out of contact? I missed you… a lot." Tears welled at the edges of her eyes.
Akhil stepped closer, his shadow falling over her. "Babe, I'm sorry. My whole family went missing. I was at the police station." His voice stayed steady, but his eyes… cold, unreadable.
"They're still missing," he continued, "but tomorrow I'll come to school. For now, you should go home. Your parents will be worried." He forced a smile. "Bye, sweety. Loooooooove youuuuu."
She sniffled, managing a smile. "I'm sorry. I didn't mean to doubt you."
"No problem," he said lightly. "Go home."
"Okay… see you tomorrow, avocado."
She climbed into the back seat of a taxi, giving him one last look before the cab disappeared into traffic.
---
Akhil retraced his steps through the silent streets, eventually spotting John still waiting at his doorstep.
"So," John said, rising, "you're back."
"What's your business?" Akhil's tone was flat.
"I'm here to find someone."
"I know," Akhil replied immediately. "You're looking for Akira, right?"
John's eyes flickered, but his face stayed neutral. So he's not hiding it. "Yes… you're right."
"He's dead," Akhil said plainly. "I killed him."
On the phone still clutched in John's hand, Hinata's voice exploded. "You son of a— you're kidding, right?! John, he's lying, right?!"
John didn't answer. He was still locked on Akhil's expression.
"I think you're Hinata," Akhil said calmly, as if she were standing right in front of him. "Hi, Hinata. I'm not lying. I killed Akira because that—" his voice sharpened "—had killed my family."
"No," Hinata's voice cracked. "Akira's not that kind of person. He's… he's a good person!"
Akhil reached forward, took the phone from John, and ended the call with a single tap.
He handed it back. "John, are you okay? So… case closed."
Without another word, Akhil stepped inside his house. "Good night."
The door shut with a heavy click, leaving John on the dark, empty street.
And for the first time since landing in India, John realized the air felt heavier here.
---