The drizzle had turned into a soft, persistent rain as Meher walked toward India Gate.
Umbrella in hand, she pulled her jacket tighter, heart racing faster with every step.
Who is R?
Reyaan? Someone else?
The park looked almost deserted. Only the faint hum of the city and the occasional car passing by.
She spotted a lone figure standing under a tree, slightly obscured by the rain.
"Meher," the voice said calmly.
She froze.
It wasn't Reyaan.
It wasn't anyone she knew.
It was… Rishan — a writer she had briefly met at a workshop months ago in Mumbai.
"Rishan?" she asked, confused.
"Yes," he said, stepping closer. "I didn't want to scare you. But some things you need to know before you get too deep in this project."
Meher frowned. "Project? What are you talking about?"
He hesitated, looking at her with concern. "About the International Writing Exchange Program. About who recommended you, and why someone might not want you there."
Her mind raced. "Are you saying… someone is trying to sabotage me?"
He nodded. "Possibly. And you need to be careful. Not everyone is what they seem."
The rain picked up, dripping down their faces. Meher shivered. It wasn't the cold that unnerved her—it was the sudden sense of danger.
"I don't understand," she whispered. "Why me?"
Rishan looked down at his soaked shoes, then back at her.
"Because you're talented. And someone powerful is threatened by that. They don't want you to succeed."
Meher's chest tightened. Her thoughts instantly went to Aarav.
"What if he… gets involved?" she asked softly.
Rishan shook his head. "Aarav doesn't know. And I'd like to keep it that way—for now. This is your battle, Meher. But I'll help if you need it."
She nodded slowly, mind whirling.
The rain around them was no longer gentle. It was insistent, almost like the city itself was warning her: This storm isn't just about love anymore.
"Meet me tomorrow," Rishan said, slipping a card into her hand. "We need a plan. And you need to be ready."
Before she could respond, he turned and disappeared into the rainy night.
Meher stood alone, clutching the card, heart racing.
Love, distance, and career… all seemed small compared to the storm now heading her way.
And deep down, she knew one thing:
This season wasn't just about rain anymore.
It was about survival.