Stepping out of the park, Ayaan walked alone through the first layer's hallway. Regret gnawed at him over the harsh words he'd said to Nyra.
"How could I say all that to her?" he muttered under his breath. "She was only trying to help…"
Yet alongside the guilt was a growing unease—" Even if I wanted to find her now… where would I even start?"
He paused at every door along the corridor, hesitating to enter any of them. When he reached Nyra's personal cabin, he found it empty. Letting out a long sigh, he turned away.
As he passed the assistant's office, his gaze lingered briefly on the manager's door… but he kept walking. 'Where could Nyra have gone?' he wondered.
Just then, he heard loud thud-thud-thud noises coming from a nearby room—like someone relentlessly pounding a punching bag.
He stopped.
The sound was coming from a sealed training room tucked between the assistant's and manager's quarters. The door was slightly ajar. Ayaan quietly peeked inside.
A punching bag swung violently, suspended from the ceiling. In one corner of the room lay dumbbells, exercise mats, and various pieces of combat gear. But Ayaan's eyes ignored all of that—drawn instead to the girl at the center of the storm.
She had short, fiery orange hair. Wearing only a sports bra and athletic shorts, her body was lean, powerful. Her face was beautiful, yet across her cheeks ran tiger-stripe markings. They looked like painted war streaks at first glance… but far too real.
Ayaan could only stare.
Every punch she threw radiated with fury, yet her form was flawless—controlled, calculated. A toned frame, a calm and composed face... and beneath it all, a storm waiting to break loose. Each punch, each kick sent shockwaves through the bag.
But then—her eyes locked onto his.
Without breaking eye contact, she launched a final kick. It landed with such force that the hook securing the bag gave way—and the entire thing came crashing down.
Right onto Ayaan.
"AAH!" he cried out as the heavy bag knocked him to the ground, pinning him underneath.
After some flailing, considerable awkwardness, and an equal measure of embarrassment, Ayaan managed to shove the bag off and dusted himself off while catching his breath.
Then she appeared before him.
Arms folded, posture rigid and commanding, her sharp gaze pierced right through him—like she could see straight into his soul.
"Staring silently at someone like that? Not exactly polite," she said coldly, her voice crisp and unforgiving.
Ayaan looked up at her, then steadied himself. "No, I wasn't—I mean, I was just trying to figure out what this room was."
Her eyes narrowed.
"And who exactly are you? I don't recall seeing you around here." Her tone was sharp, laced with suspicion—as if trust was a foreign concept to her.
"I… I'm—" Ayaan began, but before he could finish, she seized him by the collar with both hands and, in one swift motion, lifted him off the ground.
His feet dangled in the air.
Her strength was staggering—effortless.
"Answer me!" she barked, eyes blazing. "Who are you? Are you one of my enemies?"
There was a primal intensity in her expression, a wild instinct that suggested she might strike at any moment.
Ayaan couldn't speak— Her grip on his collar was so tight, it nearly cut off his air. He struggled to break free, but her hold was like stone—unyielding and immovable.
Just then, a familiar voice echoed through the room. "Luna, stop! Put him down—now!"
Nyra had arrived.
The moment Luna heard her sister's voice, she immediately let go. Ayaan dropped to the ground with a heavy thud.
Nyra rushed to his side, grabbing his hand to help him up. "Are you okay, Ayaan?"
Panting, Ayaan replied, "Yeah… barely breathing, but still alive."
Nyra turned sharply to glare at Luna, her voice edged with anger. "Luna! Have you completely lost your manners? Is that any way to talk—or treat—someone?"
Luna rolled her eyes, replying with a dismissive pout, "He was staring at me. I didn't like it."
Nyra glanced at Ayaan, then let out a small laugh. "Okay, fine—he was staring. He's kind of a troublemaker… I know him well."
Annoyed, Ayaan snapped, "Hey! Whose side are you on—mine or hers?"
Luna's eyes sharpened as she said coldly, "Watch your tone with my sister. Say one wrong word, and I'll break your jaw."
Ayaan blinked in surprise. "Sister? She's your sister?"
Nyra shrugged casually. "Oh! Forgot to mention that part… this is Luna, my older sister."
Luna smirked sarcastically. "Pleasure's all yours."
Nyra stifled a laugh and added, "She only looks angry on the outside. Deep down, she's soft. So don't tease her too much."
Ayaan, inwardly, could only think: 'What a crazy woman...'
Nyra turned back to Luna. "And Luna, this is Mr. Ayaan."
Luna rolled her eyes again. "Yeah, yeah. I've heard of him. Just never saw his face."
Nyra nudged her with a grin. "Well? What do you think of his face?"
Trying not to laugh, Luna said, "Looks just like a monkey," and burst out laughing.
Ayaan, irritated, said loudly, "Excuse me! I'm standing right here!"
Luna turned to leave. "I'm starving. I'm heading to the canteen. Catch you later, Nyra."
Ayaan watched her walk away and muttered to himself, "Man, that girl's insanely strong…"
Then he turned toward Nyra and said, "Nyra, I'm really glad you showed up…"
But as he looked closer, he noticed—Nyra was still sulking, her arms crossed, lips pursed in a pout.
Ayaan softened his voice. "Umm… Nyra, hey… listen…"
Nyra turned away, pouting. "Hmph! Who am I to say anything to you? You'll just yell again. Better if we don't talk at all."
To melt her annoyance, Ayaan pulled something from his pocket. "Here, you must be hungry," he said, offering her a chocolate bar—her favorite.
"CHOCOLATE?" Nyra's eyes lit up. She squealed with joy and immediately broke a piece off, munching it with an excited "nom nom nom" sound.
Ayaan watched her with a soft smile. As she chewed, her cheeks puffed out and a little chocolate smeared the corner of her lips. Now and then, she let out a satisfied "mmm… yumm…" as she enjoyed the treat.
"You eat just like a squirrel," Ayaan said with a laugh.
Still chewing, Nyra grinned and said with a full mouth, "Fine, you're forgiven."
Ayaan chuckled. "Glad to hear that."
Silently, he thought to himself, 'Winning her over was child's play.'
Later, the two of them began walking toward the manager's office. Ayaan looked a little tense, beads of sweat gathering on his forehead. Nyra noticed it immediately.
Without a word, she gently took his hand.
Ayaan felt the warmth of her soft palm, and glanced at her.
She met his gaze and gave him a smile—one filled with love and quiet courage.
Ayaan returned a small smile of his own. In that moment, some of his fear eased. Her hand in his, and that comforting smile, gave him strength. It reminded him of his little sister.
Without exchanging a word, the two kept walking toward their destination. Between them was a quiet bond—small, yet deeply comforting for Ayaan.