The rain had stopped slightly, the lights of the street lamps reflected on the wet stones. Masal and Bartu walked side by side; silence was the only sound between them. Bartu stopped for a moment, his eyes quickly turned to the dark corners of the street. Masal leaned back slightly. — "What happened?" he whispered, his voice trembling. Bartu glanced briefly, his voice low and harsh: — "Someone's there. They're watching us." Masal's heart pounded, he took a step back: — "What? Who? Why?" Bartu stepped forward like a shield, his eyes sharp and alert: "Don't let them get close. Just stay close to you." Masal held his breath, his eyes scanning Bartu anxiously: — "Bartu… what's going on?"
Bartu remained silent, only checking the shadows beside him. Masal's questions hung in the air; fear and curiosity mingled within him. Two figures appeared from around the street corner; Bartu noticed them instantly. He quickly pulled Masal aside and tucked him into the shadows. Masal held his breath, his heart beating wildly. "Bartu… what's going on?" she whispered. Bartu glanced briefly, there was only protection and determination in his eyes: — "Just stay by my side. Don't think about anything else." With one move, Bartu neutralized the pursuers; Masal watched in horror and admiration. — "Bartu, why would anyone attack us?" he said in a trembling voice.
Bartu silently grabbed Masal's arm and guided him to a safer side. Masal took his steps beside Bartu, but fear was still visible in his eyes. — "Bartu... who are these? Why didn't you tell me this? Why are you hiding something from me?" Bartu made an uncertain curl at the corners of his lips, still alert: — "There's no answering that now. Just trust me. First of all, it's important that you are safe." Masal shook his head slightly; fear and curiosity were still mixed. "I hope you don't break my trust and faith in you." But with the confidence of being by Bartu's side, he unwillingly approached him.
Yes, Bartu was hiding who he really was from Masal, but the only reason he did this was to protect Masal and live a good life with her, but he hated himself for hiding this from Masal. Their silence was surrounded by the gentle sound of the rain and the dim lights of the city. The two of them walked side by side, without needing words; tension, fear, and attraction danced between them.
As Bartu and Masal sat by the sea, Masal leaned her head on Bartu's shoulder… "Sometimes…" she said, "it's as if our loneliness brought us together." Bartu, without taking his eyes off Masal, "Yes," he replied, "and now we're together, no one can separate us." Bartu felt a strange warmth in his heart when he noticed the courage in Masal's smile.
Masal, on the other hand, encountered a feeling growing inside that Bartu was by her side even in the dark nights, protecting her and caring for her. Bartu held Masal's hand. "You know… I don't want to lose you," he said. Masal smiled slightly, his eyes shining. "Me neither… I don't want to lose you either."