Avanti couldn't shake the feeling that she was being watched, she gripped the basket of vegetables tightly.

She knew that her paranoia was a result of the recent events that had unfolded in her life, but she couldn't help feeling like she was being followed. She noticed a man in a hooded cloak standing at the end of the alleyway, his eyes fixed on her. She sped up, dodged people carrying baskets on their heads, and turned in directions to confuse the man who was following her— all at once.

As she darted through the twisting streets and alleys, she could hear the sounds of the men in pursuit, their footsteps pounding on the cobblestones. But she pushed herself harder, running faster than she ever had before, driven by fear and desperation.

Finally, after what felt like an eternity, she stumbled into a narrow alleyway, her breath coming in ragged gasps. She leaned against the wall, her heart pounding in her chest, and tried to catch her breath.

She felt a hand grab her shoulder. She spun around, her heart racing, to find Keshav standing there, concern etched on his face. "Avanti, are you okay?" Keshav asked, his voice low and urgent. "You need to come with me, it's not safe here."

As they moved through the alley, Avanti could feel the weight of Keshav's gaze on her, and she knew that he was searching for something in her eyes. She could tell that he was suspicious and that he was trying to get her to reveal what she knew.

But Avanti was determined not to give in. She had her own secrets, her own reasons for staying silent, and she wasn't about to let Keshav or anyone else get in the way of her plans.

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Suddenly, a loud commotion broke out behind them, and Avanti turned to see a group of men in dark robes charging towards them. Keshav grabbed her hand and pulled her towards the end of the alley, but the men were gaining on them fast.

Keshav pulled out a small knife from his dhoti and held it out in front of him, ready to defend them both as they ran.

Finally, Keshav forced open a small rusted door, allowing them to enter a dark room riddled with cobwebs.

Keshav and Avanti cautiously stepped into the dark room covered in cobwebs, their eyes struggling to adjust to the dimness. They could hear the sound of their own breathing and the rustling of the cobwebs as they brushed past them.

The air was thick with the musty smell of age, reminding her of old furniture, broken pottery, and dusty books.

Avanti couldn't help but shudder as she looked around the room. She had never been in a place like this before, and it made her feel uneasy.

Keshav put his finger over his lips, signalling her not to make any noise until they know they were not pursued.

Avanti nodded slightly, it was difficult to make out her expression in the dark. They waited there, crouching, listening to the sound of their pursuers' footsteps getting closer and closer. The men were getting louder, their voices echoing through the narrow alleyway.

Keshav gestured for Avanti to move back further into the room, and they crept silently along the wall until they were hidden in the shadows. They could see the silhouettes of the men as they approached the door, their voices growing louder.

Suddenly, one of the men stopped. Keshav held his breath, hoping that they wouldn't be discovered. The man paused for a moment, then shook his head and continued on, his companions following close behind.

Keshav and Avanti waited until they could no longer hear the sound of the men's footsteps echoing through the alleyway. Only then did Keshav let out a sigh of relief, signalling to Avanti that it was safe to move.

They carefully made their way back to the door and peered outside, scanning the area for any sign of their pursuers. When they were certain that the coast was clear, they stepped out into the alleyway and began to make their way back to Keshav's office.