“Aadhriti, don’t run! Please, listen to me just once!” Ishan’s voice cracked as he called out, desperation lacing every word. The busy road around them roared with the chaos of city life—honking horns, vendors shouting, the hurried footsteps of passersby. But to Ishan, it was all a muted blur. The only thing that mattered was the girl running ahead of him, slipping further out of his reach with every step.