14. Alyssa

CHAPTER 14

ALYSSA

" L et's go away," Raaj says the moment I walk out of the bathroom.

"I mean, I'm still putting on my underwear," I smirk. "Want to help me pick it out?"

"No, I mean, lets leave Mars," he says.

I blink, taken aback by Raaj's sudden proposal. "A holiday? Right now?" My mind whirls, trying to process this abrupt shift. "I mean, that sounds amazing, but I've got patients, responsibilities. I can't just up and leave."

Raaj steps closer, his eyes intense. "Work will wait, Alyssa. We've just discovered something rare, something beautiful. Don't you want to explore it?"

His words send a shiver down my spine, but practicality nags at me. "Of course I do, but-"

"Earth," he interrupts. "We could walk on beaches, lose ourselves in ancient forests." His voice drops lower, more intimate. "Or Pluto, if you prefer the cold. We could curl up together under the stars."

I can't help but laugh. "Pluto? Talk about a chilly getaway."

"Then how about further?" Raaj's eyes sparkle with excitement. "Centauri Prime has those bioluminescent caves. We could make love bathed in living light."

The image he paints is tempting, so tempting. I bite my lip. "God, Raaj, you're making it hard to be responsible."

He takes my hands in his. "Maybe that's the point. When was the last time you did something just for you? Just because it felt right?"

I hesitate. "It's been... a while," I admit.

"Then let's change that," Raaj urges. "We have this bond, this jalsaghar. It's precious, Alyssa. Rare. Don't you want to see where it leads?"

His words resonate deep within me. The responsible part of my brain is screaming about duty and obligations, but my heart... my heart is pounding with possibility.

"I..." I start, then pause, torn between desire and duty.

I stare into Raaj's eyes, searching for answers. His intensity both thrills and unnerves me. "This is... a lot, Raaj. It's not like you to be so impulsive."

He cups my face gently. "Maybe you're bringing out a new side of me."

I can't help but smile, even as doubt gnaws at me. "It's tempting, it really is. But I can't just vanish without a word."

"Then don't," Raaj says. "Take care of what you need to. I'll make the arrangements."

I bite my lip, wavering. "I do have some work in New London..."

"Perfect," he says, a hint of relief in his voice. "You handle that, and I'll meet you at Olympus Mons Spaceport later today."

It all feels so rushed, so unlike the steady, dependable Raaj I've come to know. A knot forms in my stomach. "Raaj, wait," I say, grabbing his arm as he turns away. "What's really going on here? This doesn't feel like you."

He tenses under my touch. "Nothing's wrong, Alyssa. I just... I want to make the most of our time together."

But I can see it in his eyes – there's more he's not telling me. The air between us grows thick with unspoken tension.

"Please," I say softly. "If something's bothering you, you can tell me. We're in this together now, remember?"

Raaj's jaw clenches. He opens his mouth, then closes it again, conflict clear on his face.

"Raaj," I press, "what aren't you telling me?" The man who was cold, then scorching hot, and now is desperate to escape. I know he's hiding something.

I watch Raaj wrestle with himself, his internal struggle playing out across his face. His jaw clenches, then relaxes, only to tighten again. It's like watching a battle unfold in slow motion, and I'm not sure which side is winning.

"Raaj," I say softly, reaching out to touch his arm. "Whatever it is, we can face it together."

He takes a deep breath, his eyes meeting mine. "You're right," he says, his voice low and strained. "There is something I need to tell you. But... not here. Not now."

I feel my heart skip a beat. "When?"

"Once we're away," he says, his hand covering mine. "When we're relaxing on vacation, I promise I'll tell you everything."

I search his face, looking for any sign of deception. But all I see is sincerity... and fear. Whatever this secret is, it's clearly weighing on him heavily.

"Raaj," I begin, but he cuts me off.

"I swear to you, Alyssa," he says, his voice gaining strength. "On my life, on this bond we share, I will tell you everything. But please, trust me when I say it's better if we're away from here first."

The intensity in his eyes takes my breath away. This isn't just a promise – it's a solemn vow. I can feel the weight of it settling between us, as tangible as a physical object.

"Okay," I whisper, nodding slowly. "Okay, I trust you."

Relief washes over his face, and he pulls me into a tight embrace. I can feel his heart pounding against my chest, matching the frantic rhythm of my own.

As we stand there, holding each other, a thousand questions race through my mind. What could be so important, so dangerous, that we need to leave the planet before he can tell me? Part of me wants to demand answers now, but the look in Raaj's eyes stops me. Whatever this is, it's clear he believes he's protecting me by waiting.

I pull back slightly, looking up at him. "So, Olympus Mons Spaceport?"

He nods, a small smile tugging at the corners of his mouth. "I'll make the arrangements. You take care of what you need to here."

"Right," I say, trying to inject some lightness into my voice. "I guess I better start packing. Any suggestions on what to bring for our mystery destination?"

Raaj's smile grows a little wider. "Pack light. We can get whatever we need along the way."

I can't help but laugh. "You're really going all-in on this spontaneous adventure thing, aren't you?"

"With you?" he says, his eyes softening. "Always."