Chapter 10:- How I Met Your Father 2

She stood there, frozen in shock, unable to comprehend what had just happened. The man turned to her, his expression softening.

"Are you okay?" he asked, his voice now gentle.

She nodded, still too shaken to speak. He gave her a reassuring smile. "Good."

As she found her voice, she asked quietly, "Who are you?"

"My name is Arjun," he said, his accent clear. "I'm just a traveler."

She looked at him in awe, noticing for the first time his kind eyes, his composed demeanor. He didn't seem like the type to get into fights, yet he had just saved her with such calm strength.

"Thank you," she whispered, her voice shaky.

He nodded, his eyes still warm. "It's alright. I was just passing by."

She hesitated for a moment, then blurted out, "Can you please accompany me till my home, with you I feel safe.

She walked beside him, still feeling the lingering effects of fear, but now there was something else—a growing curiosity. He had saved her life, and now she couldn't stop glancing at him, wondering about the stranger who had appeared so suddenly, like a guardian angel.

After a few moments of silence, she finally spoke. "Where did you learn to fight like that?" Her voice was soft, but filled with genuine awe.

Arjun chuckled lightly, rubbing the back of his neck. "It's called Kalaripayattu. It's an ancient martial art from my home in India. My grandfather taught me when I was a boy. It's kind of a family tradition—we all have to learn it, whether we like it or not.

Though, to be honest, no one in our family really minds. We start young, so it becomes part of who we are, teaching us self-discipline early in life.

And you won't believe, even now my grandfather who is in his 80s can lift more then people in their twenties here can." He glanced at her, a little embarrassed. "I never imagined I'd actually have to use it like that, though."

Her eyes widened. "It was incredible. You fought like… like it was second nature."

He shrugged modestly. "I guess all those years of practice paid off. My grandfather used to say it was more than just fighting—it was about self-control, balance. You don't fight unless you need to. It teaches us what true warriors are like."

She found herself smiling a little. "Well, I'm glad you needed to today. Those boys…" She shivered at the thought of what could've happened. "They were dangerous. If you hadn't been here, god knows what would have happened to me today."

He nodded, his expression serious for a moment before softening again. "I'm just glad I was in the right place at the right time. But why didn't you fight back? It was good that I was here, but I'm just a traveler. I can't protect you every time, you should fight back."

Arjun's question hung in the air, and she felt her chest tighten. The smile that had briefly formed on her lips disappeared. She slowed her steps, her eyes dropping to the ground as a wave of memories came rushing back.

"I… I couldn't," she whispered, her voice barely audible. "Whenever something like that happens… my body just freezes."

Arjun glanced at her, his brow furrowing. He didn't say anything, just let her speak.

"It's happened before," she continued, her voice trembling. "When I was younger, something terrible happened. I was in a situation where… where I couldn't do anything.

I was completely helpless. And ever since then, whenever I feel that same fear—like today—I freeze. My mind screams for me to move, to fight back, but my body just won't listen."

She wrapped her arms around herself, trying to shake off the coldness that had settled in her bones. "I hate it," she admitted, her voice cracking. "I hate how weak it makes me feel. Like I'm just… at their mercy. Like I'll never be able to protect myself."

Arjun slowed his pace too, walking alongside her in silence for a moment. He seemed to be choosing his words carefully, his usual easy going demeanor replaced by quiet understanding.

"That's not weakness," he said gently. "What you went through… it's not something anyone should have to face. Your body is freezing up—it's not your fault. It's just how you've learned to cope with the fear. It doesn't make you any less strong."

She shook her head, a tear slipping down her cheek. "But it does. It makes me vulnerable. It makes me feel… powerless."

Arjun stopped walking, turning to face her. His eyes were kind, filled with empathy. "You're not powerless," he said softly. "You survived. You're here, standing tall, moving out despite everything that's happened to you.

Rather than shutting yourself in the house, you are still moving out even when you know what might happen, that takes more strength than you realize."

She looked up at him, her eyes brimming with emotion. She wasn't sure if she believed his words, but there was something comforting in the way he said them. In that way he didn't judge her or make her feel ashamed for her fear.

"You're stronger than you know," Arjun added, his voice steady. "But I understand why you feel like this. Fear… trauma… it's not something you can just push aside. It's something you have to work through, bit by bit."

She bit her lip, her heart aching as she listened. "How do you work through something like this?"

He smiled softly. "One step at a time. You're already doing it, whether you realize it or not. And you don't have to do it alone."

There was a pause, the two of them walking side by side as the city buzzed around them. She glanced up at him again. "You said you're a traveler?"

He nodded. "Yes, I'm just passing through. I've been traveling for a few months now, exploring new places, trying to learn about different cultures."

Her curiosity deepened. "Where have you been?"

"Before here, I was in Japan, and before that, Southeast Asia. Each place has something unique, you know? The food, the people, the history. I find it all fascinating."

She admired the passion in his voice. He spoke with such openness, a genuine interest in the world around him. "That sounds… amazing. I've always wanted to travel, but I've never left Korea."

He smiled, glancing at her. "Maybe one day you will. There's so much out there to see. But this place—it has its own beauty too."

"H-H-How long are you going to stay in Korea?" She asked, gripping the hem of her dress.

"Atleast 2-3 months at best, I'm going to take my time exploring the place and learning about your culture." Said Arjun.

"W-W-Will you help me face my fears, i feel like with you I would be able to overcome my problems, I want to feel free," she said as she used all of her courage to say that fearing she isn't too overbearing and asking too much that too with some stranger whom she just met.

'I hope he doesn't think I'm too clingy, given we haven't met for even an hour,'

"Sure, if it'll help you overcome your fears, then why not," said Arjun, giving a genuine smile.

She found herself blushing a little at the way he said it, like he truly appreciated being there. "You're different," she blurted out, then quickly looked down, embarrassed. "I mean… you're not like anyone I've met before."

Arjun smiled warmly. "Is that a good thing?"

She laughed softly, her nerves fading bit by bit. "Yeah. It's a very good thing."

They walked in comfortable silence for a few more moments before she finally gathered the courage to ask, "So… what are you going to do next?"

He looked thoughtful. "I don't know yet. I like to take things one day at a time. No real plans—just going wherever the road takes me."

She admired that. He seemed so free, so unburdened by the things that weighed her down in her life. "That must be nice. Not having to worry about what comes next."

He looked at her more closely now, sensing the sadness behind her words. "It has its perks, but everyone has things they carry, right? It's not always easy."

She nodded, feeling a strange connection to him, like he understood more than she had expected. "Yeah… I guess that's true."

The conversation drifted into small, comfortable exchanges about his travels, her life in the city, and the places she loved. He listened intently, showing genuine interest in everything she said. With each step, she felt a little lighter, a little safer, and more drawn to him.

As they reached the end of the road near her house, she hesitated for a moment, then blurted out, "Can you please accompany me till my home? My locality isn't very safe, but with you, I feel safe."

Arjun looked at her, surprised, but then nodded with a gentle smile. "Of course."

They walked the rest of the way together, and as they neared her home, she found herself not wanting the moment to end. Gathering her courage, she asked, "I… can I show you around the city sometime? As a way to thank you?"

He looked surprised again, but then his face softened into a warm smile. "I'd like that."

Author's Note:

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