The atmosphere in the car was stifling. The tension hung heavy, like an invisible weight pressing down on all of us. A new guy sat in the passenger seat, his voice loud and sharp as he barked orders into his phone, his tone curt and full of authority.

Kunal was in the driver’s seat, gripping the wheel tightly, his shoulders visibly tense. My gaze flicked to the rearview mirror where Kunal met my eyes briefly. Something in his expression was subtle but unmistakable: a silent warning or a message he couldn’t voice. He blinked once, then looked away, leaving me to frown in confusion.