Maya stood frozen, droplets of water cascading down her skin as she faced the stranger. His intense gaze held her captive, and for a moment, the world around them faded into silence. The forest, the waterfall, and even Rukhmini's muffled whispers became a distant echo.

"Who are you?" Maya finally managed to stammer, breaking the tension in the air. Her heart raced, not just from fear but from an inexplicable thrill coursing through her veins.