Chapter 54: Forty Four

Lengthy Chapter Ahead.

Flashback continues

After discarding the gifts, Misha felt a sense of relief wash over her. The next morning, she decided to take the bus to university, as her car was out of commission. On her way, as she stepped off the bus, her foot slipped, and a pin sticking out from the handle grazed her arm, tearing her sleeve and leaving a painful scratch. Wincing but pressed for time, she chose to ignore the injury and hurried toward her class, already running late.

After her lecture, Misha finally made her way to the university’s medical care. Once her wound was cleaned and dressed, she headed to the library, hoping to study in peace. Barely a minute had passed since she sat down when she noticed her two friends, Mira and Arohi, sprinting toward her.

"Misha! Misha!" Mira called out, nearly skidding to a halt in front of her.

Startled, Misha rose from her seat slowly, frowning as she watched the two catch their breath.

"What happened, guys? Why are you running like someone’s chasing you?" Misha asked, chuckling nervously at their disheveled state.

"Not behind us, but definitely behind you!" Mira exclaimed dramatically between gulps of air, her expression animated.

Misha’s frown deepened. "What? What are you talking about?"

"Idiot," Arohi scolded, smacking Mira’s arm, making her yelp and rub the spot. "She doesn’t understand anything when you talk like that! When will you stop saying nonsense?"

"I’m not talking nonsense! I said the truth!" Mira argued, pouting.

Arohi sighed, turning back to Misha, who was now looking between them, thoroughly confused.

"Misha, listen to me. Something happened," Arohi said carefully, her tone serious.

Misha blinked. "What happened? What’s going on?"

Arohi hesitated, glancing at Mira before continuing, "You know those students who used to trouble you?"

Misha’s stomach churned as a hint of fear crept into her voice. "Yes... What about them?"

"Well....." Arohi trailed off, unsure of how to break the news.

"Just tell her!" Mira blurted out impatiently. "Those guys were beaten up. Badly."

Misha froze. "Beaten up?"

"Yes," Arohi confirmed reluctantly. "Four of them are unconscious, and two of them... they’re in really bad condition. Like, hospital-bad condition."

Misha’s eyes widened in shock, her legs feeling weak beneath her.

"What?" she whispered, panic rising in her chest. She darted her eyes around the library as if looking for an explanation.

"I swear, it’s true!" Mira nodded quickly. "Everyone’s talking about it!"

"No... no, this can’t be happening," Misha muttered, her voice trembling. Without another word, she bolted from the library, her heart pounding in her chest.

"Misha! Wait! Stop!" Mira yelled, running after her.

"Aree! Yaar, ruk ja!" Arohi shouted, following closely behind, both of them determined not to lose sight of their frightened friend.

Misha rushed to the hospital near her university, her heart pounding with worry and dread. The sight that greeted her in the emergency ward made her breath catch in her throat. The students who had bullied her were unrecognizable-beaten so brutally that their faces were swollen, bruised, and bloodied. The doctors rushed to tend to them, pushing stretchers into the emergency room. Despite the torment they had caused her in the past, Misha couldn’t suppress the pang of guilt and sadness that gripped her heart.

Her mind raced. Why had she been so afraid when she heard about this? Why had she run here without thinking? They may have been cruel to me, but they’re still my classmates, she thought, her hands trembling.

As she stood there in a daze, a sharp voice broke through her thoughts.

"So, are you happy now?"

Misha turned to find Riya, one of her classmates and the girlfriend of one of the injured boys, glaring at her with fury in her eyes.

"What do you mean by that, Riya?" Misha asked, her brows furrowing in confusion. Her face reflected a mix of anger and disbelief.

"How could I possibly be happy when someone gets hurt?"

"Oh, don’t act innocent," Riya scoffed, crossing her arms.

"You must be thrilled that they got what they deserved, right?"

Misha exhaled deeply, struggling to keep her temper in check.

"Listen, Riya. You and your friends have accused me of things I never did, time and time again. I know you all don’t like me. I know you hate me because I took the top spot in the university rankings, but let me make this clear-it wasn’t your place to hold. Anyone who works hard can earn that spot. Just because you couldn’t doesn’t mean I should stop trying or that you have the right to treat me like this!" Misha finally let go of her frustrating of all this time.

Riya’s expression twisted in anger, but Misha continued, her frustration pouring out.

"And no, I am not happy about what happened to them. If they got beaten up, it’s because they must have done something terrible to someone who wasn’t willing to tolerate it anymore. Don’t you dare blame me for this." Misha expressed with sigh.

Mira and Arohi arrived just in time to hear Misha’s outburst. Mira clapped her hands sarcastically, grinning at Misha’s rare display of anger.

"Finally!" Mira said, her voice dripping with satisfaction.

"I can finally breathe peacefully! I’ve been waiting for you to snap at these snakes for ages!" She shot Riya a disdainful look.

"I told you long ago, Misha. You should’ve stood up for yourself! But no, you always said it was fine. ‘Ignore them,’ you said. And look where it’s gotten you! Snakes will always spit poison, and here she is, accusing you again," Mira said, glaring at Riya, who clenched her fists in frustration.

Riya snapped back, her voice sharp with anger. "Misha, they were beaten up because of you! That lunatic who’s obsessed with you-he did this to them because they troubled you! So yes, it is your fault they’re lying in there like this." Riya pointed at Misha with anger.

The words struck Misha like a lightning bolt, sending a shiver down her spine. "W-What are you talking about? Who? Who did this?" she asked, her voice trembling with panic. She stepped closer to Riya, desperate for answers. "Riya, do you know who it was? Tell me!"

Before Riya could respond, a nurse approached and called her away to complete some formalities. Riya threw one last glare at Misha before walking off without answering her question.

"Riya! Wait! Please tell me!" Misha called after her, but Mira quickly held her back.

"Misha, calm down. She’s just spouting nonsense because her boyfriend got beaten up," Mira said, trying to reassure her.

But Misha shook her head, her voice filled with worry. "No, Mira, it’s not nonsense! I need to know who did this!"

Arohi stepped in, placing a calming hand on her shoulder. "Misha, let’s leave this place first. We’ll figure things out later, but you need to calm down."

Mira nodded in agreement. "Arohi’s right. Come on, let’s go."

Reluctantly, Misha let them guide her out of the hospital, her mind racing with questions and fears. Who could it be? And why would they do this in my name? The unease in her heart only grew stronger as they walked away.

Misha sat on the campus bench, her thoughts spiraling as she replayed the incident over and over in her head. She couldn’t shake the gnawing suspicion about who had acted so recklessly. Guilt clawed at her chest, suffocating her, but she wasn’t ready to accept why that person was doing this or what they wanted from her. Even Mira and Arohi, her closest friends, had tried to calm her down, insisting it wasn’t her fault. But Misha couldn’t find peace. She felt trapped in her thoughts when someone sat beside her on the bench.

"Misha." The voice broke her reverie, but she didn’t respond. Her mind was too preoccupied.

When the person tapped her shoulder, she flinched and turned abruptly, startled to see Aadhiran sitting next to her.

"Oh, Aadhiran! I’m sorry, I was just..... just thinking about something," Misha stammered with an awkward laugh, trying to compose herself.

"It’s Aadhi for you," Aadhiran corrected her with a small smile. "I told you that yesterday, didn’t I? Now, what were you thinking about?" Aadhiran rised his eyebrows.

"It’s not that important," Misha replied with a nervous chuckle, avoiding his gaze.

Aadhiran’s smile faded, replaced by a frown as he narrowed his eyes. "Really?" He said with pressing on word.

His skeptical tone made Misha uneasy, but she nodded, hoping he would drop the topic.

"Don’t lie to me," Aadhiran said firmly, his cold eyes locking onto hers. "I know it’s about those students who got beaten up, isn’t it?" Aadhiran looked on at her with cold her.

Misha’s head snapped toward him, her brow furrowing. "How do you know about that?"

Aadhiran sighed. "I study at this university too, Misha. Just a few classes away and a year ahead of you. I hear everything that happens here," he said with a chuckle, though his gaze held a knowing intensity.

Misha felt embarrassed and mentally facepalmed for forgetting such an obvious detail. "Oh..... I see," she mumbled, an apologetic look crossing her face.

"Don’t scold yourself over it," Aadhiran said, his tone softening. "Just tell me-what’s bothering you so much?" Aadhiran waited for her to speck.

Misha hesitated but finally spoke. "Aadhiran-I mean, Aadhi..." she corrected herself, earning a small nod from him. "I don’t know, but I feel.....guilty about it." Misha looked down.

Aadhiran frowned. "Guilty? Because those students got beaten up? Wait-don’t tell me you were the one who did it!" he said, feigning shock with wide eyes.

Misha glared at him, her cheeks puffing in frustration. "Don’t look at me like that! Of course, it wasn’t me," she huffed.

Aadhiran laughed, his teasing demeanor lightening the air. "I know, I know. I was just trying to make you smile. Now tell me-why do you feel guilty?" Aadhiran asked his tone calm.

Misha bit her lip, unsure whether to share her suspicions about the stalker. She had only known Aadhiran for a closestdthough he seemed trustworthy, she couldn’t bring herself to confide in him.

"I just feel like..... like they got beaten up because of me," she admitted softly, staring at the ground.

Aadhiran studied her in silence for a few moments before speaking.

"Alright. I can see you’re not telling me everything, and that’s okay. But listen, Misha," he said, his voice calm yet firm, "even if they got beaten up because of you, it’s justified. Those guys used to trouble you, didn’t they? They deserved it. You don’t need to feel pity for people like that." Aadhiran said with his firm eyes hai tone cold.

Misha frowned, her eyes meeting his. "But Aadhi, it’s not right to hurt someone over petty college issues. At our age, it’s normal to have disagreements. We should talk things out and resolve them. It’s not such a big deal that someone should resort to violence," she said, her tone firm.

Aadhiran chuckled darkly, his eyes gleaming with an edge that sent a chill down her spine. "Oh, Misha," he said, leaning slightly closer. "You really live in your own little world, don’t you? A world where everyone is innocent and kind. But that’s not the real world, and staying away to reality won’t help you." Aadhiran chuckled with smug expression.

Misha blinked, taken aback by his words and the coldness in his tone.

"They got what they deserved," Aadhiran continued, his voice dropping lower. "In fact, you should be grateful to whoever dealt with them. They did you a favor." Aadhiran expression went unreadable.

His words sent a shiver through Misha, but she quickly brushed it off.

'Aadhi, that’s not how I see it..." she began, trying to explain her perspective. But she realized she couldn’t change his mindset-it was his choice to believe his perspective. With a sigh, she decided to let it go.

"It’s alright. I’m getting late; I should leave now," Misha said with a forced smile as she stood.

Aadhiran smiled back, but his gaze lingered as he noticed a bandage wrapped around her arm. Before he could ask her about it, she had already walked away.

As he watched her retreating figure, his smile turned into a smirk.

"So innocent… just how I like it," he murmured, his eyes darkening with something unreadable. Taking a deep breath, he stood and walked away.

That day marked a shift. Everything in Misha’s life changed after that encounter-she saw and experienced things that would haunt her, leaving her reluctant to even step out of her home. What she would see and experience would shake her to her very core.

Misha had been unable to sleep ever since that first incident. The nightmare that had begun on that fateful day spiraled into a series of horrifying events, each one more shocking and heartbreaking than the last.

It started with something as simple as rescuing a dog from the road, a dog she quickly grew fond of and brought home. The bond she formed with the animal brought her a sense of peace she hadn’t felt in a long time. But that fleeting happiness was ripped away the very next morning when she found the dog, lifeless and cold. The shock of losing something she cared for so deeply left her emotionally devastated.

Then, as if the universe wasn’t finished punishing her, news reached her that her friend Mira had been in a terrible accident, and Misha couldn't shake the feeling that she was to blame. The torment only grew worse. When she refused the stalker’s persistent gifts, he retaliated by setting her father's car. Her father’s car was set ablaze right in front of their house, terrifying her family and sending Misha into a spiral of panic and guilt.

Her life became a daily torment, with phone calls at all hours of the night. The stalker insisted on torturing her with endless conversations, threatening to hurt those she loved if she didn’t comply. Fearful of the consequences, her mind a haze of dread and anxiety. Her once-promising academic performance began to falter, as her focus shattered under the pressure.Her academics suffered as her focus deteriorated, and even her once-friendly professor became a target. He was brutally beaten simply for being kind to her, leaving her more isolated and afraid.

But the breaking point came on a Sunday, when Misha decided to step out and visit a nearby café. She had been feeling a bit better, and she hoped a change of scenery would help. There, she met a little boy.

"Miss, there!" the boy had said brightly as he approached her, his eyes sparkling with innocence. Misha smiled back, the first genuine smile she had shared in weeks.

"Hey, are you a fairy?" he asked with a mischievous grin. That boy asked as he saw watching Misha from a moment she entered cafe and she was so sad while looking outside, and his mom told him that geart magic is that making someone laugh.

Misha laughed, her heart lightening. "A fairy? Well, I do have magic powers, but I’m not sure I’m the fairy type." Misha face light up after days at that boy innocent eyes.

The boy giggled. "Can you make flowers grow?" He looked at her with wide eyes expecting a words which makes him surprise.

Misha smiled warmly. "I wish I could, but I think magic works better with some dirt and sunshine." Misha pinched his cheek.

"That's okay! My mom says sunshine is the best magic anyway." The boy leaned closer, as if telling her a big secret. "She says the best magic is when you make someone laugh." That boy said with smile making Misha heart melt.

Misha felt a warmth in her chest. It had been so long since someone had made her laugh, especially a child so full of life.

As they talked for a while, Misha found herself smiling again, laughing at the boy's silly jokes and playful stories. He had such an infectious energy, his innocence and joy so pure that Misha couldn’t help but feel a little lighter, if only for a moment.

Before Misha had to leave, the little boy kissed her on the cheek, a sweet, innocent gesture as she also kissed back. "Thank you for being nice," he said with a grin. "I’m going to tell my mom I met a fairy today." That boy said with smile and Misha chuckled.

Misha’s heart fluttered, touched by his kindness. "I’ll take that as a compliment, little one," she said softly, watching as he ran off.

But as she turned to leave, Misha was stopped in her tracks by the screeching sound of brakes. Her heart stopped as she watched in horror-right before her eyes, the little boy was struck by a car. He flew through the air, landing motionless on the ground. Misha screamed, rushing toward him, but it was too late.

The rest of that walk home felt like a blur. Her body moved on autopilot, but her mind was numb, detached from reality. When she finally reached home, there was a letter waiting for her. It was from the stalker.

"The boy died because of you." Every word in that letter left her shock and guilty.

Those words, written in cold, cruel ink, shattered the fragile shell of hope Misha had built. The guilt crushed her. Every person she got close to-every person she interacted with-seemed to be hurt or taken away. The feeling of being a curse was suffocating.

She shut herself off from the world. The decision to isolate herself felt inevitable. It wasn’t just to protect herself; it was to protect everyone else, too. If talking to her could cause pain or even death, then it was better to remain silent, to never speak again.

From that day forward, Misha rarely left her home. She avoided everyone, speaking to no one, her world shrinking into silence. And in her silence, the grief and guilt festered, wrapping around her like chains she couldn’t escape.

It was finally graduation day, and despite her reluctance, Misha couldn’t miss it. Her best friend, Arohi, had come to her house and convinced her to attend. After weeks of shutting herself in her room and refusing to talk to anyone, Misha's parents, Rajeev and Gayathri, felt a wave of relief when they saw their daughter step out, even if her face was devoid of joy. They believed she was still upset about the car fire incident, which they had dismissed as a mechanical fault, unaware of the real torment she was enduring.

When Arohi and Misha arrived at the university, the campus was bustling with energy and celebration. Students in elegant attire laughed and chatted, excited for the big day. But Misha's expression remained distant, her face devoid of even the smallest smile. Arohi noticed and sighed, linking her arm with Misha’s as they entered the lively campus.

"Misha, don’t do this," Arohi said gently, touching her arm. "It’s our graduation," she emphasized, trying to ignite some excitement in her.

But Misha barely reacted, her face blank and detached. Before Arohi could say more, a loud voice broke through the crowd.

"MISHA! My yaar, I missed you!" Misha and Arohi looked towards the person.

Mira’s cheerful voice rang out as she approached, beaming with energy. Her recovery after the accident was evident in her healthy glow. Misha turned to look at her, her expression unreadable. Mira, as usual, was undeterred.

"How do I look, huh?" Mira twirled dramatically, showing off her elegant dress.

At first, Misha stood motionless, her lips trembling. Then, tears welled up in her eyes, and she broke down, rushing forward to hug Mira. The unexpected outburst startled Mira, but she quickly embraced her friend, patting her back soothingly.

"Hey, don’t cry, yaar. It’s graduation day! Are you that upset that you’ll have to leave us?" Mira teased, though her voice held a note of concern.

Arohi gave Mira a small nod, silently urging her to continue.

"Listen, don’t even think about leaving us. We’re your permanent memories, okay? And don’t forget, you have all our secrets. You’re basically our walking, talking diary! We can’t afford to lose you," Mira joked, her wide grin contagious.

Despite herself, Misha chuckled through her tears, breaking the hug.

"This is all my fault," Misha whispered, her voice cracking. "Because of me, you got hurt. Because of me, everything happened." Misha sniffed between cry.

Mira’s smile faded, replaced by a fierce glare. "Are you serious right now? It’s not your fault-it’s that stalker’s! Let me find out who he is, and I’ll teach him a lesson he won’t forget!" she huffed, her fiery determination making Arohi and Misha laugh.

Arohi placed a comforting hand on Misha’s shoulder. "Come on, graduation is about to start. Let’s go." Mira took Misha hand took her from there.

The trio made their way to the grand hall, where the ceremony unfolded in a blur of speeches, cheers, and farewells. For the first time in weeks, Misha felt a weight lift from her shoulders as she spent the day surrounded by her friends.

The ceremony went smoothly, and by the end of it, the three friends found themselves strolling through the campus one last time, talking and reminiscing. Misha felt lighter after finally sharing her feelings, and for the first time in weeks, she felt a small flicker of relief.

As they talked, Riya approached them hesitantly. Mira noticed her first and glared. "Why are you here? Come to blame us for something again?" she asked, disdain evident in her voice. Arohi turned to look at Riya with the same hostility, but Misha simply frowned, unsure of Riya’s intent.

"No," Riya said calmly. "I came to apologize." She smiled.

Mira’s eyes widened. "Apologize? You? Don’t try to trick us." Mira looked Arohi with disbelief who looked same.

"I’m serious," Riya said, her voice steady. "Misha, I want to apologize for everything we did to you. It wasn’t right. I know you got the top rank through your hard work, not because of your father’s influence. Back then, I was jealous….. that you took my place being first to university but jealousy is common in college, isn’t it?" She offered a faint smile. "This is our last day together, and I don’t want to carry this guilt. Won’t you forgive us?"Riya looked with apologise eyes.

Misha looked at her for a long moment. Behind Riya, her group of friends stood at a distance, holding their ears in a gesture of apology.

Mira was skeptical. "Is this for real? I can’t believe this!" Mira looked behind at her friends and at Riya.

"Me neither," Arohi added, shaking her head. "You, of all people, apologizing?" Arohi also looked shocked, Riya Rai who used to hate them so much and used to trouble them at every step now apologising.

Riya nodded. "I get it. It’s hard to believe. But I’ve realized my mistakes, and I just want to make things right before we all part ways." Riya sounded genuine.

Misha’s lips curved into a small smile. "We won’t mind having you as a friend, right, girls?" Misha looked at Mira and Arohi.

Arohi shrugged. "I’m fine with it."

Mira crossed her arms, pretending to be reluctant. "Well, I’m still mad about that time you threw away my ice cream and chips. But… fine, I’ll forgive you."

The group laughed, breaking the tension. They shared hugs, and Riya’s group joined in, making the moment bittersweet. But as everyone began leaving, Riya lingered behind.

"Misha, can I talk to you for a minute?" Riya’s tone turned serious, and Arohi and Mira stopped, sensing the change in atmosphere.

"Sure," Misha replied cautiously.

Riya hesitated before speaking. "I’ve seen you with Aadhiran… and I’ve wanted to tell you something for a while now, but I was scared."

Misha frowned. "What about him?"

"He’s the one stalking you," Riya said bluntly. "Aadhiran Raisinghania-he’s not just a senior. He’s dangerous. He’s the one who beat up my friends and tortured you. He’s obsessed with you."

The words hit Misha like a thunderbolt. Her mind reeled as she tried to process what Riya was saying.

"I wanted to warn you earlier, but every time I tried, he was there. And he made it clear-he threatened me not to tell you." Riya looked at Misha with pleading eyes. "Please, Misha, stay away from him. He’s not who you think he is."

Misha stood frozen, her mind racing as the pieces began to fall into place. Arohi and Mira were equally shocked, their expressions mirroring her confusion and disbelief.

Riya sighed. "I just couldn’t keep this to myself anymore. Please be careful, Misha," she said softly before walking away.

As silence settled over the group, Arohi spoke first. "I can’t believe it. Aadhiran… all this time?"

"He acted like he cared for you, but he was behind everything," Mira said angrily.

Misha didn’t respond. She turned and began walking away, her thoughts a tangled mess. Mira started to follow, but Arohi held her back. "Let her process it," Arohi said softly.

As Misha walked out of the campus, the weight of the revelation pressed heavily on her. The Aadhiran she thought she knew had been a facade all along, and now, she had to decide what to do next.

Misha’s heart pounded as she drove, her mind replaying every horrifying memory that haunted her. The flowers, the notes, the unsettling stares-they all pointed to one man. Aadhiran. Her hands gripped the steering wheel tighter, anger and betrayal coursing through her veins. She parked her car outside the upscale restaurant he had chosen for her supposed graduation celebration. The luxury of the place didn’t faze her; her mind was laser-focused on the confrontation ahead.

With blazing determination, Misha strode into the restaurant. The staff gave her curious glances, but she ignored them. The venue was eerily quiet, confirming her suspicion-Aadhiran had reserved the entire place. A display of power, no doubt. She spotted him in the private area, dressed impeccably, a confident smile playing on his lips. But to her, that smile now looked twisted.

Aadhiran’s brows furrowed when he saw her walking toward him, her steps quick and purposeful. She was early; her graduation ceremony shouldn’t have ended yet. He smiled anyway, assuming she had been eager to see him. He stepped forward, his arms slightly outstretched. But before he could utter a word, the sharp sting of a slap echoed through the room. His head snapped to the side.

For a moment, silence engulfed the space. He clenched his jaw, his teeth grinding as he slowly turned back to face her. His expression darkened, his eyes narrowing dangerously.

"What the hell was that for?" His voice was low, cold, and laced with menace.

Misha’s chest heaved as she glared at him, her hand still tingling from the impact. She wasn’t sorry. Not one bit.

"What did I do?" she spat. "What I should’ve done a long time ago." Misha eyes blazed with anger.

Aadhiran straightened, brushing an invisible speck from his sleeve. "And can I ask why you slapped me?" His voice was deceptively calm, but his eyes glinted with rage.

"You really don’t know?" Misha scoffed bitterly. "How many masks are you planning to wear, Mr. Aadhiran Raisinghania?"

His expression faltered for a split second, a flicker of uncertainty passing through his features before he quickly recovered.

"Misha, you’re upset," he said smoothly. "Let’s not ruin the evening. I’ve prepared everything for your celebration. I’m your closest friend-maybe even more than that-so let’s enjoy this together." Aadhiran said with faint smile.

He reached for her hand, but she recoiled as though his touch burned her. "Don’t you dare touch me," she snapped. Her voice was firm, her eyes blazing with fury.

Aadhiran’s eyes darkened, his calm facade cracking.

"And why not?" he asked, his voice dropping an octave. "Don’t forget-I was the one who comforted you when you were at your lowest. I’ve always been there for you. I’m your friend, Misha. What’s wrong with you?" Aadhiran said with calm tone yet dangerous.

"Stop pretending!" Misha shouted, her voice echoing in the empty space. "You’re a monster!" Misha pointed out.

The corner of Aadhiran’s mouth quirked upward, forming a sinister smirk. So, she knew. He didn’t need to hide anymore.

"Monster?" he repeated, chuckling softly. "No, my dear. I’m your friend. Maybe even more than that." He took a step closer, his voice dripping with mock concern. "Now, let’s not dwell on this. Come with me. Let’s celebrate." Aadhiran said with wrecked smile.

He grabbed her wrist, but she wrenched it free with a force that surprised even herself. "I said don’t touch me!" she hissed.

His smile vanished, replaced by a chilling stillness. "Misha," he said in a dangerously calm voice, "don’t make me angry. You won’t like me when I’m angry." His face showed the suppressed anger.

"Oh, really?" she shot back, her voice trembling with both anger and fear. "What will you do? Kill me? Or maybe you’ll go after the people I care about, just like you’ve done before?"

His smirk returned, wider this time, and darker. "Ah, so you do know," he drawled. "Say it, then. Let’s hear what you think you’ve figured out."

Misha’s throat tightened, but she forced the words out. "You’re the one who’s been stalking me. Sending flowers, chocolates, beating up anyone who came near me-it was all you, wasn’t it?"

Aadhiran laughed, the sound starting light and friendly before descending into something sinister. "And here I thought you’d never find out,” he said, shrugging casually. “Yes, Misha. It was me. All of it."

Her voice broke as she asked, "And Mira’s accident? That was you too, wasn’t it?"

Aadhiran’s smirk widened. "Your little friend was always getting in the way. She annoyed me, so….. I took care of it. Just a minor accident."

Misha’s heart shattered. She staggered back, her hands trembling. "She almost died, Aadhiran!"

"And?" he said nonchalantly. "She survived, didn’t she?"

Her voice rose again, trembling with both rage and heartbreak. "And the boy in the café-the one who…...was with  me? That was you too, wasn’t it?"

Aadhiran’s expression turned cold.

"Of course. That little brat had no right to touch you. And you let him! You kissed him back. He needed to learn a lesson." Aadhiran tone was casual.

"That ‘lesson’ cost him his life!" Misha screamed, tears streaming down her face.

"He was just a kid," she whispered, her voice breaking.

"And that’s exactly why it doesn’t matter," Aadhiran said, his tone dripping with cruelty. "Why are you crying over a kid?"

"What do you want from me?" she cried. "Why are you doing all this?"

Aadhiran stepped closer, his presence suffocating. He cupped her chin, forcing her to meet his eyes. "Because I want you, Misha. I’ve wanted you since the moment I saw you standing on that stage. Your voice, your confidence-it was intoxicating. I’m obsessed with you. And what I want, I get." He said his tone cold.

Misha jerked away, her glare cutting through him. "You’ll never have me," she said, her voice trembling but defiant.

His smirk returned, sinister and smug. "Oh, Misha. I wouldn’t make promises you can’t keep. You belong to me, whether you like it or not." Aadhiran smirk widened.

Misha’s stomach churned. The man she thought was her friend had been a predator all along. But she wouldn’t let him win-not without a fight.

Aadhiran’s grip tightened around Misha’s wrist as he leaned close to her ear, his warm breath brushing against her skin. Making Misha to winch her face with disgust.

"Whispering Wind," he murmured with a smirk,

"the name I gave you. Do you know why? Because you’re so silent, so calm, yet you always manage to stir something within me." He is time calm with untold threat.

He straightened up, the wicked glint in his eyes intensifying. "Now, let’s celebrate your graduation. Shall we?" His voice carried an unnerving gentleness that only made Misha's panic grow.

She tried to pull her hand away, but his grip was ironclad.

"Don’t. Even. Try." Aadhiran's voice dropped to a menacing tone, his teeth grinding as he yanked her closer. "You’ve already made me angry with your stupidity."

Misha glared at him, her chest heaving with a mixture of fear and defiance.

"Why can’t you just come with me?" Aadhiran’s voice was cold, his irritation spilling out as he ran a hand through his tousled hair. "Why did you have to find out it was me? You’ve ruined the thrill. The game was fun, and now it’s over, thanks to you!"

He slammed his hand on a nearby table, making Misha flinch. His sudden outburst was loud enough to echo in the empty restaurant, and his wild, unhinged expression made her heart race with fear.

"You bloody woman! Why couldn’t you just leave things alone? Why did you have to uncover the truth?" Aadhiran’s voice was sharp and filled with frustration.

Misha stared at him, her mind spinning. He was unraveling right in front of her, his behavior no longer controlled, no longer the mask of the friend she once thought he was.

"Now you know who I am," Aadhiran said with a chilling smirk, his voice dropping to a whisper. "It means you can’t stay outside anymore."

Without another word, he grabbed her wrist again, pulling her toward the exit with a force that made her stumble.

"Where are you taking me?" Misha cried out, panic lacing her voice as she struggled against his hold. "Let me go, Aadhiran!"

But her pleas only seemed to fuel his madness.

"You wanted to know more about me, didn’t you?" Aadhiran snarled through clenched teeth, dragging her out of the restaurant. "Fine! Now you’ll know what happens to those who dig too deep."

As they stepped outside, Aadhiran suddenly froze. His grip on Misha’s wrist faltered as his dark eyes locked onto a tall, imposing figure standing near the restaurant entrance-his father.

Aadhiran’s father was a man of authority, his mere presence enough to command attention. Dressed impeccably, he turned his sharp gaze toward his son, then to Misha, noticing the fear etched on her face and the firm grip Aadhiran still held on her wrist.

"Aadhiran," his father said in a low, cold voice, "let go of her hand. Now."

Aadhiran shook his head, avoiding his father’s piercing gaze. He looked down, his fists tightening, his defiance clear yet shaky.

"I said," his father repeated, his tone rising slightly, "let go of her hand."

Aadhiran hesitated, his jaw clenching as he shot a glance at Misha. For a brief moment, she thought he might refuse, but then his father took a step closer, his patience visibly thinning.

"Let. Go. Of. Her. Hand." His father’s stern voice boomed, his authority impossible to ignore.

Aadhiran flinched at the shout, his anger momentarily overtaken by fear. Slowly, reluctantly, he loosened his grip, releasing Misha’s wrist.

Misha staggered back, her breath catching in relief.

"How many times have I told you to stop this madness?" His father’s voice was sharp and cutting as he glared at Aadhiran.

"Why can’t you listen to me? Do you realize how far you’ve gone? Day by day, you’re acting more like a madman!"

Aadhiran stood silently, his fists trembling at his sides. His gaze darted around, looking everywhere but at his father. His lips curled into a bitter smile, a clear sign of his spiraling mind.

"I told you to meet your doctor today, didn’t I?" his father continued, his anger barely contained. "Then what are you doing here?"

Aadhiran didn’t respond. He started pacing in small circles, muttering to himself under his breath. His erratic movements and distant stare sent a shiver down Misha’s spine. This wasn’t just anger-this was something far darker.

Seizing the opportunity, Misha took a shaky step back, then another. When she was far enough away, she turned and ran as fast as her legs could carry her, her heart pounding in her chest.

She didn’t stop until she was far from the restaurant, her mind racing with fear and disbelief. That was the last day she ever saw him.

Flashback end's

All of you

Do tell me if I need to improve anything here.

I am new to writing so mistakes are common but I promise to give prefect stories ahead.

For now, if there any mistake in this please pardon me.

And

I wanted to end this flashback in one chapter as I don't to tug it till next chapter.

Have a great day