44

I watched Vishant look between me and Advik, "So, are you guys still together?"

"Vish, do you know them?" This time it was Esha.

Vishant smiled and glanced at me, "Ria and I were classmates."

I stared at him blankly, trying to remember him, but my brain came up empty. A sense of helplessness and guilt washed over me as I couldn't recall anything. It was as if a thick fog surrounded my mind, preventing me from accessing the moments. The more I tried to grasp the memories, the more they slipped through my fingers, leaving me feeling empty.

No matter how hard I tried, there were only blank spaces in place of memories.

"Ria, I think we should go home. It's getting late." My thoughts were interrupted when I heard Advik speak. His voice was laced with a hint of panic. I looked at him and saw his tense demeanor, fear flashing in his eyes.

Why is Advik so insistent on leaving?

What is he hiding from me?

My brows furrowed when he held my wrist and started dragging me, saying goodbye to Esha. We walked a few steps, but I halted, making him stop and look at me.

"Wait! Advik, stop. I want to talk to Vishant." I said, trying to free my wrist.

His grip on my wrist tightened, almost desperate. "No. We are getting late." His voice was sharp and cold, leaving no room for conversation. He started making me walk forcefully, and we reached the parking lot where his car was parked.

The parking lot was dimly lit, shadows casting eerie shapes on the ground. The air was thick with unspoken words.

"But I want to know my past," I spoke, pulling my hand away from his grip.

He sighed and turned towards me, his eyes softening, "Ria, there is nothing in your past. Leave it."

"No. I won't. I deserve to know things about my life." I folded my arms across my chest. A lump formed in my throat as I spoke, "And how do you know there is nothing? You weren't even there."

His jaw clenched, and I continued, trying to bring out something from him, "Or... were you?"

Advik's eyes darted around, avoiding mine. He froze for a moment before unlocking his car and opening the door for me. He didn't reply. He was ignoring me. And I knew something was wrong. I could tell he was hiding something from me; his actions and expressions gave it away.

"Stop thinking about it." His whisper came, and I couldn't do anything but roll my eyes.

I was getting annoyed. Vishant is the last hope for me. He is the key to the door on which I had been knocking for years. And I won't let this key slip from my hands.

Ever since we have settled abroad, I have no connections with anyone from my past except Grandma and Aaron. They had always avoided the topic of my past. I don't even have photographs. They believe making me remember things will result in me getting seizures. This doesn't make sense to me. I told them infinite times it wouldn't happen, but despite that, they had more trust in that doctor than me.

Now, that I have met Vishant, my curiosity in me was getting stronger. Maybe after talking with him, I may find some pieces of evidence for the investigation.

Coming to the present, I watched as Advik gestured for me to sit inside. I remained motionless in my spot with my arms crossed. He cannot do this to me. He can't interfere like this when I am so close to knowing everything.

I took a step back, unfolding my arms, "I'm going to him."

Before I could take further steps, he held my arms and pushed me against the car door, making my back knock on the door. Advik's grip on my arms was strong but gentle, his eyes wild with a mix of fear and desperation.

"You. won't. meet. him," he growled, his voice low and dangerous. A shiver ran down my spine, but I was determined. Nothing could stop me. I jerked away his hands from my arm and met his gaze with my own unwavering one.

"Why did he ask if we are still together?" I whispered, my voice trembling. Tears gathered in my eyes, blurring my vision.

The cool night air brushed against my skin, carrying the faint scent of the sea. My heart pounded in my chest, each beat echoing the urgency of my need to know. The distant hum of traffic was a stark contrast to the tension between us.

Every fiber of my being screamed for answers, but the fear of what I might uncover held me back. Yet, I couldn't let this chance slip away.

Little did I know, what this meant. I wasn't a kid after all. I knew the answer but still, was too afraid to accept that.

Advik's face contorted with helplessness. "Ria, please. Let's just go home," he pleaded, his voice cracking.

"No, I need to know," I insisted, my voice gaining strength. "You can't keep me in the dark forever."

His shoulders slumped, and for a moment, he looked utterly defeated. "Ria, it's not safe for you to dig into your past. You have to trust me on this."

As the words left his mouth, I got my answers.

The heaviness in my chest grew.

I asked him a million times, yet he denied it. A feeling of betrayal came creeping in, but I dodged it off. I still wanted to hold onto the hope that he didn't lie to me. My stupid heart was being too optimistic.

I won't jump to conclusions until I hear the truth from him.

"Trust you?" I scoffed, wiping away a tear. "How can I trust you when you're hiding things from me?"

He took a deep breath, his eyes softening. "Because I care about you. More than you know."

"Then let me find out," I snapped, my voice breaking. "I deserve to know the truth."

He stared at me in defeat for a long two minutes, then looked away, taking a step back "Okay. If that's what you want. But not now, meet him tomorrow."

"Really?" I asked, a feeling of relief spreading over me.

He nodded but his eyes told me different things.

==================

Late at night, I stood on the balcony of my room, with millions of thoughts running through my mind. The cool breeze did little to calm the storm inside me.

My phone again pings with a message.

'Tomorrow will be a big day for you. All the best.'

I stared at it; it was again the unknown number. I pushed back the urge to throw my phone from the balcony. That message only added to my irritation. My head was already hurting like hell. And this only increased my pain.

But, after this, I need to be careful tomorrow.

Releasing a deep breath, I looked at the empty roads stretching out below, illuminated by the occasional streetlight. The silence was almost deafening.

Suddenly, I felt a presence beside me. The familiar aroma of coffee filled my nose. Advik extended a cup of steaming coffee towards me. I stared at it for a second and turned my head in the other direction, without taking it.

"Trust me, I make the best coffee. Don't miss out," he said, his voice gentle yet insistent, a hint of a smile playing on his lips. His demeanor was calm, almost serene as if he were completely unaffected by what happened earlier.

No matter how much I was dying to taste the first-ever coffee he made for me, I just couldn't bring myself to it. The storm inside me was too much. Memories I couldn't grasp, emotions I couldn't name, and all those threats—they all swirled within me, making it hard to breathe. Besides that, I was preparing myself for the worst- the betrayal I was going to receive.

I gripped the railings, feeling the cold metal bite into my palms, as he put my cup on the table with a soft clink and leaned his back on the railings while facing me. It was hard to maintain the cold facade under his intense eyes. And he kept staring, his gaze unwavering, searching for something in my expression.

Getting annoyed, I finally looked at him. He took a last sip from his coffee, still looking at me, his eyes filled with a mix of concern and something else I couldn't quite place. Despite my irritation, his calmness was almost contagious, making me more irritated.

Gathering my lost voice, I spoke out coldly, "Are you hiding something from me?"

He chuckled, his expression softening. He set his empty cup down and took a step closer, his hand reaching out to gently touch my arm and making me look at him. "What is there to hide?"

I shrugged my shoulders, "I don't know. Why didn't you let me meet Vishant?"

"Ria. We are done with that discussion."

"No, we aren't."

"Don't push it." His voice was dangerously low, but it didn't scare me.

"Why? Why should I stop? And who the hell are you to stop me?" I shouted getting angry, my voice breaking at the end.

"Because it might affect your health. I don't want to lose you." He spoke calmly, tucking my hair strand behind my ear.

I stared at him.

How does he know about my health?

My suspicion grew.

"Were you there in my past?" I whispered slowly, asking him for the last time, and expecting him to tell the truth.

He bit his lips and stared right into my eyes.

After a few seconds passed, he spoke, "No."

I closed my eyes and looked in the other direction.

My brain screamed he was lying. Yet, my stupid heart wanted to believe him.

I snapped, "Then stop stopping me from knowing it. I want to know. And I will know."

He shook his head negatively; his eyes flashing in defeat as he took a seat on the sofa.

I stared at him; he wasn't making eye contact.

He was upset. But I was shattered, I couldn't do anything. Everything happening in my life was too much. I couldn't think properly.

I looked at him. "I will stop. But on one condition." I spoke out and went towards him. He looked up at me with furrowed eyebrows, slowly nodding his head.

"Tell me about your past."

As the words left my lips, he looked away from me.

10 seconds passed.

30 seconds passed. And he was still in his thoughts, battling if he should tell me or not.

I smiled sadly. I know he won't tell me anything.

60 seconds passe—

"Okay." He spoke and looked me in the eyes, standing up and towering over me.