ASHVI'S POV :
There's a different kind of peace that only home can give.
Ever since I was admitted to the hospital, I'd been desperate to come back. And now that I was finally home, I could actually breathe.
Waking up to Mom's homemade food was a thousand times better than that bland hospital food. I swear, it barely had any salt.
Life felt so peaceful.
I didn't even have to go to college. After everything that had happened, Dad insisted that I take a few more days off.
I've already joined college, but sometimes it still feels like school to me. Mom and Dad said I could attend classes if I wanted to, and if I didn't, that was completely fine.
But not today.
Today wasn't a day for overthinking.
Today was a day to rest.
Ayaan had already left for college, so the house was unusually quiet.
Somehow, after thinking about all of this, I ended up making myself hungry.
"Mooom!"
I had barely called out once when she walked into my room carrying a tray of food.
The moment I saw it, my eyes practically sparkled.
"Your food is here," Mom said with a smile.
"Mom, I love you! You always know exactly what I need."
"Of course I do," she laughed. "I'm your mother, after all."
"Now eat your food and get some rest."
"Mom, please don't even mention rest. I've been doing nothing but resting since morning. I can't rest anymore."
Just then, the landline rang downstairs.
"I'll be back," she said before leaving to answer it.
Left alone, I happily returned to enjoying one of the most peaceful moments of my life.
And, of course...
Right when everything was perfect, my phone lit up and started ringing.
"Ugh... seriously? Can't people let me eat in peace?"
I was already sure who it was, so I picked up the phone with an annoyed expression—
Only to realize I was completely wrong.
Yash Calling.
My expression instantly softened.
Yash never called without a reason.
("Hello?")
"Hey, Yash."
("Ashvi! How are you?")
"I'm perfectly fine. Actually, I was just about to do the most important job of my life."
("Oh... so you were spending quality time with the love of your life.")
He sighed dramatically.
("Looks like I called at the wrong time. I've become the third wheel.")
I burst into laughter.
"Wow, Yash. You've gotten to know me really well. And yes, you're exactly the third wheel standing between me and my true love."
("My apologies," he replied. "But I had to interrupt. Otherwise, how would this story ever get its plot twist?")
"What do you mean?"
("If I don't show up in the middle, how is this story supposed to become a proper love triangle?")
Both of us laughed at his ridiculous logic.
("I actually called just to check on you," he said. "The whole class has been unusually quiet today.")
"See? That's the difference my absence makes. Tell my children I'll be back tomorrow."
("Yeah, yeah. Your 'children' miss you very much.")
He chuckled.
("Now go continue your love story with your food. My class is about to start.")
("Take care, okay?")
"You too. Bye."
("Bye.)
I smiled as I placed my phone beside me.
Everything finally felt... normal.
The house was peaceful. Mom was downstairs. Dad was probably working. Ayaan would be home in a few hours.
For the first time in days, I felt safe.
I took another bite of my food.
But the moment I heard a loud sound from outside, my hand froze.
My heart skipped a beat.
For a second...
I wasn't in my room anymore.
I was back in that nightmare.
I quickly shook my head and let out a slow breath.
"No," I whispered to myself. "It's over."
At least...
That's what I wanted to believe.
But what was that sound that came from downstairs?"
"Mom?" I called out, but there was no response. So, I slowly made my way downstairs.
"Mom?" I called again.
"Oh? Why did you come downstairs? Do you need something?" she asked the moment she saw me.
"I called you, but you didn't answer. Then I heard something downstairs, so I came to check. What happened?"
She let out a small laugh.
"It's nothing. The maid accidentally dropped a vase. It shattered on the floor—that's the sound you heard."
My eyes drifted toward the broken vase lying in pieces.
"I'm so sorry, ma'am. Because of me, you had to leave your room and come downstairs," the maid apologized nervously.
"Oh, don't worry about it," I said with a smile. "Honestly, it's a good thing. I was getting tired of doing nothing but resting."
"Now go back to your room," Mom said firmly.
"Mom, I literally just said I can't rest anymore," I complained as I dropped onto the sofa.
"Fine," she sighed in defeat.
The television was already on.
I had told Mom I wasn't going back to my room, but that didn't mean I wanted to sit on the sofa doing
absolutely nothing. I wanted to go outside, but I knew she wouldn't let me—not after everything that had happened.
Better to watch a movie instead.
"Mom! Can I have something to eat?" I shouted.
I didn't even have to look to imagine the expression on her face.
"You just ate, Ashvi. How much more are you planning to eat?"
"I like snacking while watching TV!"
Saying that, I picked up the remote from the table and was about to change the channel when a photograph suddenly appeared on the screen.
"Bangalore's One of the Biggest Business Tycoons Found Dead in a Shocking Incident."
The moment I saw the picture, every memory I had been desperately trying to bury came crashing back into my mind.
I felt my cheeks grow wet with tears.
The remote slipped from my trembling hand and hit the floor.
Without another second, I ran straight to my room.
I slammed the door shut behind me.
My entire body was shaking. My hands and feet had turned ice cold.
No...
What I just saw can't be real.
It was... AJ.
The man in the photograph was AJ.
He was covered in blood.
And that place...
I knew that place.
Tears streamed uncontrollably down my face.
"Ruhaan told me AJ escaped..." I whispered into the empty room..
"That means... he lied to me."
My breathing grew uneven.
Did... did I do that to him?
Is that why Ruhaan lied?
Did I... kill him?