Marked By Darkness

Chapter 4- Colliding Paths

Two days later, in the evening...

Ruhi's POV...

Ding Dong...

Anshi opened the door with a warm smile.
"Ruhi!"

"Can I come over?" I asked, almost hesitantly.

"Of course, come on in," she said, stepping aside for me.

I entered, feeling a slight tension hanging in the air, weighed down by everything on my mind.

Anshi looked at me with a touch of concern.
"By the way, why haven't you been picking up my calls? I've been trying for two days."

I sighed, the weight of it all pressing down on me.
"I've been a bit stressed out."

She tilted her head.
"What's going on now?"

I ran my fingers through my hair, trying to collect my thoughts.
"It's about my video content... and that day when my mom called and asked about you. It's still bothering me."

Anshi furrowed her brows.
"Listen, I'm still not entirely clear on what happened that day either. Maybe your mom stumbled on something and had to ask you, even if she had to... bend the truth. It could be that someone else said something to her, or maybe it's just a situation we don't fully understand."

"Who would say something like that to my mom?" I paused.
"And if there's something else going on... what could it possibly be?"

Before Anshi could answer, my phone rang.

"Yes, Ruhi speaking."

"Ms. Ruhi, did you apply for a credit card?" an unfamiliar voice asked on the other end.

"No, I didn't," I replied quickly before hanging up.

Anshi looked over, curious.
"Who was it?"

"Just a fake call," I rolled my eyes.

"Ugh, those are getting more and more frequent these days."

"You're telling me."

Anshi chuckled and motioned toward the kitchen.
"Want some coffee?"

"Yeah, sure."

Five minutes later...

Anshi handed me a mug with a smile.
"Here's your coffee, darling."

I sipped it, immediately noticing the taste.
"Why is this coffee so bitter?"

"Ran out of sugar." She shrugged, grinning.
"Thought I'd let you try a 'pure' coffee experience."

I laughed.
"Now I'm going to be wide awake all night, thanks to this 'pure' bitterness."

She laughed back.
"Well, it's good for the heart-or so they say!"

I noticed the hint of frustration on Anshi's face and asked gently, "Any news from the interviews?"

Anshi sighed, resting her hands on the table. "Nothing yet. No calls, no emails. I'm starting to think I wasn't good enough."

I frowned and leaned closer. "Don't even think that. You're amazing at what you do, and if they can't see it, that's their problem."

Anshi gave a faint smile. "Teaching at a college feels like the dream, but maybe it's just out of reach."

"It's not," I said firmly. "You've got the passion and the knowledge. You've always dreamed of being a professor, and trust me, you'll get the job that's meant for you, one where you'll shine like you always do."