Marked By Darkness

Chapter 12- Have to Remember.

At Morning...

Anshi's POV...

Seeing Ruhi like this hurts more than I can express. I can't help but wonder about Sounak-who exactly is he? How did he become such a pivotal part of her life, and how did I miss it all? Why did he leave her like this, in such an emotional state? If he was once there for her, where is he now? What could have happened to create this distance between them? The more I think about it, the more my heart aches, wanting to understand their connection fully. But without all the pieces, it's like trying to heal a wound without knowing the cause. How can I help her when I don't have all the answers?

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Ruhi's POV...

Why does it feel like you're so far away from me, even when you're so close? In my dreams, you're always there, but you're never really with me. You're either fading away, or you stay silent, leaving me with so much unsaid. I can't explain this feeling-it's like you're right in front of me, but still so distant. Sounak, the ache in my chest is growing. It's so painful, I don't know how much longer I can bear it. I wish I could reach you, pull you back, but it feels like a never-ending struggle. Please, come back... come back to me.

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Anshi placed my breakfast in front of me: warm toast and coffee made by her mom. She sat across from me, her gaze filled with concern.

"Are you okay, Ruhi?" she asked softly, her voice trying to break through the thick cloud of silence hanging between us.

I forced a small smile, pushing the heaviness down for just a moment.

"Yeah, I think so," I muttered, not quite believing my own words.

Anshi didn't let it go. She leaned forward, studying me intently. "Tell me, what happened this morning?"

I let out a breath, gathering my thoughts. It wasn't easy, but I needed to talk about it. "I saw Sounak... in my dream. The setting was perfect-like something out of a movie. Beautiful weather, beautiful scenery. I was waiting for him, just like I've been in real life. And, like always, he was late."

Anshi raised an eyebrow, her curiosity piqued. "What do you mean by 'as usual'? Have you met him before?"

I hesitated, the memory too raw, but it felt like she needed to hear this. "Yes, I've met him before."

Anshi leaned in, listening intently. "Okay, go on. What happened next?"

I swallowed hard, fighting the lump in my throat. "He apologized for being late, and we started talking. I was about to tell him everything, just how I've been feeling, but then... it started raining. And he had to leave for a friend's place. Our conversation never got finished. Again."

Anshi's voice was quiet but knowing. "I see. Your wish won't be fulfilled, Ruhi, until you can make him understand how you feel. Until then, these dreams will keep coming, won't they?"

I sighed deeply, the weight of it all crashing down. "But I just... I need some peace. It's so exhausting, Anshi. I can't keep doing this."

Anshi was quiet for a moment, then leaned forward, her eyes softer but still probing. "Tell me, Ruhi... how and when did you meet Sounak? I've never really heard the full story."

I paused, taking a deep breath. This was a part of my past I hadn't wanted to revisit, but Anshi's tone made it clear she needed to understand. "It was when you moved away for college," I finally said, my voice barely above a whisper.

Anshi didn't let up. "How did it happen? What's the full story? I need to know, Ruhi. Everything."

I felt a knot tighten in my chest. I wasn't ready to go there. "I don't want to remember those things, Anshi. It's too much."

Anshi's expression hardened, her voice firm but full of care. "You have to, Ruhi. If you don't remember, if you don't face it, then none of us will be able to help you. You can't keep hiding from this."

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