Your fabricated lie

14 - Darkside

I was made to stand in front of a big black wall. I mean, I am not sure if it is black. I assume it to be black as that is all I can see in the dark. The room was completely dark. "Ready?" I heard his voice. I nodded my head as if he can see it. Stupid me.

He did something like press a button or pull a string kind of thing which made a huge curtain like stuff move aside. At once the room we were in was filled with yellow light from the opposite room. There was a glass in between. Now I would be called a literal stupid if I call this a room. It is definitely more than a room. It itself was a whole freaking home.

My jaw dropped at the sight.

"Anu, let me introduce my wife, Roshini," he said while tears were already rolling in my eyes.

Though the room was top notch, she was not in a good condition. Hands tied. Legs tied. A bump on stomach indicating her pregnancy. A tear of mine rolled down and I took a few steps forward.

"She cannot see us as this glass makes it visible only from one side," Adi said.

She had her hair left and wore a long white gown. She looked nothing less than Anushka Sharma from the movie 'Pari'

"What now? Is this an upgraded version of psychiatry asylum?" My voice quivered.

She rose up in a trice. That act of hers made me shut my eyes for a moment. Not only shutting my eyes, I also tilted my head avoiding that sight and gripped Adi's shirt near the arm. He put his arm around my back, assuring me his presence.

Considering my state, he let the curtains fall. I insisted on leaving the room and he guided me to his bedroom. Offering a glass of water, "Scared?" He asked.

Gulping down a mouth full of water, "I guess am," I said, trying to catch up. He caressed my hair with a little, very little, force. He held my hands and refused to let go even when I wanted him to. Kneeling down in front me while I was sitting on a comfortable bed, he gave all the assurance and warmth I was in need of.

Today, I had a quick review of his entire life. With the end of knowing this last part of his world, I came to a conclusion stating that being Aditya is deadly impossible. It was him so he managed to make it till here. Had it been me, my body also would have been decomposed by now. It takes more than courage to be him.

"Will you - Can you stay with me tonight?" He asked. The expression on my face already has the answer. Still, I wanted to put that expression of mine in words and say those hurtful word 'NO'

"Please stay with me tonight!" It was not even a question or request this time.

"Not in the kneeling position," I asked him to get up. He denied. "Adi I have a son to take care of," I finally found an excuse which was also a factor.

I got a call from Gautham which is actually understandable. I mean, it was more than seven hours I was away from home, so he will do it. "Yes, Gautham," I answered the call.

"Anu, are you busy? You haven't been home since all day"

"A bit. I was and still am with Aditya. So..."

"Oh great! Carry on," he was about to cut the call. "And don't worry about Vikram. I will take care of him," he said and cut the call without even listening to my verse. I let my arm slowly fall from my right ear to my lap.

Tightening his grip and stroking the back of my hand with his thumb, "You feel guilty, don't you?" Aditya asked.

I nodded in acceptance.

I do feel bad for letting someone love me and let him just keep loving me. Never in the past couple of years have I rejected him because he asked me not to. But it was always a no for me. Now, I regret not making my 'no' a clear one.

Guilty. That is the only word I could relate to. I blamed myself for Aditya's life and also blamed myself for the pain Gautham's going through. I am very well aware that I can't be a good person in everyone's story. I have to definitely become a bad person in someone's story.

Now choosing in which book I want to be the side character and in which book I have to be the main one, is not my cup of tea.

I can't hold on to both, can't let go of both and can't let go of one of them.

At this moment, it was just me demanding all those things I could never have in a million years. I had to make a choice and decide my stance which is something I don't want to do.

He noticed the confusion written across my face, I guess. "I know what it feels like so I am gonna leave you for a while," he said, finally letting my palms slip out of his. But this time, I was not ready to let go of those hands.

Holding it at the perfect time before it gets too late, "Let's sleep," I said.

"Together," I further added.