Eyes don't lie

In the Shadows of Night

At night, darkness veiled the world, and the silence was broken only by the sound of Armaan's racing heartbeat. He jolted awake, his body drenched in perspiration, as the remnants of a haunting dream lingered in his mind. Beads of sweat trickled down his forehead, a testament to the intensity of his distress.

Desperate for solace, Armaan reached for the glass of water on his bedside table and gulped it down, hoping to quench not only his physical thirst but also the lingering unease within him. But the water provided no respite from the unsettling memories that plagued his thoughts.

In his state of turmoil, Armaan's trembling hand found its way to his phone. His instinct was to call his best friend, Adwait, seeking the comfort of a familiar voice. But as he unlocked his phone, a flash of recognition caught his eye. It was Khwahish's number, displayed as the most recent call.

Without pausing to contemplate the implications, Armaan's trembling fingers pressed the call button. His heart pounded in his chest, and he held his breath, anxiously awaiting a response. After just a few seconds, the call connected, and Khwahish's soft voice filled the air.

"Hello?" she greeted, unaware of the turmoil that had led Armaan to dial her number in his distress.

A mix of relief and vulnerability flooded Armaan's voice as he said, "Khwahish."

Khwahish sensed the unease in his voice, her concern immediately piqued. She could feel the weight of his words, carrying a vulnerability that demanded her attention. Her heart went out to him, and she instinctively shifted her focus to provide him with the support he needed.

Her tone softened as she replied, "sir, what happened? Are you okay?"

Tears welled up in Armaan's eyes as he struggled to find the words to express the turmoil within him. In a voice laden with raw emotion, he began to share fragments of his childhood trauma, the haunting memories that had resurfaced in his dream. Khwahish listened intently, her heart breaking for the pain he had endured.

Khwahish: Sir, first drink water.

Armaan: I've already had some

Khwahish: Is there any window near you?

Armaan: Yeah.

Khwahish: Sir, go and take deep breaths. First calm yourself down. I know it's tough, but I'm here with you.

Armaan: *hmmm*

Khwahish: don't think too much.

Armaan: *hmmm*

Khwahish: Sir, every mark on your heart is a testament to the battles you have fought. Just like the moon carries the beauty of the night, your scars carry the beauty of your resilience.

Armaan: *hmmm*

Khwahish- what hmm? Say something

Armaan : don't know what to say

Khwahish: Sir, healing is not a straight line. It's okay to show vulnerability and seek support from others. Together, we can navigate through the shadows and find the light.

Khwahish: Armaan, let's play a word association game to lighten up the mood. I'll say a word, and you have to say the first word that comes to your mind. Ready.

Armaan(surprised): what did you said?

Khwahish: i ..mean sir

Armaan(chuckled): Alright, let's give it a shot.

Khwahish: Moon.

Armaan: Serene.

Khwahish: Stars.

Armaan: Twinkle.

Khwahish: Coffee.

Armaan: Energizing.

Khwahish: Rain.

Armaan: Fresh.

Khwahish: Music.

Armaan: Melody.

Khwahish: Smile.

Armaan: Happiness.

Khwahish: Laughter.

Armaan: Joy.

Khwahish: Anklet.

Armaan: Birthday gift.

Khwahish: (chuckling) so,finally you admitted that it was you .

Armaan:I've never denied also , there are many things which I never admitted that doesn''t mean I denied

Khwahish - and may I know

Armaan - miss ahuja I think so jana chahiye it's 3 now , gharwalon ko pta chla chla that you are talking to someone kya sochenge.

Khwahish(whispered): that i'm talking to mr.mysterious...okay byy take care

Their playful word association game successfully distracted Armaan's mind and brought a sense of joy and laughter to their conversation. Khwahish's choice of words, specifically designed to make him chuckle and remind him of their moments together, helped create a deeper connection between them,but that mysterious word took armaan's breath away.

..

.

.

.

.

As the holiday season came to an end, Khwahish prepared herself to return to Delhi, leaving behind the serene mountains and the warmth of her family. Though a part of her longed to stay and embrace the comfort of her home, she knew that she had a path to follow, a career to pursue.

Boarding the train, Khwahish found her seat and settled in. The familiar sound of the train's engine and the gentle sway of the carriage brought a mix of emotions. She couldn't help but feel a tinge of sadness as she watched the landscapes of her hometown gradually fade away outside the window.

As the train journeyed onward, Khwahish's mind was occupied with thoughts of her future. She was determined to focus on her studies and career aspirations, pushing aside any distractions that might come her way. The bond she had developed with Armaan during the holidays was significant, but she chose to compartmentalize her emotions for the time being.

The rhythmic sound of the train's wheels on the tracks acted as a lullaby, calming her restless thoughts. Khwahish diverted her attention to the passing scenery outside, finding solace in the fleeting glimpses of nature and the vast expanse of the sky.

In Khwahish's POV:

After arriving at college, I made my way to my room, feeling relieved that my cousin sister Ridanshi had returned two days before. Otherwise, I would have died dealing with all the cleaning myself. Just as I was settling in, there was a knock on the door, and to my delight, it was Ridanshi.

"Ridanshi, finally you're here!" I exclaimed, letting her inside the room. We continued our conversation, catching up on the happenings of the past few days, while refreshing ourselves after the long journey.

We shared stories of our time spent with family, the laughter, the joy, and even the occasional bickering. Ridanshi's presence brought a sense of familiarity and comfort, making the transition back to college life a little easier. We laughed, teased each other, and relished in the bond we shared as cousins.

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