Pocket Full of Lies

46- Memory or Belief

His memories are definitely playing games with him.

'Yup, that's what has happened. There's no other way.' I nodded to myself, coming to the conclusion.

"Muskaan...why? I don't understand...your mom?" Rehaan muttered, his thoughts jumbled as he tried to make sense of the things.

"Rehaan, I think...I seriously think that you are seeing two different memories, but somehow turned into one. Or something of that sort.

"Or perhaps, you just saw a lady in a cotton saree and then remembered by mom who used to wear cotton sarees. Your brain just connected the dots and made a false memory by itself.

"Or—"

I didn't know that I had started pacing while rambling until Rehaan stopped me from walking and talking both.

"Muskaan, calm down," he said, putting his hands on my shoulders and lightly squeezing them.

This really felt like a déjà vu.

But unlike last time, I couldn't calm down. Because this was about my mom.

With my eyes wide with panic, I still tried my best to explain to Rehaan.

"Rehaan, what you saw is not possible. My mom was simply a cook. We didn't have that kind of money. Either you saw someone else or maybe the reverse situation. Perhaps, it was your parents giving money to my mother. Yeah, that's the most likely situation. You said it was a salary. They might be giving her the salary. You said it was a hefty envelope. So probably an advance.

"Yeah this makes more sense. Rehaan, you definitely saw a reverse memory."

"Okay, Muskaan. Maybe I did. Calm down now."

His eyes betrayed his words. He didn't believe in my theory. He was lying to reassure me.

"Rehaan please," I pleaded, my eyes filled with tears. "My mom isn't like that."

My mom wasn't a bad person. Not someone with a suspicious aura. She wasn't someone who would betray. She wasn't someone who was acquainted with the people behind us.

Rehaan was wrong in this. His mind wasn't working properly. He was still recovering, his mind wasn't yet healed.

Yet you were eager to believe every word that came out of his mouth a few minutes ago.

It was true. I was being a hypocrite. A few minutes ago, I had believed him wholeheartedly and was ready to track down the unknown lady. But now, it was about my mom. I trusted her blindly.

Now it was the fight between his memories and my belief.

★★★★★

Rehaan's POV

A whistle rang suddenly, startling us.

"Whistle...pressure cooker...food." Muskaan threw out the words absentmindedly, before running to the kitchen.

I wanted to go after her, but I stopped myself. She wouldn't be able to calm down in my presence. Instead, she will use all the time to convince me. I knew she would try again, and will keep trying despite knowing that...

It was a losing battle from the start.

I tried lying to calm her, though it didn't work and ended up frightening her even more.

Questioning my parent's motives didn't cause me heartache. But that wasn't the case for Muskaan.

I didn't want to hurt her further. However, letting this lead go wasn't an option. Even if I ignored my gut feelings, there was logic in her mother's involvement in the whole case.