𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐑𝐚𝐧𝐚 𝐒𝐚'𝐬 𝐕𝐚𝐧𝐢𝐬𝐡𝐞𝐝 𝐁𝐫𝐢𝐝𝐞

8) Shadows Of Secrets And Obsession

Nalini's POV

I jolted awake, my heart pounding as if it had just run a marathon. My skin was damp with sweat, and the memory of the dream-if it was even a dream-clung to me like a dark shadow. I glanced at the clock: 3:07 a.m. The world was unnervingly quiet, the kind of silence that makes you feel like you're the only one left alive.

For a moment, I lay still, trying to steady my breathing. It was just a nightmare, I told myself, though I wasn't entirely convinced. That tall, shadowy figure, always just out of reach, had felt too real, too close.

A soft tapping sound pulled me out of my thoughts. I froze, listening carefully, and heard it again-tap, tap, tap. It was coming from the window. My stomach twisted with dread as I slowly turned my head towards the sound.

Relief washed over me when I saw that it was just a tree branch, swaying in the wind and tapping against the glass. I let out a shaky breath and pushed myself up, deciding that a glass of water might help calm my nerves.

The apartment was eerily still as I walked to the kitchen, my footsteps unnervingly loud against the silence. Shadows stretched along the walls, twisting and bending in ways that made them look almost alive. I quickly filled a glass with water, trying to ignore the unsettling atmosphere that clung to the air.

As I returned to my room, something on my desk caught my eye. A note, folded neatly, sitting on top of my books. My pulse quickened as I recognized the handwriting-Vansh's.

Frowning, I picked it up, unfolding it carefully. The message was short, but it sent a shiver down my spine: *"Nalini, there's something I need to tell you. I couldn't say it earlier. Meet me at the park tomorrow morning, 7 a.m. Don't tell Yuvika. It's important."*

My heart thudded in my chest as I reread the note. What could Vansh possibly need to tell me that he couldn't say in front of Yuvika? And why the secrecy? I couldn't help but feel a growing sense of dread. Something about this didn't feel right, but I needed answers. If I didn't go, I'd be left wondering forever.

Still, the thought of meeting Vansh alone, especially after the way he had acted during the rehearsal, made me uneasy. But I knew I had to go-I needed to understand what was going on, even if the truth was something I wasn't ready to face.
.
.
.

The morning fog was thick, wrapping around the trees like a ghostly veil. I pulled my jacket tighter around me, wishing I'd worn something warmer. The park was nearly empty, save for a few early joggers who barely glanced my way.

I spotted Vansh sitting on a bench, his head down, hands clasped tightly in his lap. He looked different-more tense, as if something was weighing heavily on his mind.

"Vansh," I called softly as I approached. His head snapped up, and for a moment, I saw something in his eyes that made my breath catch. Was it fear? Regret?

"Nalini," he said, his voice low and almost hesitant. "Thank you for coming. I didn't think you would."

I sat down beside him, the unease from last night returning with full force. "What's this about, Vansh? What couldn't you tell me in front of Yuvika?"

He looked away, his jaw clenched as if he were battling with himself over whether to speak. "There's... there's something you need to know. About me, about Yuvika... about what's been happening."

My heart skipped a beat. "What do you mean? You're scaring me, Vansh. Just tell me."

Before he could say another word, I heard footsteps approaching. I turned and saw Yuvika walking toward us, her expression a mix of shock and something else-anger, maybe?