Nandini Verma was 18 when she penned her first story, a tale of passion, betrayal, and revenge. It was a masterpiece, poised for publication. But on the night she was to share her brilliance with the world, tragedy struck. Her abusive father, a figu...
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It was nearing lunch, and I sat comfortably in Yash's office, pretending to be absorbed in the novel I was reading. The truth was, my mind kept wandering back to everything that had happened. The last month had been filled with so much uncertainty, and as much as I loved being in his office, feeling his presence close by, there was still so much left unsaid. My eyes drifted toward him; Yash was focused, deeply engrossed in a file, the lines of concentration etched on his face. He looked powerful, composed, as if the chaos of the last few weeks had not shaken him. But I knew better.
I shifted in my seat, feeling restless. We hadn't talked about how the protagonist of my story too had come into the real world, threatening to tear us apart. I still didn't understand what Karan truly wanted. My thoughts circled back to that day. He had warned us that I would feel every pain my characters endured in my story's world, a cryptic and terrifying statement that left me anxious.
I looked back at Yash, remembering what Rakshit had told me about him not sleeping well, torturing himself with guilt over unintentionally hurting me. That night, I hadn't felt any pain from Yash, likely because his powers were too strong. His abilities, which healed him almost instantly, had likely shielded me from the bond Karan mentioned. But Karan wasn't like Yash. He didn't have any powers, no healing, no protection. I sighed, the weight of everything pulling me down, and finally placed a bookmark on my novel.
Standing up, I tried to shake off the tension that had been building inside me. I needed answers, and I wasn't going to get them sitting here quietly. I was just about to leave the office when Yash's deep voice broke the silence.
"What happened, Little Swan? Don't like the view anymore?"
I paused but didn't turn to look at him. He was teasing, but I wasn't in the mood to indulge him. "Got bored," I said, my voice casual but laced with a challenge. "Going to see new faces."
I walked toward the door, daring him with one final remark. "And I dare you to use your powers right now." I didn't even have to look at him to know he was watching me. The tension in the room shifted as I left, a quiet power humming behind me, but I knew he wouldn't use his abilities to stop me. Not now.
I stepped into the elevator, and as the doors closed, I glanced up at the corner camera and made a face, knowing full well that Yash was watching my every move. I couldn't help but smirk, imagining the way his jaw was probably clenched in response. He hated when I left him without a reason, and I knew it.
The elevator ride was quick, and I soon found myself standing outside Rakshit's office. I needed answers about Karan-about what the hell was going on with my story and its characters coming to life. Yash had his own battles to fight, and I didn't want to burden him with more, but Rakshit was different. He knew everything from the beginning.
I knocked once and then entered after hearing a reply.
As I entered Rakshit's office, I saw him and Nitu laughing and working together, the comfortable camaraderie between them immediately evident. It was nice to see them like this, and I couldn't help but smile at the sight of my best friend taking on a new experience by working here. Nitu was radiant as always, full of life and energy. The moment she saw me, her eyes lit up, and she rushed over to hug me as if she hadn't seen me in years.
