Where Shadows Learn To Dream

Untying the Chains of Yesterday

The sun filtered weakly through the grimy window as I woke the next morning. For a few fleeting moments, everything felt lighter, like the weight of the past few years had been lifted off my chest. But then, reality sank in like a punch to the gut.

You’re a criminal.

I lay there, staring at the cracked ceiling, my mind racing. Kanishk’s words had given me hope, yes, but hope wasn’t enough. It wasn’t a magic wand that could erase the years of pain, the choices I’d made, or the crime I’d committed. I had blood on my hands. No family would ever accept me again, no one from my past would. I was foolish for even entertaining the thought that I could just walk out of this life.

The other girls had always told me, “You either adapt or you die here. There’s no going back.”

And I had adapted.

But now he was back—Kanishk—and he was trying to shatter the walls I had so carefully built around myself.

I found myself looking at the casino entrance, wondering if Kanishk would really come back. A part of me hoped he wouldn’t. That would make things easier. But as soon as the doors swung open, there he was.

He spotted me instantly, his eyes lighting up with that same determination. I cursed under my breath, wishing I had the strength to turn away. But I didn’t. I stayed frozen, waiting to see what he would do.

His eyes softened when they met mine, and I could see that unwavering determination in them again. He wasn’t giving up on me.

“I brought some food,” he said, holding up a bag. “Thought you might want a break from the usual casino junk.”

I didn’t smile. “Kanishk... we need to talk.”

His face tensed. “What’s wrong?”

I glanced around the crowded floor of the casino and gestured toward the narrow stairwell that led to the underground rooms. “Come with me.”

He followed silently, his eyes scanning the dimly lit hallways and the shadowy figures that passed by us. We finally reached the small room I had been living in for months—one window, three beds, a closet, and a single lamp that flickered faintly.

“This is where I live,” I said flatly, motioning to the room as I closed the door behind us. “This is my life now.”

He looked around, taking in the starkness of the space. “Aanya—”

“No, listen,” I interrupted, my voice firmer than before. “You need to stop doing this. You need to stop trying to ‘save’ me.” I turned away, feeling the weight of my confession pressing down on me. “I’ve accepted this. I’ve adjusted to this life. It’s not pretty, it’s not something to be proud of, but it’s mine. And you showing up here… you’re disturbing all of that.”

Kanishk stayed silent for a moment, letting my words sink in. Finally, he spoke, his voice low but steady. “Why do you think you deserve this, Aanya? Why are you so convinced that this is all there is for you? You’ve been pushing me away, hiding behind this… this life. But I’m not leaving until you tell me the truth.”

I opened my mouth to argue, but no words came out. The truth? I didn’t even know what that was anymore.

I sighed, sinking down onto the edge of the bed. “Because it’s the truth. I’m a criminal, Kanishk. I’ve done things—things you don’t even know about. And there’s no redemption for people like me.”

“You’re wrong,” he said quietly, sitting down next to me. “Everyone deserves a second chance. I’m offering you a way out,” Kanishk continued, his voice softening. “But you need to decide. Do you want to stay here, or do you want something more?”