Intensely Twisted Fate

Chapter : 30

Shravan's POV

It was Monday, and I was back at my cubicle, staring at the screen but not really seeing anything. The familiar hum of the office around me felt distant, as if I were trapped in a bubble, floating in and out of reality. Lara was in her own cubicle, working diligently, but I could sense the worry emanating from her even from a distance. Yesterday with her had been incredible, but the weight of the truth I’d learned two days ago still pressed heavily on my chest.

The night after everything had hit me like a freight train. As I lay in bed beside Lara, watching her sleep peacefully, my mind was a chaotic storm of thoughts. I couldn't help but replay the revelations over and over—my biological parents, the lies, the betrayal, and the pain. It felt like a never-ending cycle of despair. I couldn't shake the feeling that maybe it would have been better if I hadn’t survived. The thought of being a burden haunted me, and for a moment, it almost made sense.

So, I slipped out of bed and wandered down to the kitchen, the dim light illuminating the stark reality of my thoughts. I stood there, my heart racing, contemplating the darkness that lingered just beneath the surface. It was a dark pit, whispering to me that maybe, just maybe, I wouldn’t be missed. But then, I remembered Lara's face, the way she looked at me with concern and love, and it pulled me back from the brink.

This morning had been different, though. After we returned home, Lara had talked to her dad about everything, about my moment of weakness. I could see the worry etched on her father’s face when he called me in for a chat. He spoke to me about the importance of life, of family, and how I was valued, not just as a son but as a person. He reminded me that I had a place in this world, and for a brief moment, it felt like a flicker of hope ignited within me.

But now, as I sat at my desk, I was a bundle of nerves. My mom’s checkup was today. What if the news was bad? What if I lost her? The thought alone made my stomach churn. I bit my lip, trying to steady my racing heart, but I couldn’t shake the fear that clung to me like a shadow.

I glanced over at Lara, who was focused on her work, her brow slightly furrowed in concentration. I wished I could tell her how much she meant to me, how she had become my anchor in this storm. She didn’t know the extent of my turmoil, the darkness that sometimes crept in, whispering lies about my worth. I wanted to be strong for her, for myself, but the weight of my past was a heavy shackle.

Taking a deep breath, I forced myself to focus on my work. I needed to keep my mind occupied, to push aside the gnawing anxiety about my mom's health. I could feel Lara's eyes on me occasionally, her concern palpable, but I tried to smile back at her, to give her something to hold onto.

Just a few hours until the checkup. Just a few more hours, and then we would know. I hoped with all my heart that it would be good news, but the uncertainty was almost unbearable. All I could do was cling to the hope that Lara’s strength would carry me through this day, just like it had carried me through the darkest moments.

I sat at my desk, my nerves tangled up as I waited for news about my mom’s checkup. The minutes dragged on, stretching into what felt like hours. Every time my phone buzzed, my heart would leap, only to sink again when it wasn’t my parents calling. I was lost in my thoughts, trying to prepare myself for whatever might come, when a gentle knock on my desk broke through my mental fog.

I looked up to see Lara standing there, holding a tiffin. "Don’t starve yourself to death, Shravan. It’s already half past five. Come on, let’s go eat." Her tone was firm, but her eyes were warm with concern.

“What do you mean by ‘us’? You didn’t eat?” I asked as I stood up, making sure to sound casual. I didn’t want to make it seem like I was blaming her for anything.