Not Yet

21Murmurs in the Mist: Dance with Destiny

Saranyu walked on, her footsteps echoing hollowly in the silence of the night, her mind a blank canvas upon which the weight of her sorrow and guilt painted a bleak and desolate landscape. Not even the blinking stars above could penetrate the darkness that had enveloped her heart, leaving her adrift in a sea of uncertainty and despair. She was unable to process the fact that Rudra was behind the death of Visvasvat; she really didn't know what was going on or how to process it.
The forest around her was dense, the shadows deepening as she moved further from the hospital. Her steps were unsteady, each one filled with the weight of her grief and confusion. She replayed Rudra's words over and over in her mind, the revelation of his involvement in Visvasvat's death a jagged wound that refused to heal.Saranyu had to make a choice. Confronting Rudra might bring her the answers she sought, but it would also mean facing the pain and betrayal head-on. The weight of her sorrow and guilt was overwhelming, and the thought of confronting him seemed too much to bear.In that moment of clarity, Saranyu made a different choice. She turned away from the path that would lead her back to Rudra. Instead, she decided to distance herself from the immediate turmoil. She needed time to process everything, to let her emotions settle before making any decisions.Saranyu knew she couldn't run away from the truth forever, but she needed to find her own strength first. She needed to come to terms with the betrayal and loss on her own terms. With a heavy heart, she set off in the opposite direction, leaving Rudra behind in the hospital.As she walked deeper into the forest, the early morning light began to filter through the trees, casting long shadows on the ground. The forest, once an oppressive maze, now offered a semblance of solace and refuge. Each step took her further from the chaos of her recent revelations, giving her the space she desperately needed.The forest gradually gave way to a quiet glade, where a gentle stream meandered through the landscape. Saranyu sat by the stream, the sound of flowing water soothing her frayed nerves. She stared into the water, her reflection a distorted image of the person she once was. She had to find a way to reconcile her past with the present, to forge a new path forward.As she sat there, Saranyu allowed herself to grieve. She mourned Visvasvat, the brother she had lost, and the lie that had been shattered by Rudra's actions. Tears flowed freely, and she didn't try to stop them. This was her time to heal, to let the pain wash over her and, eventually, to let it go.Hours passed as Saranyu sat by the stream, lost in her thoughts. The sun climbed higher in the sky, its warmth a gentle reminder that life continued, despite the darkness she felt inside. Slowly, she began to feel a sense of calm settle over her.Saranyu knew she couldn't stay in the forest forever. She had to return to face her reality, but she would do so on her own terms. She would find her own way to understand what had happened, and when she was ready, she would confront Rudra. But for now, she needed to find peace within herself.With a newfound sense of purpose, Saranyu rose to her feet. She took one last look at the tranquil stream, a symbol of her journey toward healing. She turned away and began walking, not back to Rudra, but toward a future where she could rebuild herself, piece by piece.The path ahead was uncertain, but Saranyu was determined to find her way. She would face her past, confront the truths that had shattered her world, and emerge stronger. For now, though, she would take one step at a time, allowing herself the space to heal and grow.

Saranyu started walking, her mind still adrift in the sea of sorrow and confusion. She walked and walked, not knowing where she was going, until she felt something in her pocket. She reached in and pulled out a note. It was from Rudra. He must have slipped it to her when he was wounded. With trembling hands, she unfolded the paper and began to read.
"Red,
I am really sorry, but I couldn't bring myself to tell you this face-to-face. Yes, Visvasvat died because of us.I told you, right? Two years ago, we got into an accident, and everything changed that night. It was my fault. Ayla was in my mom's car, and I was in my dad's. Dad was eager to teach me how to drive, so I was learning, slowly but steadily. Then, I lost control of the accelerator and hit it hard, which caused us to collide with an oncoming car. Due to the collision, Mom and Ayla's car overturned, causing severe damage to both of them. Dad fell off the cliff to a lower level, which was like solid ground, and he hit his head and was unconscious. The person in the other car was alright; he just hit his head on the steering wheel, but the airbags didn't deploy. He rushed out and took all four of us in his car to the hospital. I was traumatized and had hit my head on the steering wheel, bleeding a bit. Dad woke up in two hours, but Mom and Ayla were severely injured. You know their condition now.Your brother... he was okay. He took care of us for two days. He handed me a necklace of his and comforted me. Then he left to ensure we were all okay. But two hours later, an ambulance came to the hospital again, carrying his body. They said he bled internally, that his brain was seriously damaged and not receiving treatment for two days killed him. I am really sorry, Saranyu."
Saranyu's hands shook as she finished reading the note. The weight of Rudra's confession settled heavily on her heart, amplifying the sorrow and guilt she already felt. Tears streamed down her face, blurring the words on the paper. She felt as though the ground beneath her was crumbling, but she kept walking, each step driven by the overwhelming need to process the truth.
The forest grew denser, the path more obscure, but Saranyu walked on, her emotions a turbulent storm within her. The note was a painful reminder of the fragility of life and the weight of unspoken truths. She stumbled and fell, the note slipping from her grasp, but she picked it up and clutched it to her chest, her tears soaking into the paper.
Saranyu felt lost, both physically and emotionally. But in her heart, she knew she had to keep moving forward. The journey to understanding and healing would be long and arduous, but she was determined to find her way. With each step, she carried the weight of the past, but she also carried the hope of finding peace, for herself and for those she loved.