ADHURI KAHANI: A tale of an amnesic bond

54. DRENCHING TOGETHER

INAAYA'S POV

I stepped into the hotel's park, the quiet space hidden just behind the building. The clock had already struck 1 a.m., and I couldn't seem to find rest tonight—a strange feeling for someone who's usually able to sleep, even with nightmares lurking in the dark corners of my mind. But tonight felt different, as if some invisible force kept pulling me toward the outdoors, urging me to breathe in the silence.

As I wandered deeper into the garden, the soft glow of path lights illuminated the way. My eyes fell on a small, empty bench nestled under the shadows of the trees. It looked inviting, so I made my way over, settling down and feeling the weight of the day ease off my shoulders. The night breeze touched my skin in a way that sent gentle shivers down my arms, lifting the tiny hairs there—not from discomfort, but from a soothing calm that settled over me.

The breeze was the kind that, on any other night, would lull you into the deepest sleep after a tiring day. It wasn't harsh or biting, but a cool, peaceful presence, like a whisper urging me to let go, to just be. The longer I sat there, the more it seemed like the quiet was wrapping itself around me, offering solace I didn't realize I'd been yearning for.

I needed this—a quiet moment after everything that happened tonight. The weight of my actions clung to me, that kiss replaying in my mind over and over. I overstepped a boundary, crossing a line that I know I can never uncross. Kissing him, my boss, my ex-friend who no longer remembers me...it felt surreal in the moment, like maybe, just maybe, it could mean something. For a brief second, I let my guard down, foolishly hoping that we could be something more than just colleagues. I allowed the old feelings to wash over me, forgetting the reality for a fleeting taste of what could never be.

But the truth of the situation sat heavily in my chest, bringing with it a mixture of sadness and regret. The harsh realization hit me: I was just his secretary. That kiss—it meant nothing to him. I was simply an employee, a part of his everyday background. Yet, I had let myself believe in the possibility, only to have every hope crushed when he introduced me as 'his secretary' without a second thought. I shouldn't have let myself get caught up in the moment or allowed the past to blur my reality

I could feel the sting of disappointment, knowing I'd set myself up for this hurt. After years of trying to move on, I had made the same mistake, all because a part of me still hoped.

ISHAAN'S POV

I switched on the lamp beside me and picked up the diary from the bedside table, opening it with a mix of excitement and nostalgia. This was the diary I had begun at nineteen, back when everything felt new and my memories were vivid. Seven years later, I still hadn't filled it, so I'd decided to continue writing, recording not only the memories I hope to regain but also the new moments I'm creating now—moments I'd cherish just as deeply. I wanted this diary to capture the old memories and the ones I'll create moving forward, especially with her. As I flipped through the pages, my fingers brushed against the photo I'd placed carefully between them. It was a picture from earlier this evening—of me and her, in that quiet, stolen moment, kissing. I swallowed hard as the memory flashed vividly, stirring something deep within me. My whole body seemed to react, a blend of excitement and fear coursing through me, as if my very soul had tied itself to that moment. During our time together, caught up in each other, I'd barely noticed one of the event photographers snapping our picture. By the time I realized, it was too late, but I'd made sure to track him down, secure a copy for myself, and had him delete all others.

I wasn't ready for the world to know how much she means to me. The thought of exposing her to any potential danger, of anyone knowing she is my weakness, filled me with dread. Introducing her to Mr. Suryavanshi as "my secretary" hadn't been a casual decision. Although he's helping me in my search, I know trust isn't something you can place easily in this world, and I'm not willing to risk her safety. But the way he looked at us... I have a feeling he's already seen through the walls I've tried to build around my heart.