Marked By Darkness

Chapter 64- Secrets That Break

After some time, they all gathered in Ruhi's room, food spread out in an attempt to lighten the mood. But the tension lingered, and despite their efforts, Ruhi could sense their unease. Anshi was helping Ruhi sip her soup when Ruhi suddenly put down the spoon, her eyes scanning the room.

Ruhi's eyes shifted between them, her patience wearing thin. She set her bowl aside and, with a voice that broke through the forced cheerfulness, she spoke.

"Please stop pretending." Ruhi said, her tone filled with frustration and urgency. "I know something's wrong. Can someone tell me why I'm here, and what happened out there? Why was I outside the bungalow? And all of you... why are you so tense?"

Everyone exchanged uncertain glances, the weight of her questions lingering in the silence. The room felt as if it was holding its breath.

Esha, visibly trying to keep calm, smiled tightly at Ruhi. "Look, Ruhi, it's... everything is fine now. We're all here with you, and that's all that matters."

Anshi, however, cut her off, her voice steady but firm. "No, Esha. Ruhi deserves to know the truth. Hiding it isn't helping her."

Esha's eyes narrowed as she turned to Anshi. "But she's been through so much already. This is not the time to lay everything on her! Can't you see she needs rest?"

Ruhi watched the exchange, exasperated. "Enough! I'm okay, I can handle it. Please, for God's sake, just tell me what actually happened."

Anshi shifted her gaze to Ruhi, struggling to find the right words. Then, as if searching for permission, she looked at Ruhan.

"Ruhan..." Anshi began, her voice steady but unsure. "I think it's time. Ruhi deserves to know everything... about Hina, and... everything you've been keeping from her. Can you tell us how you knew about Hina? She deserves to know every truth now."

Ruhan's POV...

All eyes turned to me, as I looked down, feeling the weight of their gaze and the responsibility of finally sharing everything. My heart beat heavily in my chest as I met Ruhi's eyes, her expression a mixture of confusion and a hint of fear. She was waiting, and this time, I couldn't hide the truth.

Ruhi lay in bed, surrounded by familiar faces, but the atmosphere was anything but comforting. Sounak, Neil, Anshika, Esha, and me surrounded her, our expressions somber as we prepared for the revelation. Tension filled the room, and Ruhi could feel the gravity of what was about to be said.

I started to speak, but Ruhi interrupted, surprise and confusion evident in her voice. "Wait... is it true, Ruhan? You knew about Hina? But... how?"

Anshika placed a gentle hand on Ruhi's shoulder, taking a steady breath. "Ruhi, it's not just Ruhan. We all knew bits and pieces about Hina... But maybe Ruhan and I know the most. Ruhan knows the bungalow and its secrets better than anyone."

Anshika glanced over at me with a curious look, mirroring Ruhi's confusion. "Even I want to know how you knew everything, Ruhan."

Sounak broke the silence, his voice tense. "Can someone at least tell me if Ruhi's safe now?"

My answer was immediate, my tone resolute. "No. Didn't you hear what the priest said last night? Ruhi's safe for now, but this isn't over."

Ruhi pressed her hands to her head, overwhelmed. "I can't take this anymore. Please, I need to know what's going on. Tell me everything you've been hiding."

Anshika placed a comforting hand on Ruhi's shoulder, her face a mixture of guilt and sadness. "I'm sorry, Ruhi. We kept so many things from you, and I regret that. But... your mom made me promise never to tell you about your past. She thought it would protect you."