Silent Vows

Chapter 19

One chilly afternoon, the campus seemed quieter than usual, with a crisp breeze cutting through the trees. Karan walked slowly, his hands tucked into his jacket pockets, deep in thought. The weight of the mystery girl who had helped him after his accident still lingered, unshakable. No matter how many times he tried to push it out of his mind, the questions refused to fade. Who was she? Why had she helped him without asking for anything in return?

As he made his way toward the library, Karan was momentarily distracted by a voice calling his name. He turned around, surprised to see someone he didn't immediately recognize.

"Looks like your legs are all healed up," the woman said, giving him a warm, yet slightly puzzled smile.

Karan blinked, momentarily confused. He couldn't place her face. She was a nurse, he thought, but where had he seen her before? Her voice, familiar but distant, brought back a flood of memories from the hospital.

"Uh, sorry, do I know you?" he asked, trying not to sound too awkward.

The nurse chuckled, her expression softening. "You don't remember me, huh? I took care of you when you were in the hospital—Ayesha. I was one of the nurses who treated you after your accident."

Karan's eyes widened as recognition finally struck him. "Oh! Of course. I remember now. Sorry, it's just... the whole thing was a bit of a blur."

"No worries," she said with a knowing smile. "How've you been feeling since then?"

Karan glanced at her, still processing the confusion of running into her. "I'm good, yeah. A lot better, actually." He shifted uncomfortably, wondering why he was still thinking about the girl who had stayed with him during the accident. The girl who had been so kind, but had vanished without a trace.

Karan hesitated before speaking again, deciding to ask the question that had been on his mind for months. "Actually... there's something I've been meaning to ask you."

Ayesha raised an eyebrow, curious. "What's that?"

Karan cleared his throat, choosing his words carefully. "There was this girl... during my time in the hospital. I didn't get a good look at her, but she stayed by my side, helped me out. Do you happen to know who she was?"

Ayesha's expression shifted subtly, almost as if she was trying to hold back a smile. She glanced away for a moment before meeting his gaze again. "Ah, yes. I remember her. She was very quiet, kept mostly to herself."

Karan's heart skipped a beat. "You know who she is, right? Can you tell me her name? I... I just want to thank her."

Ayesha hesitated, as though choosing her words carefully. "She didn't want to be known, Karan. She made it very clear she wanted to remain anonymous."

Karan frowned, taken aback by the answer. "Anonymous? But why? She helped me—she stayed with me, made sure I was okay... Why wouldn't she want any recognition?"

Ayesha seemed to consider his question for a moment before responding. "Some people just don't want attention for doing the right thing. She didn't ask for anything. She just wanted to make sure you were all right and that was enough for her."

Karan's mind raced as the pieces didn't quite fit. "But there must've been something... I mean, how did she even know I needed help?"

"She just did. She's the kind of person who helps because she wants to, not because she expects something in return."

Karan's frustration began to rise. "But I don't even know who she is! I can't thank her if I don't know her name. She could be anywhere."

Ayesha looked at him with a quiet smile, but there was a hint of something else in her eyes. "I know it's frustrating, Karan. But sometimes, you just have to accept that not everyone needs recognition. She did what she did because she cared. That's what matters."

Karan took a deep breath, trying to process her words. But there was still that feeling in the back of his mind—the feeling that this girl was someone he should know, someone important. He glanced at Ayesha, who seemed to sense his inner turmoil.

"You'll probably never meet her again," Ayesha added softly, "and maybe that's the way it's supposed to be. She didn't want anything from you. Just... remember that she helped, and that's enough."

Karan stood there for a long moment, trying to find a way to accept what she was saying. But he couldn't shake the feeling that this girl, whoever she was, was somehow connected to him. The thought that it could be Meera nagged at him, but he pushed it away. No, she couldn't be the one. She wasn't like that.

"Thanks, Ayesha," Karan said finally, offering a small smile. "I guess... I guess I'll just have to leave it at that."

Ayesha smiled back at him. "Sometimes, that's the best way."

As Karan watched her walk away, a part of him wanted to follow her, to ask more questions. But another part of him knew that this was it—that this girl, the one who had helped him, would remain a mystery. He turned away, his mind still whirling.

The feeling that this mystery girl was somehow important to him refused to die down. But who could she be?

Karan pulled out his phone, the buzz of the message breaking his concentration.

Sameer: Hey, you free for a bit? Raj's place tonight. Come over.

Karan glanced at the message but didn't respond immediately. His thoughts were still on that mysterious girl. Who was she? Could it really have been Meera?

He put his phone back into his pocket and made his way to Raj's place. For now, he'd push the mystery aside. But deep down, the question still gnawed at him: Who was she?