Bound by Shadows

3. Shadows of the Past

The next morning, Aarohi woke with a rare sense of calm. The memory of her shared walk with Ishaan lingered like a warm breeze. But as she entered her studio, her peace shattered.

There, resting on her worktable, was an envelope—its surface marked with smudges as if it had traveled far. She hadn’t heard anyone enter, yet it was undeniably there.

With trembling hands, she opened it. Inside was a single photograph, yellowed at the edges. It showed a younger version of herself and her mother, smiling on a sunlit porch. Scribbled at the bottom were the words:
"Find what was lost before it finds you."

Her chest tightened. The handwriting was eerily familiar, but she couldn’t place it. She hadn’t seen that photo in years. Who could have sent it? And why now?

Before she could spiral into panic, her phone buzzed. It was Ishaan.

“I need to see you,” he said, his voice calm but firm. “Something’s come up.”

They met at the small café near the lighthouse. Aarohi hadn’t told Ishaan about the photograph yet, but she could sense something weighing on him, too.

“I found this on my desk this morning,” Ishaan began, sliding a note across the table. Aarohi’s heart raced as she read it.

"Your investigation isn’t the only thing haunting Crescent Bay."

Her eyes shot up to meet his. “What’s going on, Ishaan?”

“I wish I knew,” he admitted, his brows furrowed. “This feels personal. And it’s not the first time something like this has happened.”

Aarohi hesitated before pulling out her photograph and showing it to him. “I found this today, too. I don’t know who sent it or how it got into my studio.”

Ishaan studied the image, his expression darkening. “This isn’t random, Aarohi. Someone wants to send a message—to both of us.”

“But why? I don’t have enemies. My life is... ordinary,” she said, though even as the words left her lips, doubt crept in. Was it truly ordinary?

“Sometimes, the past has a way of catching up,” Ishaan replied, his voice low. “You might not know it yet, but something connects us.”

The weight of his words settled between them. Aarohi’s heart pounded as she realized that whatever was happening wasn’t just about her—or Ishaan. It was about both of them, together.

Determined to uncover the truth, they decided to visit an old records library in town. Aarohi hoped to find some clue about the photograph, while Ishaan planned to dig into the recent history of Crescent Bay.

As they sifted through dusty archives, a storm raged outside, thunder echoing through the ancient building. Aarohi felt a strange sense of déjà vu as she flipped through old newspapers, her fingers brushing against faded ink.

“Look at this,” Ishaan suddenly said, holding up a clipping. It was an article about a tragic incident at the lighthouse years ago—a missing child and a family that vanished soon after.

Aarohi’s breath caught. The child in the photo accompanying the article looked hauntingly familiar. “That’s... me,” she whispered, her voice barely audible.

Ishaan’s gaze snapped to her, his expression a mixture of shock and concern. “You were the missing child?”

“I don’t remember this,” she said, clutching the clipping. “I... I thought I grew up in the city. My mother never mentioned this.”

The storm outside grew louder, as if echoing the turmoil inside her. Ishaan placed a reassuring hand on her shoulder. “Aarohi, this changes everything. Whatever’s happening now—it’s tied to your past.”

Back at the studio, Aarohi sat by the window, staring out at the rain. Ishaan had stayed, sensing she needed someone to anchor her.

“You don’t have to do this alone,” he said softly, his voice breaking through her spiraling thoughts.

Aarohi turned to him, her eyes shimmering with unshed tears. “Why are you doing this? Why do you care?”

Ishaan hesitated, then met her gaze. “Because I know what it’s like to feel like your past is chasing you. And because...” He paused, his voice thick with emotion. “Because I care about you, Aarohi. More than I should.”

The vulnerability in his words took her by surprise. Despite everything, a small, fragile smile found its way to her lips. “Thank you,” she said, her voice barely a whisper.

For the first time in years, she felt a glimmer of hope—hope that, with Ishaan by her side, she might finally uncover the truth about her past.