Fates Entwined

Chapter 23: Unspoken Truths

The morning air felt crisp as Risha walked into the office, determined to return to some semblance of normality. It had been days since she'd taken time off, and the weight of the last few days—the lies, the memories wiped clean—was still fresh in her mind. But she couldn't afford to stay locked in that place any longer. The world had moved on, and she had to keep up, even if her heart was still heavy.

Ashan and Sol were already at their desks, absorbed in their work. Ashan flashed her a smile as she walked in, his usual warmth making her chest tighten. She returned his smile, trying to keep things light. Sol, too, greeted her with a nod, but Risha could see that the concern in her eyes hadn't dissipated. There was something that still lingered between them, some unspoken tension that neither of them could ignore.

Risha tried to focus on her work, typing away at her computer, answering emails, participating in meetings when needed. She even shared a laugh with Ashan over a joke he made. But as the hours ticked by, she couldn't shake the feeling that Sol was watching her—just like she was watching Sol, hoping for some sign, some indication that everything would be okay. Yet, in the silence that surrounded them, it seemed that the more Risha tried to act normal, the more everything felt wrong.

Sol, ever perceptive, noticed it too. She had always been able to read people well, and Risha's forced smiles weren't fooling her. There was something off, something she couldn't put her finger on. But she wasn't ready to confront Risha about it. Not yet.

Later that afternoon, Risha caught Ashan as he was leaving the office for a break. She hesitated for a moment before walking up to him, trying to keep her composure.

"Ashan," she began, "Can we talk?"

Ashan's face lit up with excitement. "Of course! What's on your mind?" He seemed so eager, so open. Risha couldn't help but feel a pang of guilt for what she was about to ask.

"I wanted to ask you something," she said, trying to sound casual. "I... I need some help. There's this third person, someone who might need our help, but I'm not sure how to approach it. Sol, I... I don't always know how to make things right with her."

Ashan raised an eyebrow, clearly intrigued. "You mean Sol? Why would you need help with her? What's going on?"

Risha looked down, unsure of how to explain. "It's... complicated. I just need some advice on how to navigate things. I want to help, but I don't know how."

Ashan seemed to think for a moment, then smiled. "I get it. You're just trying to make sure everything's okay with everyone." He leaned against the desk, clearly happy to be helping. "But I can tell you this, Risha. You're a good person. Anyone would be lucky to have you in their corner."

Risha's heart raced at his words. "Thanks, Ashan. That means a lot." She paused, gathering her courage. "There's one more thing... I've been thinking a lot about us. And I want to be honest. I think we can only be friends. I don't... I don't feel the same way as you do."

Ashan's face fell, and Risha immediately regretted her words, but she pushed forward. "I'm sorry, I didn't mean to—"

But before she could finish, Ashan cut her off. "Is it Sol? Are you saying you like ... Sol?"

Risha was caught off guard. The question hung in the air like a sharp blade, and for a moment, she felt the ground shift beneath her feet. She didn't know what to say. She didn't know what she felt anymore. But in that moment, she knew that whatever she had with Ashan had changed. And that scared her.

She blinked a few times, trying to steady her thoughts. "What? No... it's not like that. I don't... I don't feel anything for Sol."

Before Ashan could respond, Risha turned around, her eyes catching Sol's as she approached from behind them. The realization hit her like a freight train. Sol had heard everything. She had been standing there, listening.

Sol's face softened, and she smiled at Risha. "It's okay, Rish," she said gently, her voice surprisingly calm. "I understand."

Risha felt her breath catch in her throat. How could she understand? How could anyone understand what she was feeling, what she was trying to hide?

Miri's voice cut through the tension like a lifeline. "Rishaaaaa, I have been looking for ya!" she called, appearing from down the hallway. "Come on, I've gotta tell ya something, very urgent, sorry guys."

Risha didn't hesitate. She needed to escape. She needed to get away from the suffocating weight of the office, the pressure of her own emotions, and the lingering gaze of Sol. She followed Miri out, thankful for the distraction. But as she walked away, her heart ached with every step she took.

Miri led Risha to a quiet corner of the city, far from the prying eyes of their office and the confusion swirling in Risha's mind. They sat in silence for a while, the weight of the day pressing down on them.

"You're a mess, Rish," Miri said softly, finally breaking the silence. "You need to figure this out. You can't keep running from it."

Risha let out a shaky breath. "I know, Miri. I just don't know what to do anymore."

Miri put her arm around Risha's shoulders, her touch warm and comforting. "You'll figure it out. You've got me. Let me know how I can help."

Risha nodded, a tear slipping down her cheek. "Sure! Thank you," she whispered. "I don't know what I'd do without you."

Meanwhile, back in the office, Sol stood silently, watching Risha leave. She had seen the pain in Risha's eyes, but she had also seen the truth. Whatever was unfolding between them remained a tangled mess of emotions, confusion, and unspoken words. But one thing had become painfully clear to Sol: she couldn't let Risha go, no matter how impossible it seemed. Something bound them together, something she couldn't yet name but knew was worth holding onto.