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twenty nine

• ADVIKA •

A WEEK LATER…

For an entire week, Ishaan and I were living our lives as though it was our life— hiding at abandoned houses, dark lanes, and places that were easier for us to hide. Though there were not many difficulties for food and sleep (there were but it were to an extent), peace was the only thing that was missing in us.

How would we have peace if we had cops following us everywhere we go?

Escaping from cops, we reached the suburbs of Cremona on the day of Margherita's death and were at different towns around Cremona for every two days.

And finally, after a week, we found ourselves at an abandoned house in the outskirts of Lodi.

“Advika,” Ishaan called out while we were stargazing at the window next to the bedroom while I looked down at the guy who was lying on my lap. “What could be the possible checklist when we plan to get married?”

“Checklist? Hmmm…” I hummed, entering into the thinking process, and replied, “The first and foremost thing would be Aadya Chatterjee, obviously!” Noticing him nod yes, I continued, “If, by any chance, we convinced her… It could be my parents. I didn't include your parents in this because they sound very— Ishaan?”

I stopped midway, seeing my man breaking down in tears— possibly at me mentioning his parents.

“I was a fool, Advika,” Ishaan spoke up between sobs after crying at one stretch. “I was selfish. I shouldn't have left my mother like that when she was dead. I should have stayed back with her, even if the police wished to arrest me. Fuck! I couldn't even see her to my will. My mom, dad… I miss them all, Advika.” He came closer to me and put his head on my shoulder, further crying more. “I killed my mother. I made my father feel embarrassed. And, all because I exist in this world. Couldn't there be any dumber way to die other than this?” Sighing deeper, he said it for one last time, “I wish I didn't exist here. I wish I was someone from your world.”

That was all. I couldn't help but feel his angst for all those words he had spat out. I wished I could tell him that it wasn't his fault. I wished I could tell him that these events would have happened even if he stayed back with his dead mother. I wished I could tell him how guilty I felt as I was the one who had brought all this danger to his supposedly dangerous life.

As I looked down, I saw him sleeping on my lap, tired from his rambling. Putting him straight to the bed, I lied next to him with my mind refusing to sleep as it was in its retrospective mode.

My head and my heart couldn't help but ponder unanimously over the realisation that I was the reason behind his sorrow. I mean, even if it was a red flag Maahi with him, he would have led a peaceful life for Aadya Chatterjee would definitely give him a happily-ever-after. But then, with his Mia Anima by his side and facing severe opposition from his creator for our relationship, he was facing all this shit only because I entered into his life.

If only I never became so delusional.
If only I could give him back his peace.
If only I had the strength to leave him in order to restore calmness in his life.
If only I had never met him.

***

THE NEXT DAY…

The first thought that struck my mind as I woke up was where Ishaan could be as he was missing from his place.

He must be in the bathroom, I thought, as I strolled and was on my way to the bathroom when a particular sight outside the window caught my eyes and caused an adrenaline rush in me.

I ran from the place to the outside and slowed down my pace as I noticed a couple in their late twenties and two police officers, along with Ishaan with a handcuff wound around his hands.

As the cops looked at each other, one of the cops yelled something in Italian. I looked at Ishaan while he translated, “The cops… They're arresting us.”

My heart beat faster in a record-breaking speed as the fact of getting caught filled my senses. I was lost forever into his rainforest green eyes without giving any fucks about the cops bounding my hands with a handcuff.

Even when he and I were transported in separate jeeps.
Even when he whispered, “I love you, Mia Anima,” for the last time before his Jeep started off.
Even when I saw him for the last time when his Jeep vanished out of my sight.
Even when his image was playing over and over in my mind until I chose to break down into continuous tears and silent sobs.

***

THREE DAYS LATER…

All thanks to Alessia, a girl I met at the jail, I had successfully escaped from it within less than three days and waited for Ishaan, placing myself safely closer yet further from the jail for the past 12 hours.

While the pessimistic part of me questioned what if he was stuck in the jail forever, it was answered as I saw a familiar five-feet-ish man appear from the darkness towards the direction where I was. Though I hoped he could be Ishaan, I hid in the corridor of the street, waiting for his face to bask on the orange-like sun rays.

When it happened, I realised that it wasn't the man I wished to see. Hiding behind the wooden bench, I noticed the man leave past the bench. Sighing as he had left the spot, I leaned on the fence while my eyes landed on the gap between the bench.

There stood a man— who was familiar to my dreams and delusions— at the opposite side of the road with his gaze fixed on everywhere. I stood and waved at him while he waved back at me with a smile that felt like forever. Lost in those familiar canopies of the lush green forest, I waited for the man to stand by my side; to embrace me in a home-like hug; to hold my hands and whisper proclamations of love until my ears died.

While I was so lost in those thoughts, I noticed a sleek black racing car vroom towards the man so fast as though it was destined to grab the man's life, forcing me to yell his name in the highest decibel possible and closing my eyes and ears out of sheer fear.

“Ishaan!”

***

So, here comes the chaos for you all, readers! And... *Drum rolls* We have five chapters and an epilogue to go to end this book.

Count your chapters, peeps!

See you soon!