Marked By Darkness

Chapter 100- Realisation

Back to the present...

The room was cloaked in a tense silence as Ruhi finished recounting the story of Aiden and Jenesis. Her voice was trembling, her hands clenching the edge of her dress as she looked at Anshi and Ruhan.

Ruhan sat motionless, his face pale as Ruhi's words echoed in his mind. She remembered everything-their past, Jenesis, and even their moments together.

He hadn't expected this. He had never told Ruhi that he knew her well from the past. He had never revealed that he had already kissed her years ago. That kiss-it was his first. After Jenesis's death and the tragic accident involving Ruhi and Hina, Ruhan had left the bungalow, burdened by grief and confusion. He had only heard fragmented news-that Hina had died and Ruhi had fallen into a coma. He hadn't known if Ruhi had even survived.

Years later, when he returned to the city as "Ruhan," he unexpectedly met a girl named Ruhi. She was different-her appearance, her demeanor, her confidence-everything had changed. He hadn't recognized her at first. But one day, when she casually mentioned Hina's name while holding her pendant, the pieces clicked. That's when he realized the girl standing before him was the same Ruhi he had known in his childhood, the one he thought he had lost forever.

And now, as Ruhi reminded him of their shared past, it stirred the buried emotions he had locked away for years.

But one fact overshadowed them all: Hina.

"She wasn't like what we thought," Ruhan had said, his voice filled with emotion. "Hina wasn't evil. She was kind."

This revelation struck him harder than anything else. He frowned, the image of Hina he had constructed in his mind clashing with the truth Ruhi had revealed.

A heavy silence followed until Anshi cleared her throat, her tone cautious yet firm. "Ruhi, there's something you need to understand. You're not 15 anymore. You're 22 now."

Ruhi's brows furrowed in confusion, her gaze darting between Anshi and Ruhan. "What are you saying?"

Anshi hesitated, as if searching for the right words. "Ruhi, your sister Hina... she died that day. And your mom..." She took a deep breath, her voice breaking. "Your mom is no more. Hina's spirit... took her life."

Ruhi froze, her eyes wide with disbelief. "No," she whispered, her voice shaking. "No, that's impossible. Hina would never hurt Mom. She wouldn't. You're lying to me!"

Anshi reached out to comfort her, but Ruhi jerked back, anger flashing in her tear-filled eyes. "Who are you?" she demanded. "You're not Anshi! Anshi would never say these things to me!"

"Ruhi, please," Anshi said desperately. "I'm Anshi. I'm still me. Try to believe me."

Ruhi shook her head furiously. "No! You're lying. You're not Anshi. Anshi would never hurt me like this!"

"Don't I look like Anshi?" Anshi asked, her voice trembling. "Don't I act like her? Please, Ruhi, believe me. I'm telling the truth."

Before Anshi could say more, Ruhan suddenly stood up. Without a word, he grabbed Ruhi's hand, ignoring her protests as he pulled her out of the room.

"Ruhan, what are you doing?" Ruhi demanded, struggling against his grip.

He didn't answer. His jaw was clenched, his steps purposeful as he led her to her bedroom. Once inside, he guided her to stand in front of the mirror.

"Look at yourself," he said firmly, his voice low but steady. "Do you look like a 15-year-old girl to you?"

Ruhi stared at her reflection, her breathing shallow. She saw a young woman staring back at her, not the girl she remembered being. Her fingers trembled as they touched the glass, tracing the outline of her face.