LOST

23. SAPNA

~ Sapna ~

Aadi had grown uncomfortably quiet since we arrived here. He didn't tease or flirt, nor did he tell jokes like he used to. All his playfulness had vanished. It made my suspicions grow stronger. There definitely was something he knew. Only, he wouldn't tell me like he said earlier that afternoon.

When he brought me to the bungalow, I was extremely panicky, yet hopeful. I was terribly expectant, eager to know something.

Anything.

Little did I know, we had to take an about turn from the front room itself, crushing all my anticipations.

I stood by his bike, waiting for him to come out of the house.

"What am I going to do for three weeks?" I let my frustration out as soon as I saw him.

"We'll figure something out."

"Why don't you just tell me? Please?" Knowing that he had all the answers made me anxious by the second and I would keep asking him until he finally opened his mouth.

"Sapna, I cannot. Why don't you understand?" He ran a hand through his hair and stared at a distance.

"Why can't you? I deserve an explanation."

"Because.." he let out an exasperated sigh. "I don't know."

"You're lying." It was evident. "You told me you would never lie to me, didn't you?" I was on the verge of tears.

That's the reason I never asked Daddy or Ma for the truth. Because I knew they'd lie to me. And I couldn't take it if anyone did. It made me feel contemptible and hopeless, as if I was unworthy of knowing the truth.

He advanced towards me and held me by the shoulders. "Hey, I'm so sorry."

A single tear rolled down my eye and he wiped it dry even before it reached my cheek.

"I can't tell you because Mahek warned me not to. She told me it could be harmful for your brain." He was speaking so softly, I wouldn't have heard him if I wasn't standing so close to him. "Trust me, Sapna, I would tell you everything right now. I just.. can't."

"Who is Mahek?" My wobbly voice didn't quite come out as a question.

He pulled back, tilted his head to his side, and sized me; his lips turning up to a shadowy smile. "You seriously don't know your therapist's first name?"

My eyes grew wider as the revelation settled in.

His low chuckle turned into deep, roaring laughter and I felt horribly stupid standing next to him.

When he was done messing with me, I spoke, "How do you know her?"

"I met her after you had your session with her. Who do you think persuaded her to speak to you after all?" A smirk danced on his lips.

Didn't he just love himself?

"But she told me Daddy did." I needed to rub the fact on his face.

Instead of backfiring me with his usual sarcasm, he just shrugged and sat on his bike; the devilish smirk never leaving.

"You are so full of yourself." I rolled my eyes and smacked his arm.

"Hop on, Princess." he tapped the rear seat. "I'm taking you to an amazing place."

I was glad that his mischievous self was back. Not so much as I would have been if he would've answered me, but it worked anyway.

He drove past his apartment and straight ahead where the roads took us. I kept looking around; the city was smaller yet perking up with people, all in motion, unlike last night.