Chapter 48

Abhimanyu

For the first time in what felt like forever, I wasn’t drowning in my thoughts.

Standing there, watching Subhi smile so effortlessly, something in me shifted. It wasn’t just the relief of unspoken words finally being shared—it was something deeper. Something terrifying.

Hope.

I never realized how much I had pushed it away, how much I had convinced myself that I didn’t deserve it. But here she was, standing right in front of me, reminding me that maybe… just maybe, I wasn’t as lost as I thought.

I let out a small chuckle, shaking my head. "You really are annoying, you know that?"

She gasped dramatically, her hands flying to her chest. "Excuse me?"

I smirked. "Yeah. Always dragging me out of my misery, making me listen to birds and wind like some philosophical monk. It’s exhausting.”

She rolled her eyes, crossing her arms. "Oh, I’m sorry, should I just let you mope around all day then?”

I laughed, a real one this time. "God, no."

She smiled at that, and for a moment, we just stood there, the silence between us no longer heavy but comforting.

Then, suddenly, she grabbed my wrist and tugged me forward.

"Come on."

I frowned. "Where?"

She just grinned. "Somewhere you need to be."

I didn't argue. For once, I let myself follow without questioning, without overthinking.

Because maybe—just maybe—I was ready to see where hope could take me.