Chapter 52: 52

Hearing the crashing noise, a guard instinctively pointed the gun toward me.

I froze and looked at him like a deer caught in headlights.

The door opened fully, my eyes met with the familiar ocean blue of Advik’s and his gaze softened. He started walking towards me.

But my focus was more on the gun pointed at me by that guard.

Taking a few steps back, I ran -or more like tried to.

That was a stupid thing to do.

With my weak wounded leg, I could only walk-run. Still, I managed to escape that outhouse, and the cold breeze with tiny droplets of rain slapped my face once I was out.

“Wait,” I heard Advik’s voice, but I didn't stop.

The next second, his arms encircled my waist, pulling me back against his chest. Rain dripped from his hair, splashing onto my skin. “Why are you running away?” His voice was a low rasp, sending shivers down my spine.

“Leave me. I didn’t see anything,” I blurted out, struggling to free myself from his hold. However, his grip only tightened.

“Will you stop freaking out?” He murmured, his lips brushed my ear, and my knees threatened to give way. His breath was warm, and intoxicating, making me shiver again.

I gulped and remained silent processing everything.

Yes, I shouldn’t freak out.

I know they won’t harm me.

Why was I even running away?

Maybe because I saw that man pointing the gun at me. I panicked. He might have pulled the trigger any second if they hadn’t stopped him.

"You guys literally beat that truck driver to death. He was covered in blood and you're asking me to stop freaking out. What if he had turned out to be innocent?"

"He's not innocent. We collected proof before doing anything to him."

His words processed in my brain, and I stopped struggling.

“Put me down,” I demanded, as I saw my feet weren’t even touching the ground due to his embrace. Suddenly, I became aware of how his body was pressed against mine, and a blush spread on my cheeks.

Slowly, and gently, he put me down and removed his hands. Turning around, I met his gaze and cleared my throat, “Were you going to kill that truck driver?”

He sighed, “No, of course not, we were just scaring him.”

I felt somewhat relieved hearing he doesn’t take lives.

I heard him chuckle, and he spoke, “I didn’t know you’d get scared instead.”

“Wait, who said I was scared?” I narrowed my eyes.

Scared? No, I wasn’t scared. I was…what? Confused? Intrigued? My mind raced, trying to untangle the web of emotions.

“Then why were you running from me?”

“I wasn’t running away,” I said, trying to keep my voice steady. “I was trying to check if I’m able to run after what happened with my leg.”

I lied.

He averted his gaze, put his hands in his pockets, and took a step closer to me, “You know, you should never lie to a person who knows you better than you know yourself.”

My brows furrowed at that, “You think you know me?” I challenged. “You only know the old Ria. I have changed a lot after my accident.”

Even though I don't know how I was before, the people who I lived with, told me I had changed. A lot.

I don’t even know why I blurt that out. But that question crossed my mind once when I was staring at the white walls of the hospital. I mean I didn't have anything else to do other than overthinking everything.

Advik’s gaze held mine, and a small smile tugged at the corner of his lips, “You really think that?” he said softly, his eyes tracing the features of my face.

He took another step, his eyes boring into mine, “You think I don’t know you?” he said, his voice barely audible over the patter of raindrops. “I’ve seen the way you hesitate before speaking, the way your eyes widen when you’re surprised, the way you bite your lip when you’re nervous. I have noticed every little thing about you in these 5 months. I can read you like an open book.”

I swallowed, my heart racing. I’d always thought my thoughts and emotions were hidden, tucked away in the secret corners of my mind.

He stepped closer again, the rain dampening his hair. “I knew the old Ria. She was carefree, the one who laughed freely, who believed in fairytales and forever, and I loved her just the way she was.”

I saw the emotions swirling in his eyes, as he put his hands on my arms, “And I know this Ria too--the one who fights, who questions, who carries scars. This Ria—the one who stands before me—is captivating. She's strong. And I love her. Your accident might have changed you, but your heart and soul are still the same. I loved the old Ria, I love the new Ria, and I’ll always love the future Ria. Nothing can change that.”

I gulped and stared at him. The rain intensified, but I didn’t care. I wanted to say so many things but just like every time, I find myself mute.

Nothing came out.

I realized just how easy it was for him to confess his emotion and love toward me. He does this every time without any hesitation. While on the other side, I haven’t even confessed a single word. I don’t know what’s stopping me from doing that. He’s doing so much for me, and here I am- who simply can’t express what I felt towards him.

I think it's the time. I should tell him my feelings before it's too late. Plus, the accident that happened to me a few days ago made me realize how uncertain one's life is.

“Advik....I want to... tell you something.” I spoke out, hesitantly.

He looked at the rain, which was pouring like cats and dogs, and gave a nod, “Ok, Let’s go inside, first. Your clothes are drenched. You might get sick.”

I nodded and we made our way inside, all the while I prepared my mind to say all the things I felt towards him.

It’s not that hard.

You can do that.

Just a few words.

Once I was inside, I told him I'd come after changing. He nodded and went towards his room to do the same. Stepping inside my room, I felt something strange in the air. But I ignored it and went towards my cupboard to pull out the dress. After grabbing a simple carmine color dress, I strolled towards the bathroom but as soon as I opened the door, a scream left my lips. Tears gathered in my eyes as I saw the sight before me.

The room looked like a tornado had hit it. Everything was scattered on the floor. But that wasn’t the thing that scared me, it was the words written on the large mirror of the bathroom with red color.

Your end is near.

The room spun around me, a vortex of chaos and fear. The crimson words written on the mirror seemed scary. My heart pounded against my chest; my hands started trembling.

“Ria, what happened?” Advik’s voice echoed from the hallway.

I tore my gaze from the mirror, my heart pounding. “Advik,” I called, my voice unsteady as I tried to catch my breath.

He appeared in the doorway, his expression shifting from concern to alarm. His eyes locked onto the message, and for a moment, we stood frozen. Moving towards it, he traced the letter, trying to solve the puzzle of who might have done that. Who is this mysterious person?

Coming towards me, he held my trembling hand and walked me out of the scary room, taking me away from it. My mind was foggy- they know my location, they had eyes on my every move, and now, they had even reached my room. I didn't know things would come that far. But I knew one thing, if I didn't stop now, it would shatter my life more than it already was.

======================

The day passed with me surrounded by fear each minute. Those words felt like they had been imprinted in my brain, every time I closed my eyes, I saw that image. Advik stayed with me the whole day, trying to comfort and assure me saying nothing would happen.

But I knew better.

Things have happened, and it will keep happening.

I couldn't do anything but think of everything that happened after I re-opened the case. Nothing has gone right since then. I was torn between providing justice to my parents and trying to survive through this danger. I didn't know what I should choose.

But I knew if I didn't stop this fire now, it would burn me alive and maybe its flames might destroy the people around me.

It was around 9 p.m. and I sat on the sofa, drowning in the ocean of thoughts. I was so lost in my thoughts that I didn't even feel the presence beside me.

"You know I won't let anything happen to you. Right?" Advik said, wrapping his arm around me, as he found me staring blankly into the wall again.

"I know," I said, snuggling deeper into his embrace where I felt safest. He was the only thing that was saving me from losing my mind at that time.

We heard a knock, and I almost jumped getting startled. My heart started racing as the fear came creeping in.

"Ria, Calm down. I'm here." His soft voice reached my ears as he caressed my head and squeezed my hand. Pulling away, he went towards the door and opened it revealing Aarav.

Relief spread through me, and I sat up straight on the sofa, my eyes dropping on the paper he held.

"I booked the two tickets. The flight is tomorrow evening." Aarav spoke, handing the tickets to Advik who nodded slowly.

My brows furrowed and I asked Aarav, "Aren't you coming with us?"

He looked at me and opened his mouth to answer but his brother's voice interrupted.

"You and Aarav are going back."

I stared at him, "And you?"

He sighed and walked towards me. Putting the tickets on the table beside me, he locked his eyes with mine, "I'm staying here."

I frowned, "Are you kidding me?"

He leaned back on the table, and ran a hand through his hair, "I have some pending office work to do."

I shook my head in disbelief at his lie, "Seriously? You really think you can fool me by that?"

As his secretary, I know there's no work pending for him now. He's probably planning to investigate further and find out the culprit by staying here. He shouldn't get involved in this. This fire will keep spreading until it burns everyone who gets involved. And I can't even imagine losing him.

I can become the sacrifice-but I can't risk them becoming one.

Taking a deep breath, I looked at him, "I have decided something."

Both of them looked at me, and I swallowed, trying to find my voice, "I'll stop the investigation. I can't handle this anymore."

"No. We won't stop until we find the culprit." Advik's firm voice came. And I knew things were going to get way too far.

It's either going to destroy me or end me completely.