Since she opened her eyes three months ago, I haven't let her out of my sight.
The doctors said that it was sheer luck or maybe sheer will that made her wake up.
She barely spoke after that day.
Slept most of the day and woke up from nightmares at night.
Sometimes, she stares at me as if to ask why I am there.
She looks detached and cold, which stings my heart.
I didn't push her…I am being careful around her ... I have to be when she looks at me like I am a stranger…as if she doesn't know me…as if she doesn't remember us…our banter...our fights….
I didn't question her. I didn't ask her why she was there at that night or what happened that night.
She is here.
Alive.
Breathing.
That's enough for now.
.
.
.
One month later,
I brought her to my private mansion in the outskirts of Mumbai, far from the city, away from the danger.
The place is surrounded by the forest and the sea on the other side. Gaurded by my best men.
Safe.
Quiet.
Untouchable.
She didn't protest. She didn't ask anything. She followed me silently.
I saw her standing near the balcony, watching the sunset. I stayed back… watching her.
But one thing is sure…. She is not the same Anya…. My Anya…My Naina… I can't see her carefree smile or that happy-go-lucky girl anymore…
What in the world happened in those years she disappeared?
.
.
.
One week later,
She began speaking again.
She began exploring my mansion…filled with the things she loves…
A piano, paints, canvases, portrait stationery, books … one thing about Anya, her love language is portraits and food. That's how she expresses her love… if she gifts you a portrait of yours…congratulations, you have earned a place in her heart.
I saw a sparkle in her eyes when her fingers touched the piano keys.
That evening, when I came back from the office… I walked into her sitting at the piano.
Her fingers hesitated above the keys before pressing one.
Then another.
Then a melody broke out….
I was mesmerised by what she was playing..
It pulled me towards her.
When she noticed my presence, she stopped playing.
Our eyes met.
She didn't look away.
"It's been so long that I thought I forgot how to play." She whispered.
I stepped closer, slowly.
"You didn't", I said gently.
She didn't respond. But she didn't walk away.
She just looked into my eyes with her black orbs, each second drowning me in an abyss from which I don't want to escape.
.
.
.
Next morning I made toast ..ahem..burnt toast to be exact, I am better at managing people than pans. And eggs with orange juice.. at least they are edible.
She entered the kitchen in an oversized hoodie and sweatpants. Her hair was damp, fresh out of the shower.
'How adorable she will look in my hoodie' I was pulled out of my thoughts when I heard her voice.
"You cooked? She asked, raising her right eyebrow.
"Attempted to," I replied, pushing the plate towards her, "try at your own risk."
To my surprise, she smiled. Just a flicker, but it lit her face in a way that startled me. Trust me, I will trade this entire world to see that smile again.
"This is the worst toast I've ever seen," she said while taking a sip of the juice. "At least you didn't burn the eggs."
I laughed, which sounded foreign to my ears.
"Next time I will cook", she declared, leaving me in amusement. "Deal", I nodded.
As soon as we finished the disaster of a breakfast I made, I made a call to my Assistant to bring things. The things she asked for…
When I handed her the box that afternoon, she blinked at it in confusion.
"A laptop?" she said, lifting the lid slowly.
"And a new phone," I added, placing the device next to her.
She took the laptop, slowly tracing the edges. "Thank you," she whispered.
" You don't have to thank me", I patted her head, unable to stop myself from doing so.
That night, I found her in the library again, typing slowly on the new laptop with her eyes squinting occasionally. I didn't disturb her. I just took in that image of hers.
She glanced up at me, a small smile tugging at her lips.
"Agastya," she said.
"Yes..?"
"Why didn't you come for me?" She asked finally.
I sat next to her, my heart sinking to the pit. "I did, Anya. I looked for you everywhere."
"Why did you leave that day? Anya?" I dared to ask her.
Her shoulders stiffened.
She didn't answer.
I turned to her, locking my eyes with hers. " I told you to wait for me that day. But you vanished. No letter. No goodbye…nothing....you left.
Her lips parted. " I didn't leave Agastya… I was taken", she whispered.
"What?" I asked, barely able to breathe.
She looked away from me. "That day….I was walking to that cafe after I got your call… They grabbed me from behind, in a van. The next thing I remember was waking up in a basement." She gripped the edge of the sofa, knuckles white.
A cold chill ran through me. "Who?"
"My family rivals, the people we had made enemies with years ago.. wanted to get back at them by using me as leverage; they wanted to get back at the Varmas."
My fists clenched.
"I was kept in a basement," She continued, "no clock, no light, no food for days. Only voices and threats. They beat me, broke my ribs, I was asked to give locations, my brothers…my uncle, but I didn't say a word. Every time I refused to answer them, they beat me till I passed out, and I hoped I wouldn't wake up again."
"Anya.." My voice hoarse with my heart aching. Each word she said stabbed me like a knife.
"They kept me for a month," she whispered. "All that time, my brothers and uncle were searching for me like madmen. They finally tracked me down. Stormed the place. Saved me. But I wasn't the same anymore."
She turned to me, eyes filled with tears that were threatening to fall, "My brother went to Dehradun when I told him about you. But you left, you went back to Mumbai. And I thought it was for the better. You deserved more than a girl with hunters on her back."
I reached out, cupping her face with both my hands. "Don't ever say that", I said fiercely.
She closed her eyes, leaning into my touch. I carefully hugged her, as if she were a porcelain doll, taking her closer to my heart.
We sat there silently in each other's embrace. She didn't pull back, and I didn't let go.
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Hello there!
Red Mist here, I am sorry for not updating for the last few days, I fell sick and along with that I work in a school, so the academic year ending and handing over responsibilities...everything is taking a toll on me.I will try to update as many as possible.
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Red Mist