The thought refused to leave my mind.
I looked at Rudra.
Who are they ?
He didn't answer immediately.
Just turned away, like he was avoiding it.
That doesn't matter right now, he said.
"It matters to me," I replied.
He paused. Then said-
They came here to take you.
But why ? I asked.
I don't know, he replied.
Before I could ask anything-
Footsteps echoed outside again.
They are still here. I whispered quietly.
Rudra's expression hardened instantly.
Stay behind me, he said.
A slow knock came at the door.
Rudra opened the door slightly.
A man stood there. Calm... but different.
His eyes moveed straight to me. Like he already knew me.
Rudra immediately stepped in front of me. What do you want ?
The man didn't look at him. His eyes stayed on me. I'm happy that she's safe here....
He said softly.
Who are you ? I asked.
Before he answered, Rudra spoke coldly.
Leave..
The man finally looked at him. I'm not here to fight. I'm her uncle.
My eyes widened.
The man continued-
I was your father's closest friend.
"He trusted me like family," he said.
I shook my head. No I don't remember you.
His voice softened.
That's because you lost your memory.
His voice turned serious. Listen carefully.
"After your father's death... you had an accident that's why you forgot some parts of your past."
I shook my head. I don't understand.
The man stepped slightly closer.
Then he started speaking slowly-
Your father once told you something very important. "Something dangerous, something powerful."
Rudra stood silently beside me, listening.
The man continued-
And someone found out that you knew something very important.
After that they started following you....
disturbing you... pressuring you.
You kept running from them.
"And one day while trying to escape, you had an accident and you lost your memory."
My eyes widened slightly.
Rudra added quietly-
Ohhh so that's why you don't remember anything clearly.
The man continued-
But even after that they didn't stop. They kept searching for you for that information.
My body started shaking.
So my family what did they do ? I whispered.
The man looked at me with pain in his eyes.
They got scared. That people started threatening them too. They were pressured from both sides. And in fear... they sold you.
My world stopped.
"No..."I whispered this can't be true.
No one denied.
That's why you were taken here, the man said gently.
Tears filled my eyes.
So I wasn't protected, I said slowly.
Rudra looked at me but didn't interrupted.
So that's why they want you because that information is still inside your mind.
I shook my head. I don't remember anything!
But they didn't believe, Rudra replied.
Silence filled the room after his words.
I turned to Rudra.
" If my family sold me to you and they came here to take me, so that I can give them that information then why aren't you letting me go....?" I asked.
For the first time he didn't answer.
I stepped forward slightly. Tell me...
My voice broke a little.
Why are you stopping me ?
Rudra looked at me for a moment.
Then he final spoke.
Because....
He stopped just for a second.
Because I don't trust what will happen to you
if you go with them.
Before I could respond-
The door opened. Rudra's sister walked in.
She looked at all of us quickly.
Rudra... what's happening here ? she asked.
Nothing, he said calmly.
"I should leave now" my uncle said quickly.
His voice was nervous this time. He turned toward the door. But before leaving, he looked at me once. Then he left.
Rudra turned slightly toward me. His voice was lower now.
What happened here, don't tell anyone.
He stepped a little closer and added softly.
Don't worry.. Nothing will happen to you.
His sister looked between us, confused.
And just like that everything became quiet again. But I knew that this wasn't over.
Not even close.