The door was still locked from the outside.
But then a soft sound came from inside.
My name echoed faintly. "Rhea…"
Arin grabbed my arm.
No, don't go near it, he said firmly.
Then a sharp click sounded from the lock.
But it didn't open… it just loosened slightly.
Arin's face went tense.
This isn't normal, he whispered. We both stared at the door.
Arin pulled me a little back.
Rhea, step away, he said.
I didn't move immediately. Because I could still hear it. That faint sound.
Then another click. Closer this time. My heart jumped.
It's unlocking... I whispered.
Arin shook his head.
No, that's not possible. That lock... it can't be opened from inside, he said.
But before he could finish. The lock suddenly clicked open. But the door still didn't move.
Silence hit again even worse than before.
Arin stepped in front of me without thinking.
A soft voice came from inside again.
"Rhea...."
I froze completely. Arin lowered his voice.
We're not opening this, he said firmly.
I nodded slowly.
But my eyes stayed fixed on the door.
Then the metal creaked again.
Not opening… just shifting slightly.
Arin grabbed my wrist.
Rhea, move back, he said urgently.
But I whispered, almost to myself.
" I know that voice…"
Then the voice came again.
Rhea… it's me.
Arin turned sharply toward me.
No, don't believe it, he said immediately.
But my mind wasn't listening anymore.
The door trembled once. This time.... the door opened fully.
I stepped back instantly. A thin strip of darkness appeared first... then widened.
My heart pounded so loudly I could hear it in my ears. Arin's voice dropped.
"Rhea… don't look directly at it," he said.
But I couldn't move my eyes away.
Because something inside that darkness… felt familiar. Arin stepped forward slightly.
Show yourself, he said firmly.
The figure stepped slightly closer.
And for the first time… the light hit his face fully. My breath stopped.
Everything inside me went silent because I knew him. Not from now. From before.
My lips parted, but no sound came out. It wasn't fear anymore. It was something deeper. Arin's voice cut through the silence.
Rhea… who is that ?
I didn't answer because I couldn't recognize him. He took another step forward. The light revealed more of his face. Familiar eyes...
Arin moved closer to me, his body tense.
Say something, who is he ? Arin whispered.
Something inside me clicked.
Rehan....?
It's you ? It's really you ? I asked.
His expression changed. Like he had been waiting for me to say it.
"Yes," he replied.
My throat tightened.
How are you here ? I asked quietly.
Rehan looked down for a second then back at me.
I was kept here, he said.
My heart slowed. Kept ? By who ?
Rehan's eyes shifted and landed to Arin.
Arin's eyes widened immediately.
No... I didn't, I'm seeing him for the first time, he said quickly.
Then Rehan spoke.. Rudra kept me here.
I froze for a second because that name hit the room like a shockwave.
Rudra... Why would he do this ? I whispered.
Rehan took a deep breath and said..
One night, they went to our house.
I asked who they were ?
Enemies, he replied and continued.
They asked our family about you, but our family they didn't know anything.
So our family told them that they have no idea about where you were.
But they didn't believe. And one by one they killed everyone who kept saying they didn't know anything about you.
My breath stopped completely.
No.... that's not possible.
I was there… I saw it happen. And I couldn't save them, Rehan said quietly.
Silence filled the room.
I could barely process what I was hearing.
So you escaped ? I asked.
He nodded.
I ran from there and I didn't know where else to go. Then only one name came to my mind.
I frowned. Which name?
Rehan looked at me and said... Rudra.
Because I had heard people say… if anyone can protect you in situations like this, it's him. So I went to him and when I reached him, I told him everything.
He didn't ask questions. He just said he would handle it and he kept me here.
My eyes widened. Arin was also shocked.
For a moment, I felt Rudra wasn't as bad as I thought.
Rehan looked at me. His voice dropped even lower. He continued-
Later, I came to know that our family sold you to Rudra for their own's safety..... maybe to save themselves... I don't know the exact reason, Rehan said.
I stood frozen for a moment.
My mind felt heavy… like everything was mixing together.
Then I looked at Rehan slowly.
If you were here all the time, then why didn't you meet me ? I asked.
Rehan's expression changed. He looked a little sad. He took a slow breath.
Because I was not allowed to come in front of you, he said softly.
I frowned. Why ?
Rudra stopped me because he said you were in a very fragile state after everything that happened. You had lost your memory that night… you didn't even remember who I was properly, he explained.
I blinked slowly. I forgot you ?
Rehan didn't answer directly.
He just said softly,
You forgot a lot of things, Rhea.
And if I came suddenly in front of you, your condition may could get worse.
My throat felt dry.
So he stopped you from meeting me for my safety ? I asked.
Rehan nodded. "Yes."
I stood there quietly, trying to process everything Rehan had just said.
My mind felt heavy. And somewhere deep inside, a thought slowly formed.
Maybe Rudra is not telling me anything because he is afraid that it might affect me badly.