Chapter 2 : The Revelation

Khushi’s fingers trembled as she finally broke the seal of the letter, the paper fragile with time.

The ink had faded, but his words, they were still there.

“Khushi,

I don’t know how to say this to you,

So I chose silence, like I always do.

But today, I’m afraid this silence will only cost me everything.”

Her breath caught.

“I love you.

I have, for longer than I can remember.

In every glance you never noticed, in every moment I stayed quiet when I should’ve spoken.

But I am leaving tonight.”

The world seemed to still.

“Not because I want to but because I have to.

There are certain things I can’t tell you. Things that would only bring you pain.

If fate is kind, we’ll meet again.

If not.. then let this be my truth.

That you were my forever and I have always loved you. I wanted to say this as I wanted no doubt to be present in your mind.

With loving memories in mind,

Your Arnav."

The letter ended there.

No explanation. No return.

Just love and finally spoken, when it was already too late.

Khushi sank onto the cold bench, the paper slipping from her hands as tears blurred the ink.

All these years, she had thought he left because he didn’t care enough to stay.

But the truth…

The truth was far crueler.

He had loved her too much to let her be part of whatever darkness he was running from.

And now, she would never know what that darkness was.

Never know where he went.

Never know if he was still alive.

The rain softened, almost gently now, as if it had said what it needed to.

Khushi looked up, her voice barely a whisper:

“Why didn’t you tell me, Arnav?”

But the night had no answers.

Only echoes and silence.

A choked sob escaped her lips and before she could realise, tears were streaming down her face.

She clutched the letter to herself as she cried her heart out. Her cries echoed throughout the abandoned station where the surrounding remained solemn as if to comfort her in silence.

Beneath her cries, only a name found its place as she called out his name again and again.

"Arnav...what have you done Arnav?"

She then frantically rummaged through her purse and took out her phone.

Khushi desperately looked for his number and tried calling him. But disappointed and pain took over the call was deemed unreachable, as always.

She hadn’t realized how loud her heartbeat was until the letter fell from her hands.

He loved her.

All those years, all that silence, it wasn’t emptiness, it was fear.

Fear which had gnawed both of them, the thought losing each other was unbearable. Hence, they remained silent and didn't share their feelings fearing it would break the already fragile bond between them.

Her shoulder slumped in defeat as she stared into nothingness.

Five years have passed and she didn't know what she was expecting anymore.

She didn't even know whether he was alive or- Khushi shook her head frantically. No he is alive...he must be.

But there was still uncertainty in her eyes.

Even if he is alive, she couldn't help but wonder... how is he doing? Could have he forgotten about her or is he somewhere present and thinking about her?

Khushi couldn't decipher anything.

The rain didn’t only fall that night.

It collapsed.

Like the sky could no longer hold its secrets.

Khushi sat frozen, the letter still trembling in her hands and one thing was revolving in her mind.

Arnav loved her.

The truth she had waited years for, came wrapped in loss.

"Is everything too late now?" She murmured to herself as tears filled her eyes.

She looked up as if begging the god to show her a path, where the journey would be less painful without him. After everything she got to know.

Khushi hugged her knees, bringing them together and rested her head on it, cocooning herself, to find some solace.

The whole area had quitened down now.

It felt too quiet, too peaceful until she heard leaves crunching from somewhere around there.

She frowned slightly. Someone is here...

As she lifted her head to see who it was, her breath nearly stopped when she heard the voice even before she could turn.

Time slowed..

Her eyes widened and she could feel her own heartbeat drumming violently against her chest.

As Khushi recognised the voice, she had even forgotten how her name sounded like, before her name was called out like a prophecy.

She didn't dare to breathe out loud lest she would think that she was imagining and hearing things due to the mess inside her mind.

She didn't bother turning to find who it was as a name escaped her lips shakingly.

"Arnav...?"

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This is all for chapter 2 . Did you enjoy it?