10 PM…
The dark road glimmered faintly in the distance where vehicle lights passed occasionally.
But on the side of that same road, a single car stood still.
It was Ruhi’s car.
Ira was sleepy, yawning endlessly as she sat by the window seat, her head falling forward every few seconds.
Anamika stood beside Ruhi.
Kicking the punctured tyre in frustration, Ruhi said, “Ugh! Of all days… today this had to get punctured! And no stepney either!”
Anamika looked genuinely confused.
“What’s a stepney? And why do we even need it? We need the tyre, right?!”
Ruhi stared at her helplessly.
“Stepney means the spare tyre, Anamika! Anyway… (looks at Ira) Ira looks really sleepy. Do one thing—I'll book a cab for you. Take Ira home… and then you can go home too.”
“But then what about you?” Anamika asked, worried.
“Don’t worry about me!” Ruhi said with a small smile.
“I have a mechanic’s number. But his garage is far away, so he might take time to arrive. That’s why I’m asking you two to leave in a cab. Ira is exhausted… you understand, right?”
Anamika nodded quietly.
“Okay… I’ll go. But once you reach home, call me. Promise?”
“Yes, I will,” Ruhi smiled.
She booked a cab for Anamika and Ira, sent them off, and stayed back to wait for the mechanic.
A little while later, Anamika arrived at Ira’s home with her.
Shekhar and Aniket had not returned yet, so the house felt empty and filled with darkness.
Because of that, Anamika decided to stay with Ira for a while instead of going straight home.
Taken from Royal Road, this narrative should be reported if found on Amazon.
The moment they entered, Ira collapsed onto the sofa.
Anamika, however, stood beside the sofa like a shy child entering a stranger’s home for the first time.
Her eyes wandered around the house, observing everything.
Suddenly, her gaze fell on a small photo frame kept on a side table.
Two little kids… wearing black sunglasses, posing as if they owned the underworld.
But instead of smiling, a line of confusion appeared on Anamika’s face.
She was still staring at the picture when Ira’s sleepy voice came from behind, “That’s Aditya bro and Aniket bro! They must be around 10 or 11 in this picture. Aniket bro forced his Dad to buy him a new camera back then. This is the first picture he clicked!”
Anamika turned around. Ira was standing there, rubbing her eyes.
Ira checked the time and asked, “Are you staying with me tonight?”
Instead of answering, Anamika asked softly, “Your… your home? Where is it?”
Ira blinked, then laughed like a na?ve child.
“What happened, delicate flower? You’re inside the house and asking for its address?”
But Anamika’s silence was serious. So Ira sighed and spoke the truth.
“Okay… I’ll tell you. This is Aniket bro’s house. My house… burned down 6 years ago… with my mom and dad.”
Her eyes dimmed instantly.
She suddenly looked like a little girl who was trying not to cry.
Anamika’s hands trembled as she asked, “Your… parents… h-how? When did they… die?”
Ira looked away.
“Six years ago. Exactly on this day… My parents were killed. Since then, my brother has never celebrated his birthday. The meaning of this date changed for us forever.
He rebuilt the house… but what’s the point? To me, it’s just a grave now… where my parents’ memories and their screams are buried.”
As Anamika listened, her heartbeat stumbled.
Her breath grew heavy—almost nonexistent.
Her hands trembled violently, so she grabbed one hand with the other to steady herself.
Darkness felt as if it was swallowing her whole…
, a hand landed gently on her shoulder.
Ira had come closer.
“What happened? I know it must be painful for you to hear this… but don’t worry. (she smiled softly) We’re okay now. And we’re happy… together.”
But Anamika turned her face away and whispered, “I… I need to go.”
“It’s too late!” Ira said quickly.
“Wait two minutes. I’ll call the driver uncle.”
She picked up her phone—only to discover it was dead.
“Oh great… wait two minutes, okay? I’ll put it on charge and call him.”
She left to find the charger.
But when she returned… Anamika was gone.
Only a small note lay there.
“I have to go.”
The words were faint, shaky… written by trembling hands.
Ira stared at it for a moment but thought Anamika must have been in a hurry—it was late and Saaniya would be coming home soon.
After all, Ira was still a .
Meanwhile
Clouds gathered heavily—Saaniya watched them through her cabin window.
She was just picking up her bag when Rudra entered her cabin.
Saaniya raised her brows, asking silently, What happened?
“Nothing,” Rudra said.
“I’m doing the night shift today. A doctor had to leave for an urgent matter. And… the weather looks bad. I heard on the news there might be a storm. So I came to tell you to go home early. Also… Ruhi told me she reached home safely, so Anamika must’ve reached too.”
Saaniya walked past him.
“I know… I was just leaving.”
Rudra spoke again, “By the way, Dr. Niharika sent Anamika’s mental health reports. They look good… remarkably good.”
Saaniya turned slightly.
“Maybe… my decision was right. Connecting her with the world again—through Aditya.”
Rudra smiled. “Absolutely.”
Saaniya replied with a small smile, “See you tomorrow, Mr. Rudra,” and walked out.
Rudra also left, getting back to work.
But the sky outside the window kept growing darker… heavier.
Under that same dark sky,
He placed a bag at the doorstep… and left quietly.
A few moments later, someone picked up that bag.
Inside, there were some letters and some photos.
Some were group photos from Anamika's school, taken 6–7 years ago.
A drop of water fell on one of the photos… And breaking the silence, a small sob was heard.
