Yami

Chapter 26, I've been looking for you!

Despite the unfamiliarity of Vikram, a peculiar sense of trust enveloped me, defying logic. As I traversed the room, the need for answers intensified, yet Vikram seized my hands, drawing me into an intimate proximity. In the delicate dance of our breaths, his profound eyes reflected a palpable anguish. Unbeknownst to me, tears welled in my eyes, prompted by an inexplicable emotion.Drawing me closer, Vikram's face inched toward mine, prompting an unconscious act – a kiss on his eyes. His grip tightened as our proximity heightened, and he lifted me, delicately placing me on his feet. Still in a tattered dress, I found myself entangled in a gaze with Vikram, where unspoken emotions burgeoned between us."Who are you?" I inquired of Vikram. He responded with a question, "You still haven't grasped it?" and continued, "Yami, you are the love of my life." I could see his frustration or one can say helplessness in his reactions.He continued to feed me, his persistent attempts to unlock the doors of my forgotten memories became more pronounced. I stared at him, my mind a tumultuous sea of confusion and uncertainty. "Yami, you need to remember, I need you, Anartha need you" he urged, a mix of concern and frustration evident in his eyes."I'm doing my best; no one desires my memories back more than I do," I responded, my eyes locked onto the remnants of the meal in front of me. After a brief pause, he retorts, "NO! You're mistaken. You have no idea how much I yearn for you to remember me." Glimpses flickered, but the puzzle of my past remained elusive. Vikram sighed, a blend of disappointment and understanding coloring his expression.In a sudden burst of determination, Vikram sits me down then he touches my head gently. "Close your eyes, Yami. I'll help you remember," he whispered. An unusual warmth radiated from his touch, and I felt a subtle shift in the air around us. As if guided by an unseen force, fragments of memories began to surface.In the ethereal realm of Anartha, where time danced to its own melody, I found myself standing at the threshold of past and present. The transition, vivid and surreal, unfolded before my eyes. Rukmi, stood beside me, her words echoing with wisdom. "Yami, meet Vikram. He is our soldier, a guardian of Anartha," Rukmi introduced, her eyes reflecting trust in Vikram's abilities. As the scenes played out, Vikram took on the role of a mentor, guiding me through the paths of being a queen in Anartha.In one memory, we trained together – a blend of physical prowess and intellectual acuity. Vikram emphasized the importance of mastering both, asserting that a queen's strength lay not only in her muscles but also in the resilience of her mind. He showed me the ropes, sharing the wisdom passed down through generations. Anartha, with its unique norms and expectations, demanded excellence. Vikram's guidance, firm yet caring, resonated with the challenges I faced as a queen in that fantastical realm.Despite the unfamiliarity of the memories, a peculiar sense of acceptance took root within me. As I observed those images, the words involuntarily escaped my lips, "I can see." In response, Vikram said, "Yes, you can see, but these are my memories—how I experienced those days with you. They are not yours; they can merely offer you a starting point, and that's it." With these words, Vikram withdrew from my mind, and a sudden weakness overcame him.However, even amid the unfolding memories, a barrier of mistrust lingered. I couldn't shake off the shadows of uncertainty, like a ghost haunting the recesses of my mind. Glimpses were not enough to bridge the chasm of forgotten time.Just as Vikram pressed on with his attempts to help me remember, the door to the room burst open with a sudden force. Ruhaan, my brother, stood there, his eyes wide with concern. "Yami, I've been looking for you everywhere!" he exclaimed, rushing towards me.Relieved to see a familiar face, I embraced Ruhaan, feeling the security of family. The police followed closely behind him, and in swift motion, they handcuffed Vikram. "What's going on?" I asked, the confusion evident in my voice. "He's under arrest. There are allegations against him, Yami," Ruhaan explained, his tone a mix of worry and authority. The police swiftly escorted Vikram out of the room, and although the process he undertook had left him weakened, his stride still retained the same aura as before.Ruhaan prepared to take me back to Udaipur, a sudden chill ran down my spine. We had already reached to the airport when I caught sight of a tattoo on Ruhaan's hand – a symbol that triggered a spark of recognition in my hazy memories. It was the same mark I had seen during my research before returning to Dehradun.The tattoo, a distinctive emblem of the queen of Anartha, sent shivers down my spine. How could Ruhaan have this mark? Panic and terror gripped me. Ruhaan's expression darkened. A call interrupted the tension. It was the police, reporting that Vikram had slipped from their grasp and was making his way to us.Fear and uncertainty loomed, and the unsettling puzzle of my past deepened. As the pieces of the enigma fell into place, I faced a crossroads between trust and betrayal, with the fate of Anartha hanging in the balance.