Shades of Bonds - ✔ [Completed] #Book2

21. Chapter Closed

I hesitated, unsure of how to answer. I had just arrived, and he was already asking when I would return. How long would I be here? Two days, a week, or even a month? Honestly, I didn't know.

"Before your sports meet, for sure," I promised, hoping it would suffice.

"But that's so fal away," he pouted, and I offered him a warm smile.

(But that's so far away)

"Don't try to be a father you can never be," a voice suddenly interrupted, likely Vihan's. Ansh, meanwhile, continued to show me his little plants, but my attention was drawn to the argument.

"Cut it out. Stop with your fake affection. My brother doesn't need you. He would have been happier with our mother. Nobody's happiness ever mattered to me. I haven't forgotten that day, and I never will. I shouldn't have even come there. I only came because Bhai called me, and I rarely get to see my brother. I never came because of you," the voice continued, fading as Ansh ran upstairs to show me something else.

"It's getting late, Ansh. You should go to bed. We can talk more tomorrow," I suggested gently.

"What time is it thele?" he asked.

(What time is it there?)

"Um... it's almost 1:30," I replied.

"It's too late there as well. You should go to sleep too, Aya" he insisted.

I nodded in agreement. "Goodnight, Ansh. Sweet dreams."

"Goodnight, Aya. Love you," he said softly before ending the call.

I turned off the light and opened my laptop, ready to dive into my work. But before my fingers could even touch the keyboard, a voice in my head interrupted me.

It was a memory, vivid and poignant. I remembered the nights when Veer would gently coax me away from work, insisting that I needed rest. How he would sit by my side until I fell asleep, chasing away the nightmares that haunted me. He was always there for me, always trying to help, but I had never fully appreciated it.

With a sigh, I closed the laptop and lay back on the bed. Thoughts of Veer filled my mind, and I couldn't help but wonder when I would see him again. When would I be reunited with my Sanki?

His face kept coming out form my memories and I couldn't sleep. My phone ringed and for a moment I was relieved that I have got some timepass.

It was Yuvaan.

"Were you sleeping?" he asked, his concern evident in his tone. Yuvaan was always the type to keep to himself, making sure everyone felt comfortable and avoiding offense whenever possible. It was a side of him I hadn't thought he is capable of having, especially when I recalled our first meeting.

"No, I was just--"

"You should be sleeping by this time. It's almost 2 there," he interrupted gently.

"No, actually I woke up from a nap earlier, and I slept a lot on the flight, so I'm wide awake," I replied.

"Oh! I just wanted to check in and see how you're doing there," he said.

"I'm fine, Yuvi, don't worry," I reassured him.

"You didn't take anyone with you, so I hope you'll manage alone?" he asked, and I couldn't help but wonder how he knew.

"Um, yes, I'll manage. How did you find out?" I inquired.

"Don't worry, only I knew about it. I just met Robin, so I figured it out," he explained.

Thank goodness it wasn't Aarav who met him.

"Aren't you planning to sleep tonight?" I asked.

"Yeah, I was just about to. Rudra was eager to hear a story," he replied.