Prologue

“ How was the exam?”

“ So many tough questions”

“ Finally we are free”

My gaze fell on every student passing by. Some laughed wholeheartedly like they have been given holidays for life. And some walked like it was their last time on earth.

Some were checking answers already on their phones. Some cried their whole heart the moment their eyes met their parents.But I didn't care. None of them. As I was searching.

My eyes searched for someone. Someone important. Those brown eyes. Those round spectacles.

And then my eyes caught her figure coming out from the building. Her pace was slow and her eyes were trained at the ground. Her hair flew back due to the intensity of the air. Her lips were moving, like she was talking to herself only.

My feet involuntarily started moving towards her. Without my consent. I could feel my skin tingle by this harsh wind blowing.  Clouds were growling at a distance. But my feet still moved across the wet concrete. Determined.

“ Kriti..” My voice was slow. Barely there. Maybe a whisper. But she heard.

Her steps faltered. And her body went rigid. And at some corner I still felt the hold I had over her.

And slowly she turned around. Her eyes hardened the second it set on me. Void. Sharp.

I took a deep breath. I felt my legs weaken.

My hands went inside my pocket, taking out a folded page. Her eyes traced my every moment. As if she had already planned her escape.

“ This.. is for you. Please read it” I forwarded my hand towards her.

Her eyes stayed on the paper. Thinking whether to take and crumble it or just put it on fire.

Her eyes lifted to meet mine, all I could see was hatred. Pure hate. I inhaled deeply. Grounding myself. She took the page roughly from my grip and spun around. Moved away from me.

If I were the paper, I would have lost my breath at the way she held it. Sharply. Crumbling.

After what felt like hours she stopped in front of a stranger. She shoved my page in his hand. Coldly. My letter. Like it was a time bomb she refused to defuse.

She stepped back. Shifted, drifted away.

And somewhere I felt a lone tear escaping from my left eye.