Chapter 3

Hey you. Yes, you – the one reading this.🤍

Before you jump into the chapter, I just want to say thank you for being here.

For taking time out of your day to step into this world with me.

Your thoughts, your reactions, even just knowing you’re here… it means more than I can put into words.

So, as you read, feel free to leave me a little note in the comments – tell me how it made you feel, what you’re thinking. And if you can, drop a vote too – it helps this story reach more hearts like yours.

Ready? Let’s do this together.🌸

Total words:- 840

______________________________________
My nights are drenched
in long dark talks with myself
about how things should’ve
been but couldn’t be.

｡⁠◕⁠‿⁠◕⁠｡
Inu, what do you want for your birthday gift?” I asked, leaning toward her.

“I want Barbie… and lots and lots of chocolates!” Inaiyat beamed.

“I want them too,” I grinned.

“Okay, I’ll share them with you,” she said innocently, and I smiled

✧

I was on my way to Jaipur with Inu and her parents, in my favorite car from my uncle’s vintage car.

We were lost in chatter while aunty kept admiring us, sometimes laughing at our stupid jokes.

Par kahin koch raste badal gye,

It was a dark, lonely road, endlessly.
The wind rushed through the trees, making a strange, scary sound.
The rain was pouring so hard.
The air felt heavy, and every step felt like something bad was going to happen

And then….
BANG!

A gunshot split the air.
My heart stopped.

Then, another sound, a tire bursting violently.

The car spinning out of control.
The horn sound was so loud.

The screech of brakes.
A truck’s headlights appeared out of nowhere, blinding us.

Panic swallowed us whole as the car spun like a toy.
Inu and I clutched each other, crying, screaming

BOOM!!!

The collision sent us into darkness.

✧

When I finally opened my eyes, it felt like hours had passed. My head was pounding. My ears were ringing.
My whole body ached,
I wasn’t able to lift my own weight
I shook Inu desperately, and she stirred, whimpering.

We stumbled out of the broken car, with difficulty.

“Masa… maa… papa… please… why are you lying like this? Wake up, please! I promise I won’t insist on toys anymore!” Inu sobbed, shaking them.
Her tiny hands were trembling, covered in blood.
Mine too.

Uncle and aunty lay motionless.
Blood everywhere.
windshield glass stuck in their clothes and skin.

“Uncle, please wake up! Aunty, uncle is not listening, you please wake up and tell him to wake up too!”
I kept shaking them.
No response.

We screamed for help.
Nobody came.
Only the sound of rain and our own panicked cries.

Then suddenly

THUD!

Pain exploded at the back of my head.
I fell to my knees, clutching my head, feeling blood on my fingers.
Inu too was hit,  she screamed

I saw a shadow coming above us.

I couldn’t see clearly and soon everything went black.

“Inu? Inu? Inaiyat, where are you? Uncle? Aunt? Please say something… at least open your eyes… please…”
I cried into the darkness, sobbing.

“Vani? Vani beta?”
Some voices… faint… familiar.

“Vani? Beta… Vani beta?”

Suddenly my mother’s hands shook me awake.
I shot up in bed, gasping for breath, drenched in sweat.

It was just a nightmare.
Again.

It had been 14 years since that night, and still, it haunted me.
My best friend… my Inu.
Where was she? Was she alive?
That cursed night had taken Inu, uncle, and aunty away from me forever.

And my peace too.

“Vani beta, what happened?” Mom asked softly.

I just stared at her blankly.
She didn’t know about these nightmares.
Or maybe she did. Mothers always know.

“Nothing… just a bad dream,” I muttered.

I didn’t want anyone to see me as weak.
I am strong. Or at least I pretended to be.

Mom sat down beside me and gently stroked my hair.
“My bacha… everything is going to be alright. Now go take a good shower, you’ll feel better.”

I nodded.
Of course she knew.
Why wouldn’t she?
She was my mom.

“Yes, maa. I’ll take a shower. And… can you make something delicious today? Please?”

“Haan beta, I will. But wait, what do you mean, make something good? Do I cook bad otherwise?” she teased.

I laughed.
“No no, my sexy lady, I was just kidding! I’ll shower now.”

“Sharam kar. Sexy? That’s what you call your mother?” she scolded playfully.

“Well, why lie when it’s true? You are hot and sexy!” I shouted while running toward the bathroom.

“Pagal ladki!” she laughed as she walked away.
(This crazy child of mine…)

______________________________________

And that’s where I leave you for now! Tell me in the comments – what do you think is going to happen next? New chapter coming soon, so stay tuned! 🌸

Do follow me on insta,:- fanaatales

And do votes and comments. See you soon 💖