Episode-3

Chapter 3: The Secrets We Keep

Aaradhya’s heart pounded in her chest as Krish slowly walked away from her, back into his house, leaving her standing frozen on the street. The air around her felt thick, like a fog settling into her lungs. Her mind was racing, unable to process what had just happened. “Waiting for you to come to me,” his words echoed in her ears. She couldn’t shake the image of him standing at her window, the unsettling feeling of being watched consuming her every thought.

But now, there was something more: Krish’s cryptic smile, the strange sense of familiarity in his eyes, and the weight of his presence. She couldn’t just walk away from this. She needed answers. The only way she could find peace was to face him, to understand what was going on.

As she walked back across the street to her own house, Aaradhya’s eyes kept glancing at Krish’s darkened windows. Something felt off about this whole situation. She’d felt this eerie connection from the moment they met, but the more she thought about it, the more confused she became. Was it just her imagination? Or was there something deeper, something more sinister, at play here?

The next few days passed in a blur. Aaradhya kept her distance from Krish, refusing to give in to the nagging curiosity. She tried to focus on her work and the small tasks that made up her daily routine. But the strange feeling that had taken root in her mind wouldn’t let her go. It was as though something invisible was pulling her back toward him, urging her to uncover the truth.

One evening, after a long day at work, Aaradhya found herself walking home with an unfamiliar sense of urgency. She wasn’t sure why, but her feet seemed to be taking her in the direction of Krish’s house. Before she knew it, she was standing in front of his door again, the same cold wind brushing against her skin.

She hesitated, her fingers tingling with nerves. She knew she had no reason to be here, but the pull she felt was undeniable. Taking a deep breath, she knocked.

A few moments later, the door creaked open, and there he was—Krish, his usual calm demeanor masking the intensity in his eyes. For a moment, neither of them spoke. The silence hung between them, thick and heavy.

“You came back,” Krish said, his voice soft, as if he were speaking to her for the first time.

Aaradhya’s chest tightened. “I need answers, Krish. I don’t know what’s going on, but I can’t just ignore it anymore.”

Krish stepped aside, silently inviting her in. Aaradhya entered, her heart pounding with every step she took. The house was as quiet as ever, the air thick with that strange, sweet scent. She couldn’t help but feel like an intruder, like she was crossing some invisible line.

“I know you have questions,” Krish said, his voice almost a whisper. “But not all answers are meant to be found right away. Some truths… take time to understand.”

Aaradhya clenched her fists. “I don’t have time, Krish. I’m not some character in a mystery novel. I just want to know why you’re here. Why you’re so obsessed with me. Why you keep showing up.”

Krish’s gaze softened. “It’s not obsession,” he said slowly. “It’s something deeper than that. I’ve been waiting for you… for a long time.”

Aaradhya’s breath caught. “Waiting for me? For what?”

Krish stepped closer, his eyes never leaving hers. “You’re not the only one who’s been searching for answers, Aaradhya. I’ve been waiting for someone like you to come into my life. Someone who can see me. Someone who can understand.”

The words hung in the air, heavy and unsettling. Aaradhya’s chest tightened. “See you? Understand what?”

Krish’s lips curled into a faint smile. “You’ve always felt out of place, haven’t you? Like you don’t belong. Like you’re invisible to everyone around you. But you’re not invisible to me.”

Aaradhya’s mind raced. Was he saying what she thought he was saying? Was this some twisted game, or was there something more to it? “What are you talking about, Krish? What do you mean by ‘see me’?”

He took a deep breath, his eyes darkening. “I’m not what you think I am, Aaradhya. And neither are you.”

Her heart skipped a beat. The air between them seemed to thicken, the silence stretching longer. “I don’t understand. You’re not making any sense.”

Krish’s smile faded, his face growing serious. “I’m not human. Not in the way you think. And neither are you, Aaradhya.”

The words hit her like a punch to the gut. Her mouth went dry, and her knees felt weak. “What do you mean? Are you… are you a ghost?”

Krish’s gaze darkened, and for the first time since they’d met, there was a shadow of something unsettling in his eyes. “Not exactly. But I’m not alive, either. I’m something… in between. And you, Aaradhya, you’re the same.”

She shook her head, trying to push the words out of her mind. “This doesn’t make sense. What are you trying to say? What am I?”

Krish took a step closer, his eyes never leaving hers. “You can see me, Aaradhya. You can hear me. That means you’re not entirely alive, either. You’re somewhere in between, just like me. You’ve been drifting, lost, because you don’t fully belong in the world of the living. And neither do I.”

Aaradhya’s breath hitched. Her hands trembled as she backed away. “No. This is insane. I’m alive. I’m real.”

Krish’s voice was calm, almost soothing, as he spoke again. “I know it’s hard to accept. But once you understand, once you see the truth, it will all make sense.”

Aaradhya’s mind swirled, her heart racing in her chest. She wanted to run, to escape this madness. But something in Krish’s eyes—the intensity, the familiarity—made her stay, her body frozen in place.

“You’re not alone anymore,” Krish said softly. “I’ll be here, Aaradhya. I always will be.”

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