The Twisted Knots

16.

I awoke abruptly from a deep slumber, my senses jolted by a tapping sound that echoed through the silence of my room. Confused and disoriented, I glanced around, the darkness concealing the source of the disturbance.

The rhythmic tapping persisted, drawing my attention to the window. As I approached, the dim moonlight revealed a faint silhouette outside. A mixture of curiosity and caution gripped me as I cautiously opened the window, revealing the night beyond.

There, in the hushed stillness, stood Yash, a somber expression etched across his face.

Upon seeing me, Yash's smile lit up the night, and to my bewilderment, he dropped a small rock from his hand. I rubbed my eyes, half-expecting to wake from a dream, but he was still there, a mischievous glint in his eyes. What on earth was he doing here?

He motioned for me to wait and swiftly disappeared. Following him, I saw Yash grab a ladder from my backyard. Realization dawned on me – he was about to climb up to my window. Panicking, I shook my head, a silent plea for him to reconsider.

Ignoring my protests, Yash placed the ladder against my window, which was on the first floor. Cautiously, I held the ladder steady, anxious about the daring escapade unfolding before me. Yash ascended step by step until he was face to face with me, a cheeky grin on his lips.

"Hey," he greeted, and before I could respond, he surprised me with a sudden kiss. I halted in shock, and he chuckled, clearly amused by my reaction.

"Can I come in?" he asked, and I moved aside, giving him space to enter.

"What are you doing here?" I asked, a mix of surprise and curiosity in my voice as Yash entered my room.

"I was worried about you," he replied, sincerity in his eyes. "You didn't reply to my calls or texts, and I needed to make sure you were alright."

I couldn't help but feel a warmth spreading through me, touched by his genuine concern. "I didn't mean to make you worry," I admitted, realizing the impact of my silence.

Yash gently cupped my face, his thumb carefully caressing my skin. "I couldn't bear the thought of something happening to you. Your safety means everything to me."

His words hung in the air, a sweet melody resonating between us. "I didn't realize you cared so much," I whispered, feeling a newfound connection.

Yash smiled, his eyes reflecting sincerity. "You mean more to me than you know."

"Somehow, being here with you feels right, like the universe conspired to bring us together."

As he spoke, I couldn't deny the flutter in my heart, the realization that Yash's presence had a magnetic pull on my emotions.

Turning on the lights in my room, my mom must have turned them off during her check-up on me. As I picked up my phone from the bed, the screen illuminated with notifications – messages and calls from Yash. Glancing at the time, 2:03, I felt a pang of guilt for not responding earlier.

I looked at Yash, smile etched on his face, and softly said, "It's late. You should go back home."

Something shifted in Yash's expression at my words. His eyes darkened, and he gritted his teeth, reminiscent of the unsettling intensity I'd seen in my father. He started moving towards me, and a sudden fear gripped me.

Without warning, Yash enveloped me in a hug, surprising me with the unexpected gesture. As he pulled away, he cupped my face in his hands, his eyes searching mine. "Who did this?" he asked, his voice filled with a protective urgency.

Confused at first, It took me a while to realise my eyes must have been red from all the crying. His concern, unlike anything I'd experienced before, left me both surprised and strangely comforted.

Yash's concern was palpable as he asked, "Who did this to you, Tara?" His eyes searched mine, and I hesitated before responding, "Oh, it's nothing. Probably something got in my eyes."

Concern deepened in his voice as he pressed, "Why were you crying then?"

I shook my head, denying the truth that begged to be spoken. "No one. Really, Yash. It's nothing."

"Was it your father?" he asked, gently probing.

His words broke through my defenses, and I felt the weight of unspoken pain. Shaking my head, tears welled up again. Yash, understanding the unspoken, pulled me into a comforting hug.

"Nothing is wrong. I just want to stay with you," I whispered, my voice barely audible. In that moment, I felt a sense of belonging with Yash, a comfort that eluded me in my own home. Despite not knowing him for long, he felt like the anchor I desperately needed, the warmth of home in the arms of someone who cared.

Yash's comforting words enveloped me like a soothing balm. "You don't need to worry about anything, Tara. I'll always be here for you," he reassured, his hand gently grabbing mine.

Curiosity sparked in me as he suggested, "Let's go for a drive." I hesitated, my mind clouded with fears of my father discovering our late-night escape. "What if my father finds out?" I asked, stopping in my path and shaking my head.

"Screw him," Yash declared, a determination in his eyes. "Maybe it's time you live for yourself, not to impress someone who never cared about you or your mother from the start."

His words resonated with a truth I had been avoiding. Nodding, I decided to follow him. This time, we chose the door over the window, ensuring our exit was silent. As we reached the main door, my heart raced as I saw Kalpana, our house help.

She stood there with a glass of water in her hand, anticipating a lecture from. However, to my surprise, Catching our eyes, she smiled and motioned for me to go.

"Thank you," I mouthed to her.

Yash and I stepped outside into the cool night breeze. In that moment, with Yash by my side, I felt a happiness that had eluded me for a really long time. The weight of my past seemed to lift, and the prospect of a journey with Yash brought a newfound sense of liberation.