𝐂𝐨𝐧𝐭𝐫𝐚𝐜𝐭 𝐨𝐟 𝐈𝐧𝐝𝐞𝐦𝐧𝐢𝐭𝐲

• 𝐭 𝐰 𝐞 𝐧 𝐭 𝐲 •

I slipped into my room, carefully closing the door behind me. My skin still felt chilled, but an unfamiliar heat flushed my cheeks.

Did I truly saw what I thought in his trousers? I shook my head as heat creeped into my cheeks, unwilling to think on such private matters. What mattered now was moving past our troubled history, though walking that path would not be easy.

Changing into dry clothes brought instant relief, but unease still gnawed within. Aarav's change in demeanor gave me hope, yet old habits died hard.

Only time will tell if his apologies were true.

Once dry, I walked back out to find the galley empty. On the table rested a folded note:

"I have to head out for an emergency regarding work, thanks for the clothes. I'll talk to you later.

-A"

A strange weight took hold in my chest as I read the scribbled words.

So he'd left after all, and without a proper goodbye. The Aarav I knew would have barged his way through any disagreement, unwilling to let a conversation end on tense terms.

I checked the clock-11:45 p.m. Almost midnight? We've been arguing for that long and I hadn't even noticed the darkness falling around us.

Where could an "emergency" call him at this hour? Doubt filtered in despite my hopes for reconciliation. Old wounds ached as familiar anger sparked, tempered only by bone-deep weariness.

Sinking into a chair, I studied the note once more, frustration warring with fatigue. Events of the day spiraled through my mind-our arguments, his apology, the brush with death in those freezing waters. A sigh escaped my lips, part exasperation and part... disappointment? I didn't want to analyze that feeling too closely. Folding my arms tightly around me, I gazed out at the inky black river, remembering the panic and fear from before.

Had saving me only been an act to placate his guilt? Or had I glimpsed honesty in his eyes as he pleaded for understanding?

I didn't know what to believe where Aarav was concerned anymore.

All I knew was the chill had returned, seeping into my bones despite the warm clothes. But this time, it came from within.

The quiet broken only by the lapping river, I was left with more questions than answers once again in Aarav's frustrating wake.

His actions raised more questions than answers. But now all the energy had fled from my body, leaving only a strange hollowness in its wake. I folded the note and made my way to bed, turmoil chasing me into restless dreams. Tomorrow would tell if Aarav proved as changeable as the seas that nearly claimed us both.

•••••••

The morning sun was bright as I entered the dining room, still tired from a restless night. Mother smiled warmly as she set a plate before me, while Yami chattered excitedly about her plans for the day. We sat down for breakfast, I could feel my family's curious eyes on me. I knew the question was coming before Baba even opened his mouth.