His voice.
After two years. My breath catches.
I brace myself.
He’s talking about Rohi.
About how he doesn’t want her. I smile.
Then he says it.
“I’m in love with someone else.”
And I giggle.
A full laugh creeps up my throat. Late—but loud.
Then—
“Greesha is dead.”
My smile breaks.
Becauseyes.
She is.
And still—this manic energy bubbles up inside me.
I laugh. Sharp. Hollow.
He slept with her. And now he’smourningme.
Nowhe loves a ghost.
Good for you, Advik.
Good. For. You.
EIGHT
Advik
“Yeah... I’ll just—listen, I gotta—”
“And have you eaten today?” Vikram cuts me off.
I clench my jaw. The routine’s always the same. I could throw my phone across the room, but I won’t. Because he means well. He always does.
Even my eating habits are part of his concern now. Like I’m some fragile thing that’ll shatter if left unattended.
“Yeah, man. I ate. But I really—”
“Wait. Ishika wants to say hi.”
I exhale, resigned, just as her soft voice comes on the line. “Viko...”
Cautious. Always cautious with me now.
