CHAPTER LIX
After everything that had happened, my mind was still heavy with thoughts of Sita... her words, her tears, her love. I wanted to tell someone, to let the storm inside me out before it drowned me completely. Without thinking twice, I picked up my phone and called Sasha.
The moment she answered, I didn't even know where to begin. My voice trembled as I said, "Sasha… I need to talk to you. I need to tell you everything...about Sita, about how I feel… about how I love her."
Before I could say more, Sasha interrupted softly but firmly, "Ved, listen. Don't say anything on the phone. Come to Candy Club. Mia and I are already here, waiting for you."
Her voice sounded tired yet warm, the kind of tone that reminded me of the calm after a long fight. "Don't bring Sita," she added, "we just need a little break... a few hours to breathe, and you know how we relaxed... We are dark minded... So... After everything that happened yesterday, our minds need rest, not more chaos."
For a moment, I hesitated. Part of me didn't want to leave the house, didn't want to leave Sita...not after everything between us had finally come into the light. But I also knew Sasha was right. The last twenty-four hours had been too much for my heart to handle.
"Alright," I said quietly. "I'm coming."
As I ended the call, I sat there for a moment in silence, staring at the faint reflection of the mirror still bearing Sita's message: I love you.
Those words burned softly in my chest.
I took my keys from the table, grabbed my jacket, and stepped out. The evening air was cool, almost healing. The streets shimmered faintly under the city lights... the kind of lights that made you feel small yet strangely alive.
As I drove, my thoughts wouldn't settle. Every turn of the wheel brought back flashes of Sita's face... her trembling voice, her touch, the way she had held me as if the world could fall apart and she wouldn't let go.
And now, here I was, heading toward Sasha and Mia...two friends who had stood by me through every storm. Maybe tonight wasn't about answers. Maybe it was just about breathing again, about finding a few hours of peace before facing the truth that waited at home.
As the neon glow of Candy Club came into view, I took a deep breath and parked the car. The muffled music and laughter from inside spilled into the night air, but my heart was still elsewhere...somewhere between guilt and love, truth and silence.
And as I walked toward the entrance, one thought echoed in my mind...
How do you balance love that feels so right with the fear of losing it all?
As soon as I entered the club, the familiar mix of loud music, flashing lights, and laughter surrounded me. It felt strange... like stepping into a different world, one that didn't match the storm still raging inside my heart.
I looked around, scanning the crowd until I spotted Sasha and Mia sitting near the bar. The sight of their smiling faces brought me a moment of comfort. For a second, I almost forgot the chaos inside me. I hurried toward them, eager to share what had been burning in my chest all day.
Before I could even catch my breath, I said excitedly, "Sasha, Mia… I have to tell you something... Sita..."
But before I could finish, Sasha interrupted with a playful grin. "No serious talk tonight, Vedu," she said, picking up a glass of wine from the counter. "You've been through enough. Just relax for once."
Without giving me a chance to protest, she handed me the glass. "Come on, just a sip," she insisted gently.
I hesitated, but then took the glass from her hand. Maybe she was right. Maybe I did need to breathe, to stop thinking for a while. The wine was sweet and sharp all at once, its warmth spreading through me slowly.
Sasha smiled again, brushing my shoulder lightly. "That's better. You look tired, Ved. Go freshen up. There's a quiet room at the back...the one... You'll feel better after a few minutes away from the noise."
I nodded, trusting her words. Sasha had always taken care of me, always known when I needed calm.
I walked down the dim hallway she pointed toward, my shoes echoing softly against the floor. The music grew fainter as I reached a small red-painted door. When I stepped inside, everything fell silent.
The room was dimly lit, the light a deep shade of crimson that seemed to fill every corner. A strange feeling crept up my spine...something between discomfort and confusion. The air felt heavy, the space almost too still.
I turned back toward the door, suddenly unsure. But before I could step out, I heard the sound of a lock clicking from the other side.
My breath caught.
"Sasha?" I called out, knocking lightly. "Why did you lock the door?"
No answer.
I pressed my ear against the door, hearing only the muffled beat of music from outside. My heart started to pound. The room...though elegant in design...felt wrong. The lighting, the silence, the strange decor… it all carried an unsettling energy.
I wrapped my arms around myself, trying to calm the rising panic. Why would Sasha send me here? What's going on?
My mind raced, filled with worry and confusion. Something didn't feel right... and though I couldn't yet understand what, I could feel it in my bones.
I started banging on the door, my voice echoing through the red room. "Sasha! Mia! Open the door!"
At first, no one answered. My heartbeat grew louder than the music outside. Panic was crawling up my throat when suddenly, my phone began to ring.
It was Sasha.
I answered instantly, my voice trembling. "Sasha, what is this? Why did you lock me in here?"
On the other end, I could hear laughter... light, teasing, but with something unsettling beneath it.
"Vedu," Sasha said in a strangely cheerful tone, "don't panic. Just relax. Tonight's special... because Sita is finally going to confess her love to you."
My chest tightened. "What are you talking about?" I asked, confused.
Sasha's voice softened into something almost playful. "We thought you deserved a surprise. So tonight… we're giving you Sita. As a gift. Just wait."
Then, before I could say anything, I heard Mia giggle in the background... and the call cut off.
I froze, staring at my phone screen, disbelief flooding my mind. A gift? What were they talking about? None of this made sense.
I took a few deep breaths, trying to calm myself, but the air in the room felt heavier now...as if the red walls were closing in. I turned toward the door again and tried to push it, but it didn't move.
Then, out of nowhere, I felt a light touch on my shoulder.
My heart jumped. I spun around quickly... and standing behind me was a young woman. She looked about my age, dressed neatly, her face calm but her eyes strangely distant.
"Miss," she said softly, her voice too polite to feel natural, "how can I help you?"
Something about her tone sent a shiver through me. Her smile didn't reach her eyes.
"I… I think there's been a mistake," I said cautiously. "My friends locked me in by accident. Could you open the door, please?"
But instead of answering, the woman took a step closer... too close. The air between us tightened.
"Please, step back," I said quickly, my voice shaking now.
Before I could move, she reached out and grabbed my wrist... firm but controlled. "You should stay still, Miss," she murmured quietly.
"Let go of me!" I tried to pull back, but her grip only tightened, I thaught in my mind why I'm short.
Then she took something from her pocket... a metallic sound clicked faintly... and I realized she wasn't here to help me.
Panic surged through my chest. I tried to free myself, but she was stronger than she looked. My breath came in fast, uneven gasps as I struggled, trying to understand what was happening and why.
All I could think was... Sasha wouldn't do this… would she?
The trust I had in her, in Mia... in everyone...began to crumble. And as the room filled with the sound of my racing heartbeat, one truth became clear.
Something had gone terribly wrong.
To be continue...