Chapter 16 ~ "Atomic Confessions "

EDITED.

(This ones for my awesome readers that have stuck around for so long, waiting for my lazy ass to update. )

✩ ✩ ✩

"It's been five minutes. Are you going to speak?"

"Give me a second. I can't just..." he huffed.

I sighed before leaning against one of the towering windows. After we exited the hall, I led Ayan from the lobby to one of the smaller connecting corridors, hidden away from prying eyes. "Ayan, you practically yelled at me earlier in the room, and now your uncertain whether to tell me."

"I have to tell you, I know that."

"Then just say it." I said, trying to keep the irritation off my face. 

He visibly took a deep breathe before beginning his revelation. "Do you remember the last day in London, where I left during our lunch?"

I huffed in slight annoyance, "Yes, because you had somewhere more important to be."

He didn't react to my gibe, seemingly stuck in the zone. "Well, I had someone contact me, asking to urgently meet."

"Who?"

"Classified information."

"Ayan." I shot him a sharp look.

He sighed giving me a pointed look, "Their only request in exchange of the info was that I keep the identity anonymous, so please don't fight me on this."

I pursed my lips, resisting the urge to argue, and nodded for him to continue.

"The person didn't give much explanation, but they definitely knew Rhea."

I waited for him to continue.

He looked straight into my eyes, "Akira...the last time they saw her was three years ago."

Ten seconds passed. Then thirty. Then two minutes. All I did was stare at his face which was growing worried by second. 

"Akira?" I didn't reply.

"Akira say something. You're scaring me." 

I shook my head. "Did you just say three years?"

"Yes."

"She died six years ago, Ayan."

"I know."

"Don't you dare joke about something like this." I hissed.

He took a step closer, eyes blazing with worry, "Do you think I would do something like that?"

"Well how do you except me to react? You just told me that my twin was apparently seen three years ago by a person — whose name you won't disclose—rather than dying in front of our eyes at that airport. That's complete bullshit!"

"Akira, you need to calm down, and listen to me." He iterated, resting his left palm on the wall beside my head, causing me to flinch back.

It was then that I noticed how close we got during the conversation, with my back pressed against the window edge, and Ayan's face only two inches away from my own. I looked at him with wide eyes, but he didn't seem to notice, as he continued to rant on. "...I've been worrying myself over how I should tell you. So do me a favour and hear the whole story before reacting irrationally as you usually do."

I placed my hands on his chest—surprising Ayan—and pushed him away. "Ok. But give me space Ayan. I need air." 

Finally realizing, he took a few tentative steps back creating a proper amount of space between us. 

With another tedious sigh, I looked directly in his eyes, "So then, why did this anonymous figure call you out of the blue? Why now?" 

Ayan's gaze ran down my figure, making me shift slightly, "They saw you at the meeting."

My eyebrows shot up, "This person is part of the board?"

He hesitated, "Not necessarily." I tilted my head waiting for him to explain. 

"I can't tell you that either."

Throwing my arms up, I shot Ayan an irritated look, "Why the hell not? This is about me." When he didn't reply, I let go of it at the moment in favour of the larger concern at hand. "Fine, just continue."

"Rhea and you are twins. It wasn't difficult for them to make the connection, and after they got over the shock, they reached out to me. She was alive the last time they saw her, Akira. And they have reasons to believe that she's still alive."

I breathed allowing the levelheaded side of my brain take over the conversation, "You think Rhea is possibly alive? Because I was there when I saw those bastards burn the airport down, and so were you."

He bit his lip, "You fainted soon after the explosion, remember? I remember the news mentioning that two or three planes had already taken off before the explosion."

"Ayan, that makes no sense. I checked with all the airlines to confirm." 

"Yes, but no bodies were recognizable, they couldn't confirm the identities—"

"That's because they were all burned alive!"

He shut his mouth.

"I might have fainted too soon, but I was there too. I saw the news. And there were four planes, none of which were heading to North America."

"But–"

"Belgium, Dubai, Istanbul, and Beirut." I recited the words that were ingrained in my mind. "All hijacked. And the one fr-from Istanbul was shot down just as it took off." I choked out a sob.

"Akira..." He began taking a step towards me again, but I swiftly cut him off.

"There were so many people that died that day. I-I wasn't the only one who lost a loved one." I exhaled, shaking my head before looking back at him. "Ok, so let's say she is still alive. Why didn't she come home? Isn't six years a long time Ayan?" He didn't say anything, just stood looking at me with a pained expression.

We stood in silence for a few minutes before everything I suppressed for five years came spilling out my mouth. "She was seventeen. She was the smartest person I ever knew. She was going to change the world. And those sadistic beings took that away from her. Took her away. He didn't interrupt my ramblings and simply watched me with a guarded look. "What did they get by killing so many? Is there no sliver of humanity left?" I felt a single tear roll down my cheeks, barely registering a thumb skim over my cheek, wiping it away. "How could they sleep, knowing how many homes they destroyed? The families they teared apart."

"Aki–"

"Why did they have to choose that airport to attack? I mean—"

"Akira–"

"–Why that place? Why at that time? Why her?!"

"Stop talki–"

"Those despicable excuse of humans took her away from us. But I was at fault too, so were you–"

"Akira!" Ayan shouted, gripping my shoulders tightly, while glaring down with his angry dark brown eyes, his eyes flickering over my head every few seconds. "Stop talking, I mea–"

"Why Ayan? You and I both know that I am to blame too. I wish I never forced her to come on that trip with me. I wi-wish I never forced her to talk to you. It broke her heart. And then her."

"Akira please." Ayan pleaded, an unusual desperation in his voice. 

"No, it's ok Ayan. Let her continue." 

I stiffened as a familiar voice spoke up from a few feet behind me. I looked back up at Ayan in panic, while he returned my gaze with resignation. He took a step away from me, standing stiff and tense.  With ragged breaths I turned round to face my brother, who stood tall and stable. His posture seemed casual, but one look in his eyes told you he was anything but. 

Kabir's gaze pierced through me, flicking with many emotions, none of which resembled anything positive.

I opened my mouth, then closed it instantly. Finally my brain was able to form some coherent words, "H-how much did yo-you here?"

He stared at me intently before replying, "Enough."

I took a sharp breath, "Kabir I was goin–"

"Going to what Akira? Tell me how you knew exactly what happened to Rhea? Or were you going to spout out another lie? Please do tell." He scoffed, anger radiating off him.

"Kabir please calm down." Ayan said waving his hands in front of him, getting many explicit words in reply. Ayan listened to Kabir throw his words of rage before speaking up again, "I'll tell you everything."

My eyes widened, as I shot him a warning look, but he didn't take his gaze away from Kabir. "From the beginning." He stated firmly.

✩ ✩ ✩

"Kabir, where are you going?"

"Don't do this Kabir."

"Just stop and listen."

"Don't do something that you'll regret!" I exclaimed chasing behind him as he headed back towards the hall. "Kabir." I pulled his arms, dragging him to a stop. 

He turned towards me, and that look in his eyes made me take a step back. I didn't want to see that look, never from him. It was anger, it was distrust, and it was pain. All caused by me. This was exactly what prevented me from telling him the truth all those years ago, and somehow I knew that holding back made it much worse.

"You're angry. At me, at everything. But don't take this out on her. Please Kabir, don't do what I think you're going to do." I pleaded.

He stared at me blankly, bare of emotions, before saying the words I dreaded to hear. "I need to do this."

"Kabir, I'm not even sure the information I have is correct!" Ayan shouted from behind me. "My source could have been completely off. And who knows if she even where she's claimed to be."

"It's a shot I'm willing to take." 

I took a deep breath, "Listen, I'm going to search for Rhea. And when I find her, I will bring her back." 

My brother let out a bitter laugh before replying, "are you serious right now? Like I'm going to let you go alone." He held up his hand as I went to protest. "As much as I'm mad you right now, you are not going into a potential war zone alone."

"I'll go with her." 

"No you won't Ayan. You've done enough." Kabir stated, throwing daggers at his best friend. 

Ayan took a menacing step forward. "You can't go anywhere without my help and information. So, I will be going." From the look on both their faces, I could tell someone would get hurt if I didn't intervene. 

"Stop." I interrupted, pushing Ayan's firm chest causing him to back up a little, but didn't prevent the murderous glares they were throwing at each other. I turned to my brother, "You cannot do that to her. It will crush her." 

"I love her but Rhea's my sister. Family first."

"The wedding is in two days!" I yelled, trying to knock some sense into him. 

Ayan piped in, "Kabir, we can just go after the wedding."

He looked back and I could see he had made his decision. "I can't do that. I can't just pretend that this doesn't change everything. We wasted years. I can't waste a single second anymore. Adhaya will understand."

"If you won't tell her the truth, she won't understand." 

He shook his head, taking a step back. "Then I'll tell her the truth."

I took a step forward, "what about mom and dad? What about everyone else?"

"I'll deal with them later. And don't you dare get involved." He glared with finality, and then stepped into the hall. I stood there in defeat, with a loud and upbeat song played in the background. I felt Ayan's looming presence behind me, his breath fanning my cheek. I took a deep breath as I tried to ignore him, but unfortunately failing.  

"What if we don't find her?" I whispered the question that had been roaming in my mind for quite some time, sitting on the hidden windowsill. 

"What if we do find her?" He retorted, sitting down beside me. 

Just then, Kabir walked back out with a confused Adhaya trailing behind. We were slightly hidden from their view, yet we were able to see them properly.

"What's going on Kabir? Is everything okay?" She asked in concern, lightly touching Kabir's arm. He shrugged it off gently, leaning against the wall. This felt too personal. I was practically spying on them, but I couldn't leave knowing what was going to happen. And I couldn't do anything to stop it.

"Adhaya we need to postpone the wedding." He said, almost in a whisper that I barely caught it.

She let out a hysterical laugh moment later, "Very funny Kabir. Okay now, let's go back inside. Everyone's waiting." She turned around to go back, but Kabir grabbed onto her wrist pulling her back. I pulled my eyes away to meet Ayan's that were mirroring my expression. 

"I'm not kidding."

"What are you talking about? Are you drunk already?" She asked, baffled.

"I'm not drunk Adhaya." He affirmed.

"You don't want to get married to me?" She questioned.

"Of course I do! Just not at the moment." 

"We are supposed to get married in just two days. Is this pre-wedding jitters or something?" She asked incredulously.

"No, I...I just cannot go through with this right now." He hesitatingly replied.

She stood quiet for a minute, staring at the spot above his head. I could feel the tension radiating in the air, and Ayan stiffly sitting beside me didn't make things better. 

"Why?" She asked the question I knew he wouldn't reply to.

"I...I don't...it's complicated."

She scoffed, an unnatural thing for her, "It's complicated? That is the most clichéd thing I have ever heard Kabir." 

When he didn't reply, she continued, "Is it another woman?"

"Wh–what?!" He sputtered, "of course not! I would never do that to you!"

"Then what Kabir? Just tell me the truth."

"I can't Adhaya. You just need to trust me." He said, sounding more desperate by second. 

"Kabir, we have been together for seven years! How much longer do you want me to wait now?!"

"One month? Please." 

"I love you Kabir. And I know you love me too. So why are you doing this to me again?" Tears began pouring down her cheeks. I wanted to come out from where I stood, but I felt a tight grasp around my arm. I looked to Ayan to see him shaking his head, as if he heard my thoughts. 

"Adhaya please, I can't tell you right now because I'm not sure yet. I...please just believe me." 

She took a deep breath, squaring her shoulders before looking at him. "Ok. the wedding won't happen. But that's it. Not postponing, only cancelling. The wedding just won't happen."

"Adhaya—" He began. I could visibly see Kabir's resolve breaking at every tear that escaped Adhaya's brown eyes.

"Rhea might be alive."

Adhaya jerked back at Kabir's blunt statement, bewilderment taking over her face, before it shifted to concern. 

"Kabir. It's been six years, I know it's hard at times, but you have to move on."

My brother's brows furrowed intensely, "I'm being serious. Someone saw her, three years ago and think she is still alive." His vague words didn't seem to affect my friend positively.

Adhaya took a deep breath. "Kabir, you postponed the wedding two years ago. If this is just an excuse to not marry me—"

"What the hell, Adhaya?!" The hurt evident in my his voice. "I'm telling you the truth. My sister could be alive. And I have to go find her."

Adhaya bit her lip. "Rhea and Akira are identical twins, Kabir. What if this person just saw Akira in the past?"

Kabir's featured twisted in disbelief, "You really believe that?"

"Well you believe you dead sister might not be dead!" She exclaimed. 

Fingers slipped into mine, as I held onto the choked rush of emotions. Ayan hushed me silently. The mixture of emotions spun through me were equivalent to those flicking across my brother. 

Adhaya's face fell as she rushed out apologies. "I'm sorry, I didn't mean it like that. It's just..." She squeezed her eyes shut. "I know you think there is a chance she's out there, but our wedding is in two days Kabir."

"That's why I'm telling you all this Adhaya. You know I can't go through this wedding, without being certain. There might be a chance that she could be part of this." 

I could see, from this far, as Adhaya blinked back tears and took a final breath. "Please, let's just get through this wedding Kabir. I have family here. I have everything I need here. Don't take this away from me."

Kabir's eyes widened as read her silent plea, "Are you giving me an ultimatum?"

She continued ignoring his question, "We can go find her after the wedding Kabir. Together." 

I struggled against Ayan's grip, noticing Kabir's breathing grow shallow. "Adhaya, how do you expect me to act as if everything is normal. I can't. So please, don't make me choose between you and her." 

"I'm not making you choose. I'm telling you that you can find go her after two days."

I couldn't recognize the shift in Kabir's eyes, but somehow I knew that his conception had changed. That he made up his mind.

"Kabir, please..." She received more silence. The music pounding in the background sliced through the tense air. 

He just stared at her, jaw tense.

Adhaya took a step back, looking at my brother in disbelief. "Fine Kabir. I'm done." She ended, running down the stairs and out the main doors.

The broken look on my brother's face made me realize, that I was responsible for hurting both of my siblings, leaving behind a disastrous mess. And that was when I finally broke down.

✩ ✩ ✩

Author: Aye, if the re-readers noticed a change in this bit, then yes it was intentional.  Anyways, as I said in previous chapters, we will be high speeding from here. As I have also said in previous chapters, I will definitely be writing a spin-off, maybe two, to TKK. I am soon excited!!! I've already started working on the new stories even though I have to finish this one. The next book will be released at the end of this one!

Ayan: Will I be in the spin-off(s)? 

Author: *rolls eyes* Of course, unless I decide to kill you be the end of this book. Who knows, anything can happen.

Akira: Can I be the one to kill him?

Ayan: Hey! I'm helping you find your apparently not-dead sister so show some gratitude you bit–

Author: OK OK! Now I just want to thank all the readers. Honestly guys, without you this story would not have reached so far. I know the whole quote is 'write for yourself, not for others' and I totally agree with it. But without support and motivation, writing for myself would have been an extremely slow process. So thank you. I dedicate this chapter to ALL OF YOU! <3

So vote like you wonderful people always do, comment (b/c I love to read your comments, they make my day), and share? :)

@me whenever y'all comment about no update. jk jk

xoxo,

loveYJHD