Drishti had an eventful morning, to say the least. To suddenly be face to face with her student who was dealing with what she assumed was misplaced guilt was mildly harrowing and left her blank for a while after that.

There was something about that girl that drew Drishti towards her. Maybe it was her name that was inevitably a strong reminder of her sister. Maybe it was her wild temperament. Maybe it was the unflinching residence she had when it came to protecting her loved ones. Maybe it was the way her nose flared up every time she was angry that looked unmistakably like her younger sibling. Maybe it was her belief in the existence of extraterrestrial beings. Maybe it was the way her lip would curl up towards the right first when she was happy. Maybe it was the way she couldn't keep eye contact when she spoke about something emotional. Maybe it was the way she tried to hold on to Memories, reminders and people of the past.

The last one Drishti could relate to all too well.

She held onto too for a long time. Building a house of her own in her mind. It didn't have room for anyone else other than the child version of Divya and herself. The house is breaking away now, however. Brick by brick as she learns how to deal with guilt and loss the right way.

This is why she was currently journaling away- a triage as Rakshit called it. Her encounter this morning had left her thinking and needing to say a lot of things. Things to say to Divya and things she wished - would - say to her when she returned.

Hey, it's me again. Your Di.

I had a...strange morning. Like stranger than usual as far as this school is concerned. Remember the girl with the same name as you? I met her. Actually, she found me at our house. Come to think of it, how did she even know where we live?

She put her pencil between her teeth, pondering the question. She knew that the midnight spirits had sources but she didn't expect them to be so meticulous in their research.

I am pretty sure that is an invasion of privacy. Then again, Ragini had been to our house before. Maybe she told Divya. Oh, Ragini is her best friend. They are super close. Basically, they are joined at the hip. Kind of like we are.

Anyways, it was a strange encounter. This was the same girl who said and I quote, I'd love to stay and chant but I'd rather have type 2 diabetes.

But it was still heartbreaking. The girl and her friends used to bully people but now she is reeling in guilt. An enormous amount of it. While I do like one with a conscience, I couldn't help but feel bad.

Don't get me wrong, in no way do I agree with or accept their deeds. Clearly, the actions committed by them were something of a modern-day noir for the champions of Idiots. It was an uncomfortable sit-through. Then again addiction doesn't have a reason either. Addiction is a habit, a poisonous self-deprecating habit. I can say that I understand the reason- somewhat. Power is a dangerous addiction but can I excuse it? No.

So, Forgive my contradictory self-righteous self because even after I've said that, watching her die bit by bit inside, I was saddened. Her eyes remind me of your own brown ones- soft, mischievous and unwavering. Today I saw guilt, disappointment and anger swimming in those orbs.

I wanted to say how karma was a bitch and she had this coming. Trust me, I had an acidic itch in my throat- It takes considerable knowledge just to realize the extent of your own ignorance. congratulations.

I didn't, however, because those feelings- anger sadness disappointment- I get those. I understand how draining and...painful it can be to go through those notions. That was punishment enough. And that's what I told her.

I guess that's the difference between a reaction and a response. The former is a repercussion of impulsivity and the latter is an act of conscious desire to communicate. I've said things uncalled for to her before. I don't want to make the same mistake.

I am working on it.

Love, Drishti Di.

She closed her journal and safely stored it in her bag. It felt good to write that down- a weight had been lifted off her chest. A memory enclosed in pages of a book that held the words spoken in the silent cave of her mind.

She was certain and absolute in her belief that Divya was alive. She was out there somewhere looking for her way back home. Little did she know that Divya was closer than she thought.

Drishti walked into the class early that particular morning. As she kept her things on the table, she turned towards the students' desks. "Jesus." she jumped out of her skin, seeing the notorious leader of the Midnight Spirits sitting there squeezing a stress ball. "You scared me."

"I'm sorry if I behaved in a way that made you think I should apologise."

"It's barely seven thirty in the morning and I can already feel a migraine," Drishti mumbled to herself as she pinched the bridge of her nose. "Why are you in class so early in the morning? And where is the little band of yours."

"Handling the elitist student councillors that Ms Malhotra insists on having as part of the aspire camp committee."

"Tough crowd."

"Shitty crowd," the rockstar corrected. "I swear it's like I can't even sulk in peace."

"If your intention is really to sit here and sulk why are you practising your aim?" the class parent asked, coming in front of her desk. She leaned against it and crossed her arm, an eyebrow raised at the way Divya was aiming the ball at the door as if ready to hit someone.

"It's a stress ball...you throw it at people who stress you out."

Drishti choked on her saliva. "I..." she struggled to formulate actual words for a while. She watched Divya raise the ball up to her head and take aim a couple of times. "Tell me honestly, did you suffer from shaken baby syndrome?"

Divya turned her aim from the door to her teacher, glaring at her for suggesting she was mentally damaged. "You want to correct that sentence 'cause I am a marksman."

"I am just going to go," Drishti hurried out the door, chuckling softly to herself. "She is such an antique piece."

"I heard that!" the guitarist yelled from inside the room.

Drishti picked up her pace. "No, you didn't."

She received a text shortly after from Rakshit asking to meet before class. Easily complying with his request, she arrived a little early before her first class and sat at their usual table in the canteen. It had become a routine to see each other every few days a week either in school or outside school.

"Hey, stranger."

Drishti diverted her eyes from her book and greeted Rakshit with a warm smile. "Right back at you, stranger."

"It's weird seeing you so...peachy."

Drishti raised an eyebrow at him. "Is that supposed to be a compliment?"

"Take it as you'd like," he smirked, taking a seat opposite to her.

They were taking things slowly as Drishti requested. There were times, it got frustrating when communication became an issue. but, Rakshit was a good partner. He was patient and calm when Drishti couldn't be. He gave her the space to come to terms with her own self and then seek him out. it wasn't out of the ordinary given his profession and the class parent wholeheartedly appreciated it.

He waved two strips of paper in front of her to get her attention. "Miss Sharma, you can fantasize about me later."

Drishti smacked him on the arm playfully. "I have better things to do than fantasies about a taller version of Shrek."

"I will end you," he threatened, feigning offence. "Anyways, goldilocks of the West, I've got two tickets for the escape room. Do you want to go with me?" he asked hopefully.

"Sure," she agreed, already thinking of her outfit for the night. It wasn't like she had to dress to impress but still, dressing up a little didn't hurt anyone. "Pick me up at 7."

"Your wish is my command."

Drishti cringed a little, that is weird. She tried to put on a smile but Rakshit had insisted they communicate their feelings and let each other know when one of them was doing something they didn't like. Still, she tried to soften the blow with humour. "Please don't be one of those weird chocolate boys from the movies who bow down religiously to anything their partner says."

There wasn't actually a problem with cracking jokes like these, it made for a healthy relationship. Drishti just didn't want it to happen so early. She needed to be clear, stable and have an honest conversation. An interaction in which their feelings were communicated, where both had a say in decisions related to them. If Rakshit did not agree with her, he had to voice it out.

"I am not," he confirmed, understanding her concerns. "When I have a problem with it, I will let you know. Part of the communication process, right?"

Drishti nodded thankfully, shared a small smile and waved him goodbye just as the bell rang, indicating the start of curriculum time. They left for their respective jobs of the day with the promise of seeing each other tonight.

She walked into her first class of the day and glanced around before going out to check the signboard. She had entered the correct class. Then why are they not being like hooligans? They had tamed down over the last few months but coming to a class of a relatively calmer group of students, without paper balls flying around and outright disrespect for the authority figure was something she wouldn't get used to.

"Good morning everyone." to her surprise they returned the greeting. Shrugging it off, she settled onto the desk going about her normal class. "Has anyone done their homework." she knew the answer was going to be a resounding no but for formality's sake, she asked. Her eyes bulged out of her sockets seeing the week's assignment papers piling up on her table.

Deciding that it was probably not done seriously, she carried on with her lesson, writing out equations and theories on the board. Again, they were well-behaved. No fighting, screaming, no flying pens or upturned tables and chairs.

"Is everyone feeling okay?" she asked aloud. The year three students looked up at her from where they were reading their textbooks and echoed a positive sound. As much as she wanted it to, it didn't resonate with her.

It was when she started marking their attendance during the short break did she find out why. The class file had a strict warning addressed to the students about their grades. If they didn't pass, they would retain this year which meant an extra year in college. It worried her, even more, when she marked the Midnight Spirits as absent.

Where are they?

---broken promises---

She was a ghost in a world of people- some good some bad. She was a spirit looking for salvation and a missing piece. Something was missing but she didn't know what that was. In the plane of existence, she runs through time and space, looking, always looking in the blackness for a sacred spark- hope. It should have been a fragment of fire, barely a cinder passing through the test of time.

Divya sat in front of the attending officer. He was mumbling words that she didn't register. Like an object void of density she floats above the water, moving in any direction they nudged her in. Nothing was vistas, only a blank canvas that she painted with her wafting limbs - cryptic, cynical and peculiar.

All this became noise, a distraction from her task to find them - the ones whom she left behind, wandering in the dark.

The child trafficking racket had been caught. She heard from the gossip mongers in the station she was kept at for a while that the ringmaster, a big-shot businessman, was behind it. He was detained and sentenced to life imprisonment. Although it was due to a lack of sufficient evidence that he couldn't be hanged to death, she thought it was appropriate.

Death was the easy way out. Watching a man suffering in their own handmade hell was much more satisfactory.

Gunah kiya hai toh jahanoom ki gali dondh, acha karya kiya hai toh svargh ki rahein khud dhoond legi tujhe. Dozakh ki garmi main jalte hui parindey, tu kya jane jannat ki hawa. Tu hain is tapish ki zadd, hogaya hai tu ajjiz is agg ke samane. Yehi hai teri saza, yehi tera karam.

The children had returned to their homes- most of them did. The unfortunate ones like herself were placed in a foster care home before they were adopted. She didn't care. Her voice had lost itself in the blizzard and she waited like a viewer of an orchestra for it to return.

She was kidnapped by a drunk man, tortured to an inch of her life and the first friend she made, Sanskaar Hart, chocolate boy, was dead, because of her.

Yet, all she remembered was leaving home, a candy store and a bag over her eyes. That's where the nightmare started and ended. It played in a loop, over and over again, scrapping at her mind's eye.

Pain felt in a small room, the death of a friend and promises made to the deceased were forgotten. Left behind were the invalidated hauntings of a torturous childhood experience.

She was empty, refusing to let the sunshine and birdsong fill her up. Her old passions and interests began to deaden, and in time her vessel was cremated by the wind that blew its ashes across a field- particles too little to collect and recreate.

Aditya and Anjali cordoned off the field before they could scatter too far. They couldn't collect it all but they gave it a space where it remained. She had been in and out of different houses but they were permanent, she didn't know at that time.

Patience, love, warmth and understanding were the ambience of the place and the persons residing in it. Similar but also new- jamais vu. They respected her choice to not speak or interact until it became necessary.

"What is your name dear? Where do you live? What about your family?" Anjali asked as gently as she could on Divya's second week with them.

Anjali and Aditya had decided to adopt a child long before they got married. Every child deserves to have a set of loving parents and a safe home. They couldn't help all the children out there but would do what they could.

A decision to keep her with them had to be made. The foster care in-charges were breathing down their necks about it.

Anjali didn't feel right prying but she had to know if the child wanted to stay with them. She carefully wrapped her arms around the shaking body of the girl, mindful of her numerous injuries that had yet to heal. She felt a little better knowing the girl didn't pull away and only seemed to cling on tighter. "Do you remember what happened?" the woman whispered into her hair. The girl didn't respond, only buried herself even deeper into the woman's arms.

She rubbed her back for a bit and caressed her dark hair. "Okay, it's okay. We will figure this out together," she removed the little arms around her waist and tried to cup the young girl's face. She didn't let her and Anjali be confused when she didn't see tears.

Is that normal? Definitely not.

She had rehearsed this question countless times in the past two weeks. There still wasn't an easy way to say it. She turned to a concerned Aditya in the corner, nodding for him to approach them and help her out. Her husband obliged and came towards the pair seated on the couch.

The two future parents took a seat on either side of the girl who was staring at the ground. "I am sorry, honey. We know you might not like this. You are probably scared and confused. We also understand that you miss your parents and no one can ever replace them." he started.

"We don't want to take their place either."

What did they want then? Divya wondered.

"We just want to be there for you when they can't. We want to give you the life you deserve. Filled with love and happiness."

My happiness died the second I stepped out of my house.

"What we are trying to say is. We would like you to stay here with us so we can take care of you." Anjali said, anxiously waiting for Divya's response.

Stay here? Take care of me? What happens if you don't? Will I be back in that place? No. I don't wanna go back. Besides, I'm going to die in destitution if I don't say yes.

Her child-like mind couldn't comprehend what adoption meant. So in her own little world, she agreed to make a space for them because of the fear of having to go back to the store when the nightmare started.

She nodded her head, looking at the two of them.

The parents shared a look before Aditya asked to confirm again. "Do you want to stay with us?"

She nodded once again. Almost as if the sun had risen right on their faces, they beamed, taking her in a hug. She squirmed uncomfortably and they scampered away embarrassed.

"Sorry," Anjali quickly apologized. "We are just so excited. I promise you are going to love it here."

"Yeah, I promise, we will always be here for you, no matter what," Aditya added.

Divya ignored them and left for her room silently. Promise- a word that she didn't want to hear, an act she didn't want to do and a faith she didn't want to place in anyone.

In time to come, she would learn what they meant and what had happened. There wasn't something she could have been more grateful for.

Anjali and Aditya shared looks of concern watching her retreat into the room down the hall. Perhaps they shouldn't have been so gleeful just yet. The girl had just lost everything and they were being insensitive to her needs.

"We should attend parenting classes," Anjali commented, running a hand over her face.

The worried man shuffled closer to his wife. "Are we doing the right thing? She doesn't really seem thrilled about this."

"I don't know but let's just give it a shot. It could end up being really good or bad but we won't know until we try it out," she said, holding his hand. "You are okay with this right?"

"Absolutely, and I'll be here every step of the way. Always." he kept his free one over her own.

Anjali nestled into her husband's arms. It would work out somehow, she knew. With Aditya by her side, it would work out. "Thank you."

Divya sat on the second floor of her room with her legs dangling- free. This spot had become her favourite in the room. She felt on top of the world here- literally. Standing above all watching the world pass by below her. She was not a part of it, just an innocent bystander.

Above the ground and herself, she could see the sky- dark and twinkling with stars in it. She didn't ignore the black behind them because that made for a beautiful heaven-spun view - a panorama of the calming sky, an exile from her thoughts.

It shrouded her with memories of what life once was. Her family's smiling faces surrounded the sky. Bunny, buddy, Di, they were all she could see. In their happy smiles, the longing was overpowered.

She didn't know if they would ever get to see her again. If they didn't all she wished for was for them to be able to continue living without the hirearth she felt. They didn't deserve to pay for the mistakes she made.

She broke a promise, she should be the one suffering. If only, that was how their predetermined future of theirs was made to be.

Because on the other side of the state, drishti sat relaxing - trying to relax her clenched jaw- in her shared room with her sister by the window. It's been weeks and there has been no news of her sister. Rain pelted the window. It drops touching the cool surface before slipping down- like tears on her pale skin. Drishti gazed at the buildings around her province through the droplets of rain clinging to her window. She found them enticing - a welcome distraction- even with the raging storm. The grey colours, the cloudiness of the sky, and the moisture pouring from the clouds did not dampen the life this state had. It did not dampen its beauty.

Life went on for people all around her. Despite the stormy weather raging around them, people crossed and dashed across the roads seeking shelter, kids jumped around in the puddles while parents frowned fondly at them. The scene reflected human resilience and stubbornness to keep moving forward despite all the obstacles they might face.

So why couldn't she move on? Why couldn't she get out of bed and continue on with life like everyone else?

The moon and stars only stared back at her silently, a silver about the dark state.

---broken promises---

In their defence, they did intend to go to school. They even made it all the way through the school gate. Their feet stopped moving on their own accord when they spotted Drishti in the canteen. Without question, all three turned on their heels and were out the doors faster than the flash ever was.

Back in the car, they painted and tried to catch their breaths. "Well, there goes the plan to avoid raising suspicions,'' Shikar mumbled. "Lucky, why did you run back? You are the brave one."

"Your oversized bicep says otherwise." the questioned party shot back.

"Both of you, shut up for a second," Ragini snapped. She rested her head in her hands. Her best friend had yet to get back to her and as worried as she was, she didn't want to find Divya. She couldn't face her right now. Other than that, they had other problems. "We have to go back there or else our parents are going to find out. We don't need that right now."

"Can't we just let the grown-ups deal with something for once," Shikar asked, sleeping in his seat. "We are kids. This is like their job."

The adults in their lives were nugatory when it came to handling such problems. Not that they had been given many opportunities. But the handful they had weren't very impressive especially when they were impending atrocities about to occur.

"Need I remind you how dysfunctional our families are," she said in a tone reserved for petulant children.

"Mom is never home." Lakshya seconds her.

"Anjali and Aditya are dealing with the new addition to our family and their daughter who is currently Missing in action for them," she pointed out. "And my mom is...working on it." she put down lightly.

"What about Miss Sharma's parents? I am sure they would be thrilled with the possibility of meeting their long-lost daughter."

Ragini rolled her eyes in exasperation. "Remind me again, why are we friends with this coming-of-age overgrown gorilla."

Lakshya shrugged his shoulders. He honestly had no idea. "Beats me. You are the one that found him."

"Can we go back in time?" Ragini asked hopefully. A mischievous glint in her eyes despite the situation preceding them.

"Unfortunately no."

Shikar smacked his brother on the arm lightly. "I am right here you know."

"We do. What makes you think we care." Lakshya drawled, matching the glare Shikar was giving him.

"Cut it out. You guys are behaving like children," they huffed and turned away from each other. They weren't mad. This was normal, a status quo is a good situation. "Since we are not going to school, we might as well do something more useful."

"And what would that be? Getting a life? I heard it's a good thing."

"While the idea of that is appealing. I was thinking along the lines of getting information about the Sharmas and their missing daughter who we suspect to be our best friend," she said. "That sounded more sophisticated in my head."

"It sounds creepy but that's our lives right now," Shikar started shuddering at the thought. "records of all children lost, one of them turning out to be our best friend, then the teacher turning out to be said best friend's sister. What is this? An Ekta Kapoor show? You guys sound like idiots."

"Yes, we are talking like idiots. How else is your pigeon brain going to understand us?"

"Ass," Shikar muttered under his breath looking out the windows once again. "Start your junk truck already." he gruffed out to Lakshya.

Lakshya ignited the engine and turned out of the parking lot. "My sci-fi mind tells me that we are in one of her shows but don't know it. Scientists are probably observing us like we are rats of their experiments."

"Lucky donkey, if I get nightmares tonight I will reign Jaan on you," Ragini warned. That was a disturbing theory adn she already has vivid imagery of such a scenario in the forefront of her mind. "Just get to miss Sharma's house. I need a big fat nap after this."

"This is why they say you can never have the goal of bungee jumping if you can't stomach the motion sickness."

"And you can't aspire to be a psychopath that goes around killing people if you don't drop your morals."

"That was...dark." shikar said, unsure of what to make of that comment.

Ragini shook her head in exasperation. "Do I look cheery to you?"

"No. You look like someone stole your best friend from you."

They might as well have. Ragini was secured with her friendship. That was never salacious. The changing circumstances on the other hand were making her lose her confidence. The 'what ifs' regarding her rockstar spoke in hushed whispers. She ignored them- tired to. She was going to lose her best friend- sister- just because she found her biological family. They were found family- the one they chose.

"Listen hobbit. We are here to do a job. Our friend could possibly meet the biological family that she hasn't seen in over thirteen years and all you seriously can think about is psychoanalyzing me? Priorities, brother." the exasperated pianist listed on and wondered when she had started behaving like her adopted sister. Oh, so this is what ms Andrew mean by we are the fifth average of the people we associate with. Interesting.

"Children,'' Lakshya mocked in the same way Ragini had earlier. "We have arrived." he threw the car into the park and cut off the engine by using the key. Turning his body towards the back seat, he nodded to Ragini. "This show is yours."

Ragini checked her appearance in the rearview mirror, smearing down her hair that she had messed up by pulling at it during the ride. She dusted off her sleeves, if it were that easy to brush off the anxiety gnawing at her as well. She locked eyes with the brothers for a second before receiving affirmative nods.

She could do this. I can do this. What's the worst that can happen right? A few weird stares and a no-entry after this one.

Ragini shook her wrist and ankles in an attempt to literally shake off the nerves. Stepping out of the car, she walked slowly towards the porch of the Sharma house. It was a quiet suburban neighbourhood surrounded by landmarks - a small chapel, void decks and a community centre. From their unmaintained state, it was safe to assume that they were probably built there quite a while ago. That altar is probably older than my grandma's.

Her gaze flew back to the door in front of her. While it was the exact same way she left it the other night, it was dark that day. The little message on the plate, Home sweet home, was something she missed due to being a little emotionally unhinged and because she was off the rails dealing with the news of divorcing parents.

She reached a tentative hand out to ring the bell but couldn't apply pressure and ring the bell. She retracted her hand as if she had been burned. Nope, I can't do this nope.

She shouldn't have wasted so much time debating with herself. The door suddenly swung open to reveal Sarthak, Miss Sharma's and possibly my Jaan's father standing there confused by her presence.

"Aren't you supposed to be in class right now?" he asked, suspiciously.

"Me. yeah no I was. I was just uh," she fumbled swinging her hands wildly with vague gestures. "exploring the neighborhood. I was burned out and decided to take a break from school," she explained, decently controlling her body language so as to not tip him off. "You know, keeping our mental health in good condition is imperative to a happy life. I was in the neighbourhood so I thought I'd say hi and properly thank you and Mrs Sharma for allowing me to stay here that day." too much information. Raigni, shut up.

She didn't expect him to buy it but the man did. "That's nice of you kid. And you're right, mental health is very important. Which is why I could give you a tour of the neighbourhood."

"Oh. n-no. I could come back another time. You- head-heading out aren't you? Don't let me get in the way of whatever you are gonna do." she stammered.

"It's no problem. Vidya isn't home and I was going for a jog anyway," He got out of the house and locked the door. Facing Ragini once again he passed her a soft smile. "You are exploring the neighbourhood right."

Ragini laughed nervously and followed him out the gate. This was not how she planned it. What the hell do I say?! "So, how have you been?" heartbroken, crushed, devastated by the thirteen-year disappearance of my youngest daughter and guilty for being unable to find her despite trying to do so for all my life. Yea, it's been great.

"I've been caught up with work. Got a new deal I am trying to crack that I am pretty sure a teenage musician like you would not like to hear about. What's the trendy thing for you guys? An American dude openly insulting Singaporean women on TikTok and then facing backlash."

Despite the sweat pooling on her forehead and under her clothes, she couldn't hide the snort that left her. "Yea, that guy isn't going down in peace."

"I wouldn't expect him to after a stunt like that. I'd say he deserved it."

They walked around the place, Sarthak occasionally pointed out different monuments and went on to explain their significance and relevance to the town's history. Ragini almost forgot why she had come to visit him. The key word being almost. The discovery she had this morning was still staring her square in the face but she let him talk, maybe in his rambling he would slip and talk about memories of his daughter and the town had a rather interesting history too.

As they walked by the chapel they saw a woman sitting on her knees praying regularly. The both of them stopped behind her and observed silently, respecting her prayers. Sarthak restlessly tapped his fingers away on his phone as if there was something he wanted to say. Of course, he didn't get the chase because the second the woman was done praying sn had turned around, and his voice died in his throat. Jaw slack, eyes missated and a bruising grip on his communication device.

A silent whisper of wind swept the leaves away, leaving a carpeted walkway between the two adults.

"Brother?"

"I am so disappointed in you, Sanju."

"Sister?"

"Trust is a two-way street."

Ragini glanced back and forth between the two. The words they muttered rang clear as day in the eerie quiet little town and she didn't know how to make sense of them. "Mom?" she asked, clinging onto the person and the relationship she knew was real.

Sanajana mirrored his expression before she snapped out of the daze she was in, the professional demeanour she wore around her employees in the office took over impersonal, no-nonsense, straightforward and demanding. "Long time no see."

She should have kept her mouth shut- not jinxed and tempted the cosmos to screw them over more than they already were.

What's the worst that can go wrong? Finding out that your mother is the sister of your adoptive sister slash best friend's possible biological father.

A/N: Don't forget to R&R!