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A day had passed in a better way than I expected. I met a mature old man who understood my situation and did not ask me unnecessary questions. He was usually lost in his old world and slept like a log for hours. Meeting Hope wasn't planned nor did Kai inform me about her before this journey. I switched on the television to check whether there was any news about me.

"There was a missing report in today's newspaper, but it wasn't about you. In the television, you see only a partial story." The old man said. I agreed with what he said. "There was a time I didn't watch the news for six months, not even once," I confessed, relieved that none of the news channels mentioned my runaway story so I could sleep well tonight.

The dark room was like a place out of time, a place to rest without consequence. The room seemed familiar but I wasn't able to recall the last time I came here. A smile crept on my face as I saw Ryan present there.

"How come you are here? Don't tell me that you even ran away from your home." I laughed out but his face was still.

"I didn't run but came to meet you. Maybe for the last time." He said those words more to himself.

"You should have been in the library at this hour." I expressed my concern. His father was a librarian by profession. After attending his school, Ryan helped his father to arrange the books on the huge shelves.

"My father won't realise that I have left home. He must be asleep." He said playing with a rubber band in his fingers. I had last met him on the day I escaped. He had worn the same clothes he was wearing at the moment. A yellow shirt paired with black shorts. He looked upset. There are times when we are sad. I have never seen him upset and maybe that's why I feel strange at the moment.

"Day after tomorrow is your birthday, I know as a friend I must have gifted you something but I can't due to all this fuss. Next year, I will make sure I surprise you with my gift for you."

"Next year."

He mumbled the words slowly and carefully under his breath. I found his behaviour weird but stayed silent. Maybe he was mad at me for not being there for his special day. I let this slide off. "I have to return back, if the old man doesn't find me in the house. I don't know what he would do. He's unpredictable. He acts composed but at the same time he appears out of nowhere."

I said and left the room not before bidding a goodbye. He kept staring at me, his eyes held unfathomable emotions. He opened his mouth to say something but then pursed his lips refraining himself.
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