After that day of Danish and Candice meeting, I was sleep deprived for three days. I tossed on my bed all night thinking about that day, letting sleep winking goodbye at me. I couldn't keep my mind focused on anything. I had my fest going on and it was hard for me to concentrate on anything, other than Danish.

A voice in the back of my head said there was something I should be concerned about, something I should know.

I always knew Danish was hiding something from me, but I thought it would be a past that he was trying to forget, just like me.

That day when we were at the fountain, I saw him crying and I knew there was something bothering him. But I gave him his space and time. Then, the way he was trying to block me from seeing his brother the day I visited him. Then also I shook it off, giving him his space and time. But this time, the way Candice's eyes were piercing through Danish as if she wanted to rip him apart and him avoiding those eyes that said a thousand words. Those eyes that said secrets of Danish Rivera.

I didn't get the appreciation as I did on the first day of our film fest. My teachers and students of other departments pointed out malfunctions here and there to which I just signed and nodded my head. I didn't have any energy left in me as I didn't have a good sleep at all. Making the fest a triumph was what I was aiming for from the day of conceptualization. But right now, it was all Danish, Danish and Danish.

I tried asking Clay about it. How did his sister know Danish? Why did she say that? What did she mean by that? What was she hiding? What was Danish hiding?

These questions demanded answers and Clay was my only reliable source. But he was avoiding me like plague. Whenever I tried talking to him, he excused himself saying he was busy with the fest, Amy was waiting, he wanted to make a call and all. I waited keenly for the fest to get over.

I was a person that would ask and say anything straightforwardly, irrespective of the person. But somehow, I couldn't get myself to do the same with Danish. As I tried making up my mind to ask him, the thought of whether I was overthinking gradually crawled up my mind and made me zip my mouth. Being an overthinker had its pros and cons and I realized that only now.

When I was here battling myself to confront Danish or not, he, on the other hand, was happy, goofy and romantic as always. His face didn't show any kind of cloak-and-dagger, always his perfect million dollar smile playing on his lips. That very smile made it even harder for me to take a step and seek for the truth.

»»---------------------►

"Clay!" I called him, making him turn back and look at me.

The smile he had on his face dropped just like that when he saw me beckoning him to come to me. As guessed, he was reluctant to. Taking slow steps, Clay stood in front of me, avoiding my gaze.

"Clay," I called to which he looked at me properly, after 2 days.

"Yeah?"

"I need to ask you something," I said to which he just nodded his head. "How does your sister know Danish?"

"Hmm..well, you know. They went to the same college," he answered.

"No, Clay. They aren't just college mates and I know that as well as you. There is something else I should know, right?"

"I don't know anything, Elka," he said to which I gritted my teeth.

"You prick, stop lying to me. You don't know how to lie so accept that and tell what the fuck you're hiding from me," I growled, losing my non-existing patience.

Clay gulped before sighing.

"Elka, I'll call you. Y-yeah, there is something you should know and I'll tell you. Well, you have to know the truth at any rate. I'll call you once I reach home," he said.

"Clay, this is my boyfriend we are talking about. I didn't sleep for three fucking days. You can't put a bomb and walk out on me just like that. I can't take that, Clay," I said desperately.

His eyes softened at my state. He took a deep breath.

"Elka, I will call you. Trust me. Right now, your friend is waiting for me. We're going on a date," he said.

I nodded my head as Amy flashed before my eyes. I told myself that I should be patient enough. I shouldn't let myself be weak before I knew anything regarding Danish.

Clay bid goodbye and walked off as I stood still right there. I saw him hugging Amy and taking her hands in his from afar. A few days back, that used to be me and Danish but ever since Candice came into my life, I had to force myself to even smile at him.

"Hey, my sunflower," I heard that voice from close, his hot breath hitting my earlobes which sent shivers down my spine. Even though my mind was saying he wasn't the Danish I knew, he still had that effect on me. That effect which low-key made me weak.

"Hey." Out came my croaked voice with a tight smile.

"Watcha doin?" he asked and put his heavy arm over my shoulder to which I shook my head. "Hmm...so baby, you free tonight?" he asked, tilting his head and looking at me.

"I-I don't know Dan," I replied.

He sighed before taking a step and standing in front of me.

"Is there something bothering you?" he asked, making my head shot up.

I was dying to ask him but before that, I wanted to know from Clay or else Danish would think I didn't trust him. When did I even start to care about what others think?

"No, nothing. Why did you ask if I'm free?" I asked, changing the topic.

"Well, I have got a surprise for you!"

Perfect!

"Surprise? What surprise?" I poked my chin out.

"It's called surprise for a reason, duh!" he exclaimed to which I nodded my head and smiled lightly.

"Yeah, I am."

"Great! So be ready at eight, ok?" he asked to which I nodded my head.

"I should probably go now. Zinnia is waiting for me," I excused myself to which Danish hugged me and bid goodbye.

"So sunflower, don't forget. Eight!" he said and retreated while I went the other way, towards my car.

»»---------------------►

The warm water reached upto my chin as I closed my eyes and dunk myself into the tub. My muscles relaxed with the warm water touching each and every nook and corner of my body. But my mind was restless.

I was anxiously waiting for Clay's call and that was why I even carried my cell to the bathroom. I got out of the tub after 10 more minutes and slipped into a black baggy t-shirt along with jeans and dried my hair. My eyes went from the mirror to my cell in between, only to be welcomed by a black screen.

Telling myself that my patience could be tested sometime later, I took my cell and called Clay. With 2 calls that went straight to voicemail, I cursed Clay under my breath. I plopped down on my bed and closed my eyes, praying to God that I shouldn't be hearing anything that would mark a crack on my uncaging heart.

Ringgg!

I jolted up and took the cell and swiped the green call button to the right before saying, "Hello, Clay?"

"Hey, Elka. Sorry, I was busy with something when you called."

"It's fine. Now, tell me. What do you know about Danish?"

"Hmm..Elka. Before saying that, let me tell you this. Even though you have turned me down once, you are always my good friend. You're my girlfriend's best buddy who she adores and loves so much. You're an amazing girl. You deserve the best of the best."

"Why are you telling me this now? I already know this shit! Now tell me something I don't know and should know!" I demanded.

He sighed before saying, "Ok."

"Tell me, what is it about Danish that I should know?"

After a few seconds of pin drop silence, Clay decided to speak.

"Elka, Danish isn't the guy who you think he is."

»»---------------------►

I was laying on my bed, staring at the grey ceiling. Clay's words kept ringing in my head, making my eyes welled up and my breath being shallow.

I trusted Danish with my whole heart. I thought he was different, different in a way that made my heart skip a beat and nervousness running through every corner of my body. And that same guy lied to me every single day, disguising as someone who he wasn't, taking my little heart in his hands and crushing and crumbling it as if it was nothing more than a piece of paper. I shouldn't have fallen for him. I shouldn't have met him. I shouldn't have done this to myself.

Elka, you again fell for the trap of your demon.

I wiped my tears that were rolling down my cheeks as I sat up. My cell flashed the name 'Dan' on screen continuously. There was a time a smile crept my face along with my heart pace steadily rising when I saw that name. But now, all I had was betrayal, animus and detestation.

"Hello?" I answered the call impassively after a few more rings.

"Elka? What took you so long?"

The voice that came from the other side made me cringe my nose with disgust.

"I-I was getting ready."

"Come down fast. I'm waiting for you, baby."

Baby...

"Yeah, ok. I'm coming," I said and cut the call before stuffing it into my back pocket.

I took a look at myself in the mirror. My eyes, they were telling me I made a mistake, yet again. Those bloodshot eyes told me that I have dug my own grave by bowing in front of my demon of love.

After brushing my hair with my hands, I climbed downstairs with the helmet he gave me. Seeing the black helmet in my hands I asked myself, "Did any of this mean anything to him?"

"Hey, sunflower!" Danish said as soon as he saw me.

I just smiled at him, an ingenuine one before swinging my legs over his bike and putting on the helmet.

Why can't I pretend when he was doing that all this time?

The ride was silent. I didn't wrap my arms around him, instead leaned back and kept a distance between us. The cold wind blew right on my face, making my eyes that were filled with tears painful, as if there were daggers stabbing my eyeballs.

After approximately 15 minutes, the bike came to a halt. I looked around and saw we were at the beach that had an arc decorated with golden balloons and had the letters W-E-L-C-O-M-E arranged in golden shimmery cut outs.

"Get down, baby," he said as I did with my eyes hooked on the arc. "What happened to you? Were you crying?" he asked, his voice filled with concern.

"Huh? No, it was the wind," I said and wiped those tears.

Only if he knew those tears were because of him.

"Oh, ok. Come on," he said as he took my hands in his and walked towards the arc.

On the way, I slowly took my hand from his. His touch didn't feel like a spark anymore. In fact, I was disgusted by his touch.

There were people gathered here and there at the beach. I was sure some fest was going on but wasn't sure what it was about. And above all, I wasn't sure what I was doing here with the guy that lied to my face every single day.

"Why are we here?" I asked with a frown between my brows.

"Close your eyes," he said to which I looked at him baffled. "Trust me, Elka. Close your eyes."

Trust you? Really? I did that and now I'm dying inside!

I sighed before closing my eyes as he told me to. I could feel Danish stepping closer to me as his breath was hitting my side face.

After a few more minutes, I heard him say, "Open your eyes."

As soon as I tore my eyes open, what I saw made me freeze at my spot. There were sky lanterns that were being released into the night sky. The giant golden fireflies were being a part of the night sky that had glitters sprinkled over the dark blue ink. I saw people's lips making wishes before letting go of the lantern and joining it with others. To see sky lanterns was always on my bucket list from the day I saw Tangled. And I remembered telling it to Danish in between our conversation once.

I could feel Danish's eyes on me but I couldn't care less. For a moment, I forgot everything. I forgot my phobia, my tears, my fragile heart and my liar boyfriend. My eyes welled up again and those were joyful tears. The scene in front of me was so overwhelming that I forgot my problems and was happy for some time.

But that was crashed as I heard Danish's voice saying, "I love you, Elka Alastair."

I snapped my head towards him with wide eyes and mouth agape. He was looking at me, his face void of expression. My watery eyes were piercing through his that pulled me into a whirl hole. No voice came from my throat and no words were formed in my mouth. All I could feel was my stomach churning and my head spinning. Before either of us could utter a word, my world went pitch black. But I could hear his voice crying,

"Elka? Elka? Wake up!"

Unbreak the broken
Unsay these spoken words
Find hope in the hopeless
Pull me out of the train wreck
Unburn the ashes
Unchain the reactions, I'm not ready to die, not yet
Pull me out of the train wreck