There was a quiet, heavy silence that settled over everything, a silence so dense that it felt like a presence itself—watching, listening, and pressing against my chest. My heart was still pacing rapidly as my mind circled the same thought over and over again: Why did I have such a dream?
It wasn't just a dream. It felt like something more—like a memory stolen from the future or a secret message from my own subconscious trying to tell me something about Senior Yizhenxia. Was there something connecting us deeper than I understood? Was that dream trying to show me a truth I've never dared to see?
Aryan and Alisha had already gone to their respective beds after freshening up. I, however, was still seated at the dinner table, unmoving. My eyes were fixed on the plates in front of me, but my mind was worlds away—stuck on the face I saw in that dream.
Dr. Senior Brother Zixianxia, ever so observant, noticed my stillness. He set his book down and looked at me with a raised brow. "Did you have a dream, Akio?"
I looked at him slowly and replied softly, "Yes... I did."
He leaned forward slightly, concern washing over his face. "But...?"
I shook my head, uncertain. "It was strange... It didn't feel like a dream. It felt like... I was there. And it was real."
He sighed, then gently instructed, "Go to bed and rest, Akio. You've had a long day."
"But... can I go to school tomorrow?" I asked, trying to suppress the pleading in my voice.
He didn't answer immediately. Then, with that big-brother calm voice of his, he said, "You've been through too much today. You need rest."
My shoulders dropped. My mood sank. But just as I turned away, he called out again. "Wait. If you promise to take proper care of yourself... then I'll allow you to go."
That single sentence lit me up. I ran over and hugged him tightly. "Yes, yes! I promise! I'll take good care of myself. Please let me go, bhaiya!"
He chuckled, patting my back. "Looks like someone's waiting to meet someone at school tomorrow."
I turned pink. "No-no! Nothing like that! I just want to catch up on studies and improve my grades!"
He smiled knowingly. "Sure. Whatever helps you sleep at night. Now go to bed early."
I took a step towards the stairs, then hesitated. "Bhaiya... I've always wondered something."
"What now, troublemaker?" he teased.
"Why has Senior Yizhenxia never come to our home before? I mean, he's your biological brother... and still, he never visited us. Is there something...?"
His smile faltered. For a second, he looked away—an expression I'd never seen on him before. He looked... nervous. He opened his mouth, but no real answer came.
"It's nothing," he finally said. "He's just... different. Lives in his own world. Doesn't even visit our parents. He's full of pride and... yeah, ego. Don't think about it. Just sleep."
I opened my mouth again. "One last question—"
He cut me off, covering my mouth with his palm. "STOP. No more questions. Or no school tomorrow."
"Okay, okay!" I laughed, freeing myself. "Don't get mad. I'm going."
I ran up the stairs, taking the ladder up to my loft room. Just as I was closing the door, I heard him again. He was on a call...
"Hello, Mrs. Ammu Singhania? Adda was asking about Yizhenxia. I... I told her nothing."
Aunty's voice came through faintly, "It's alright. Don't worry too much. Let her know what she wants to know. I believe she can handle it now. Her sociophobia is not as fragile as before. She's stronger."
There was silence. Then he answered, "Okay... I'll tell her... when the time is right."
The call ended. He went to the library. I stood frozen.
How many secrets are they hiding? I wondered. How many truths are waiting to be revealed?
They all still saw me as a little girl—but they didn't know the weight I carried, the fears I had faced, and the darkness I had already lived through. I slowly walked to my bed, pulled the blanket over me, and stared at the ceiling.
Memories flooded in—memories I kept hidden even from myself.
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After our return from Shrinagar, I was taken to the Rajput Mansion, a grand home of marble and stained glass, humming with life and legacy. My heart was content being surrounded by the ones I loved—Mama( Anjali Rajput), Daddy (Aman Rajput), Mom (Kavya Sharma), Dad (Ayushmaan Sharma), Aunty (Ammu Singhania), Brother (Zixianxia Mishra), and the one who always stood far away—Senior Yizhenxia .
From the start, I always knew... Mama and Daddy (Rajput) weren't my biological parents, but they were my everything. They raised me from birth, wiped my tears, and made me laugh. And they were better than any biological parents could ever be. They loved me more than the world.
When they finally told me the truth, I didn't cry. I wasn't angry. I was relieved.
"I knew," I had said with a smile. "But now I know you accept me completely."
Mama had cried. Daddy had held her. Dad and Mom (Sharma) had clapped for me. Everyone had come close and embraced me. I had never felt so warm, so wanted.
I had younger siblings too—
Aahan Singh Rajput (Ayus), 8 years old, my little chess champion. Topper of his school and unbeatable in any game.
Adyuitya Singh Rajput (Attya), 3 years old, a tech genius in a toddler's body. Designing baby-learning programs and handling computers better than some adults.
Ayus was in the elementary section of my school, and Attya was in play school. They were stars in their own right. Every month, they donated school supplies and toys to orphanages. My heart swelled with pride when I watched them.
Though we lived in the same city—Bengaluru—we rarely met as a full family.
The only time we gathered secretly was at Amusing Park. After school and coaching classes, around 7 PM, my siblings would visit with Daddy and Mama. We'd all sneak to a quiet place behind the amusement rides, laugh, eat ice cream, and watch fireworks light up the sky.
All of us came.
Except Yizhenxia.
He never joined.
He would stand far away, eyes locked on us, refusing to come closer. He'd just watch silently.
Even then, I wondered—Why does he look so lonely? What is keeping him away?
Every time we said goodbye, I felt like something was being torn from me. We smiled, waved, and returned to our own fates.
And that was our truth—
A truth hidden behind smiles, secrets, and long nights of waiting.
I closed my eyes.
Tomorrow, I would go to school.
Tomorrow, I would look into Senior Yizhenxia's eyes.
And maybe… just maybe, I would start to understand the truth that has been hidden for far too long.
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