The silence after Riya left was heavier than her presence.
Aanya stood frozen.
Rudra stood between her and the shattered window… like a wall built from rage and fear.
Outside, sirens echoed in the distance.
But inside… only breathing could be heard.
Aanya finally spoke.
"Why didn't you stop her?"
Rudra didn't turn immediately.
His voice came low.
"Because she wanted you to see something."
Aanya's voice shook.
"What?"
Rudra slowly turned.
And for the first time… he looked exhausted.
Not powerful.
Not dangerous.
Just tired.
"Me," he said.
Aanya frowned.
"You?"
Rudra stepped closer.
"Yes."
A pause.
"The version of me I tried to bury."
Silence.
Aanya whispered,
"I don't understand…"
Rudra looked at the broken glass.
And said quietly—
"There was a time I didn't hesitate."
A pause.
"No emotions. No second thoughts. No mercy."
Aanya's heart tightened.
Rudra continued,
"I was worse than what they call me now."
A pause.
"Meera didn't create a king."
"She created a weapon."
Aanya stepped back slightly.
"So Riya was right?"
Rudra's eyes darkened.
"No."
A pause.
"She is half-truth."
Suddenly—
Rudra's phone rang.
Again.
Unknown number.
He answered instantly.
Silence on the line.
Then—
a distorted voice.
"The past doesn't stay buried, Rudra."
Rudra's face tightened.
"Who is this?"
The voice replied softly—
"You already know me."
Aanya stepped closer, listening.
The voice continued—
"You think Meera is your origin…"
A pause.
"But she is only your training."
Rudra's grip tightened on the phone.
"What do you want?"
The voice whispered—
"To finish what she started."
Then call ended.
Silence exploded.
Aanya whispered,
"Another one…?"
Rudra didn't answer immediately.
His eyes were distant now.
Like he was remembering something he never wanted to.
Then he spoke.
Low.
Heavy.
"Meera didn't work alone."
Aanya froze.
"What…?"
Rudra turned slowly.
"There were three people who shaped me."
A pause.
"Meera… Riya…"
He stopped.
Aanya's voice cracked.
"And the third?"
Rudra looked at her.
Long silence.
Then—
"The one I erased from my memory."
Aanya stepped back.
"You erased a person?"
Rudra's voice dropped.
"I had to."
Suddenly—
the building lights flickered again.
But this time… not red.
White.
Cold.
Clinical.
A new system override activated.
Unknown access.
A recorded voice echoed through the apartment speakers.
Calm.
Male.
Familiar in a way that felt wrong.
"Hello again… Rudra."
Rudra went completely still.
Aanya whispered,
"Who is that…?"
Rudra closed his eyes for a second.
Then said the truth like a wound reopening—
"My first mistake."