That evening, she approached her father.
“Baba, can I ask you something?”
“Of course, what is it?”
“Everyone is hiding something from us, aren’t they?”
Her father hesitated for a moment.
“What are you talking about?”
“Whenever Kajal asks something, everyone goes quiet. Even Mamoni got angry! But why?”
Her father let out a deep sigh.
“Lata, don’t ask too many questions about Kajal. She has no past. That’s not for you to worry about.”
Lata’s breath caught in her throat. “Kajal has no past? Baba, what do you mean by that?”
Her father spoke slowly, his voice grave. “What you need to understand is this—Kajal has no past, because that past… is yours.”
Lata felt dizzy. “My past?”
Her father’s voice hardened. “Don’t ask any more questions about this, Lata.”
Lata shuddered. But she knew, without a doubt—something was being hidden from her.
Just then, an unfamiliar voice interrupted them—
“Sorry to intrude on your conversation. I’m Kushagra.”
Lata’s father immediately brightened up. His eyes lit up as he looked at the tall, well-groomed young man standing before them.
“Ah! Kushagra! You’ve finally arrived—that alone is wonderful news!”
He stepped forward and embraced the man warmly, as if they had known each other forever.
Kajal observed quietly, while Lata’s face reflected deep thought.
She leaned toward Kajal and whispered, “I’ve heard this name before… I’ve seen him somewhere… but I can’t remember where!”
Kajal studied Kushagra as well. Six feet tall, confident eyes, neatly dressed—a perfect gentleman.
Kushagra smiled politely. “Even after all this time, it feels like I never really left.”
Baba beamed with joy. “Sit down, Kushagra! We have so much to talk about!”
Lata pulled out a chair, feeling oddly uncomfortable. Her mother sat quietly, her face unreadable.
Then, suddenly, Kushagra’s gaze fell on Lata.
Lata stiffened. Those deep eyes… Where had she seen them before?
Kushagra smiled knowingly. “Do you remember me?”
Lata quickly turned away. “I… I’m not sure. Maybe we’ve met somewhere.”
Kajal stayed silent, watching everything unfold.
Something about this man’s presence felt… secretive.
But what was it?
To be continued…
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