I WILL FIND YOU

The next morning, Sathya woke up to the soft rays of sunlight sneaking through a crack in her curtain. Her head felt heavy, and as she sat up, she noticed she was still wearing the same clothes from the day before. The disheveled state of her outfit reflected the tension and confusion that had clouded her mind since last night.

With a sigh and an unsettled heart, she rose from her small, creaky bed. Her room was simple, yet cozy, filled with stacks of books and faded photographs that lined the shelves and walls. A modest closet stood by the corner, next to a tiny but functional kitchen. From her room, she could also see the narrow hallway leading to a neat little bathroom, the tiles slightly worn but well-kept.

She was staying on the first floor of The Lost Verse, a bookstore that meant everything to her. It wasn't just a place of work; it was her sanctuary.

Opening her bedroom window, a cool breeze swept in from the nearby Kaveri River, carrying with it the earthy scent of water and morning dew. Her feather-cut hair fluttered wildly in the wind, stray strands playfully covering her deep brown eyes. She brushed them aside, revealing the small but striking mole just above her soft, rosy lips—the feature that often stood out the most.

"Good morning, Sachu didi!" a chorus of cheerful voices called out from below.

She looked down to see a group of school kids in their uniforms, their faces lit up with excitement as they waved at her.

“Good morning, little ones! Have a great day!” she replied, flashing a bright, heartfelt smile.

This street, the river, the neighborhood—it was all stitched into the fabric of her life, filling a void in her heart left long ago.

“Alright, time to work,” Sathya whispered to herself, trying to shake off the lingering heaviness from her restless sleep. She quickly freshened up and moved on with her morning chores, tidying her small space before heading downstairs.

With practiced ease, she unlocked the door of The Lost Verse, flipping the sign to ‘OPEN’ and setting out a small display of handpicked books at the entrance. The scent of old pages and fresh coffee filled the air, a comforting blend that always welcomed visitors.

"I hope today will be a good day," she murmured softly, tapping the brass ‘Open’ plaque on the door as if for luck.

Just as she stepped behind the counter, a warm and familiar voice greeted her.

“Good morning, sweety.”

She turned to see Karan uncle, a middle-aged man with kind eyes and a gentle smile, walking in with his usual energy.

“Karan uncle… you’re early again,” she teased playfully.

“Yes, yes… I know,” he chuckled, waving her off as he made his way to his usual seat behind the old, polished counter. Despite being the owner, he let Sathya handle most of the front work.

After all, The Lost Verse was more than just a shop—it was a hub for the people of Vardhanapuram’s 3rd Street. College students, book lovers, teachers, and even retired civil servants found their way to this haven. For Sathya, it was home in every sense of the word.

After losing her parents at a young age, it was Karan uncle, once a government clerk, who stepped in to raise her. When Sathya left for college, Karan retired from service and poured his savings into opening this bookstore. Together, they built it into what it was today.

“How are your studies going?” Karan uncle asked with sincere interest, adjusting his glasses as he sipped on his morning tea.

“They’re going well,” Sathya replied with a soft smile. She was currently focusing on completing her degree through an open university, balancing her studies with her job here.

As the clock struck 10:00 AM, the familiar ding of the entrance bell signaled the start of her shift. The day flowed as usual—pleasant greetings, light chatter, and the soothing shuffle of pages being flipped.

“Sachu! How are you today?” another regular customer greeted her with a wide grin.

“I’m doing fine!” Sathya replied, engaging in another warm conversation. Everything seemed normal, calm, and filled with the usual sense of community and routine.

But no one knew the truth.

No one knew about the shadows that lingered behind the welcoming walls of The Lost Verse. A secret, sinister thread wove quietly behind the scenes, hidden from the eyes of the customers who found comfort here.

Far from the bookstore, in a dimly lit office, a chilling scene unfolded.

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“I need to find her,” a low, dangerous voice snarled as a delicate flower vase shattered on the floor.

“Young master, please… calm down. We are doing everything we can,” a man in a formal suit pleaded, his voice trembling with fear.

“You call this everything?” the young master roared, grabbing the man by the collar and yanking him forward.

“You have no idea who I am or what I’ve sacrificed. Everything was in place, everything was perfect… until that girl interfered!” His voice was venomous, burning with rage.

He shoved the man aside with ease, sending him stumbling.

“Yes, master… we’ll double the efforts,” the shaken subordinate stammered.

“Get out!” the young master growled.

Without another word, the room emptied, leaving the furious man alone. His chest heaved as he clenched his fists. The flickering light above him cast sharp shadows across his face.

He walked over to a large mirror, staring at his reflection as though searching for control.

Then his mind drifted back to that alley—the night of the chase. The chaos, the adrenaline. And her.

He could still picture her clearly—the burning intensity in her brown eyes, the way her hair framed her face, and that unmistakable mole above her lips. The memory of his hand brushing against her waist, the feel of her warmth, made his pulse quicken.

“I’ll find you,” Aryan muttered darkly, a twisted smirk curling on his lips.

Soon.

❤️‍🔥To be continued...

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