Something in my chest softens immediately. “You just saw me two hours ago,” I point out, setting the phone against the dresser so I can move around.
“Two hours is a long time.”
“For you, maybe.”
“For me, definitely.” I catch my reflection briefly as I walk past the mirror.
And then—I stop. My gaze sharpens. My eyes move to the small wooden box on my dresser and I feel my chest tightens. I walk closer and open the box only to find it empty and my heart picks up.
No. No, no.
I reach inside, moving things around even though I already know. It’s not there.
My pendant. The last gift my father gave to me.
My fingers go cold. “Ishika?” His voice pulls at me through the phone. I blink, forcing myself to breathe. He frowns, his tone sharper this time as he asks, “What happened?”
I swallow. My eyes scan the dresser again. Then the room. Then back to the box.
Think. Think.
“Nothing,” I say again, softer this time. “I just… thought something was missing.”
His expression shifts. Concern settles in immediately. “What?”
“It’s probably nothing,” I add quickly. “I might’ve moved it.”
“You don’t sound like it’s nothing.”
Of course I don’t. I force a small breath out.
“It’s just a pendant,” I say, trying to keep my tone casual. “I probably kept it somewhere else and forgot.”
The silence that follows is almost deafening. He doesn’t buy it. I can see it in his eyes. “Are you sure?” he asks carefully.
I don’t want to lie to him but I have some doubts. I never wear this necklace so it’s not me who moved it, I always make sure to keep it in this box, because…I cherish it too much. It’s a source of comfort for me and it’s missing. Something feels wrong, was there an intruder? I suck in a deep breath.
“Ishika—”
“Let me look around,” I cut in, a little too quickly. He goes quiet. “I probably just misplaced it,” I add, softer now. “I’ve been tired. It happens.”
It doesn’t. But I need him to believe it does. His jaw tightens slightly. He’s not convinced. Not even a little.
Still he chooses not to push me thankfully, “Okay,” he says finally. “I’ll come over.”
“No.” The word comes out immediately.
He blinks. “Ishika—”
“I’m fine,” I insist, forcing a small smile. “If something was wrong, I would tell you.” That part isn’t entirely a lie. He studies me for a long second. Then exhales slowly.
“…okay,” he says again. I nod once, even though something inside me still feels…off.
I turn back to the dresser and my ends land on the glinting silver necklace. It’s on the dresser, how? I don’t think I have opened this box in a long time. But relief floods through me so quickly my knees feel weak for a second. “I found it,” I say, letting out a small breath.
His expression changes instantly. “Where?”
“Right here,” I say, picking it up. “I must’ve moved it and forgot.”
