Page 100 of Dream On, Liar

“I forgot I taught you that,” I whispered.

Raina laughed softly. “It was when I’d gotten sick, and Ma and Vedant had to go for one of his karting races.”

I nodded, like the memory was coming back to me in pieces. “You were scared of sleeping alone, and afraid to ask Dad.”

She nodded.

“I can’t believe you still do it.”

“You don’t?” She frowned, and I shook my head. “Not if I can help it.”

When she remained in silence, I finally added. “She wanted to congratulate me for making the Under 19s.”

Finally, Raina smiled. “Do you know what’s weird?”

“Hm?”

“Even though all of us had a tricky relationship. She spoke to all four of us the day before she passed away.”

I could see it then, it was something that haunted her. Almost like she was trying to find a reason to it. Only, I was sure, nothing could make it go away.

I knew that better than anyone. I may have stopped repeating memories that I wanted to remember, but there had been a memory that haunted me regardless of how much I tried to forget it.

The sound of tiny feet padding across the hardwood floor reached us, and we both looked at the doorway to find Milo standing there.

Only, it was clear in his gaze that his favourite person had sent him on an errand to collect Raina.

“You need anything else?” Raina asked softly. When I shook my head, she gave me one last smile. “Good night, Rihaan.”

“Night, little sis.”

Her shoulders dropped, and I realised how much that meant to her.

Closing the door behind her, I finally sunk into my bed. My hands moving on their own accord as I opened the letter again.

The one I’d received years ago.

To my dearest Rihaan,

I don’t know if there are any words that could express how sorry I am for leaving you behind. Know that it was never my intention, but that doesn’t mean the consequences of my actions won’t hurt you and for that I am really sorry. I love you, and maybe someday…

The drowsiness finally took over my eyes, and I was haunted once again. I was no longer here, in New Zealand, about to head to bed. Instead, I was back in my room in boarding school, a fourteen year old kid. Dev leaned against the doorway, his eyes scanning me, and my posture as I held his phone tightly in my hands.

“How do you feel now?” Ma’s voice rang through the phone.

I swallowed. “Good. The nurse said I should only have a few more days before the lethargic feeling goes away but I should be fine. Are you coming home, soon?”

“Not Soon-Soon. But I was thinking about your Christmas break. I talked to your Dad and he’s okay with it—and maybe you could come for a visit when Dev comes? We could do an early celebration for your birthday?”

“But…all my friends are here. Why can’t you come home and we can celebrate on my actual birthday? You know my break ends on the 8th, so I’ll still be off.”

“I know, but—”

“I don’t want to fly there and come to the place you left us for.”

“But Dev said you wanted to see Mehar Villa.”

“Yes. And when he visited during half term, he took pictures for me and showed me. I want you to come here and meet my friends. You haven’t even seen my new school, you know?”