Chapter 39: Unveiling Shadows and Light

After a satisfying cup of tea, the group began to drift apart, each retreating to their own thoughts and evening routines. Kaeya, ever the beacon of boundless energy, turned to Haari with a playful grin.

“Haari, wanna go for a walk?” Kaeya asked, her eyes twinkling with an adventurous spark.

“Sure,” Haari replied, slipping into his jacket.

“But isn’t it getting a bit late now?” Ashi interjected, concern etching her features.

“Don’t worry, it’ll be alright,” Kaeya reassured with a dismissive wave. “We won’t be gone long.”

As they stepped out into the bustling streets of Goa, the din of city traffic and the bright lights created a lively, if somewhat chaotic, backdrop. They navigated through the maze of cars and honking horns, finally reaching a peaceful park—a serene oasis away from the urban clamor. The park, illuminated by the soft glow of street lamps and the distant hum of city life, provided a calming contrast. They settled onto a bench, the gentle rustle of leaves and the distant chirping of crickets creating a soothing atmosphere.

Kaeya leaned back, gazing at the stars peeking through the canopy of trees. “You know, today was quite an adventure. I really enjoyed showing you around.”

“Yeah, it was amazing,” Haari replied, his gaze wandering across the tranquil park. “But is there something on your mind, Kaeya?”

Kaeya sighed, her expression growing nostalgic. “Not really. It’s just… I miss those days when we were all together. Remember the summer we spent training for that big tournament? Those were some of the best days of my life.”

“Yeah, I remember,” Haari said, his eyes softening. “We were so focused, so driven. We had this crazy idea we could be the best. It was almost like we were invincible.”

Kaeya chuckled. “Do you remember that one game where we stayed up all night planning our strategy? We won by a landslide. We thought nothing could stop us.”

“I can still see us huddled over those notebooks, plotting every move,” Haari said with a smile. “It felt like the world was ours.”

“If it were possible, I’d go back and relive those days,” Kaeya said, her voice trailing off with a hint of longing. “But now, everything’s so different.”

“Kaeya, are you okay?” Haari asked, noticing the shift in her tone.

Kaeya hesitated before speaking. “It’s just… I miss them. I wonder what they’re up to now. I wish we could all be together again, even if just for a moment.”

Haari reached out, placing a comforting hand on hers. “Kaeya, it’s okay to miss them. I do too. We had something special, and it’s natural to feel nostalgic. But the reality is, life moves on, and so do we. The bond we shared is still there, even if we’re not together.”

Kaeya’s eyes welled up with tears. “I just wish things were different. I wish we could all be together, like we used to be.”

“Life is about change,” Haari said gently, wiping away a tear from her cheek. “We didn’t part ways because we wanted to. It’s just how life works.Nothing stays the same forever. For the best of our futures, we had to choose different paths. It was written from the beginning of our lives. We should be grateful that we had the chance to be together, even if it was for a short time. Looking back certainly brings lots of good memories, but it also hides some pain within them. But it’s important to look ahead and embrace what’s coming.”

Kaeya took a deep breath, her tears slowly drying as she absorbed Haari’s words. “Thank you, Haari. You always know how to make things feel better.”

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“You must be tired,” Kaeya observed, her tone shifting to a more practical note.

“Yeah, I am,” Haari admitted, stifling a yawn.

“Then let’s head back to my place,” Kaeya suggested, her excitement returning. “I’d love to show you where I live. It’s quite different from what you might expect.”

“Your place?” Haari asked, eyebrows raising in surprise.

“Yeah, come on,” Kaeya said, leading the way. “It’ll be fun.”

Upon arriving at Kaeya’s residence, Haari’s eyes widened in awe. The space was expansive, luxurious, and distinctly modern. Large windows offered a breathtaking view of the city lights, and the soft, ambient music added a sense of calm.

“Wow, this place is huge. You live alone here?” Haari asked, still taking in the surroundings.

“Yeah,” Kaeya replied with a nonchalant shrug. “It’s a bit much for one person, but it’s comfortable.”

“Isn’t this place a bit too big for just one person? How much does it cost?” Haari asked, his curiosity getting the better of him.

“It’s free,” Kaeya said casually.

“Free?” Haari exclaimed, clearly taken aback.

“Yeah, this place is company property. Everything from food to daily necessities is covered,” Kaeya explained.

“Really? What’s your salary then?” Haari asked, still in disbelief.

“Oh, it’s 20,” Kaeya said with a playful smirk.

“20 thousand?” Haari guessed, though he seemed unsure.

Kaeya laughed heartily. “No, no.”

“Then… 20 lakh?” Haari asked, eyes widening.

“No,” Kaeya said, shaking her head.

“Okay, how much is it then?” Haari asked, his curiosity intensifying.

“20 crore,” Kaeya stated plainly.

“20 crore!” Haari exclaimed, counting on his fingers in shock. “You’re saying you’re being paid 1.6 crore per month?”

“No, it’s per year,” Kaeya said, heading towards the bathroom.

Haari looked on, utterly stunned. “I had no idea you were making that kind of money.”

Kaeya returned, clad in a bathrobe, and smiled at Haari’s astonishment. “Yeah, it’s quite a lot, but it comes with a lot of responsibility.”

“Hey, what exactly is your job that pays so much?” Haari asked, his voice filled with awe.

“We select companies from across the world and negotiate contracts with them. It’s a high-stakes job. If we pick the wrong company, it can result in a significant loss,” Kaeya explained.

“Oh,” Haari said, finally absorbing the magnitude of Kaeya’s job. “That sounds intense.”

“It is, but it’s also rewarding,” Kaeya said, offering a reassuring smile. “You get used to the pressure after a while.”

“Well, it’s certainly impressive,” Haari said, his admiration evident. “I guess I had no idea what you’ve been up to.”

“Yeah, it’s a far cry from the old days, but it’s been an interesting journey,” Kaeya said with a reflective smile. “But hey, let’s not dwell on work. How about we watch a movie or something?”

“Sounds great,” Haari agreed, feeling a sense of ease return as they moved to the living area.

As they settled onto the plush sofa, Kaeya grabbed a few DVDs from a nearby shelf. “What do you feel like watching? Action, comedy, or something else?”

“Comedy sounds perfect,” Haari said, sinking into the cushions. “I could use a good laugh.”

“Comedy it is,” Kaeya said, popping a DVD into the player. “It’s nice to unwind like this.”

“Yeah, it really is,” Haari said, smiling as the opening credits began to roll. “You know, despite everything, I’m really glad we had tonight. It’s been a while since I felt this… content.”

“I’m glad too,” Kaeya said softly, her eyes reflecting the glow of the TV. “It’s moments like these that remind me of what really matters.”

Haari looked at Kaeya, a soft smile playing on his lips. “Yeah, sometimes we get so caught up in our lives that we forget to appreciate these simple moments.”

“True,” Kaeya agreed, leaning back against the sofa. “It’s nice to remember that no matter where we are or what we’re doing, we still have each other.”

As the movie played on, their shared laughter and relaxed conversation offered a comforting reminder of the bond they once had. In the warmth of the living room, amidst the glow of the TV and the hum of the city outside, they found solace in the familiar company—a gentle reassurance that despite the changes life had brought, their connection remained a cherished constant.

The evening continued with a relaxed atmosphere, and as the conversation shifted to lighter topics, Kaeya and Haari found themselves laughing and reminiscing. The bond they shared, rekindled through this unexpected reunion, reminded them of the warmth of old friendships and the bittersweet nature of time’s passage.

As the night drew to a close, Haari glanced at the clock and sighed. “I should go now. Kaeya, I enjoyed today very much. I won’t forget this day.”

Kaeya looked up, surprised. “What, you’re leaving already?”

“Yeah, it’s already so late,” Haari said, standing up and gathering their things.

Kaeya hesitated for a moment, then suggested, “So why don’t you stay here tonight? You can sleep in the guest room.”

“Here?” Haari asked, a bit taken aback.

“Yeah,” Kaeya confirmed. “You can sleep here in the guest room. It’s no trouble at all.”

Haari considered the offer for a moment before nodding. “Well… okay. If you insist, I’ll stay.”

Kaeya smiled, relieved. “Great. I’ll show you to the guest room.”

To be continue..........