~8~

March, 2015

Ava's POV:

"Ava, we are concerned too, but Kyra is alright now and they are investigating the case. Just eat. It's been a day since you ate anything," Abhi pleaded for what felt like the hundredth time.

It's not that I'm on a hunger strike. It's just... everything happened in the blink of an eye. One moment, we were immature teenagers, and the next, we were victims and suspects.

They've taken Darsh in for questioning. It's too much to digest. Every time I try to take a bite, my stomach churns, refusing to cooperate.

I've been sitting outside Kyra's hospital room for over an hour, staring blankly at the wall, replaying the events over and over since they took Darsh away.

Darsh's parents left to talk to their lawyer. Virin's family stayed here with us, their somber presence a reminder of the gravity of the situation. My mom was busy comforting the twins' mother, but even she couldn't hide her own anxiety.

"I'm sorry to bother you further, but we need to ask some questions regarding the case," a police officer approached Kyra's father with a calm but firm demeanor. Kyra's father agreed, nodding solemnly.

"If you don't mind, I need to talk with Darsh and Kyra's friends," the officer added. My overprotective mother immediately intervened.

"There's an open space near the stairs. You can question them there—but only in the presence of their parents," she demanded. The officer hesitated but eventually agreed. Together, we moved to the designated spot along with my mom and Virin's dad.

"First of all, we have some questions for Darsh's girlfriend," the officer stated. Everyone around froze, confusion written all over their faces. Only Priti knew about our relationship, and she wasn't here—she had gone with Darsh's parents. The twins only knew about my hopeless crush on him.

I swallowed hard, stealing a glance at my mom's expression—a mix of shock and suspicion. I took a deep breath and stepped forward. "That's me," I admitted, bracing myself for the storm that was sure to follow. My mom's baffled expression turned into one of sheer disbelief.

"We can do this privately if you're not comfortable," the officer offered, sensing the tension. My mom, ever the protective hawk, spoke up before I could. "Yes. Everyone, please leave me and my daughter alone for this questioning," she said, her voice sharp.

Oh God. She's already digging a grave for me in that brain of hers.

As the others left, the officer began. "Were you with Darsh the night Kyra was kidnapped?"

My mom's grip on my hand tightened painfully, enough to leave marks. "Yes," I answered, my voice steady despite the throbbing ache in my hand.

"Can you tell us the exact time and if anyone else was with you?" the officer asked, his gaze flicking between me and my mom.

"From 6 to 10 in the evening. His parents were out for dinner," I replied, feeling the weight of my mother's glare.

"Ma'am, we were just confirming his alibi during the timeframe of Kyra's disappearance," the officer explained, trying to defuse my mother's escalating anger.

As soon as the officers left, my mom's grip turned into a vice as she dragged me down the corridor. "You have a lot of explaining to do. We are going home now!" she barked.

We passed by Kyra's hospital room where Darsh's mom, Tara Aunty, stopped us. "Ava! Tell them that Darsh was with you the entire time this happened," she pleaded, gesturing toward Virin and his parents.

"Enough! She already gave her statement. Don't use my daughter to defend your son from another one of his cheap stunts!" my mom snapped. Her words felt like a slap, sharp and undeserved.

"Mom! He didn't do anything. He was with me the whole time, and I was there most willin—" Before I could finish, her hand came down hard across my face. The sting was immediate, and the metallic taste of blood filled my mouth.

"Savi! This is not the time for this!" Kyra's mom interjected, holding me steady as I reeled from the blow. I stood there, stunned, as my mom and Tara Aunty continued to argue.

"When is the time, then?" my mom shouted. "Her son dragged my daughter into this mess, and now she wants her to cover for him?!"

"Savi, enough! Everyone is so quick to blame my son. Would you accuse him this way if it were Abhi?" Tara Aunty fired back.

"Abhi would never stoop so low," my mom retorted, her voice dripping with disdain.

"And you think your daughter is innocent? Maybe you should ask the girls she's tormented in our colony," Tara Aunty shot back, her words cutting like knives.

I couldn't take it anymore. "Aunty, as amusing as it is for both you and my mom to blame each other, maybe you've forgotten that Kyra was stabbed, and Darsh is sitting in a police station," I snapped, my voice laced with frustration as I stormed off.

I searched for Abhi and Virin. Abhi was nowhere to be found, and Virin's blank, defeated expression only made my chest tighten further. Seeing his usually cheerful face clouded with despair was almost unbearable.

"You better keep your son away from my daughter!" my mom yelled after me.

I rolled my eyes, muttering under my breath, "Kids. That's what you all sound like."

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