"You seem to suppress your emotions more than you could feel them." Priyanka seemed to drown in his words, to his mere presence.

She couldn't pinpoint her trust in anyone recently, but he was stretching her emotions into a trance to ponder over the bluntness of the reality.

If he is a delusion, then I am delusional.

Krishant could finally read her like a book. Suppressing her emotions was just pushing her emotionally unstable spring for it to come back up harder. She was bloating with a jumble of emotions, and soon it'll burst. Trickery of words has, so far, miraculously levitated Priyanka from the surface of emotional hardships. She would convince herself of a better future, but doubt clinched in her subconscious.

After twenty-four hours of hiding and waiting after the morning disagreement, Krishant again congregated his act as he was determined about a certain brunette sharing the same four walls of his house. Opening up was hard, and not opening up was hard--he had to choose his hard. He knocked on her door hesitantly, pondering if it was the right decision to disturb her. Paris instantly responded by swinging the door open rather promptly, as if she had foreseen his return to her. And he indeed returned. He apologized and offered a tour of the mansion he had planned a day before for them.

Priyanka did not wish to waste any further of her stay, and Krishant's offer was tempting enough. She quietly agreed by accepting his extended hand.

Delusionally, Priyanka thought their bare feet were echoing throughout the eerie mansion. Her torpid mood turned energetic as soon as the sight of the living room lightened in her view. It was modernly furnished with an electric fireplace mounted onto the wall and an exposed brick wall. Two large picture windows were overlooking the flourishing garden.

Krishant informs that he had recently changed the furniture and fixtures, along with the fireplace, as he didn't like how it looked before. Priyanka could only nod.

They passed a total of five rooms on the third floor. Three rooms were combined to make a studio for Krishant's art. It was the size of the mezzanine. It was brimming with his artwork. Only ordinary rooms were maintained, and no extraordinary rooms for additional usage were created. The mansion was barely used. And It solely belonged to Krishant Sanghvi.

"Sometimes," Krishant stopped at the edge of the last passageway of the first floor, "You should let your emotions run all over you. You can end up dragged to the place you really belong. Your instincts can save you."

"What?"

"Be free." He playfully whispers.

His somewhat larger hand had engulfed her smaller hand as he guided her further into the corridor. His husky laughter echoed throughout the darkness of the empty passageway at the sombre expressions of Priyanka.

She would never understand me. Krishant thought, but Priyanka was only deliberating on his words.

The curiosity dissolves into trepidation as they stop in front of a closed door of the basement. The scarcely lightened corridor was mundane but drab. The door had to be forbidden by the way it was secured with the giant padlock. Then why vaunt about the room if it has to be prohibited? What treasures does it hide?

Priyanka internally cringed at her own thoughts about the hidden treasures. A shudder went through her body at the idea of the treasure. The picture of Krishant possessing treasure worth millions of dollars did not surprise Priyanka.

Krishant softly caressed her embraced hand. He was definitely turn on by their close proximity. But Priyanka was oblivion to the fact.

"I'd appreciate it if you'd respect my privacy around this room. It's just a basement. There's no hidden treasure here," Priyanka's cheeks heated up at the mention of the treasure, "But for me, it's the most important room, and I've really hidden some things in there. I mean, all my artwork. So please, stay away as much as possible from this room. I respect your work, and I hope you do the same." he sighs, looking guilty.

Out of Krishant's grasp, Priyanka stood stunned. With a perplexed look, she nodded. He knew he had awakened a new level of curiosity within Priyanka. It was the highest level of all. Krishant sheepishly grins.

That was the end of the tour. They started retreating, but Priyanka couldn't help but turn around to spare a final glimpse at the closed door that they vamoosed behind. Priyanka respected Krishant's privacy just as much as he did hers, but she couldn't deny the rising curiosity in her whole being. She pondered over his intentions. He was probably warning her to stay out of his business. Was it a business that could hurt someone? Distorted thoughts invaded her mind for no reason. Maybe it was an effect of insomnia and emptiness of mind. Whatever Krishant said had a reason, and as an artist, secrecy is the priority. Doubting him for no crime was pure paranoia and stupidity.

Maybe it was just her instincts; there was no way to tell.

______

Priyanka could see a visible change in Krishant's behaviour just from a few hours ago. And it shook her to the core. She inquired if he was okay, but he simply ignored her in response as he cooked. It was pretty early in the evening for them to be having dinner, but Krishant wanted to retire to bed early tonight. He had to wake up before sunrise as if he actually ever sleeps, but Priyanka kept her thoughts to herself.

Priyanka had read as many crime novels and had a lot of screentime associated with the topic, and she understood bipolar disorder. She thought Krishant might be suffering the same. He had rapid mood swings, and it was as scary as it was unpredictable. Priyanka had no choice as she lingered beside him. He did not acknowledge her at all, whereas, he was all over her a few hours ago.

Soon, Krishant served the dinner.

Priyanka couldn't concentrate on the delicious chicken before her, trying to predict his next move. All she could think about was him.

"Are you sure you are okay?" she asked from across the table.

Krishant momentarily glanced her way before rapidly sprinkling the unnecessary amount of salt. He nodded. "But I feel like you are not?" She said it more like a question. Suddenly, Krishant's impassive gaze collided with her unassured one as he chewed on the well-cooked chicken. "Y-You can share a-anything with me. We're friends."

If silence was piercing, then his gaze was tearing her apart. What is he thinking? She thought.

"You sure wouldn't judge me?"

"Of course, I wouldn't." She awkwardly chuckles at his silence.

To his own astonishment, Krishant was actually debating upon the thought. Rather than confessing his problems, he could try something else, but should he be confronting her? Did he have that much rights? The only way to find out....

"Nah. You wouldn't like it." He dramatically sighs.

"What? It's about me?"

"Yeah. I mean, I am just thinking." He scratches his neck.

"What?" Priyanka was getting annoyed.

He stopped eating, dropped all the utensils, and focused on the younger girl settled across him. His debate was over. He would test and see the results. Was she really worth it?

"When are you leaving?" He didn't hesitate. She froze. "Sorry. That came out wrong. I didn't mean it like that." Priyanka nodded.

"You mean If I am planning to leave soon?"

"No." He prepares himself to elaborate as he watches Priyanka accumulating her anticipation, "Your family... must be worried." she slumps back as if defeated. "I am not trying to send you away. I really like your company. But do you think that you should go back to your family?"

"No, Krishant. I don't want to." She honestly confesses. He was confused by her response and utterly disappointed by her stubborn personality. She had no right to treat people like this. He did not want to hide his disappointment anymore.

"Alright. I understand."

"Why? Do you think that I should just forgive and forget?" She challenging looked into his dark eyes.

"Maybe." He gulped some water as he broke the stare, "That's what family do."

Priyanka sardonically laughs, insulting his concept of family, "You? Out of all people is saying this?"

"Yes, Priya." His demeanour was straightforward.

Priyanka stirred before lashing out, "I don't know what family actually does to each other, but they don't betray. They do not backstab. I forgive my father as I understand the circumstances he left under, but you don't know my mother and her deeds." She could feel her emotion clouding her every brain cell and tears welling up, "I might forgive her someday, but not right now."

"You blame her for everything, don't you?" she only looked at him almost venomously. He too, was captured in emotional turmoil. He was trying to trick her, but instead he got caught in his own pitfall. Indeed, parents were a sensitive topic for him. "I blame my father as well." The memories were still vivid for him.

"I hope we both will forgive them someday." She hopes softly.

"No, he's not around anymore. I don't care about him." He pulls his shields right back up. It was annoying to witness such instantaneous mood swings.

"Well, my mom's around, and I can't forgive and forget. I still gotta deal with her."

"Yeah, she has to match your expectations, after all."

"Excuse me?"

"You expect too much. You expect too much from broken people."

"I expect unconditional love from my own mother." she was offended.

"And do you give in return?"

"Of course. And how do you expect I choose to stay with my mother over my father?"

"Obviously, for your siblings." He was hyper.

Priyanka stopped. "You asked me not to judge you."

"Yes. Sorry about that." He went overboard. Not really him.

"You want me to forgive my mother. But did you ever forgive your father?"

Krishant gritted his teeth. The results were beyond his dissatisfaction; the tables now were turned. "Do not compare."

_____

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