43. GHOST OF MEMORIES

In the dim glow of the evening sun, Haroon guided the car smoothly into a parking spot outside the apartment building. The engine hummed to a halt, and Taliya took a deep breath, staring out of the window at the familiar surroundings. Haroon glanced over, catching the pensive look on her face.

"We're here," he said gently, breaking the silence. Taliya nodded, her hand resting on the door handle. She hesitated for a moment, her thoughts swirling with the weight of everything that had happened recently.

Stepping out of the car, she felt the cool breeze against her skin, a stark contrast to the warmth of the vehicle's interior. Haroon followed, locking the car with a click of the remote. They walked side by side towards the entrance of the hotel, their footsteps echoing softly in the quiet street.

As they reached the door, Haroon turned to her. "Don't forget, your flight back to New Downtown is tomorrow evening," he reminded her, his voice calm and reassuring. "You should try to rest tonight. You've been through a lot."

Taliya nodded, a small smile playing on her lips. "I will," she promised, though her mind was far from restful. The reminder of the impending flight and the return to New Downtown brought a fresh wave of anxiety. She had left the city to escape the chaos, but it seemed like trouble had followed her everywhere. It wasn't like she couldn't launch her collection in New Downtown, but Goa was always an escape for her to everything and she needed that before Murad can cause more troubles to her.

They entered the building, the familiar scent of the lobby greeting them. As they made their way to the elevator, Taliya couldn't help but feel the weight of uncertainty pressing down on her. She was overthinking everything—every strange occurrence, every unusual encounter. It was as if the universe was conspiring against her, throwing one bizarre situation after another her way.

Haroon pressed the button for her floor, standing quietly beside her as the elevator doors closed. The silence was comforting, yet it also left room for her thoughts to spiral. She tried to calm herself, taking deep breaths and reminding herself that she needed to stay grounded.

The elevator dinged softly as they reached her floor. Haroon walked her to her apartment door, watching as she fished out her keys from her bag. "Try not to worry too much," he advised, a gentle smile on his face. "Things will make sense eventually. Just take it one step at a time."

Taliya smiled back, grateful for his presence. "Thank you, Haroon," she said, unlocking the door. "I appreciate it."

He nodded, giving her a reassuring nod before turning to leave for his room. As the door closed behind her, Taliya leaned against it, letting out a deep sigh. She was grateful for Haroon's support, but she knew she had to face her fears and uncertainties on her own.

For now, she needed to rest and prepare for the journey back to New Downtown. Tomorrow would bring new challenges, but for tonight, she allowed herself a moment of peace. She pushed away the swirling thoughts, focusing on the comforting familiarity of her apartment. It was a small solace, but it was enough to keep her grounded, at least for a little while longer.

Softly jerking her coat away, she drops it on the couch and goes for a shower. Stripping away every layer of fabric she jumps in the shower and feels the bliss of bathing feeling every heavy thought chased by the cold droplets.

Dressing up in shorts and tee, she takes out some snacks from the drawer and munches on it.

Taliya lay on her bed, staring at the ceiling as the soft glow of the streetlights filtered through the thin curtains. The room was quiet, the hum of the city below a distant murmur. She pulled the blanket up to her chin, trying to find a sense of comfort, but sleep remained elusive. Her mind was a storm of memories, each one more vivid than the last.

She closed her eyes, hoping for rest, but instead, the past surged forward like a tidal wave. Murad's face flashed in her mind, his dark brown eyes full of that familiar intensity. They had spent so much time together, their bond deep and complicated. The moments of laughter, the heated arguments, the secrets they had shared—all of it came rushing back, unbidden and relentless.

Taliya's chest tightened as she remembered the last time she had seen him. The anger in his voice, the betrayal in his eyes. She had told herself she was done with him, that the chapter of her life involving Murad was over. But now, lying in the quiet of her room, she couldn't shake the memories. The way he had smiled at her, the warmth of his touch, the promises they had made in the dark.

Her vision blurred with tears, and she angrily wiped them away. Why couldn't she let him go? Murad was gone from her life, and so was the complicated web of their relationship. She had avenged his death, fulfilled her part of the unspoken bargain they had once shared. But the question that haunted her was why she still felt tethered to him, to the memories of a time that should have been buried with him.

Taliya turned onto her side, pulling her knees to her chest. She tried to focus on the sound of her breathing, the rhythmic rise and fall of her chest. But the memories kept coming, each one sharper and more painful than the last. She saw his face, laughing as they danced under the stars, his voice echoing in her mind, whispering promises that had turned to ashes.

The weight of her emotions pressed down on her, suffocating and overwhelming. She hated herself for still lingering on him, for the way her heart ached at the thought of him. It wasn't fair, she thought bitterly. She had done everything she could to move on, to build a life without him. But here she was, haunted by a ghost of his memories, by the what-ifs and could-have-beens.

Taliya clenched her fists, her nails digging into her palms. It was maddening, this cycle of longing and resentment. She had loved Murad, once, in a way that had consumed her. But love had turned to something dark, twisted by secrets and lies. She had done what she needed to do, but the scars of that love still remained, etched deep into her soul.

With a frustrated sigh, she sat up in bed, her breath coming in short, ragged bursts. The room felt stifling, the air thick with the weight of her memories. She pressed her hands to her face, trying to block out the thoughts, the emotions. But it was useless. The past was a part of her, and no matter how much she tried to escape it, it clung to her like a shadow.

Taliya swallowed hard, the lump in her throat almost choking her. She hated feeling this way—so vulnerable, so helpless. She wanted to be free of it all, to leave Murad and everything he represented behind. But the heart was a stubborn thing, and it seemed hers was not ready to let go, not yet.

She lay back down, staring blankly at the ceiling. The night stretched on, dark and unyielding, much like her thoughts. Taliya closed her eyes, a single tear slipping down her cheek. She knew sleep would not come easily, not with the thoughts of Murad haunting her dreams. And as she lay there, caught between the past and the present, she wondered if she would ever truly be free of him.

A knock resonated through her room making her hastily wipe her face and pad towards the door. Opening it wide, her eyes widened on the figure standing infront of her.