Part 26– The Path Ahead

The road stretched endlessly before them as they drove toward the estate marked on the map. The air inside the car was thick with tension—Maya sat in the back, staring out the window, while Aditya drove and Arjun sat stiffly in the passenger seat, arms crossed.

Nobody spoke for a long time.

Maya's fingers hovered over the old envelope Leela had given her. Something your past left behind. The words echoed in her mind. Was she ready to know?

Finally, she tore it open.

Inside was a faded photograph—a group of children standing in front of the orphanage, their faces blurry with age. But her breath caught when she spotted a familiar figure. Herself.

And next to her… Aditya.

Her heartbeat roared in her ears.

"Aditya," she said, voice barely above a whisper.

He glanced at her through the rearview mirror. "What?"

Maya handed him the photograph. He took one look and slammed on the brakes.

The car jerked to a stop.

"What the hell?" Arjun shouted.

Aditya turned in his seat, gripping the photo tightly. His face had drained of color. "This… this is us."

Maya nodded, her hands trembling. "We were in the orphanage together."

Silence.

Aditya ran a hand through his hair. "I don't remember this."

Arjun snatched the photograph, his expression unreadable. "You're telling me you two knew each other this whole time and didn't even realize it?"

Maya swallowed hard. "I guess so."

Arjun exhaled, rubbing his temple. "Great. More secrets."

Aditya's eyes darkened as he looked back at the picture. "If we were both there… that means we weren't just any orphans."

Maya felt her stomach twist. "Then what were we?"

Nobody had an answer.

Aditya restarted the car. "We need to get to that estate. Now."

Maya clutched the photograph, her mind racing. She and Aditya shared a past neither of them remembered. But why?

And more importantly… what were they about to uncover?