JAAN ( Darr 2 )

The Stranger

Everything seemed as perfect as it could be. A full year had passed since Kiran had moved to Switzerland, and now, the country felt less like a distant, foreign place and more like home. 

The rolling green hills, snow-capped mountains, and clear blue lakes had become part of her daily life, a backdrop to the new chapter she had embraced. 

She had settled into her work at the BRIG research center, no longer feeling like an outsider. The initial awkwardness of being the "new face" had melted away, replaced by a sense of belonging.

Kiran had found her rhythm within the community.

The quiet streets, the café on the corner where she sipped her morning tea, and the friendly greetings from her colleagues had become familiar, comforting routines. 

She had made acquaintances—some who shared her passion for botany, others who were simply friendly neighbors she had come to know.

Slowly but surely, new friendships had blossomed. 

They weren't as intense or deep as the relationships she had left behind in India, but they were genuine.

She enjoyed the occasional weekend hike with her colleagues, exploring the peaceful Swiss countryside, or spending quiet evenings at small gatherings in town.

 Laughter had found its way back into her life. She would talk about her work with enthusiasm, feeling pride in the contributions she was making.

Switzerland was no longer just a place of refuge—it was becoming her sanctuary.

Even her nightmares, the ones that had haunted her for so long after those terrible events in India, had started to fade. The endless nights where she would wake up in cold sweats, haunted by memories of Rahul and the terror that had once gripped her life, were becoming less frequent. 

There was a tranquility here that had worked its way into her soul.

 For the first time in what felt like years, Kiran could breathe.

The shadows of her past felt distant, like faint echoes rather than constant whispers.

She had found peace, a fragile yet comforting sense of calm that allowed her to focus on the present and the future she was building.

Work filled her days, but it wasn't just a distraction anymore—it was a source of fulfillment. Her research at BRIG was progressing, and she took pride in her accomplishments.

 The satisfaction of contributing to something meaningful gave her a purpose she hadn't felt in years.

Her dedication had earned her the respect of her colleagues, and she had become an active member of the community, participating in discussions, projects, and even an occasional local event.

 She no longer felt like she was running away from her past, but rather, she was building something new.

The wounds had healed, and the scars, while still there, had softened with time. 

Everything felt perfect. It was as if the chaos, fear, and heartbreak of the past had finally been left behind, allowing her to move forward with a quiet sense of hope. 

And for the first time in a long while, Kiran truly believed that she could be happy again.

But amid this tranquility, a quiet worry began to creep into her mind.

Something she hadn't spoken about to anyone, not even to Sunil. They had been married for a while now, and though he never pressured her, Kiran knew he wanted a child.