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I ran after him, my heart pounding in my chest, but he was fastâhis long strides fueled by anger and something deeper, something I had never seen in him before. Pain.
As I entered the room, the thick silence hung between us like an unspoken storm. My breath hitched when I saw him pacing, his movements restless and agitated.
His fingers pressed into his temple, his brows furrowed, his jaw clenched so tightly I could see the muscle ticking. The dim light cast shadows over his face, emphasizing the sharp lines of his distress.
I watched, helpless, as he unbuttoned the top of his kurta, his chest rising and falling with uneven breaths.
Maybe he was feeling suffocatedâby anger, by betrayal, by the weight of emotions he didn't know how to handle. His gaze flickered to his hand, the very hand he had used to slap Zeeshan. I saw his knuckles tighten.
And then, before I could reactâ
A loud thud.
His fist collided with the wall.
A sharp gasp escaped my lips as I flinched, my hand instinctively flying to my mouth. The impact echoed in the room, and my heart clenched at the sight of his trembling fingers, his skin already turning red from the force of the punch.
Without a second thought, I ran to him, my hands grasping his forearm, feeling the tension in his body.
"Hayaan, yeh aap kya kar rahe hain?! Aapko lag jayegi... Apne aap ko dard dene se kya hoga?" My voice wavered, desperate to break through the storm raging inside him.
At my touch, his shoulders stiffened, but after a moment, he slowly lowered his hand. I sighed in relief, my fingers still clutching his wrist as if afraid he would do it again.
Then, he turned to me.
His faceâred with anger, his eyes dark with frustration, yet beneath all that, there was something else. Something raw.
My breath hitched.
I hesitated before raising my hand, my fingers trembling slightly as I gently placed my palm against his jaw. His skin was warm beneath my touch, rough with the light stubble that grazed my fingertips. His eyes widened slightly, startled, but he didn't move.
I swallowed.
Slowly, I placed my other hand on his face, cupping him completely, my thumbs stroking the tension away.
His Adam's apple bobbed as he swallowed, his gaze locked onto mine.
My heartbeat thundered in my ears as I raised myself onto my toes, closing the distance between us. A shiver ran down my spine when he instinctively lowered his head, meeting me halfway.
I took a deep breath, then pressed my lips against his forehead.
His eyes fluttered shut.
His body, once rigid with anger, seemed to melt under my touch.
I gently took his fisted hand and brought it to my waist. He hesitated for a moment before exhaling and uncurling his fingers, his warm palm settling against me. A shiver coursed through my body at the unexpected tenderness of his touch.
I placed my hand on his bicep, rubbing it in slow, soothing strokes. His body heat seeped through his kurta, his muscles taut under my palm.
And then, in a movement that made my breath hitchâ
He leaned forward and rested his head against my shoulder.
My eyes widened. My entire body was still.
His weight against me felt unfamiliar, his breath warm against the crook of my neck. My heart pounded erratically, my fingers twitching with uncertainty. How was I supposed to react?
I felt him inhale deeply, his breath fanning over my skin, sending a thousand sensations rushing through me. I clenched my fists, willing myself to stay still.
Then, hesitantly, I lifted my hand and placed it on his back. My fingers slid up slowly, reaching his shoulder. I squeezed gently, offering silent reassurance.
"Hayaan, fikar na karein... sab theek ho jayega," I whispered.
He let out a shaky sigh, pulling away slightly, but the sadness in his eyes remained.
"I don't know anymore, Aairah," he murmured, shaking his head.
"I think it's my fault... A girl is suffering because I supported my brother's decision. I never thought he would do something like this. Sab sahi kehte hainâmaine hi bigaad diya hai usay. He broke my trust. He lied to me. He used me. And I... I will never forgive him for doing thisâto me, to our family. I even slapped him, and I feel terrible for it... but he deserved that."
His voice was broken.
My chest ached at his pain.
"Hayaan, yeh aapki galti nahi hai," I said firmly, placing my hands on his arms. "Aapko nahi pata tha Zeeshan kya karne wala hai. Aapne sirf ek achhe bhai ki tarah uski khushi ko support kiya. Aur please, aap apne aap ko blame mat kariye."
He bit his lower lip, his fingers raking through his hair in frustration.
"I just don't know what to do," he whispered, holding his head. "My head is bursting."
I frowned, watching him struggle with emotions he rarely let anyone see.
I took a deep breath. "Aap mere saath aayen."
Confused, he looked up as I gently took his hand and guided him toward the bed. Placing my hands on his shoulders, I urged him to sit down.
"Aap kahin mat jaiyega. Main abhi aati hoon. Mera intezar karenge? Sirf do minute?"
His eyes softened.
"Aapka intezar... puri zindagi karunga."
His words sent a strange flutter through my chest, but I quickly turned and rushed to the washroom, needing a moment to collect myself.
I changed into a pink floral frock, tied my hair into a high ponytail, and stepped back outâonly to find him exactly where I had left him. His head was bowed, fingers pressing into his temples.
I sighed and approached him.
"Aap yahan pe baith jaiyega, main aati hoon, theek hai?" I said softly.
He raised a brow, confused.
Before I could leave, his hand shot out, fingers curling around my forearm.
My breath hitched. My eyes widened.
"Kahan ja rahi hain aap?" His voice was low.
I swallowed, carefully pulling away. "Bas jaldi aa rahi hoon, Hayaan. Aap wahan baith jaiye."
His grip loosened, and I quickly walked out, taking a steadying breath before heading to the kitchen. I warmed some hair oil, knowing it would help ease his stress.
When I returned, he was still sitting there, watching me curiously as I approached. His brows furrowed at the bowl in my hands.
"Yeh kya hai?
I smiled. "Main aapki tel malish kar deti hoon. Aapke sar mein dard hai na?"
He shook his head. "Aairah, iski koi zaroorat nahi. Mujhe oil pasand nahi, aur main theek hoon. Aap fikar na kareinâaur jaake araam karein."
I sighed, stepping closer. "Hayaan, aap bohot stressed lag rahe hain. Aik baar try tou karein."
He exhaled, running a hand through his hair. "Fine... waise bhi, aapko kaun mana kar sakta hai, begum?"
His words made me bite my cheek to suppress a smile.
Before I could say anything, he surprised me by placing a cushion on the floor and sitting down, folding his knees.
I blinked in shock. "Hayaanâ"
"Shuru karein," he said softly.
I swallowed, sat on the bed, and reached outâmy fingers sinking into his thick hair.
I dipped my fingers into a small bowl of warm oil, rubbing it between my palms before gently placing them on Hayaan's temples. A gentle smile played on my lips as I felt him relax under my touch.
A deep sigh escaped his lips at the first contact, the warmth of my hands seemingly melting away the weight of his long day. My heart ached at the tension I could feel beneath my fingertips.
"Apne bahut stress le liya hai... mein theek kardungi," I murmured, moving my fingers in slow, soothing circles.
As I pressed lightly at the base of his skull, another soft sigh left him. I could feel how much he needed thisâneeded me.
Hayaan hummed, his voice carrying a quiet affection that sent warmth spreading through me. "Apko humesha pata hota hai mera khayal kaise rakhna hai."
His head tilted back slightly into my touch, surrendering completely, trusting me in a way that made my heart swell.
My fingers weaved through his soft hair, moving in rhythmic motions, my nails grazing lightly against his scalp.
I smiled as I noticed his shoulders drop, his breathing deepen, his entire body succumbing to the comfort I was offering.
"Mujhe oil massage laine isliye nai pasand because I have take oil out of my head or mujhse yeh bohat mushkil se hota hai" He whispered, his eyes closed, completely lost in the moment.
Leaning down slightly, I studied his faceâthe serenity that had replaced his earlier exhaustion. The sight filled me with a quiet sense of fulfillment.
"koi masla nai ap naha leejye ga shampoo mein kardungi" I blurted out without thinking, moving my fingers in his head .
"Aairah?" He was baffled and I windend my eyes in realisation, my face turned red, I squeezed my eyes then heard him chuckling softly I opened my eyes.
"Mera matlab wou nai tha jo aap samajh rahe hai" I tired to justify the act I did.
"Acha woh se kya maqsad hai apka? He asked teasingly I was speechless, I did not respond, but I could feel him smiling. I controlled my emotions and continued the work.
"Apko sukoon mil raha hai na ab?" I asked softly, changing the topic as my fingers continued their gentle work.
These small moments, these unspoken acts of love, held more meaning than a thousand words ever could.
His eyes slowly opened, and he tilted his head back to look at me. The depth of emotion in his gaze sent a shiver through me.
"Apke sath tou sukoon mein hi hota hoon mein Aairah " he whispered, his voice like a soft caress against my heart.
For a moment, everything stilled. My breath caught, my heart skipped a beat.
A soft warmth bloomed in my chest at his words. The way he looked at meâhis dark eyes filled with something unspoken, something deep and unwaveringâmade my heart stutter.
I swallowed, my fingers momentarily pausing in his hair before resuming their slow, soothing strokes.
"Bas aap thak jayegi in nazuk hathon ko, aur dard mar dijiyega," Hayaan's voice was soft yet firm as he held my hand, stopping me. His touch was warm against my skin, and a deep sigh escaped my lips as I pulled my hand back.
"Ap sojayen ya phir naha leejiyega, better feel hoga," I said, rubbing my hands with a tissue. The warmth of his grip still lingered on my palm, making me oddly restless.
He gave me a small nod, his gaze unreadable. I turned to leave, but the moment my foot met the slick surface of spilled oil, the world tilted beneath me.
A startled gasp left my lips as my body lost balance, and before I could process what was happening, I reached out instinctivelyâmy fingers clutching onto something firm.
His collar.
A sharp pull. A moment of weightlessness.
"Aaaah!" My scream filled the air as I landed on the soft mattress, my back pressing into its warmth. But before I could recover, another weight crashed down on me.
Hayaan.
My breath hitched as he hovered above me, his face just inches away. The world around us blurredâmy heart pounded so wildly I could hear it in my ears.
His breath fanned against my skin, sending shivers down my spine. I could feel the heat radiating off him, our bodies tangled in a way that made my cheeks burn.
"Aairah, apko lagi tou nahi kahin?" His voice was laced with concern, but the way his gaze searched my face made my stomach flip.
I swallowed hard, my tongue suddenly heavy in my mouth. My hands clutched at his shirt, my knuckles turning white as I tried to regain composure.
"N-nahi... woh... main... pata nahi... umm," I stammered, unable to form a proper sentence. My breaths were shallow, and the fire in my veins only intensified when I realized just how close he was.
Hayaan exhaled, his warm breath caressing my skin.
"Aairah... nazrein idhar, meri taraf," he whispered, his fingers finding my chin. Gently, he tilted my face back to him, forcing me to meet his gaze.
My chest tightened. His eyes... they held something deep, something unsaid. I was drowning in them, lost in their depths, unable to move. My own heartbeat was a wild drum against my ribs, erratic and unsteady.
And then, he leaned closer.
The world stopped.
His lips brushed against my forehead, soft and lingering. My fingers instinctively curled around his collar, holding onto him as a storm of emotions raged inside me. The warmth of his touch seeped into my skin, making my breath tremble.
I opened my eyes slowly, only to find him already looking at me intensely.
And then, he moved again.
A feather-light touchâhis lips pressing against my right cheek. My eyes fluttered shut, a deep breath escaping me as a thousand butterflies erupted inside my stomach.
Before I could process it, his lips grazed my other cheek, sending a wave of warmth through my entire being. My body stiffened, my lashes lowering as the overwhelming sensation washed over me. It was new, unexpected, and utterly intoxicating.
When I finally dared to open my eyes, his gaze was locked onto mine. There was something different in them nowâsomething intense, unreadable, yet undeniably magnetic.
And then, his eyes flickered downâto my lips.
A sharp intake of breath.
My heart stuttered.
I bit my lower lip nervously, and that slight movement made something shift in his expression. His gaze darkened, his Adam's apple bobbing as he swallowed. The air between us grew heavier, thick with something neither of us could name.
Hayaan tilted his head slightly, his nose brushing against mine.
My pulse roared in my ears.
And then, he leaned in.
Closer.
My breath hitched.
Is he going to kiss me?
My heart pounded wildly against my ribs, my breathing uneven as I pressed my trembling palm against Hayaan's lips, stopping him mere inches away from my own.
The warmth of his breath fanned my skin, sending shivers down my spine, and my fingers curled unconsciously against his jaw, feeling the rough graze of his stubble beneath my touch.
His dark eyes flickered with something intense, something unreadable, as he pulled back slightly, his gaze never leaving mine.
I averted my eyes, unable to hold his stare, my stomach twisting into nervous knots. The moment stretched between us, unbearably silent, yet brimming with unspoken words.
Gently, he reached up, his fingers wrapping around my wrist as he pulled my hand away from his lips, his touch firm yet reverent.
"Aairah," he whispered, his voice thick with emotion. "Mein kabhi aisa kuch nahi karunga jiske liye ap tayar nahi hain."
His words, spoken with such tenderness, sent a wave of relief washing over me, yet my chest ached with something deeper.
My fingers, still trapped within his grasp, twitched as he held them over his heart. His gaze softened, his lips curving into something between a smile and sorrow.
"Mein bas apka shukriya karna chahta hoon," he continued, his voice quieter now, almost fragile.
"Apne is rishte mein humesha mera saath diya. Jab sab mujhe galat samajhne lage, jab mujhe khud pe shaq hone laga, tab bhi ap mere saath thi. Apne mujhe support kiya, mujhe samjha, meri har takleef ko saha... meri nazarandazi ko bhi saha. Aur aj jab meri wajah se ap hurt hain, phir bhi ap mujhe calm kar rahi hain."
His voice broke slightly at the end, and my heart clenched. My vision blurred as I noticed the moisture glistening in his eyes, a rare vulnerability that I had never seen in him before. His pain, his guilt, his emotions âeverything was laid bare before me.
"Mein nahi jaanta ke ap ka shukar kaise ada karoon," he murmured, his thumb brushing gently over my knuckles.
"Mein bohot khush-kismat hoon ke ap jesi humsafar meri zindagi mein hain. Shukriya har cheez ke liye... meri aam si zindagi ka mein rang ban ne ke liye... Hayaan Aairah Sikandar ban ne ke liye."
Something inside me cracked at his words, at the sheer weight of the emotions he carried, the love he poured into each syllable.
My throat tightened painfully, and I felt a lump rising, making it impossible to speak. I didn't want to cryânot now, not like this, not in his arms while my heart and mind waged a war within me.
"Hayaan..." I whispered hesitantly, my voice barely above a breath.
My hands trembled as I placed them on his shoulders, pushing gently, creating a much-needed distance between us.
His gaze searched mine, confusion flickering in his eyes before realization dawned upon him. He nodded slightly, stepping back, an apology hidden in the way his jaw tensed.
The space between us felt unbearable, yet it was necessary. I couldn't breathe, I couldn't thinkânot with him this close, not with my heart in turmoil. Without sparing him another glance, I turned on my heel and rushed out of the room, my pulse roaring in my ears.
The moment I stepped into the empty hallway, I pressed my palm against my chest, as if trying to calm the storm raging within me. My breaths came in uneven gasps, my emotions a tangled mess of longing, love, and confusion.
I needed space. I needed time. I needed to understand what this all meantâwhat he meant , what we were. But most of all, I needed to escape before my heart betrayed me completely.
The night air was crisp, carrying the faint scent of rain as I stepped onto the balcony, my heart still unsteady from the whirlwind of emotions that had just unraveled between us.
The city stretched before me, a sea of golden lights twinkling like fallen stars, casting an ethereal glow over the quiet streets below.
Yet, despite the beauty of it all, my mind was elsewhereâlost in the storm of my thoughts, in the ache that sat heavy in my chest.
Hayaan wasn't in the room when I returned. The sound of running water from the washroom confirmed he was there, probably trying to clear his head, just as I was trying to do now.
I leaned against the railing, exhaling shakily, my fingers gripping the cool metal as I tried to make sense of everything.
I had always known our relationship was complicated. That our marriage wasn't built on love, but on respect, on duty. And yet, somewhere along the way, something had changed. Somewhere along the way, I had started hoping.
For what, I wasn't sure.
I closed my eyes, allowing the gentle night breeze to brush against my skin, when suddenly, a warm weight draped over my shoulders.
My eyes fluttered open, startled by the sudden warmth cocooning me. I turned, my breath catching in my throat as I saw him standing there.
Hayaan.
Dressed in a fresh white kurta, his damp hair tousled from the shower, he stood just behind me, his gaze steady, unreadable.
I glanced down, realizing he had wrapped his own shawl around me. The warmth of it, of him, lingered against my skin, sending a shiver down my spine.
"Thand lag jayegi," he murmured, his voice low, quiet.
I swallowed, my throat tightening as I clutched the shawl closer. The simple gesture should have comforted me, but instead, it left me more unsettled than before.
I turned fully to face him, the weight of my unsaid words pressing against my ribs. I had to ask. I had to know.
"Hayaan..." I started hesitantly, searching his face, but he remained still, waiting.
I took a deep breath, summoning the courage to say the words that had been burning inside me for so long.
"Why did you lie to me?" My voice was steady, but I could feel my fingers trembling beneath the shawl. "Why did you pretend to careâpretend to feel things for me?"
A flicker of something passed through his eyes, gone before I could grasp it.
"Aairahâ"
"Mujhe sach bateyen" I cut him off, my voice sharper than I intended. " "Kya yeh sab sirf ek natak tha? Woh mere qareeb ana, woh fikrâkya yeh sab bas dikhawa tha?"
He exhaled slowly, rubbing the back of his neck. "Aisa nahi hai jo aap soch rahi hainâ"
" Tou batayen na mujhe kaise hai?" I demanded, my frustration spilling over. My heart ached, my mind screamed for clarity, for closure.
"Kyunki mujhe jan na hai apne yeh sab kyu kiya achanak se itna mukhtalif behaviour, meri care karna mujhe attention dena, mujhese baten karna, mere nazdeek ana, or yeh aise cheezen karna" I gestured towards the shawl, towards everything that had happened between us tonight.
"Maine apse kabhi jhoot nai bola Aairah" His jaw tightened, his eyes darkening as he took a step closer.
I let out a bitter laugh, shaking my head.
"Sachme? Kyunki jab hum shaadi kar rahe the, aap ne bilkul saaf keh diya tha ke aap mujhse mohabbat nahi karenge. Aap ne kaha tha ke aap mujhe izzat aur wafadari de sakte hainâlekin mohabbat nahi. Aur maine yeh sab qubool kiya, Hayaan. Maine is liye qubool kiya ke maine aapki imaandari dekhi thi. Maine is liye bharosa kiya tha ke kam se kam aap ke saath, mein kabhi dhoka nahi khayungi. ap ki sachai mujhe achi lagi Toh phir mujhe bataiye yeh jhoot kyun?"
(Because when we got married, you made it clear you wouldn't love me. You said you could offer me respect, loyaltyâbut not love. And I accepted that, Hayaan. I agreed because I saw your honesty. I trusted that at least with you, I would never be deceived. So tell me)
Silence stretched between us, heavy and unyielding. I could see the conflict in his eyes, the war he was fighting within himself. But I needed an answer. I needed the truth.
Hayaan let out a slow breath, his eyes never leaving mine. For a long moment, he didn't speak, and I could see the hesitation in the way his fingers curled at his sides, the weight of unspoken words pressing against his chest.
Then, finally, he broke the silence.
"Aairah..." His voice was quiet but firm, carrying the weight of everything he was about to say. "I never pretendedânot once."
I inhaled sharply, my heart stuttering at his words.
"I know what you're thinking," he continued, stepping closer, his gaze unwavering.
"That everything I've doneâthe way I've treated you, the care I've shownâwas all because of my mother and Dadi. That I changed because they told me to. But that's not the truth, Aairah."
I swallowed, my fingers gripping the edges of his shawl tightly as I listened.
"Haan, unhone mujhe cheezain samjhaiâhumare bare mein, is rishte ke bare mein. Unhone mujhe yeh samjhaya ke ek shohar ko kaisa hona chahiye, aur shaadi ka kya matlab hota hai. Lekin iska matlab yeh nahi ke maine jo kuch bhi kiya, wo unke se kiya ."
(Yes, they made me understand thingsâabout us, about this relationship. They made me realize what a husband should be, what a marriage should mean. But that doesn't mean I did any of this because they asked me to)
He admitted, shaking his head. "Whatever I didâwhatever I doâis because I want to, not because someone else told me to."
"Jo kuch bhi maine kiyaâjo kuch bhi main karta hoonâwo is liye, kyunki main chahta hoon, kisi aur ne mujhe nahi kaha."
I blinked, my breath catching in my throat.
"Jo kuch bhi main aap ke liye mehsoos karta hoonâjo kuch bhi main aap ke liye karta hoonâwo sab sach hai "he confessed, his voice laced with conviction.
"Main kabhi bhi dikhawa nahi kiya. Jab maine aap ka khayal rakha, jab main aap ke kareeb aaya, jab main aap ke liye pareshan hota hoon, jab main chahta tha ke aap muskuraoâyeh sab kisi aur ki wajah se nahi tha. Yeh main karna chahta hoon. Yeh mere jazbaat the, Aairah. Aur mujhe yeh tab tak samajh nahi aaya jab tak ke der nahi ho gayi."
(Everything I feel for youâeverything I do for youâit's real," I never pretended to care. I never forced myself to show affection. When I looked after you, when I came close to you, when I worried about you, when I wanted to make you smileâit wasn't because of anyone else. It was me. It was my feelings, Aairah. And I didn't even realize it until it was too late.)
A lump formed in my throat as his words settled in, his honesty shaking me to my core.
"I know I've made mistakes," he admitted, his jaw tightening. "I know I've hurt you, and I know you have every right to doubt me.
"Lekin ek cheez jo aap ko kabhi shak nahi karni chahiye, wo meri imaandari hai. Jo kuch bhi maine kiya, jo kuch bhi main karta hoonâwo farz ya sharmindagi se nahi hai. Wo is liye hai kyunki main chahta hoon. Kyunki aap mere liye zaroori hain."
Tears pricked at my eyes, but I refused to let them fall. My heart ached, my emotions in turmoil. I wanted to believe himâAllah, I wanted toâbut after everything, after all the confusion, could I?
He must have seen the war in my eyes, because he took another step closer, his voice dropping to a whisper. "Mujhe aap ki fikar hai Aairah. Isliye nahi ki mujhe karni chahiye na hai is liye ke sab umeed karte hai, balkay is liye ke yeh haqeeqat hai. Kyunki aap mere liye haqeeqat hain."
(I care about you, Aairah. Not because I have to, not because it's expected of me, but because it's real. Because you are real to me.)
A shiver ran down my spine at the intensity in his gaze, at the sheer honesty in his words. My mind screamed at me to say something, anything, but I couldn't. I was drowning in the weight of his confession, lost in the depth of emotions swirling between us.
And for the first time, I saw itâtruly saw it.
His care. His concern. The way he looked at me. The way he always had.
It had never been an act.
It had always been real.
I let out a breath, shaking my head as I looked away, my fingers tightening around the shawl he had wrapped around me.
"Kaise maan loon, Hayaan?" My voice came out softer than I intended, laced with vulnerability I had tried so hard to suppress.
"ke sab kuch saccha hai Areh aap humari shaadi ki ring bhi nahi pehente. Aise kaise bharosa kar lun main?"
A flicker of something unreadable passed through his eyes before he exhaled deeply, running a hand through his damp hair.
Then, without a word, he lifted his hands to his kurta and began unfastening the top buttons.
My heart skipped a beat. My eyes widened.
"Yeh... yeh aap kya kar rahe hain?" I stammered, stepping back instinctively.
But he didn't stop. His fingers moved with quiet determination, parting the fabric to reveal the smooth skin of his collarbone, and thenâ
My breath caught.
There, hanging from a delicate silver chain around his neck, was something I never expected to see.
Our wedding ring.
My eyes widened in disbelief, my pulse roaring in my ears.
I leaned in slightly, my gaze locked onto the small but significant piece of jewelry that gleamed against his chest.
The same ring I had assumed he had discarded, the one I thought had meant nothing to him, was right thereâkept close to his heart all along.
"Hayaan..." I whispered, unable to tear my eyes away.
His voice was steady, unwavering. "Meine apko aur apki har cheez ko apne dil ke bohot qareeb rakha hai, Aairah."
I swallowed hard, my throat tightening with emotion.
I had spent so long believing I was alone in this relationship, that I was the only one who had truly held onto it, who had tried to nurture it. But this... this changed everything.
"Toh phir pehente kyun nahi?" I asked, my voice barely above a whisper, my fingers aching to reach out, to touch the chain, to make sure this wasn't just a dream.
His gaze softened as he looked at me, the city lights casting a glow around us. "Kyuki yeh sirf ek ring nahi hai, Aairah."
His fingers brushed over the ring gently, his touch reverent. "Yeh ek ehsaas hai, ek rishta hai. Isse sirf haath pe pehenne ka matlab nahi hai. Isse dil ke qareeb rakhna zyada zaroori tha mere liye."
My breath shuddered. My heart wavered.
Every wall I had built around myself, every doubt I had held onto, began to crumble.
He had never discarded our bond.
He had carried it with him all along.
Silence stretched between us, thick with emotions neither of us could contain. The weight of the night, of everything we had confessed, hung heavily in the air. I wrapped the shawl tighter around myself, bracing for what I knew I had to say.
"Par achank sab aise wapis pehle jesa nahi ho sakta , Hayaan." My voice wavered, but I forced myself to continue. "Mujhe waqt chahiye... isliye mein kal Ammi ke saath Kashmir ja rahi hoon."
A sharp intake of breath.
His head snapped up, eyes widening in disbelief. "Aap... ja rahi hain?" He whispered, as if the words physically pained him.
I nodded, unable to meet his gaze. "Mujhe apne liye waqt chahiye, Hayaan."
The air between us shifted, and suddenly, he stepped forward, his jaw clenched, his hands curling into fists at his sides.
"Aapne mujhe aaj sirf 24 ghante nazarandaz kiya hai, Aairah... sirf 24 ghante." His voice cracked slightly, as if he were holding something back.
"Aur meri jaan nikal gayi. Aur ab aap mujhse door jane ki baat kar rahi hain? Apko taras nahi aata mujhpe?" His words struck something deep within me, but I held my ground.
A bitter chuckle escaped my lips, tinged with pain I had buried for far too long.
"Maine toh sirf aapko 24 ghante nazarandaz kiya, aur aap ki jaan nikal gayi." I lifted my eyes to meet his, letting him see the hurt I had carried for months.
"Aapne toh mujhe 6 mahine nazarandaz kiya tha, Hayaan." My voice trembled, but I refused to look away. "Kabhi socha aapne, mujhe kaise laga hoga?"
A look of pure devastation crossed his face. His lips parted, but no words came.
He knew I was right.
"Aairah..." His voice was raw, broken.
. "Mein apni har harkat par sharminda hoon." He took another step forward, his hands reaching out slightly, as if afraid I would disappear.
"Mujhe maaf kar dijiye. Lekin mein aapko aise jaane nahi de sakta."
I closed my eyes for a brief second, steadying myself.
"Hayaan, mujhe jaane dein." My voice was soft, but firm. "Mein apni marzi se ja rahi hoon. Mujhe apne aap ke liye waqt chahiye." I swallowed past the lump in my throat.
"Maine aapko maaf kar diya, Hayaan." I saw his eyes flicker with something unreadable, something desperate. "Lekin mujhe khud ke saath rehna hai. Akelay."
He stared at me for a long moment, his body still, as if warring with himself. And then, slowly, he exhaled.
"Agar apko is sab se khushi milegi..." he whispered, voice thick with emotion. "Toh mujhe manzoor hai."
I felt my heart clench painfully.
"Aap jitna waqt chahein le lijiye, Aairah." His lips pressed into a thin line, his hands finally falling to his sides in resignation.
"Mein aapka intezar karunga."
Tears burned in my eyes.
I turned away before I lost the strength to leave.
Aesthetics
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