Chapter 50: chapter 50

“Ish,” Imara chirped as she caught sight of her friend entering the room. Isha wasted no time in pulling Imara into a tight hug, whispering, “I’ve missed you so much!”Returning the hug, Imara smiled. Just as they released each other, Anika and Tarushi barged into the room, eager to see Isha, who was like an older sister to them.“Ish di...” the twins chimed in before nearly squeezing the life out of Isha in their hug.Isha chuckled at their antics, teasing, “Who would believe you two are actually married?”The twins hopped onto the bed, giggling away, and both Imara and Isha gave them a skeptical look. Clearly, they needed some alone time, but those mischievous grins on the twins’ faces didn’t waver. Tarushi couldn’t resist poking fun. “I bet Imu di has some juicy details to share with Ish di!”“Taru...” Imara scolded, but Anika joined in on the fun, saying, “You know, Ish di, I wish I could get sick too, just so Atharv won’t leave my side for a second, just like Jiju!”Isha shot a look at Imara, raising her eyebrows suggestively, while Imara glared at Anika and ordered, “You two, out now!”The twins giggled mischievously as they dashed out of the room, leaving Isha to ask, “Tell me everything!”Imara settled onto the bed, feeling her body grow colder. She nestled herself under the blanket while Isha checked her forehead, remarking, “In no time you will catch a fever again.”Imara shook her head and reassured, “I’ll be fine. The room is warm enough.”“It is,” Isha nodded, sitting on the bed next to Imara, her legs crossed. “Your mother-in-law is really sweet.”Imara couldn’t help but smile at the thought of Vandana. “She is! She takes care of me, Anu and Taru like Mummy and Maa would,” she said.Isha noticed that today, Imara didn’t wince when mentioning her family, so she couldn’t help but ask, “How is everyone else? Is Vandana Aunty the only one taking care of you?”With a quick shake of her head, Imara shared with Isha the details of their poker game and the dinner the entire family enjoyed together in that very room just the night before. It’s possible that Imara didn’t realize it, but Isha detected a sense of tranquillity and serenity on Imara’s face as she recalled the events.“And Adhiraj?” Isha asked.The memory of the past two days spent in close proximity to Adhiraj, sharing the same bed, made Imara’s cheeks instantly heated up. But she quickly changed the topic, revealing, “Mummy and Papa came to meet me!”Isha sensed the sudden shift in the conversation, but decided to go with the flow, asking, “Did they do something? I mean, did they upset you?”Imara shook her head, the sound of her sigh echoing softly in the room. She rubbed her hands inside the soft, warm blanket, feeling the comforting texture against her skin.As she recounted the events of the day before, the memories played like a movie in her mind, vivid and clear. Imara knew that Isha was the only person who had been there for every moment of her relationship with Dheeraj, from its beginning to its painful end. Lost in her thoughts, Imara’s mind drifted back to a time when things were different, when she and Dheeraj were happy together.“So Adhiraj called them?” Isha’s voice broke through Imara’s reverie, bringing her back to the present.Imara absentmindedly gave a little nod, muttering, “I think so. I straight up told him in my half-asleep state that I don’t want him around and I want mummy.”“What?” Isha inquired, suppressing a grin.In response to Imara’s nod, Isha probed, “And what else did you blurt out in your half-sleep state?”Imara couldn’t help but giggle, “That he is bad; a total asshole. And I made it clear that he’s only nice to me in my dreams, since he agrees with everything I say.”Isha’s eyes widened in shock as she confirmed, “You actually said all of that!”Imara nodded once more, admitting, “I honestly thought I was just dreaming?”Isha burst into laughter, remarking, “And the man appears to have been remarkably patient! He genuinely cares about you.”Imara immediately shook her head, her eyes filled with tears as she stated, “Ish, please, not you too, please!”“Why Imara?” Isha asked, her voice laced with concern, her face turning serious. The sound of their voices echoed in the quiet room. “What’s wrong with it? When he can, why can’t you move on?”“Ish, please,” Imara whispered, her voice barely audible, as she turned away from her friend. She hid her tears, feeling the dampness against her cheeks. This conversation brought back painful memories, reminding her of the times she spent with Dheeraj, the dreams she believed would come true, and the future she had envisioned with him. That incident had shattered her heart into a million pieces, a pain she couldn’t put into words. The room felt suffocating, as if it was closing in on her.“You answer me why, and I will leave this topic, Imara!” Isha’s remark pierced through the silence. “I know it’s tough, but not impossible. When life has given you another chance in Adhiraj and his family, why can’t you give yourself another chance?”“Isha, if you are here to talk about it, then just leave. I am better off alone,” Imara replied, her voice trembling with vulnerability.“I am not leaving unless I have put some sense into you, Imu,” Isha’s voice grew louder, frustration evident in her tone. “Why are you ruining it? I know you can clearly see how much Adhiraj cares for you! I am sure he already knows everything about you and Dheeraj, and yet he is being patient, trying to work this out. Why can’t you?”“You won’t understand, Ish. You won’t understand unless you have loved someone. And I pray that you never feel the crushing weight of longing for the one who you once believed would be your forever,” Imara whispered, her tears streaming down her cheeks, her sobs echoing through the room.Imara’s words pierced Isha’s mind, bringing forth an image of Neel, his smile etched in her memory. A sharp pain gripped her chest, causing her to wince, and a few tears escaped her eyes, their wet trails quickly wiped away.“I might not know what love means, Imara,” Isha replied, her voice steady. “But I am sure even you don’t know. Love is not clinging to one thing that could never be, it is about the hope of what can be. Give yourself another chance.”“Isha, please. I am not feeling well. My head is pounding,” Imara whispered, her voice trembling as she sniffed and wiped away fresh tears that spilled from her eyes.Despite her own tears, Isha found the strength to speak up, her voice firm and resolute, “You don’t deserve to keep hurting yourself like this. You deserve better, you deserve the best. And Adhiraj is the best! You may not want to admit it, but seeing how he and his family have taken care of you, I’m sure that Dheeraj and his family never deserved you.”“Isha,” Imara wailed, her hands covering her face as she sobbed uncontrollably. Isha’s heart ached as she saw her friend breakdown, but she knew she had to be firm with her. Imara needed to face the truth.With a heavy sigh, Isha spoke softly, “Imu, it’s up to you now. You hold the reins of your life and happiness. Embrace this opportunity and don’t burden yourself with the guilt of being with someone other than Dheeraj. Adhiraj treats you exactly the way you always deserved and wished for. Dheeraj was never the one.”“Please, Ish,” Imara sobbed even harder, and Isha’s heart clenched. She knew she had been harsh, but it was necessary. She gently stroked Imara’s head, trying to offer comfort, and said, “I won’t say anything more. But please think about it. And for now, take your medicine. You’re running a fever again.”Imara wiped her tears, her face stained with sadness, as she sat up in bed. The room seemed to spin as her head pounded from all the crying, a dizzying sensation that overwhelmed her. She reached for the medicine.“You should sleep. I am here only, alright!” Isha reassured her, her voice a comforting lullaby.Imara nodded, her eyelids heavy with exhaustion, as she allowed the effects of the medicine to wash over her. Isha settled into one of the chairs, the soft cushion providing a welcome respite. Opening her laptop, she clicked on the first unread email. It was from the Saraswati Group of Schools stating that they had accepted the designs Imara had sent them earlier that day, and that they were ready to sign the contract.