16

She was the moon but

He was busy chasing other stars

"Aru, there's a party organised by one of our Italian business partners"he began and she nodded at him so he continued"will you come with me as my partner?"

"You won't let me live in peace would you?"she asked and he gave her forced smile.

"Aree please, I do not want to go to that boring party alone"Karan whined.

"Fine will go with you,but what's in return?"she raised her brow and he chuckled.

"I will buy the grocery for week"he replied

"Done"

"Are you ready pookie?"aradhya asked.

"Just 2 minutes"he shouted from his room.

"God damn this man takes more time than women"she mumbled to herself.

After 5 minutes,he came out from his room, wearing a blue tuxedo.

"OMG,aru you look so beautiful"he gasped.

"I always did"she replied and he smiled.

She was finally loving herself and recognising her beauty both inner and outer.

Her outfit

(You can imagine yourself,if you don't like the dress, author doesn't have much good taste)

"Should we go?"he asked bowing dramatically and putting out his hand for her to hold.

She giggled and placed her hand in his."yes"

The evening was alive with the soft hum of conversation and the clinking of glasses as Aradhya and Karan arrived at the elegant Italian-themed party hosted by Karan’s business partners. The venue was a stunning villa, adorned with twinkling fairy lights and lush greenery, creating an atmosphere of sophistication and charm.

As they entered, the warm glow of the chandeliers reflected off the polished marble floors, and the scent of fresh flowers mingled with the aroma of exquisite Italian cuisine.

As they moved through the crowd, Karan’s partners welcomed them warmly, engaging in light conversation about their latest ventures and the beauty of the villa’s design. Aradhya’s keen eye for detail didn’t miss the intricate decor, and she found herself mentally noting ideas for her own projects.

"This place is beautiful"aradhya whispered to Karan.

"Yeah"he responded with a nod.

As Aradhya and Karan mingled with the guests at the Italian-themed party, the atmosphere was filled with laughter and the soft strains of classical music. The villa’s opulent decor and the warm glow of the chandeliers created an enchanting ambiance.

Unbeknownst to Aradhya, Dhruv and Reyansh were also present at the party.

The moment Reyansh spotted Aradhya, his heart skipped a beat. She looked stunning in her red dress, her elegance and grace captivating him all over again. He couldn’t help but keep his eyes on her, his gaze following her every move.

Reyansh tried to focus on the conversations around him, but his attention kept drifting back to Aradhya. He watched as she laughed at something Karan said, her smile lighting up the room. It was a bittersweet sight, reminding him of what he had lost and what he desperately wanted to regain.

Aradhya, unaware of Reyansh’s presence, continued to enjoy the evening, her laughter and conversation flowing effortlessly. But every now and then, she felt a strange sensation, as if someone was watching her. She glanced around the room, her eyes briefly meeting Reyansh’s before she quickly looked away, her heart pounding.

Reyansh’s gaze never wavered. He knew he had a long way to go to earn her trust back, but seeing her here, so vibrant and alive, gave him a glimmer of hope. He silently vowed to do whatever it took to take away her pain and prove that he had changed.

As the evening progressed, Reyansh remained on the periphery, content to watch Aradhya from afar. He knew he couldn’t approach her yet, not without risking further hurt. But for now, just being in the same room as her, seeing her smile, was enough to keep his hope alive.

As the evening progressed, the music shifted to a slow, romantic tune. Karan extended his hand to Aradhya with a warm smile. “May I have this dance?” he asked. Aradhya nodded, taking his hand as they moved gracefully to the center of the dance floor.

They danced together, their movements fluid and synchronized. Karan’s presence was comforting, and Aradhya felt a sense of ease as they glided across the floor. The soft lighting and the gentle melody created an enchanting atmosphere, and for a moment, she allowed herself to relax and enjoy the dance.

Then, as the song reached its midpoint, the partners began to change. Aradhya found herself being gently spun away from Karan and into the arms of another dancer. When she looked up, her heart churned as she realized she was now face-to-face with Reyansh.

Reyansh’s heart skipped a beat as he held her close, the familiar warmth of her presence stirring emotions he had tried to suppress. He could feel the tension in her body, the conflict in her eyes. They moved together, their steps hesitant at first, but gradually finding a rhythm.

As they danced, Reyansh leaned in and whispered softly, “love is a dance and I am fixing those broken chords.”

The lines from her diary"love should be a dance but we stumble upon the broken chords"

Aradhya’s breath caught in her throat. The sincerity in his voice, the depth of his words, made her heart ache. She wanted to believe him, but the pain of the past was still fresh. Yet, in that moment, as they moved together to the music, she couldn’t deny the connection that lingered between them.

For a brief, fleeting moment, the world around them faded away, and it was just the two of them, dancing to the rhythm of their hearts.

"It's better if the chords are broken"she whispered .

"Why? didn't your want to dance on the chords of love?why don't we mend it?"he asked,his voice barely audible.

"I don't desire medicore love.i want to drown in someone and that someone-you could never be"she whispered looking up at him.

She is a tall woman of 5'8 but his 6'4 tall figure makes her look tiny infront of him.

"I don't desire medicore love too,I am already drowning into you and never want to come back"he  expressed.

The partners switched and now she was again in the arms of Karan.

He gave her a concerned look and she smiled assuringly at him which puts him at peace.

"He did not say something to upset you right?"he asked.

She shook her head as no and gave him a smile again.

'upset with words???his entire existence in my life upsets me but can I do something about it?nooo'

The dance ended and Karan and aradhya found themselves endulged in a conversation with a beautiful young lady and a man.

"You both make such a beautiful couple"Aradhya complimented.

The girl blushed slightly and mumbled a small thank you.

The man smiled and said"thanks,you two too make a beautiful couple"

Aradhya let out a awkward laugh and Karan chuckles.

"We aren't a couple,she is my bestfriend"

"Yes"

"Oh, sorry to misunderstand but still if you both consider to date each other,you both would look so cute together"said the man and excused himself with his lady.

Karan and aradhya looked at each other and let out a laugh.

"What bestfriends if people don't mistake you as couple!!"Karan exclaimed.

"Facts!!"aradhya agreed.

Don't expect anything from me in this marriage.you are my wife for namesake,remember this.i hate you with all my heart,you slut.

She woke up breathing heavily from the nightmare,his words ringing in her ears.

"He asked to not expect anything from the marriage,so i didn't.but what was the need to terrorise that Little girl.i was just 20."

She sobbed hugging her knees.

"Love is a dance and I am fixing those broken chords-- total shit.the broken chords can never be fixed.the dead flower can never bloom.the shattered glass can never be mended again.if love is a dance then I hate dancing.it hurts so much.maybe because I never got love so now I hate it.i was love starved and now my hunger has died.

Why don't he just go away from my life?He is hukum sa of Rajasthan,loves his people but could never love his wife and is now loving his ex wife.

What a tragedy it is.i just want to die or maybe kill him"

"Hello maa"reyansh answered the call of Amravati.

"Beta,you said you will be back after a week,why aren't you back yet?did something happen?are you alright?"the concerned voice of his mother reached his ears.

"No maa,I am fine"he replied.

"Then what happened beta?"she asked again.

He sighed before answering"i found aradhya"

"What???you found bhabhi!!!"Aryan's voice reached in his ears.

His eyes filled with unshed tears.

Aryan,his younger brother,he has seen him growing up.he was a calm and quiet boy and never expressive of his feelings and here this woman taught him the feelings too.what was he then?

"Bhai sa!! Tell please did you find her??"Aryan's pleading voice echoed in his ears.

"Yes Aryan"he answered.

"I want to meet her"he exclaimed with happiness but then suddenly a sigh left his lips"she wouldn't want to meet me but!"

"You did nothing wrong Aryan, it's me who caused all the misery,she would be still loving you and maa"

"Reyansh, don't act stupid again.tkae things slowly,she might be hating you but you need to understand her"

"I know maa,i won't repeat same mistakes again.i promise I am not coming back without her"he said and cut the call.