[13]

Vaani leaned forward, her lips brushing softly against his, a featherlight touch that sent an electric jolt through him. Rishit's eyes widened, stunned, as his mind scrambled to process what had just unfolded.

As clarity settled, he gently drew Vaani away, concern clouding his gaze.

"See, you’re ignoring me," Vaani murmured, pouting as she looked up at him, her voice laced with playful frustration.

“Vaani, have some rest.” Rishit’s tone was calm yet firm as he guided her to lie down, his hand lingering on her shoulder in a momentary pause. He pulled the blankets around her, then turned to leave. But before he could take another step, she caught his hand in hers.

“Kaha ja rahe ho?” she asked, her voice slurred and languid, each word an intoxicated whisper that seemed to tug at him in ways he couldn’t entirely ignore.

( Where are you going )

“Vaani, have some rest,” he replied, more resolute this time, detaching his hand from hers with a gentle yet final touch. Without another word, he exited the room, leaving her behind in the soft glow of the bedside lamp.

The door clicked shut, and Rishit moved with swift, determined strides toward the parking lot, his expression unreadable yet intense. A wave of emotions stormed through him, emotions he couldn't afford to untangle in that moment.

He slipped into the car, his grip on the steering wheel tight, knuckles white with a surge of conflicted feelings. Igniting the engine, he tore out of the parking lot, driving with a barely restrained urgency that bordered on reckless.

For half an hour, he drove, the world around him a blur of lights and shadows, until he finally pulled up in front of a villa.

Rishit stepped out of the car, his face etched with a quiet resolve as he crossed the stone path and made his way into the villa. Moving through the silent halls, he headed to the first floor, where memories lingered in the shadows. He paused outside a familiar door, his fingers trembling slightly as he reached out, pressing his palm gently against its surface before opening it.

Inside, the room was like a preserved memory, untouched by time. It was steeped in the essence of someone he held close to his heart—the memories of Nandini. Rishit stepped in, his gaze tracing every object, every corner of the room, as if each one held fragments of their shared past, playing in his mind like scenes from a distant, bittersweet film.

He wandered slowly, his fingers brushing over the edges of furniture, lingering on delicate decorations, and touching each trinket that Nandini had once held. The weight of each memory pressed down on him until tears began to blur his vision. His body started to tremble as he neared the bed, the emotions surging through him in waves.

With an unsteady breath, Rishit sank to the floor beside the bed, wrapping his arms tightly around his knees and burying his face against them. The silent sorrow that had dwelled within him for so long found release as tears slipped down his cheeks, his shoulders shaking as he cried.

"I can't do this, Nandini," he choked out between sobs, his voice raw. "It's not possible for me to love anyone else but you. I can't...I just can't."

He took a shaky breath, struggling to steady himself. "I thought I could give myself a chance, that maybe I could feel again...but I was wrong, Nandini. I can’t do it."

The realization tore at him, leaving him vulnerable and exposed. "She loves me, Nandini...she loves me. But I don’t," he whispered, voice breaking. "What do I do? I’m trying, trying to open myself to love again because you wanted me to, but it’s like...I just can’t."

His words trailed off into silence, the room echoing with the quiet sound of his tears as they fell freely now, the pain he'd held back spilling over. Gradually, his sobs quieted, exhaustion taking over as he remained huddled on the floor, his body leaning against the bed. His eyes, swollen and heavy, finally closed, and he drifted into a fitful sleep, still clutching his knees, the last of his tears dampening his cheeks as he surrendered to the quiet of the night.

********************

At the grand Oberoi Mansion, everyone remained oblivious to Rishit’s absence, assuming he was still with Vaani in the room.

Meanwhile, as Vidhi passed through one of the quieter hallways, she suddenly felt a hand pull her into an adjacent room. The door shut softly behind her, and as she looked up, she found herself inches away from Vidhan.

With a playful yet intense look, he leaned in, enclosing her in his arms. Vidhi’s back pressed against the cool wall, and Vidhan’s gaze burned into hers, sending a shiver down her spine.

“Kya kar rahe ho aap?” Vidhi managed to whisper, her eyes locked with his, her pulse quickening.

( What are you doing )

“Aapse pyaar,” Vidhan murmured, his lips brushing softly against her cheek before pressing a gentle kiss there. His touch was slow, yet every motion seemed to deepen the flutter in her chest.

( I am loving you )

“Ham kitne din se nahi mile, Vidhi,” he sighed, drawing her into a tight embrace. His arms encircled her waist as hers wrapped around his neck, pulling him closer. “I missed you,” he murmured, his face nestled against her neck.

“I missed you too, Vidhan,” Vidhi whispered, tightening her hold around him, feeling the warmth of his embrace.

He pulled back slightly, just enough to meet her eyes, his expression softening. “Mujhe kal Bangalore wapas jaana hai,” he said, his voice tinged with reluctance.

( I will head back to Bangalore tomorrow )

“Me bhi… saath chalenge,” Vidhi replied, her gaze steady as she offered a small nod. Vidhan’s face lit up as he nodded back in agreement.

( Me too...will go together )

Vidhi sighed, finally breaking the silence. “Accha, ab hame chalna chahiye. Our family must be waiting.”

( We should leave now )

But Vidhan only tightened his grip around her waist, holding her close. “Thodi der yahin raho na,” he murmured, reluctant to let go.

( Stay for few more minutes )

“Kuch hua h kya, Vidhan?” Vidhi asked, sensing the hint of vulnerability in his tone.

( Is something wrong Vidhan )

He exhaled, resting his forehead against hers. “I have to leave for a business meeting tomorrow evening. I’ll miss you,” he admitted softly.

“For how many days?” Vidhi asked, looking up at him with concern.

“Two weeks,” he replied, his voice barely a whisper. Vidhi gazed back at him, her eyes filled with understanding. “I’ll miss you too,” she said quietly.

Vidhan let out a deep sigh, reluctant to part. “I don’t want to leave.”

“But work is important, Vidhan,” Vidhi reminded him gently, her hand brushing against his cheek. “Aur rahi baat do weeks ki, toh woh toh yun hi nikal jayenge,” she added with a small, reassuring smile.

A chuckle escaped Vidhan’s lips, a soft hum of agreement. “Hmm,” he murmured, his forehead touching hers in a moment of shared warmth.

“Now we really should go,” Vidhi said, pulling away with a lingering glance. “You have to get back home.”

With a final look and a shared smile, they both slipped out of the room, each returning to the evening’s gathering, the memory of their quiet moment lingering in their hearts.

********************

The next morning, Vaani stirred awake, her head throbbing with the lingering effects of last night's drinks.

“Mera sar kyun dard kar raha hai?” she muttered, wincing at the ache. Her gaze swept over the room, and a frown formed as she realized Rishit was nowhere to be seen.

( Why do I have a headache )

“Where is Rishit?” she whispered, sitting up and glancing toward the bathroom. She walked over and tapped lightly on the door. “Rishit, kya tum andar ho?” But there was no response.

( Rishit are you inside )

Curious, she nudged the door open, only to find the washroom empty. “Maybe niche honge,” she murmured to herself, heading inside to freshen up.

( Maybe he is downstairs )

After a refreshing shower, Vaani got dressed and made her way downstairs to the living room. There, she found Meera, Yash, and Vidhi seated on the couch, chatting. As soon as Meera noticed her, she offered a warm smile.

“Where is Rishit, beta? Abhi tak niche nahi aaya…aur tumhara sir toh dard nahi kar raha na?” Meera asked, her voice tinged with concern.

“Nahi, Maa. I’m fine. But I don’t know where Rishit is,” Vaani replied, glancing around.

“Toh kahan hai bhai?” Vidhi asked, a hint of confusion in her tone.

( So where is bhai )

“Pata nahi. I didn’t find him in the room when I woke up,” Vaani said, her own curiosity now growing.

( Don't know )

“Maybe jaldi office chala gaya ho,” Yash suggested thoughtfully, and everyone nodded in tentative agreement.

( Maybe he left for the office early )

“Hmm, ho sakta hai,” Meera mused.

( It's possible )

Turning to Vidhi, Meera asked, “Vidhi, tumhari flight kitne baje ki hai?”

( When is your flight )

“Tum aaj ja rahi ho, Vidhi?” Vaani inquired.

( Are you leaving today )

“Haan, Bhabhi. Waise bhi college bahut miss ho gya h,” Vidhi responded with a small smile, and Vaani nodded in understanding.

( Yes, and also I have missed my classes )

“Or Maa, meri flight 11 baje ki hai,” Vidhi added, and Meera nodded, taking note.

( And Mom, my flight is scheduled at 11 am )

After a hearty breakfast, Vidhi gathered her things, ready to head to the airport. Vaani offered to drop her off, and the two set off together.

At the airport, Vidhi turned to Vaani with a smile. “Take care, Bhabhi. Apna aur bhai ka khayal rakhna.”

( Take care of yourself and my brother )

Vaani returned her smile and hugged her tightly. “Tum bhi apna khayal rakhna,” she said warmly.

( You too...take care )

Just then, Vidhan and Ved approached, joining them. Vaani hugged both Vidhan and Ved, sharing brief words of farewell.

“Take care, Vaani,” Vidhan said, giving her a reassuring nod before he, Vidhi, and Ved headed inside the airport.

With a lingering smile, Vaani watched as they disappeared into the terminal, then turned to leave, her mind drifting back to thoughts of Rishit, wondering where he could be.

********************

Rishit woke up in the quiet solitude of that room, his head still resting against the bed, his eyes red and swollen from the night of unrestrained tears.

With a deep sigh, he slowly pushed himself up, his face still shadowed by lingering sadness. Seeking a fresh start to the day, he headed to the washroom, emerging a while later, clean and dressed in comfortable clothes he found in the cupboard.

Settling onto the bed, he reached for his phone and typed a quick message to his assistant, Kartik. "Cancel all the meetings; I’m not coming to the office," he sent, setting his phone aside with a sigh. Rishit then made his way to the kitchen, hoping a simple breakfast would distract him, even if just for a moment.

As he stepped inside, memories washed over him once more. Every corner, every utensil seemed to hold a trace of her. He paused, leaning against the counter as he felt her presence surround him. Nandini’s face appeared vividly in his mind, her smile bright and familiar, as if she were right beside him.

"Tumhe khana banana seekhna padega, Rish…for me," her playful voice echoed in his ears, bringing an involuntary smile to his face.

( You have to learn cooking Rish...for me )

“Haan, haan, sikh lunga…for you,” his own voice from a distant memory replied, replaying in his mind with painful clarity.

( Yes yes, I will learn...for you )

Rishit swallowed the ache in his throat and began preparing breakfast, his hands moving almost on their own, following the steps she’d taught him long ago.

“Mein bahut accha khana banane laga hoon, Nandini,” he murmured to himself, a bittersweet smile tugging at his lips as he chopped and stirred.

“Aur kyun na seekhta? Aakhir meri teacher bhi toh tum thi,” he whispered, feeling the warmth of those memories mix with the ache of loss.

After a while, breakfast was ready. Rishit sat at the dining table, eating in quiet reflection, each bite a reminder of the days when she would watch him proudly as he cooked, teasing him, encouraging him. Once he finished, he felt a deep sense of comfort, almost as though her presence had lingered with him through the morning.

With no desire to leave, Rishit decided he would spend the entire day in this mansion. It felt like the only place that could understand the weight in his heart, a sanctuary filled with the memories of her love, which he still carried, unable to let go.

____________________________________________________________________________

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