40. Sahil's Apology

Author's POV

Standing on the terrace, enjoying the breeze, was quite pleasant. Sahil was engrossed in conversations with business and political elites. Ishika turned to look at him. He was tilting his head, calmly sipping his drink.

Suddenly, he looked towards her and raised his glass from a distance. Ishika looked at him puzzled. When suddenly, there was a loud bang, and huge fireworks shot up into the pitch black sky. The fireworks blossomed in the night, covering the horizon. Startled, Ishika looked up at the sky as the scattered sparks formed new patterns.

The fireworks burst into the night sky over the whole City one after another. Passersby on the streets were mesmerized by the magnificent display, and the spectacle quickly became the talk of the town on the internet.

Even the wealthy ladies on the rooftop couldn't help but marvel at the breathtaking show.

Ishika stood at the forefront, her gaze fixed on the sky. She feared blinking might cause her to miss even a moment of the beautiful fireworks.

"What is that?" someone exclaimed.

"Looks like words!"

As the fireworks gradually subsided, a few faint words emerged in the sky. Ishika squinted, looked twice, and finally discerned the content.

-IS, I'm sorry.

Her eyes flickered with surprise.

People around her also realized what the words spelled out, and conversations buzzed with curiosity. Meanwhile, Aditi had sneaked up to Ishika and playfully poked her.

"You're amazing, Ishika!"

"Mm..." Ishika was still dazed, her eyes fixed on the sky.

"What's with that response? Check the internet. Damn, Sahil is incredible. All the billboards and taxi screens in the city show his apology message!"

"What?!"

"See for yourself!"

Aditi handed her a phone.

Ishika scrolled up and down on the screen; indeed, it was trending at the top. All the billboards, taxi screens, and large screens in shopping malls displayed the same sentence of apology.

Sahil had promised to inform the entire city and delivered on that promise.

She had asked to protect her privacy, so he did not reveal her name. With many people behind her, Ishika was hesitant to turn around. After a while, she finally turned and looked in Sahil's direction. Amid the crowd, Sahil met her gaze, raised the champagne glass in his hand.

Even from a distance, she could see the hopefulness on his face. Ishika felt a mix of shock and amusement. She couldn't find the words to describe him at that moment, finally concluding that she can't understand him.

Her phone vibrated with a message from Sahil.

Sahil: [Come out.]

Ishika: [Why?]

Sahil: [To welcome and see off the guests.]

Ishika: [You just apologized and are already giving orders?]

Sahil: [Please come.]

Ishika clicked her tongue in mock annoyance.

Ishika: [All right.]

After sending the last message, she made her way in Sahil's direction. The guests who had attended were not ordinary; welcoming and bidding them farewell required both Ishika and Sahil's efforts.

By the time they saw off everyone, Ishika was feeling quite exhausted.

When she searched for Sahil, she found he was no longer there. Yash reminded her to head to the restaurant on the next floor to find him. As she walked down the corridor, she was once again taken aback. It was adorned with yellow roses, carnations, and yellow tulips, all conveying a message of apology.

She squatted down and discovered a card among the flowers. As expected, it was another apology.

When Ishika entered the restaurant, she was carrying a stack of cards, and Sahil stood in front of the long dining table with his back turned, deep in thought.

She cleared her throat to get his attention.

A hint of unease flashed across his face. Apologizing with fireworks was one thing, but that flower-filled corridor wasn't exactly his usual style, but he had read online that women loved flowers, so he'd taken the chance. After a moment, he turned around, masking his nervousness with a composed expression.

Ishika greeted him with a small smile, waving the cards in her hand.

Sahil remained silent, watching her carefully.

Ishika placed her hands behind her back and slightly raised her chin, taking the initiative to sit at the head of the long table.

With a gesture, she said, " Please, have a seat."

Sahil glanced at her, nodded, and sat across from her.

"Is everything settled?" she inquired.

Sahil shook his head, a hint of regret in his eyes.

Sahil took a deep breath, his voice barely above a whisper. "Ishika-I'm sorry." He paused, his words catching in his throat. "I've been such a fool... the way I treated you, the things I said-it was cruel, and I can't even begin to justify it."

He stopped, swallowing hard, his voice trembling as he continued. "I hurt you. I made you feel small, vulnerable, and unworthy when you are the most incredible person I've ever known." Another pause, the silence heavy with unspoken regret. "You deserved kindness, respect... love. And instead, I gave you pain."

His voice cracked as he spoke again. "I hate myself for it, Ishika. I hate that I was the reason for your tears, the reason you doubted yourself." He paused, his breathing uneven. "You didn't deserve any of it-not a single moment of the hurt I caused you."

Sahil's words came slower now, each one laden with emotion. "I know I can't undo the past. I can't erase the things I said or the way I made you feel. But I need you to know..." He stopped, his voice faltering. "I regret it all. Every single moment I made you feel less than the amazing person you are."

The silence stretched for a moment before he added, his voice filled with raw sincerity, "I don't expect you to forgive me-not now, maybe not ever. But I promise you, Ishika, I will spend every day trying to make it right. I'll prove to you that I can be better... that I can be the person you deserve."

Ishika sat across from Sahil at the dimly lit table, her fingers tracing the rim of her glass absentmindedly.

"Sahil....I appreciate everything you did tonight," Ishika began, her voice calm but distant.

Sahil leaned forward slightly, his hands clasped together on the table, his gaze fixed on her.

Ishika glanced at the bouquet of flowers on the table and then back at him. "The fireworks, the flowers, even naming the company after me... And now, sitting here, apologizing to me in person." Her eyes flickered with a mix of surprise and pain. "I never thought someone like you would ever do that. But you did."

Sahil's lips parted, as if he wanted to say something, but he hesitated. Relief flashed across his face briefly, but it quickly gave way to guilt as Ishika continued.

"Still, Sahil," she said, her voice growing firmer, "what you did... it's not something anyone can easily forgive. Even though you've apologized and realized your mistakes, it doesn't erase the pain you caused." She looked down at the napkin in her lap, her fingers twisting it nervously. "Your sharp words, your taunts every time I asked for help... those moments don't just disappear."

Sahil leaned back in his chair, his jaw tightening as her words sank in. "Ishika, I-" he started, but she held up her hand, stopping him mid-sentence.

"Let me finish," she said, her voice trembling slightly. She looked up at him, her eyes glistening. "I never wanted this life, Sahil. But I accepted it. And even then, I never said anything bad to you. I hid my pain because I didn't want to burden you. I didn't want anything to come between us."

Her voice softened, breaking as she continued, "I did everything I could to be a good wife. I fulfilled every responsibility. But did you ever notice? Did you ever appreciate my efforts?"

Sahil dropped his gaze to the table, his hands tightening into fists. "Ishika..." he whispered, his voice thick with regret.

"I was invisible to you, Sahil," she said, her voice cracking as tears began to roll down her cheeks. "Always."

Sahil reached across the table, his hand hovering near hers, but she pulled her hand back, shaking her head.

"I may forgive you," she said, her voice barely audible. "But, I can't forget how you made me feel."

She turned her head, looking out at the bustling restaurant, the flickering candlelight casting shadows on her face. Sahil sat frozen, his heart sinking as her words echoed in the silence between them, louder than the noise around them.

Sahil picked up the tissue from the table and gently wiped her tears. His voice was soft, almost pleading, as he said, "Please don't cry. I can't bear to see tears in your eyes."

Ishika looked at him, her voice trembling as she tried to deny, "I'm not crying."

He gave her a small, bittersweet smile, his hand still brushing away her tears. "Yeah, you're not crying," he murmured, his tone laced with tenderness.

She turned her face away again, avoiding his gaze, her emotions hidden behind the veil of silence. Sahil hesitated for a moment, his hand lingering in midair as if debating whether to reach out again. Finally, with a reluctant sigh, he sat back, his heart heavy with unspoken words and the ache of her distance.

She then added, her tone calm but cutting, "But it doesn't matter right now since we're already divorced. Even if you keep acting like a jerk, it won't be my problem anymore."

Sahil felt a tightness in his chest at her words, but then he relaxed, remembering the truth-they weren't divorced yet.

"We still have a few more months," he said, his voice measured.

"Just a few more months," she replied, her gaze unwavering. "It will pass in the blink of an eye. And when the time comes, I'll leave immediately."

Sahil studied her for a moment, his eyes narrowing slightly. "In a hurry to leave?" he asked, his tone edged with something unspoken. "Is it because you find me unpleasant, or is there someone else you want to meet?"

Ishika leaned her cheek against her hand, her gaze drifting into the distance. "I don't have your extensive social circle, nor do I have a childhood sweetheart waiting for me. There's no one to meet."

Sahil's chest tightened. She wasn't going to meet Yuvraj?

"You're not meeting anyone?" he asked, his voice softer this time, almost hesitant.

Ishika finally looked at him, her expression neutral but her words sharp. "No, Sahil. I just find you unpleasant."

Sahil was secretly delighted. Why did he seem so happy when she said she found him unpleasant? What's wrong with him?

"What about Yuvraj? Not meeting him?" Sahil suddenly asked.

The words had just left his mouth when he immediately regretted it. He had originally decided not to ask, but he couldn't resist.

Ishika widened her eyes, "who?"

Her reaction was extraordinary. Sahil's breath tightened, but he maintained a calm expression as he poured another glass of water.

"Yuvraj."

"How do you know him?"

"You mentioned him last holi, when you accidentally drank bhang and said, he was your first love."

Her brain was turning rapidly.

Impossible, she didn't believe it, waving her hand. "My brain must have been malfunctioning. I was making up things, wasn't I ?"

Sahil calmly said, "who knows you better than yourself ?"

Ishika was a bit uncertaint because Sahil had no reason to lie to her.

"Does my first crush count as a first love?" She asked.

"What?" Sahil stared at her.

Ishika chuckled awkwardly. "He is the son of a neighbour. He was good looking, and I had a little crush on him when I was little."

"He rejected me though." Ishika waved her hand and sighed, "I was really upset at that time."

"Then what?" He asked.

"Maybe I've been holding a grudge against him, so when I drunk bhaang, I just blabbered nonsense and made up stuff."

Sahil's face was tense, showing neither joy nor anger, but inside, everything was in chaos. All kinds of emotions overwhelmed him.

He was not her first love, just her first crush. Yet, she still remembered him!

Ishika no longer cared. She leaned back in her chair, looked at the scenery of the buildings and thought about the past with Yuvraj, saying, "He is different from others."

"Does he have three heads?" Sahil muttered.

Ishika shrugged. "No, it's just that he is better looking and is more knowledgeable than others."

"I learned to speak French from him."

Sahil remained silent.

Ishika was joking. She glanced at him, and seeing his sour expression, she laughed and said, "Just kidding."

She thought momentarily and added, " If I have a chance to see him again, I will introduce you to him."

"No need."

Ishika heard the tone of his voice and knew he was unhappy. She could sense his attempt to be friendly, but she hadn't expected him to be jealous of Yuvraj.

She decided it was best to stop talking about Yuvraj with Sahil. They weren't close, and she didn't want to complicate things further.

"Let's eat," she said, trying to change the subject.

Sahil didn't respond immediately. Instead, he stood up and began serving food onto her plate.

"It's nice," she remarked, glancing at him. Then, with a small smile, she added, "But there's no dessert here."

He looked up at her, nodded, and said, "I'll get some for you."

"Why would you do that? Isn't there a waiter?" Ishika asked, surprised.

"There's no one here. They've all left," Sahil informed her calmly.

"Oh..." she murmured, unsure of how to respond.

Sahil returned with dessert and served it to her. She thanked him, and he gave her a small smile in return. However, he didn't step back immediately. Instead, he asked softly, "Do you need anything else?"

She shook her head, and with that, he sat back down and started eating. His gaze lingered on her face, watching as a smile spread across her lips while she enjoyed the food. Seeing her happy brought an unexplainable warmth to his heart.

Then he thought, it didn't matter if Yuvraj was Ishika's first love or her secret crush, nor did it matter that she once harbored an unrequited love for him. Yuvraj was far away now, wasn't he? If Yuvraj was truly that capable, then let him come back and prove it. But until then, Sahil wasn't going to let a ghost from her past dictate the future of their marriage.

Sahil's jaw tightened as determination coursed through him. If Ishika doubted their relationship, he would prove her wrong-not with words, but with actions. He was ready to fight for their marriage, to show her that he wasn't just a name on a marriage certificate or someone thrust into her life by circumstance.

He would be her partner in every sense of the word. He would earn her trust, her belief, and, eventually, her love. Whether it meant being her unwavering support, understanding her unspoken fears, or helping her heal from the scars of the past, Sahil was prepared to go to any length.

At 11 o'clock, Ishika and Sahil left the hotel, but the streets were still brightly illuminated.

"Shall we walk for a while?" Ishika suggested.

Sahil replied, "Sure."

They strolled leisurely along the nearby streets, with the driver trailing behind. People passing by were still discussing the previous night's fireworks.

"The widely known apology-quite impressive," someone remarked.

Hearing this, Ishika felt a little self-conscious, worried that someone might recognize them. Sensing her unease, Sahil said, "Don't worry, no one will recognize you. I've made sure your privacy is protected." Ishika looked at him and nodded in appreciation.

They came across a vendor selling ice cream by the roadside. Sahil bought two cones and handed one to her. They both sat on the bench, savoring the quiet moment together.

"Sahil, there's something I need to ask you," Ishika said, breaking the silence.

"Go ahead," he replied.

"You and Shanaya... are you two together? Did you really have a child with her?" she asked suddenly, catching him off guard.

He frowned, his gaze shifting to meet hers.

"Is that a sensitive topic for you?" she asked.

"No," he said firmly. "I never cheated on you, Ishika. You are the only woman in my life. You were my first, and you will be my last. I swear on my deceased mother."

"Then... that child?" she asked, her intense gaze fixed on him.

_________________________________

End of the chapter.

Don't forget to vote ⭐ comment and share the book.

Follow my account to get notified whenever I update the story.