𝑫𝑯𝑹𝑼𝑽

I couldn't comprehend why I had unleashed such hurtful words upon her. I agree; I hate her. I loathe her for the reason that she is so pure, unlike her father, who is a betrayer in distinction.

The moment I caught sight of tears shimmering in her beautiful sapphire eyes, reality crashed down around me like a tidal wave. I had never witnessed her cry since the day our paths first crossed, and now, as I stood there, the vibrant spirit I had cherished within myself began to fade before my very eyes.

In a desperate search for her, I cursed my mind to stop taking over my body. I finally spotted her sitting on a bench, laughter spilling from her lips as she shared a moment with another man.

I recognized him the moment I saw him; even though it was from the back, I can never forget this person.

A surge of rage coursed through my veins, and my fists clenched involuntarily, aching to strike the face of the one who dared to flirt with her knowing what she has for me.

But instead of confronting them, I retreated to the sanctuary of my home, a silent observer, waiting for her return. From my hidden vantage point by the gate, I could see the world outside while remaining unseen.

When she finally returned, accompanied by that person, a tempest of anger boiled within me as I watched her carefree demeanor, so close to him, so intimate. Even now, his back was facing me.

What was he to her that she could radiate such joy in his presence?

With this unexpected jealousy gnawing at my insides, I found myself grappling with a troubling question: 'Why do I care?' I stepped inside, wrestling with the tumult of emotions that threatened to consume me, ignoring the urge to punch his face.

The following day, news of her job offer reached my ears, leaving me in a state of confusion. I maintained a facade of indifference, but inside, I was a storm of conflicting feelings.

Esha didn't approach me as she usually did, seeking my congratulations or sharing her excitement. Strange questions swirled in my mind like autumn leaves caught in a whirlwind: 'Why doesn't she come to me to share the good news?' 'Did she confide in her parents about what I had said yesterday?'

I considered the possibility that if she had shared my hurtful words with them, neither Aunt nor Uncle nor my own parents would be so calm. She was the apple of their eye, cherished and nurtured to the point where nothing seemed to faze her.

Just then, my eleven-year-old brother, Aaryan, bounded over to me, his innocent curiosity shining through. "Why don't you congratulate your sister-in-law?" he asked, his eyes wide with expectation.

Aaryan had started calling Esha 'sister-in-law' after learning from our parents that she was to be my future wife—a notion I had never fully embraced or agreed to.

I patted his head and lied, "I already congratulated her, Aaryan."

"Oh, was it before I came? Because I never saw you talk to her," he replied, confusion flickering in his eyes.

"Yes," I fibbed again, watching as he scampered off with 'Okay' to play with her.

Esha had always adored children, and when Aaryan was born, her joy knew no bounds. She would spend countless hours entertaining him, her laughter ringing like music in the air.

Today, I noticed her climbing into a cab, a realization dawning on me—she didn't know how to drive. Usually, she would ask her driver, Mohan, to drive her if she needed something.

Hiding my concerns deep within, I left for work, but upon my return, I found the house still locked. "Where could she have gone?" I pondered, a knot of worry tightening in my chest.

Usually, I don't return home from the office. I would prefer to stay in my condo, knowing that it was peaceful.

To be frank, it's not about peace. I simply don't want to stay here and bother my parents when they have raised me for quite a few good years, even when they can abandon me.

Just as I stepped through the gate, a cab pulled up, and Esha emerged, heading inside. "What could she have been doing all day?" I questioned myself, but I pushed those thoughts aside as I went home, freshened up, and settled into my study for a meeting.

As the CEO of my company, I was constantly juggling meetings across various time zones, my mind racing to keep pace. I quickly wrapped up my agenda and headed to bed, but sleep eluded me once more.

'Where had she gone all day?'... She had never stayed out this long since childhood. 'Is she hiding something from everyone?' The thought jolted me upright in bed, unsettling my very core. I slipped out of bed and went downstairs for a glass of water.

As I closed the door of the refrigerator, my mother approached me, concern etched on her face, her eyes searching mine. "What's going on between you two, Kanna?" Kanna is a nickname she gave me when I was a kid; it's so common in India.

"Who two, Ma?" I feigned ignorance, my heart racing. I know who she was referring to, but I want to brush the topic off.

"You and Esha!"

"Nothing, Ma," I replied curtly, the word tasting bitter on my tongue, cutting down the talk to any further.

"Then why is she acting so strangely around you? Ever since we arrived, she hasn't had a day without talking to you. So, tell me what happened exactly."

"Nothing, Ma. Maybe she's just busy figuring out how to adapt to her new office life." I paused, my mother waiting patiently for any more words to slip out from me.

"It's late, Ma. Go to sleep. Your health might deteriorate." I said, my voice laced with emotion. With that, I turned away, feeling the weight of my mother's disapproving gaze burning into my back.

I climbed into bed, yearning for the sweet embrace of sleep, but rest remained a distant dream, forever out of reach.

My mind, a relentless tide, drifted back to that fateful day—the sharp words I had hurled, the pain etched on her face, and the tears that had glistened like shattered glass in her beautiful sapphire eyes.

Each memory reverberated through my thoughts, a haunting echo that refused to fade, now precariously teetering on the edge of uncertainty.

*****

We had just arrived at our new home in Kolshet. As I stepped out of the car and made my way toward the gate, a sweet, melodic voice caught my attention.

"Hi!" she said, and I turned to see her. She was stunning, a perfect blend of cherry and peach blossoms. Her eyes sparkled with the mesmerizing shades of a deep blue sky, and her small pink lips curved into a sunshine smile that could light up the entire galaxy.

A strange feeling welled up inside me. She seemed so innocent and naive, a vulnerability that made me worry about the harsh world outside that could easily consume her. Esha came from a loving family; her parents had a love marriage, and in their eyes, she was a treasure.

However, Esha's mother had suffered from uterine issues, preventing her from having more children. After that, Mr. and Mrs. Raghvendra Sharma decided to open an orphanage, embracing the children with the same love they showered upon Esha.

Their family celebrated every festival and occasion with the children at the orphanage, transforming it into a vibrant world of colors, especially on Esha's birthday and mine. I could understand their celebration of Esha, but mine was a mystery.

I never cared about that as I slipped the thought, assuming they just wanted to make everyone happy or it was one more wish from Esha.

As I adjusted to my new lifestyle in this community, I found the school enjoyable, even though Esha attended the same one and often found ways to bother me. She had a knack for teasing, her laughter ringing in my ears like a playful yet strange melody.

I was not an outgoing person, but Ashish and Joshi were different. They were the kind of friends who could light up a room with their energy, and as time passed, I found myself drawn to their infectious enthusiasm. I made friends with them, and we shared a similar outlook on life, which helped me navigate the new environment.

We all ended up at the same university, where Ashish pursued interests in finance and media, Joshi was captivated by biology, and I immersed myself in computers and technology.

Despite our differing passions, we made it a point to hang out together regularly, enjoying each other's company and navigating the challenges of school life as a united front.

Esha, too, found her place in our circle, and her vibrant personality added a unique dynamic to our group. She would often join us for lunch, and while I appreciated her energy, I couldn't shake the feeling of annoyance that accompanied her presence.

It was as if she had a radar for my discomfort, and she reveled in teasing me, her laughter ringing out like a challenge.

*****

-͟-͟-͟-͟-͟-͟-͟-͟-͟-͟-͟-͟-͟-͟-͟-͟-͟-͟-͟-͟-͟-͟-͟-͟-͟-͟-͟-͟-͟-͟-͟-͟-͟-͟-͟-͟-͟-͟-͟-͟-͟-͟-͟-͟-͟-͟-͟-͟-͟-͟-͟-͟-͟-͟-͟-͟-͟

Do you like the chapter?

How is it?

Do vote and comment with your thoughts!

By: shinestoriess.

Bye, lovelies💗