17. An eternity of waiting

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Saanvi's Pov

Aaditya finished wrapping the bandage around my hand, his fingers brushing against my skin for just a second longer than necessary. I glanced up at him—

And in that exact moment, our eyes met.

Just 0.001 seconds.

That was all it took.

The warmth of his touch lingered, but the intensity in his gaze burned through me like a wildfire. I felt my heart do a weird little flip.

But before I could drown in those dark brown eyes, he pulled away, clearing his throat.

It gave me a second to breathe.

But just when I thought I could compose myself, his gaze flickered over me again—this time, lower.

My white frock. My open hair. The way my heels made me stand a little taller.

Aaditya’s brows furrowed slightly, as if something was off. Then, his lips curled into a teasing smirk.

"This is new," he said, crossing his arms. "No braids? No kurti?" His gaze scanned me once more, then he added with a straight face, "Go change."

I blinked. "Huh?"

"Go change," he repeated. "This doesn’t suit you."

I opened my mouth to argue, but then—he tilted his head slightly, smirking again.

"Actually…" His voice dropped lower. "You look good in what you actually are."

WHAT?!

Did he just—?!

My ears burned. My entire soul burned.

I wanted to throw a spoon at him. Or maybe myself, because why was my heart reacting like this?!

I clenched my fists and turned away, muttering, "Forget it. Eat your breakfast."

But the smirk on his face told me that he was enjoying this way too much.

I turned away, trying to ignore the way my cheeks were heating up. But of course, Aaditya wasn’t done teasing me.

He picked up a piece of toast, taking a slow bite before speaking.

"You know, Saanvi," he mused, "you woke up early, made my favorite breakfast, and even dressed up differently today." He leaned back in his chair, smirking. "Are you trying to impress me?"

I almost choked on air. "Excuse me?!"

He shrugged, casually sipping his coffee. "I mean, first my favorite black coffee, then salad—if I didn’t know any better, I’d think you’re trying to win my heart through my stomach."

I glared at him, crossing my arms. "Don’t flatter yourself. I just made breakfast because I felt like it."

"Right," he nodded, pretending to believe me. "And the new look? You just felt like dressing up too?"

I bit my lip. How did he even notice so much?!

This man, who barely paid attention to anything, who didn’t even know his own favorite color properly—he noticed my change instantly.

A small, traitorous part of me was screaming.

He noticed.

He noticed.

He noticed.

But I wasn’t about to let him win this conversation.

"You’re overthinking," I huffed.

He raised an eyebrow. "Am I?"

Before I could reply, he suddenly stood up.

"Enough talking," he said. "Now, go and change."

I frowned. "What? Why?"

He gestured toward my dress. "You’ll get cold in this wet dress."

I rolled my eyes. "Aaditya, I’m fine. Just eat your breakfast—"

"I’ll eat only if you go change," he said, stepping closer. "Otherwise, I’ll sit here and starve. Your choice, Mrs. Sanskari."

My eye twitched.

This man was impossible. Absolutely impossible.

But the way he was looking at me—half teasing, half challenging—made my heart race for reasons I refused to acknowledge.

"Fine!" I huffed, throwing my hands in the air. "I’ll change! Happy now?"

He grinned. "Very."

I stomped away, cursing him under my breath. Why was he like this?!

And worse—why was I actually feeling kind of flustered?

I stormed into my room, still fuming over Aaditya’s teasing, but the sight in front of me made me pause.

Aarna was standing in front of the mirror, carefully fixing her dupatta. Her suitcase was already packed beside the bed.

And Ruhi sitting on the bed with sad face.

I frowned. "Where are you going?"

She glanced at me briefly. "Bengaluru."

My frown deepened. Bengaluru?

Then, realization struck. Today was November 30th.

Huh!

It's again come that day of the year.

I felt a strange uneasiness settle in my chest. "But now he’s here, na? Then what’s the need?" I asked carefully.

Aarna froze for a second before shaking her head. "We made a promise, Saanvi. And I will go, no matter what."

Her voice was firm. Unwavering.

I clenched my fists. "What kind of promise is this, Aarna? One that only you have to fulfill?"

She refused to meet my eyes. "Please, don’t stop me. I have to go."

The determination in her voice scared me.

Because no matter what I said, Aarna was going to leave.

I took a deep breath, trying to control my frustration. "Aarna, at least think once. He doesn’t even—"

"Stop."

Her voice was quiet but sharp, cutting through the room like a blade.

I looked at her. Her hands, which were adjusting her earrings, had stilled. Her reflection in the mirror looked calm, but I knew better.

"He doesn’t even notice, Aarna," Ruhi said softly. "It’s been twelve years."

She finally turned to face me. There was something unreadable in her eyes—pain, nostalgia, maybe even a little hope.

"I know," she whispered. "I know he doesn’t remember."

My heart ached. Then why? Why was she still holding on?

"Then what’s the point?" I asked. "Why go through this every year when he doesn’t even look back?"

Aarna exhaled shakily, looking down at her hands. "Because a promise is a promise, Saanvi. It’s not about him remembering. It’s about me not forgetting."

I didn’t know what to say to that.

For twelve years, she had held on.

To a boy who had long since moved on.

To a promise that only she remembered.

To a love that had never even begun

And the worst part? She wasn’t ready to let go.

~Aarna's Pov~

I could feel both saanvi and Ruhi’s eyes on me, full of questions they wouldn’t ask.

Because she already knew the answers.

They knew I was still affected.

They knew I still held on.

And They knew he didn’t even notice.

But they didn’t know what it felt like to wait.

To keep a promise no one else remembered.

To carry a love that never got a chance to exist.

I looked at my suitcase, the same one I packed every year on this date. It felt heavier this time—maybe because the weight of unspoken words had finally caught up to me.

I turned back to the mirror, pretending to adjust my earrings, but my hands were trembling.

Why was I still doing this?

Because I made a promise.

Because twelve years ago, a boy with the kindest eyes and the warmest smile had looked at me and said,

"I will surely come to meet you on this day."

But that boy had grown up. And somewhere along the way, he had forgotten.

Yet here I was, still holding onto a memory that wasn’t even his anymore.

Saanvi sighed behind me. "Aarna, please…"

I closed my eyes for a second, steeling myself. Then, forcing a smile, I turned around. "I have to go."

And no matter how much it hurt, I knew I always would.

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I sat in the car, gripping my bag tightly as the driver pulled out of the driveway.

The same city, the same roads, the same destination.

Every year, nothing changed—except me.

Outside the window, I watched as we passed the familiar sights.

The old bookstore with faded letters on its signboard, where I once stood in the rain, waiting.

The quiet café on the corner, where I had whispered that promise to myself, just in case he had forgotten.

The rows of gulmohar trees, their bright red flowers blooming as if time hadn’t touched them.

Everything looked the same. Yet, somehow, everything felt different.

I sighed, leaning back against the seat. It was funny, wasn’t it?

For twelve years, I had carried this moment in my heart.

For twelve years, I had chased the shadow of a boy who never looked back.

The car drove down the familiar road, taking me to the same place I had always known. The trees, the river, the bridge—everything felt just as it always had. But today, it felt heavier, like memories were pressing down on me.

I reached the spot where we used to come. The river still flowed softly, and the wooden bridge still stood, waiting for someone to sit and dip their feet in the water.

There, on the tree, was the heart we carved together. I touched it, and tears filled my eyes. For twelve years, I had carried a promise, a love that was never returned.

For twelve years, I had held on.

To a memory that only I cherished.

To a love that faded before it began.

To a promise that was never meant to be kept.

I took off the necklace, the only thing left of him, and held it in my palm. It was all I had, a memory that seemed to grow colder with each passing day.

The wind brushed my face, reminding me of how I had always felt loved by my family, yet somehow, it was never enough. It wasn’t the love I craved. He had shown me what love truly meant—silent, unspoken, but real.

But now, as I stood here alone, I realized something I couldn’t deny: For twelve years, I had held on. To a boy who had long since moved on.

How did he forget me?

He promised... he said he would come. Then where is he?

When will he come?

Twelve years… Twelve years I’ve waited. When will he come?

Please, Ridith… Why can’t you remember me?

How could you just move on?

Tears fell, warm against my cheeks, but it wasn’t enough to stop the ache inside. It wasn’t enough to stop the memories from suffocating me.

I gasped for air, as if the weight of those memories had stolen my breath. My chest tightened, and each breath felt heavier than the last.

How could I still feel this way after all these years?

My hands trembled as I clutched the necklace tighter, as if holding on to that small piece of him could somehow bring him back.

I couldn't breathe... the pain of it all was choking me.

The wind around me felt colder now, matching the emptiness I felt inside. How did he move on so easily? How did I still linger in a past that had long since been forgotten by him?

I closed my eyes, tears blurring my vision, and sank to my knees, feeling the world around me spin out of control.

The ground beneath me felt like it was crumbling, yet I let myself fall, desperate to feel something—anything—that could hold all our memories, all the love I once had.

I pressed my hands against the earth, as if it could offer me the answers I so desperately sought. It was cold, hard, but somehow it felt like it understood. Like it had witnessed everything we were, everything we could have been.

I let the tears fall, soaking into the ground, but nothing could erase the ache in my heart. Nothing could take away the feeling of being lost in a love that never had a chance to bloom.

This place, this earth… it held our memories. But even that couldn’t fill the emptiness inside me.

Ruhi's Pov

I sighed, rolling my eyes as Saanvi went on and on about the 0.001 second eye contact with Aaditya. "Seriously, Saanvi?" I muttered, trying to focus on my work. "It was just a glance. No need to turn it into a Bollywood movie."

Saanvi beamed, clearly missing the sarcasm in her tone. "You don’t get it, Ruhi. It felt like everything in that moment."

I resisted the urge to roll my eyes again. "Well, if you say so, Miss Bollywood. Can we talk about something else now?"

Saanvi giggled, her excitement undeterred. "Trust me, Ruhi, when it happens again, you’ll see."

I shook her head, a smile tugging at the corner of my lips.

I couldn't help but feel a little happy for her.

But at the same time I feel sad for my other friend

My Aarna she nevers say how it feels but I know.

Anyway, now we have to go to a picnic near the farmhouse.

And guess what? It's Ishaan's idea again.

This troublemaker will never improve.

I couldn't help but shake my head. Every time I thought he couldn't get any worse, he proved me wrong.

It was supposed to be a fun picnic day, but here I was, sitting with a bunch of confused people.

Aaditya was sitting there, totally immersed in his book.

No clue that Saanvi was sitting next to him, looking at him like he was the last slice of cake at a party.

I swear, she was blushing like a tomato, but he didn’t even look up.

How does he not notice?

Seriously, this guy is a mystery.

A whole book of its own.

Varsha?

Oh she is out of sigh!

That's good.

Then there’s Ridith. Ugh, this idiot. He’s sitting with his laptop, typing away, acting like we’re not here for a picnic.

Aarna crying and waiting for him there, but nope. This guy couldn’t even spare her a second.

How hard is it to keep a promise?

I swear if Aarna didn’t stop us.

We Saanvi and me have litreal 101 tricks to kill this Ridith

And Ishaan... Oh, Ishaan. He’s being his usual irritating self.

And I am, stuck in the middle of this chaos, trying to enjoy the moment while everyone else is in their own little world.

Then only Ishaan was in his "let's explore the forest" mood. He bounced over to me, all excited. “Ruhi, come on, let’s go explore the forest! It'll be fun!”

I gave him a look. Really? Exploring a forest with Mr. Berozgaar Shed

Without responding, I turned and started walking in the opposite direction, heading toward the small trail that seemed the least suspicious.

“Hey! Wait! Stop! You’ll get lost!” Ishaan called after me, panic in his voice.

I stopped, barely turning to glance at him. “Pfft, just because I sometimes forget the route doesn’t mean I’ll get lost in the forest, okay? Am I a child to you or something?”

He caught up to me, raising an eyebrow. “You’re the one who thinks walking in the opposite direction of the map is ‘exploring,’ Ruhi.”

I rolled my eyes and waved my hand dismissively. “Yeah, yeah, whatever. I know what I’m doing.”

But as I walked forward, I could hear him muttering behind me, "Watch, you’ll end up in the middle of nowhere and then call me for help."

Yeah, right.

~To Be Continue

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Chapter Aesthetic

Aarna's chain

The bridge

Picnic

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Spoiler Alert

Ruhi pov~

I huffed. "Uff, ek second!" Without thinking, I reached out and pushed his hair back with my fingers.

The moment my hand touched his forehead, Ishaan stilled. His eyes locked onto mine, and before I could move away, a slow smirk appeared on his lips.

"Kitna pyaar kar ti ho tum" he said

I reply "chal hatt, Sakal dekhi hai aapni"