19

∞The glimmering lights∞

Rudransh Singh Chauhan

Love as an act? When did my love appear as an act to her? If that's true, she needs to teach me how to love because this is all I've ever known. This is the only way I've learned to love—to never give up and to make your life about your love and your love your life. I know whatever she said to me yesterday wasn't about the shoes, but does she really hate my presence this much? Does she really think my love for her is fake? Where did I fail in expressing it that she thought it was pretentious? She said she loved me. Loved? Does she not love me now? But I feel it—the way she looks at me with eyes that speak volumes of love. I know they are hurt; I know she is hurt because of me. But I want to make it right; I want to make everything right.

When those tears trailed down her eyes, I felt like drowning in them. The pain she felt—I wanted to snatch it all away from her at that moment. She cannot feel that, she should not. I want her pain; I want her tears because only a smiling face suits her, only glimmering eyes bright with love suit her. She is precious to me, the one I want to hide from the world and do everything I can to keep her happy.

I need to talk to her, to listen to her. I want her to speak whatever is in her heart, even if it's hate for me. At least she would be speaking to me, about me. I want to steal all her tears and give her the peace of my love. I want to understand what is hurting her so much that she feels compelled to hate her 'Ansh'. This reception is my last chance. I need an opportunity to listen to her. Last night felt unbearably long and painful. Her face, drenched in tears, was all I could see. I couldn't let go of that image, and my heart ached just thinking about her in pain.

I looked for her at the reception, but she wasn't there yet. Each passing second became increasingly difficult to bear. I just wanted to see her, to know she was okay. Rishi was doing his best to lighten my mood, but how could I calm this throbbing heart pounding against my chest? Only seeing her, my love, could bring me relief.

"Bhai." I turned to see Abhir walking toward me. I excused myself from Rishi and Ishika to hear what my brother had to say. "Dad asked you to attend to the associates; they've asked about you twice now." His voice was filled with concern. He wasn't wrong; I hadn't been myself since yesterday. "I'll see." I looked for my father, who was attending to five other men standing with drinks in their hands.

"She is here. I'll talk to Aahana to see if she can help you, and maybe you could talk to her. Or I'll talk to her and tell her you had no hand in stealing those shoes." He held my arm gently, turning me towards him, making my lips curve to one side at his words.

"It's okay, I will manage. If Aahana could help, that would be wonderful." I squeezed his shoulder, assuring him, and he just smiled.

I attended to everyone patiently while glancing at my watch every now and then. I couldn't miss this chance. I wanted things to be settled before they got too messed up. I looked around and saw her talking with Aahana and walking out of the hall to the garden. It was my cue. I wanted to get out of here, but how could I? Mr. Khan was too invested in the upcoming bridge project, asking questions about everything I answered.

"I believe you have great plans for the upcoming construction." The grey-haired man gave a tight-lipped smile.

"You know, Mr. Khan, we don't have great plans; we take plans and make them great." The gentleman broke into a big smile, patting my shoulders tightly.

"Indeed, Sam, your son looks like you, talks like you, and even does business like you." The other men chuckled while my father gave a wide smile, reflecting his pride.

"He learned the most from his grandfather, Mr. Khan, and I couldn't be more proud." Dad rubbed my back, flashing his smiles at all the renowned businessmen standing there.

"Bhai!" All our heads turned toward Abhir, who was gasping for air as if he had run a mile.

"Excuse me, gentlemen." I tried to extract myself from the conversation because Abhir definitely had something important to say.

"Isn't he your younger son, Sam?" Mr. Khan's words made me halt in my steps while Abhir heaved a sigh.

"What does he do? I heard he is not into the family business." Mr. Khosla, that wicked man, had his words followed by a chuckle. Abhir shook his head.

"It's Aradhaya." He mouthed at me, looking at the exit to the garden, but I couldn't leave and turn to face the men.

"Gentlemen, meet Abhir Singh Chauhan, younger son of businessman Samrat Singh Chauhan and Advocate Chaya Singh Chauhan, and loving brother of Rudransh Singh Chauhan." I looked at Abhir, gesturing for him to greet the group of men. He firmly shook hands with them, his eyes holding disappointment for Dad, who had remained silent when it came to him.

"He returned from his selection in Brooklyn, soon becoming the only one from the Chauhan family who dared to opt for something outside the field of business and make his name in a sport like basketball. My brother is much more than the four walls of an office, so he opted out, and we as a family supported it well. We are really proud of him." I patted his back, introducing him to everyone. Dad had a smile plastered on his face too, but it hurt me that it wasn't genuine.

"If you could excuse me, my brother needs my attention." I gave them a formal smile and walked away with Abhir.

"Bhai, you didn't have to." I glared at him, stopping him mid-sentence.

"They cannot even think of disrespecting my brother, Abhir. You are my brother, Rudransh Singh Chauhan's brother. You can any day walk into Chauhan Corporation and be one of us, but you can also choose your own path in life, and none of it should decide their behaviour towards you." I tried to make him understand, but he chuckled, gripping the bridge of his nose.

"I am Samrat Singh Chauhan's son too. He doesn't seem to bother about it anyway." His words carried the weight of his disappointment, and no matter how much I tried, I could never understand his pain. Dad didn't like his choice of career, while Abhir wanted more than anything for him to be proud of him as he was of me. He chose to mask his feelings with humour, keeping himself away from home as much as possible. I just wished to see my brother smile genuinely, without the facade of everything being fine.

"Abhir-'' I began, but my words were cut short as Aahana approached us, interrupting our conversation. "What are you doing here?" she asked, her tone tinged with curiosity. Abhir, his usual facade in place, flashed a fake smile. "I directed her to the garden. What are you waiting for?" he quipped, nudging me forward. I nodded in acknowledgment, taking tentative steps toward the garden before hesitating and retreating to Aahana's side.

"Did she agree to talk to me?" I inquired anxiously. Aahana sighed, slapping her forehead in exasperation. "Why don't you go find out for yourself? I'll make sure no one from the family disturbs you two," she replied, giving me a disappointed look. With a quick smile and a word of thanks, I exited the reception hall and made my way to the garden.

As I stepped into the garden, my heart raced with nervous energy, the anticipation of seeing her again almost overwhelming. It had felt like an eternity since our last encounter, and every moment without her had been filled with longing.

Scanning the garden in the dim light, my eyes finally landed on her figure standing across the fountain. She was like a vision in the moonlight, dressed in a flowing white saree that accentuated her graceful silhouette. Even from a distance, I could sense the elegance and poise that seemed to radiate from her.

The fountain, with its soft trickle of water, added to the serene atmosphere. The moon's gentle glow illuminated the scene, casting a soft sheen on the water's surface and the flowers that floated in the small pond at the fountain's base.

As I approached her, the rustling of leaves and the gentle babble of the fountain created a tranquil atmosphere, heightening my anticipation. What would she think of me? What might she say? How would she look at me? In that moment, surrounded by the garden's beauty and bathed in the soft glow of the moon, it seemed as though time itself had paused, leaving only her and me in the world.

She turned, her gray eyes meeting mine, and I felt a surge of significance wash over me as her gaze fell upon me. With graceful movements, she held the pleats of her saree, stepping delicately across the fountain towards me.

The lady is a goddess to me. As she took her steps toward me, it felt as if she was walking on my heart—not hurting, but comforting, making me sigh in relief. I wanted to burst into tears at that moment, as the moon in the sky shone brightly on my moon on this earth. I wondered if I could ask her to make me her star and she my moon; maybe then she would keep me close. The night was extraordinarily beautiful, the clouds dense, perhaps mimicking the waves of her hair, and the stars glimmering brightly, as if learning from her eyes—all damn thieves of her beauty.

She stood before me, her fingers nervously playing with the bracelet on her wrist. I took a moment to truly appreciate her appearance, marveling at how effortlessly beautiful she looked in her simple yet elegant attire. Her dress, though understated, exuded a captivating charm that drew me in.

As she adjusted her dress, her gaze remained fixed on the ground, as if she were carefully considering her words. Her lips, plump and tinted with glossy red, seemed to shimmer in the moonlight. The gentle glow of the moon also highlighted the intensity of her nose pin, adding to her allure.

When she finally lifted her eyes to meet mine, I couldn't help but notice a stray strand of hair obscuring her vision. Stepping closer, I reached out to gently tuck it behind her ear. The moment my fingers brushed against her soft skin, a rush of emotions swept over me.

It was as if my heart did a somersault, one part of me rejoicing in the reality of her presence before me, while the other part marveled at the exquisite texture of her skin. I longed to caress her cheeks, to feel them under my fingers and wipe away the feeling that killed me while wiping the traces of the tears she shed yesterday.

Unconsciously, she took a step back, and I instinctively reached out to steady her, grasping her hand to prevent her from stumbling into the pond. As our eyes locked, the gentle droplets from the fountain brushed against her face, adding to the ethereal beauty of the moment.

Ask me why I find this world beautiful, and I shall write the longest manuscript in history describing her beauty, ask me about the most mellifluous sound I ever heard, and I shall recite to you the words her lips form, ask me about the seraphic on this earth for me and I would take her name.

For a fleeting moment, she cast upon me a gaze so serene, as if all her anger had momentarily dissipated, seeing me as her own 'Ansh'. If only I possessed the power to freeze this moment for eternity. But as she blinked, I instinctively drew her closer. Her head nestled against my chest, finding balance, while her hand seamlessly intertwined with mine, as though it were sculpted to be held by me.

She snapped out of her trance, fluttering her eyes and taking a step back. Parting her lips, I braced myself, expecting a torrent of anger from yesterday.

"What are you doing?" Her words broke the silence, and I raised an eyebrow, opening my eyes to meet hers. She sighed, pressing her hand to her forehead before crossing her arms over her chest.

"Aren't you going to yell at me?" I chortled lightly, then getting silent at her no response.

"No, I want to talk to you," she said softly, and a small smile tugged at my lips.

"I am all ears. Please, talk to me," I whispered, stepping closer, and this time she didn't retreat.

"I apologize for yesterday; I crossed a line. I shouldn't have done that. I will try to ensure it never happens again," she apologized, but I shook my head.

"It's okay, Dhaya. You don't have to apologize. Get angry, be upset, yell, scold me, do whatever you want. I am yours, and I'll accept whatever you do," I reassured her, and her lips curved into a smile before faltering, as if she wanted to say something else.

"No, nothing like that will happen. This is the last time we will meet. After today, you go your way, and I'll go mine, as it was destined to be," she declared, stepping back and turning to leave. But I couldn't let her go just yet.

"Destiny is us, Dhaya. You and me, together," I breathed out, reaching for her wrist to stop her. She tried to pull away, but I held on firmly.

"There is no us, Rudransh," she said, her eyes meeting mine, a hint of hurt shining within them.

"Seriously?" I pulled her closer, wrapping my arm around her waist and drawing her against my chest, her arm resting across my shoulders where it belonged.

"What are you doing, Rudransh? Why are you doing this?" She squirmed in my embrace, but I held her firmly, tilting my face towards hers.

"What am I doing, Dhaya? I'm talking to the love of my life, trying to understand what you feel and why you're trying to push me away every time I get close, why it's so hard for you to forgive your Ansh," I murmured, my breath brushing against her nose as she shut her eyes.

"Dhaya, look at me and answer my question, love. What is it? What's hurting you so much? I don't know, love. I'm sorry for everything that happened seven years ago and even for yesterday if you think it was my mistake. But don't push me away. I can't breathe without you. Knowing that the reason for my existence is upset with me... please, tell me, love," I pleaded, seeing a tear trail down from her closed eyes. Gently, I cupped her cheek, wiping the tear away with the pad of my thumb.

"You say you hate me, then why do your eyes betray you every time they look at me with longing and love? Why does your body betray you, relaxing in my hold every time I touch you? Why, Dhaya? Why are you crying when you think my words are all lies?" She sobbed harder, and my heart ached. I wrapped my arms around her, burying my face in the crook of her neck as she cried against my chest, her fists clenching my shirt tightly as if she never wanted me to leave.

"Why did you do this, Ansh?" she stuttered between sobs, and I let her cry, feeling the warmth of her tears seeping into my shirt and chest.

"Why did you let me go?" she hiccuped, crying even more. With each passing second, it felt like another piece of me died as I watched her cry.

"I didn't, Dhaya. I never let you go. It's been seven years, and I'm still where you left me, deeply in love with you," I confessed, cupping her cheeks and wiping away her tears.

"Please don't lie," she pleaded, her eyes meeting mine as she took a step back.

"You invited her to the party as well, why pretend now?" She cleared her throat, her tone stern and devoid of emotion.

"Invited who?" My patience waned, urgency creeping into my voice.

"The one you cheated on me with," she stated matter-of-factly, her words sending shockwaves through me.

"What? Have you lost your mind? What are you talking about?" My voice rose involuntarily, and she flinched, causing me to bite my tongue. How dare I yell at her?

"Dhaya, where is this coming from?" I reached out, gently holding her shoulders, trying to steady the tremors coursing through her.

"On that night, and today too. You were with her," she accused, wiping the tears from her cheeks. I was stunned, grappling with the realization of what my lady had been thinking all these years.

"Stop pretending, Rudransh. You don't cheat on someone if you love them. And after all this time, you act like nothing happened," she continued, her voice steady, her eyes boring into mine.

"Dhaya, be clear. Whom are you talking about?" I demanded, my tone hardening.

"Ishika," she uttered, and the world seemed to pause. Did she even realize what she had just said?

"You've lost your damn mind, Dhaya! There's nothing between me and Ishika. We're just friends," I insisted, attempting to reason with her, but she chuckled dismissively.

"I congratulate you on your friendship, Rudransh, but I don't want to hear this bullshit anymore," she retorted, turning to leave once again.

"Don't go before listening to me," I implored, pulling her back gently against my chest.

"What now, Rudransh?" She sighed, frustration evident in her voice.

"Ishika is Rishi's fiancée. They're getting married next month," I revealed, watching as her expression shifted, her eyes scanning my face for any sign of deceit.

"If you want, I can bring her to you too. Ask her and clear whatever doubts your brain is filled with," I offered, but she remained silent, her lips parting but no words forming.

"But I saw her with you—" she began, before gasping as I released her from my grasp.

"What did you see? Did you really think that I cheated on you?"

⋆✧･ﾟ: *✧･ﾟ:* ⋆🌿✦🌺✦🌿⋆*:･ﾟ✧*:･ﾟ✧⋆

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Have a beautiful day!