20

Your eyes hold everything

My soul thrives for

"Are you forgiving him?"asked Karan as they both entered in the kitchen.

"I don't know Karan but i can't"her voice was barely audible.

"It's ok aru,you forgive him or not it's your choice and I am always there for you.but don't let his presence affect you"Karan's soothing voice gave her some peace.

"But he is my past Karan,i can't erase the memories of my past"her voice gave away her vulnerability.

"Shh chin up and show him that you aren't affected by him.we can't erase or forget the past but accept it and let go"Karan held her hand gently and gave it a squeeze.

She flashed him a forced smile and hugged him.

"Let's go now!"Karan said Patting her head and taking snacks.

They are right now in Reyansh and Dhruv's apartment.

Wanting to spend time with his brother,Karan came here but not wanting to leave her alone he came with her.

He also wanted to teach her that she can't ignore him forever.shs only has two options whether forgive him or let go.

Aradhya sat beside Karan on couch and dhruv and Reyansh sat on another couch together.

"So which movie are we watching?"asked Karan.

"Horror"suggested dhruv.

"No, aradhya doesn't like horror movies"Karan said and she smiled at him.

"Alright, thriller?"asked dhruv again.

"Ok"said Karan and aradhya in unison and then chuckled looking at each other.

As the movie played on the big screen, Reyansh couldn’t help but steal glances at Aradhya.

Every few minutes, his eyes would drift away from the action and settle on her face, illuminated by the flickering light. He watched the way her eyes sparkled with excitement during the thrilling scenes and how her lips curved into a smile during the funny moments. Each glance was filled with a mix of admiration and curiosity, as if he was trying to capture every detail of her expressions.

Despite the captivating movie, Reyansh found himself more entranced by Aradhya, his heart beating a little faster each time their eyes met.

Aradhya does notice Reyansh’s glances. At first, she pretends to be engrossed in the movie, but she can’t help but feel his eyes on her. She sneaks a few glances back at him, catching him in the act.

As the movie ended and the lights came up, Karan suggested they play a game of antakshari. Dhruv eagerly agreed, and soon everyone was on board. The game began with Aradhya, who chose to sing “Humnava.”

Her voice was melodious and captivating, filling the room with a gentle, soothing rhythm.

Reyansh found himself completely lost in her song, his attention solely focused on her. Each note she sang seemed to resonate deeply within him, making him forget everything else around him. The way she poured her emotions into the song left him mesmerized, and he couldn’t help but admire her even more.

When it was Reyansh’s turn, he chose to sing “Soulmate.” As he began, his voice was steady and heartfelt, each word resonating with emotion.

"Din ko raat kahegi ko toh

Mein raat kahu"

His eyes never left Aradhya’s face, as if he was singing directly to her and only her. The connection between them was palpable, and it seemed as though the rest of the room faded away.

"Tera Dil  dukhade jo

Aisi na baat karoon

Ek shikan bhi maathe

Pe na aaye,meri jaan

Le loonga Teri saari balayein

Meri jaan"

Dhruv and Karan, who had been chatting and laughing moments before, fell silent and stared at Reyansh in shock. They had never seen him so openly expressive, so vulnerable.

"Teri aayi,main marjaavan

Zindagi naam tere karjavan

Sohneya,o sohneya

Teri aayi,main marjaavan

Zindagi naam tere karjavan

Sohneya,o sohneya"

The intensity of his gaze and the sincerity in his voice left them both speechless. As the song continued, it became clear to everyone that Reyansh’s feelings for Aradhya were deep and genuine, making the moment even more poignant and unforgettable.

His eyes, locked onto hers, conveyed a depth of emotion that was impossible to ignore. She could see the genuine remorse and longing in his gaze, and for a moment, her heart softened.

However, the memories of the past were still fresh in her mind. The pain she had felt because of his actions were not easily forgotten. Despite the sincerity in his song, Aradhya knew she wasn’t ready to forgive him just yet. The wounds were still too raw, and the trust that had been broken would take time to rebuild.

She appreciated his effort and the emotions he was expressing, but she needed more than just words and a song to heal the hurt he had caused. As the last note of his song lingered in the air, Aradhya gave him a small, sad smile, acknowledging his feelings but also making it clear that forgiveness would take time.

She stood up from her seat and started leaving.

"Where are your going aru?"asked Karan worried

"Need some time alone Karan"she said with a small smile.

"No-

He started but she cut him off and said"pookie please"

He sighed and she left from there.

"Are you happy now? Bhai"Karan looked at Reyansh with angered eyes.

"What did he do?stop this Karan"Dhruv glared at Karan.

"What he did?he scratched the old wounds which weren't even healed making them bleed again.you ask what he did,he did so much that the forgiveness isn't an option."Karan yelled.

"Calm down Karan,this isn't how you talk with your elder brother"dhruv commanded him with authority

Karan sighed and mumbled a small sorry.

"I know that he wants forgiveness but what about her? what's her fault here?what was her fault in the past?why did he do this to her?hate her and when she left her wants her back.stop this bullshit.she is a human not a doll or a thing.he didn't get his punishment for his sins and even if he is regretting it's still aradhya who is suffering."Karan tried to be calm as much he could be.

Dhruv tried to speak but Reyansh stopped him.

"He is right dhruv.you don't need to take my side.he has all rights to say this.i deserve it.i deserve his hate,her hate,the pain."

Saying this he also left from there.

Dhruv looked at Karan who closed his eyes in regret,he didn't mean to say this much but he couldn't help but say it as the fearful face of aradhya came in front of him.

"Its ok Karan,you don't need to regret just because he is your brother"dhruv placed his hand on Karan's shoulder.

"Bhai,she is my bestfriend I can not see her like this.he is like my elder brother same as you and I can't see him in pain even though he deserves it.All this is suffocating me."Karan hugged his brother tightly.

"Let it out Karan,your brother is here"Dhruv's gentle voice was what he all needed and karan broke down into tears.

"Seeing them both in pain hurts me too.why is life so cruel Bhai?why?"Karan sobbed

Dhruv continued to rub his back and speaking soothing words to calm him.

____________________________________

The cool night air greeted her as she stepped outside. She walked briskly to the nearby park, her mind racing with thoughts and feelings. The park was quiet, with only the rustling of leaves and the distant sounds of the city. She found a secluded bench and sat down, taking a deep breath.

Tears threatened to spill as she thought about Reyansh’s song and the sincerity in his eyes. Despite the pain he had caused her, she couldn’t deny the emotions his song had stirred. Her heart ached with the desire to forgive him, to let go of the past and embrace the possibility of a new beginning. But the hurt from the past was still too strong, and she wasn’t sure if she was ready to take that step.

As Aradhya sat on the bench, lost in her thoughts, Reyansh couldn’t shake the feeling that he needed to talk to her. He left the house and headed towards the park, hoping to find her there. The cool evening air brushed against his face as he walked, his heart heavy with a mix of hope and apprehension.

When he reached the park, he scanned the area and soon spotted Aradhya sitting alone on a bench, her shoulders slightly hunched. He could see the glistening of tears in her eyes, illuminated by the soft glow of the park lights. His heart ached at the sight, knowing he was the cause of her pain.

Reyansh approached her slowly, not wanting to startle her. As he got closer, Aradhya sensed his presence and looked up, their eyes meeting once again. The emotions in her eyes were a mix of sadness, longing, and a flicker of hope. Reyansh took a deep breath, gathering his courage, and sat down beside her, ready to face whatever came next.

"Jaan"he called out slowly.

"Don't please,leave me alone"she whispered.

"Not now and never I am going to leave you alone"he said gazing at her.

Tears in her peaceful eyes

Summons storm in his heart.

"Don't hurt yourself aradhya not for my sins"he pleaded.

"Why do you care? whether I die or not"her voice was calm but her eyes gave away the storm of emotions.

"If you die I will be next but until I live I want you beside me.i care,I care so much that i hate it that why does it affect me? But it does.i love you aradhya maybe that's why I care, I do not why?and when I find you will be the first I will tell to."

"Done, now please go from here"she pleaded.

The sky, which had been clear moments ago, began to darken with heavy clouds. A few drops of rain started to fall, lightly at first, then gradually increasing in intensity.

The rain created a soft, rhythmic sound as it hit the leaves and the ground around them. Aradhya looked up at the sky, feeling the cool droplets on her face, mingling with her tears. Reyansh, too, glanced upwards, then back at Aradhya, his heart aching to see her so vulnerable.

Despite the rain, neither of them moved. The downpour seemed to mirror the tumult of emotions they were both feeling. Reyansh reached out, gently taking Aradhya’s hand in his, offering her silent support. The rain continued to fall, washing away the tension of the moment and creating a sense of intimacy between them.

"We should get back or you will fall ill"he said standing up.

"Go away"was her only words.

He sighed and made her stand.

"Please jaan,i can't risk your health"

As the rain poured down around them, Aradhya felt the weight of her bottled-up emotions becoming too much to bear. The storm outside seemed to mirror the storm within her heart. She looked at Reyansh, his eyes filled with concern and regret, and something inside her snapped.

“Why, Reyansh?” she burst out, her voice breaking with the intensity of her feelings. “Why did you have to hurt me so much? Do you have any idea how much pain you’ve caused me?” Tears streamed down her face, mingling with the rain, as she let out all the anger, hurt, and confusion she had been holding in.

She jerked her away from him.

Reyansh listened, his heart breaking with every word she spoke. He wanted to reach out and comfort her, but he knew she needed to let it all out. Aradhya’s voice wavered as she continued, “I want to forgive you, I really do, but it’s so hard. Every time I think about what you did, it feels like a knife twisting in my heart.”

Her sobs grew louder, and she covered her face with her hands, overwhelmed by the flood of emotions. Reyansh gently placed his hand on her shoulder, offering silent support. He knew that this was a crucial moment, and he needed to be there for her, no matter how painful it was to hear her words.

She removed his hand from her shoulder.

"You are a monster Reyansh.you broke me to that extent that it doesn't like it will be ever healed.what did I do to deserve that?I was just 20 years old.you made me go to extent that i wanted to kill myself.why?give me answers.why are you quiet now?"

The rain continued to fall, but in that moment, it felt like a cleansing force, washing away the layers of hurt and allowing Aradhya to finally express the depth of her pain.

Reyansh took a deep breath, his heart heavy with the weight of Aradhya’s words. He knew he had to choose his response carefully, to be honest and sincere.

“Aradhya,” he began softly, his voice trembling slightly, “I know I’ve hurt you deeply, and I can’t even begin to express how sorry I am for everything I’ve done. I was selfish and thoughtless, and I didn’t realize the impact my actions would have on you.”

He paused, looking into her eyes, hoping she could see the genuine remorse in his. “I wish I could go back and change the past, but I can’t. All I can do now is try to make things right. I understand if you’re not ready to forgive me, and I don’t expect you to. But please know that I am truly sorry, and I will do whatever it takes to earn back your trust.”

Reyansh’s voice broke as he continued, “You mean so much to me, Aradhya. Seeing you in pain because of me is unbearable. I just want you to know that I’m here for you, and I’ll be patient. I’ll wait for as long as it takes for you to heal and, hopefully, forgive me.”

The rain continued to fall around them, but in that moment, it felt like a small step towards healing. Reyansh’s words hung in the air, filled with sincerity and a deep longing for redemption.

"Give me a chance jaan.i promise you I am not the hukum sa you knew years ago, it's Reyansh Rajput who is ready to go any extent for your forgiveness and bloom that dead flower again"

Aradhya listened to Reyansh’s heartfelt apology, her emotions still raw from her outburst. She could see the genuine remorse in his eyes and hear the sincerity in his voice. For a moment, she remained silent, letting his words sink in.

"My past haunts me Reyansh and you are in my past how could I spend my life with you when I am not over my past?"she questioned the tears spilling out of her eyes.

"What am I here for jaan?let me be with you,let me help you heal.let me there for you when you need someone.let me help you get over past and make a beautiful present.let me be there please I beg you"

She looked at him as if finding the truth behind his words that later he would break her again but all she could see was sincerity and longing.

"Let me hold you Jaan,let me heal your wounds which i created or not.let me be your moon where you are my sun.

Bright, beautiful,the world needs you.i am moon, constantly chasing you"

She gave up the walls of her breaking down and she fall on her knees.

"Why?why reyansh?"she sobbed.

"You are a love i'd cross oceans for jaan"he said kneeling down infront of her and wiped her tears which were replaced with new ones.

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