Part 38 | Keeping the Hopes Alive

KARTIK

I was still trying to wrap my head around the fact that Ridhi apologised for cheating on me, after years.

Last night I was startled speechless to see her. Arjun should have warned me about her arrival.

I didn't confront her the night I found out she was being disloyal to me, for I knew I would end up doing something I might regret the next morning.

I was too mad to stay in control, so the best choice was to leave and never turn back.

Ridhi wasn't the greatest love of my life but she was my first love. And when that breaks, it takes away something from you.

Your ideology about Love, it's never gonna be the same. You build this wall around so when next time someone comes around, you'll be wiser. The pain is agonizing and You will wonder why you loved at all in the first place.

Little did I know that I will meet a women who would break the wall I had built so strong, to it's last debris.

To prove the world has an abundance of love that's worth falling and fighting for.

Realisation hit me hard.

That's how Naira would have felt when she knew I screwed up our relationship, to watch her first love break her trust.

Guilt consumed me yet again, thinking of that night she left the house.

The Ridhi who cheated on me was young and stupid, but the one who apologised, had gone through a lot and fought her way out of an abusive marriage. I accepted her apology. there was sincerity in it, she did regret her past actions.

She deserved a second chance to become the better person she was willing to.

Everyone does.

-----

It was 7 in the evening. The house was full of people hustling around. The balcony seemed like the only place without any human smell. Hence I stepped out to get some fresh air to find Naira leaning against the railing, gazing at the stars.

I decided to head back inside, not wanting to disrupt her lone time. Sensing my presence she cast a glance at me, tilting her neck.

" It's fine. You can stay. " She paused, " if you want. "

Why will I not want to. Afterall, I have been looking for ways to stay around her.

Silence stretched between us, as we just kept looking at the dark night sky.

Dad and mom arrived this morning and since then they had been asking for her. I knew they had a talk with Naira late this morning, but I am clueless how it turned out.

I hope it went well. when I asked, Dad remained silent but looked at ease. My Mom was crystal clear in her message.

" I don't know what you will do, but I need my daughter back. I am not missing out on such a great kid. Get your mess cleared and bring her back home!! Understood! "

" Um... About Dad...." My sentence trailed. I didn't know what to say.

" It was an Accident, Mr. Oberoi. He is a good man and is truly remorse for what happened. Holding a grudge for his past mistakes, isn't gonna change anything. I don't wanna make things difficult for anyone. I Just want to move past it. " She took a deep breath.

" My parents would want me to forgive him. "

In that moment, I wanted to pull her close and and hug her tight. Let her know she isn't alone. Let her know I am there for her.

" I am sorry for what happened. " I couldn't shake the guilt off my shoulders.

" I know. " Her lips twitched in a faint smile.

" It felt really good to meet your parents and Rudy today. I missed them. " She muttered.

" They are your family too, nothing is gonna change that, even if we aren't together. " The comfort my words provided was evident on her face.

Her phone buzzed.

" I got to go. " I nodded.

As she walked away, I called out her name. There's something I forgot to mention.

" Sorry about what happened inside. My friends, they didn't know that we .... " I trailed off.

" That's okay. Pretending to be a perfect couple, I know the drill. I have got experience in it! " My face fell in sadness.

" Naira I didn't mean to... I just... "

" Kartik!! " I heard Ridhi calling out for me.

" You have people looking out for you, Mr. Oberoi. Carry On! " Saying She walked away.

I watched her retreating figure, standing behind alone.

I let out a frustrated heave.

Damn it!

----

I tossed in the bed, but sleep was far from my eyes. So I ended up taking a stroll in the beach.

Tomorrow will be the last day I get to be around her. Even though these few days weren't the best of days I had with her, I still got to see her every morning, hear her voice, watch her laugh.

All this In real, right before my eyes and not in my dreams!

--

" Rudy, not now. "

" Then when!! Naira is leaving the country right the next day after wedding. "

" What? "

" Bro, you still have a chance. You don't wanna waste this. "

--

I might never get to see her again.

The thought alone made me sigh in defeat.

Lost in my thoughts I ran into someone.

Ishaan.

" Hey Kartik ! Couldn't sleep? "

" Yeah, wide awake! " I replied.

" Same. I guess then we could provide some company to each other. " Saying he sat on the beachy sand.

Following his action, I settled beside him.

" It's so peaceful. " He exhaled deeply.

I hummed with an agreeing nod.

Beach at nights, is entirely a different vibe.

Soothing. Healing.

After a long pause of silence, he spoke.

" I have feelings. "

I frowned, " What? "

He tilted his face towards me.

" For her....Naira! You were right. "

His words threw me off guard. I sucked in a difficult breath.

I don't wanna be right!

Ishaan fixed his gaze back at the dancing waves.

" She gives me jitters in my gut. Every single time. " A smile lingered on his lips.

" When she looks at me and gives me her beautiful smile. Even the times when I irritate her and she makes this angry pout on her face. " He chuckled.

" Everytime I look into those eyes, I start grinning like an idiot. There was not a single dull moment between us in the past 8 months. I don't remember being this happy ever before. " He adds with a fond smile.

" Did you propo..." I swallowed hard, " I mean does she know about your feelings for her? "

And I instantly regretted my question.

Ishaan glanced at me, " I did. she knows. "

I felt something break in me. Perhaps it was the little hope that I could get her back.

" W- what did she say? " Pathetic as hell my insides felt.

He smiled looking ahead, " That she felt lucky and grateful to be loved by someone like me."

My chest constricted in agony. I looked away in an attempt to mask my emotions.

I was delusional all the while, waiting with a meaningless hope that one day we might watch the sunset together.

An intense urge to hid my face in a pillow and scream out loud, grew in me.

" And that she was sorry, she couldn't love me the way I did. That she was incapable of making me feel as lucky as she felt. "

I snapped my neck in his direction bewildered as he continued.

" That She doubts if she could ever love anyone as much as she loved her husband. "

Locking his hands around his knees, Ishaan brought them close to his chest.

" She is a keeper. She's everything a man could ask for. I feel jealous of her husband, but also feel sorry that he let such a precious soul slip off his hand. "

That girl's heart literally beats for him!! "

I bit my quivering inner cheeks, trying to hold back my overwhelming emotions. My brain was still processing his words.

Giving a last glance at the sea, Ishaan stood to leave. " Got to head back to bed. See you Pal. "

The minute his footsteps faded away into the inaudible, my body jolted with sobs but a slow smile made it's way to my face.

I glanced at the sky for a brief moment, pushing the air out of my lungs through my mouth. An amused chuckle left my lips amidst the tears.

Pressing my lips against the wedding band that sat on my left ring finger, I breathed into thin air,

" I love you, Naira. "

********

There's still a chance, right?

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After the break from writing, I am just finding my way back into the story.

Sorry for the wait, I am working on gearing up my pace.

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