Species Of Life

50. Under the Stars, Beneath the Heart (Updated)

The night sky was wide and clear as Sid and Faisu sat side by side on the car's bonnet, gazing up at the stars scattered like secrets across the darkness. The silence between them was comforting until Sid turned to Faisu, his voice low and sincere.

"You know, Faisu... you're very understanding."

Faisu chuckled lightly, not turning. "I know."

Sid's lips curved in a small smile, but then it faded. "But this time, you behaved like a fool."

Faisu looked at him, confused. "What do you mean?"

Sid's gaze didn't waver. "Why did you break your relationship with Akshu?"

Faisu turned his face away, but Sid pressed on, firm and calm. "By turning away, you can't run from the truth, buddy."

Still looking out into the distance, Faisu replied with quiet frustration, "Then you tell me—what should I have done? How could she do something like this to you?"

Sid sighed, patient but disappointed. "If she really had done something that hurt me, would your solution be to break up with her? That's not how love works, buddy."

"But I can't live with someone who hurts you," Faisu said sharply, emotion tightening his voice.

Sid looked at him, the ache in his chest showing in his tone. "But... you know very well that no one is more important to me than you. And still, I ask—can you really live without her?"

Faisu turned his face again. "I will."

Sid gently reached out and turned Faisu's face toward him. "Now say that again."

But Faisu couldn't. His lips parted slightly, but no words came out. Because he couldn't lie. Not while looking into Sid's eyes.

"Look, buddy," Sid continued, voice soft but heavy with wisdom, "this is your life. Every decision should be yours. I'm no one to interfere. But from what I've learned... it's easy to break a relationship. What's hard is living without the person after it's broken. I know you're hurt. But walking away isn't the solution."

Faisu didn't respond. But inside, every word Sid said sank deep into his heart, cracking through the walls of pride and pain. He understood.

Later, as they were returning, Sid's phone rang. It was Abhi.

"Yes, Dada?" he answered.

"Ashu, when are you both coming home?"

"We're on the way."

"Okay, then listen—go to the airport first. Mom and Dad's flight just landed."

Sid smacked his forehead. "Oh no... I totally forgot about that."

"It's okay. Just go pick them up."

Sid ended the call and turned to Faisu. "Mom and Dad are back. I forgot. Let's go to the airport."

"No problem," Faisu replied, adjusting the wheel. "Let's go."

That evening, the entire family gathered on the terrace under the stars. Vibha and Ranveer had returned, and joy buzzed in the air like music. Khushi and Abhinav were back from their Nana-Nani's house, and laughter echoed across the rooftop.

Khushi was curled up in Jan's lap, her energy endless. Abhi rested his head on Vibha's lap while Sid leaned on Vaish's, and little Abhinav lay peacefully in Avi's lap.

"Chachi Ma," Khushi chirped, "you know, Abhinav Bhaiya is so handsome! Every girl in Nani's colony only played with him."

Jan laughed, and a memory seemed to flicker in her eyes.

Abhinav noticed. "Bua, why are you smiling?"

"I just remembered something," she said, grinning.

"Then tell us!" Khushi insisted, bouncing slightly.

Jan looked at Abhi. "Dada, today Abhinav proved he's junior Ashu."

Abhi raised a brow. "How?"

"Did you forget?" Jan teased. "Every girl in school—and college—was crazy about him. He was the most famous guy everywhere. It was every girl's dream to go to prom night with him."

Avi raised her brow, half curious, half jealous. "So... who did he go with?"

Sid shifted uncomfortably. "It's an old story. Let it go."

But Avi wasn't letting it slide. "No, I want to know."

Sid tried to dodge. "What will you do by knowing?"

"I just want to know," she said firmly, turning to Jan. "You tell me. Who did he go with?"

Jan shrugged with a cheeky grin. "Honestly, I don't remember."

Avi looked straight at Sid with a piercing gaze. He knew that look too well.

Later that night, Faisu was alone in his room, reading a book when he heard a soft knock on the door.

"Come in," he said, not looking up.

Someone entered quietly. He glanced up briefly, then returned to his book when he saw who it was.

Minutes passed in silence, broken only by the sound of turning pages. But the visitor still hadn't spoken, and Faisu finally looked up, puzzled.

"Do you want to say something?"

"Yes..." came the nervous reply.

"Then speak," he said, growing impatient.

"Woh... woh..." she fumbled.

"I don't have all night. Please speak quickly."

"I'm sorry..."

Faisu's expression didn't change. "For what, Jannat?"

Her eyes welled with tears. "I'm sorry for everything I did. For hurting you. I promise I'll never do it again. Please don't end things between us. I really love you. Please... forgive me."

Before he could react, she dropped to her knees, crying violently.

It was a sight Faisu couldn't bear. He got up at once and moved to her, kneeling beside her and pulling her into a hug.

"Shhh... calm down, Jan."

"I... am... sorry..."

"It's okay. I forgive you. Now please stop crying."

She clung to him, her sobs softening over time. Slowly, she calmed. When she pulled away, her eyes searched his.

"You really forgive me?"

Faisu smiled gently. And in that moment, the distance between them vanished.

She wrapped her arms around him again—and this time, it wasn't a hug of regret. It was a hug of relief, of love reclaimed.

They sat there, quiet and close. No more stars above them—just the warmth of being seen, heard, and held.

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