Better Together | ✓

55 | burning bridges

Apologies for keeping you all waiting. Had a hard day yesterday, was so exhausted that I had no clue when I slept off.  Next time, please don't wait beyond 12 if it's a weekday. It's likely that I have slipped into deep slumber. I am not a midnight owl.

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Chapter 55 : Burning Bridges 

Aadarsh stared at the box. He didn't feel like having a look at the things it contained. He slid the matchbox open and pulled out a matchstick.

... burn them down yourself.

He should have done this a long time ago. He lit the matchstick and dropped it into the box. His gaze remained fixed on the flames that rapidly multiplied before his eyes.

He was in the process of burning a bridge—a connection to his past that he had left open, harbouring a low-key hope that elements from his past might find their way into his present

He had been foolish. Individuals transformed, often swiftly, often evolving into unforeseen versions of themselves. He, too, had undergone a metamorphosis.

Yet, he resisted acknowledging this change, clinging to his previous self. Perhaps because known demons were better than anything unknown.

Nonetheless, his perception had shifted today. His present had evolved into something much much better than his past.

Ruhaani loved him despite everything. He just had to take a leap of faith and hope she'd also love the darkest parts of him and that she'd never leave his side when life threw him into a dark abyss.

His gaze remained fixated on the crackling fire. The small disturbing conversation with Siddhi repeating in his mind.

Siddhi had moved on. He could tell that much from her regret. She had come seeking a closure to a chapter for her guilt. But he was stuck helplessly.

What an absolute idiot he was!

How did people move on so easily? How could one move on at all, if they lost someone who was a part of their life?

For more than a minute, Ruhaani just stood there in the dark shadows and watched him. He looked tired. He looked unhappy. But above all terribly lonely and seemingly devastated.

She should give him his space and go away, her mind suggested. However, her heart told her to go to him, to be with him.

There seemed to be something seriously amiss with him. He had said so many hurtful words to his brother. The Aadarsh she knew, wouldn't do that, unless something inside him was hurting. He had removed his disappointment at something else, on Abhi, that was the only possible explanation.

"What are you doing?" She spoke, making her way towards him.

He slowly turned to her and back at the small burning fire. His slow heartbeats suddenly gaining momentum in her presence. Gosh, how was he supposed to ignore this any longer?

"You're burning things down and you said you were okay." She mused aloud, stopping a little distance away from the fire. She hated the sight of fires.

"It was long pending. Maybe I should have done it months back. Some bridges aught to be burnt." He replied thoughtfully.

She took a deep breath, his words gave her the assurance she needed. She walked closer to the fire as she spotted a familiar looking paper. It was most definitely that box that had memories of him with his ex girlfriend. She was sure when she had seen a tiny piece of a photograph, the one that had him smiling and looking at her.