Three coins in the fountain

Jo Tum Saath Ho

Anu breathed life into Aarav's desolate world, a world he believed was condemned to perpetual darkness. Once, his love for his wife had been all-encompassing. But fate, cruel and relentless, snatched her away, leaving Aarav adrift in sea of despair.

Following his wife's harrowing battle with cancer, Aarav sought refuge in the cold embrace of alcohol. He had pushed his daughter aside, unable to bear the relentless reminders of the life he had known. Those were the darkest days of his existence, a time when he was but a hollow shell of his former self.

Then three years back, like a fragile glimmer of hope amidst the starless night, Anu entered his life. Their initial encounter had been a twist of fate – a one-night stand, born from mutual loneliness and the desperate need to escape their own torments. But as dawn broke, and Aarav received the distressing call about his daughter's involvement with drugs, he was jolted back to the harsh reality of his responsibilities as a father.

Anu, with her unfathomable kindness and wisdom, led him to his daughter's hostel and offered guidance on how to mend the shattered bond between them. Her words caressed his wounded soul, reminding him that, even in the depths of his own agony, he could still be the father his daughter needed.

Their paths crossed once more by chance when Aarav discovered that Anu was his daughter's dance instructor. This happenstance led to more encounters, and with every passing day, their connection grew deeper. They found solace in each other's presence, two souls united by the shared burden of heartache and loss.

As their bond deepened, they made the conscious choice to embrace an open relationship. It was a mutual understanding, a tacit acknowledgment that they could provide each other with companionship without the heavy weight of expectations. They never asked for more than the other could give. In each other's arms, they discovered fleeting moments of solace, understanding, and the faintest glimpse of the possibility of a beautiful life.

Anu didn't just change Aarav's life; she breathed vitality back into it. She helped him rediscover his role as a father, proving that even in the throes of despair, happiness and connection could still blossom. Together, they embarked on a journey of healing, treasuring every moment they shared while navigating the intricate complexities of their unconventional relationship. With time, Aarav found himself falling profoundly in love with Anu. It wasn't a whirlwind romance but a slow, profound connection that nestled itself deep within the cracks of his fractured heart.

Aarav's love for Anu was a complex blend of gratitude and longing. He was thankful for the light she had brought into his life when it had been cloaked in darkness. She had guided him through the labyrinth of grief and alcoholism, resurrecting his world from the depths of despair. He would forever be indebted to her for that.

Yet, intertwined with his gratitude was an ache – a yearning that intensified with each stolen moment. He longed for more of her, the missing piece that could mend his shattered heart. Aarav dreamt of a future where their love could flourish without the constraints of their unspoken agreement.

The intricacies of their relationship weighed heavily on Aarav. He yearned to express his feelings but was paralyzed by the fear of disrupting the delicate equilibrium they had constructed. He cherished their stolen moments together, the stolen glances, the tender touches, and the whispered affections. Yet, unspoken words swirled within him, ready to spill forth at any moment.

In the solitary depths of his heart, Aarav allowed his emotions to roam free, imagining a world where he could love Anu openly, where he could proudly call her his own. But he knew that such dreams were fragile, with the power to shatter the delicate balance they had crafted.

So, Aarav kept his love for Anu a closely guarded secret, a treasure buried deep within his soul. It burned with an intensity that could not be concealed, a flame of passion held in check by the fear of disrupting their carefully choreographed dance. He often wondered if Anu sensed his affection.

However, within the understanding they shared, a cruel twist of fate lurked—a painful truth. Anu carried her own burdens—a love that had shattered her, leaving behind indelible scars. Anuj, the name that bore her heartbreak, had ruthlessly dismantled her dreams.

Aarav's heart ached as he watched Anu carry the weight of her past love. Her eyes held a sorrow that time could not erase. He wished he possessed the power to mend her wounds, to erase the painful memories, but some scars ran too deep, etching themselves into the very core of one's soul.

The knowledge of his own powerlessness in the face of her lingering pain was a heavy burden that Aarav bore. Anuj's betrayal had left Anu's heart in tatters, and while Aarav's love could move mountains, it could not rewrite her history.

It was a heart-wrenching paradox—the love that had brought purpose back into Aarav's life also served as a poignant reminder of Anu's ongoing suffering. He would have given anything to see her smile without the pain that perpetually clouded her eyes. Yet, he understood that the path to healing was one that only she could undertake.

And so, Aarav carried the weight of his love, a bittersweet ache born from the knowledge that he could never erase the scars of her past. He was there to hold her hand as she navigated the turbulent waters of her emotions. Deep within his heart, he clung to the fragile hope that one day, Anu would find solace, that her scars would fade, and perhaps, just perhaps, their love story would be rewritten in the pages of happiness and serenity. Until that day arrived, he loved her with an intensity born from the profound sadness of a love that yearned to heal a wounded heart.