Until I Found You

Chapter : 9

As the cool morning breeze gently brushed against her cheeks, Priya sat on the wooden bench, lost in the depths of her turbulent thoughts. With each passing moment, the weight of regret grew heavier within her. The memory of the previous night with Ram lingered in her mind, haunting her like a specter of sorrow. As she closed her eyes, a solitary tear carved a path down her flushed cheek, a silent testament to the inner turmoil consuming her soul. The soft murmur of the approaching train echoed in the distance, a stark reminder of the journey ahead, one that seemed fraught with the remnants of a bittersweet past.

With her fingers clenching the edges of the bench, Priya's inner turmoil intensified, her thoughts swirling in a maelstrom of self-condemnation. Each breath felt like an uphill battle, laden with the burden of guilt and betrayal. The image of Ram, promised to another, seared into her conscience, clashed with the memory of Ved, the one she had always envisioned her future with. The chaos within her mind threatened to rupture her composure, leaving her teetering on the precipice of emotional collapse. In the deafening silence, she grappled with the consequences of her impulsive actions, the weight of her choices becoming an unbearable burden upon her soul.

As the soft morning light filtered through the half-drawn curtains, Ram's eyes fluttered open, only to find the space beside him vacant, devoid of Priya's presence. A tinge of confusion colored his features as he sat up, his gaze darting around the room, searching for any trace of her. With a quickened pulse, he reached for his trousers, hastily slipping them on as he navigated the room in a state of mild apprehension. As he approached the bathroom, the hollow emptiness of its confines mirrored the ache in his chest, the realization settling in that Priya had left without a trace. A sense of disquiet settled upon him, intertwining with the echoes of the night prior, leaving him suspended in a cloud of unanswered questions and unspoken emotions.

After got to know that priya left for the station fueled by a surge of determination, Ram hastened to the bustling rail station, the urgency propelling him forward with unwavering focus. Amidst the flurry of travelers and the cacophony of departing trains, his eyes scanned the crowded platform, desperate to catch a glimpse of the one he sought. Time seemed to stretch endlessly as he weaved through the throngs of people, his heart pounding with a mix of trepidation and anticipation.Amidst the swirling mass of hurried commuters, his gaze snagged on a familiar figure in the distance, a silhouette that bore an uncanny resemblance to Priya's delicate frame. A surge of relief flooded his senses, eclipsing the chaotic surroundings as he quickened his pace, closing the distance between them.

Ram : Priya

He called her name

Seeing ram there she startled and stood up just then priya's breath hitched as she felt Ram's arms envelop her, drawing her into an embrace that spoke volumes of unspoken longing and unyielding affection. Startled by the sudden rush of emotions, she struggled to find her voice, her heart pounding in sync with the cadence of his steadfast embrace. In the cocoon of his arms, she felt a sense of belonging, a refuge from the tempestuous storm that had engulfed her being.As she attempted to pull away, to offer an explanation, Ram tightened his hold, his voice a gentle murmur against the chaos of the bustling station. He whispered that he couldn't let her slip away, that he would not allow her to vanish into the echoes of their shared past. His words were a lifeline, anchoring her to a reality where their bond transcended the turbulence of their individual choices,

Priya: Are you out of your mind? You're getting married next week! How could you let that happen? We slept together last night. Why didn't you stop it?

Ram: I know, I know. But it was destined to happen. We couldn't deny the love we have for each other, the longing that has always been there between us. I couldn't resist being with you any longer. It's not about disgust, it's about the intensity of what we feel, Priya.

Priya: Intensity? Ram, you're about to commit to someone else for the rest of your life. What about her? What about your commitment to her?

Ram: I understand. But what we share goes beyond mere commitment. It's about understanding each other's souls, about finding solace in each other's presence. I never meant to hurt anyone, but my heart, it just couldn't ignore what it yearned for, what it has always yearned for, and that's you, Priya.

Priya: You're being selfish, Ram. I have a commitment to Ved. I can't just abandon him like this. I won't be like you.

Ram: You can't deny it, Priya. What happened between us last night, it was a testament to your true feelings. You do love me, not Ved. You can't keep denying it. It's there, simmering beneath the surface, and we both know it.

Priya: But I have made promises, Ram. I can't just break them. I can't hurt Ved like this.

Ram: And what about us, Priya? What about our love? Are you willing to sacrifice that for the sake of promises made in haste? We've known each other for so long, felt this connection for so many years. Can you truly cast that aside?

Priya: I don't agree, Ram. Maybe it was just a moment of weakness. I wasn't in a normal state.

Ram: *chuckles* "Come on, Priya, you're not insane. It wasn't just casual sex to satisfy ourselves . It was a moment shared between two people who have known each other's souls for years. You can't deny it was more than just a passing fling.

Priya: I can't just throw away everything I have with Ved. We have built a life together, shared dreams and aspirations. I can't break it all for a fleeting moment of passion.

Ram: But what about our connection, Priya? It's not just a fleeting moment. It's a bond that has stood the test of time. Are you willing to dismiss all that we've shared, all that we've felt, as insignificant?

As Priya attempted to retreat, the firm grip of Ram's hand tightened around hers, anchoring her to the present moment. His determined pull drew her back towards him, their eyes locking in a silent battle of wills and desires. The intensity of his gaze bore into her, piercing through the layers of her resolve, leaving her breathless and unsettled.

Her chest rose and fell with rapid breaths, her heartbeat matching the frantic rhythm of her thoughts. The fire that blazed in Ram's eyes mirrored the turmoil within her own soul, igniting a tempest of conflicting emotions that threatened to consume her.

Ram: Priya, you can't just walk away. If you choose to suffer, it won't be just your life that's affected. It'll be mine, it'll be Ved's, and it'll be the life of the person you're about to marry. Can you live with the consequences of that?

The weight of his words settled upon her consciousness, a stark reminder of the far-reaching consequences of her choices, the ripple effect that would disrupt not only their lives but those of others entwined within their intricate web of relationships.

As she lowered her gaze, the unyielding passion in his eyes lingered as an unspoken plea, a fervent appeal for her to acknowledge the depth of their connection, to embrace the undeniable truth that their destinies were irrevocably intertwined. In that fleeting moment, amidst the bustle of the station, they stood locked in a silent struggle, two souls grappling with the complexities of love, loyalty, and the insurmountable weight of their shared history.

Priya: *panting heavily* I don't know what to do, Ram. I feel so torn. I don't want to hurt anyone, but I can't ignore the feelings we share.

Ram: Then don't deny it any longer, Priya. Let's find a way to face this together, to confront the truth and make a decision that respects everyone involved. We owe it to ourselves and to those we care about.

Priya: *lowering her gaze* I need time to think, Ram. I need to sort out my feelings and figure out what's right for everyone. Please understand.

Ram: I'll give you the time you need, Priya. But promise me you'll consider what's best for all of us,