Ashi's POV:
The car ride home was quiet, save for the hum of the engine. I stared out of the window, my fingers absentmindedly brushing over the ring on my finger. Mrs. Ashi Vansh Malhotra. The thought sent a shiver down my spine—whether it was from excitement or dread, I couldn't tell.
Vansh was seated beside me, scrolling through his phone, though I could feel his eyes flicker toward me occasionally. I knew he wanted to talk, to bring up the past, but I wasn't ready—not tonight. Tonight was meant to be a celebration, even if my heart was still tangled in the web of our history.
"Are you okay?" his voice broke the silence, soft and careful, as though afraid I might snap.
I nodded, keeping my gaze out the window. "Just tired."
He didn't push, and for that, I was grateful.
But my thoughts betrayed me. I couldn't stop replaying his proposal in my head. The way his voice cracked when he mentioned the past. The hope in his eyes when he slipped the ring onto my finger. I hated that a part of me still yearned for him, still wanted to believe in the fairy tale he was trying to offer.
No, Ashi. You promised yourself you wouldn't fall for him again.
Vansh's POV:
Watching her fidget with the ring was both satisfying and heartbreaking. She was mine again, at least in name, but I knew the battle for her heart was far from over.
The ride home felt suffocating. I wanted to reach out, to tell her everything—to explain how my hands were tied all those years ago. But every time I looked at her, the weight of her guarded expression stopped me. I couldn't lose her again. Not now, when she was so close.
As we pulled up to her family's house, I opened the door for her. She hesitated before stepping out, her eyes meeting mine for the briefest moment. It was enough to make my heart skip a beat.
"Goodnight, Vansh," she said, her voice polite, distant.
I wanted to ask her to stay, to talk, but instead, I smiled. "Goodnight, Ashi."
As I watched her walk inside, I made a silent vow: I would earn her trust again, no matter how long it took.
Later that Night:
Ashi lay in bed, staring at the ceiling. The day had been overwhelming, and sleep felt like a distant dream. Her mind kept drifting to the moment Vansh knelt before her, the sincerity in his eyes when he promised to treat her like a queen.
Was he really telling the truth? She hated how much she wanted to believe him.
Her phone buzzed on the nightstand, breaking her thoughts. It was a message from Vansh.
Vansh: I know you don't believe me yet, but I'll wait for the day you do. Sweet dreams, Ashi.
Her fingers hovered over the keyboard. She wanted to reply, to say something—anything—but what? Instead, she locked the screen and turned on her side, clutching the pillow tightly.
The Next Morning:
The Sharma family was abuzz with excitement, discussing wedding preparations over breakfast. Ashi sat at the table, stirring her tea absentmindedly as her parents and siblings debated color schemes and guest lists.
"I think gold and maroon would suit Ashi perfectly," her mother gushed. "It's such a royal combination."
"Ashi, what do you think?" her dad asked, snapping her out of her daze.
"Uh, yeah. That sounds fine," she replied quickly, not really paying attention.
Her mom frowned. "You don't sound excited, beta."
"I'm just tired from yesterday," Ashi lied, forcing a smile. "Don't worry, I'm happy."
The truth was, her mind was stuck on Vansh. His words, his expressions, the way he looked at her like she was still his whole world. It was hard to reconcile that with the image she had of him—the boy who broke her heart.
Vansh's POV:
At the Malhotra residence, I was pacing my room, phone in hand. My best friend, Arjun, was sprawled out on the couch, munching on chips and watching me with an amused expression.
"You're gonna wear a hole in the floor, dude," Arjun teased. "Just call her if you're this restless."
"She won't pick up," I muttered, running a hand through my hair. "She's still mad."
"Can you blame her?" Arjun said, sitting up. "You need to stop beating around the bush and tell her the truth. The longer you wait, the harder it'll be."
I sighed, flopping onto the couch beside him. "I know, but every time I try, something stops me. She looks at me like... like she's scared to trust me again."
Arjun patted my shoulder. "Then make her feel safe. Show her you're not the same guy who let her down. Actions speak louder than words, my friend."
I nodded, determination hardening his features. "You're right. It's time I stopped waiting for the perfect moment and created one."
Ashi's Pov:
Later that evening, I was sitting on my balcony, scrolling through my phone when I got a notification: Vansh Malhotra has tagged you in a post.
Curious, I opened the app and saw a picture from our engagement, the two of us standing on the stage, smiling awkwardly at the camera. The caption read:
Five years ago, I made a mistake I'll regret for the rest of my life. Today, I'm trying to make things right. Thank you for giving me another chance, Ashi. I'll spend the rest of my life proving that I deserve it.
My heart skipped a beat. It wasn't just the words—it was the vulnerability behind them. For the first time in years, I felt the walls around my heart start to crack.
Maybe... just maybe, this time could be different.
-•-•-•-
Finally back to this story! I know you guys must have missed this story as i much as I did so here i am 🥳
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Married to My Ex
RomanceIn Married to My Ex, Ashi Sharma and Vansh Malhotra are forced to marry each other in an arranged marriage. What they can't tell their parents, however, is that they were once in a relationship together. Ashi and Vansh must now find a way to come...
