HUMSAFAR [Completed✅]

11. New Beginnings?

Ishqi stood frozen for a moment, her mind reeling from what she had just heard. Slowly, as the shock wore off, she instinctively reached out to check Ahaan's forehead, her fingers brushing against his skin as if to confirm her suspicion.

"Are you feeling alright?" she asked with a voice of  disbelief. "Did you hit your head somewhere ,or have you got drunk? Because you’re saying things without any sense.”

Ahaan gently caught her hands, stopping her from continuing her checks. "Ishqi, why do you always turn everything into a joke? I’m not drunk, and I haven’t lost my mind. I’m completely in control of my senses.", he affirmed.

Ishqi pulled her hands back, still processing his words. "No, something’s definitely off with you. This doesn’t make sense. You must be confused.", she retorted.

Ahaan’s gaze softened as he took a step closer to her. "I was confused before, Ishqi, about my feelings for you. But not anymore.” His hands reached up, cupping her cheeks gently, his touch tender yet firm and stated,"I really do love you. I’m not asking you to give me an answer right away. Take all the time you need.”

Ishqi stared at him, her heart was racing but her mind wanted some clarity. "But how can this be possible? You never even considered this marriage to be real, Ahaan. You’ve made that clear more than once. And now, suddenly, you’re telling me you love me? Is this some kind of cruel prank?", she asked.

Ahaan shook his head. "That was the past, Ishqi. Things change with time, and so have my feelings. I’m not joking, I swear. If something’s bothering you, just tell me. Don’t keep it bottled up.", he said while sensing her fears.

Ishqi took a deep breath, the weight of the moment settling heavily on her. "Ahaan, I’ve already lost so much in my life-my parents, my sense of stability. Losing them shattered me, but I forced myself to stay strong for Saumya's sake. Then, when our marriage was arranged, I started liking you, but once I learned about Vihaan, I married you only for him. I never had any real expectations from you or our relationship. But then… there were moments. Moments where you cared for me, where you made me feel something, and I started hoping. But then every time we fought, every time you pulled away, I had to kill those hopes because I didn’t want to get hurt again.", she spoke in a broken voice.

The vulnerability in her words were evident. "And now, out of nowhere, you’re telling me you love me? How can I trust that? How can I let myself expect anything again? I am scared, Ahaan.", she mumbled.

Ahaan listened silently, his heart aching as he heard the pain in her voice. Without warning, he leaned in and kissed her gently, his lips lingering on hers just long enough to convey the depth of his emotions. When he pulled back, he spoke softly but with conviction,"I know, Ishqi, our marriage didn’t start out in the most conventional way, and I get why you’re scared. But can’t we try again? Can’t we give this relationship another chance and see where it takes us?"

He extended his hand to her and with a pleading eyes, he requested, "I’m not asking for much. Just one chance. If you trust me, let’s begin again. Let’s start fresh."

Ishqi hesitated, her mind was racing with doubts, but something in Ahaan’s eyes made her pause. Slowly,  she reached out and placed her hand in his, her fingers trembling slightly. In that moment, an unspoken promise passed between them-a promise to try, to see if they could build something real.

Later that night, they lay side by side in bed, wrapped in each other’s arms. The silence between them wasn’t uncomfortable but peaceful, a calm neither had felt in a long time. Ahaan held her close, his fingers entwined with hers as he rested his head against hers.

"You know," he began quietly, "the first thing that attracted me to you was your eyes. Every time I look into them, it feels like I could get lost into them."

Ishqi chuckled softly, her fingers tracing patterns on his chest. "Earlier, you barely spoke to me  and now you are flirting. Aren't you going too fast?", she teased.

Ahaan grinned, "I’m serious. You know, even when we were fighting, there was love in it,"

"Right," Ishqi teased, her eyes twinkling. "So, was that kiss you gave me that day, filled with love or poison?"

"Kiss?"Ahaan asked being confused. "When? Which day?"

Ishqi rolled her eyes. "You don’t even remember, do you?"

Ahaan smiled sheepishly. "Please, tell me what you’re talking about."

Ishqi sighed dramatically. "Why are you so curious now? Fine, I’ll remind you.”"She then recounted the night when he was drunk and kissed her, explaining every detail with playful exaggeration. They both burst into laughter when she finished the story.

Ahaan, still chuckling, took her hands in his and looked into her eyes. "Ishqi, no matter what happened in the past, I’m truly happy right now. I love you."

He kissed her forehead gently, waiting for her to say something in return. When she remained silent, he looked at her expectantly. "Well? Aren’t you going to say anything?", he enquired.

Ishqi looked at him with a mischievous smile and replied,"Say what?"

Ahaan groaned in mock frustration and stated,"Those three words, of course."

Ishqi smirked, pulling the blanket closer around her and responded,"Why should I? You gave me time to think, remember? So, I need more time to decide."

Ahaan narrowed his eyes playfully. "You’re just teasing me, aren’t you?"

She laughed, and they continued to banter, their laughter filling the room with warmth. Eventually, they drifted off to sleep, content in each other’s arms, finding solace in their new beginning, ready to face whatever lay ahead together.

To be continued...

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