LOVERS FOREVER

Chapter 16 - Blast from the past

The clinking of glasses and the murmur of conversation faded into a pleasant background hum as Ishqi and Ahaan stepped out of the restaurant, a warm contentment settling over them after a delightful dinner. It had been weeks after the night they spent together under the stars & since then both were caught up with work.. having not much time for each other & finally this was the night Ahaan had planned to take her out for dinner..

As they strolled hand-in-hand, a figure emerged from the shadows, his face etched with a mixture of relief and desperation. Ishqi's breath hitched in her throat as she recognized the man – Gaurav.

He rushed towards them, his steps quick and purposeful. For a fleeting moment, Ishqi was transported back to a time of shattered dreams and unanswered questions. The memory of her abandoned wedding day, the day Gaurav inexplicably vanished, leaving her heartbroken and confused, flooded her mind.

G: finally.. finally tum mujhe mil hi gayi.. pata hai kitna dhundha maine tumhe.. I thought I lost you..

Gaurav exclaimed, his voice filled with a desperation that sent shivers down Ishqi's spine.. Ishqi instinctively took a step back as he reached out to grab her hand. The past, a dark cloud threatening to engulf her present happiness, rose to the surface.

I: don't.. don't touch me.. she warned, her voice trembling slightly.

Gaurav, seemingly oblivious to her apprehension, continued to approach. He appeared completely normal, his eyes sparkling with a strange intensity. It was as if he had forgotten the events of their wedding day, the day he had disappeared without a trace.

Ahaan, sensing Ishqi's discomfort, wrapped his arm protectively around her waist, his presence a silent reassurance. The anger that bubbled within him at the sight of Gaurav, the man who had caused Ishqi so much pain, threatened to erupt, but he forced himself to remain calm.

A: tum yaha kya kar rahe ho..? and most importantly, ab wapas kyu aaye ho..? chahte kya ho tum..?

Each question was punctuated with a controlled anger, his gaze fixed on Gaurav with a chilling intensity.. Gaurav, momentarily taken aback by Ahaan's forceful presence, faltered slightly. He cleared his throat, attempting to regain his composure.

G: excuse me..? ye toh mujhe tumse puchna chahiye ki tum kya kar rahe ho Ishqi ke saath..? he countered, feigning confusion

G: aur tum hote kon ho..? (he continued, his voice laced with a newfound arrogance) kis hak se ye sawaal kar rahe ho mujhse.. han..?

He then turned towards Ishqi, his gaze filled with a possessive glint. 

G: Ishqi.. ye kon hai..? (he asked, his voice dripping with possessiveness) aur tum iske saath..

Before he could complete his sentence, Ishqi, her voice trembling with a mix of anger and defiance, interrupted him.

I: pati hai mere.. aur inhe hak hai, Gaurav.. Ishqi declared, her voice ringing with a newfound strength. 

 The revelation hung in the air, a bombshell dropped in the midst of their already tense encounter. Gaurav stared at Ishqi, his face a mask of shock and disbelief. The colour drained from his face as the weight of her words sank in. The man he had presumed to be an intruder, was her husband. 

Gaurav's mouth gaped open in disbelief. 

G: Ishqi.. tu.. tumne shaadi kar li..? (he stammered, his voice laced with disbelief) shaadi toh hum dono ki..

Before he could complete his sentence, the anger simmering in Ishqi's eyes reached a boiling point. Ignoring his pleas entirely, Ishqi slipped her hand firmly into Ahaan's arm.