Wounds of the Heart (दिल के घाव)💔

57

The morning sun peeked through the blinds, casting a golden glow across Arjun's messy apartment. He groaned, his head throbbing with the tell-tale ache of a hangover. Memories of the previous night flickered back – the reunion, the endless beers, and the shared laughter (or at least, his and Abhimanyu's attempt at it).

He stumbled towards the kitchen, hoping a strong cup of coffee would be the cure-all for his pounding headache. A sight on the table made him stop in his tracks. A breakfast spread for two, a steaming pot of soup, and a neatly folded note rested beside it.

He picked up the note, a smile gracing his lips as he read Kunj's familiar handwriting. It was a brief message thanking him for the hospitality and a mumbled excuse about an urgent matter that called him home. A final "thank you" and a promise to catch up later rounded off the note.

Arjun chuckled softly. Kunj, ever the responsible one, even amidst the chaos of the previous night. His gaze then drifted towards the living room, where a sight made him raise an eyebrow further. Abhimanyu was sprawled on the couch, fast asleep, a crumpled blanket half-covering him.

"Looks like someone had a rough night too," Arjun muttered to himself, amusement lacing his voice. He brewed a strong pot of coffee, then walked over to Abhimanyu and gently nudged him awake.

Abhimanyu stirred, his eyes fluttering open slowly. He groaned, wincing at the throbbing pain in his head. "Ugh, what time is it?" he mumbled, taking the mug of coffee Arjun offered him gratefully.

"Late morning," Arjun replied, settling into a chair opposite Abhimanyu. "Kunj left a while back. Said something about an emergency at home."

Disappointment clouded Abhimanyu's features. He didn't remember much after the drinks started flowing freely. A vague image of swaying to music with Kunj, bathed in moonlight, was all he could recall.

"Didn't remember anything after..." Abhimanyu trailed off, his voice laced with regret.

Arjun, sensing his friend's dejection, offered a sympathetic smile. "Don't sweat it, man. You guys were pretty hammered last night."

Abhimanyu finished his coffee in silence, his mind replaying the fragmented memories of the night. The tenderness in Kunj's eyes, the warmth of his touch – these snippets fueled a flicker of hope within him. Perhaps, amidst the drunken haze, they had shared a moment of reconciliation.

With a sigh, Abhimanyu pushed himself off the couch. "Well, thanks for the crash pad, Arjun. I should head home."

Arjun nodded. "Anytime, Abhi. And hey, good luck with Kunj."

Abhimanyu offered a weak smile, the weight of unspoken emotions settling on his shoulders. The reunion had been a whirlwind of emotions, but one thing was clear – his feelings for Kunj hadn't dimmed with time. He had a lot to unpack, a lot of apologies to make. But as he walked out the door, a newfound determination steeled his resolve. He wouldn't let this opportunity slip away. He would fight for Kunj, for their love, and for a chance to rewrite their story.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
Thirty thousand feet above the ground, nestled within the plush confines of a first-class cabin, Rohit's phone buzzed insistently. He groaned, the sound grating against his already thunderous headache. "Manik, answer it," he mumbled, burying his face further into the soft leather headrest.

"Its Agency again!!!" Manik said, a hint of annoyance in his voice.

"Ugh," manik moaned again, "can't they let us enjoy our last bit of peace before we dive headfirst back into the circus?"

Rohit sighed, silencing the phone with a tap. "Yep. Apparently, there's a last-minute promotional event for the new album in London. We need to be there by tomorrow afternoon."

"It's not fair," Rohit continued, his voice laced with a childish petulance. "Everyone gets to stay in the same city, catch up, have fun... and we have to fly all the way back before we can even throw a proper goodbye party."

Manik chuckled, understanding his best friend's frustration. He too had received his fair share of frustrated calls and messages, urging him to return to his band and the relentless tour schedule. The music, once a source of pure joy, now felt like a burden, a constant reminder of the freedom he craved.

A moment of silence settled between them. Rohit, catching Manik's pensive expression, broke the quietude. "Lost in thought, Rockstar?" he teased.

Manik forced a smile. "Just thinking," he admitted. "Did you enjoy the reunion?"

"Enjoyed it a lot!" Rohit replied, his earlier frustration momentarily forgotten. "It was great to see everyone again. I was nervous at first, wondering if things had changed, if we'd still connect like old times. But it was like no time had passed at all!"

Manik's face lit up with shared enthusiasm. "Exactly! That's what surprised me too. It felt like yesterday, not five years."

Curiosity piqued, Manik leaned in a bit. "Don't mind me asking, Ro," he began cautiously, "but were you disappointed not to see Rudra?"

Rohit's smile faltered. He looked down, a flicker of sadness crossing his eyes. "Honestly," he confessed, "a part of me wanted to see him. But the other part... well, I wasn't sure if I could act normal. I miss him sometimes, especially when I see him in interviews and stuff."

He paused, taking a deep breath. "I know he's the past, and I've tried to move on. Maybe I have… mostly. But deep down, there's this tiny voice that whispers what if. What if I see him and all my confidence crumbles?"

Manik offered a comforting side hug, pulling Rohit closer. Rohit, momentarily overwhelmed, wiped away a stray tear before returning a playful smile. "So," he sniffed, wiping his nose, "how was your reunion with the one-and-only Arjun after all these years?"

Manik let out a hearty laugh. "Believe it or not, I was nervous too! Feared my old feelings might resurface. But surprisingly, all I felt was nostalgia - like seeing an old friend. That's it."

Rohit raised an eyebrow, a knowing glint in his eyes. "Looks like you've moved on pretty well, Rockstar."

With a newfound sense of understanding, Rohit looked out the airplane window, the vast expanse of clouds mirroring the complex emotions swirling within him. Perhaps this reunion wasn't just about reliving the past; maybe it was a chance to accept it, to acknowledge the changes, and to look forward to the future, whatever it may hold.

_______________________________________