𝐁𝐎𝐔𝐍𝐃 𝐁𝐘 𝐅𝐀𝐓𝐄 ✅

Chapter 32 : Reunion (Part 2)

Sathi stood on the sandy shore, her long blazer flapping in the cold wind that swept in from the ocean. Her hair was blown back from her face, tangling and flowing freely in the breeze. She stared out at the vast expanse of water, the waves crashing rhythmically against the shore, each one echoing the turmoil in her heart.

She had been waiting here for three hours, the anticipation mingling with anxiety in her mind. The biting cold made her shiver, but the deeper pain came from the uncertainty. Would Ayaan believe her? Would he come? The questions gnawed at her, each passing moment eroding her hope a little more.

Her legs were starting to ache from standing for so long, and her wound throbbed painfully. She reached down, placing a hand gently on her abdomen, feeling the bandages beneath her clothing. The physical pain was a dull throb compared to the sharp ache in her heart.

She closed her eyes for a moment, letting the sound of the ocean fill her senses, trying to find some peace amid the chaos of her thoughts. What if Ayaan still didn't believe her? What if he never came? The doubts crowded her mind, making it hard to breathe.

Suddenly, she heard the crunch of footsteps on the sand behind her. Her heart leapt into her throat, and she turned slowly, afraid to hope but unable to stop herself.

Ayaan was walking towards her, a large bouquet of blue orchids in his hands. His face was etched with a mix of determination and sorrow. He looked at her, his eyes searching hers, and for a moment, neither of them moved.

"Sathi," he called softly, his voice carried by the wind.

Sathi's heart pounded in her chest. Tears welled up in her eyes, blurring her vision as she took a tentative step towards him. The pain in her abdomen was forgotten, replaced by the overwhelming emotions crashing over her like the waves at her feet.

"Ayaan," she whispered, her voice breaking.

He closed the distance between them in a few strides and held out the bouquet of blue orchids, his eyes never leaving hers. "I'm so sorry," he murmured, his voice thick with emotion. "I should have believed you. I was wrong."

Sathi reached out, her hands trembling, and took the bouquet from him. The flowers were beautiful, their vibrant color a stark contrast to the turmoil inside her. She looked up at Ayaan, her tears falling freely now.

"You believe me?" she asked, her voice barely more than a whisper.

Ayaan nodded, his eyes filled with regret and love. "Yes, I do. I saw the evidence. I should have never doubted you."

Sathi let out a shaky breath, relief flooding her body. She stepped closer to him, and he wrapped his arms around her, pulling her into a tight embrace. She clung to him, the bouquet pressed between them, as she sobbed against his chest. The warmth of his embrace was a balm to her shattered heart, a promise of healing and hope.

"I love you," Ayaan whispered into her hair. "I love you so much. Please forgive me."

Sathi pulled back slightly, looking up at him through her tears. "I love you too, Ayaan. I need you."

He brushed a tear from her cheek with his thumb, his touch gentle and tender. "I'm here now. And I'm not going anywhere."

They stood there, holding each other, as the waves continued to crash around them, washing away the remnants of doubt and pain. The blue orchids in Sathi's hands were a symbol of their renewed commitment, a reminder that love, even when tested, could endure.

---

The next moment, in the same house where Sathi had been spending her days, they found solace in each other's embrace. They lay under a single duvet, their bare skin touching, with only the thin fabric separating them from the world. Sathi's fingers traced lazy patterns on Ayaan's bare chest, while he stared up at the ceiling, lost in thought.

"Ayaan?" she whispered softly, breaking the comfortable silence.

"Hmm?" he responded, his gaze shifting to meet hers.

"Please forgive Sanskar," she said, her voice gentle but insistent. "He did all those things because I told him to do it."

Ayaan's eyes hardened as he looked at her. "Don't take his side. He has a wife now, but still, he's a bastard. I'm definitely not going to leave him like that."

Sathi knew that once Ayaan made up his mind, no one could change it. She didn't want to argue and risk shattering the fragile peace they had just found. Instead, she let the idea of forgiving Sanskar slip away, hoping Ayaan's anger would eventually fade.

Ayaan pulled her closer, his hand running through her hair. "I'm sorry, Sathi," he said, his voice filled with regret. "I should have believed you. I should have been there for you."

"It's okay," she murmured, nuzzling into his chest. "You're here now, and that's all that matters."

Ayaan kissed the top of her head, holding her tightly. "But how did you find the evidence?" he asked after a moment, curiosity mingling with his lingering guilt.

"I have my ways too, Ayaan," Sathi replied with a small smile. "Khushi's boyfriend is a great ethical hacker. He can retrieve information from any source."

As she continued to trace her fingers over his chest, she noticed a tattoo in red and black ink. It was written in Thai, a language she couldn't read. She touched it gently, her curiosity piqued.

"What does that mean?" she asked, looking up at him.

Ayaan chuckled softly, the sound vibrating through his chest. "Sweetheart, you couldn't even recognize your own name?"

Sathi's eyes widened in surprise and then softened with emotion. The tattoo, written in Thai, was her name. Ayaan had gotten it before their anniversary night, a permanent mark of his love for her.

"You did this for me?" she whispered, her voice thick with emotion.

"Of course," he said, his eyes filled with adoration. "You're a part of me, Sathi. Always have been, always will be."

Tears welled up in her eyes, but they were tears of joy. She pressed a kiss to the tattoo, then looked back up at Ayaan, her heart overflowing with love.

In that moment, wrapped in each other's arms, they felt a profound sense of peace and belonging. The world outside might be chaotic and uncertain, but here, in each other's embrace, they found peace.