TISHNAGI

CHAPTER 29: YASH

As I walked away from her on the terrace, each step felt heavier than the last. I could still hear the pain in her voice, the heartbreak that I had inadvertently caused. When I finally reached my room, I closed the door behind me, leaning against it as the tears I had been holding back began to slip from my eyes.

Memories from college flooded my mind, bittersweet and haunting. I remembered how much she had poured into our relationship back then, giving me everything she had. And me? I had been so wrapped up in my own world, in my ambitions and friends, that I had ignored her in ways I only now truly understood.

There was a time when she looked at me with so much love, so much hope. But I didn't reciprocate the way she deserved. I was blind to her needs, her emotions. I took her for granted, thinking she would always be there, waiting for me to notice her.

Then, one day, I saw him. My own brother, smiling at her from a distance, sneaking glimpses when he thought no one was looking. The way he admired her, it was so pure, so genuine. It was then I realized what I had missed. He loved her in ways I hadn't, with a depth and sincerity that I could never muster.

I watched as he continued to care for her silently, respecting our relationship even as his feelings for her grew. By the time I realized how deeply I cared for her, it was too late. He loved her more than I ever could, and I knew she deserved that kind of love. The kind that saw her, cherished her, and never took her for granted.

After a year later, seeing her again, married to him, I thought I had made peace with it...peace with what I did in the marriage. But my actions said otherwise. I got too close, too familiar, crossing lines I shouldn't have. And now, I've hurt her again, in a different way, but the pain is just as real.

I sank onto my bed, the tears coming harder now. I had never meant to come between them, to cause so much trouble. But my unresolved feelings and guilt had surfaced, leading to this mess. She deserved happiness, and I had only added to her sorrow.

As the night wore on, I resolved to do whatever I could to make things right. I needed to speak to my brother, to explain and take responsibility for my actions. He deserved to know the truth, and she deserved a chance to repair her marriage without my interference. Only then could I start to make amends for the mistakes of the past and present.

-

I had made up my mind. If I couldn't have her, I would do everything in my power to resolve her problems. I packed my bags that night, determined to set things right. Early the next morning, I told Maa that I was going to meet a friend for a while. She didn't question me, just gave me a concerned look as I left.

I knew exactly where to find my brother. We had been close once, sharing everything until our relationship became strained. I knew that when Mahir Bhai was upset, he always went to our village home. It was a quiet place, away from the chaos, where he could think...alone.

-

I stood in the dimly lit living room of our village home, facing my brother with a mix of apprehension and resolve. His eyes bore into mine with a mixture of anger and curiosity, waiting for my explanation.

"I came to talk to you about Naina," I began, my voice steady but tinged with emotion.

Mahir Bhai's expression hardened, his jaw set in a firm line. "What about her?"

I took a deep breath, gathering my thoughts before continuing. "I've known for a long time, Bhai. I saw how you looked at her, how you cared for her, even before you realized it yourself."

He looked taken aback, disbelief flickering across his face before he masked it with a steely resolve. "You're imagining things, Yash."

"No, I'm not," I insisted, feeling the tension between us rise. "Remember that time at her cousin's wedding? You were supposed to be there as her support, but you couldn't take your eyes off her. It was then I knew."

Bhai's fists clenched at his sides, his knuckles turning white. "You had no right..."

Before he could finish, frustration and guilt boiled over inside me. In a burst of emotion, I swung a punch at the wall beside me, the impact reverberating through the room. "Damn it, Bhai!" I exclaimed, my voice tinged with anger and regret. "I know I messed up. I got too close to her, crossed boundaries. But you have to understand, I saw something in you that I hadn't seen in myself for a long time. Your love for her was genuine, deep."

He recoiled slightly, surprised by my outburst. The silence that followed was thick with unspoken words and unresolved emotions.

"You think I don't know that?" he shot back, his voice strained. "You think I don't regret every moment since I walked away? But seeing you with her... it tore me apart."

I took a step closer, my own voice rising. "I care for her, yes. But not in the way you think. She loves you, Bhai. She's hurting because you didn't trust her enough to talk it out."

He clenched his jaw, his eyes flashing with a mix of anger and anguish. "And what about you, Yash? What do you want?"

I shook my head, tears of frustration welling up in my eyes. "I want her to be happy," I said hoarsely. "If that means staying away, then so be it. This isn't about me. It's about you and Naina. Fix this, Bhau. She deserves to hear it from you."

His fists trembled at his sides, breathing ragged. Without another word, he swung a punch at me, catching me off guard. Instinctively, I blocked it, and soon we were locked in a tense struggle, each blow fueled by years of pent-up emotions and misunderstandings.

We grappled with each other, our breaths coming in harsh gasps, until finally, exhaustion and realization set in. We staggered apart, both panting heavily, our bodies bruised and hearts heavy.

"I messed up, Yash," Bhai admitted, his voice cracking with emotion. "I should have trusted her. I should have listened."

I wiped blood from my lip, meeting his gaze with equal parts pain and understanding. "Go to her, Bhai" I urged, my voice strained but sincere. "Talk to her. Listen to her. She's hurting, but she loves you. Give her a chance to explain."

He nodded slowly, the weight of his decisions settling on his shoulders. "I will," he promised, his voice barely above a whisper.

As I left the village home that day, I felt a mix of exhaustion and relief. Our intense confrontation had laid bare the fractures in our relationship, but it had also cleared the path for healing. Mahir Bhai and Naina had a chance now, a chance to mend what had been broken and rediscover the love that had brought them together in the first place. And for me, there was solace in knowing that I had done everything I could to set things right, to make amends for the mistakes that had caused so much pain.

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So 2 updates!!

I know y'all were waiting, so here I present you Yash's point of view.
Did y'all like it?!