TISHNAGI

CHAPTER 30: MAHIR

(PLEASE, listen to "Tishnagi " by karun for this chapter.)
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Yash and I finally stepped through the door of our home. My body ached with exhaustion, and the bruises on my face throbbed with each heartbeat. But my eyes were searching for Naina. I needed to see her, to know she was here, safe.

And then I saw her, standing far away, her eyes wide with shock. My heart ached at the sight of her. She looked so fragile, her usual vibrant energy replaced by a pale stillness. The shine in her eyes was gone, replaced by a stunned emptiness. I felt a deep pang of guilt. Our ordeal had taken a toll on her, and seeing her like this hurt more than any of my physical injuries.

Before I could say anything, our mother rushed to us, her voice filled with worry as she checked our faces, her fingers gently tracing the bruises. She asked if we were alright, her concern evident in every word. But my eyes remained fixed on Naina.

I wanted to go to her, to hold her and apologize for everything. Her distress was clear, and I felt an overwhelming need to comfort her, to somehow make things right. Yet, I stood there, letting our mother fuss over us, my gaze never leaving Naina, silently promising her that I would do everything in my power to bring back her lost shine.

As I watched Naina turn and head toward our bedroom, an overwhelming urgency to be with her surged through me.

"Maa, I'm tired. I'll go and rest," I said hastily, cutting her off mid-sentence as I practically sprinted towards the bedroom.

I opened the door and gently closed it behind me. Naina stood by the bed, her movements slow and deliberate as she folded clothes. When she looked up, the pain in her eyes was almost too much to bear.

"Naina," I whispered, my voice cracking.

She set the clothes down and took a deep, trembling breath. "Mahir ji" she said, her voice filled with anguish. "You should have understood me."

Her words cut through me like a knife. Tears welled up in my eyes, and my throat tightened with remorse. "I know, Naina. I'm so sorry," I said, my voice heavy with regret. "I should have been there for you. I should have listened."

Her tears began to fall, and she looked at me with a heartbreaking mix of hurt and longing. "Do you have any idea how scared I was? How alone I felt?" she cried, her voice breaking. "You left without a word, without thinking about what it would do to me."

"I know," I said, stepping closer, my own tears streaming down my face. "I thought I was protecting you, but I was wrong. I didn't think about how it would hurt you."

Naina's sobs grew louder, and she covered her face with her hands. I reached out and pulled her into my arms, holding her tightly as she cried. "I'm so sorry, Naina," I repeated, my voice shaking. "I never meant to hurt you. I thought I was doing the right thing, but I was blind to your pain."

She clung to me, her body shaking with sobs. "I needed you, Mahir ji. I needed you with me," she said, her voice muffled against my chest.

"I know," I whispered, my heart breaking. "I'm here now. I promise I won't leave you again. We'll get through this together. I’ll do everything I can to make it right."

We stood there, holding each other, our tears mingling as the pain of the past two weeks poured out. The raw emotion of the moment overwhelmed us both, but it was a necessary release. We cried for the fear, the loneliness, and the hurt we had both endured.

"I'm so sorry," I murmured over and over, my voice choked with emotion. "I love you, Naina. I never want to see you like this again."

She pulled back slightly, her eyes red and swollen, but there was a glimmer of hope in them. "Promise me, Mahir ji. Promise me you won't leave me again."