Bridging Hearts

Prologue

Ishika couldn't believe what her ears had just heard. She stood astounded, the words echoing painfully in her mind. Her first love, the man she had cherished with all her heart, had betrayed her in the most unforgivable way. She stumbled back towards the entrance of the door, her body shivering, her face pale, and her feet trembling. Tears began to fall from her eyes as the weight of his deceit sank in.

Desperately needing support, she reached out her hand, accidentally knocking a painting off the wall. The crash of the breaking glass drew the attention of the two men in the room. Naman turned around, his expression initially shocked by her presence, but then he sighed and an evil smile crept across his face.

"Aao, tumhara hi intezar kar raha tha main, achha hua tumne khud hi sunn liya, varna mujhe tumhara dil todna padta," he said, the malevolence in his voice unmistakable.

Ishika, summoning all the strength she could muster, walked up to him and grabbed the collar of his shirt. "Ye jo kuch tumne kaha sach tha?" she demanded, her voice trembling.

"Leave my collar," he muttered coldly.

"Jo kuch tumne kaha sach tha, Naman?" she repeated, her grip tightening.

Naman's eyes darkened with anger. "I said leave my collar, Ishika."

"Jo kuch maine suna, kya vo sach tha?" she asked again, this time with more force.

Naman violently jerked her hands off and pinned her against the wall. His grip was so tight that her bangles shattered, cutting into her wrist. "Haan, yahi sach hai. Maine tumse kabhi pyaar nahi kiya," he swore angrily. He held her cheek roughly, adding, "Tum mere liye kuch nahi ho. Aaj tak maine jo kiya sirf tumhe paane ke liye kiya, aur ab mera tumse mann bhar chuka hai. Ab mujhse milne ki koshish bhi mat karna."

Ishika was stunned, her eyes filling with tears. "Keh do ki ye jhoot hai, Naman," she begged, her voice breaking.

"Yahi sach hai, aur is sach ko tum jitna jaldi apna lo, utna hi achha hoga tumhare liye," he said, pushing her away with a final, cruel shove. "Aur ye jo collar pakadne ki gustakhi ki hai tumne, vo phir mat karna. Aaj ke baad kabhi apni shakal bhi mat dikhana, varna mujhse bura koi nahi hoga," he threatened.

"Naman..." she started, but he turned his back on her.

"Just leave! Don't ever show me your face again," he shouted.

Ishika was left broken and in tears. She ran to the reception area where she had left her younger sibling. Not wanting to cry in front of her, she quickly wiped her tears and approached her sister, who was talking to someone.

"Kya hua di?" the little girl asked, sensing something was wrong.

"Chal Meethi," Ishika said, trying to keep her voice steady.

"Par kya hua di?" Meethi persisted.

"Kaha na chal yahan se," Ishika replied, grabbing her hand tightly and almost dragging her away.

"Par di, Golu aur Naman bhaiya..." Meethi asked innocently.

"Kaha na chal yahan se, sunai nahi deta tujhe?" Ishika shouted, her patience wearing thin.

Once they were outside the building, Meethi began to cry. Ishika, still furious from her encounter with Naman, knelt down to her sister, holding her by the shoulders.

"Kya hua? Kyun ro rahi hai?" she asked angrily.

"Golu," Meethi replied through her sobs.

"Naam nahi legi tu uska! Aur ab hum unse kabhi nahi milenge, samjhi tu?" Ishika shouted.

"Hum unke ghar kabhi nahi jayenge?" asked Meethi, her eyes wide with confusion and sorrow.

"Haan, kabhi nahi jayenge," Ishika confirmed.

Meethi turned around one last time. Golu, who had overheard, stood in the doorway, pouting. Meethi waved a sad goodbye to him, and he waved back, tears brimming in his eyes.