Entwined Destinies | ON HOLD

26 - M i n e

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SAAIRA

Advik and I sat on the balcony sofa, the cool night breeze brushing my cheeks and heightening my already troubled state.

The proximity between us made my heart race, as Advik sat close enough to touch, holding my hand gently.

My cheeks burned with embarrassment, and his earlier words played on a loop in my mind, "I'm falling in love with you, Saaira."

My heart skipped a beat at the memory, and I bit my lower lip, trying to stifle a smile.

Advik slowly reached out, gently turning my face towards him. My eyes remained downcast, and I nervously fiddled with my pallu, unsure of what to do next.

"Sai," Advik called softly, and my eyes shot up at the sound of my nickname on his lips.

He gently placed his hand on my cheek and asked, "What's wrong, Saaira? You haven't said anything."

I blinked, lost in thought. His confession had left me so elated that my mind had momentarily stopped working.

A look of uncertainty crossed Advik's face, and nervously, he asked, "D-do you not like me?"

I shook my head slowly, indicating it wasn't what he thought.

"What?" Advik asked incredulously.

I realized he had misunderstood my gesture as a rejection, and the sadness that spread across his face made my heart ache even more.

Quickly, I clarified, "No, Advik, it's not like that at all. What I mean is, you said it so suddenly, that you're falling for me, but my heart and mind are struggling to register it. It sounds wonderful, but at the same time, I'm scared."

"Scared?" Advik asked softly, shifting on the sofa. He looked straight at me, so I turned towards him, bringing us face to face.

I nodded slowly and began to explain, "Advik, I'm scared because you told me not to expect anything from you or our marriage. And now you're confessing your feelings. I'm worried that maybe you're mistaking responsibility for love. If that's the case, it would break my heart, and I don't want to get hurt."

Advik's expression softened as he gently took my hands in his and confessed, "Saaira, I fell in love with you at first sight."

"What?" I almost exclaimed, taken aback by this unexpected revelation.

Advik chuckled softly at my surprise and continued, "When I first saw you outside the restaurant, I knew you were the one for me."

I listened quietly, eager to hear more, hoping today he would finally share everything.

"After leaving the restaurant, I could have left you and gone my own way, but I couldn't bring myself to do it. Later, I could have dropped you home or arranged for you to stay in a hotel, but I brought you home because I wanted you safe, and because I wanted you close to me," Advik explained sincerely.

It took me a moment to process his words before asking, "Then why were you so against marriage? And why did you speak so rudely to me on our engagement night?"

Advik gave a small smile, clearly embarrassed. "I was against marriage because seeing my parents' relationship made me lose faith in it."

I nodded, understanding now, having been warned by Aunty about Advik's doubts regarding marriage before our wedding.

"And about the engagement night," Advik continued, holding his ears apologetically, "I am sorry for my hurtful words."

I gently took his hand away from his ear and placed it on my cheek, reassuring him, "Your hands belong here, not there."