Wounds of the Heart (दिल के घाव)💔

83

The parking lot buzzed with activity as the reunited friends piled into their respective cars. Manik, however, emerged not alone. By his side stood a tall, distinguished figure – Ansh, Mr. Rathore.

A collective gasp escaped their lips as they caught sight of Ansh. Rohit, the first to break the stunned silence, exclaimed, "Oh my God, Mr. Rathore! What a pleasant surprise!"

Ansh's lips curved into a charming smile. "The pleasure is all mine, Rohit," he replied, extending a hand in greeting. "Manik just informed me you were all here."

Manik, ever the social butterfly, made introductions. "Guys, this is Ansh, Mr. Rathore. Ansh, this is Abhimanyu, Kunj, and of course, you already know Rohit."

A wave of handshakes and warm smiles filled the air, the initial surprise quickly giving way to a sense of welcoming curiosity.

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With their destination decided – a beautiful hilltop hotel offering a breathtaking view of the Chicago skyline – they set off in a convoy. Abhimanyu, ever the planner, had already booked the entire top floor, ensuring their privacy and a delightful dining experience away from prying eyes.

The ambience of the restaurant was exquisite. Soft music played in the background, creating a relaxing atmosphere. As they settled around the table, conversation flowed effortlessly. Kunj, ever the enthusiast, pulled out his phone, eager to share the pictures he'd captured during their epic road trip from London.

"Check out these gems, guys!" he declared, proudly swiping through the photos. One picture in particular caught everyone's attention – a candid shot of Manik and Ansh, their faces illuminated by the golden glow of the setting sun, a hint of something unspoken lingering in their gaze.

A chuckle escaped Rudra's lips. Shaking his head in mock disapproval, he remarked, "That London to Chicago road trip, guys? Let me tell you, it's a terrible idea. Especially when you're traveling with a couple. You end up feeling like a third wheel the entire time, the absolute worst kind."

His playful grumble elicited a burst of laughter from the table. Abhimanyu, pulling Kunj closer in a loving embrace, countered, "Hey, Rudy, don't blame us that you don't have a cute boyfriend like mine. Just bad luck, I guess."

Rudra playfully swatted Abhimanyu's arm, a wry smile gracing his lips. He decided to let the topic slide for now, intending to explore it further with Rohit later.

Perhaps there was something he was missing, something that didn't quite add up about Rohit's seemingly unbothered demeanor despite Manik's obvious connection with Ansh.

Across the table, Rudra watched Rohit with a hint of curiosity. He'd noticed Rohit's subdued reaction to Ansh's presence, a stark contrast to the playful teasing he'd directed towards Manik. It fueled a suspicion that had been simmering within him. Could it be that Rohit's feelings for Manik were not as strong as he'd originally believed?

Later, under the cloak of a star-studded night sky, Rudra found himself alone with Rohit on the balcony. The cool night breeze carried a sense of unspoken tension.

"Rohit," Rudra began hesitantly, his voice barely a whisper. "There's something I need to ask."

Rohit, sensing Rudra's seriousness, turned to face him. "What is it?"

"Manik and you," Rudra continued, his voice low. "Are you…"

He trailed off, unsure of how to phrase the question.

Rohit, seemingly understanding where Rudra was going, finished the sentence for him. "Are we together? In a relationship?"

A bitter laugh escaped his lips. "The truth is, Rudra, we never really defined it. It was always…" he paused, searching for the right word, "unspoken."

Rudra felt a flicker of sympathy for Rohit, the weight of unspoken emotions hanging heavy in the air. "So, all this time," he began cautiously, "you weren't…

"Jealous?" Rohit completed his question, a hint of self-deprecation in his voice. "Honestly, Rudra, I don't know. Maybe a part of me still cares for Manik, but in a different way. Perhaps more like a brother or a dear friend."

A wave of relief washed over Rudra. If Rohit's feelings had changed, then maybe, just maybe, there could be a chance for him. But before he could let himself get carried away, he decided to tread carefully.

As the last crumb of dessert disappeared and plates were cleared, the night wound down. The group dispersed, each car carrying them towards their respective destinations. Manik and Rohit hopped into their usual car, Kunj and Abhimanyu piled into theirs, and Ansh opted for the comfort of his own vehicle.

Rudra, however, was delayed. An unexpected call held him back, his brow furrowed in concentration as his voice flowed through the phone's speaker.

By the time he finished, Kunj and Abhimanyu had already exited, their eyelids heavy with the effects of the wine and the long day.

Rohit, with a quick goodbye, realized he'd forgotten his phone on the table amidst the laughter and chatter. "Hold on a sec, guys," he called out, hopping out of the car.

Manik chuckled, stopping the engine as Rohit dashed back into the hotel. Ansh, ever the gentleman, offered to wait with Manik.

Inside the elevator, Rohit cursed his forgetfulness, pressing the button for the top floor. Relief washed over him as he spotted his phone, a lone beacon on the table.

Turning to leave, he collided with a broad figure emerging from the hallway.

"Sorry," he mumbled, the familiar scent of cologne hitting him. He looked up, his breath catching in his throat. It was Rudra.

Their gazes locked, an unspoken tension hanging in the air. The elevator doors slid shut, enclosing them in a confined space. Silence stretched between them, thick and heavy. Finally, Rudra broke the quiet.

"Rohit," he began, his voice husky, laced with the remnants of the wine he'd consumed. "Did you ever love me?"

The question struck Rohit like a bolt of lightning. Years had passed, a lifetime in some ways, yet Rudra's words ignited a flurry of emotions within him.

He thought Rudra had moved on, but a spark of hope flickered, a silent confirmation that maybe, just maybe, his feelings hadn't been entirely one-sided.

Just as Rohit was about to answer, a surge of emotions overwhelmed Rudra. The alcohol emboldened him, blurring the lines between past and present. He saw Rohit standing before him, the same man who had stolen his heart years ago, and he couldn't hold back any longer.

In a swift movement, Rudra pressed Rohit against the cool wall of the elevator, his lips meeting Rohit's in a searing kiss. Rohit, caught off guard, froze for a moment before responding instinctively, his own lips molding to Rudra's. The kiss was desperate, filled with a longing that had been simmering for years.

Suddenly, Rudra pulled away, his breath ragged. Reality crashed down, shattering the fragile bubble they'd created. Shame washed over him as he realized what he'd done.

"I… I'm so sorry, Rohit," he stammered, his voice thick with regret. "I shouldn't have done that."

Without another word, Rudra fled the elevator the moment the doors opened, his car a blur as he sped away. Rohit stood alone, a whirlwind of emotions swirling within him – hurt, confusion, a flicker of anger, and a strange sense of yearning.

Manik's call pierced through the fog of his thoughts. Rohit rejoined him, forcing a smile as they headed back. Ansh, sensing the tension in the car, wisely kept quiet. The drive back unfolded in an uncomfortable silence, a stark contrast to the joyous reunion of earlier. As they reached their destination, Ansh bade them farewell, leaving Rohit and Manik standing in the driveway.

Manik, concerned about his friend's withdrawn demeanor, inquired about Rohit's silence.

But Rohit, unable to process the events of the night, simply brushed him off, retreating into their apartment, his heart heavy with a burden he couldn't yet share.