𝑨𝒂𝒓𝒂𝒗𝒊: 𝑨 𝒔𝒂𝒈𝒂 𝒐𝒇 𝒆𝒕𝒆𝒓𝒏𝒂𝒍 𝒍𝒐𝒗𝒆

Chapter 7: Do as you want Aaravi

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His eyes widened in surprise, and then confusion. For a moment, he didn't speak. "Kya? Kyun? Kya kuch hua hai?" His voice was a mix of shock and desperation.

(What? Why? Did something happen?)

At this moment, I felt that I was being too selfish. But my mother's words played in my head, and all I could think of was to get away and live alone for myself.

Tears welled up in my eyes. "Yeh tumhare baare mein nahi hai, Abhimaan. Main tumse maafi chahti hoon. Yeh meri baat hai. Main abhi iske liye tayar nahi hoon. Mere kuch sapne aur armaan hain jo mujhe pehle pura karne hain." I paused, trying to steady my voice. "Aur... main tumhe ek aise rishtey mein nahi bandh sakti jahan main puri tarah se committed nahi hoon. Yeh tumhare liye bhi insaafi nahi hoga."

(It's not about you, Abhimaan. I'm sorry. This is about me. I'm not ready for this. I have dreams and ambitions that I need to pursue first. And...I don't want to trap you in a marriage where I'm not fully committed. It wouldn't be fair to you.)

His eyes searched mine, filled with pain and confusion. "Aaravi, kya tumhe mujh par bharosa nahi hai? Hum saath milke tumhare sapne pura kar sakte hain."

("Aaravi, don't you trust me? We can fulfill your dreams together.")

I shook my head, tears now streaming down my cheeks. "Abhimaan, yeh sirf sapno ki baat nahi hai. Main khud ko kho rahi hoon. Mujhe apne aap ko paana hoga pehle. Tumhare saath hone se yeh mushkil aur bhi badh jaayegi."

(Abhimaan, it's not just about dreams. I'm losing myself. I need to find myself first. Being with you will make this even harder.)

I turned back to face Abhimaan, my heart a tumultuous blend of determination and sorrow. "Abhimaan," I said, my voice quivering despite my efforts to stay composed. "I know this is hard to understand, and I'm sorry for the pain this causes you. But please, try to see it from my perspective. This decision is about me, needing to figure out who I am before I can commit to something as serious as a wedding."

Abhimaan's eyes were still clouded with confusion and hurt. He took a deep breath, trying to gather his composure. "Aaravi, you're my childhood friend, and I don't want to pressure you. If you don't want this relationship right now, I understand. I just want you to know that I'm here for you. I'm willing to support you in whatever you need, even if it's just as a friend."

His words, though gentle, didn't ease the weight of my decision. I nodded, feeling a mix of relief and sadness. "Thank you, Abhimaan. Your understanding and support mean a lot to me. I need to focus on myself and my dreams right now."

He extended a hand towards me, his eyes filled with a fragile hope. "Friends again?" he asked softly.

I took his hand, my heart heavy but hopeful. "Sure," I replied, managing a small smile despite the tears still lingering in my eyes.

The reassurance of returning to friendship was a bittersweet comfort, a reminder of the bond we shared even if it wasn't what either of us had initially hoped for.

As I looked at him, I felt a confusing swirl of emotions. The promise of returning to friendship was supposed to be a relief, yet it left me with a strange mix of comfort and longing. The familiar warmth of his hand in mine, the way his eyes still held a glimmer of hope, made me wonder if this was the right path after all. The connection we shared was so deep, it was hard to fully let go or redefine what we had. I couldn't shake the feeling that, despite our decision, something still tethered us together in a way that was both comforting and confusing. It was as if moving forward meant leaving a part of my heart behind, and that made the future seem both hopeful and uncertain.