Shadow of Desires

Chapter 21-

Unraveling Tensions

The morning light crept into the room, but it did little to ease the coldness Meher felt inside. She glanced over at Aditya's side of the bed—neatly made, untouched. A pang of guilt shot through her as she realized he hadn't slept beside her again.

Meher - Where did Aditya go?

She got up slowly, her feet dragging as she moved to the bathroom. The house was eerily quiet, and for a moment, she wondered if Aditya had left without saying goodbye.

In the kitchen, Shakuntala was sipping her morning tea, her sharp eyes immediately catching the sadness on Meher's face.

Shakuntala - Beta, you look tired. Didn't sleep well?

Meher forced a small smile. Just... a lot on my mind, Dadi.

Shakuntala - Kya baat hai, Meher? Do you want to say something?

Meher sighed, her shoulders slumping. I don't know how to reach him, Dadi. I've tried talking to him, but it's like he doesn't want to hear anything I have to say.

Shakuntala - I've noticed that Aditya has become unusually quiet.

Meher - What should I do, Dadi? Every time I try to talk, he distances himself from me.

Shakuntala nodded thoughtfully.
That's the problem with men. They don't share their feelings until they really want to.

Meher's eyes welled up with unshed tears.
I just want to help him, to make things right. But I feel like the more I try, the more he pulls away.

Shakuntala - Sometimes, actions speak louder than words.

Meher - But what should I do? How do I make him understand that I'm here for him?

Shakuntala - Little things, small gestures. A tiny effort, a soft smile.

Meher nodded, absorbing her Dadi's words. I'll try, Dadi. I just... I don't want to lose him.

Shakuntala - You shouldn't be afraid of losing, beta. Learn to win love.

You won't, beta, Shakuntala assured her, squeezing her hand.
Love has a way of finding its path, even through the roughest storms.

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Meanwhile, Aditya sat at his desk, staring blankly at the stack of files before him. The words on the pages blurred as his mind drifted back to the conversation with Diya last night. He felt trapped in his own thoughts, torn between the love he felt for Meher and the pain of betrayal that gnawed at him.

Aditya - What should I do? How do I convince my heart?

Aditya, are you okay? a colleague's voice broke through his reverie.

Aditya blinked, looking up at the concerned face in front of him. Yeah, just... distracted.

Colleague - Seems like you're really distracted. Is it a problem at home?

Aditya forced a smile, appreciating the sentiment but knowing that his situation was far more complicated.

Aditya - Yeah, just some personal issues going on.

Colleague - If you ever need to talk, you know I'm here, right?

Aditya - Thanks. I appreciate that.

Colleague - You know, sometimes, it's easier to deal with things when you talk about them. It's not weakness.