𝐕𝐄𝐃𝐈𝐊𝐀𝐀- 𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐬𝐨𝐧 𝐨𝐟 𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐢𝐫 𝐫𝐞𝐛𝐨𝐮𝐧𝐝 𝐥𝐨𝐯𝐞

23.

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After enduring two hard punches from his two close friends, Abhiansh returned home late at night, still processing their complaints. It was true; he had been the one to suggest making Veer the “kumbhabati,” but surely it wasn't that terrible of an idea, was it?

As he approached his room, he noticed that the light in Sayantika's room was still on. A frown creased his forehead as he moved closer to peek inside. There she was, holding a photo frame, and it was unmistakably Vihaan’s. A pang of guilt surged through him, coupled with an ache that nestled deep within his heart. He knew she still couldn’t accept Vihaan’s absence; she still couldn’t forget him—and perhaps she never would.

But who would tell him the truth? Sayantika never loved Vihaan; rather, she was burdened by the guilt of not being the perfect wife he deserved, of not giving their marriage a fighting chance. In her heart, there was still one name written indelibly—Abhiansh. It felt as though someone had tattooed his name there, a mark she couldn’t erase, nor did she truly want to.

Vihaan had been the epitome of a perfect husband. Even the word "perfect" seemed insufficient to describe him. Yet, in the shadows of her heart, it was Abhiansh’s name that her soul craved.

---

"Where is Vedikaa and Maa?" he asked, glancing around the house.

"Maa went to the temple with her," Sayantika replied, not bothering to look at him. He nodded, then turned his attention back to her. "Did you eat?" he asked, concern threading his voice.

"Why do you care?" Her rough tone cut through the air, and he sighed in response.

"Sayantika, I was just asking—"

"You don't need to ask anything about me. Just do your work and be a good father to Vedikaa." Her voice held a seriousness that unsettled him.

"It's not just about that, Sayantika. I want us to start fresh," he said, hope flickering in his chest.

"Us? You still think there’s an 'us'? Nah, it broke the day you shattered me and made my life a living hell. You know, if you hadn't rejected my proposal, I wouldn’t be here. I could have been happy, but look where I am right now. Maybe if I hadn't married Vihaan, he would still be alive. I'm such a bad—"

Before she could finish, Abhiansh interrupted, his frustration boiling over. "Say whatever you want to say about me, but don't you dare speak ill of my wife. Who do you think you are to say such horrible things?" He stepped closer, making her back away until she hit the corner of the dining table.

"Sayantika, I know I’ve done wrong, but please, just give me a chance—just one chance to prove myself." His eyes held a desperate hope, one that only she could fulfill.

She met his gaze, and he saw the turmoil reflected in her beautiful brown eyes—the same eyes that had once made her fall in love with him, and the same eyes that had now broken her heart.

"Dur kaho mujhse," she said, lowering her gaze to the ground.

(Stay away from me.)

He stepped back, giving her space, feeling the distance between them grow palpable.

Taking a deep breath, he turned his back, his heart heavy. "I'm going," he said, and as he walked away, Sayantika lifted her gaze to his retreating figure, feeling a sense of loss wash over her. He left silently, his footsteps fading into the night, leaving her sitting at the table, lost in thought.