Heal Me

28. Beneath The surface

Ishaan's POV
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I  looked at her from across the canteen, unable to tear my gaze away. Esha sat at the table, her dupatta draped perfectly over her shoulders, her hair falling in soft waves. She was everything—beautiful, graceful, and now, mine.

Just the thought of it made my heart race. I watched the way her lips curved into a small smile as she fiddled with her phone. A soft chuckle escaped me. How could one person make me feel so much at once?

I stood up from my seat and strolled towards her, not wanting to seem too eager, but every step closer to her made me more desperate. My emotions were always on a knife’s edge when it came to her—sometimes tender, other times overwhelming. Today, though, I wanted to be the perfect boyfriend—the kind that would make her heart skip a beat, just like she did to me.

“Tumhe dekhte hi din ban gaya,” I said softly as I reached her. Her eyes sparkled when she looked up at me, and that smile—the one she reserved only for me—made my world stop.

“Acha?” she teased, tucking a loose strand of hair behind her ear, her cheeks turning pink.

I sat down next to her, my arm brushing against hers. “Haan. Tum samajh bhi nahi sakti, Esha. Tumhari smile se zyada khoobsurat aur kuch nahi hai.” I wasn’t exaggerating. Her smile was enough to drive me mad.

She laughed, her voice like music to my ears. “Tum toh aaj bahut sweet ho rahe ho,” she teased, her eyes gleaming.

“Kya karoon? Tum ho hi itni pyaari,” I whispered, leaning a little closer. Her scent filled the air, intoxicating me. I wanted to be near her, to feel her, but I held back—barely. I could see the way her breath hitched, the slight flush on her skin, and it drove me crazy.

Before I could say more, I noticed a boy walking past, glancing over at Esha, and for a moment, the darkness inside me stirred. But I pushed it down.

Not now, I told myself. Today was for her, for making her happy.

“Chalo, tumhare liye kuch order karoon?” I said, standing up.

She smiled and nodded, completely unaware of the sudden fire that had flared up in me. “Haan, bas kuch light. I’m not too hungry.”

I nodded, but my mind wasn’t on the order. I couldn’t stop thinking about her. Her innocence, her sweetness—it made me want to protect her, to keep her safe from anyone who might try to take her away from me.

No one else deserves her. Just me.

As I was about to head to the counter, my eyes caught something. Esha stood by the canteen counter, waiting for our food. That same boy from earlier, the one who had glanced at her, was now standing too close to her. Too close for my liking. I felt my stomach twist. His hand brushed against her back, and though Esha didn’t seem to notice, I did. My blood began to boil.

Breathe, Ishaan. Don’t make a scene. I clenched my fists, forcing myself to stay calm. Esha turned to look at the boy, and he immediately apologized. She gave him a small nod, and my heart clenched. She was too trusting, too kind. She didn’t see what I saw.

The boy took a step back, but not far enough. I could see it in his eyes—he wasn’t sorry. He was just waiting for another opportunity. And it came seconds later when his hand deliberately touched her back again.

That’s it.

I stood up abruptly, the chair scraping loudly against the floor. My vision blurred for a moment with rage.

Who does he think he is?

No one, absolutely no one, was allowed to touch her like that. I was about to march over and tear him apart, but I stopped myself. Esha was still standing there, oblivious. I couldn’t let her see this side of me. Not yet.