ISHQ IBAADAT 💗

17. NEW YORK✨

Author POV

There was a big house. Everything was calm, peaceful—like even time had slowed down for a while. The soft evening light filtered through the long glass windows, casting a warm golden hue across the polished floor. Outside, a light breeze played with the curtains, making them flutter gently like a quiet whisper.

In one of the cozy rooms, Shridha was sitting cross-legged on the bed. Papers and files were scattered around her, a pen tucked behind her ear, and her brows furrowed in concentration. The ticking of the wall clock was the only sound that echoed softly.

"By the way, Shivay, when are we going home?" she asked, her voice soft as she glanced up from the papers.

Sitting on the nearby couch with his laptop resting on his lap, Shivay was typing rapidly. His eyes remained fixed on the screen, fingers moving with practiced ease. Yet he managed to answer, his tone calm and focused.
"In just two or three days. The work will be wrapped up, and then we’ll head back to India."

Shridha nodded slowly. "Ohh... okay..." she murmured, returning to her file, tapping the edge of a page thoughtfully.

A beat passed before Shivay suddenly looked up, tilting his head slightly.
"By the way, we have to attend an anniversary party today. Will you come?"

She looked at him, puzzled. "Kiski anniversary?"

He exhaled, stretching his arms and cracking his knuckles before closing the laptop halfway. "Woh... pehle hamare neighbours the. Phir unhone yahan apna business set kiya, toh ab yahin shift ho gaye..."

Shridha nodded again, her expression unreadable. "Ohh... achha..."

Shivay observed her quietly before repeating the question, this time softer, almost as if coaxing her.
"So you’ll come, naa?"

She hesitated, chewing on her lower lip as she twirled a pen between her fingers. "Umm... but I don’t know anyone there..."

He let out a chuckle and stood up, stretching his tall frame, walking over to her. "But you know me, naa? Then what's the problem?"

"Haan... but... I don’t know... kuch ajeeb sa lag raha hai..." she replied, her brows knitting slightly, still unsure.

He now stood beside her, towering over her slightly. His voice dropped, gentle but firm.
"You’re overthinking. I’m here, naa? I’m always with you."

Her eyes flickered up to meet his.

"Haan... par—"

"Tumhe mujhpar bharosa to hai naa?" he asked softly, his eyes locking with hers.

Shridha’s gaze softened instantly. Her heart skipped a beat at the way he looked at her—solid, dependable.

"Haan, Shivay... aap par mujhe khud se bhi zyada bharosa hai," she whispered, her voice laced with emotion.

For a moment, neither of them said anything. Just a quiet, shared silence thick with warmth. The clock ticked on. Soon, it was 7 o’clock.

The golden hour faded into twilight.

They both began getting ready for the evening.

Shridha entered her room again, saree draped around her mid-way, but now struggling with her pallu and the pin. Her brows were creased in pure frustration.

"Shridha, tum ready ho gayi?" Shivay called from outside the room, adjusting his watch.

"Haan... bas 2 min!" she called back, hurriedly trying to fix the pin in place.