Forbidden Mania | 18+

1.

𝓜𝓲𝓼𝓱𝓴𝓪 𝓑𝓪𝓼𝓾'𝓼 𝓟𝓸𝓿~

The soft glow of the evening sun filtered through the windows, casting a golden hue over the living room. I sat on the floor by the large bay window, my knees drawn up to my chest as I watched the last traces of daylight fade into the horizon.

Delhi had a way of calming me in moments like this, the city's chaos melting into a gentle hum as the evening set in.

My father, Dr. Arun Basu, was still at the hospital. Being one of the most renowned surgeons in the city, he rarely came home before dinner, but I had long since gotten used to the empty house.

My mother had passed away while giving birth to me, and since then, it had always been just my father and me. We lived in a quiet neighborhood, the kind that felt both comforting and suffocating at times, but Arsh was always close by. His presence was the one constant that never changed.

Arsh Malhotra. The thought of him alone brought a soft smile to my face.

He had been my best friend, my protector, and my love since childhood. Growing up, we had spent every moment together-running through the narrow streets, getting into trouble, and dreaming of the future.

He had always been there for me, through every laugh and every tear, and I couldn't imagine my life without him.

I picked up my phone, my fingers instinctively scrolling to his number. We hadn't spoken all day, but that wasn't unusual. Arsh was busy, taking on more responsibilities with his family's business. Still, he always found time for me, no matter how hectic things got.

Just as I was about to call him, my phone buzzed. A message.

"I'm outside. Come up to the terrace."

I smiled. Of course, he was already here.

I slipped on my sandals and quietly made my way upstairs to the terrace. Our terrace had become our place, a refuge from the world, where Arsh and I could just be.

The moment I stepped outside, the warm breeze embraced me, carrying the scent of the evening's lingering jasmine. And there he was, leaning against the railing, his tall frame silhouetted against the dusky sky.

"Hey." I called softly, closing the door behind me.

Arsh turned to me, his familiar smile lighting up his face. "I thought you'd forgotten about me."

I walked over to him, shaking my head. "As if that's even possible."

He chuckled, pulling me into a gentle embrace. His warmth surrounded me, and for a moment, everything felt right. His presence had a way of grounding me, of making me feel like I could take on the world as long as he was by my side.

"You've been busy," I said, resting my head against his chest. "I missed you."

"I missed you too," he murmured, his voice deep and reassuring. "Work's been crazy. Mom's been driving me nuts about the business. You know how she is."

I pulled back slightly, looking up at him. His silver grey eyes met mine, and I could see the tiredness in them, the weight of his responsibilities starting to take a toll.

Arsh had always been the perfect son, the one who handled everything with grace and charm. But I knew him better than anyone. I could see the pressure behind that smile, the stress that his family's expectations brought.

"You need to take care of yourself," I said softly, reaching up to smooth a lock of hair from his forehead. "You can't do everything."

He sighed, leaning into my touch. "I know, Mishka. But I want to make things easier for Mom. Especially with, everything."