REGRETS: An Unspoken Longings

UNINTENDED REUNION

Suhani's point of view-:

I wasn't even planning to join the trip at first. A week-long getaway with old friends sounded... difficult. Nandini and Saanvi had practically dragged me into this. They'd been persistent, talking about how much fun it would be, how we all needed a break from the routines that had taken over our lives. I suppose they were right in some way. After all, it's been years since we all spent time together, and even though my heart wasn't in it, a part of me longed for the distraction.

The plan was to spend a week in Kerala, staying at Arjun's parents' villa. Apparently, the place had been vacant for a while, and Arjun insisted it would be the perfect spot for us to relax. As we drove through the winding roads, the scenery was breathtaking-lush greenery, tall coconut trees, and the peaceful backwaters stretching out like a painting. For a brief moment, I allowed myself to believe that maybe this trip could bring a sense of peace I'd been missing for so long.

Nandini and Saanvi were excited, talking non-stop about what we could do. Their enthusiasm was contagious, and for the first time in months, I felt the tension in my shoulders loosen just a bit. Maybe this trip wouldn't be as bad as I thought.

But I didn't know. I didn't know that he would be here.

It was the second day when we arrived at the villa-an old, beautiful place with its rustic charm and open spaces. Arjun led the way, showing us around the large living room, the backyard that opened up to the backwaters, and the cozy rooms we'd be staying in. The air smelled of sea breeze and nostalgia.

As we settled in, I felt a strange sense of familiarity and comfort being around everyone again. We laughed, joked about our old college days, and shared stories from the years that had passed. I even caught up with Arjun, who I hadn't spoken to in a while. He seemed to have grown wiser, more introspective, but still with that mischievous glint in his eyes.

"Remember when you accidentally set the chemistry lab on fire?" Arjun teased, nudging me playfully.

"Hey, that was an accident!" I protested, laughing despite myself. "I was just trying to demonstrate the reaction!"

"More like a demonstration of how not to do chemistry," he shot back, and we both laughed, the tension easing for a moment.

But then, as we were unpacking, I saw him.

Veer.

He was standing with Vivaan, laughing at something Arjun had said. My heart stuttered in my chest, and suddenly, I felt like I was drowning in memories. There he was, the person I had spent years trying to forget, the one who had walked away and left me shattered.

I froze, unable to look away, as the past came crashing down around me. All those walls I had built over the years started to crumble. I hadn't seen him in years, and yet here he was, looking just the same-except for the heaviness in his eyes that mirrored my own.

I felt Nandini and Saanvi stiffen beside me. They hadn't told me. How could they? How could they let me walk into this without warning?

"Vivaan forgot to mention it," Nandini whispered, her voice full of guilt.

"Forgot? How do you forget something like that?" I shot back, my tone sharper than I intended.

Nandini glanced at me, her eyes wide. "I'm sorry, Suhani. We didn't want to ruin the surprise..."

"But this isn't a surprise! It's a disaster!" I hissed, my heart racing.

A part of me wanted to turn around and leave immediately, to run far away and not look back. But I couldn't. Not when everyone was looking at me, waiting for my reaction. And not when Veer's eyes finally met mine, holding that familiar look of pain and regret.