AARNA : HIS FLOW OF LIFE

26 . We ? Again ?

"Thank you," she said softly as I passed her a plate of breakfast, her voice barely above a whisper.

"No worries," I replied, trying to keep things casual as we both began eating. The silence between us wasn't uncomfortable, but it was heavy with unspoken words, the kind that linger just beneath the surface, waiting for the right moment to break free.

I took a bite, and between chews, I asked, "What do you plan to do after returning?"

She didn't answer immediately, staring down at her plate for a moment as if gathering her thoughts. "I'm thinking of giving the mansion to charity and moving into one of the apartments my company owns."

My fork paused mid-air. "That... sounds good." I stumbled over my words, trying not to sound too surprised. "Call me when you need help. You know, moving houses is a big task. *Naksh, stop,*" I muttered to myself as I blabbered on, "and you might need help with packing or something."

"Sure," she murmured, her eyes downcast, avoiding my gaze as she took a spoonful of poha. There was something in the way she held herself today-subdued, cautious.

I swallowed hard, trying to keep my thoughts steady. I needed to say something, anything, to break the ice between us. "And... umm... I'm sorry for what happened in the car. I ruined your shirt." A faint blush crept up her cheeks, a hue of embarrassment painting her face.

I wanted to reach out, to tell her it was fine, that none of it mattered to me. I wanted to wrap my arms around her and whisper that it was normal, that I loved her. But things were different now. Our relationship was tangled in complications and unsaid feelings, a mess I wasn't sure we could unravel.

"Don't be sorry," I said instead, forcing a smile to hide the storm brewing inside me. "Please. I'd always do whatever it takes for your well-being." The words tasted bittersweet as they left my mouth, but I meant every syllable. I would move mountains for her if she asked.

She looked up at me then, her face softening as she smiled-a genuine smile this time, one that reached her eyes. The way her lips curved, the light in her eyes, the slight crinkle of her nose-it was a sight I'd missed. In that moment, everything else seemed to fade away.

For a split second, it felt like we were back to who we used to be.

***

"You want me to drop you?" I asked as she gathered her things, ready to leave.

"No, Miss Kriti is coming to pick me up," she said, glancing out the window. There was an awkward pause before she added, "And once again, thank you. For everything... for Amit, for helping with my panic attacks... thank you."

I smiled, trying to keep my expression light even though a knot tightened in my chest. "You don't have to thank me, Aarna. You know I'd do anything for you." My voice was steady, but my heart raced. Every time she thanked me like that, it felt like she was pushing me further away, as if there was a debt between us that she wanted to settle.

She smiled back, and it felt like the world stood still. Her smile-it was perfect. The way her eyes crinkled at the corners, the way her lips stretched wide, her nose wrinkling adorably-it was the kind of smile that made me want to capture this moment and freeze time. I could live in that smile forever, the warmth of it wrapping around me like a blanket.

God, how I wished we could go back to simpler times.

But just as I was lost in the thought, a loud car horn broke the spell. I blinked, reality crashing back in as I noticed Miss Kriti's car pulling up in front of the house.

Aarna gave me one last look, and for a brief moment, something passed between us. A question, maybe, or a silent plea. I didn't know what it was, but it lingered, heavy and unspoken.

"See you soon," she said softly, tucking a strand of hair behind her ear. She hesitated for just a second, her eyes searching mine as if she wanted to say more, but then she turned and walked towards the car.

I stood there, watching her leave, my hands clenched into fists in my pockets. My heart screamed at me to run after her, to stop her from going, to tell her how much I still loved her, how much I still wanted us to work. But my feet were glued to the floor, my mouth dry, words stuck in my throat.

As the car pulled away, a wave of emptiness washed over me. The apartment suddenly felt too big, too quiet. I walked back inside, closing the door behind me, the sound of it echoing in the silence.

My phone buzzed in my pocket, dragging me out of my thoughts. It was my spy, sending me updates again.

"She's still avoiding you. Nothing unusual yet, but I'll keep watching."

I stared at the message, my jaw tightening. *Avoiding me.* I knew it, but seeing it spelled out like that hurt more than I expected. I wasn't sure how much longer I could take this distance, this wall she'd built between us.

I ran a hand through my hair, pacing the room. There had to be something more going on. Amit had been a problem, yes, but there was something deeper-something she wasn't telling me.

I couldn't let this go on. I couldn't lose her, not like this. She might be pushing me away, but I wasn't going to give up. Not on us.

Grabbing my keys, I headed out of the apartment. I had to figure this out. No matter what it took, I needed answers.

******

Aarna settled into the passenger seat beside Miss Kriti, her heart still racing from her brief exchange with Naksh. She stared out the window, her fingers nervously fiddling with the hem of her sleeve.

"Are you alright?" Miss Kriti asked, glancing at her with concern.

Aarna forced a smile, nodding. "Yeah, just...a lot on my mind."

She didn't want to admit it, but Naksh's words were still ringing in her ears. *I would always do whatever it takes for your well-being.*

It scared her how much she wanted to believe him. How much she missed the simplicity of their relationship before everything had gotten so complicated. Before Amit. Before the panic attacks.

But could they really go back to the way things were? Could she trust him, knowing the shadows of their past still loomed large?

A lump formed in her throat as she tried to push the thoughts away. She wasn't ready for these answers either.