Chapter 3: Misunderstandings Unraveled
Ashi’s gaze drifted across the crowded wedding venue, her eyes catching on Aryan and Kirti as they made their way over to where Siddharth sat. For a moment, they lingered, the three of them shifting awkwardly. Then, finally, Aryan broke the silence with a small smile, and just like that, the tension lifted. Laughter spilled out, soft and hesitant at first, but then it grew, the familiarity of old friendships pulling them back together.
Ashi watched from a distance, a small smile tugging at her lips. It warmed her heart to see Siddharth laughing again, surrounded by the people who had once been part of their shared life. But even as her heart swelled, a sharp pang of reality twisted within her. In five days, he would fade from her world. Her vision blurred with tears, but she blinked them back, determined not to let her emotions show.
Meanwhile, Kirti leaned closer to Siddharth, her tone shifting, becoming softer, almost pleading. “Sid, I know you thought breaking up was for the best, but you have no idea what Ashi has been going through.”
Siddharth’s smile faded, his expression turning serious. “What do you mean?”
Kirti sighed, shaking her head. “You always said she didn’t put in enough effort, that you needed more from her. But did you ever stop to see how much she actually did for you? She may not be expressive with words, but her actions have always spoken for her.”
He frowned, the weight of her words pressing down on him. “I… I don’t understand.”
Kirti took a deep breath. “Remember the time your business was struggling, and you were up all night, trying to figure out what to do? She stayed up with you every single night, keeping you company, offering suggestions, researching things online. She knew you needed someone to lean on, even if you didn’t ask. Or the time your father was in the hospital? She barely left your side. She even took time off from work, just to be there with you.”
Siddharth’s gaze dropped, his expression growing pained as memories rushed back.
“And those little things,” Kirti continued. “She always remembered to bring your favorite snacks when you had long workdays. She’d leave notes in your bag, reminding you to take breaks, because she knew you’d forget. She may not have said ‘I love you’ every day, but she showed it. Every single day.”
He swallowed hard, guilt clawing at him. “I… I didn’t see it like that. I didn’t know… I never wanted to hurt her like that.”
“That’s the thing, Sid. You made assumptions, but you never actually talked to her about it. You just made a decision and left her to deal with the fallout.” Kirti’s voice softened, her eyes filling with sadness. “She’s broken, Sid. She thinks she failed you. Every time she sees you, she feels this overwhelming guilt, like she wasn’t good enough. She’s suffering, and it’s all because you never saw what was right in front of you. You left her to suffer, all alone, thinking she was the one who wasn’t good enough. I’ve watched her fall apart, seen her hands tremble whenever she sees you, like tonight. You have no idea how much she blames herself, how deeply this is hurting her.”
Sid’s breath hitched, and he clenched his fists, the weight of Kirti’s words crashing over him. How could he have been so blind? Every memory she mentioned resurfaced in vivid detail, each one like a punch to the gut. He looked across the room, his eyes locking onto Ashi, sitting quietly, lost in thought.
Without another word, he rose, making his way over to her. She glanced up, surprised as he sat beside her, his hand reaching over to hold hers. She tensed, glancing around the room anxiously.
“Siddharth,” she whispered, barely able to meet his gaze. “Leave… leave my hand.”
He leaned in, his voice low and steady. “Never.”
“Someone will see us,” she protested, the familiar worry coloring her voice.
“I don’t care,” he replied, his grip tightening just slightly, grounding her.
Her heart raced, memories of their last painful conversation flashing through her mind. Suddenly, she felt herself drowning in a wave of anxiety, her breathing quickening, the walls closing in. Her pulse hammered as the memory of that night—the night he broke her heart—washed over her, vivid and raw. She was scared, too scared to go through that again.
Sid noticed her distress, worry creasing his brow. He led her to his car, opening the passenger door, and she hesitated, lingering on the edge. Flashes of that night filled her mind, the way he’d pulled over, the coldness in his eyes as he’d told her they were done. Her hands shook as she gripped the car door, her chest tightening.
“Ashi,” he said softly, catching her gaze. “I’m not here to hurt you. Please, just… trust me.”
Taking a shaky breath, she forced herself to step in, and they drove in silence to a quiet, secluded beach where the sound of the waves was the only thing filling the air. She got out slowly, but before she could speak, Siddharth pulled her into his arms, holding her close. She stiffened, her heart racing, but he didn’t let go. Instead, he buried his face in her neck, his breath warm against her skin.
“I’m so sorry,” he whispered, his voice breaking. “I was a fool. I should have seen it… I should have seen you.”
She swallowed, fighting back tears. “I tried, Siddharth. I tried to show you, but I guess I wasn’t enough.”
He pulled back, looking her in the eyes, his hands cupping her face. “You were more than enough. I was the one who failed to see it. I took you for granted. I thought I needed more, but the truth is, you were everything I needed. I just… I just didn’t see it.”
A tear slipped down her cheek, and she leaned into his touch, her heart aching. “You were the best thing that ever happened to me, Sid. But I can’t go through that kind of pain again. I don’t think I’d survive it.”
He brushed the tear away, his thumb lingering on her cheek. “You won’t have to. I’m here now, and I’ll never leave. I love you, Ashi. More than I ever realized. I’ll spend the rest of my life proving that to you.”
She looked up at him, her resolve breaking, and before she knew it, she was kissing him, pouring every emotion, every piece of herself into that kiss. His arms tightened around her, pulling her closer, grounding her as the world fell away. There, in that quiet moment, all the hurt, all the misunderstandings began to dissolve, replaced by the hope of something new, something stronger.
When they finally pulled apart, their faces wet with tears, he rested his forehead against hers, a soft smile breaking through his own emotions. “I’ll never let you go again.”
She closed her eyes, a smile of her own forming. “Then don’t. Stay with me, Sid. Just… stay.”
And as they stood there, wrapped in each other’s arms, they knew that this time, they would hold onto each other with everything they had, come what may.
THE END
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