"Love Reborn:A tale of unlikely reunion"

Chapter 62- The wheight Of Decisions

Sathya sat in the café, staring at Sidh, the words he'd just spoken still echoing in her mind. The buzzing chatter around them felt distant, like the world had tilted and she was the only one stuck in place. His expression was calm, maybe even a bit resigned, but her mind was racing, heart thudding loudly in her chest.

"Contract marriage?" Sathya whispered, almost to herself, disbelief coating her words. She blinked, trying to make sense of what was happening. "Sidh, are you serious? You want to marry me... for six months?"

Sidh leaned forward, his eyes intense but soft. "Sathya, I know this sounds crazy, but it's the only solution I could think of. I can't see you as my wife-not yet. But I can't ignore the pressure from both families either. We're caught in this situation, and I... I don't want to hurt you, or anyone."

Her heart clenched at his words. She'd always known where his heart truly lay-with Niyasha. But hearing him talk about their marriage like it was some sort of business deal felt like a stab to her chest. She couldn't ignore the growing lump in her throat. This was the reality of their relationship-an arrangement, not a choice made from love.

Sathya forced herself to breathe, her hands tightening around the edge of the table. "And after six months, what happens? You just... end things and go back to Niyasha?" she asked, her voice cracking slightly.

Sidh sighed, running a hand through his hair, clearly frustrated. "I don't know what the future holds, Sathya. I won't lie to you-I still have feelings for Niyasha. But... this is the situation we're in. Six months gives us time to figure things out, without rushing into a lifetime commitment neither of us is ready for."

Sathya's mind was a whirlpool of emotions-confusion, sadness, anger, and an undeniable hurt she couldn't express. She wanted to scream at him, to ask why he couldn't see her, why he couldn't love her the way she had always dreamed he would. But instead, she swallowed her pride and looked into his eyes.

"What if... in these six months, I fall even more in love with you, Sidh?" she asked quietly, her voice barely a whisper, filled with vulnerability she couldn't hide. "What if I can't let go?"

Sidh's gaze softened, guilt flashing in his eyes. "Sathya, I don't want to hurt you. You're important to me... but I can't promise something I'm not sure of. I care about you deeply, but love... love is complicated. I don't want to give you false hope."

Her chest tightened, tears burning the back of her eyes, but she refused to let them fall. Not here. Not now. She bit her lip, nodding slightly, though every fiber of her being wanted to reject this-this cold, emotionless proposal he was offering.

Sidh reached across the table, his hand covering hers gently. "I need you to understand... I'm trying to protect you. From this mess, from my confusion. If you agree to this, we both get some time to think. To decide what we really want."

Sathya's throat tightened, and for a moment, she didn't speak. She wasn't sure she could. The idea of a contract marriage, a temporary bond, felt like a knife twisting in her chest. It wasn't what she had dreamed of-this wasn't how she imagined her love story with Sidh. But what choice did she have? Family pressure was mounting, and Sidh... he wasn't offering his love, but he was offering something.

She pulled her hand away, wrapping her arms around herself as if she could protect her heart from breaking any further.

"I need time to think," she whispered, unable to meet his eyes.

Sidh nodded, understanding, but the look on his face was still filled with concern. "Take all the time you need, Sathya. I don't want to force you into anything."

Without another word, Sathya stood up from the table, her legs trembling beneath her as she tried to keep herself together. "I'll call you when I've decided," she muttered, her voice distant.

She walked away, feeling the weight of his gaze on her back. The sound of her footsteps echoed in her ears as she pushed open the door of the café, stepping into the bustling world outside. The sun was shining, the sky a bright blue-everything seemed normal. But inside her, nothing felt normal. Her world was unraveling.

As she walked toward her car, the tears she'd been holding back finally spilled over, streaming down her cheeks in silent agony. She wiped them away quickly, as if doing so would wipe away the pain, but it didn't. How could she even begin to make a decision like this? Could she really agree to a marriage that was doomed from the start? A marriage that would last only six months?

Her heart screamed no. But her mind-her mind was tangled in the expectations of family, in the fear of disappointing her parents, and in the truth she couldn't ignore: she loved Sidh, even if he didn't love her back.

By the time she reached her car, her phone buzzed in her pocket. It was Arunima.

Sathya stared at the screen, her vision blurred with tears. She didn't have the strength to talk to anyone right now. Not even her best friend.

Instead, she leaned against the car, her breath hitching, her tears falling faster now. The decision was weighing her down, suffocating her, and no matter which way she looked, she couldn't see a clear path forward.

How could love be this complicated? How could her heart ache for someone who was offering her a future built on uncertainty?

And yet, a part of her was still hoping-hoping that maybe, just maybe, things would change.

But deep down, she knew... love wasn't supposed to feel this uncertain.