Yeh Hai Aashiqui

Five

It was a quiet evening, the air still warm from the day but cooling as the sun dipped below the horizon. Ishaani stood by the window of her living room, staring out into the fading light. The house was calm—Saanvi was already asleep, her soft breathing a gentle reminder of the peace that had settled into their lives. Her parents were out for some relative's function. But Ishaani's heart was not at peace. It was restless, a soft ache that had grown with every passing day as she found herself more drawn to Sankalp, yet still held back by the fear that clung to her.

Sankalp had become an irreplaceable part of their world. He was there for Saanvi in ways Ishaani had never expected, and he had become someone Ishaani leaned on more than she wanted to admit. She knew there was more between them, something that had been building for months now, unspoken but present in every lingering glance, every shared smile, and every quiet moment.

But Ishaani had been careful. She couldn't afford not to be. And yet, here she was, caught between her fears and the undeniable warmth she felt every time Sankalp was near.

A soft knock on the door pulled her from her thoughts.

Ishaani's heart fluttered as she walked to the door, already knowing who it would be. She opened it to find Sankalp standing there, his expression unreadable but gentle, his hands tucked into his pockets.

"Hey," he said softly, his voice carrying the weight of something unsaid.

"Hey," Ishaani replied, stepping aside to let him in. She noticed the slight tension in his posture, the way his eyes seemed to search hers as if he was looking for something, but she couldn't quite put her finger on what it was.

They stood there for a moment, the quiet between them heavy but not uncomfortable. Sankalp's gaze flickered around the room before settling back on Ishaani, a softness in his eyes that made her heart skip.

"Ishaani," he began, his voice steady but low. "I've been thinking about something for a while now. And I need to say it, even though I know it might be hard for you to hear."

Ishaani's breath caught in her throat. Her heart raced as she watched him take a step closer, his eyes never leaving hers. There was something in the air between them, something undeniable and impossible to ignore. She had felt it growing for months now, but hearing him speak with such quiet intensity sent a ripple of fear through her. She wasn't ready. She couldn't be.

Sankalp took a deep breath, his gaze softening. , 

"I love you, Ishaani."

The words hung in the air, filling the space between them with a raw honesty that took her breath away. Sankalp's voice was calm, but there was no mistaking the depth of his feelings. His confession wasn't rushed, wasn't hurried. It was patient, just like him. He wasn't asking for anything in return. He was simply offering her the truth.

"I've loved you for a while now," he continued, his voice steady but warm. "I've watched you build a life for yourself and Saanvi, and I've seen how strong you are. How much you care, how fiercely you protect her. And I've fallen in love with the person you are. The way you've rebuilt yourself despite everything that's happened."

Tears welled up in Ishaani's eyes, her heart thudding in her chest. She wanted to speak, to say something, but the words were caught in her throat.

Sankalp stepped closer, his hand reaching out to gently take hers. His touch was soft, his fingers warm against her skin. 

"I know you're scared," he said quietly. "I know your past has made it hard for you, and I understand that. I'm not asking you to rush into anything. I'm not asking you to be ready right now."