Dil Ki Kahania ~ 2

Endings or beginnings

Six months had passed since Adraith's birthday party, and in that time, Rajeev had kept his distance from his friends. Life had been a whirlwind for him—he had finally had enough of his wife's relentless taunting and cruelty. Filing for divorce had been one of the hardest decisions of his life, but he couldn't stand watching his daughter, Naira, suffer any longer.

It wasn't just her verbal abuse that pushed him over the edge. He had installed a camera in Naira's playroom for her safety, knowing his wife's volatile temper. The footage he collected provided all the evidence he needed to win full custody of his daughter. The court had ruled in his favor, recognizing the emotional and physical toll Naira had endured. For Rajeev, this victory came at a heavy emotional cost, but he was free now—free from the suffocating marriage and the constant fear for his daughter.

After months of fighting through legal battles and personal turmoil, Rajeev finally found himself standing on the other side of it all. With Naira safely spending time with his parents for the next two days, he decided to reconnect with his friends, the people who had always been there for him, even when he couldn't show up for himself.

He picked up the phone and called Varun, Ayan, and the rest of the group, inviting them over for a night of celebration. He ordered plenty of booze, knowing they could all use a night of letting loose. After all, it wasn't just a party to celebrate the end of a marriage—it was a celebration of a new beginning.

As Rajeev's friends began to arrive, he welcomed them warmly. He had made it clear that this night was just for the boys—no wives, no obligations, just a chance to unwind. Once everyone was there, he shared everything he had been through over the last six months. His friends listened, offering support, encouragement, and congratulating him on finally breaking free from all the toxicity.

They spent the night laughing, drinking, and catching up, letting Rajeev feel a sense of normalcy and camaraderie he hadn't experienced in a long time. Gradually, as the night wore on, his friends left one by one, until it was just Rajeev and Akash remaining.

The room was quiet, save for the soft hum of music playing in the background. Akash, a little tipsy, glanced at Rajeev and asked, "Rajeev... kabhi socha hai phir se shuru karne ka? Nayi zindagi?"

Rajeev, caught off guard, felt himself sinking into his thoughts. Could he really start anew? Was he even ready for that? Without realizing it, they both poured themselves more drinks, letting the alcohol numb the uncertainties swirling in their minds. One drink led to another, and before they knew it, Akash, now clearly intoxicated, leaned closer to Rajeev.

"Rajeev...," Akash murmured, his voice low and slurred, "mujhe pata hai main peeta hoon, lekin tu... tu itna alag hai... khud se bhi." He hesitated for a moment before pressing his lips against Rajeev's, a kiss that was soft but eager.

Rajeev, taken by surprise, didn't pull away. Something inside him clicked, as if he had been waiting for this moment. The kiss deepened, and before long, they were stumbling to Rajeev's bedroom, clothes discarded along the way. Akash was hovering over Rajeev, kissing his neck, hands roaming over his skin, and what began as a drunken confession had turned into a night of passionate lovemaking.

The next morning, Rajeev woke up to a dull ache throughout his body, but most notably, his lower back and... he winced. Wait, why am I— His thoughts halted when he heard a groan beside him. Turning his head, he saw Akash lying next to him, completely naked.

Everything came rushing back to him, memories flashing in his mind like scenes from a movie. The kisses, the touches, the way they held each other as if it was the only thing that mattered. For a moment, he was at a loss for words, unable to process what had happened.