Tujhko Jo Paaya.

Chapter 12: Heart break Again 💔

In the days that followed, I tried to gather up the pieces of my heart and keep moving forward. It wasn't easy, living under the same roof as someone who saw through you, who saw right past you, as if you were invisible. Ahan's words lingered, each one etching a deeper wound in my heart that refused to heal.

I'd wake up every morning to an empty heart, the sheets still cool beside me.. I wonder what's his room looks like, I have neither entered nor looked into his room ever, He'd leave early and come back late, each day more of a stranger than before. He hardly spoke, and when he did, it was with polite indifference that left me feeling hollow, like I was a guest in my own life. Still, I couldn't help but try, clinging to the hope that maybe, just maybe, something would change.

Today, I was making tea in the kitchen when I heard his footsteps behind me. I turned, forcing a smile as I looked at him. "Good morning," I said, my voice softer than I intended, as if I was afraid the gentleness would scare him away.

He nodded briefly. "Morning," he replied, barely meeting my gaze. It was as if he couldn't bear to see me, to acknowledge the reality of our marriage.

I held back a sigh, trying to fill the silence between us. "I thought...maybe we could have dinner together tonight?" I asked, hesitant, my voice tinged with a hope I couldn't quite hide. "It's been a while since we've...spent time together."

He hesitated, and I saw a flicker of something in his eyes, but it disappeared just as quickly. "I have some work tonight," he replied, his tone apologetic yet distant. "Maybe another time."

The familiar ache settled back in my chest, but I forced a smile. "Of course. Maybe another time."

As he left, I turned back to the counter, my fingers gripping the edge as I tried to steady myself. Every polite rejection, every distant glance, felt like a reminder of just how far apart we were. It was a painful, silent reminder that I was living a life meant for someone else, someone he couldn't let go of.

But then, something unexpected happened. Around noon, Ahan called me. His voice was calm, steady, and he sounded almost...warm.

"Samira, could you be ready in an hour? We're going out."

Surprised, I managed a soft, "Umm..okay. I'll be ready."

The spark of hope rekindled within me, fragile but glowing. It wasn't much, but maybe this was his way of trying, of letting me in, even if just a little. Maybe this was his way of saying that he hadn't forgotten about us entirely.

I chose a simple white straight line dress, something elegant but understated, hoping to keep things light, wore hoops in ear and a simple diamond necklace that Mom gifted me, When I came downstairs, Ahan was already waiting, his gaze scanning me briefly before he gave a curt nod. "Let's go."

He drove us to a cozy little café on the edge of the city, a place with soft lighting and quiet, intimate spaces. I watched him carefully, wondering if he'd planned this for us. But as soon as we entered, the truth hit me.

There, at a table in the corner, were a few unfamiliar faces- clients ofcause, all smiles and handshakes. My heart sank all over again..why do i even hope that my life will get better, when it's clearly getting worst with time..
But I forced myself to keep smiling, holding onto the hope that maybe there was still something left for us, even here.

Throughout the lunch, Ahan introduced me politely, his hand resting lightly on my shoulder. The clients complimented me endlessly, admiring the grace and elegance they thought I embodied.
They commented on our "beautiful marriage," the "perfect couple" we appeared to be.
I nodded along, answering with practiced smiles, pretending as though every word didn't cut deeper into the illusion.

One of the women leaned in, her gaze kind. "You must be so happy," she said, glancing at Ahan before looking back at me. "It's such a gift, finding someone who truly completes you."

Her words were meant to be kind, to celebrate something beautiful. But the irony wasn't lost on me. I looked over at Ahan, who was already looking at me in between his conversation with the others, and then when I looked back at him his attention shifted from me.
I wondered if he even realized the weight of those words, or if he had become so accustomed to this façade that he'd forgotten the reality beneath it.

The lunch ended with polite goodbyes and professional handshakes, and as we walked back to the car, the silence was deafening. I couldn't hold it in anymore. My heart, raw and wounded, demanded answers.

"Ahan," I began, my voice barely above a whisper. "Do I mean anything to you?"

He stopped, looking at me with that same distant expression, as though he was surprised by my question. "What do you mean?"

I took a deep breath, feeling my voice shake. "You..always take stand for me whenever im in trouble but as soon as we are alone you..behave as if.."

The silence that followed was excruciating. He looked away, his jaw tight, and when he finally spoke, his words were clipped, almost cold. "Samira, I thought we had a clear cut conversion about our marriage before hand only..so why this now?"

I felt my heart shatter, each word like a shard of glass that cut deeper and deeper. "So...you don't want to even try Ahan? You don't want to make this...us...mean something?"

He hesitated, and I saw the conflict in his eyes, the flicker of something he couldn't bear to share. "Samira I think we should leave now..one thing is for sure I'm never going to cheat on you, i will always be loyal to you and i expect the same from You. I have taken your responsibility and I will respect and fulfill all of those, but...please Samira I can't be your Husband,your lover."
And in the end, he looked away, his silence louder than any answer he could have given.

"Ofcause. Expect the same loyalty from me Ahan..neither I'll cheat." I spoke emotionlessly and sat in the back seat of the car.

We drove home in silence, the weight of unspoken words hanging heavily in the air.
And as we pulled into the driveway, I realized that whatever hope I'd held onto had been extinguished, leaving only an empty ache in its place....

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Guys do comment down your theories!! What's next now??