Ivaan's pov
I wiped my hands on the napkin, my thoughts a tangled mess as I stepped away from the dining table. The lingering sweetness on my tongue felt foreign, unsettling. I hadn’t touched sugar in the morning for years—until today.
Why did I do that? I knew the answer but refused to admit it.
I watched Inayat in the morning and how nervous she was for this ritual. I saw her face when dessert was being served, she had a gentle, uncertain smile. I saw the hope in her eyes, the way her fingers fidgeted nervously at her side.
A knot tightened in my chest. I had broken my own rule—something I never did—for her. And the worst part? I hadn’t said anything. I’d let her believe it was just another meal, when in reality, it was anything but. I couldn’t shake the guilt. She had tried to be thoughtful, to make something special, and instead of acknowledging her effort, I had left her in the dark.
Why did my brain stop functioning whenever it comes to her? Why couldn't I be upfront about my emotions?
I sat on the edge of the bed, the gift box resting in my hands. I’d been thinking about giving it to her all morning, but after what happened at breakfast, I wondered if the timing was right.
The door creaked open, pulling me from my thoughts. I looked up to see Inayat standing in the doorway, her eyes flickering between me and the room, as if unsure whether she should enter. We exchanged a brief, silent glance before she stepped inside. I could see the uncertainty in her expression—the same uncertainty that had followed me since breakfast.
“Inayat,” I said, my voice softer than usual. I rose from the bed, clutching the box a little tighter.
She hesitated for a moment before looking up at me. “I... didn’t realize you were here,” she murmured, her tone unsure.
I swallowed, knowing I couldn’t leave things as they were. “I should’ve said something earlier,” I began, stepping closer. “About breakfast. I didn’t mean to make you feel like... like it didn’t matter.”
She blinked, clearly taken aback, but before she could respond, I held out the gift box to her. “This is for you. For your first day here.”
Her eyes widened in surprise as she looked down at the box, then back at me. “You didn’t have to...”
“I wanted to,” I interrupted, my gaze steady. “I wanted to give you something that matters, just like what you did this morning.”
As she slowly took the box from my hands, her fingers brushed against mine, sending a strange warmth up my arm. For a moment, we stood there, the air between us thick with unspoken thoughts.
Inayat carefully untied the ribbon and opened the box. Inside, nestled among soft fabric, was a delicate necklace—simple yet beautiful, much like her.
She looked up at me, her eyes reflecting something softer now, the uncertainty melting away. “Ivaan...”
My heart thudded against my chest as she said my name, but I stayed quiet, waiting for her to speak.
“It’s beautiful,” she whispered, a small smile tugging at her lips. “Thank you.”
A weight lifted off my chest when she smiled. It wasn’t much, but it was something—proof that maybe I hadn’t completely messed things up.
As she admired the necklace, I found myself blurting out, “I liked the dessert.”
Her gaze snapped up to meet mine, her expression filled with surprise. For a moment, I wasn’t sure if she believed me.
YOU ARE READING
FROM BROKEN TO BELOVED:- A Tale Of Arrange Marriage
Romance"The first time I saw her was in the exam hall. I never thought that would be the day that my heart would not belong to me anymore. Luck was at my side when she sat with me that day. That was the day I knew, that I was gone, gone for her forever. " ...
