Mujhe Pyaar Hua Tha~ Short Stories Collection

3

Author's POV

The launch party had ended, leaving behind only soft music and dim lights as the guests dispersed into the night. Outside the hotel, Ishanaya swayed a little on her heels, her steps slightly unsteady. She rarely let herself drink much, but tonight had been an exception. The evening's celebrations had gone well, but the memories of Abhinav nearby, of how their lives had collided again, weighed heavily on her heart.

Just as she turned, Abhinav was there, standing close. "Need a hand?" His voice was gentle, his hand extended.

Ishanaya looked at him, blinking to steady her vision, then smiled, taking his arm. "Thank you, Mr. Rathore," she teased, her voice a little slurred. "Always the gentleman."

A small smile tugged at Abhinav's lips. "Only for you, Ms. Malhotra."

The ride to her apartment was quiet, the silence thick with unspoken words and lingering memories. As they reached her building, Abhinav insisted on walking her up, guiding her gently through the lobby and into the elevator.

Inside her apartment, Ishanaya kicked off her heels and sighed deeply. "Feels good to be home." She looked over at him, suddenly self-conscious. "You don't have to stay, you know."

Abhinav shook his head. "I don't mind. Just making sure you're okay." He paused, his gaze softening. "You've had a long night."

Ishanaya chuckled as she moved to her couch, sinking into it, her voice edged with a wistful tone. "Long night... long few years." She glanced up at him, her gaze steady but sad. "Abhinav, why did you leave?"

Abhinav hesitated, his eyes meeting hers. "It wasn't just me, Ishanaya. We both drifted." His voice was steady but tinged with regret. "We wanted different things... or maybe we just thought we did."

Her expression softened, her walls momentarily down. "Maybe," she whispered, her voice barely audible. "But... it hurt. Losing you. And now, it's like the past is here, staring right at me." She looked away, her words flowing as though the dam had broken. "Sometimes, I wonder what we could have been."

Abhinav stepped closer, watching her intently. "I wonder too, Ishanaya." He knelt beside her, reaching out to touch her hand. "Every time I think of you, I remember... everything."

Ishanaya's eyes met his, filled with unspoken longing. She moved closer, her hand slipping to his shoulder as she leaned in, her breath warm against his skin. "You're here now," she murmured, the vulnerability in her voice unmistakable. "Stay... just for tonight."

Abhinav's heart raced, his hand lifting to brush a strand of hair from her face. For a moment, their faces were mere inches apart, their gazes locked, each waiting for the other to close the space between them. He felt the pull, the temptation to let himself go, to reclaim the closeness they'd once shared.

But then, he gently pulled back, exhaling slowly as he let go of her hand. "Ishanaya, I can't," he said, his voice pained but resolute. "Not like this."

She looked at him, the vulnerability in her eyes replaced with hurt. "Why?" she asked, her voice barely a whisper. "I... I thought you felt the same."

He closed his eyes briefly, struggling with his own emotions. "I do. Believe me, I do. But we need to face everything we left behind first. I can't just... pretend it didn't happen."

Her shoulders slumped as she buried her face in her hands, her voice breaking. "You were everything to me, Abhinav. My friend, my... my love. And then, suddenly, you were gone. Do you know how lost I felt?"

Abhinav's heart clenched. He reached out, resting a hand on her shoulder. "I never wanted to hurt you, Ishanaya. I thought... I thought giving us space was better than dragging us through the mess we'd become."