The Echo of First Love

Chapter 8

Karan's POV:

Flashback

The day had been relentless-a security breach had compromised our customers' data, and the weight of it all pressed down on me like a leaden blanket. Hours spent on the phone, my fingers restless on the keyboard, chasing solutions with every ounce of strength I had left. When I finally stepped through the door at 2 a.m., exhaustion and stress threatened to push me to the brink.

I made my way straight to her-my love, my Vishu. She was awake, her gaze soft and warm, waiting for me. "How many times have I told you not to stay up for me, jaan?" I muttered, loosening my tie, the fabric suddenly feeling like a noose around my neck. But she just smiled, her voice gentle and soothing. "How could I not wait for you?" she whispered, her love wrapping around me like a comforting shawl.

Vishu was three months pregnant, and sleep had become a fleeting dream for her those days. Normally, I'd hold her close, letting her drift off in my arms-the only place where she could find peace. After washing up, I returned to find her holding a tray, an offering of love in her hands. "I'm not hungry, Vishu, just worn out," I murmured, wrapping my arms around her from behind, inhaling her familiar scent, a blend of jasmine and home.

Her laughter, soft and musical, instantly soothed my frayed nerves. "You'll be hungry in a second," she teased, lifting the lid of the tray.

"Gajar ka halwa?" I stared at her, taken aback by the sight, my mood lifting like a balloon set free. I fed her a spoonful, savoring the delight that danced across her face, and took a bite myself. The sweetness melted away the day's bitterness, the rich flavor filling the empty spaces in my heart.

Soon, she curled up beside me, her warmth seeping into my skin, easing the last remnants of stress. We drifted into a soft conversation, the kind that felt like a balm to my soul, before surrendering to a peaceful sleep, cocooned in each other's love.

Flashback Ends

Tears stung my eyes, and I quickly wiped them away, battling the flood of emotions rising within me. I knew Meera didn't mean any harm; her heart was in the right place. I had worked tirelessly, desperately trying to bury the memories of Vishu, keeping that part of myself hidden away, and yet, in one simple moment, Meera had unknowingly dragged it all to the surface.

As I reached the office, I threw myself into work, hoping the rush of tasks would dull the ache gnawing at me. But when lunchtime rolled around, her face drifted into my thoughts, clear as day, softening the edges of my guilt. I should call Meera, apologize for my outburst. I had been harsh, and I knew it. But shame twisted in my chest, making it hard to reach for my phone.

I had always been the one to hold it all together, to never let my feelings slip-not in front of anyone. But with Meera, everything felt different. She had a way of unraveling me, of making every wall I built feel pointless. Her eyes-those gentle, understanding eyes-seemed to see through the mask I wore, sensing every unsaid word and every buried feeling. It was terrifying and comforting all at once.

Setting my phone aside, I tried to push her from my mind, focusing on the papers, the emails, and anything that might drown out the lingering pull of regret. But no matter how hard I tried, that feeling stayed, an ache that wouldn't fade, whispering her name, reminding me of the way she softened the hardest parts of me.

Meera's POV

I spent the whole day in my room, wrapped in a tangle of thoughts and emotions that wouldn't let me breathe. But I was tired of feeling this way-tired of letting myself be that girl who felt weak and small. Yes, I loved him, deeply, more than he'd ever know. But love wasn't a reason to accept hurt, to let his words cut through me without a second thought.