Canvas of Destiny

Chapter twenty-eight

Hello guys, my apologies for late updates. I do this after every other chapter but since it's my first book, I am kind of struggling. Thank you for being patient with me. Writer's block really sucks and I've cried for not being able to write.. by the end of this year, this book will end too. I promise.
Thank you. I love you all.

Happy reading.

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Siddhant's POV

When you lose someone you love deeply and get a second chance to win them back, you give it everything you’ve got. You don't think twice about swallowing your pride or pleading for another chance—nothing feels like too much if it means having them by your side again.

But once you finally have them back, a new fear settles in. The fear of losing them again. It brings doubts and insecurities—wondering if you’re enough for them, if you’re doing enough to keep them close.

And for someone like me, who won her over so easily—with just a few flowers, books, and chocolates—there's always this nagging voice in the back of my head saying, "No, Jeet, you haven’t done enough for her. She deserves so much more."

And that’s why the fear of losing Ishika Sharma is so intense, it’s almost unbearable. I can feel the ache in my chest as I watch her from my car window, sitting at some food stall with Aryan. She looks at him, a genuine smile lighting up her face, and it twists something deep inside me.

The fear and the ache might be intense, but deep down, I know—no matter how little I've done to win her back—she would never break my heart.

But right now, I might be breaking hers. And God, I want to punch myself for that.

"Wow, she's enjoying her little date, huh?" Ritika's voice rings out beside me.

"No, she's enjoying her favorite breakfast with a close friend," I correct her, though I have a feeling she won't let this go so easily.

"So understanding, aren't you?" she mocks. "But is she that understanding too?"

I chuckle without humor and turn to look at her. "If she wasn’t understanding, you wouldn’t have stayed the night at my place, and you sure as hell wouldn’t be sitting beside me right now," I say, starting to drive as the signal turns green. "So yeah, she’s quite understanding, isn’t she?"

I hear her scoff before she speaks again. "You seem to have forgotten what she did in the past. You were so miserable, so broken. I was the one who gave you my shoulder to lean on—"

"Did I lean on you?" I cut her off sharply.

She looks at me, stunned. "What?"

"Did I ever lean on you? Or ask you for your shoulder?" I scoff, my voice colder now. "You were supposed to be just my business partner. But you were kind and understanding, so I thought it was fine to be friends outside of work. I told you about her because I believed you were an honest friend, and I just needed someone to talk to about her."

I pull over to the side of the road, taking a moment to steady my voice. "And when I mentioned her moving to another city, I saw how relaxed you looked. That’s when you started making moves on me. Did you think I wouldn’t notice?"

She opens her mouth like a fish gasping for air, then closes it again, unable to find the words.

"This ends here, Ritika. The partnership, the friendship—everything ends today," I say, staring straight into her eyes. Her face crumbles as tears well up, and she shakes her head in disbelief. "You didn't have to bring my bike, but since you did, thank you."

I step out of the car and walk over to a group of taxi drivers, asking if one of them can take her to the hotel. One agrees, and we head back to my car. I open the trunk, and he retrieves her luggage before heading towards his taxi.

I open her door and gesture for her to get out. She steps out reluctantly, eyes pleading. "The taxi driver over there will take you to your hotel," I tell her plainly.

"Jeet, please," she finally speaks as I turn to leave. Her voice is thick with sobs. "Please don't do this. I love you. I just wanted to have you to myself. She isn’t even that special—I’m so much better than her. Then why her?" Her voice cracks as she cries.

I stare at her, feeling nothing but regret for ever letting her into my life. "It was you who said that if I ignored her, she’d come running back to me in desperation," I remind her coldly.

"And I was a fool to listen to you," I say, shaking my head. "Get out of my life, Ritika Jain."

Without another glance, I get back into my car. Her shouts fade into the background as I drive off towards my office, gripping the steering wheel tightly. No one talks shit about my woman.

---

I pull up in front of the office and dial her number. It takes four rings before she answers.

"Hello!"

"Hey," I say, hearing the exhaustion in her voice. I hope what I’ve planned doesn’t drain her even more.

"Done for the day, my love?" I ask softly.

"Yep, just heading to the lift now. But tell me, where are you? Why did you call in sick today? You seemed fine this morning. Why aren’t you saying anything? Jeet? Hello? Are you there?" Her questions tumble out in a flurry, her concern evident.

"Shush, baby, shush," I cut in, smiling at her adorable rambling. "I’m waiting for you outside. Come soon."

Five minutes later, I spot her rushing toward me. And before I can react, she jumps into my arms, catching me off guard. Her hands wrap tightly around my neck, and I instinctively hold her waist, steadying us both.

"You're fine," she breathes out, squeezing me tighter. I pull her closer, burying my face in her neck, inhaling her natural scent, feeling the weight of the day lift off my shoulders.

"Even if I wasn't, I am now," I whisper against her skin. "More than fine."

She slowly pulls back, but there’s a different expression on her face, one I can’t quite read. I raise my brows in question.

"Why didn't you call me the entire day?" she asks, a hint of irritation in her voice. "Not even a single text." I suppress the smile tugging at my lips.

"You didn’t call me either," I point out, trying to keep my tone light. "Not even a text, even though you knew I called in sick. So, I guess we’re even," I say with a shrug.

She gasps at my casual response, eyes narrowing. "You—"

"Okay, okay, calm down, my angry young woman," I chuckle, gently placing the helmet on her head, making sure not to hurt her.

"Where are we going?" she asks, her tone softening, curiosity replacing her annoyance. That’s my baby.

"You’ll find out soon enough," I say with a grin, starting the bike.

~~~

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