ᴇx-ʙᴏʏʀꜰʀɪᴇɴᴅ, ɴᴇxᴛ ʜᴜꜱʙᴀɴᴅ

Chapter 62

Yuvaan

I sat in my room, happy with today.
Why?
Because my sister's engagement got fixed, my wife was back home, and most importantly, Nishu spoke to me. Even though she didn't want to, or mean to, she did.
I'm just happy she did.

Slow progress is still progress.

"Yuvaan." I heard Dad's voice.
I looked up, "Dad?" He's talking to me after long, "Dad, what happened?"
"I want to talk to you."
"Yeah?"
"IBM and YUVA has one partnership but I want you two to expand a bit more. I've sent you the details and Nishtha might be aware of it. You need to go through it and check if it works."
"I will."
"One more thing,"
"Yes?"
"Work things out with Nishtha, you're lucky she's come back here. We've supported you by acting like we don't know what's going on. I'm sure she'll find out that we know, but a woman like that holds the family together, if it's not evident already."
"I promise you Dad, I'll make her smile again and you'll see it."
"I hope so. I trust you, but I'm angry at you and you know that. I came to talk to you today because I can see efforts and I can see regret in your eyes when you look at her. Don't break her trust again, otherwise you aren't just going to lose your wife, you'll lose your dad too."
"I understand Dad. I won't."
"Good." He patted my shoulder, "Go spend time with her."
"Okay." I said and he walked off.

Well, one more reason the day is going good.

I walked to her room while looking at the picture on my phone: Mom, Nishtha and Vamika.
The three girls of my life.

I walked into her room where I noticed Nishtha sitting on the table with her head in her hand. I ran to her, "Nishtha?!"
She looked at me and tried to ignore but I spoke before she could, "what happened to you? Why are you sitting like this?"
She didn't reply.
"Tujhe meri kasam, what happened?"
I saw her face change, she sat in silence for a minute. I understood I'm not getting an answer so I was about to speak again when I heard,
"Headache."

She spoke to me!
I know it's wrong to take kasam but she replied! I smiled loudly.
Then controlled myself.

"Come here." I said and took her hand. She tried to resist but she can't out win me in this. I held her in place and made her sit on the floor, against her bed.

Then, I went to the kitchen and got hot hair oil and came back upstairs. She saw what I'm doing and tried to move when I stopped her, "Gussa hai, pata hai, but don't let your health suffer because of it."

I sat on the bed, above her, and gently poured the oil in her hair as I spoke to her, "Nishu, I wanted you to be there when I confronted Bua. You, of all people, should have been there. You have suffered the most because of that woman, but then Dad and Mom said that I should take care of Bua before you come, so I followed what they said. I don't know if I messed up again? I don't know if you wanted to be there when I did it, but.... I'm sorry."

She didn't reply, but I felt her body relaxing at the oil in her hair.

So, I continued, "You taught me this trick, didn't you, to put oil in the hair when you have a headache. I used to hate it. You know that. I hated putting oil. Yes, it relieves the headache, but the shower after, Faltu mein you have to take a shower again! I didn't like it."

She chuckled. SHE CHUCKLED.

But then, her guard came up again and she went back to trying to leave, I held her in place, "You know someone told me, khul ke hasna chahiye."

She stiffened, and I continued, "Acha relax. The oil should calm you down, not make it worse."
We sat in silence after that and I completed oiling her hair and then braided it.

I felt her stiffen and touch her braided her. I held her hand and smiled, "I learned it. I know you always wanted me to learn, so here we are!" I smiled, her hand still in me, "Where is your ring?"
I felt her hand empty, I didn't like it, "Nishu, I don't like your hand empty. Can you please... put it back on? I know I don't deserve it but...."

She tried to move away again, but I held hand. Then, I moved and sat on the floor next to her.
She didn't look at me, she kept looking down, but I was so happy, I was so happy seeing her next to me, "Baby, I'm sorry. It's only been a day since you came back, but I'm going to say sorry everyday. Everyday until you forgive me, dil se, not because you have to."

She didn't look at me again. She doesn't need to. I'm here. I chuckled, "You know, when your flight was going to land, I kept on wondering, how do I say sorry to you, how do I talk to you, how do I even come in front of you, I was so scared, but then when I saw you.... I felt more strength and courage come back. I know I should be terrified of you right now, and trust me I know angry Nishu is very scary, but this time I'm craving for her. I... I'm still unsure on what to say to you because I'm scared of making it worse for you, but.... I can't stop it. I can't stop talking about or to you."

"Yuvaan! Nishtha!" Mom called, "Come!"
We looked up, her hand still in mine, and then I added, "Coming Mom."
"Come!" I said, giving her my hand. She stood up and walked away.

It stung.
It's been stinging ever since she got home.
But, can't help it.

~•~

We sat down in the car, with me driving, Dad in front, Vamika, Nishtha and Mom sitting at hr back. We were heading to the restaurant with Nishu's parents where we can celebrate.

I looked at Nishu through the rear mirror, she was sitting looking outside when my eyes fell on her and hers fell on mine.
Oh God.
We made eye contact.
Not directly, but.... It happened.

She instantly turned away and I chuckled.
"What happened?" Dad asked me.
"No... Nothing. Don't worry."

We reached the hotel and soon, Nishu's parents came and we all had a good dinner. I couldn't help but look at Nishtha happy in her element. I was happy she's happy. She didn't glance at me once, but I knew she's fighting herself to look. I know she loves me, it's hidden, but I know she loves me. I'm going to win her back. Some day. Very soon.

✨

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