Blueprints of Love

26. Conflicting Emotions

Back in the bustle of Mumbai, Savi tried to immerse herself in her daily routine, hoping that the whirlwind of work and responsibilities would silence the storm brewing inside her. Yet, no matter how busy she kept to herself, Rajat's voice echoed in her mind—"If you marry someone else without telling me how you feel, I'll leave." Every thought about her future with the new groom was eclipsed by memories of Rajat's smile, his laugh, the way his touch lingered just a second longer than necessary.

Meera leaned casually against Savi's desk, a soft smile tugging at her lips. "You look troubled, boss. Thinking about the new groom?"

Savi snapped her head up from her laptop, forcing a grin. "Just work. I've got a lot to catch up on after Konkan."

Meera gave her a knowing look. "Right. Work." She exchanged a sly glance with Raghav, who sat in the corner of the office, scrolling through his phone.

Raghav joined the conversation with a smirk. "You know, if you're trying to distract yourself, you're doing a terrible job. You've already sent the same email draft to Meera twice today."

Savi groaned, rubbing her temples. "I'm just a little off-balance. That's all."

Meera's eyes twinkled with playful mischief. "So... is it the new groom throwing you off-balance? Or Rajat?"

At the mention of his name, Savi felt her heart tighten. She tried to brush off the question. "Rajat isn't the issue here."

Meera grinned knowingly. "Oh really? You're telling me the guy who had every bride and guest in Konkan swooning has nothing to do with the fact that you've been acting like a love-struck teenager ever since we got back?"

Savi shot her a pointed look. "I am not love-struck."

Raghav chuckled from his desk. "Right. And Meera didn't spend the last two months texting me non-stop before we got married."

Meera rolled her eyes but smiled warmly at her husband. "Savi, I know you've been hurt before. But look at me." She gestured between herself and Raghav. "We were terrified, too. But sometimes you just have to take a leap of faith."

Savi shook her head. "It's not that simple, Meera. You don't understand."

"Actually, I think I do." Meera's voice softened. "I know it's scary to put yourself out there again. But staying safe doesn't make the fear go away—it just makes you regret the chances you didn't take."

Later that evening, Savi sat on her couch with a cup of chai, staring at the marriage proposal photos her mother had sent. The man looked respectable—handsome, even. He was everything her mother would want for her: reliable, well-settled, and ready for commitment.

But every time she tried to picture herself standing next to him, Rajat's face crept into her mind. The way he had looked at her in Konkan, with those intense eyes full of longing and determination, haunted her thoughts.

Her phone buzzed, and she saw a message from Isha:

Isha: "I told the groom's family that you're ready to meet him. Isn't this exciting, bada? I've got a good feeling about this."

Savi stared at the screen, her thumb hovering over the keyboard. She wanted to type something reassuring—Yes, I'll meet him. It's the right thing to do. But the words wouldn't come.

She set the phone down with a frustrated sigh, running a hand through her hair. What is wrong with me? she thought. Why can't I just let go of Rajat and move on?

The truth gnawed at her—deep down, she knew the answer. Because no matter how hard she tried to convince herself otherwise, Rajat still had a piece of her heart.

The doorbell rang, pulling Savi from her spiralling thoughts. She opened the door to find Meera and Raghav standing outside, holding a box of sweets.

"We thought you could use some company," Meera said with a bright smile, walking in without waiting for an invitation.

"Didn't give her much choice, did you?" Raghav teased, setting the box on the coffee table.

Savi chuckled, grateful for the distraction. "What's the occasion?"

Meera grinned. "Just spreading some newlywed joy."

As they settled in, Meera's tone grew more serious. "We didn't just come to hang out, though. We're worried about you."

Savi groaned. "Oh no. Not the intervention."

Raghav shrugged. "Hey, we're invested. It's like a romantic drama unfolding in real-time. And honestly? You and Rajat have better chemistry than half the couples in Bollywood."

Savi gave him a dry look. "Thanks, Raghav. Very helpful."

Meera leaned forward, her expression sincere. "Savi, you have to ask yourself: Are you holding back because you don't love Rajat? Or because you're afraid of what might happen if you do?"

Savi bit her lip, unsure how to respond.

"You told me once that you don't want to live with regrets," Meera continued. "But this? This feels like a regret in the making."

After Meera and Raghav left, Savi lay awake in bed, staring at the ceiling. Their words echoed in her mind. Am I holding back because I don't love him? Or because I'm afraid?

She thought about Rajat's final plea on the beach: "If you marry someone else without telling me how you really feel, I'll leave. But not without knowing I tried."

A lump formed in her throat. She had told herself that choosing the safe option was the right thing to do. But now, with the prospect of Rajat walking out of her life for good, she wasn't so sure.

Tossing and turning, Savi felt the weight of her emotions pressing down on her. Every fiber of her being screamed that she couldn't lose Rajat—not again. But the fear of opening her heart, only to have it broken, was equally paralyzing.

By the time morning came, Savi knew she had to make a choice. She couldn't stay trapped in limbo, torn between the past and the future.

Her phone buzzed with another message from her mother:

Isha: "Bada, the groom's family is waiting for your confirmation. Should I go ahead and arrange the meeting?"

Savi stared at the message, her heart pounding. She knew that saying yes would mean stepping into a life that was safe and predictable—a life without Rajat.

But was safety worth sacrificing love?

With trembling hands, Savi typed a response.

Her next steps would change everything.

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