ISHQ IBAADAT 💗

33. THEY MEET AGAIN 🧿🐚

Happy Reading

Author POV:

The courtroom balcony was almost deserted, the afternoon sun casting long golden streaks across the polished floor. The city's muffled noise reached them faintly, but here, in this fragile bubble of defeat and confrontation, only they existed.

"Mubarak ho... aap haar gayi," Vidhyut's voice came low, steady, yet with an edge of restrained frustration. He was standing a few steps behind her, his hands tucked in his pockets, the jacket slightly wrinkled from the tension of the courtroom. His dark eyes bore into her back as she stood by the railing, fingers lightly tracing the cold metal, as if anchoring herself to reality.

Adhya didn't turn immediately. Her heart thumped unevenly, an unsteady rhythm of shame, sorrow, and something unnamed. Slowly, she lifted her head just enough for him to see her face, her lips curling into a small, painful smile.

"Haar to main pehle hi maan li thi... bas ab ehsas hua hai haarne ka," she whispered, her voice trembling ever so slightly. The words hung in the air like fragile glass, delicate but sharp enough to pierce him. Her eyes, glistening with unshed tears, met his.

Vidhyut's gaze hardened. "Because you supported the lie... I know that client lied to you about the case, but still, you should have paid attention," he said, stepping closer, his voice low, dangerous, yet threaded with concern. His hands tightened involuntarily at his sides.

Adhya let out a shaky breath, pressing her palm against her forehead. "Shayad... har dhoka dene wala insan main hi deserve karti hoon... shayad meri kismat mein yahi likha hai..." Her voice broke slightly on the last words.

Vidhyut's chest tightened. He took another step forward, closing the gap between them, but still giving her space, sensing the storm inside her. "Aap hi aisa sochti hai... warna aap apne karib dekhengi... aapko pyaar karne wale bhi nazar aayenge," he murmured, a softness creeping into his voice, a subtle plea.

Adhya lowered her gaze, her fingers tightening on the railing. A cool breeze brushed past them, ruffling her hair. She let a single tear escape, tracing a warm path down her cheek.

"You knew, didn't you?" she asked quietly, her voice barely above the wind. "You knew I was going to lose... and maybe... you wanted me to."

Vidhyut's hand brushed a stray strand of hair from her face, hesitating an inch away from her cheek, as if touching her would shatter both their hearts. "Aap jaanti thi aap haarne wali hai... aur aap ro kyun rahi ho? Wo client jhootha tha... aapki galti nahi thi isme," he said, his voice firm yet tender.

Adhya shook her head, a bitter laugh escaping her lips. "No... it was my fault. I didn't ask for all the details... I believed his lies... and maybe this was meant to happen to me someday. I had to meet the truth... and it will happen today." Her words quivered, the weight of her confession pressing down on her chest. She started to step away, wrapping her shawl tighter around herself as though shielding herself from his gaze.

"Okay... byee. Take care," she murmured, her hand brushing past his without noticing-or maybe pretending not to notice. Her steps were measured, yet her heart ached with each one.

Before she could reach the balcony door, a strong, warm hand closed around her wrist. She froze, her body stiffening like a deer caught in the headlights.

"Rukiye, Adhya... mujhe aap se baat karni hai," Vidhyut's voice was low, urgent, yet careful, almost pleading. His fingers pressed lightly, almost painfully gentle, as if he didn't want to hurt her, yet could not let her go.

Adhya tried to pull away, her eyes glistening with unshed tears. "Par... mujhe aap se koi baat nahi karni," she said, her voice tight, trembling with an emotion she couldn't name-anger, hurt, longing-all tangled together.