32. Dance of past

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What is wrong with him?

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What is wrong with him?

Since morning, Ishaan has been acting so... different. He's unusually sweet, playful, even flirting with me. This isn't him—this isn't the Ishaan I know. Someone, please tell him to stop. I can handle his anger, his indifference, even his hatred, but this? This tenderness? I can’t take it.

I already hate myself for loving him this deeply, even when he’s on the brink of marrying someone else. How can I still feel this way about him? It’s pathetic, really.

His behavior has been so confusing, especially after last night. I was drunk, and now I can't shake the feeling that I might’ve said something I shouldn’t have. Did I let something slip?

The incident from two years ago?

No. No, I couldn’t have. I’ve buried it too deep for it to surface now. But the doubt gnaws at me, making my stomach churn. If he found out… No, I can’t go down that road.

Not when Mahira needs him. Not when she’s pregnant and relying on his support. I made her a promise—to protect her, to keep her safe. And I can’t break that, no matter what my heart screams at me.

I need to stay strong. For her. For myself. For whatever pieces of my shattered heart are still holding on.

"Mamiii, come on!" Evara’s cheerful voice jolted me out of my thoughts. I blinked, realizing I had been standing there like a statue, staring at Ishaan's outstretched hand while lost in my own chaotic mind. Forcing a small smile, I took his hand, my fingers trembling slightly as they met his.

We walked to the center of the area, all eyes on us as everyone settled in their seats, waiting.

The song “Jhak Maar Ke” started playing, and, without missing a beat, Ishaan began nudging my shoulder, mimicking the exact moves we did at Di's wedding all those years ago.

How does he do this so effortlessly? How does he smile, laugh, and carry on like this when all I can do is drown in the flood of memories his every action brings back?

I tried to match his rhythm but the flashbacks were relentless, playing over and over in my head like a cruel montage. My heart felt heavy, my breathing shallow. And then came the sting of traitorous tears forming in my eyes, threatening to spill at any moment.

No, I told myself. Not here, not now.

But it was getting harder to hold it all together.

We were performing all the steps, just like we had years ago. But now, everything was starkly different. There was no love, no emotion, no connection—no us. The air between us was heavy, laden with the weight of what once was.

And then came the part I dreaded most, the moment that could shatter me completely—the part where I had to cup Ishaan’s face and sing the lyrics.

Taking a deep breath, I stepped closer to him, my hands trembling as they reached for his face. My voice quivered as I began, imitating the lyrics:

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