•𝐇𝐢𝐬 𝐔𝐧𝐦𝐚𝐫𝐫𝐢𝐞𝐝 𝐖𝐢𝐝𝐨𝐰!•

18. Flashback

N A K S H A T R A

Flashback!!!

Srishti walked into my room, her expression soft but probing. She sat beside me, her concern evident. “Hey, Nakshatra. You’ve been so quiet lately. What’s going on?” she asked gently. I glanced at her, trying to brush it off. “Nothing. Just tired, I guess,” I mumbled, looking away.

She didn’t buy it, of course. Srishti had always been persistent. She leaned closer and said, “Come on, don’t give me that. I know something’s bothering you. Is it Adhwit?” At his name, my entire body tensed. “Why would you say that?” I asked, trying to sound casual, though I knew it was no use.

Srishti sighed deeply. “Because you’ve been avoiding him ever since... well, you know. I need to know what happened. Did he do something?” Her words hit me harder than they should have. Did he do something? No, not exactly. But the memory of that morning, waking up in different clothes, rushed back to me, and I felt a pang of confusion and hurt. “No,” I finally said, my voice shaking. “Not exactly. But I don’t know, Srishti... I woke up that day in different clothes, and I just felt... violated.”

I hated the word as soon as it left my mouth. It wasn’t fair to him, but I didn’t know how else to describe how I felt. Srishti’s eyes widened in shock. “Violated? Nakshatra, do you realize what you’re saying? Do you seriously think Adhwit would ever hurt you like that?” Her tone wasn’t accusing; it was desperate, as though she couldn’t believe I’d even consider it.

I rubbed my hands together, my throat tightening. “I don’t know!” I burst out. “I don’t know what to think. I was drunk, and everything was blurry. I just... I felt vulnerable. I pushed him away because I didn’t want to face it.” My voice cracked, and I could feel the tears building, but I refused to let them fall.

Srishti took a deep breath, steadying herself. “Nakshatra, I don’t think you have the full story,” she said softly. I looked at her, confused. “Explain what?”

She pulled out her phone, unlocking it quickly. “That night, I was there,” she started. “I stayed back after Adhwit asked me to help with you. You were completely out of it, refusing to listen or change into something dry. He was worried you’d catch a cold.”

Her words made me pause. I frowned, unsure of what she was getting at. “And?” I pressed.

“And this.” She handed me her phone. On the screen was a video, and as it played, I felt my chest tighten.

In the video, Adhwit’s voice was calm and full of concern. “Nakshatra, please. Just change into something dry. You’ll get sick otherwise. I promise, no one’s going to hurt you. Please trust me.”

I watched as I clumsily argued with him in the video, refusing to listen. He looked exhausted but patient, trying his best to coax me into changing. My heart sank. How had I been so blind? My guilt weighed heavy, suffocating me.

I handed the phone back to Srishti, my hands trembling. “I...” I started but couldn’t finish. Srishti gave me a knowing look. “You owe him an apology, Nakshatra. A big one.”

I nodded, swallowing the lump in my throat. I had been so wrong. It was time to make things right.

That day, the silence in the house felt heavier than ever. As soon as Adhwit left for work, I sank into the couch, my head in my hands. My thoughts were loud, chaotic, and relentless.

How could I have doubted him? The video Srishti showed me was proof enough that I was wrong. He wasn’t the monster my mind had painted him to be. He was kind, patient, and loving. And yet, my overthinking had twisted his actions into something they weren’t.

The weight of my guilt pressed against my chest, making it hard to breathe. I replayed every moment in my head—how he had held me under the shower, how he’d gently taken care of me, and how I had pushed him away when all he wanted was to protect me.

I paced the room, wringing my hands. It wasn’t just about him. It was about me—my own fears, my insecurities, and the way they consumed me. I couldn’t stop thinking about what I might lose if I let my doubts control me again.

I walked into our bedroom and sat on the bed, staring at the space where he usually lay. His scent lingered on the sheets, a reminder of his presence, his warmth. Tears welled up in my eyes as I hugged his pillow tightly.

Why was I like this? Why couldn’t I trust him the way he trusted me?

The ache in my chest grew sharper with every passing minute. My overthinking had turned into a monster I couldn’t tame, gnawing at my sanity and leaving me miserable.

I couldn’t keep doing this. I couldn’t let my fears ruin what we had. I needed to make it right.

With a deep breath, I stood up and wiped my tears. Srishti’s words echoed in my mind: “He just care too much about you, and I think, it's too much to name 'Just' care, it's something I can't name...” As much as I hate it, but I believe her too. That was the one thing I was sure of amidst all the chaos.

I needed to show him that I trusted him, that I believed in us. No more overthinking. No more doubting. It was time to make things right.

I spent the rest of the day preparing something special. A simple dinner under the stars, just the two of us, surrounded by fairy lights and candles. It wasn’t much, but it was my way of telling him how much he meant to me.

By the time he returned, my heart was racing, and the guilt still lingered, but I was ready to face it. Ready to face him. Because he deserved that—and so did we.

Thank you!!! <3!