INSEPARABLE HEARTS 2

CHAPTER HUNDRED

Keerthi's pov

We're hanging out in caroline's apartment. I and Angad left to balcony to get some fresh air.

" You know something, right now I am the happiest person"
Angad said and I smiled

" Mee too , i just hate these 6 months "

" I am glad that we're back together "
He said and holded my hand.

" I missed you so much Angad "
I said and he nodded and caressed my hair looking at my gaze.

" Each day without you , felt like a chapter unwritten, I missed the way I looks at you like this , I miss the way you light up my life," "The distance between us only makes me miss you more," and "Just wanted to say I miss your face!" I miss touching you.... I missed the way looked at your eyes and say how much I love you " , He said and came close to me and i stoped him.

" Wait ? Did you mean ' we are back together means ' as a couple? "
I asked and he looked at me with big eyes.

" Angad , do i giving you any wrong signals ? I wanted to be get back with you but not as........ I mean I want you as a friend "

" Are you serious? We're in love right
And also i know we still love eachother "

I sighed, feeling the weight of his words press against my chest.
“Angad... I do love you. But I’m not ready to love you the way you love me. Not yet.”

His jaw clenched, eyes flicking away from mine like he couldn’t bear to look. “So, what was all this then? Coming to my house, hugging me like I was the only thing that mattered... saying I’m your happiness?”

“I meant every word,” I whispered. “You are my happiness, but I need to fix myself before I can be ours again.”

He laughed bitterly — not angry, just tired. “You’re saying you love me… but not like that. You want me in your life, but only where it’s safe for you.”

“Because I’ve seen what love does to us,” I said, stepping closer, gently touching his arm. “Every time we fall for each other, something breaks. And I’m scared that next time, it won’t just be us that breaks — it’ll be me.”

Silence. For a second, the city below felt louder than us.

Finally, he nodded, his eyes glistening in the dim light. “Okay. Then let’s just be friends,” he said, forcing a smile. “The kind of friends who know every scar and still stay.”

I smiled back through the ache. “That’s all I want right now. Just... don’t shut me out.”

“I won’t,” he said. “But I won’t lie — it’s going to hurt, watching you figure things out while I still love you.”

I looked at him, really looked at him — the boy who once broke me, the man who helped me heal again. “Angad... maybe one day when it doesn’t hurt to love each other — we’ll try again.”

He exhaled deeply, blinking away something unspoken. “I’ll wait... but not forever, Keerthi. Someday, I’ll need someone who chooses me too.”

And just like that, we stood there — two people with history, holding onto something fragile and unfinished.

But still… together, in our own way.

_________________

T

he air felt heavier now. Angad didn’t say a word.
And I knew — I had hurt him.

But sometimes, love isn’t about saying yes.
It’s about choosing the right time.

I took a deep breath. “Angad… I know this doesn’t make sense right now. You probably think I’m running away again.”

“Am I wrong?” he asked gently, no anger in his voice — just quiet disappointment.

“No,” I said truthfully. “You’re not wrong. I am scared. Scared of what we become when we let our love take over. We break each other, Angad. And I don’t want that to happen again.”

He was quiet.

I continued, “When we were just friends… we laughed more. We were safe. And that version of us was beautiful too.”

“You’re asking me to go backward,” he said. “When all I want is to move forward with you.”

“Not backward,” I said. “Side by side. Still holding space for each other, just… without the pressure. Without the hurt. For now.”

He looked away, biting his lip — I could tell he was swallowing everything he wanted to say.

And then finally, he nodded slowly. “Okay… friends,” he said. “But promise me something?”

“What?” I asked.

“Don’t shut me out again,” he whispered. “Even if we’re just friends, don’t disappear on me.”

“I promise,” I said, stepping forward and placing my hand on his chest. “You’re too important to lose. Even if I can’t be your girlfriend… I still want to be your person.”

His eyes shimmered — not quite tears, but the kind of emotion that stays behind your ribs.

Then he smiled. “Then be my person, Keerthi. Just don’t break my heart while doing it.”

“I’ll try not to,” I said, smiling sadly.

And in that moment, we weren’t lovers, not exes — we were something softer. Something maybe even more meaningful.

Two people in love.
Who chose friendship
Because that’s where healing begins.

TO BE CONTINUED