Decided by Destiny

CHAPTER 26 *Closeness vs Distance*

That night, Ishaan couldn't sleep. His mind was tangled in emotions he never thought he would feel. He sat up on the couch, glancing at Aastha who was peacefully asleep on the bed. He had convinced himself over and over that he shouldn't cross any boundaries, but something inside him pulled him towards her.

Quietly, he got up from the couch and walked to the bedside. Kneeling down on the floor, he rested his arms on the edge of the bed and placed his head over them, staring at her face. In the dim glow of the night lamp, her serene face looked ethereal. A soft sigh escaped his lips as he brushed away a strand of hair from her face. He didn't know when sleep overtook him, but he remained in that position the entire night, as if protecting the most precious thing in his life.

The next morning, Aastha woke up and found Ishaan in the same position. Her heart swelled seeing him like this. She carefully got up, not wanting to wake him, and sat down beside him, staring at his sleeping face. She wanted to reach out and touch him, but she held herself back. A small smile played on her lips, but before she could do anything, he stirred awake.

He opened his eyes groggily and found her looking at him. For a second, he forgot everything. Then, realizing his position, he immediately sat up.

"Uh... Good morning..." he muttered, rubbing the back of his neck, slightly embarrassed.

She chuckled, "Good morning, Doctor. Had a comfortable sleep?"

He avoided her gaze. "I... I just dozed off. Nothing more."

She smirked but didn't press further. Instead, she stretched her arms and got up. "Well, I'm going to freshen up. See you at breakfast."

Later that day, Shikha was preparing to leave for Delhi. The house, which was filled with laughter and warmth because of her, suddenly felt heavy with silence. Aastha stood near the door, arms crossed, a deep frown on her face.

"I don't want you to go," she admitted, looking at Shikha with pleading eyes.

Shikha smiled and cupped Aastha's face, "You are such a sweetheart. But I have to go, my dear. Mom and Dad need me too."

Ishaan walked forward, taking Shikha's bags. "Don't tell them anything about all this, okay?"

Shikha gave him a look. "Do you really think I would? I know how much this means to you, Bhai. Don't worry, your secret is safe with me."

Aastha felt a lump in her throat. The thought of Shikha leaving made her heart ache. She had become a part of her life in such a short time. As Shikha hugged her one last time, she whispered, "Take care of my brother. And yourself."

Aastha nodded, unable to speak.

As Shikha left, Aastha turned to Ishaan. Her emotions overwhelmed her, and before she could think, she wrapped her arms around him.

Ishaan stiffened at first, but slowly, his hands rose to rest on her shoulders. His fingers hesitated, but then they curled, pulling her closer. They stayed like that, feeling each other's warmth. It was as if the world had paused for them.

Aastha slowly pulled back just a little, her eyes locked onto his. His hands were still on her shoulders. They gazed at each other, a silent conversation passing between them.

"Aastha..." he whispered, his voice barely above a breath.

She hummed in response, her heart racing.

He gulped, his face inching closer. "If I take an action now... will it make you mind?"

She raised an eyebrow, pretending not to understand. "Action?"

His lips parted slightly as if to say something, but words failed him. He was close, so close that she could feel his breath against her lips.

"B-But actions from a husband are not..." he trailed off as realization struck him. The word 'husband' felt heavy, almost suffocating. His expression changed, and he instantly stepped back, breaking the moment.

Aastha's face turned blank. The atmosphere that was charged with emotions just a second ago shattered into an awkward silence.

Ishaan forced a chuckle, looking away. "Uh... I should go to hospital now.

Aastha simply nodded, unsure of what just happened.

The weight of reality returned, but so did something else something undeniable between them that neither of them could ignore anymore.

-----

Aastha sat comfortably on the bed, absentmindedly trimming her nails. The air in the room was thick with an unspoken tension that neither of them wanted to acknowledge. Ishaan sat on the couch, scrolling through his phone, but his mind was nowhere near focused on the screen. Every small movement Aastha made caught his attention, and he hated how aware he was of her presence.

Then, a sharp gasp broke the silence.

"Ouch!" Aastha winced, pulling her hand back. A small drop of blood welled up on the tip of her finger where she had accidentally cut too deep.

Ishaan immediately looked up. "What happened?"

Before she could respond, he was already beside her, gently taking her hand in his. His brows furrowed in concern as he inspected the wound. Without thinking, he brought her finger to his mouth, softly sucking away the blood.

Aastha froze. The warmth of his lips on her skin sent a shiver through her entire body. Her breath hitched as their eyes met-his dark with intensity, hers wide with surprise. The air between them changed instantly, crackling with an undeniable electricity.

Neither of them spoke. Neither of them moved. It was as if time had stopped, trapping them in this moment.

Ishaan slowly pulled her finger away from his mouth, his grip still firm around her wrist. His heart pounded against his ribs as he realized how close they were. Aastha's lips parted slightly, as if she wanted to say something, but no words came out.

And then, as if drawn together by an invisible force, Ishaan leaned in. Their breaths mingled, their lips mere inches apart. Aastha's eyes fluttered closed, anticipation thrumming through her veins.

He kissed her.

Soft at first, hesitant. But as soon as Aastha responded, the hesitation melted away. The kiss deepened, growing more desperate, more consuming. Ishaan's hands instinctively found their way to her waist, pulling her closer. Aastha's fingers tangled in his hair, anchoring him to her.

His hands roamed, slipping under the fabric of her t-shirt, his fingers grazing the bare skin of her waist. Aastha shivered under his touch, her body arching into him.

And then-

Ishaan's entire body stiffened.

Reality hit him like a cold wave.

She wasn't his wife.

His hands immediately retreated as if burned. He pulled away so abruptly that Aastha barely had time to process what had happened. The warmth of his body disappeared, replaced by a sudden chill.

"Ishaan?" Her voice was laced with confusion. "What happened?"

He didn't answer. He just stood up, running a hand through his hair, his breaths uneven. Without a word, he turned and walked out of the room, leaving her behind.

Aastha sat there, stunned. Her body still tingled from his touch, her lips still swollen from his kisses. But he had just... left.

What just happened?

After a moment of gathering her thoughts, she got up and followed him.

She found him standing in the balcony, gripping the railing tightly, staring into the night as if it held all the answers he needed.

"Ishaan?" she called softly.

He didn't turn. "Go inside, Aastha."

She frowned. "Is everything okay? Did I do something wrong?"

He let out a shaky breath, finally turning to face her. The conflict in his eyes was unmistakable.

"No... you didn't do anything wrong," he murmured. "I did."

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