Waited For You

Chapter 38

{ The Present} :-

Tears slipped down her cheeks.
One after another.
Unstoppable.

Atharv didn't stop her.
Didn't hush her.
Didn't say it's okay.
Because he knew-
She needed this.
Needed to let it all out.

Her grip on him tightened as her sobs broke free, her voice shaking against his chest-
"Why did it happen, Atharv...?" she cried. "Why did it happen to you... to us... why?"

Each word carried years.

Years of waiting.
Of pain.
Of unanswered questions.

Atharv closed his eyes for a second, holding her a little closer.
Then softly-
"You remember... you once told me that everything happens for a reason..."
His voice was calm, steady... even if his heart wasn't.
"And for our own good."
A pause.
"Maybe... this was for our own selves."

Sanchi shook her head immediately, her tears soaking into his shirt.

"But this is so bad," she whispered, her voice breaking. "How could God let you go through so much... how could He do this to us... how could He?"

There was no answer to that.
Not a real one.
Atharv just rested his cheek against her head.
"I know..." he murmured softly. "I know no words can justify our pain."
A pause.
Then quieter-
"But having you in my arms... is enough."
Her sobs slowed just a little.
"Even if it takes twelve years... or twenty-four..." he continued, his voice steady despite everything, "I can bear anything... just to have you in my life."

Silence.

Then-
Very softly.
Almost like a confession she had held too long-
"I love you..."
Atharv's breath stilled.

"I love you so much..." she whispered, her voice trembling, "that sometimes my chest hurts with this feeling..."
His hold on her tightened.
"But..." her voice cracked again, guilt seeping in, "how will I forgive myself?"

A pause.

"For hating you... for not trying harder... for not giving everything to find out why you left..."
Atharv didn't speak immediately.
Because for a moment-
He didn't know what to say.
He just held her.
Feeling her pain.
Letting it exist.

Then finally-
"You waited for me."
Sanchi stilled slightly.
"Even if it was in anger... in hurt... in hate..."
His voice softened.
"But you waited."
A pause.
"You did that for me."
Sanchi nodded weakly against him.
"I did... I waited for you..."
"That's more than enough for me," Atharv said gently.
And he meant it.

"And if it's about forgiving yourself..."
He pulled back just slightly, enough to look at her.
"Then let me do that for you."
Her eyes flickered.
"Let me forgive you... for both of us."

Sanchi stared at him.

"How can you be so..." she whispered, almost in disbelief, "so sweet... kind... and charming... even after all these years?"

A faint smile touched his lips.

"I was scared," he admitted quietly, "that you wouldn't accept me... if I wasn't as kind as before."
A small pause.
"Because you fell for my kindness the first time."
Sanchi let out a soft, tearful breath.
"I did..."
Then she looked at him-
"But then I knew you..."
Her voice softened even more.
"And I fell for you harder."
And through it all-
She never let go of him.
And he never loosened his hold either.

She was still holding him.
As if letting go wasn't an option anymore.
Atharv shifted slightly, careful not to break her grip.
"Let's move inside butterfly..., hmm?"
His voice was soft.
Gentle.