It's A Love Story (Edited)

Fractured Reflections

Swara's POV

The excitement I felt for the trip to Mussoorie was overshadowed by one constant worry: Sanskar. My decision to invite him was driven by a mix of curiosity and unresolved feelings, particularly about his newfound closeness with Kavya. As I looked out my window, I saw our friends arriving in an open jeep. Laksh was driving, Ragini beside him, and Sanskar was there, lounging with Kavya, Sahil, Karan, and Aman. An empty seat right in front of Sanskar caught my eye.

Ragini's voice broke through my thoughts. "Come on, Swara, hurry up!"

"Yes, coming!" I called back, grabbing my bag and fixing my ponytail. I made my way to the jeep, where Sanskar's indifference stung more than I expected. I took a seat next to Aman and tried to distract myself by chatting about Rajat, who was away on work. When I glanced over, Sanskar's eyes met mine for a fleeting moment before he turned away. The sight was like a knife twisting in my heart. I had told him to stay out of my life, but seeing him ignore me so blatantly hurt more than I anticipated.

After about 4-5 hours

Upon arrival in Mussoorie, Karan's beautiful farmhouse, nestled amidst lush mountains and dense forests, was a welcome sight. The exhaustion of the journey seemed to melt away as we unpacked, enjoyed some delicious food, and then collapsed into bed for the night.

The next day

The morning sun filtered through the trees, casting a magical golden glow over the landscape. After freshening up, we ventured out to explore Mussoorie's breathtaking beauty. The day was perfect, filled with laughter and shared moments.

That evening, we gathered around a bonfire. The weather turned unexpectedly, and rain began to pour. Everyone scrambled indoors to avoid getting soaked, but I wasn't ready for the fun to end. I dashed out into the garden, dancing and reveling in the rain, embracing the freedom of the moment.

Sanskar appeared from behind me, his presence unexpected but comforting. He gently took my hand, his touch causing me to stop and turn around. When our eyes met, a spark of something unspoken passed between us. He drew me close, and we began to dance together in the rain, the music of "Tum Hi Ho" playing softly in the background.

In his arms, the world seemed to pause. Our hearts seemed to beat in unison, the moment perfect and surreal. Memories of our first meeting, our shared laughter, and the growing bond between us flashed through my mind. The connection felt deeper than ever, and as we swayed together, it was as if nothing else mattered.

But as we drew closer, the weight of our recent arguments and unresolved issues came crashing back. I pulled away abruptly, tears brimming in my eyes. Without a word, I fled from the garden, leaving Sanskar standing in the rain, heartbroken and confused. He sank to the ground, feeling helpless and frustrated by his inability to fix things.

The next morning

I awoke with swollen, red eyes from crying. Joining everyone downstairs for breakfast, I tried to mask my emotional turmoil as we prepared for a trip to Kempty Falls.

Laksh, ever perceptive, noticed my condition immediately. "So, guys, everyone ready?"

I responded with a forced smile, "No, Laksh, I'm not coming. I'm not feeling well."

Concern etched on his face, Laksh asked, "What happened, Swara? Are you alright? Is everything okay?"

"I don't feel like talking about it right now, Laksh," I said, trying to avoid any further discussion.

Laksh's heart sank, but he kept his emotions in check. Ragini stepped in to ease the tension. "Swara, it's fine. You rest. We'll skip Kempty Falls today."

"No, guys, don't change your plans for me. Go and enjoy," I protested.

Kavya, taking charge, said firmly, "Swara, it's settled. We're not going anywhere today. No more discussion."

Seeing the determination in my friends' eyes, I relented. "Okay, as you wish."

At that moment, Sanskar arrived. Our eyes met briefly, and the memory of the night before lingered between us. Tears threatened again, but I quickly turned and retreated to my room, leaving Sanskar standing there, perplexed. Ragini and Laksh exchanged worried glances, their confusion mirroring my emotional chaos.