Just A Friend?

Chapter Thirty-Six

Sweety's voice trembled as she forced herself to utter the final blow. "I am engaged to someone else!" The words hung in the air, a cruel truth that shattered the fragile world they had been trying to piece together.

The silence that followed was suffocating, wrapping around her like a toxic shroud. It seeped into her veins, a venomous force that paralyzed her mind and left her numb. Her gaze, heavy with the weight of her confession, struggled to meet his.

For Prabhas, the pain was a searing blaze that consumed him from within. It wasn't the sharp, fleeting pain of a needle or a knife, but a relentless, infernal burn that seemed to scald every part of his being. He felt as though he were immersed in boiling water, every movement, every breath, a fresh wave of torment.

The agony was cyclical, coming in merciless waves that teased him with brief moments of calm before crashing over him again. Each crest stole his voice, leaving him breathless and defeated, as though his very blood had turned to acid, intent on eroding him from the inside out.

Prabhas's gaze was fixed on her, yet his mind was a tumult of confusion and disbelief. He couldn't form coherent thoughts, his only focus being the overwhelming shock that gripped him. His eyes fell to his toes, as if searching for some grounding reality, before lifting again to meet her gaze.

A single tear escaped from the corner of his eye, trailing down his cheek like a solitary witness to his suffering. His expression was one of profound hurt, his face a canvas of disbelief and sorrow.

Sweety's heart ached at the sight. Her own tears threatened to spill over, her eyes filling with helplessness as she watched him struggle with the revelation. She wanted to reach out, to comfort him, but the chasm of her engagement and her own inner turmoil kept her rooted in place.

The air between them was thick with unspoken words and unfulfilled dreams. Prabhas, in his anguish, struggled to comprehend the enormity of what he had just heard. The thought of her with someone else, of their love being irrevocably altered by this new truth, was more than he could bear.

The door swung open with a resounding thud, breaking the charged silence that had enveloped the room. The sudden sound drew both Prabhas and Sweety's attention, their eyes darting toward the entrance where a shadow loomed. The figure that emerged was striking—a tall, commanding presence draped in a sleek black suit, his red tie a sharp contrast against the dark fabric.

His chiseled features were as if sculpted from granite, each line and curve meticulously crafted. The corners of his mouth curled into a proud, pleasant smile, while his sparkling brown eyes held an unmistakable glint of confidence and charm. His jet-black hair, feathered away from his brow, added to his sophisticated aura. Muscles rippled beneath his suit, a testament to the powerful figure that stood before them.

"Sweetheart," he said, his voice dripping with the kind of honeyed pride that spoke of privilege and wealth. The warmth in his tone was almost tangible, a stark contrast to the chilly atmosphere in the room. Sweety's eyes widened in disbelief, her body frozen in shock as she took in the sight of him. The scene was surreal, her mind struggling to process the flood of emotions and images that assaulted her senses.

Before she could fully grasp what was happening, he closed the distance between them in a few swift strides. He enveloped her in a bone-crushing hug, his arms powerful yet surprisingly gentle as he pulled her close. The embrace was meant to be comforting, a shield of warmth and protection, but it felt like an unwelcome intrusion. Sweety remained rigid, her arms hanging limply at her sides, her heart pounding in her chest as she stood there, statue-like.

On the opposite side of the room, Prabhas's gaze was riveted on the scene unfolding before him. His mind seemed to stall, unable to process the shocking sight of this impeccably dressed stranger holding Sweety so intimately. The breath caught in his throat, each moment stretching into an eternity as he watched, his eyes wide and unblinking.