ISHQ PE HOGA YAKEEN ISHQ HOJANE KE BAAD - Short Story

Epilogue

"Gauri ," shivaay walked in on me, just as I slipped on my black dress, loosening my hair and pulling back a few strands of hair away from my face.

"Can we talk?"

"Sure," I threw a look at the clock and started putting on my heels when Shivaay suddenly appeared in front of me and I jolted back before sighing.

"Oh god shivaay, you donʼt have to do that."
I grumbled, stopping to look up at his somewhat serious expression.

"Itʼs kind of serious." He slightly licked his lip and my eyebrows immediately shot up.

"Whatʼs up?" I stepped closer and he instantly fixated our gazes, making the tension grow even more.

"I wanted to ask you something- about us," he spoke softly and my pulse raced at the mention of "us".

"Did we—did I, mean anything to you?" he looked down for a brief second before locking his eyes in mine again.

I almost choked on the air I was breathing.

My hands started to sweat a little and I just stared at him for what seemed like forever before I finally found my voice to speak.

"Shivaay  I—I did like you at some point. You were amazing. You were there for me since the beginning, stood up for me and looked out for me and yes, it did mean something to me at a certain point but,"

"But." Shivaay  closed his eyes and let out a huff before wetting his lips again, slipping his hands into his pockets.

"But I love Omkara . What I had with Omkara was different. I-"

"Yeah, I know. Heʼs Omkara ," he cut me off and I pursued my lips into a thin line.

"I know ,He makes you happy." I saw the hurt flash inside his icy green eyes just as those words left his mouth.

"Shivaay ,Iʼm sorry...I know that this will probably come out as some random cliché excuse of a bullshit, but, I never meant to hurt you or lead you on. I just-"

"Donʼt worry about it Gauri . I know where I stand and its fine. If Omkara makes you happy then you deserve him. You deserve to be happy."
He smiled a little, adjusting the tie on his tuxedo before clearing his throat at my silence.

I felt so guilty that I couldn't even find the right words to say.

"Shivaay ,Iʼm sorry-"

"Gauri , donʼt do that. I just wanted to clear things up," Shivaay took a step forward and I gulped harshly, the sick feeling in my stomach only growing harder than before.

"Look, Omkara is my brother. And youʼre someone I adore from the bottom of my heart. And I just want you two to be happy. I want him to be happy with the person he loves. Heʼs done so much for me in the past, so let me do this much for him...by letting you go, in good terms."

I noticed a muscle in his jawline flick before he gave me a warm smile again.

A fake one.

I was about to say something else when he took a step forward and embraced me into a hug, totally catching me off guard.

"Now stop giving me that look, youʼre making me look like the bad guy." Shivaay  pulled away and I couldnʼt help but laugh a little at his sarcasm.

"Now go, heʼs probably waiting for you."

"Yeah." I smiled a little, giving Shivaay  one last look before walking out of the room, the guilt still piercing through my heart.

I stepped down the spiral staircase and took in the scene, the people gawking at my presence, some with jealousy and others with approval.