PRAYAG- THREADS OF DESTINY

"Rukiye... Aayansh."
He stopped.
But still, he didn't look at me.

"Idhar dekhiye... hamari taraf."

Slowly, he turned his face-but his eyes avoided mine. And the moment I finally saw them clearly, I froze.

They were red... filled with tears he was desperately trying to hold back.

A shock ran through me. I had never imagined he would take it this seriously... that it would affect him this deeply.

"Meera... please," he whispered, his voice unsteady, as if he was struggling to keep his emotions hidden.

I took a step toward him.

He turned slightly, staring at the river flowing beside us, refusing to meet my eyes.
I stepped closer.

I could feel his body stiffen as the distance between us disappeared. Now, just inches apart, he finally looked at me-and the pain in his eyes broke something inside me.

Tears welled up in my own eyes.
I didn't understand it.
Why was I crying?
Why did seeing him like this hurt so much?
Since when had he begun to matter this deeply to me?
I had no answers.
He looked away again, trying to avoid me. Slowly, I raised my hand and cupped his face. His eyes slipped shut instantly, as if he was barely holding himself together.

I placed my other hand on his cheek and gently turned his face toward mine, forcing him to look at me.
"Mat kariye, Meera..." he murmured, his voice breaking as another tear rolled down his cheek.