Sana pulls back slightly, her eyes on mine as she offers a small, reassuring smile. “Aditya, it’s fine.”
I narrow my eyes. “It’s not. You didn’t deserve that.”
She takes my hands in hers. “When I said yes to you, I knew exactly what I was getting into. I knew there would be judgements, comparisons. But I also know I’m not weak enough to break over a few careless words.”
Her strength should comfort me, but it doesn’t. There’s still this lingering unease in my chest, a fear I can’t quite shake.
I tighten my hold on her hands and swallow hard. “Just… promise me you’ll never leave me.”
Sana’s gaze softens, and without hesitation, she whispers, “I promise.”
I close my eyes for a second, letting those words sink in. When I open them again, she’s smiling playfully. “Now, can we go back to the party before the guests start wondering where we disappeared?”
I shake my head. “Not yet. First, there’s something I need to ask you.”
She gives me a questioning look. “What is it?”
“Is something bothering you? Your voice on the phone sounded off. Even throughout the ceremony, I could sense something was wrong,” I say, locking eyes with her.
She falters for a second—a flicker in her eyes. Before I can press further, she forces a small laugh. “God, you know how we women get on emotional days like this,” she says lightly.
I narrow my eyes, still not convinced. “Is that really the truth, Sana? Or are you hiding something from me?”
She rolls her eyes. “Like I can hide anything from you. You’re just being over-paranoid,” she says, brushing it off. “Now stop overthinking. We need to get back to the party.”
Maybe I am overthinking this. Damn, I used to think only women got all worked up before big moments—looks like I’m the one losing it now.
I let out a reluctant breath. “Fine. Let’s head back.”
But as I lead her back, the nagging feeling in my gut doesn’t fade that something is coming, something waiting to shatter this happiness.
No. I shove the thought aside, my grip on Sana’s hand tightening. Nothing—and I mean nothing—is going to ruin us.
Chapter 35
Sana
I glance down at the small velvet box in my hands. “Jai, you really didn’t have to.”
Jai sits across from me on the couch in my living room, his eyes soft. “I know I didn’t have to, but I wanted to.”
I nod as I ask, “Why didn’t you come to the engagement?”
He looks away, letting out a small breath before his gaze finds mine again. “Sana…” His lips curve into a sad smile, and I frown, wondering what’s wrong. But before I can ask, he continues. “It’s not that I didn’t want to come. But it’s just that I knew seeing you with him would hurt.” He exhales, shaking his head. “And I thought… maybe staying away would be easier.”
I gulp hard. I never knew Jai felt this way. I always thought what we had was friendship, nothing more than that. But now, hearing the quiet ache in his voice… I realise I was wrong.
When I don’t answer, Jai runs a hand through his hair, letting out a forced chuckle that doesn’t quite reach his eyes. “Will you stop overthinking and just open the damn gift already?”
I hesitate for a moment before shaking my head at him with a soft smile. Slowly, I lift the lid, revealing a delicate silver bracelet with a small coffee cup charm resting at its centre.
I look up at him, my throat suddenly tight. “Jai… it’s beautiful.” My fingers trace the charm, my heart aching at the thoughtfulness of it.
Jai shrugs, attempting nonchalance. “You love coffee more than anything. And I wanted you to have something that would remind you of me and…” His voice trails off.
“I—” I stop myself, unsure of what to say.
Jai forces another smile. “You don’t have to say anything,” he says, his voice quieter now. “Just… be happy.”
