Whatever this is. Whatever itwas.
She laughs. “Advik!”
“I’m kidding.”I’m not.“Sort of.”
Minutes later, we’re in the room assigned to me and Vikram. He’s still off somewhere, possibly with Ishika.
I stand inside the doorway, frozen.
Rohi looks up at me, and for a split second, her face blurs into another.
Intohers.
‘You’ll always want her, Advik. Maybe not out loud. Maybe not enough to chase her.’
But I didn’t chase Rohi. I chased Greesha.
And I’d chase her straight into the afterlife if I had to. But if I do this—if I cross this line—I won’t deserve her. Not even in death.
I can’t do this.
Fuck, I can’t do this.
My whole body is locked up, rigid, cold.
Then Rohi steps closer. Her fingers graze my chest, then trail up to my jaw.
“We won’t overthink this,” she whispers. Her voice trembles, and so do her eyes. There’s too much pain in them—and too little recognition.
She doesn’t seeme.
She sees comfort. She sees distraction. She sees survival.
And I don’t see her either. I see the mirror. I see absolution. I see... destruction.
So I guess I can be that. Just a body for her to land on while she’s falling. While I fall into nothing.
I’ve gotten good at hiding the storm anyway. Too good.
“Wedding favor, Rohi,” I rasp.
My smile cracks as I try to hold it in place.
And then—
I burn it.
FIVE
Advik
I stare hard at the offending appendage.
I... couldn’t do it. It’s almost laughable.
I made sure Rohi got off—that she got her release. But me? I couldn’t even pretend. Couldn’t finish. It’s like my dick is broken.
Which, honestly, would make sense.
