I check my watch. “Shall we leave?”
“Yes, it’s been a while.”
I push back my chair and step aside to help her up, but she moves toward the railing instead, her gaze drifting to the lake shimmering under soft evening light. I walk up beside her, following her line of sight. Our hands are close, almost touching. The quiet hum of water and wind fills the space between us, and the urge to reach out becomes impossible to resist.
“If you don’t mind,” I murmur, “can I hold your hand?” She nods silently. I slip my hand into hers, gently clasping her warm palm. She interlaces our fingers, and a chill runs through me, the kind that feels like everything is right in the world.
My girl. My girlfriend. My woman.
“This is my first time choosing something for myself, so I only expect a few things from this relationship, Reyansh,” she says after a pause. “Loyalty, responsibility, and genuineness. And if a day comes when you can’t give me that… just let me know.” Her tone is calm but firm, and I can feel the weight of her words sink in. I silently promise myself to remember them.
“I’ll give my best to keep our relationship alive,” I vow quietly. She smiles, and in that simple curve of her lips, I find something I never knew I’d been missing.
I just hope I don’t mess up this new phase of my life.
Chapter 9
Amyra
I rub my eyes with the back of my hand, but the burning sensation refuses to fade.
Exhaustion seeps into my bones, my throat feels raw, my head throbs with a dull ache, and my back protests from sitting too straight for too long. Yet my mind keeps pushing me to work, anything to keep from overthinking about him.
No matter how hard I try to focus on something else, he lingers in my thoughts. His constant interference only makes it worse. Why doesn’t he take the hint when I’ve made it painfully obvious I want space?
It’s been ten days since I shut myself in my room, trying to preserve what’s left of my sanity by drowning in my groundwork for B&T Corp, my upcoming training being the only productive distraction I have.
I’ve been glued to my laptop all day, deliberately limiting phone use to curb the urge to contact him. But it’s pointless when he’s on a relentless mission to shatter my peace with his unwavering attention.
Why can’t he just live his life without invading mine?
He has a girlfriend now; shouldn’t she be his priority?
Both the Thakurs and Bajajs were stunned when Reyansh and Aditi announced their relationship. The last sliver of hope of seeing us together died that day, leaving both families struggling to accept the truth. My parents congratulated Aditi for her new beginning, but I can still see their disappointment, mourning the dream they once had for Reyansh and me.
As for me, I saw it coming the day Aditi came to me for my approval. She wanted to make sure I was okay with her decision to date my best friend. I admired her for that, for valuing my feelings before taking a step forward. I truly was happy to have her as my sister. I could never stand in the way of her happiness, so I told her to follow her heart. The next day, their relationship became official.
Since then, I’ve avoided roaming freely in the mansion, unable to face them while the heartbreak is still raw. I’ve kept my replies to Reyansh short, ignored his calls not to appear bitter, but to hide the ache I’m still nursing. He must be confused by my indifference. After all, it’s the first time we’ve been apart like this.
But I need the distance to mend my torn heart, something he’ll never understand. All I want is a little space, but Reyansh isn’t one to give up without answers.
Why can’t I be allowed a moment of peace?
I stop writing in my notebook and move to my bed, eyes closed tight. The faint buzz of my phone beside me breaks the silence. With a weary sigh, I unlock it and open our chat. Another message from him blinks on the screen.
Rey:
Can we meet, Ames? I know you don’t want to see me, but don’t I deserve to know why you’re being distant? Just once, please. Life feels heavier without you. I’m suffocating. Please, Ames.
Fresh tears sting my eyes, sliding down my cheeks before I can stop them. I bite my lip to keep myself from sobbing.
‘Even I feel suffocated without you, Rey. Like I’m drowning.’
Am I being too harsh on him?
Just then, my phone vibrates again, and Sanchi’s name flashes on the screen. I quickly swipe to answer, her soft voice echoing in my ear.
“Amy! How are you doing?”
