“Are you serious, Di? Why would you ever think you were the reason behind our breakup?”
“Then tell me, how did you manage after walking away from the relationship?”
“If I’m honest, Di, I felt completely heartbroken. Reyansh wanted to confess earlier, but I needed a week to gather my thoughts because I sensed something was off. Although I tried to handle the breakup maturely, I felt so lost. I had truly believed our bond would last and had so many hopes for our future.
When it all fell apart, it hurt deeply. While I liked being with him, I never truly fell in love. After a few days of sadness, I decided to refocus on my career, especially after getting accepted into a university in Canada, which kept me busy with preparations. Uncle and Aunt asked about my sadness, but I never opened up. I wished you would visit me and check on how I was doing, but you never came.” Her voice trembles with emotion, and the sadness in her eyes blurs my vision. Guilt washes over me as I realize how much I’ve let her down. I pull her into a tight hug, and she holds me just as fiercely, as our unspoken feelings spill out in silent tears.
“I’m so sorry, Adi,” I whisper. “I was consumed by my own emotions and forgot how alone you must have felt. When I should’ve stood beside you, I locked myself away, drowning in guilt for something I convinced myself I caused.”
After a few minutes of quiet weeping, we pull apart, wiping each other’s tears. The heaviness eases, leaving behind a fragile calm.
“No, Di, you’re wrong. After thinking clearly a few days after the breakup, I realized it wasn’t anyone’s fault. Not yours, not mine, not Reyansh’s. He entered the relationship with genuine intentions to get closer to me, but he failed to understand his own feelings and couldn’t give his one hundred percent to me. I should’ve confronted him earlier about his emotional distance, but instead I stayed silent, settling for the dull chemistry between us. It hurts, yes, but I respect his honesty. It saved us from a much bigger heartbreak in the future.
And now, I’m past all that. I’m busy planning my life in Canada. So don’t hold yourself back anymore and accept Reyansh’s love. That man was completely broken being away from you.”
There’s a faint hint of sarcasm at the end, and it makes me smile through my relief.
“You have no idea how much peace your words have given me. I’m truly grateful for your understanding and for seeing my perspective.”
“What I’m doing isn’t even half of what you once did for me, Di, supporting me to follow my heart and date him despite hurting inside. So stop overthinking. I’ll always root for you.” She squeezes my arm gently, and for the first time in weeks, I feel light, free of guilt and doubt.
“And please take care of yourself in Canada. Keep us updated about how you’re doing. Remember, we’re always just a call away.”
“I will, Di. This is my dream career, and I won’t let anything distract me.”
“That’s good to hear, Adi. Thank you for being the best sister I could ever ask for.”
“I should be saying that, Di. I was blind to the reality while dating Reyansh, but I’m glad I see things clearly now. I genuinely feel positive about everything.”
“Alright then. I’ll let you rest. Tomorrow, we’ll send you off with smiles and happiness.”
“Thank you, Di.” After wishing her good night, I walk back to my room. My steps feel lighter, my heart calmer, almost humming with joy and peace.
The urge to run to Reyansh and reciprocate his love tugs strongly at me, but I decide to wait. Tomorrow, after sending Aditi off, I won’t waste a single moment before rushing into his safe arms.I was truly foolish to let unnecessary emotions guard my heart, keeping Reyansh hanging when he has ruled my heart and mind for so many years.
Not anymore.
Now, I won’t delay this time, I’ll finally build the foundation of our happily ever after.
Chapter 38
Reyansh
It has been two days since I last met or spoke to Amyra, and today is the day Aditi leaves for Canada. By now, she must have already flown out of India. Evening settles in as I head back to Thakur Estate from work, city lights blurring past the car window.
What troubles me the most is not knowing whether the two of them ever spoke to clear the air. That conversation is the only way Amyra might see the truth and the only hope I have of winning her back. I did feel the urge to message either Amyra or Aditi to ask about it, but I stopped myself for different reasons. With Amyra, I don’t want her to feel pressured into responding. With Aditi, I don’t want to be selfish enough to pull her into my mess when she’s about to begin a whole new chapter of her life.
Still, it hurts how Amyra is taking so much time to bare her heart when I have already laid out every possible path for us to be together. But do I even have another option? All I can do is wait, hold on, and move forward with hope.
I reach home soon after, greeted by the sight of my parents deep in conversation in the hallway. Pretending not to notice them, I make my way toward the stairs.
“Reyansh! We need to talk. Come here.” At my father’s voice, I turn back and sit opposite them, my chest tightening as I wonder what this conversation is about.
“Tell me, Mom. Dad.”
“Reyu, we’re sorry for how we treated you over the past nine months.” Hearing my nickname after so long sends a warm rush through my chest. It’s enough to drain the pain I carried all these months because of them.
“I know you may think we’re softening just because you’re trying to fulfil your forgotten promise,” Mom continues, her voice steady yet heavy. “But that’s not the truth. We’ve seen how perfectly you and Amyra fit together all these years. It strengthened our belief that your childhood promise would come true. When you chose to date her cousin, it felt like we lost something we had held onto for years. That disappointment made us distant. And when you told us you had realised your love for Amyra, it felt like our dream was given a second chance. Still, we shouldn’t have treated you the way we did.”
