Hello I'm back, I thought a lot for this chapter and finally came up with Ideas I have written.
Ishika's pov
His lips, soft but sure, pressed against mine,
I had my first kiss.
I thought I'd be nervous, awkward maybe, but instead, everything about it felt... exciting.
My stomach clenches remembering
the tattoos covering his sculpted back. He is beautiful. Surprising.
"Ishika"
"Yeah." I snap back from my thoughts. He calls me from the room.
I open the door of closet, "Everyone is waiting for us at the dining table." My cheeks blush as I look him in the eyes, I gulp. Get yourself together girl.
"Give me ten minutes. Let me just comb my hair." His eyes drop to my lips. Fuck.
And I shut the door.
"Ishika," he calls, but I ignore and start drying my hair.
Sitting at the table, Abhiraj's mother's presence felt heavy. I look at Abhiraj, he's busy on his phone, ignoring everyone. Ivaan is settled in his seat beside him, his eyes wide at the gathering.
As the serving begins, I feel a familiar knot of anxiety in my stomach. I get clumsy at serving myself, especially in front of others. Normally, Abhiraj would take care of my plate along with his and Ivaan's, saving me from embarrassment. I hope he does it.
I glance at him, waiting for him to reach for my plate as he usually does. To my surprise, he serves only himself, not even looking in my direction.
I blink, wondering whether he's back to his grumpy ignorant self again. I pout in my mind at his actions.
I huff. Maybe he's distracted by the conversation with Arjun bhaiya.
No worries. You were doing everything by yourself before. Taking a steadying breath, I reach for the serving spoons.
My hands tremble slightly as I carefully ladle food onto my plate. I'm hyper-aware of every movement, praying I don't spill or drop anything. I can't handle aunty's cold look. Now I get from where he has got that face.
From the corner of my eye, I catch Abhiraj watching me silently. His gaze makes me even more nervous, but I manage to serve myself without incident. Hush.
As we begin to eat, I'm still puzzling over Abhiraj's behaviour.
Yesterday I let the thought slide. But today...it's a little difficult to just shrug it off. Is he embarrassed of me? Or uncomfortable?
I turn to look at him, utterly confused. His face gives nothing away as he continues eating, focusing on Ivaan in between.
I'm completely lost. My mind just won't stop racing, and I keep jumping to the worst possible conclusions. It's like I'm convincing myself of all the negative reasons why this is happening, and I can't seem to shake it off.
I'm halfway through my breakfast when the sudden noise of chair scraping against the floor catches my attention.
I look up to see Tejaswini aunty getting up. She's barely taken a few bites. Abhiraj's face darkens for a moment, a frown creasing his brow.
I wait for him to say something, to ask where she's going in such a hurry, but he remains silent.
Even uncle doesn't say anything. It's as if everyone is used to this.
Finally Arjun breaks the silence.
"Where are you off to in such a rush, Mom?" he asks.
"I have a meeting," she replies, straightening her saree. "It's about the charity and NGO work. Can't be late for that." I nod mentally.
But as I glance at Abhiraj, I catch a fleeting look of disappointment on his face. It's there for just a second - a flash of emotion in his usually guarded expression - before it's replaced by a carefully blank expression.
Did I imagine it?
He continues to eat his breakfast, indifferently. His jaws clench refusing to open his mouth.
I stare at my plate. Is he okay?
I again sneak a glance at him. But he does not meet anyone's eyes.
"Mom, you're always busy," Arjun complains, his tone a mix of frustration and disappointment. "Can't you stay today? Bhai has come after months."
My eyes dart to Abhiraj, watching him. He glances at his brother. I turn my attention to aunty, curious about her response.
I sit hoping, my breakfast forgotten. I glance at Ivaan, thankful that he's too young to fully understand this.
I watch as Aunty turns back to face us. Her face softens for a moment.
"It's important," she says, addressing Arjun but her eyes focused on Abhiraj.
" This meeting is crucial. We're discussing funding for a new project that could help hundreds of underprivileged children. " Her tone is firm.
I look back at Abhiraj, trying to gauge his reaction. His face remains impassive.
"Ivaan it's not eaten like that buddy." He pulls Ivaan on his lap. And feeds him from his plate, gently cleaning his messy hands.
Aunty looks at him for few seconds, then look me in my eyes. I give her a smile.
She nods, and leaves the dining area.
Both Arjun and uncle shake their head.
It fell silent- nothing but the scrapping of cutlery against plates. My chest tightens, a slow, painful knot forming at the base of my throat. They don't speak.
They are so absent.
I look at my husband, his face stoic, his focus on the plate, but for the first time I can sense the weight he carries, the words he's holding back, it's very much familiar. I wonder if he notices it too—the emptiness between them. Does he feels it like I do. But he doesn't look up, and the silence stretches on.
I get up unable to sit here anymore, and pick Ivaan in my arms. All the three men look up at me making me a bit nervous, I give them all a gentle smile.
"I'm done. I'll feed him in the room. He'll create ruckus here if I give him fruits here." Arjun and uncle return back a smile.
Abhiraj gives me a silent nod. I look him in the eyes and bend to pick Ivaan's plate. I gently squeeze his shoulder but refuse to look at him and leave the dining area.
Guess what, no one's life is filled with sky full of stars. We all have our clouds, our storms.
"What shall we do now, bug?" I ask, my voice gentle and warm as we settle onto the plush carpet near the window. Sunlight streamed through the gossamer curtains, casting a soft glow around them.
Ivaan's eyes lit up. "Can we build a fort, Mama? Like the one we made last week?"
I smile, feeling the tension from earlier melt away. "That's good idea. Let's see what we can use."
We gathered a blanket from the bed . "Come on, Mamma! We need more blankets!" he says, his little hands tugging at a soft, oversized comforter that drapes down from the edge of our bed.
"Okay, okay!" I laugh. "How about we start with this one?" I grab a soft, fluffy blanket.
"Yes! That one!" Ivaan jumps up and down, his curls bouncing with each little hop. "We can drape it over the two sofas!"
Ivaan's small self eagerly help me spread the blanket over the top, and we work together, creating a cave-like entrance that seems to allow us inside.
"Now we need some pillows for the walls!" he insists, his eyes sparkling. I smile at his eagerness, amazed at how seriously he's taking this fort-building thing.
"Great idea! Let's get some from the bed," I suggest, pointing to the pillows piled high on the mattress.
As I climb onto the bed, Ivaan is right behind me, I can't help but chuckle at his tiny crawls as he reaches for the pillows. With a little help, we manage to grab a couple of the fluffiest ones, Ivaan hoisting one almost as big as himself.
"Okay, bubba, let's make it comfy!" I say, carefully setting the pillows against the sofas, creating a soft, welcoming barrier for our fort.
"Yay! I'm gonna be the king of this fort!" he declares, puffing out his little chest with pride.
"Oh really?" I tease, pretending to bow. "Your Highness, would you like a snack in your kingdom?"
"Yes!" Ivaan declares dramatically, throwing his arms up as if he were making a grand announcement. "A royal snack!"
I can't help but laugh at his tanctics. "Very well, Your Highness! I shall fetch your royal snacks!" I say, turning on my heel dramatically, making my way toward the plate I brought, a spring in my step as I try to match his excitement.
As I gather the fruits, my mind drifts to Abhiraj. But I shake my head immediately. It's Ivaan's time.
Returning to the fort, I set the snacks on the floor just outside the fort entrance, presenting them like a feast. "The royal feast for the kingdom!" I announce, trying to sound grand as I extend my hands dramatically.
Ivaan's eyes widen in awe as he crawls out of the fort, his face lighting up with glee as he sees the colorful fruits and nuts laid out before him.
"Wow! Thank you, Mamma!" He practically dives into the pile, picking up a small apple and a piece of date, his little hands working quickly.
"Now, what's a fort without stories?" I suggest, settling cross-legged inside the fort, watching him munch happily. "Let's make up a story while we eat. How about we tell the tale of the brave knight who saved the dragon?"
"Yes! And I'm the brave knight!" Ivaan shouts, a mouthful of date and fruit, and I can't help but smile at his enthusiasm.
"Okay! And I'll be the dragon, waiting for you to rescue me," I say, trying to keep my tone serious but failing as laughter bubbles up inside me. I have missed this so much. My eyes well up.
Staying away from this baby was the most difficult. I bend and kiss his mushy cheeks, he giggles. "You can't kiss the knight."
"Oh really!" I reply, feigning shock. "And what happens if I do?"
Before he can answer, my fingers attack across his sides tickling him. He squeals with delight, wriggling away as his laughter fills the air.
"Noooo please storyyy. "
"Ok fine." I chuckle.
"Once upon a time..." he begins, his now red face scrunching in concentration as he dives into the narrative, waving his hands animatedly. "There was a knight named Sir Ivaan who was super strong and brave!"
"And what did he do next?" I prompt.
"He fought a flying monster! A big, green monster!" he exclaims, his voice rising in excitement. "And then, he saved the unicorn dragon from the beast monster"s cave!"
"Oh woww! What happened next?" I gasp, playing along.
"Then the dragon said, 'Thank you, brave Sir Ivaan!'" he continues, his little chest puffing out as he speaks. "And I kept him with me and we lived happily ever after!"
"Yay! What a great story!" I cheer, clapping my hands in delight. "Sir Ivaan, you are a hero!"
Just then, the door creaks open, and Abhiraj steps into the room. He pauses, taking in the sight of the makeshift fort, the snacks, and Ivaan's beaming face. For a moment, there's a flicker of warmth in his eyes as he watches us.
"What's going on in here?" he asks, a teasing tilt to his voice as he crosses his arms, leaning against the doorframe.
"I built a fort!" Ivaan announces proudly, pointing towards the blanket-covered chairs like a tiny conqueror. "And I'm the brave knight! Mamma is the unicorn dragon!"
Abhiraj raises an eyebrow, a smile playing at the corners of his mouth. "A unicorn dragon, huh? I see. And what does the unicorn dragon do in the fort?"
"Eating snacks!" Ivaan giggles, stuffing a piece of fruit into his mouth, his eyes sparkling with mischief.
"Sounds like a good plan," Abhiraj replies, pushing off from the doorframe and stepping inside. "Mind if I join?"
"Yay! Yes, please!" Ivaan hops up, his little hands grabbing Abhiraj's to pull him toward the fort. "You can be the monster or second dragon I don't mind saving another!"
Abhiraj chuckles, sitting cross-legged beside us, his presence warming the space. "The dragon? Isn't he terrifying," he says, his voice light and teasing. "What do I get to do?"
"He is cute!" Ivaan says, bouncing in place.
As they dive into their playful banter, I settle back a little, watching the two of them interact.
The morning sun filters softly through the curtains, casting a golden hue across the room. I sit cross-legged on the bed reading IR theories.
Abhiraj is sitting on the edge of the bed, going through some files on his laptop, his fingers moving with an absent-minded efficiency.
His face, however, is calm yet indifferent. Every now and then, a slight frown tugging at his brows, but he doesn't say a word.
I want to say something but don't know how to initiate a conversation. Instead, I decide to focus on what I was reading.
There's a knock on the door drawing my attention, and Arjun bhaiya steps in, his smiley face makes me smile too.
"Good morning, lovebirds!" he calls out, his grin growing wider.
"Morning, bhaiya," I respond with a smile, still failing to revert back the same energy.
Abhiraj barely glance up from his laptop, muttering a half-hearted greeting under his breath.
Arjun either doesn't notice the tension or ignores it. He walks over to Ivaan's sleeping self and starts poking him to wake him up.
"Arjun let him sleep." Abhiraj says firmly halting Arjun.
He looks at me and I shrug.
So even he is scared from his brother. Glad to know I'm not the only one. I mentally smirk.
"So," Arjun spreads himself on the bed besides me, adjusting Ivaan to not disturb him.
I raise my eyebrow, "I was thinking... since you have become a part of our family, we haven't had the chance to go on a trip together. Why don't we plan a day trip tomorrow or day after? You know, like a picnic or something. It could be fun, right?"
My eyes flicker to Abhiraj, waiting for his reaction. His posture stiffens slightly, but his eyes remained glued to his laptop.
"I don't know, bhaiya," I replied hesitantly, feeling the weight of Abhiraj's silence pressing down on me. "I mean, I have a lot of chapter's to cover—"
"Oh, come on!" he interrupts, "you can use the trip like a refreshing activity, I'm sure your husband doesn't take you out anywhere. It'll be good for everyone to get out for a bit.
Mom, Dad, and I can handle Ivaan if you two want some time to yourselves, too. You guys need it." He wink, his smile teasing but warm.
I smile back weakly, grateful for Arjun's easy charm, but my gaze drift back to Abhiraj. He was still unresponsive, his silence louder than any refusal.
I'm not sure whether I really want to go for this trip, everyone are so into themselves.
After a moment, Arjun's grin falter, and he shoot a glance at his brother. "What do you say, bhai? You in?"
Abhiraj's thumb stops moving, and for a moment, I think he might look up. Instead, he sighs and shuts the laptop. "Do whatever you want," he mutters, his voice low and clipped. "I'm not stopping anyone."
The room grow quiet, and I could feel Arjun's eyes on me, waiting for me to react. But what could I say?
I turn my attention back to my book in front of me. I look at Arjun again, at least he's making an effort.
"I'm okay with it." I give him a small smile agreeing to his plan. Abhiraj looks at me for a moment and then focuses back on what he was doing.
Arjun clears his throat, breaking the awkward silence. "Okay, well... I'll take that as a yes from bhai, then. Bhabhi, I'll let you know the details later. I'll talk to Mom and Dad. It'll be nice, I promise."
With one last lingering look at Abhiraj, Arjun pecks Ivaan and leave the room, his footsteps fading down the hall.
As soon as the door clicks shut, Abhiraj keeps his gadgets on the side table and climbs on the bed next to me. He lays on the bed taking Ivaan into his arms he cuddles with him. I realize I have no idea how to react to this behavior. What was I supposed to say?
"Are you okay?" I ask quietly.
"Hmm." This guy can make anyone awkward.
I bite my lip, fighting back the frustration that bubbles up inside me. It's hard to understand silence, I couldn't see a way through it anymore. Someday it feels like we are taking steps forward into our relationship, but the other days makes me realize how delusional those thoughts are.
The day of the trip arrives sooner than expected, and as promised, Arjun had arranged everything.
But the only issue is Abhiraj who is silently driving the car, staring straight ahead, his face unreadable. He hadn't said a word all morning, his silence stretching on like an endless road.
We finally arrive at our picnic spot, and I can't help be in awe of the beauty.
There is a vast expanse of lush green grass, filled with vibrant wildflowers swaying gently in the wind. The air is fresh and crisp, filled with the sweet scent of flora. A few scattered rocks provide natural seating areas, perfect for our picnic.
To our right, the lake glistens under the sun. A few ducks gliding lazily across the water. It's a beautiful place far away from the city.
"This is perfect!" he says.
Setting the things aside I help arjun spreading a large checkered blanket on the grass. "Just look at this place—how can you not feel relaxed here?"
I smile and, glance at Abhiraj. He is standing a few feet away, one hand in his pocket and the other holding Ivaan's hand, his eyes scanning the area as if he is a stranger in a foreign land. What has happened to him?
"Bhai," Arjun calls, patting the spot beside him. "Come on. Sit down, relax for a bit. It's been ages since we did something like this."
Abhiraj hesitates, but after a moment, he walks over and sit down, though he didn't seem any more at ease. His posture was stiff, his shoulders tense, and he kept his gaze fixed on Ivaan, avoiding eye contact with the rest of us.
I spread out things, taking out snacks for everyone.
Ivaan jumps on my lap grabbing the basket and pull out an apple before I can stop him. "I want this!"
I laugh. "Have it after sandwich, okay? First, we eat."
"Nooo, I want it now!" His bottom lip quivers, the start of a tantrum.
Before I can even respond, Abhiraj steps in. He moves beside Ivaan, pulling him gently onto his lap. "Hey, listen to Mumma, okay? We'll eat the apple after the sandwiches. It'll taste better."
Ivaan's face scrunches up in thought, clearly torn between wanting to throw a fit and trusting his Mr big's words.
After few seconds, he nods, albeit reluctantly, and leans back against Abhiraj's chest.
"There's my good boy," Abhiraj murmurs, brushing a hand through Ivaan's hair.
He holds him there for a second longer than necessary, as if savouring the contact. I watch them, my heart aching at the sight. There's something so tender in the way Abhiraj holds my baby.
As I watch, he squirms out of Abhiraj's lap and grabs a sandwich.
I take a seat beside Abhiraj, close enough to feel his warmth but far enough that our arms don't brush.
Tejaswini aunty is setting up at another corner. Uncle is off on his own, walking slowly around the lake's perimeter, lost in thought.
After few minutes Abhiraj along with Ivaan gets up and go near the lake.
My eyes move back to aunty. She's busy arranging the table, her movements precise, almost mechanical. She has a very distant vibe, as if she's keeping everyone at arm's length, even when we're sitting just inches apart.
These past few days I found it hard to approach her—not because she's unkind, but because she's reserved in a way that makes me second-guess whether I'm welcome to start a conversation.
Still, today I want to, maybe because of Abhiraj. I take a breath and decide to make an effort.
"Aunty," I walk up to her, my voice a little softer than I intended.
She doesn't look up immediately, her hands still moving as she finishes arranging the food. My stomach tightens. I wait, feeling awkward in the silence.
After what feels like a long pause, she finally glances up, her eyes meeting mine. "Yes?" Her tone isn't unkind, but it's... neutral, like she's waiting to see what I'll say before deciding how to respond.
I swallow, suddenly unsure of what to say. Why is it so hard to initiate a conversation?
I force a small smile, trying to find my words. "I heard about the work you do with NGOs...and the organization you run."
She nods slightly, but there's no shift in her expression. "It's important work," she says simply, as if that's all there is to it.
The conversation feels like it's stalling before it even begins, and I can feel my own nervousness creeping in.
I tend to be more ambiverted, not too shy but not overly talkative either, and moments like these—where the other person doesn't give much to work with—always make me second-guess myself. I resist the urge to retreat back, forcing myself to continue.
"I've worked with a few organizations myself," I add, my voice steady but careful.
"During my internship with NHRC, we focused on human rights, especially for children and women. It was a very different experience."
For the briefest moment, I think I see something flicker in her eyes. It's quick, barely there, but she acknowledges my words with a small nod. "I see," she says. "That kind of work requires a lot of patience and resilience."
There's something in the way she says it, it encourages me to keep going.
"It does," I agree. "But it's also fulfilling in ways I didn't expect. Seeing how even the smallest efforts can make a difference... it changes you."
Tejaswini aunty is quiet for a moment, her gaze shifting away from me and back to the plates in front of her.
She picks up a napkin, smoothing it out as if considering what to say next. I stand there, waiting, unsure if I've said too much or if she's just not interested in continuing the conversation.
Just as I'm about to speak again, she surprises me by asking, "What did you find most challenging?"
I blink, caught off guard. It's the first time she's asked me a personal question, and for a moment, I'm not sure how to answer. Her tone is still guarded, but there's a hint of genuine curiosity there now.
"Umm," I begin, choosing my words carefully, "I think the hardest part was actually realizing how deeply entrenched some issues are.
It's not just about providing immediate help, though that's important... it's realizing that the real change takes time. Sometimes generations."
She nods, her expression softening just a little, though she keeps her gaze focused on the task in front of her.
"Yes," she says quietly, almost to herself. "It's the long game. People expect results quickly, but real impact... it takes years, if not decades."
There's a weight in her words that catches me by surprise. I can sense that this is something she's thought about deeply, something she's experienced firsthand.
I settle on the chair next to the table, feeling a little more comfortable now. "Do you focus mostly on children's welfare in your projects?" I ask, genuinely curious.
She looks at me then, her eyes sharp but not unkind. "Children, women, sometimes the elderly. Whoever needs it most at the time. The work changes, depending on the needs of the community."
"I'd love to hear more about it," I say, and this time, I mean it. "Maybe I could help out sometime, if you ever need volunteers."
For a moment, she looks surprised—genuinely surprised. I can tell she wasn't expecting the offer, and for a second, I wonder if I overstepped. But then, something changes in her expression. It's subtle, almost imperceptible, but I catch it: a slight softening around her eyes, a hint of warmth that wasn't there before.
"We can always use help," she says, her voice quieter now, less guarded. "It's good to have people who understand the work. Too many come in thinking they can fix everything overnight."
I smile, feeling the tension between us ease a little more. "Yeah, I've seen that too. "
She nods, and for a brief moment, we sit there in silence—comfortable silence this time. I'm not sure what's shifted, but something has. The air between us feels a little less formal, a little less heavy. I still feel like there's a distance, but it's no longer the kind that's impossible to cross.
Tejaswini aunty starts adjusting the food on the plates again, but this time, her movements are less rigid, more relaxed. She glances at me briefly before speaking again. "You said you worked with NHRC?"
I nod again. "Yes, during college I interned under it."
She looks at me, really looks at me this time.
"That's good," she says after a moment.
It's a simple statement, but coming from her, it feels like a step forward. I smile softly, grateful for the progress, even if it's just a small one. "Thank you, aunty. That means a lot."
She doesn't say anything else, but there's a quiet nod of acknowledgment before she returns her attention to the food. I sit beside her, the awkwardness that usually lingers between us slowly fading.
We may not be having a deep conversation, but for the first time, it's good. I smile.
And for now, that's enough.
As I'm lost in my thoughts, I feel someone's eyes on me. Instinctively, I glance up, and there he is—Abhiraj, standing a little away, watching us. His arms are crossed over his chest, his expressions are stoic, like he's observing, trying to understand something.
For a brief moment, our eyes meet, and his face turns a bit gentle.
Is he surprised to see us talking? Or maybe relieved? I can't tell, but I hold his gaze for a beat longer, wondering what he's thinking.
I quickly turn my attention back to aunty, not wanting to get distracted by Abhiraj's silent presence.
"I remember when I first started," Tejaswini aunty says suddenly, drawing my attention back to her. There's a new softness in her voice, as if she's letting herself reminisce for just a moment.
"I thought I could change the world, that every little thing I did would have an immediate impact. But it doesn't work that way. It's slow, frustrating. Sometimes, you wonder if anything will change at all."
I nod, understanding her sentiment more than she might realize. "I've felt that too," I admit, my voice quieter now.
"You put your heart into something, and sometimes it feels like you're barely making a dent. But I think... even the small changes matter. Even if it's just changing one person's life, it's worth it."
For the first time, I see the slightest hint of a smile tug at the corner of her lips. It's small, almost imperceptible, but it's there, and it feels like a victory in its own way.
"You're right," she says softly. "The small changes do matter."
We fall into a comfortable silence.
I glance up again, and this time Abhiraj is no longer watching us intently. He's talking to Ivaan, who's holding onto his hand, tugging him towards the food as usual Arjun trying to irritate him. I smile to myself, watching the way Abhiraj softens around him.
Tejaswini aunty follows my gaze, her eyes landing on her sons. Her face softens. She doesn't say anything, but there's a quiet pride in her eyes as she watches them.
"Abhiraj's always been the responsible one," she says quietly, almost as if she's thinking aloud. "He doesn't show it much, but he carries more than people realize."
I glance at her, surprised by her words. But I do agree, he never says what is going in his mind.
"He seems like he holds a lot in," I say softly.
Aunty looks at me, her gaze sharp but not unkind. "He does," she says simply. "But that's his way."
I nod, thinking about all the times Abhiraj has been silent, stoic, but always present. There's a complexity to him, layers that I haven't yet seen.
As I sit there beside Tejaswini aunty, watching them, I realize that maybe—just maybe—we're all holding back in some way.
Everything is so dysfunctional scattered around.
Abhiraj's pov
I stand here, watching Ishika chat with my mother, and I feel like twelve years old again. The desperateness in my heart, the same tightness. It should make me happy, seeing them bond. Instead, I'm fighting the urge to walk away.
They're talking about NGOs and social work. Of course they are. I catch fragments of their conversation - "community impact", "long-term change".
The words are different, but the passion in my mother's voice is painfully familiar. It's the same tone that used to make me sink lower in my chair at dinner, knowing I'd never be able to compete with the faceless masses she dedicated her life to helping. Never.
I watch Ishika's face light up as she listens. She glows when she's passionate about something, her eyes sparkling as she speaks. I should join them. I want to join them. But my feet remain rooted, years of practiced detachment holding me in place.
"Bhai!" Arjun's voice cuts through my thoughts. He's waving me over, that easy grin on his face.
How does he do it? How has he always managed to navigate through all of this effortlessly? I sigh, and I see a flicker of concern cross his face. He knows me too well. I force a small smile, hoping it's enough to reassure him.
My gaze drifts to Ivaan, happily munching on a sandwich, I chuckle. With him, things are simpler. There's no history, no expectations. Just love, pure and uncomplicated. I feel a warmth in my chest, a contrast to the cold knot of anxiety that's been my constant companion.
I should be happier. This picnic was supposed to be about family, about reconnecting. Instead, I feel like an outsider, watching my own life unfold before me. I've done this to myself, I know. Years of silence, of holding back, of burying my feelings so deep I sometimes wonder if they're still there.
But they are. God, they are. I feel them now, a tumult of emotions threatening to overwhelm me. Resentment towards my mother for always putting her work first. Envy towards Arjun for his easy charm.
Guilt for not being the husband Ishika deserves. And underlying it all, a bone-deep weariness. I'm tired of the silence, of the distance. Tired of keeping myself away. Tired of being tired.
I catch Ishika's eye.
She turns back to my mother, making me disappointed.
I look around at my family - Ishika, in conversation with my mother; Arjun, now entertaining Ivaan with some silly game; my father, standing quietly by the lake. We're all here, together, and yet I've never felt more alone.
This continued isolation - terrifies me more.
To be continued...
Hiii people...
Hope you all are doing well.
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Did you'll liked a bit of depth in the characters?
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