54.
[DAY 1 AFTER SHAURYA LEFT FOR THE WEDDING]
"Papa, love you!" Aarya kissed my cheek before I pulled her into one last hug.
"Love you too, princess," I smiled. She waved goodbye and skipped out of the house with Eve, who would walk her to the bus stand.
It stung, though—I could never drop her at school like a normal parent.
Eve once told me that on her very first day, Aarya didn't cry at all.
But when she came home, she broke down in my arms, clinging to me as if the world had ended.
That was two years ago. Now my baby girl was five. Growing up far too fast.
Shaurya was right—I was hiding her. I wanted the world to know she was mine, ours. Mine and Shaurya's daughter. But damn it, our country was too cruel. People judged, mocked, threw daggers with their words. And if anyone dared speak badly about Aarya... I'd kill them. No hesitation.
I sighed and retreated to my home office, sinking into the armchair.
My eyes fell on the little handmade card Aarya had been working on for Ravi and her "Mr. Shekhawat.
" She said she'd give it to them when they came back.
Two days, that's all it had taken, and she'd already attached herself to Shaurya—though she'd never admit it out loud.
And now, both Ravi and Shaurya were not here, which made Aarya sad, who even threw a tantrum this very morning and didn't want to go to school.
Hopefully Shaurya will come back after 7 days as he promised Aarya.
The door burst open suddenly. Eve strolled in with her usual dramatic flair, bouquet in hand. I didn't startle or anything with the loud noise of the door hitting the wall since I'm used to it. It's her way of announcing her arrival.
I barely looked up. "So, the bus conductor gave you flowers today?"
"They're for you," she said flatly, thrusting them toward me.
I raised an eyebrow. "When did you start gifting me flowers? In case you've forgotten, I'm gay."
"Ugh, shut up, idiot. Someone sent them," she snapped.
That got my attention. I reached out cautiously, holding the bouquet at arm's length. Someone sent me flowers here? To this address? No one even knew I lived here. No one but Yug... and now Shaurya and his little circus.
Was it Yug, pulling something romantic? Or worse—was someone stalking me?
"What are you even doing?" Eve asked, narrowing her eyes at me.
"You never know what might be hidden in these flowers," I muttered, holding the bouquet at arm's length as if it might explode.
"Ugh, fine. Give it to me if you don't want it. I didn't even smell it properly." Eve rolled her eyes and tugged at the bouquet. With that tug, a small folded note slipped out and fluttered to the floor.
I frowned. She bent quickly to pick it up, but before she could read a word, I snatched it from her hands.
"Hey! I wanted to know what's written!" she protested, pouting.
"Yeah, well, it's for me, so why would you need to know?" I shot back, rolling my eyes.
Settling into the armchair, I carefully unfolded the note.
"Aarav, I hope you liked the flowers. These white lilies stand for purity and new beginnings.
They're for the six years you carried Aarya alone—six years where you kept her world pure, untainted, even when it must have broken you inside.
But now, can you give me a chance... so we can start a new beginning? Our beginning, with Aarya. Give me the chance to protect you both. To hold you. To cherish you.
~ Shaurya"
I exhaled, a heavy breath I didn't realize I'd been holding.
When I looked up, Eve was watching me like a hawk.
"Based on your face, I don't even need to guess. Which one of the lover boys is it? Yug, or Shaurya?" she asked slyly.
Shaurya, obviously.
"It's none of your business," I muttered, shoving the note under the bouquet.
Eve shook her head, a smirk tugging her lips. "Uh-huh. You're smiling. Don't bother denying it."
I scratched at my ear. "Just... go, Eve."
She sighed dramatically as she turned to leave. "I wonder if Ravi will ever give me flowers one day," she muttered under her breath before disappearing through the door.
I looked down at the note I was still clutching too tightly, the paper crumpling slightly in my grip. My eyes drifted to the white lilies resting on the desk, their petals soft, delicate—beautiful in a way I wasn't ready to admit out loud.
With a reluctant sigh, I picked up the bouquet and brought it closer, inhaling its faint, clean fragrance. For a moment, the scent was almost calming... almost dangerous.
I didn't know what to feel. My chest was a mess of warmth and irritation, like Shaurya had somehow reached inside and twisted every nerve on purpose. Who even does this? Who sends flowers with hidden meanings and words heavy enough to choke you?
Only him. Only Shaurya. So cliche of him. Ughh.
I rolled my eyes hard, as if that could shake off the weight of his gesture, and placed the bouquet back on the table.
"Weird," I muttered under my breath.
-------------------------------------------------
[DAY 2]
Aarya had just left for school when the doorbell rang again. Another bouquet sat neatly on the doorstep, and this time I snatched it up before Eve could even lay her curious fingers on it. Knowing her, she'd tear into the note before I even blinked.
Yellow tulips. Bright. Cheerful. Loudly out of place against the shadows I've let sit in my life. I stared at them for a long moment, the contrast almost mocking me. But anyway... With a sigh, I pulled out the folded note tucked between the stems.
"You laugh less now, but I remember how your smile used to light up entire rooms. You still have it in you, Aarav. Don't let the world steal that warmth. Save some of it for me, okay? I'd rather not watch that cartoon of a friend you keep around be the one who sees it instead."
I read it twice, my lips twitching despite myself. Trust Shaurya to lace something so disarmingly sweet with a jab that made me want to roll my eyes and smile at the same time.
[DAY 3]
"Blue hydrangeas: They symbolize apology.
I don't expect forgiveness, but I need you to know—I regret every single moment I made you feel like hiding was your only choice. I'm sorry for the words I said and the things I did that pushed you into silence. I never truly meant them.
And I want to apologise to Aarya too—for being absent from her life for so many years, for not being there when she needed me most. I can't erase the past, Aarav, but I want to spend the rest of my life making it right—with both of you."
[DAY 4]
"Red roses. I know you hate them—but I couldn't find a truer symbol of love. Cliché, I know. Still, you deserve to hear it in the simplest way possible: I love you, Aarav. I always have. Even when you thought I'd forgotten. Even when you hate me now.
You've never left me—not for a moment. You've never left my heart. And you never will. Always and forever, it's you."
[DAY 5]
"White camellias mean admiration. And that's simple—I admire you, Aarav. For every fight, every sacrifice, every smile you forced just so Aarya wouldn't cry. You have the strongest soul I know, and I love that about you. I admire every part of you—everything.
But... I have to admit, I don't like your tattoos. I know there's still so much more hidden beneath those fabrics, and I don't know how I'll handle myself when I finally see it all."
[DAY 6]
"Forget-me-nots. They stand for memories.
For everything we've been through—don't forget me. Please. I cherish every moment we shared, and I believe you do too. When I come back, let's create new memories together. Even if not as a family... then maybe as friends. Or maybe... something more than friends. It's up to you".
----------------------------------
[Day 7]
It had already been six days since Shaurya started sending me flowers—each one carefully chosen, each with its own "meaning." Honestly, who even plans this stuff? Only Shaurya. And, for some reason, I couldn't bring myself to complain. He was trying. Really trying. And somehow... that was enough.
Yes, I'd forgiven him. How could I not? These little gestures—these ridiculously elaborate, almost theatrical gestures—meant more than words could say. And yet... I didn't know whether to laugh, puke, or punch him for being such a sentimental fool. Flowers? Cliché? Absolutely.
And seriously—how did he even find some of these? Some of these blooms aren't even easy to get in India! Shaurya, you hopeless idiot.
Anyway, today was the last day. Sunday. Which means Shaurya and his "monkey" were supposed to arrive tomorrow.
It was already ten in the morning, and still—no flowers. Not that I was sitting here anxiously or anything. Totally fine. Whatever. Who cares? But what if he doesn't comes? Does he not want to send those flowers anymore?
Part of me hoped he hadn't forgotten his promise though. I don't want Aarya to be disappointed.