Chapter 21
PRASHANT
THREE YEARS AGO
I was nervous, my fingers shaking slightly as I gripped the velvet box in my hand. I had never told her I loved her. Not with words, at least. Maybe she could feel it, the way I looked at her, touched her, and spoke to her. Maybe she knew.
That was why she'd asked me to meet her at her favorite café in Dehradun. It had to mean something. Maybe she was going to tell me she was leaving Aryan for me. That's what I hoped. That's what I dreamed.
I wanted to take her home, my home. Introduce her to my family. I knew my mother would never agree to our intercaste marriage, but I'd make her agree. I would fall to my knees if I had to. I would fight the world if I had to. Because I wanted to marry Ira.
I took a cab and gave the driver the address.
Ira had texted it to me earlier that morning.
As the car sped through the narrow streets of the town, I wiped my sweaty palms on my jeans, trying to distract my overwhelmed thoughts.
I looked out the window, watching trees and signboards blur past, my mind buzzing with hope, fear, and anticipation.
I smiled faintly to myself and reached into my pocket, pulling out the box. I stared at it like it was the most precious thing I owned. And in a way, it was because it was meant for the most precious person in my life.
I had bought the diamond ring from my first salary.
Actually, I had bought four rings, one gold ring for my mother, and three diamond rings for Ira, Pari, and Priya, my twin sisters.
But Ira's ring was different. It was special.
Custom-designed for her, exactly how she liked.
The cut, the band, even the tiny engraving on the inside.
She had no idea, of course. She didn't even know I was in love with her.
But I hoped, I truly hoped she could feel it.
The cab came to a halt outside the café. I paid the driver, took a deep breath, and stepped out.
My heart skipped a beat when I saw her inside, tapping the table impatiently. She looked up at the door every few seconds. Was she excited to see me too?
I walked in, pushing the door open. A soft bell chimed above me. The moment her eyes met mine, she sprang to her feet and smiled brightly.
"Hey, Dimples," she said with a grin, pulling me into a brief hug before we sat down at the table.
"Hey, Warrior," I replied with a broad grin.
She looked beautiful in a floral pink dress, paired with delicate matching heels. Her straight hair fell in perfect waves over her shoulders, catching the light. My heart felt full just looking at her.
"So... this is our date?" I asked playfully, trying to keep my voice light.
But her smile faded. Her eyes dipped in her phone, and something in her face dimmed.
She sighed, then looked up at me. "Prashant..."
"Yes, I'm listening," I said, placing my hand over hers.
Her hand was small, warm, and soft, comforting in a way nothing else in the world ever was. I loved holding her hand. And I wanted to hold it forever.
But she pulled away gently.
"Why don't we just eat?" she asked instead, suddenly changing the subject. "Let's eat and just have fun."
I nodded, forcing a smile, trying to push back the sinking feeling in my chest. We ordered our usual two cappuccinos and a plate of cookies.
As soon as the cookies arrived, I grabbed one and took a big bite. Ira immediately glared at me.
"You eat like a pig," she muttered.
She leaned over and wiped a crumb off the corner of my mouth. Her fingers lingered for just a second too long. I almost leaned in to kiss her. Almost. But we were in public. There were kids at the next table. It wouldn't be right.
Instead, I just smiled.
"So," she began, taking a small bite of her cookie, "we're being posted to different units. Crazy, isn't it?"
I nodded slowly, not sure where this was going.
"I've gotten so used to you being around," she continued, her voice softening. "You're always there for me... when I'm sick, when I'm down. Just always there."
She looked down into her coffee for a moment, stirring it absently.
"But now we won't be around for each other anymore," she added with a sigh.
She glanced at me, then continued. "I heard you're being posted to Jammu. Your hometown. That's nice, you'll get to see your family more. That's important."
She took a long sip of her coffee, then looked away, as if something was bothering her.
"I'm being sent to Assam." She groaned quietly. "I mean... I wish they'd post me anywhere but Assam. It's just... far. And it's just so sudden, you know? We've been together for three years and now, all of a sudden..."
Her words trailed off, unfinished. But the silence between us was loud.
"Then why don't you marry me, Ira?" I blurted out, my heart pounding so hard I could feel it echo in my throat. My fingers trembled, and sweat broke out along the nape of my neck as I watched her reaction.
She froze, eyes locked on mine, stunned. I reached into my pocket with shaking hands and pulled out the velvet box. It clicked open with a soft snap. The diamond sparkled like a secret finally set free.
"I love you," I said, voice breaking. "Marry me, Ira."
"Prashant, what the..." She trailed off. Her voice cracked with disbelief.
She stared at the ring as if it were something toxic. Her smile had vanished completely. In its place was a look I couldn't quite name, part shock, part confusion, and something else... maybe disgust.
Without warning, she stood up, pushing her chair back so hard it scraped against the floor. My heart lurched into my throat. The velvet box suddenly felt heavier in my hand, like it carried not just the ring but all my silence and fragile hopes.
"Are you serious right now?" she said. She almost laughed but it wasn't a laugh with joy or warmth. It was sharp, mocking and cold. "This is a joke, Prashant. You're joking, right?"
"I'm not joking," I said softly, my voice barely above a whisper. I stood up too, facing her with all the strength I could gather. "I meant every word. I love you, Ira. I've loved you since the day we met at the training center."
Ira shook her head, stepping slightly back, folding her arms across her chest like she needed a shield from my words.
"You thought we were in love?" she scoffed. "Oh my god, Prashant. What kind of delusion are you living in? Are you even for real right now?"
My lips parted, but nothing came out. I looked down at the ring in my hand. It still glimmered under the café lights, but it now felt like a cruel joke.
"You and I... whatever that was... it was never love," she snapped. Her eyes had hardened, her voice sharp and unforgiving. "It was convenient, fun and distraction. Friends with benefits. That's all. And I told you that from the start you just never listened."
"No," I whispered, shaking my head. "That's not true. I thought... I thought there was something real between us. I feel it, Ira. Deep in my bones. We're so good together."
She let out a cold, humorless laugh. "You felt something. That doesn't mean I did." She took a step closer, voice low but venomous. "And you really thought I'd leave Aryan for you? Prashant, really?"
"Aryan is a senior officer, from a good family. He has money, power and influence. All the things you don't have. All the things you'll never have."
Her words felt like hammer blows.
"And please don't stand here thinking I'd choose to be the wife of some small-town dreamer who blew his small paycheck on a ring, thinking that was enough to win me over."
I flinched. The honesty was cruel, but what shattered me was the way she said it like it was obvious. Like I was a fool for ever believing anything else.
"Love doesn't pay bills, Prashant," she went on, mercilessly. "Don't act like I led you on. I was honest. If we slept together, that gave you no right to make claims on my life."
That one cut deeper than anything.
I stood there, frozen. The box was still open in my hand, the diamond still gleaming but it had lost its meaning now. It wasn't for her anymore. It never was.
She tilted her head slightly, voice dipping into sarcasm. "You're sweet, Prashant. You really are. But being sweet isn't enough for a girl like me. Never was. You were a phase. A good distraction. Fun. That's it. Don't read too much into it."
I opened my mouth, tried to say her name, but my voice cracked before I could speak.
She picked up her purse, slipped her phone inside, and straightened her shoulders like none of this meant anything. "Let's not make this awkward. You'll get over it. And don't try anything dramatic, don't message me like a desperate teenager. I won't text you back. This is over, Prashant."
What we are. As if I had misunderstood everything.
And just like that, she turned on her heels and walked out. The little bell above the café door chimed softly as it swung shut behind her.
I stood there for a long time. I didn't remember how long. Maybe a few minutes or an hour.
A waitress came by eventually. She didn't say anything, just looked at me with quiet sympathy and began clearing the table.
I looked down at the ring one last time before closing the box with a soft click. It didn't shine anymore. Not for me. Not for anyone.
I walked out of the café. The rain hadn't started. But somehow, it felt like I was already drenched.
Maybe it wasn't outside. Maybe it was all inside me.
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