The Love She Couldnt Let go
Author pov:????
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After the party .
Day goes as like speed of light. But the remember still haunting her .
One morning: ?? ??
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The mansion was unusually lively that morning. Servants rushed about, polishing silver, arranging flowers, and dusting every corner with extra care. Meera moved quietly through the servants' quarters, her hands busy, but her mind restless.
"Someone important is coming today," Rani whispered from the corner, folding crisp napkins.
Meera paused mid-motion. "Who?"
"Didn't you hear?" Rani said, smirking. "Aarav's bringing a girl from school. First time he's ever done that. Maybe his girlfriend, who knows?"
Meera's hand froze over the tray she was polishing. A girl? Here? Now? Her chest tightened. She forced herself to smile faintly. It doesn't matter. Just keep working.
At the evening:??????
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the mansion gates opened. Meera glanced out the kitchen window, and there they were: Aarav walking beside a girl she didn't recognize.
She was beautiful - hair tied neatly, uniform perfectly ironed, a bright smile on her face.
Aarav laughed at something she said, a sound that made Meera's chest ache.
Mrs. Oberoi approached, her eyes sparkling with admiration. "Ah, what a lovely girl! Aarav, you've got such good taste. Look at her poise, her elegance..." She turned to Naina. "Such manners! Truly refined, like the daughter of a very respected family."
Meera froze, hands gripping the tray. Refined... elegant... not me...
Aarav's eyes flickered toward her briefly, then slid away as if she didn't exist.
"Meera!" Mrs. Oberoi called. "Bring the snacks quickly, dear. Aarav's guest is waiting."
"Yes, ma'am," Meera whispered, forcing her voice to stay steady.
When she entered the living room with the tray, Aarav and Naina sat together, books open but untouched. Naina looked up with a bright smile.
"Thank you," she said warmly.
Meera lowered her gaze. "You're welcome, miss."
"Oh, please don't call me miss!" Naina laughed. "We're the same age!"
Aarav's smirk cut sharply across Meera's chest. "She's just being polite. That's her job."
The words stung. Part of her wanted to speak, to defend herself, but she didn't. She just nodded and backed away.
Mrs. Oberoi continued praising Naina. "Aarav, she's truly exquisite. Look at her posture, her hair... such elegance. I'm so proud of you bringing someone like her here."
Meera's heart sank further. Elegance... not me. Never me.
After the snacks, Aarav leaned back in the chair. "Want to see my collection?" he asked Naina.
"Yes!" Naina's eyes sparkled.
Meera followed silently, hands trembling as she cleared plates. Aarav showed Naina trophies, medals, and model cars. She remembered how he used to show her his projects when they were younger. I was supposed to see this first... she thought bitterly.
Suddenly, a vase wobbled on a table. Meera rushed to steady it but bumped it slightly. The vase landed safely, but a candleholder fell with a crash.
"Oh!" Naina giggled. "Don't worry, accidents happen."
Aarav's eyes flickered toward her. "Careful, Meera. Or are you always this clumsy?"
"I-I'm sorry, sir," she murmured, lowering her gaze.
Naina whispered softly, "You didn't have to be harsh."
Aarav muttered under his breath. "She needs to remember her place."
Meera's chest twisted painfully.
Later in the evening, the three went to the garden. Aarav tossed a pebble playfully toward Naina. She dodged, laughing, and their hands brushed. Meera's fists clenched at her side. Why her? Why now?
Then a sudden wind blew, scattering some papers Naina had brought. Meera instinctively ran to pick them up, but Aarav looked at her sharply. "Careful, Meera. Or you'll ruin everything, as usual."
Her jaw tightened. She wanted to speak, but she stayed silent, her eyes following Naina as she thanked her. Always polite... always perfect...
AFter dinner:??????
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Aarav called softly, "Come on, Naina. I'll show you something in my room."
"Oh, okay," Naina replied.
Meera froze. His room... alone...
She pretended to tidy the kitchen but couldn't resist peeking through the slightly open door. Aarav brushed a strand of Naina's hair from her face. Then - just a brief, gentle gesture - he kissed her on the cheek.
Meera's chest felt like it had been struck. Her hands gripped the railing tightly. She didn't move, though her heart hammered painfully.
Naina giggled. "You always do that?"
Aarav smiled softly. "Only for special people."
Special people... Meera repeated silently, feeling invisible and broken.
---
Moments later, Meera accidentally dropped a tray near the living room. Aarav glanced at her and snapped, "Really, Meera? Can't you go five minutes without messing something up?"
Her fingers tightened around the handle. "I... I'm sorry, sir," she whispered, voice trembling.
Naina leaned forward softly. "Don't listen to him. Accidents happen."
Aarav ignored her. "She knows her place. I don't have to remind her, but apparently I do."
Meera's jealousy boiled. Every glance he gave Naina, every laugh, every gentle touch made her heart ache. She wanted to shout, to cry, to confront him - but she couldn't.
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Later that night:????
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Meera stood near the window, sweeping quietly. Aarav and Naina sat on the stone bench outside, talking and laughing. He leaned slightly closer to her, brushing his hand against hers again.
Her chest twisted painfully. She wanted to run, to escape, but she stayed hidden, watching them as if her heart might break with every word they exchanged.
In her narrow room:????
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lying on her bed and hugging her knees, Meera whispered to herself, "He never brought anyone home before... Why her? Why now?"
Her chest burned with longing, jealousy, and heartbreak. She wanted to scream, cry, or run but she couldn't. She couldn't stop watching. She couldn't stop loving him
The mansion had grown quiet after Naina left. The evening air smelled faintly of flowers from the gardens, and the soft hum of the ceiling fans filled the rooms. But Aarav's impatience shattered the calm.
"Coffee!" his sharp voice called from his room. "Now!"
There was a pause, then a soft shuffle. Moments later, a servant entered, holding a tray. "Sir, the coffee..."
Aarav glanced at the tray, frowning. "Where is Meera? She's supposed to bring it herself. Why is someone else doing it?"
Rani stepped forward nervously, lowering her gaze. "Sir... she was resting, sleeping after the long day. I brought it instead."
Aarav's eyes narrowed. "Sleeping? Sleeping when I asked for something? That's unacceptable!" His voice rose. "Go. Go and wake her up. Tell her I want coffee, and I want her to bring it herself. Now!"
Rani flinched but nodded. "Yes, sir," she whispered, hurrying toward Meera's room.
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Meera was lying on her narrow bed, hugging her knees, trying to make sense of the whirlwind of emotions from earlier Naina's laughter, the cheek kiss, Aarav's teasing, and his constant, cutting words.
Rani knocked gently. "Meera... sir wants his coffee. You... need to bring it."
Meera's chest tightened. "Now?" she whispered.
"Yes... he's... impatient," Rani said softly. "Go quickly. Please."
Meera exhaled shakily and got up. Her hands trembled as she poured the coffee carefully, added sugar, stirred gently, and arranged it on a tray. Her mind was a storm: Why does he always... why today of all days? I can't stop thinking about him... about her.
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She climbed the staircase, her heart hammering in her chest. Every creak of the floor sounded loud, every shadow seemed to move. She reached Aarav's door and hesitated.
"Go on," Rani whispered softly. "Just... do it. He wants coffee, that's all. Ignore everything else."
Meera nodded faintly, gripping the tray tightly. She opened the door.
Aarav leaned back in his chair, arms crossed, sharp gaze fixed on her. "Finally. About time," he said coldly.
"I... I'm sorry, sir," Meera murmured, stepping inside.
Aarav's eyes flicked over her. "Hmm... that took long enough. And you call this careful work? You're trembling like a leaf. Is this your idea of serving properly?"
"I... I was just... careful, sir," Meera whispered, eyes downcast.
Aarav smirked, leaning slightly forward. "Careful? You? Please. You spill, you drop, you ruin things. I don't know why I even expect perfection from you. Do you know why Naina can bring me coffee without trembling?"
Meera's chest tightened. "I... I don't know, sir," she whispered.
"Because she's... confident. Smooth. Polished. She doesn't make excuses." His voice was sharp, almost teasing. "You... you just... exist in the background, predictable, clumsy, invisible. That's you, isn't it?"
Meera's jaw tightened, and she swallowed hard, the jealousy burning hot in her chest. Every word reminded her of Naina the laughter, the soft smiles, the cheek kiss, the way Aarav had looked at her differently.
"I... I'll do better, sir," Meera said quietly, voice trembling.
Aarav leaned back, smirking faintly. "Do better? You should. Otherwise, you'll always be... just part of the furniture. Always in the shadows."
Meera's fists clenched around the tray. Her mind screamed to say something, to fight, to defend herself... but she stayed silent. She lowered her gaze and backed away
"Put the coffee on the table," he said, gesturing toward a small side table beside him. "And... lock the door behind you."
Meera froze. Her hands trembled, and her breath caught. Lock the door? Alone with him? Her chest tightened painfully.
"I... yes, sir," she whispered, trying to keep her voice steady.
She placed the tray carefully on the table, the cups clinking softly. Her fingers lingered on the handle of the door lock for a moment, hesitating. Aarav's eyes followed her every move.
"Do it," he said quietly but firmly.
Swallowing hard, Meera turned the key and locked the door. The click echoed in the quiet room. Her stomach churned. Now there was no way out.
Aarav leaned forward slightly, his piercing gaze fixed on her. "Good. Now, stay there. Don't move until I say so."
Meera's hands trembled, her lips pressed tightly together. She nodded silently, gripping the edge of the table for support.
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The next part will more interesting...so don't miss it.. it's like romantic..or tease..or something broken her heart again..