The Pull She Cant Deny
Tiya's eyes didn't move.Not even for a second.They were locked .On Omkar... and Meera.
The way his hand rested on Meera's waist.The way Meera wasn't really there.
Her eyes kept drifting..Not toward the man holding her.But somewhere else.
Tiya noticed.
And slowly...So did Omkar.His gaze shifted.Following Meera's line of sight.
And it landed.On Aarav. knowing the smirk curved his lips.
"Ah...interesting.." he murmured under his breath.
Meera didn't notice.Her mind was too far gone.Her eyes again moved.
Toward Aarav.He was dancing with Tiya.Effortless.Like she didn't exist.
Like she never had.
A sharp pain twisted inside her chest.
He forgolt me...He really did...
Omkar's hand tightened on her waist, steadying her.
"Careful...Meera . You are not focusing on dancing." he said quietly.
Meera inhaled sharply.
"I'm fine. It's just..i.."she cut off by Omkar.
"No, you're not . You are Still looking at him?" Omkar replied instantly.
He leaned closer.Close enough for only her to hear.Meera froze. Her fingers stiffened against his shoulder.
"I ...I wasn't...it's just...my ... eyes meet his " she said quickly.
Omkar let out a low chuckle.
"Meera...You're terrible at lying. You also know that." he said, almost amused.
She looked away immediately.
"Why are you even noticing where I'm looking?" she muttered.
Omkar raised a brow.
"Because you're dancing with me . And yet... you're somewhere else." he said simply.
She didn't respond.He tilted his head slightly, studying her face.
"That's him, isn't it? The boy you said you love?"Then asked, casually..
Meera's breath stopped.Her grip on his shoulder tightened unconsciously.
"...What are you talking about? I don't understand anything . " she whispered.
"The one you love."Omkar's smirk
Her heartbeat echoed in her ears.
How...?How does he know...?
"I don't... what are you talking about.. it's like that.." she tried again.
"Don't . Don't insult your love by lying again." Omkar cut her off softly.
"I've been watching you since you walked in."His voice dropped lower.
"...Watching me?"Meera's eyes flickered up in shock.
Omkar nodded slightly and said ,
"The way you froze when you see him.The way your breathing changed.The way you haven't looked at anyone else the same way."
He leaned in just a little more.
"And the way you're looking at him right now... even while you're in my arms."
Meera swallowed hard.
"...Is it that obvious?"Her voice came out barely above a whisper.
Omkar didn't hesitate."Yes."
The word hit her harder than she expected.She looked down.A faint, broken smile forming on her lips.
"That's... embarrassing," she murmured.
Omkar studied her quietly."Or be honest," he corrected.
Meera let out a soft breath."You don't understand that." she said.
"Then explain it to me," Omkar replied immediately.
She hesitated.Then shook her head.
"It's complicated."
"Everything worth feeling is," he said.
That made her look at him.
She forgot to hide.
"Yes you are right...I loved ...him," she said softly.
"Loved?" Omkar repeated.his gaze didn't waver.
Meera's eyes flickered again toward Aarav.Then back down.
"...Love," she corrected quietly.
There was no hesitation this time.
No denial.Just truth.
Omkar's expression changed just slightly.
"And what about him?" he asked.
Meera let out a faint, humorless laugh.
"I don't know anymore.He used to...No... I think he did "Her voice trembled.She paused.Then shook her head again.
"Think?"Omkar's eyes narrowed slightly. Meera nodded.
"He looked at me like I was everything," she whispered.
"And now?" he asked.
Her eyes slowly moved toward Aarav again.He was still dancing.
"...Now he looks through me," she said.That one line lingered.
Omkar exhaled slowly.
"And you're okay with that?" he asked.
"No," Meera admitted and she blinked.
"Then why are you standing here like you've already lost?" he pressed.
"Because maybe I have."Her brows furrowed.
"Or maybe you're just scared to find out the truth," Omkar countered.
"What truth?"She looked at him.
Omkar leaned closer."Maybe he still feels it."His voice is low.
Her breath caught.Hope.
"...No. It can't be true. He hates me . And if he did... he would've at least looked at me." she whispered quickly.
"You really think men work that simply?"Omkar smirked slightly.
"What does that mean?"Meera frowned.
Omkar's eyes flickered toward Aarav again."I'm a man, Meera . And trust me...I can recognize that look." he said quietly.
He paused.Watching Aarav carefully.
Meera's heart started beating faster.
"What look?" she asked softly.
"The one where you pretend you don't care...because you care too much."Omkar's lips curved faintly.
His gaze darkened.Meera's breath is still.Her fingers tightened slightly on his shoulder.
"...You're just saying that to make me feel better." she whispered.
"No . I'm saying it because it's true." Omkar replied calmly.
She shook her head slowly.
"But he didn't even look at me once...Not once, Omkar..."Her voice broke slightly.
Omkar's expression softened.
Then it was gone.
"He looked," Omkar said quietly.
Meera froze."...What did you say?"
"He just made sure you didn't see it."he said.
Her eyes widened slightly.
And without realizing . They moved again.Toward Aarav.
Hope flickered inside her chest.
"...Really? You think that." she asked, almost afraid of the answer.
A slow smile forming.
"Yes."Omkar held her gaze.
For the first time that nightThe heaviness in her eyes softened.
A small, stubborn hope rose again.
Just maybe...He hasn't forgotten me.
Across the dance floor
Tiya saw everything.The closeness.The way Omkar leaned toward Meera.Her jaw tightened.
"...Unbelievable.. i hate this .." she muttered under her breath.Her grip on Aarav's shoulder tightened unconsciously.
"You're holding too tight," Aarav said calmly.But his tone was distant. Because his eyes on Meera.
Tiya noticed.A bitter smile touched her lips.
"Interestingly . Your focus isn't exactly where it should be," she said softly.
Aarav didn't respond.Just silence.
Tiya exhaled sharply.
"Say it, man . " she said suddenly.
"Say what?"Aarav finally looked at her.
"That this bothers you too . That them being this close... doesn't sit well with you." she said, her voice tightening.
"You're assuming things."Aarav's expression didn't change..
Tiya let out a soft, disbelieving laugh.
"No,I'm observing." she shook her head.
Aarav's gaze drifted back to Meera.
To the way Omkar's hand rested on her waist.To how close they were standing.Something dark flickered in his eyes.
Then...
"Omkar."His voice wasn't loud.
Omkar looked up instantly.
"Yes?"A slow smirk is already forming.
Aarav held his gaze."Let's switch."
Tiya blinked.
"...Wait, what?" she said, turning to him.
Omkar's smile widened slightly.
"Well...That's unexpected." he drawled.His eyes flickered toward Meera.Then back to Aarav.
"Any particular reason?" he asked casually.
Aarav didn't hesitate.
"Does there need to be one?" he replied.
Their eyes locked.Something unspoken passing between them.Challenge.
Tiya looked between them, confused.
"You're serious?" she asked Aarav.
Aarav didn't look at her."Yes."
"Interesting...Looks like your man finally decided to react ." he murmured.Then leaned slightly toward Meera.
Meera's heart stopped.Her fingers tightened on his arm.
"Omkar, don't.. dare agree on this." she started, panic rising in her voice.
But Omkar straightened.
"Sure,Why not?" he said smoothly.
Meera's eyes widened instantly.
"No...No, I don't want to.."Her head shook slightly.
"Relax . Isn't this what you wanted?" Omkar cut her off softly.
"No...you can't do this to me" she whispered.
But no one was listening anymore.
Everything happened at once.
Aarav stepped forward.He reached for Tiya's hand. And gently but firmly guided her toward Omkar.
"Go," he said quietly.
Tiya blinked."But.."
"Trust me.." Aarav added.
Something in his tone made her stop arguing.
At the same moment..
Omkar turned.And without giving Meera time to react..He pushed her forward.Straight into..
Aarav.Her breath caught.
Aarav's hand caught her. His grip on her arm tightened just enough to pull her closer.Too close.
Meera froze.Her heartbeat spiraled out of control.Don't look at him...
Don't. But she did.Her eyes lifted slowly.And met his.At most Six years.And nothing had changed.
And everything had changed.
Omkar, now holding Tiya, smiled lazily.
"Enjoy." he said under his breath.
Tiya's face lit up instantly.
She looked up at Omkar, her eyes shining.
"Took you long enough." she said softly.
Omkar smirked and said,"Don't get used to it."
Meera stood completely still in Aarav's arms.Her fingers tremble slightly.Her breath is uneven.
Aarav noticed.Of course he did.
"You're shaking." he said quietly.
"I'm not," she replied quickly.
Her voice gave her away.Aarav's grip on her waist steadied her.
"Still a bad liar," he murmured.
Her breath hitched.
Her eyes flickered up again.
"...Why did you do that?" she asked softly.
"Do what?"Aarav held her gaze.
"Changed partners. " she said
Aarav didn't answer immediately.
His eyes searched hers.As if looking for something.
Then..
"You don't do anything without a reason. Then why did you do that?"Meera asked Aarav.
Aarav's jaw tightened just a fraction.
"And you still think you know me that well?" he asked quietly.
The question hit deeper than she expected.
"...I used to but maybe.." she said.
Silence fell between them.
Aarav's gaze softened for just a second.
"Then maybe you should pay attention now too," he said.
"What does that mean?"Meera frowned slightly.
Aarav didn't reply.
Instead..
He pulled her a little closer.Not enough to make a scene.But enough to make a point.
"To stop looking at him," he said under his breath.
"...What?"Meera's breath caught.
Aarav's eyes locked onto hers."You're dancing with me now. So stop this now "
She started getting panicked.
"No...it's enough I. .I don't want to dance with you anymore ." Meera said quickly, taking a step back.
Aarav didn't let go.Not even a little.
Instead..A slow, dangerous smirk appeared on his lips.
"Refusing me , the Aarav Oberoi?" he asked quietly.
Meera frowned, irritation rising through the fear.
"I don't care who you are . Even if you're the most famous man in the room... I said I don't want to dance." she snapped softly.
She turned.Ready to walk away.
To escape.
But.His hand caught her wrist.
"Aarav.. what are yo..."Before she could finish.He pulled her back.
Her body collided with his.
A soft gasp escaped her lips. " Ah.."
Aarav leaned down slightly.
Close enough for only her to hear.
"Don't create a scene here." he whispered.His breath brushed against her ear. Touching her ear.
"If you walk away now...what will people think?" he paused.Meera's fingers clenched into his shirt.
"I don't care," she said, but her voice wasn't steady anymore.
"You should."Aarav's lips are faintly curved.
His gaze flickered around them.
People were already watching.
Curious.Whispering.
Then his eyes dropped back to hers.
"What will they say?That you refused me? Or that you couldn't handle being this close?" he continued softly.
That hit.Hard.Her eyes flashed with anger.
"You haven't changed.Still arrogant. Still wants to cont..." she said.
"Still the only one who affects you like this?" he cut in quietly.
Her breath caught.
"No," she said immediately.
Aarav didn't argue.He just looked at her.Like he already knew the truth.
Meera looked around again.
Too many eyes.Too much attention
She swallowed hard."...Fine,I'll dance. But don't dare to do something stupid." she said quietly.
"Good."Aarav's grip tightened just slightly.
He didn't give her time to prepare.
He turned her.Pulled her closer.
His hand slid to her waist.Holding her in place.
Meera instinctively tried to step back.
"Aarav, give me some space.."
"No," he said softly.
Every time she moved awayHe pulled her back.Again.And again.
Not rough.But deliberate.
Like he wasn't giving her a choice.
His other hand found hers.
Their fingers brushed.
And she froze.Because even that small contact. She felt the same.
Like nothing had changed.Like six years hadn't passed at all.
"Why are you doing this..." she whispered.Aarav didn't answer immediately.His hand at her waist shifted slightly..
Steadying her as she stumbled.
His touch was controlled.
He knew her.Every reaction.
Every weakness.
"Because you keep running," he said finally.
"I'm not running," she shot back.
"You want to leave ." he replied instantly.That stopped her.
Her eyes lifted to his.
"And you also promised you wouldn't go. Even if you go you will come for me but.." she said, her voice trembling now.
Aarav's expression changed.Even as they moved with the music.Even as his hand held her close.
"You said distance wouldn't matter...You said you'd stay... even if it was far away...And then you disappeared."Her voice cracked.
Aarav's jaw tightened.
Silence fell between them.Meera's fingers curled against his shoulder.
"You didn't call.You didn't come back.You didn't even try." she whispered.
Her eyes blurred with unshed tears.
Aarav's grip on her waist tightened.
Not painfully.But enough to feel the emotion behind it.
"You think it was that simple?" he asked quietly.
"Yes!You chose to leave!" she snapped, her voice breaking.
"And you chose to believe that," he shot back.Meera froze.
"What does that mean?" she asked.
But Aarav didn't answer.
Instead..He pulled her slightly closer.
Their steps are slowing.Their faces are closer now. He make her turned and his hand on her belly under saree .
"You still react the same way," he said softly.
"What did .."Meera frowned.
"To me," he finished.
"No. It's just true. You just imagine things that are not really!!" she whispered.
He being his face into her neek. His lips were touching her neck.
But her body betrayed her.
Her heart was racing.Her fingers tremble.Aarav noticed everything.
"You say you don't care," he murmured.
"But your heartbeat says otherwise."
Her eyes widened.
"You don't get to do this," she said.
"Do what?"he asked.
"Come back after years and act like nothing has changed!" she said
Aarav's gaze softened..Just for a second.
"Nothing changed for me," he said quietly.That broke something in her.
"Don't say that," she whispered.
"Why?" he asked.
"You don't get to hold me like this...and expect me not to feel anything."she said.
Aarav leaned slightly closer.
"Then don't feel it," he said.
"You know I can't."Meera let out a broken laugh.
And that was the truth.
The most dangerous truth.
Her fingers slowly relaxed against his shoulder.Her body..
Despite everything..Stopped fighting him.Aarav felt it.
That surrender.His grip softened just slightly.But he didn't let her go.
Not tonight.
And Meera..She hated it.Hated how easily she melted.Hated how nothing had changed.