Chapter 21
Sana
“Aditya’s mom was absolutely a cruel witch,” Mili mutters, shutting the café door behind her as the last customer leaves.
After the confrontation with Aditya, I came straight to the café, needing a distraction to keep my mind occupied. I could feel Mili’s eyes on me, her face filled with unspoken questions she hadn’t dared to ask.
Now, I see her, ready to lash out with all that she’s been holding back.
“This whole day has been awful,” I mumble, sinking into my chair at the counter.
My mind replays it all like a reel I can’t shut off…
Aditya’s mom throwing those cruel words at me.
Aditya trying to convince me to give him a chance, to believe in us.
Me wanting to say yes—wanting him more than I should—yet knowing I can’t be with him, no matter how much he’s come to mean to me.
“Are you okay?” Mili asks, taking a seat opposite me.
“Of course I am.”
“You are such a bad liar,” she says, shaking her head, calling me out on my bluff. “Talk to me.”
I run a hand through my hair and let out a tired sigh.
“Aditya’s mom made it very clear that she doesn’t think I’m good enough for him.
And Aditya… he still wants me to give him a chance.
But I can’t. No matter how much I…” I stop myself, shaking my head.
“It’s just a mess,” I say, glancing at her, knowing she’s ready with her usual advice, but I just don’t have it in me today to listen to it.
“Can we save your two bits for another day? I’m not in the right mind for it right now. ”
Mili studies me for a moment before nodding. “Another day.”
She doesn’t push, doesn’t probe—just gives me the space I need. And for that, I’m grateful.
Mili then grabs her bag and rises to her feet. “Shall we head home?”
I shake my head. “I need to stay a bit longer.”
She opens her mouth, probably to protest, but I cut in before she can. “The coffee machine needs checking.”
Her brows pull together in concern. “I can stay back and help…”
I shake my head again. “It’s fine, Mili. I just… I need to be alone for a bit.”
She hesitates but then exhales softly. Slinging her bag over her shoulder, she gives me a small nod. “Alright. I’ll see you tomorrow. Call me if you need me.”
I nod in return, watching as she makes her way to the door. But just as she opens it, I see Jai standing there.
Mili grins, throwing me a knowing look before turning to him. “Hey, perfect timing. I need to rush, but I think you can help my dear friend here.”
He blinks, his brows knitting together in confusion as he opens his mouth to ask something. But she cuts him off. “I need to go. You’ll figure it out.”
And just like that, she’s gone, leaving me standing there as Jai steps in, his eyes finding mine with a smile on his lips.
“So… what help do you need?”
I shake my head. “Don’t bother. I’ve got it.”
He raises an eyebrow. “Nice try, but I’m helping.”
I sigh, turning back to the coffee machine, pretending to busy myself with the buttons. “Do you even know how a coffee machine works?”
“Don’t underestimate me. I’m a man of many talents.” He steps next to me as he folds the sleeves of his white shirt up to his elbows. “Now, watch the master at work.”
I can’t help the small smile that tugs at my lips, but I quickly hide it. “Alright, master. Let’s see this so-called talent of yours.”
“I won’t disappoint you,” he says, reaching for the coffee machine.
I cross my arms, watching him fumble with the machine for a few seconds before I finally grin. “You know, you can give up, and I promise I won’t laugh. Your ego will stay intact—safe and sound.”
“Give up? Not a chance. My ego thrives on a challenge.”
That makes me laugh a bit. “You’re impossible.”
“And you’re hard to impress.” He leans in just slightly. “Good thing I’m not the type to give up easily.”
I shake my head, letting out a soft breath. “You really don’t have to do this, Jai.”
His smile softens, the teasing fading into something gentler. “I know. But I want to.”
I nod, pointing at the machine. “Alright then, master of all—get to work.”
“Yes, ma’am.” He grins, saluting me before he begins fumbling with the machine again, clearly having no clue of what he’s doing.
I keep my eyes on Jai, but my mind drifts to Aditya.
How am I supposed to forget him and move on?
It’s not just the memories—it’s the way he made me feel.
I hate that a part of me still clings to the idea of us, even though I know I should let go.
But how do you forget someone who’s etched into your very soul?
I’m so lost in my thoughts, my fingers idly tracing circles on the counter, when Jai’s voice cuts through my thoughts.
“It’s done.”
I blink in surprise, turning to the coffee machine. “Wow, I’m impressed.”
“Told you I’m a master of all,” Jai smirks before holding up his hands. “I need to clean up.”
I nod and move to the washbasin, turning on the tap as he steps beside me to wash his hands.
I grab a towel and hold it out for him. Jai takes it and his fingers brushes against mine as he wipes his hands.
But just as I turn to head back to the counter, my foot suddenly slips, and a startled yelp escapes my lips as I lose my balance, the world tilting beneath me.
Before I can register what’s happening, Jai instinctively reaches out to steady me.
But his grip falters, and instead of saving me, he loses his balance too.
And just like that, we both go tumbling down.
I gasp as I crash into him, his arms instinctively wrapping around me as we hit the floor, leaving me sprawled on top of him, my hands firmly braced against his chest.
For a moment, neither of us moves. My eyes are wide with surprise, while his hold a soft smile. I can feel the heat rushing to my face.
“I…. I’m so sorry,” I stammer.
“Well, this is unexpected,” he teases.
I groan. “This is humiliating.”
He chuckles. “Oh, come on. If you wanted to fall for me, you could’ve just said so.”
I let out an exasperated laugh, shaking my head. “You’re unbelievable.”
His grin softens into something gentler. “But I didn’t let you get hurt, did I?”
Something about the way he says it makes me feel awkward. I’m about to push myself up when a sharp voice cuts through, freezing me in place.
“What the hell is going on here?”
My breath catches, but the next moment I push myself up, scrambling to my feet. My heart pounds as I turn to see Aditya standing at the entrance, his jaw clenched, his eyes dark with barely contained anger.
His glare isn’t directed at me, though. It’s fixed on Jai, who is now standing beside me, brushing imaginary dust off his shirt, looking completely unbothered.
Aditya steps closer, his fists clenching at his sides. “Mind telling me what exactly is happening here?”
I open my mouth, but before I can explain, Jai speaks. “Relax, man. She slipped, and I tried to help her.”
Aditya’s eyes flick between us. “Who the hell are you? And what the fuck are you doing at this hour when the café is closed for customers.” His voice is sharp, laced with something dangerously close to jealousy.
Jai doesn’t miss a beat. “I’m not a customer but a friend,” he says coolly, his usual smirk in place, but I can tell he’s sizing up Aditya now.
“And I’m here helping out a friend. You know, like decent people do.
” He tilts his head slightly before adding, “But I don’t think you are the type to understand this. ”
Aditya takes a step forward, but I instinctively move between them. “Jai, it’s fine. You should go.”
Jai hesitates, his gaze flicking to mine to check if I really mean it.
Then, with a small nod, he steps back, grabbing his phone from the counter.
“I’m going. But…” He turns back to Aditya, his smirk returning.
“I don’t know you, but I definitely have a piece of advice for you.
You might want to work on that temper, man. ”
With that, he gives me one last glance before walking out, leaving me with the angry bull.
The moment the door shuts behind him, Aditya rounds on me. “What the hell was that?”
I cross my arms, already exhausted. “That was nothing. You’re overreacting.”
He scoffs. “Overreacting? First, you break things off with me. Then I walk in and see you practically on top of some guy and I’m just supposed to ignore that?”
That’s it. My patience snaps. “It’s none of your business, Aditya.”
His expression darkens. “None of my business?” He steps closer, his voice quieter. “Did you really say that?”
I hold my ground, meeting his gaze. “Yes. You don’t get to question me about my personal life. Not anymore.”
His jaw clenches, but he doesn’t argue. Instead, he exhales sharply, dragging a hand through his hair before looking at me again.
“You’re pushing me to my limits,” he murmurs, almost to himself.
“I told you, Aditya. This isn’t going to happen.” I take a deep breath. But my own voice sounds distant and hollow as I speak. “Having someone like Jai around made me realise that what you and I had was never special. I can feel the same way with him—or with anyone, for that matter.”
The second the words leave my mouth, Aditya moves towards me. Before I can react, his hands grip my arms, his hold firm, but not painful. In one swift motion, he pushes me back until my spine meets the wall, trapping me between him and the cold surface.
My breath stutters.
His eyes blaze with something dark—something wild. “Is that so?” His voice is low, rough, almost a growl. “Then tell me this—does your heart race with him the way it did with me? Do his touches leave you breathless the way mine did? Can just one look from him make you forget the rest of the world?”
I lift my chin, refusing to let his words faze me. “Feelings fade. What we had wasn’t as irreplaceable as you think. And if it was, I wouldn’t have let it slip away so easily. But I did.”
His grip tightens slightly, his jaw clenching. “You think saying it out loud makes it true? That if you repeat it enough, it’ll start to feel real? The truth is, you’re not just hurting me. You’re hurting yourself just as much.”
I take a shaky breath, my heart hammering against my ribs. I know he’s in pain—I can see it in his eyes, hear it in his voice. But that doesn’t change my decision.
Pulling all my courage, I meet his gaze. “You are just in denial. You need to wake up and see the truth. You’re not the only man who can make me feel something, Aditya.”
His expression twists for a beat, something sharp and wounded flashing across his face. For a second, I think he might say something else, might argue, might plead—
But then, his lips curl into something bitter, something almost cruel. “You’re really in a mood to piss me off, aren’t you?”
“You need to stop chasing something that’s not yours, Aditya. Find another girl. Move on. Stop wasting your time here.” My voice is steady, but my heart is not.
“Move on?” A humorless chuckle escapes him. “You think I can just forget you? Just like that?”
“You need to like I did,” I whisper.
His fingers flex against my arms before he finally lets me go.
Taking a step back, he exhales sharply, his chest rising and falling with the force of his breath. His gaze locks onto mine.
“Don’t do this. Don’t break us.” His voice is quiet, but the intensity makes my skin prickle. “I know you’re scared—scared to give in to us. But I’m here, with you. Please understand, Sana, I don’t want anyone else. I want you.”
Something in my chest tightens, but I don’t let it show. I can’t.
“That’s not my problem,” I murmur.
Aditya runs a hand through his hair. “Fine. You want me to walk away? To end this?” His jaw tightens. “Then tell me one thing.” He leans in slightly, his fingers brushing over my lips. “Can you really let another man kiss you? Give him the part of you that was mine?”
My breath hitches, but I don’t move. I don’t waver. I hold his gaze and say the one thing I know he doesn’t want to hear.
“Yes.” I lie.
Something flickers in his eyes—hurt, anger, disbelief. His hands drop to his sides as he steps back, as if I just physically struck him.
“Miss Sana Arora.” His voice is hollow now, stripped of its usual fire. “You win for now. But don’t mistake it for my total defeat.”
And with that, he turns on his heel and walks away, leaving me standing there, my heart heavy in my chest.
I realize too late that in pushing him away, I’ve only ended up hurting the one man I ever truly loved.