Chapter 22
Aditya
With my pulse thundering in my ears, I shove open the bathroom door and stride toward the washbasin. My hands shake as I twist the faucet. Leaning forward, I cup the cold water and splash it onto my face, hoping desperately that it will cool the fire raging inside me.
But it doesn’t.
Gripping the edge of the basin, I drop my head, squeezing my eyes shut.
The drive home had been hell—my mind replaying the sight of her over and over again.
Sana, on top of that bastard, his hands on her.
Even though I know it means nothing, it doesn’t help.
It doesn’t stop the ugly grip of possessiveness that chokes me.
And the fucking worst part? It doesn’t stop the raw, gut-wrenching ache of watching her shove me away, over and over—like I’m nothing.
Like forgetting me is too easy. Like I never even mattered.
I lift my head and stare at my reflection in the mirror—jaw clenched, chest rising and falling as if I ran a marathon, and eyes burning with rage and heartbreak.
“Damn it!” I roar and drive my fist into the mirror. The glass shatters with a deafening crack, shards raining down as my reflection splinters, fractured and broken. Just like me.
I lower my head again, my heart beating rapidly.
A ragged breath drags through my lungs, but it does nothing to steady me.
The ache, the frustration, the sheer helplessness coils tighter inside me like a vice.
I squeeze my eyes shut, my fist throbbing, but the pain in my hand is nothing compared to the one tearing through my chest.
I pull my phone from my jeans pocket, my grip tightening as I scroll to Ranveer’s name and hit call. The line rings once, twice then his voice comes through.
“Yo, what’s up?”
“Feel like a drink?” My voice is rougher than I intended, but I don’t bother fixing it.
Ranveer doesn’t hesitate or question my shitty mood. Instead, his reply comes instantly. “Yeah, sure.”
“I’ll be there in fifteen.” I don’t wait for a response. I just hang up.
Shoving my phone back into my pocket, I march into my room, snatch up my car keys from the side table, and march out of the house. The cool night air hits my face the moment I step outside—but it does nothing to calm me.
Sliding into the driver’s seat, I slam my foot on the accelerator and move out of my parking spot. The silence in the car is deafening—but my mind isn’t.
It’s still back there.
Still stuck on her.
Still burning with the sight of her in someone else’s arms.
I tighten my grip on the wheel, my jaw locking. Just focus on the drive. Just fucking focus. Fifteen minutes. That’s all I need. Then I can drown this feeling, drown the ache threatening to consume me whole with the burn of whiskey.
Minutes later, I pull up in front of Ranveer’s house just as he steps out the door. Without missing a beat, he slides into the passenger seat, shutting the door with a thud. He barely has his seatbelt on before he turns to me, his eyes sharp with curiosity.
“Alright, man, spill. What’s wrong?”
I don’t answer right away. I just start the car, staring straight ahead as my mind spins, struggling to make sense of the chaos raging inside me. Finally, I let out a heavy breath and say the only name that’s been tearing me apart.
“Sana.”
Ranveer leans back. “What happened now?”
I press harder on the gas. “She wants to end things with me,” I grind out.
“She says we’re not meant to be. And then there’s the damn thought—the what if.
What if some other guy steps in? What if he gets close.
.. and she lets him? What if he takes her away from me—” I cut myself off, my jaw clenching.
Ranveer lets out a low whistle. “Now I see why you look like you’re ready to break something.” Then, he looks at my hand and asks. “Wait… Did you break something?”
I flex my hand, feeling the dull sting from earlier. “The mirror.”
He shakes his head. “Of course you did.” Then his voice turns serious. “Look, man, if she’s really someone who’s got your heart, then you gotta talk to her and sort this mess out. I don’t know why she wants to end things with you, but don’t let her. You fight for what’s yours—no backing down.”
I scoff. “If it were that easy, I wouldn’t be driving to the damn pub to drown my pain in sorrow.”
Ranveer studies me for a moment. “Well, drowning won’t fix shit either. Listen, you’ve got two choices — win her over, or walk away before this destroys you.”
I let out a hollow laugh. “Walk away? You think I can?”
He exhales. “Then, at least stop letting this eat you alive.”
I don’t respond because I can’t. This isn’t something I can control. So, I do the only thing left — I shift my focus to the next problem. “My mom.”
Ranveer raises a brow. “What about her?”
“She’s been going on about me settling down with the ‘perfect’ woman she’s handpicked for me.
Also, she’s made it damn clear that Sana isn’t up to their so-called standards to be a part of the family.
” I shake my head, my frustration boiling over.
“And I know she’s the one who planted this same bullshit in Sana’s head, making her believe she doesn’t belong in my life. That’s why Sana’s pushing me away.”
Ranveer lets out a low hum. “That’s rough.”
I nod slowly. “It is.”
He sighs. “Look, man. I know you’re caught between two women driving you insane. One’s pushing you away, and the other’s pushing you towards something you’re not ready for.”
I let out a dry laugh. “Yeah, sounds about right.”
“Relax. Let’s drown a glass or two, then we’ll figure something out.”
I finally loosen my grip on the wheel. “Yeah… I need help here before I lose my mind.”
“That’s what I’m here for, man. Now, let’s get that drink before you actually lose it,” he says just as I pull up in front of our usual bar.
I kill the engine, but before I can move, my phone buzzes in my pocket.
My heart jumps as I pull it out, praying—hoping—for Sana’s name to flash on the screen.
But it isn’t. It’s my mom.
I exhale sharply, disappointment curling in my chest.
Ranveer glances at me, immediately catching on. “Not her?”
I shake my head, stuffing down the frustration. “It’s my mom.”
He lets out a low whistle. “You can’t dodge this call.”
I roll my eyes. “Just go inside and get us a table. I’ll be there soon.”
Ranveer pats my shoulder before stepping out. As soon as he disappears into the bar, I lean back against the seat, squeezing my eyes shut for a second before inhaling deeply. Then, finally, I answer the call.
“Yes, Mom.”
“Aditya, are you home?”
I rub my forehead. “No, I’m out.”
“Out where?”
I sigh, already knowing where this is going. “Just catching up with Ranveer.”
She hums before speaking, “I was just thinking… You should meet this girl once before you say no.”
I clench my jaw. Here we go.
“Before we discuss this, tell me something, Mom. Did you have a word with Sana?” I confront her.
The other end of the line falls silent. I grip the steering wheel, my patience hanging by a thread.
Seconds pass before Mom speaks. “So, that girl complained about me? I knew it! She…”
“I won’t let you blame her for this! She has nothing—” I begin, but she cuts me off.
“Yes, I spoke to Sana. Yes, I went to the café. And yes, I showed her where she stands. And I don’t regret it because everything I did was for your own good.”
“You did it for my good?” I let out a sarcastic laugh, shaking my head. “Mom, do you even hear yourself? What exactly did you say to her?”
“The truth,” she hisses. “I told her she needs to stop leading you on, stop making you believe there’s something real when all she has is her own selfish motive.
I made it clear that this... whatever this is between you two, it’s not meant to last. She needs to step back before she ruins your future. ”
I feel the anger rise, burning through my veins. “And you think you had the right to do that?”
“Yes!” she snaps. “Because you refuse to see what’s right for you! You’re blinded by her, Aditya. But I won’t sit back and watch you tie yourself to some girl who isn’t even worthy of you.”
I inhale sharply, trying to rein in the fury curling in my chest. “You had no right to go to her, to interfere like that. Do you even realise the damage you’ve done? Do you have any idea what she’s been going through? What I’ve been going through?”
“Oh, I know exactly what you’ve been going through!” she fires back. “You’re angry, restless—snapping at everyone, breaking things, walking around like a storm ready to explode. You’re miserable, but that’s just temporary. Once you realise she’s not worth it and that I was right, you’ll be fine.”
I close my eyes, breathing deeply through my nose. “Wow, you’ve got it all figured out, mom. Maybe you should actually win that Mom of the Year award.”
“Aditya, quit acting like a child. You owe it to us to at least try with the girl we’ve chosen for you,” she insists.
“Looks like you and Dad have already decided I’m not capable of choosing a girl for myself and that someone you both know is the one who can give me the happiness I deserve.”
“Yes. And I’ve arranged for you to meet her tomorrow.” Her voice softens slightly. “Just one meeting, Aditya. She’s from a good family and is well-educated. I think you’ll like her.”
I stay silent for a moment, knowing no matter how much I argue, Mom is hell-bent upon making me agree to her. And for now… I have no choice but to play along.
I finally exhale and reply, “Fine.”
There’s a beat of silence before she responds cautiously. “Fine?”
I nod to myself. “I’ll meet the girl you have in mind for me.”
“That’s all I’m asking, Aditya—”
“But on one condition.” I cut in, my voice firm. “If I meet this girl, you will stay out of my personal life. No more interfering, no more pushing, and most importantly—no more hurting Sana with your words. Ever again.”
“But will you say yes to this girl?” her voice comes out hesitant.
“We’ll cross that bridge when we get there. For now, I’m just agreeing to meet her. Nothing more.”
She sighs, her voice laced with reluctant acceptance. “Alright. I agree to your condition, but only if you agree to meet the girl with an open mind.”
I let out a slow breath. “Fine,” I say, my fingers tapping against the steering wheel. “But don’t bother booking any fancy five-star restaurant or setting up some grand setup.”
“You have a place in mind?” she asks, confused.
“I do,” I smirk, though there’s no humour in it. “I’ll be taking her to Sana’s café.”
Mom’s voice comes through immediately. “Why would you do that?”
“Because if I’m going to entertain this ridiculous idea, I’m doing it on my terms. And that means I get to choose the place of my choice.”
I hear her exhale sharply. “You’re impossible.”
I smirk again. “Yeah, I’ve been told that a lot.”
Without waiting for her to say more, I end the call and toss my phone onto the passenger seat.
Sana, you wanted to end things? You wanted me to walk away and let you erase me from your life?
No. That’s not how this ends. If you think I’m going to make it easy for you, you couldn’t be more wrong. I’ll make it impossible.
You wanted distance—I’ll give you the opposite. I’ll close every inch of that space until you can’t breathe without feeling me near you. Until you can’t take it anymore and have no choice but to face the truth.
You are mine, and I’m going to make sure you accept it and always remember it. I will stop at nothing until you finally come back to me. From now on, every second you spend away from me will feel like a mistake. Like regret.
I’ll make sure you feel every ounce of what you put me through—the ache, the frustration, the helplessness. Now it’s my turn to see how well you handle watching me with another woman in your café. I will so enjoy seeing that sting of jealousy on your face.
My sweetheart… now it’s your turn to feel what I felt.
This is going to be fun.