Chapter 9
Kavya
He’s not even mine, so why this jealousy? Yet last night, I couldn’t stop tossing and turning, haunted by the image of him with her. It makes no sense , but my heart ached when I saw them together. I don’t even understand why I feel like I’ve lost something precious when he was never mine to begin with. I squeeze my eyes shut, desperately trying to block out the pain, but it’s of no use. I have to stay away from him . I need to focus on Nisha.
Smiling, I look down at Nisha and take her hand in mine before sitting on the chair next to her bed. “You know, I didn’t go to work today. It’s the first sick leave I’ve ever taken, and you can’t imagine how frustrating it is. Aunty and Akash have practically locked me in the house, insisting I need rest, treating me like I’m made of glass. It’s driving me crazy. I know they mean well, but their overprotectiveness is suffocating. I wish you were here to take my side and tell them how ridiculous they’re being.”
“They’re not being ridiculous; you need to focus on taking rest and not working,” I hear that familiar voice and lift my eyes to see Reyansh stepping into the room with flowers and a brown paper bag in his hand. Instantly, I straighten my back, and my muscles tense.
“So, you’re also Team Torture Kavya,” I joke, trying to mask the whirlwind of conflicting emotions filling my chest.
“Guilty as charged,” Reyansh quips with a grin. “But only because I care about you, even if it means joining Team Torture Kavya,” he adds, handing me the flowers and the brown paper bag before pulling up a chair and sitting next to me.
“What’s this?” I ask, carefully placing the flowers on the side table and peeking into the bag, which smells delicious, making my mouth water.
“Mom baked chocolate cake for you,” he says as I pull out the cake box from the bag.
“I swear, she’s spoiling me rotten,” I smile, eyeing the cake. “At this rate, I’m going to turn into a balloon!”
“You deserve to be spoiled rotten, and I’m sure you’ll still look beautiful,” he states, causing me to look up at him. I shift in my chair, feeling a flutter in my stomach as his eyes remain fixed on me, confirming that he meant every word.
“I didn’t know you would be dropping by,” I say, trying to change the topic. H is lips tip up in a knowing smile, as if he can see right through me.
“You don’t want me here?” he asks, his voice carrying amusement instead of offence.
I shake my head, carefully closing the cake box and placing it next to the flowers. “It’s not that. I just assumed you’d be at the office or busy with something else. I wouldn’t want you to feel obligated to take time off just to check on me.”
“I don’t do things because I am supposed to. I am here because I want to be here,” he assures me softly.
“I really appreciate the flowers and your concern, but I am fine, Reyansh. You don’t have to come every day to check on me,” I whisper. How do I even begin to explain that seeing him is harder on my head and heart than the pain I am recovering from? The flowers might brighten my room, but his presence makes everything so much more complicated.
“I get that you’re fine, but I am not stopping my visits . Let’s not argue about it.”
“Reyansh—” I begin, but he interrupts me.
“What do the doctors say about your sister’s condition?” he asks, nodding his head towards my sister, his voice filled with concern.
“The same thing as before—they don’t know how long it will take for her to wake up. It could be days, months, or even years,” I shrug, stealing a glance at my sister before returning my gaze to him.
“Kavya,” he whispers, and the way he says my name stirs something inside me, making me feel vulnerable and caught up in the moment.
Clearing my throat, I turn to my sister and gently run my hand across her forehead. “ You know, when we were kids, there was this time we were playing in the backyard, and she fell off her bike . My parents and I panicked, seeing her hands and legs covered in blood. But she just got up, brushed herself off, and laughed it off like it was no big deal.” I take a deep breath, feeling a lump in my throat . “She’s always been a fighter. Even now, in this coma, I believe in her strength. I know she’s going to fight through this and wake up, just like she always does.”
He takes my hand in his and gives it a reassuring squeeze. “You never cease to amaze me with how you’re dealing with the loss of your parents and now taking care of your sister.”
“I have found my peace with it. Despite the losses, I know I haven’t lost everything; I still have my sister. I hold onto the hope that one day she’ll wake up, and that’s what keeps me going,” I confide, my emotions laid bare as I look into his eyes.
“You are incredibly strong,” he says softly.
“Thanks,” I reply softly, his words sink deep into my heart. I hesitate to label myself as strong because there have been moments when I felt like a coward and indeed broke down. I still remember the nights in my room, tears flowing, my heart nearly giving up. I don’t even know how I’ve made it this far, but somehow, amidst the darkness and pain, I’ve found the strength to keep going.
“Kavya, we need to talk about last night,” he says quietly, his eyes locked onto mine.
I swallow, unsure of what he’s about to say about his date. The last thing I want is for him to know how much it’s been bothering me.
“What about last night?” I feign nonchalance, trying to appear unaffected, even though my heart is racing. I inhale sharply and brace myself for whatever comes next.
“About you seeing me with Ankita.”
“Oh, that,” I reply, forcing a smile. “It was nice running into you. Ankita seems like a lovely woman. You both make quite a pair,” I add, the words sounding bitter despite my effort to stay composed .
“Ankita and I are not together,” he clarifies, shaking his head and running his hand through his hair. “It was just a stupid dinner my mom forced me into, and I couldn’t say no.”
“Maybe your mom had this idea of you two together,” I whisper hesitantly. “You know, the whole mom thing, trying to mingle and find the right match for their children,” I reply with a soft smile and add, “I suppose it’s their way of looking out for you on what they think is best.”
“Yeah, a total mom thing,” he says with a chuckle that quickly turns serious. “But I made it clear to my mom that I am not interested in Ankita.”
“I don’t think that will stop her from trying. I bet if my mom were alive, she would have done the same,” I mutter. “But you know what’s ironic? Sunita Aunty has stepped into that role, reminding me every day about finding someone. ”
“And are you ready to commit yourself to a relationship?” he asks, and I look up at him. The moment our eyes meet, my pulse quickens from the intensity of his gaze, and I find myself momentarily speechless . “Tell me, Kavya, are you ready to give your heart?” he repeats, his voice gentle yet probing.
I gulp hard and shake my head. “No, I am not ready. And I never will be. I’ve done that once, and I am still trying to put the pieces of my heart back together. I don’t have it in me to go through that heartache again.”
He nods , a slight smile on his lips . “I understand. You need time to heal, and it’s okay to prioritise your own well-being. But I am here to change your mind. I will make you believe that giving love a chance is worth it all. And I’ll make sure there’s a day when you say with your own lips just how incredible love can truly be.”
“You’re fighting a losing battle,” I say, and his smile broadens into a grin that sends a flutter through my stomach.
“Is that a challenge?” he retorts with a cocky chuckle. “Because I’ll have you know, I’ve never backed down from a challenge, especially when it comes to matters of the heart,” he adds, raising an eyebrow with a confidence that’s hard to ignore .
“It’s not a challenge. I’m just stating the truth,” I clarify, not wanting things to escalate into a contest. I know my heart and feelings are at stake , and I’m afraid of ending up hurt again .
“A truth that I intend to change,” he states, sending a wave of butterflies in my stomach as he reaches out, his fingers gently tucking my hair behind my ears.
“Why are you doing this?” I ask, trying to make sense of everything. The flowers, the time together, and now wanting me to come out of my shell and break the walls I’ve built around my heart. What does it all mean?
“We need to table this talk for another day. I don’t think you are ready for that much honesty as of yet,” he says, and before I can argue, he leans down and kisses my forehead. “I need to go now. I will see you later.”
My throat feels tight as I nod, watching him stand up and head to the door.
“Don’t forget to eat the chocolate cake,” he says over his shoulder, winking before he leaves.
Once he’s out of sight, I breathe a sigh of relief. Thank goodness. Almost instinctively, I lift my hand and run it over my forehead where he kissed me, my heart still somersaulting in my chest. I’m not sure what honesty he’s referring to, but something tells me I’m still not ready to confront the emotions he’s evoking in me. He’s tapping into something deep within, something I’m not prepared to face just yet.