Chapter 11
Kavya
“I love her.” His words haven’t stopped echoing in my mind, serving as a constant reminder of the turmoil inside me. Getting through lunch and pretending I hadn’t heard anything was sheer torture. The worst part is that it’s been ten days since I overheard his talk with Akash, and since then I’ve been avoiding him like the plague. From locking myself in my room and asking Sunita Aunty to tell him that I was asleep, to pretending to be absorbed in a work call, to interacting with my colleagues whenever he would drop by the office—I’ve found every excuse possible to dodge him. Also, every time Sunita Aunty and Akash brought him up in conversation, I would swiftly change the subject, unable to endure the flutter it brought to my stomach at the mere mention of his name. Ignoring the emotional storm he stirs within me, and convincing myself that avoiding him is for the best, has been harder than I ever imagined, especially since a small part of my heart has started to beat for him.
I know I’m being childish, and I can’t go on like this forever. At some point, I’ll have to confront him and be honest that whatever he’s hoping for, I’m not the one. My life is too complicated to even think about getting involved with anyone, that too with someone like him. He might be a nice guy, but I can’t overlook the fact that he comes from a world of money and luxury, while I’m just a simple girl struggling to make ends meet and taking care of my sister. And no man wants to be with a woman who carries baggage. I hate to use that term for my sister, but it’s the harsh reality from the perspective of society. On top of that, the scars from my previous relationship make it impossible for me to trust in love again.
The thought of bridging that gap between us feels impossible. How could I ever fit into his world? And could he ever truly understand mine? It’s not just about him or me—it’s about the reality we live in. The truth is, our worlds are too different, and we just don’t fit together.
A nagging sense of unease lingers within me, reminding me that the stakes are infinitely higher with Reyansh. While Deepak broke my trust and my heart, Reyansh possesses the power to shatter me completely if I allow myself to fall for him. I can’t afford to let fear break me, especially when my sister depends on me for her life.
My thoughts are interrupted by the ringing of my phone . Glancing at the screen, I see it’s Akash calling . Taking a deep breath, I pick up my phone from the table and answer the call. “Hey, what’s up?”
“Where the hell are you?” he asks, his tone sharp. A frown creases my brow as I listen to his voice over the phone. It’s Sunday morning, and I don’t have any pending work at the office, so why does he sound so worked up?
“I’m at the coffee shop near my house,” I reply cautiously, and then I hear him talk to someone in the background, saying, “She’s at the coffee shop near her house.”
“Ugh, Akash, what’s happening? Is everything okay?” I ask, a tinge of worry in my voice.
“Yup, all okay. Reyansh was on the other line. He called me to ask where you were because he went to your house and you weren’t there. So, I told him where to find you.”
“You told him I’m here,” I groan, sitting up straighter in my chair , my eyes scanning the small, empty coffee shop that I’d come to for some peace and quiet. It seems I’m out of luck for both .
“Hey, he didn’t give me much of a choice. He was getting on my nerves asking about you, and I wasn’t in the mood to ruin my Sunday getting interrogated by him,” he explains.
I run my fingers over my forehead, frustrated. “So, you thought it would be okay to ruin my Sunday?”
“What’s the problem exactly, Kavya?” Akash’s voice rings in my ear, and I inhale shakily.
“Can we talk about this later? Right now, I need to make myself invisible,” I say, my eyes darting around the coffee shop as I desperately search for a hidden exit. Thankfully, I picked a table tucked in the corner, so hopefully, he won’t notice me.
“I doubt there’s a way for you to slip past that hawk’s piercing gaze,” he chuckles, and I groan, knowing he’s right but too irritated to accept it.
“Can you please give it a rest for once and stop annoying me?”
“Well, I can’t help it; it’s what I am best at,” he playfully retorts.
“Argh... I don’t have time for this,” I mutter as I hang up and drop my phone into my purse. Just as I’m about to gather my things and stand up , I spot Reyansh entering the coffee shop. I quickly slump back down, noticing the smirk playing on his lips as his eyes lock onto mine, as if saying , ‘Caught you. You can’t escape now.’ Looks like luck isn’t on my side today.
‘Mission: keep Reyansh at arm’s length failed,’ I murmur to myself.
Gulping, I watch him take predatory steps towards me, looking effortlessly handsome in his casual jeans and a black t-shirt . Gosh! Things would be a whole lot easier if he would just take the hint and leave me alone instead of appearing like a spectre every damn time.
As he comes to stand near my table, I begin to open my mouth, unsure of what to say. But all my words die in my throat as he places one hand on the back of my chair and the other on the table, effectively caging me in place with his deep brown eyes glaring at me.
“Why are you avoiding me?” he asks, his proximity turning my insides into jelly, making it nearly impossible to think straight . Yet I manage to let out a nervous laugh. “Avoiding you? I don’t know what you’re talking about.”
His eyes narrow. “Do you really think it’s wise to play the pretend game with me?” he retorts, his firm stance sending a shiver down my spine. Holding my gaze, he continues in his baritone voice, “Not when your constant ignoring has left me feeling frustrated, making it hard for me to focus on anything except figuring out what I did to deserve this treatment from you.” I look over his shoulder and notice the coffee shop staff stealing quick glances at us.
“People are staring at us,” I whisper, turning my head to meet his intense gaze, my heart pounding in my chest.
“ Do I look like I care ?” he replies, unfazed.
“Please,” I plead softly.
He glances at me briefly, then finally straightens, creating the much-needed space I need as he settles into a chair across from me, crossing his arms over his chest. “Now, explain why you’re avoiding me.”
“I haven’t been avoiding you. I’ve just been really busy,” I scoff, and his eyebrows shoot up in pure disbelief.
“Busy, huh? That’s your excuse?” he challenges , scepticism evident in his tone. “Too busy to even give me a second of your life?”
“Reyansh—” I whisper, trying to gather my thoughts, but he cuts me off and leans closer over the table.
“Talk to me, Kavya. And be honest, because if you don’t, I won’t hesitate to draw attention in a way that will make you very uncomfortable ,” he warns firmly. The intensity in his eyes tells me he’s not joking. It seems wiser to come clean now and end this right here rather than prolong the drama and emotional stress.
Ignoring the nervous flutter in my stomach, I put on a brave face. “I overheard your conversation,” I admit , and he furrows his eyebrows in confusion. Pulling in a deep breath, I continue, “I heard you talking to Akash about you... you wanting to confess your love to me.”
He leans back in his chair, a slow smile spreading across his lips as he says. “Good.”
“Good?” I echo, staring at him. Now, it’s my turn to look at him with confusion.
He shrugs nonchalantly. “Yup, good. I was struggling to figure out how to broach the topic, but now that you’ve heard it for yourself, it saves me the stress of trying to tell you that you’ve begun to mean a lot more to me than I’d ever imagined. I lov — ” he starts to say, but I cut him off abruptly, not wanting to hear the words that will weaken whatever resolve I am clinging to.
“ We barely know each other well enough to take this any further,” I state plainly, taking a deep breath in an attempt to steady my racing heart.
“We’ll get there, sweetheart,” he replies, his expression softening. “I just want you to give me a chance to prove to you that what we have between us is special.”
“There is nothing between us, not now, not ever. And I... I don’t even like you,” I stammer out the last bit, knowing very well that it’s a lie .
Instead of seeing his smile vanish, it only grows wider. “You do enjoy lying to me, don’t you?”
I look away, biting my lip, before shaking my head and meeting his gaze again. “I’m not lying.”
Disregarding my statement, he speaks softly yet firmly, “Kavya, I know you’re afraid to take a risk. But I am not backing down. I refuse to give up on you, and I won’t let you slip away, no matter how hard you try to push me away. I am here to make you own up to those feelings you’re so hesitant to face.”
“I can’t enter into a relationship right now, no matter how I feel about you,” I admit , omitting the fact that I might never be able to commit to a relationship. I just don’t think I have it in me anymore .
He runs his hand through his hair. “Why are you fighting this, Kavya? Deep down, in your heart, you know that what we have is more than just attraction . It’s something special and unique. It’s not something you can just walk away from.”
“Because I have a sister who needs my attention, and let’s be real, I don’t think you want to be involved with someone who comes with so much baggage and a complicated life ,” I point out bluntly, observing his jaw tighten, and his eyes darken in response.
“Do you think I’m some selfish asshole who doesn’t know that?” he snaps, his tone fierce but steady. “ Kavya, my love for you isn’t driven by selfish desires for something in return. Yes, I want you to stop running from me and give our relationship a chance. But more than that , I want to be there not just in your joy but also in your struggles. I want you to always feel cherished and loved. And I understand your responsibilities towards your sister. It doesn’t scare me —it only deepens my respect for you and makes me want to be by your side even more .”
His words make my heart race in my chest. Can this man truly be real? The way his words touch me feels almost unreal, like a dream that will shatter the moment I open my eyes.
“My fiancé broke up with me and cheated behind my back because I couldn’t give myself completely to him,” I say quietly.
“Don’t you dare compare me to that jerk,” he growls, pointing a finger at me. “I am not him, Kavya. I know exactly what it means to be in a relationship with you, and I am fully aware of what I am getting into. But none of that alters the fact that I want you.”
The unwavering certainty in his voice, and knowing that he truly means every word, melts away the tension in my body, making me feel at ease . I am tempted to give in and say yes. However, instead of doing that, I find myself asking, “Why me?”
His lips twitch into a smile. “Why not you?” He reaches across the table and gently squeezes my hands. “Kavya, you’re not just beautiful on the outside but also on the inside, and your inner beauty is what takes my breath away. Your loving and selfless nature, always putting others before yourself, tugs at my heart. And the way you tirelessly care for your sister while still managing to find a balance in your work life leaves me in awe of your dedication and strength. These rare qualities make you the only person I can imagine and see myself with .”
His intense gaze holds mine as he takes a deep breath, his voice soft but unwavering . “Trust me Kavya, I’ve never felt this way with anyone else before, and I don’t think I’ll ever find anyone who can make me feel even a fraction of the emotions you evoke in me.”
I blink back tears, realising that turning away from a man like him would be foolish . But deep down, I know he deserves more than what I can give him .
“Reyansh, I don’t...” I begin , but before I can finish, he stands up and closes the distance between us, gently cupping my face in his hands .
“ Please, don’t shut me out. Let me in ,” he whispers , leaning in to press a tender kiss to my forehead. Without another word, he then turns and walks away.
My lips tremble, and tears spill down my cheeks as he disappears from my view. My heart insists that having him by my side would be an incredible stroke of luck, but my mind argues that it’s better to let go than to hold on out of selfishness . This constant tug-of-war between my heart and mind is tearing me apart, leaving me uncertain about which side will ultimately win.