71| Done with me? | Aayansh and Aashika.
'cause love burns like a Cigarette
Slow and painful
And leaves you in ashes.
Moments have passed since our jet landed here in NYC. And right now, with my brother beside me, we're making our way to the Jindal Mansion. Our home. But my mind? It's still stuck on that airstrip... With him.
How could he let me go like that?
I mean, we've seen our worst times together. I still remember the mess that happened here, at this very place and after that, I asked him to stay away from me, to let me go.
He did stay away, didn't even glance in my direction for days. But never-not once-did he let me leave his side.
Not even when I blamed him for everything, threw every hate-filled word I could at him, and hated him with everything in me. I even blamed him for my miscarriage. He bore it all... still never backed off.
Then suddenly, what happened...
Is he done with me?!
Was I just a physical need? And he's had enough of me after the last night?
The time I spent with him, an entire lifetime for me... Just so that he can get rid of me like that?
Is he having any other woman in his life?
Would he... sleep with someone el-
NO. WHAT THE FUCK!
What is wrong with me? I've spent an entire year with him... He doesn't even let any other woman breathe anywhere near him. Forget touching or being with someone else.
But I can't stop my mind. I just can't.
If Aayansh knew... I don't care how, but if he knew, then why didn't he stop me?
He even called me by my name. "Tara." Not amour. Not Miá. But Tara.
And those words... "This time, make sure he's [Arsh] able to protect you from me."
And then... that smirk. The one he gave me when I looked at him the last time before leaving.
What is going on inside this man's head? What is he going to do? Or... will he even do anything?
DOES HE EVEN LOVE ME?
He does, obviously. But he can never love me the way I love him. NEVER.
"Princess..." Bro's voice pulls me from my thoughts and I look up at him. "We've reached."
I let my gaze wander around, we're already near the entrance. The massive walls of Jindal mansion are adorned with white roses and ornate candelabras, an elegant warmth cascading everywhere I gaze at.
Bright. Beautiful. Alive.
My real world... where nothing is dim. Nothing is dark.
Staff and workers, all dressed alike, stand by the fountains and across the estate, attentive and disciplined. Near the colossal gates, I find Aariv bhai, Braden and uncle Luca standing together, bickering among themselves.
After so long, seeing it all again fills me with a wave of nostalgia. The gardens I'd run through as a little girl, the fountains I'd jump into just to send everyone around me into a panic, the familiar warmth that comes with being back where I grew up.
I stare at all of it.
The three men's gaze lingers on us as we approach, and the moment they see me, pure shock flashes across their faces before melting into warmth almost instantly.
We stop and all three of them speak at once, their soft voices tumbling over each other. "Welcome home, Principessa."
I force my lips into a smile, while Bro pinches the bridge of his nose, clearly exasperated by their behaviour.
"Boss! how is this-" Uncle Luca begins, already doomed. "I mean, Princess is here?! How did he let- I mean..."
Before he can even finish, Aariv bhai jumps in. "Tara, did you have a fight with that husband of yours-"
"Shut. Up. Both of you." Bro cuts in, glaring at them coldly.
The three of them drop their eyes, and guilt immediately tugs at me, but before I can say a word, a voice rings in my ears. "Arsh, where were you?"
Dad.
I glance inside, only to find him walking out, dressed sharply in a gray suit. But he freezes mid-step, his lips parting slightly as his eyes meet mine.
So like everyone, even he had no idea I was coming?
I don't wait another second before moving toward him, folding myself into his arms like I'm still a kid who is not grown enough to let go of her father's embrace.
"How are you?" I murmur, refusing to pull away, cocooning myself in his arms as If I could stay there forever.
His hold tightens around me protectively. "Was just breathing until now," he says, his voice low and heavy. "Thought I'd have to die for my daughter to come back to me just once."
Resting my chin against his chest, I look up at him, tears gathering in my eyes. "Emotional blackmail again?"
His own eyes are moist, something that almost never happens-unless it comes to me. He leans down and kisses my hair, a different kind of sorrow clouding his sage eyes."This place feels nothing but walls and furniture without you..."
My heart sinks, but before I can say a word, Bro's voice rings in. "Well, the one who brought your daughter back to you doesn't deserve to stand here alone."
With one arm still around me, Dad's eyes shift to him for a moment. "I'm having a moment with my daughter. I don't want any disturbances. And... you already live here Arsh. Don't act like a guest."
Bro shakes his head slightly. "Fair enough."
But I narrow my eyes at Dad, giving him an indignant look. "You mean I am a guest?!"
His face softens, not in its usual way, but with something warmer, gentler, more homely. "You're the heart of this place. Of me."
I don't know when my lips curve into a smile, and somehow, all the insecurities, the heaviness, everything weighing on me fades away as I stay folded safely in my father's arms.
"I missed you... so much, Dad," I whisper, his hand rises to caress my cheek softly, as though I'm something infinitely precious.
Then, his other hand lifts, beckoning my brother closer. "Come, Arsh."
I inch my head towards him. My brother's eyes are already fixed on me, a faint, warmth-laced smile resting on his lips. Then his gaze shifts to Dad, and he reaches towards us, unhurried, composed.
And in the next moment, Dad's free arm settles around bro's broad shoulders, drawing him into the embrace until the three of us are held together, until our little circle is complete. "My children," he whispers.
A breath later, Bro pulls away, and I move abruptly when a sudden jolt shoots from my legs up my spine. I wince, stumbling on unsteady feet, but Bro catches my arm before I can lose my balance.
Fuck. I'd managed to walk all this way slowly and carefully, despite the stinging pain through my body. Why the hell did this have to happen now?
All because of him. Couldn't he have been a little gentler last night? Why is it always me who have to face the aftermath of his animalistic side?
"What is it, princess?" Dad asks, his expression tightening with concern. "Did you hurt yourself anywhere?" His gaze travels over me, thorough and almost instinctively protective.
Bro looks me over too, searching for any sign that I'm hurt.
Someone bury me right here.
"No, of course not," I say quickly, forcing a casual shrug. "Actually, I worked out a little too hard this morning, that's why... Just my legs are aching."
"Work out?" One of bro's eyebrows quirks upward.
Yeah, but a different one.
"Since when did the lazy panda start working out, hmm?" he adds, earning himself my most offended glare.
Don't worry, you'll be doing this workout after you get someone, too. I bite back the thought.
But Dad's stern voice cuts in. "Arsh. Don't."
He only chuckles at us before saying, "You're tired. Carla and Rose will get you to your floor." His hand comes up to rest gently on my head. "Just rest for now."
I nod, giving Dad one last glance before turning to the two women, who lead me toward the elevator.
His thoughts creep back into my mind.
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My heels click against the glossy marble beneath my feet as I finally enter my room. Rose and Carla aunty have left, giving me my space.
I let my gaze roam around, only to find the room shrouded in dimness, and my brows furrow instantly. Why are the lights so dim?
"Turn up the lights!" I say, and the room's automated controls instantly flood the space with light. I shut my eyes, letting myself breathe once more. But this time, the moment my lids part, the floor beneath my feet seems to vanish.
What the-?
My head jerks from one wall to another.
This can't be real.
On every wall, there's the same reflection. The picture. Our picture. Too clear. Too real.
The one he took last night... with our lips locked, my wide eyes staring into the camera, while his intense gaze is on my flustered face.
Moving closer, I stare at his eyes carefully... those dark, bluish orbs that never seem to rest. There's something in them I can't quite name. Desperation. Obsession. A rawness that unsettles me... And things far beyond my understanding.
It feels like I'm still under his gaze, like his eyes can reach through these reflections alone and stare straight into my soul.
As though he's everywhere around me.
And I can't even escape.
Panic surges through me, and I scream, "ROSEEE??!"
My chest heaves as my pulse races, my eyes darting across every reflection before I clamp them shut.
He's not here.
He can't be here.
I won't let him get to me.
Within seconds, Rose rushes into my room, panic lacing her voice. "WHAT HAPPENED, Princess?! Are you alright?!"
I open my eyes and look directly at her. "Why are these reflections-"
Her brows knit together. "Reflections? What are you talking about?!"
Frustrated, I point towards the walls, but-
this time, there's nothing.
Everything is perfectly normal.
My lips part in pure shock.
It was there. I swear it was there. I saw those reflections.
They were so clear, so real... To my eyes.
Or... was I hallucinating?
But how could I? I'm not crazy. I know what I saw.
"Princess, please tell me you're alright?" Rose asks again, her voice thick with concern. "Should I call sir?"
"NO!" I don't even look at her, my breathing is still uneven. "You may go."
She doesn't argue. She simply nods and leaves, leaving me rooted to the exact spot.
What. Was. That?
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