Chapter 34
Reyansh
I am no longer able to concentrate on work. It feels as if my mind has lost the ability to function properly ever since Amyra distanced herself from me. For almost a month now, she has been so absent that she has practically turned invisible in my life.
I remember her saying she needed space to find her peace after I confessed my love.
I hoped she might change her mind soon, and that hope stops me from seeing her uninvited.
I’ve already hurt her, affecting her morals and her sister, so I respect her wish for distance.
But I feel lost without her. Since we now work at different branches, I can't even see her from afar.
Most of my messages go unanswered, and I get only short replies. It seems like Amyra is drifting away, and I can’t accept that. My desire to see her grows stronger each day.
Along with this pain comes the guilt of my broken promise, her hurt feelings, and my decision to date her sister, which ended after eight months.
My past actions tear me apart, leaving my heart broken.
But hasn’t Amyra known me since childhood?
Shouldn’t she know I never hurt her intentionally?
I understand her love for her sister, but in a life this short, shouldn’t she allow herself to choose her own happiness too?
Why can’t she move past my relationship with Aditi and see beyond it? Didn’t she notice the depth of love in my eyes? Didn’t she hear the desperation in my voice when I asked her to be mine?
There is one thing, though, that I noticed in her response.
She didn’t reject me the way she rejected Karan.
She never said she didn’t see me that way or that she wasn’t interested in a relationship.
She said it was too much to absorb at once, that she couldn’t decide in such a fragile mental state and needed peace.
That meant she may have acknowledged my love, perhaps even considered the idea of us, but stopped herself because of my dating history.
She didn’t deny her feelings outright. She was simply overwhelmed. Something else is weighing her down, something holding her back from accepting me.
Is she hiding something from me? Or have I been blind enough to miss something all along?
A wave of exhaustion washes over me as I open my chat with Amyra. Two blue ticks stare back at me, seen in the morning, unanswered till evening. Hope, I realise, is the only thing keeping me from breaking down.
I glance at the clock and realise it’s time to leave. I have arranged a meeting today with my parents and Amyra’s parents at Bajaj Mansion, the day of my confessions. I am going to reveal my breakup with Aditi, my feelings for Amyra, and how I regret my reckless decisions in life.
I planned this meeting days ago and sought Aditi’s consent, but she insisted on postponing it.
Her admission to a university abroad has been confirmed, and she is leaving India this weekend, in just three days.
She wanted the truth revealed only before her departure, unwilling to stay in the mansion surrounded by sympathetic glances from her uncle and aunt.
I rescheduled the meeting for today. It also helps that Amyra is currently out of the city, meeting a client in another state.
She returns tomorrow night, and I wanted this conversation to happen in her absence.
Though we work in different sub-brands, she at B my parents’ faces clouded with dismay, Amyra’s parents burning with anger.
“So you’re the reason both my daughters have been melancholic lately,” Harsha Uncle roars, “avoiding each other just to keep distance.” Guilt drags me down again as I realise Amyra and Aditi aren’t even on speaking terms because of me.
“I’m truly sorry, Uncle.” That’s all I manage to say before he looks away with a heavy sigh.
“You should have been more mindful of your choices, Reyansh. Because of you, our daughters’ lives are disturbed.
Had you not made these mistakes, you and Amyra would have been happy, holding onto your childhood promise, and Aditi would have focused wholeheartedly on her career.
Now they both seem lost, especially Amyra, who must be drowning in guilt, believing she caused her sister’s breakup—”
“But that’s not true,” I interrupt instinctively. “I made it clear that this breakup happened because of me, not because of Amyra. She never interfered in our relationship. Why would she blame herself? The fault is mine alone.”
I cut Neelima aunty off because neither Aditi nor I would ever blame Amyra. It has always been my feelings for her that disrupted everything.
“But Amyra might not think that way,” Neelima aunty continues calmly.
“She’s likely buried under guilt for ruining her sister’s relationship and is probably ashamed to face Aditi.
That’s also why she may have rejected you, believing accepting your love would go against her morals.
” Her words send a dull ache through my chest.
For the millionth time, I regret dating Aditi.
How do I untangle this mess now?
“Neelima is right,” Harsha Uncle adds. “Amyra has always been protective of Aditi. Accepting your love may have felt like a betrayal to her sister, so she pushed you away.” For the first time in days, my mother speaks softly. The gentleness in her voice eases my tension just a little.
“But Mom, it’s not because of her—”
“That may be logical,” Dad interrupts, “but Amyra is overwhelmed by emotions right now.” I nod, too drained to argue further, every word sounding like another lost hope of my future with Amyra.
“Can’t I even get one chance to fix my mistakes?” my heart screams silently.
“There might be a chance,” Harsha Uncle says slowly, “if Amyra and Aditi talk to each other.” Hope sparks in my eyes, only to be extinguished instantly.
“But that doesn’t seem possible anytime soon. Aditi is leaving India in three days.” His words crush my confidence, shaking my faith in both myself and my love.
“But, does that mean you all support me?” I ask hesitantly. Their answer comes in a united nod.
“We’re hurt by what you did to Aditi,” Mom says gently, “but we’re also glad that the dream of you and Amyra still exists.” I nod, noticing once again their longing to see Amyra as their daughter-in-law.
“If Amyra and Aditi are okay with it, we will be too,” Neelima aunty adds softly. “It’s not a big deal.”
Relief washes over me as I have my family’s support, at least.
“Mistakes are inevitable,” Dad says firmly, “but hurting people is not excusable. Be patient. Time will heal everything.”
I murmur a quiet, “Okay.”
“Let Amyra decide,” Harsha Uncle concludes in a commanding tone. “That’s the only decision we will support.” His words send a shiver down my spine, but they are undeniable.
“I agree, Uncle.”
As they return to their discussion, my heart pulls me toward Amyra’s room. I ask her mother’s permission and enter. She may not be here, but I can at least feel her presence.
As I step over the threshold, her familiar fragrance envelops me like a warm embrace.
The air is infused with subtle notes of jasmine and vanilla, instantly grounding me in memories of laughter and late-night conversations.
I scan the room, taking in every detail: everything is immaculately tidy, serene, and comforting—just like her.
The atmosphere hums with tranquility, almost as if Amyra herself is standing beside me, sharing in this moment.
My gaze wanders until it lands on the nightstand next to the queen-sized bed.
There, resting like a cherished treasure, is a round, clear resin décor piece, delicately crafted with dried flowers sealed inside, their stems trimmed with meticulous care.
Recognition washes over me slowly, then floods my thoughts with clarity.
Pink tulips and lilacs. The ones I had gifted her months ago, tokens of our friendship now enveloped in fragility.
Why would she go to such lengths to preserve them? Were they just flowers from a best friend, or something more?
As my thoughts spiral with confusion and unspoken questions, I turn away, but my curiosity is piqued by a colorful, bound book perched on her study table.
It beckons me closer, and with a mix of trepidation and intrigue, I reach for it, flipping it open only to feel the world around me shift beneath my feet.
‘My Memories with My Crush/Love.’
A chill shoots through me, and my heartbeat plummets.
My breath becomes shallow and uneven, a gnawing fear settling in.
What secrets does this book hold about her feelings, her hidden love?
With trembling hands, I carefully turn the pages.
It's a scrapbook filled with cherished moments: childhood photographs, whimsical doodles, and handwritten notes documenting her journey through love. And then—
There they are! My childhood photos.
Page after page reveals snapshots of us, from carefree school days to the bittersweet moments following graduation. My heart races as one particular handwritten line pierces through my chest, the truth hitting me like a tidal wave.
‘My Rey, why can’t you see my love for you?’ Suddenly, my vision blurs, and the air feels thick in my lungs as I struggle to process the revelation.
“Does this mean… does this mean… Ames—”
“Yes, Reyansh.” The familiar voice cuts through my chaotic thoughts, grounding me in reality. I whip around to find Aditi standing near the door, her expression calm yet reassuring.
“Yes,” she confirms softly. “Whatever you’re thinking right now… is the truth.”
Amyra loves me? The realization crashes over me like a storm, raw and electrifying. And Aditi knows about it? My mind reels, the weight of the moment heavy with revelations yet to come.
What the hell!