Coffee and conversation
Author's pov-
The ride back was silent, but it wasn't uncomfortable. Purv drove with one hand on the steering wheel, his gaze fixed ahead, lost in thought. Divya sat beside him, watching the city lights pass by, her mind replaying their conversation over and over again.
For the first time, purv had let her in-just a little.
And that little bit was enough to make her realize something.
She cared. More than she should.
When they reached her house, purv pulled the car to a stop but didn't turn off the engine. Divya hesitated before speaking.
"You're not coming inside?"
Purv smirked slightly. "Didn't know I was invited."
She rolled her eyes but smiled. "You should atleast have some coffee. You drove me all the way back."
He looked at her for a moment, as if debating something. Then, to her surprise, he shut off the engine.
"Fine," he said, unbuckling his seatbelt. "But only for ten minutes."
Divya smiled to herself as she led him inside.
Shanta aunty had already gone to her house, leaving the house quiet and dimly lit. Divya gestured for purv to sit in the living room while she went to make coffee.
When she returned, he was sitting on the couch, scrolling through his phone.
She handed him a mug, sitting across from him.
For a while, they just sipped their coffee in silence.
Then Divya spoke. "Do you ever think about what it would've been like if that day hadn't happened?"
Purv didn't look up. "All the time."
"Do you think you would've still been with her?"
He finally met her gaze. "I don't know." He exhaled. "Maybe. Maybe not. But that's not what keeps me up at night."
Divya tilted her head. "Then what does?"
He leaned back against the couch. "The fact that I never got a chance to fix it."
She understood what he meant. The regret of never getting to explain, never getting to undo the damage.
She placed her mug down on the table and looked at him. "Maybe you don't have to fix the past."
Purv gave a bitter chuckle. "You think I should just move on?"
"I think you should stop punishing yourself," she said softly. "You keep acting like you don't deserve anything good. Liks you don't deserve to be happy."
Purv looked at her, something unreadable in his expression. "And you think I do?"
Divya nodded without hesitation. "Yes."
He didn't say anything. Just stared at her, as if trying to figure her out.
Then, out of nowhere, he reached out and tucked a loose strand of her hair behind her ear. The touch was brief, barely there, but it sent a shiver down her spine.
"Why do you care so much?" He asked, his voice quieter now.
Divya swallowed. "Because I see you."
The air between them shifted, the tension so thick it was almost suffocating.
Purv's eyes darkened slightly, his fingers lingering near her cheek for a second longer than necessary. He looked like he wanted to say something, but instead, he pulled back, leaning away.
"It's late," he murmured, standing up.
Divya nodded, not trusting herself to speak.
He walked to the door, but before leaving, he turned back to her. "You should get some sleep, Divya."
She forced a smile. "You too."
And just like that, he was gone.
Divya let out a breath she hadn't realised she was holding.
This was dangerous. Whatever was happening between them-it was dangerous.
But it was already too late to stop it.
She was already in too deep.