The truth no one said aloud
Author's pov-
Purv stood on the balcony of his penthouse, the city lights stretching far beneath him, a cigarette burning between his fingers. His jaw was clenched, his mind still replaying the events of the day.
Divya.
She had faced him without hesitation, without fear. No longing glances, no silent pleas for his attention. Just confidence. Power. A quiet arrogance that he never thought he'd see in her.
She wasn't chasing him anymore.
She wasn't even looking back.
A scoff left his lips as he took another drag. He should be glad. This was what he had wanted, wasn't it?
Then why the hell was it bothering him?
Behind him, Rudra stepped onto the balcony, leaning against the railing, his expression unreadable. "You've been like this since the meeting," he said casually, nodding toward the city. "Want to tell me what's really eating you up?"
Purv exhaled smoke, not looking at him. "Nothing."
Rudra smirked. "Right. And I'm a monk."
Silence.
When purv didn't respond, rudra sighed, shaking his head. "Why do you think she'd still be the same girl, huh?"
Purv frowned slightly, finally turning his gaze toward him. "I don't expect her to be." His voice was even, controlled.
Rudra let out a dry chuckle. "Then why is your ego bruised, bro?" He tilted his head. "Face it- Divya has changed. She's no longer that girl who used to chase after you. And that's what really getting to you, isn't it?"
Purv's fingers twitched around the cigarette, his jaw tightening. "That's not it."
Rudra scoffed. "It is, and you know it." He studied him for a moment before adding. "You still love her."
Purv stilled. His grip on the railing tightened just slightly.
"I overheard your conversation with kaashi that night," Rudra continued. "You may not have said it out loud, but it was there, in the way you didn't deny a damn thing."
Purv said nothing.
"Let's be real, man. It wasn't completely her fault," Rudra went on. "You never gave her a name-a place in your life. You let things be vague, let her wonder where she stood. And when she made a mistake, you let that be the end of it."
Silence stretched between them. The night air was heavy with words unsaid.
Rudra sighed, running a hand through his hair. "If you really want her back, it won't be like college days. You can't just stand there and expect her to come running. Not this time." He turned to purv, voice steady. "You'll have to fight for her, purv. And this time, you'll have to fight harder."
Purv didn't respond, his gaze locked on the skyline, his mind a storm of emotions he didn't want to name.
Because for the first time in years, he had to face the truth he had been running from.
He had never stopped loving her.
And now?
She was the only battle he wasn't sure if he could win.