Chirag woke up earlier than usual that morning. A strange heaviness had lifted from his chest, but only halfway. He took a deep breath, freshened up, and got ready like he had somewhere important to be.
As he came downstairs, his steps slow and unsure, he spotted Raghuveer uncle already in the kitchen, preparing breakfast.
Raghuveer looked at him, surprised.
"Dressed up so early? Going somewhere?" he asked, raising an eyebrow.
Chirag stood still for a moment, then said quietly, "Papa… I need to talk to you."
The older man looked up briefly, his hands still working. "Go on, I'm listening."
"Just don't get mad at me, okay?" Chirag added nervously.
Raghuveer chuckled softly. "Let's see if I have to. Start talking."
Chirag took a deep breath and began. He told him everything—from the confusion in his heart, the things he felt for Kanika, the distance he created with Yashika, his own guilt, his mistakes, his regrets. He spoke in a low voice, his eyes fixed on the kitchen tiles, as if afraid of seeing his father's expression.
Raghuveer uncle didn't interrupt. He listened silently while stirring the pan, flipping rotis, pouring tea. When Chirag was done, he didn't speak immediately. Instead, he handed him the tray.
"Take this to the living room," he said calmly. Chirag obeyed.
Once they sat down with their plates, Raghuveer finally spoke, his voice gentle, but steady.
"Chirag... I'm your father. My job is not to judge you, it's to guide you—especially when you mess up. And yes, you did mess up."
Chirag lowered his gaze again.
"You hurt someone who genuinely loved you. That's not love, son. That's confusion. But you admitting it, coming to me and opening up… that takes courage. Most don't even do that."
He sipped his tea.
"You know… at your age, I also thought I was in love. I met your mother when I was just a little older than you. I know what it's like—the rush, the heartbreak, the changes. You think you know everything about life, and then—bam—it surprises you again."
"But here's one thing I've learned. Love is not about who gives you butterflies; it's about who gives you peace. And what you had with Yashika... I saw peace in you when she was around. Kanika was never the problem. The problem was that you were searching for something outside when it was already inside you."
Chirag blinked slowly, surprised by how accurate his father's words were.
"And do you really think I didn't know about Kanika?" Raghuveer smiled. "Son, I raised you. I've seen the changes. I just waited for you to figure it out yourself."
Chirag whispered, "Papa…"
Raghuveer smiled again and reached out, giving his shoulder a squeeze.
"Now go. Meet her. Tell her everything. If she's angry, let her be. If she wants to slap you, offer your cheek. But don't let her keep hurting while you stay silent. If you love her, prove it."
He stood up, collecting his plate. "And remember one thing… Your mother is watching you from up there. Don't let her down."
Chirag sat there, speechless. The weight he had carried for days felt just a bit lighter now. He stood up and hugged Raghuveer tightly.
"Thank you, Papa…" he whispered.
"Go," Raghuveer said, patting his back, "and this time, don't come back with regrets."
Chirag nodded, wiped his eyes, and left. He drove straight to the orphanage—with a heart full of fear, but also, full of hope.
The morning sun hadn't fully bloomed yet. Soft golden hues slid over the city streets as Chirag slowed down his bike in front of a small flower shop tucked at the corner of a sleepy lane.
He stepped in quietly and said just three words, "Five white roses."
The shopkeeper didn't ask any questions. Something about the boy's face, his eyes—there was something heavy he was carrying.
With the roses wrapped gently, Chirag tied the paper bundle carefully to his bag and revved the bike again. The road to the orphanage was short, but his thoughts made it feel longer.
He reached the gates and parked silently. The building hadn't changed. Same painted walls, same yellow gate, and yet... everything felt different. He stepped in and spotted Ms. Kavita watering some plants near the corridor.
"Good morning, Ms. Kavita," he greeted with a small smile.
"Good morning, Chirag," she replied kindly, then tilted her head, "She's in her room."
Chirag nodded. "Is Milli here?"
"She's at school," Ms. Kavita answered.
Chirag let out a soft sigh of relief.
Ms. Kavita chuckled knowingly, "Still scared of that tiny hurricane?"
"I respect her energy," Chirag joked lightly, and they both shared a soft smile.
"Can I go see Yashika?" he asked.
Ms. Kavita nodded but warned gently, "She might be sleeping."
"That's alright. I won't wake her," he said.
Chirag quietly walked through the familiar hallway, his fingers tightening slightly around the bouquet. He reached her door and peeped in.
She was there. Sleeping.
Her face was calm, untouched by any storms. She held a tiny teddy—the one he had gifted her, her last birthday.
Chirag tiptoed in and softly closed the door, not locking it. He pulled a chair near her bed and just sat there.
It's been quiet a while since he had noticed her.
She looked the same. Maybe even more beautiful.
"I hurt her… because of that cheat. That betrayal that wasn't even mine," he thought bitterly.
He swallowed the lump in his throat.
"Should I wake her up?"
No. She looked peaceful. He didn't want to steal that peace away.
And just as he was losing himself in the quiet rhythm of her breath—Yashika stirred.
Her eyes opened slowly... and the moment they landed on him, she gasped, startled.
"You?!" she let out a small scream, sitting up.
"I—hey, calm down," he said, standing up immediately.
"What are you doing here?" Her voice was cold. Sharp. Unforgiving.
Chirag hesitated. "If you want me to leave, I will. Just... let me say what I came to say. Please."
"There's nothing I want to hear," Yashika snapped, adjusting herself to sit up, letting out a quiet "ouch."
"Careful... you're hurting yourself," Chirag said instinctively.
"Why do you even care?" she shot back, voice rising. "We're not even friends anymore!"
Chirag stepped forward and gently sat down beside her.
She immediately pulled her hand away. "Don't come close. Or I swear I'll slap you."
"Okay. Do it," Chirag said, looking directly into her eyes.
"I'm not joking, Chirag," she warned, her voice shaking. "I really will."
"I'm not joking either. Do it."
And she did.
SLAP.
The sound echoed in the room. Chirag didn't flinch. He looked at her again.
"Go on. Do it again," he whispered.
She stared at him, confused. Angry. Then...
SLAP.
Still, he didn't move.
"You idiot," she choked out, her eyes glossy. "You don't even know what you did to me. How you ruined me."
She started hitting his chest, smacking it again and again, her voice cracking, "How could you? HOW COULD YOU?!"
Chirag didn't stop her.
Instead, he wrapped his arms around her—tight. Desperate. Real.
And Yashika?
She broke.
Tears spilled down her cheeks like a storm she'd been holding in for far too long. She sobbed into his chest, her fists still weakly pushing at him as he held her like he never wanted to let go.
"I'm sorry," he whispered, his own tears falling. "I'm so sorry…"
Yashika sobbed quietly into his chest. Her voice barely escaped between the tears.
"Why did you…?"
Chirag slowly pulled away, cupping her face softly as their eyes met. His gaze was heavy, full of regret and unshed pain.
"I'm sorry," he said, his voice trembling. His eyes, glossy and red, mirrored the ache he carried.
Yashika blinked, taken aback.
"You... you're crying?" she whispered.
"It's been three years, Chirag. Since the last time I saw you cry." Her voice cracked. "Why now?"
He didn't answer right away. Instead, he looked away.
"Well… you're crying too, aren't you?" he said quietly.
"Because of me. Because I was dumb." He let out a dry chuckle that broke midway.
"I'm sorry, Yashika. For everything."
Yashika reached up and lightly smacked his head.
"Stop crying, you idiot."
Chirag gave a sheepish smile through his tears.
"So… do you forgive me?"
She gave him a long, soft look.
"How can I not?" she whispered.
But before he could react, Chirag's voice grew desperate again.
"Just forgive me, please. And if you can't, then don't ever talk to me again. Don't see my face. Just... just forgive me so I can live with myself."
Yashika quickly grabbed his hand.
"Hey, hey, calm down," she said.
"I have forgiven you, okay? Long ago, somewhere deep down, I had already forgiven you. How could I not? You're my best friend. You were an idiot… yes. But you're my idiot."
Chirag sniffled, smiling between his tears.
Yashika chuckled, brushing a tear off his cheek.
"Stop crying, you big baby."
"Sorry, little," he murmured.
"Okay now stop, or I'll start again too," she said, and pulled him gently back into a hug.
"You're like a big baby," Yashika teased.
"And you're my babysitter," Chirag grinned.
They both laughed softly, the heaviness in the air slowly dissolving.
After a moment, Chirag asked seriously,
"So you truly forgave me?"
"Do you still have to ask?" Yashika smiled.
He nodded gently. Then, after a pause:
"Promise me one thing?"
She tilted her head.
"Whenever you're sad, or low, or hurting—promise me you'll tell me. No keeping it to yourself. Not again."
Yashika paused. Her eyes searched his face. Then, softly, she nodded.
"Promise."
Chirag gave a relieved smile, then stood up. Yashika blinked.
"Where are you going?"
He walked over to the small chair and picked up the bouquet of five white roses.
"For you," he said, handing them to her.
She looked down in surprise.
"White roses?"
"Your favourite, right?" he smiled.
"Because they remind you of peace… and calm."
Yashika smiled brightly, holding the flowers close.
Chirag stared at her, mesmerized.
Then, gently, he leaned in and kissed her forehead.
Yashika froze. Her heart skipped.
Before she could say anything, Chirag gave her a tiny wave, turned, and left the room—quietly closing the door behind him.
______
Hello there!🌷
This is your author of "The Dust Between Us". How have you been? Did you enjoy reading my story?
And I am so sorry for not uploading on time it is just that I can't think anything new. And I haven't yet received a single vote, comment or review and not gonna lie it kind of stings 😶.
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Thank you so much.✨🩷
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