π 5 Days Later β Somewhere Between Lost and Lonely
The fallout from the gala lingered like perfume on yesterday's clothesβfaint, but impossible to ignore.
Rohan hadn't spoken to Ishita since the fight.
No texts.No glances in the office.Not even the awkward "we should talk" tension in the lift.
She was simply⦠distant.
Like she'd packed her emotions into a locked briefcase and walked away with it.
And Rohan? He'd been trying to pretend he didn't care. That it didn't sting. That he hadn't replayed their argument over and over while lying awake on a pillow that smelled faintly of cheap detergent and regret.
But the truth?
He missed her.
π¨ Flashback to the Stormy Night β Room 709
For some reason, memories of that night kept returning.
Not the kiss.
Not even the blackout.
But the moment just before they fell asleepβwhen they talked about their dreams. The soft, honest vulnerability in her voice.
"Sometimes I wonder⦠would anyone still like me if I wasn't someone's daughter?"
Rohan hadn't answered her back then.He had now.
But she wasn't around to hear it.
πΊ Thursday Evening β Same Old Hotel, Different Mood
Out of some mix of nostalgia and masochism, Rohan found himself walking toward Hotel Crestwoodβthe place where all of this had begun.
He didn't know why. He just⦠needed air. Familiarity. Maybe even closure.
He passed the reception desk, hands in pockets.
"Well, well. If it isn't our thunder buddy."
Rohan blinked and turned.
There, in the same maroon vest and goofy smile, stood Ajayβthe night receptionist who'd given him the room that rainy night.
"You remember me?" Rohan asked, surprised.
"Bro, how can I forget? You and the pretty girl who looked like she stepped out of a shampoo commercial. Room 709, right?"
Rohan chuckled. "That obvious?"
"Not at first. But when I saw you two arguing over the thermostat and then sharing biscuits like kindergarten kids⦠yeah. You looked like a pair."
Rohan smiled sadly. "Guess we were."
"Were?"
"It's complicated."
Ajay gestured toward the staff lounge. "Tea?"
π΅ 15 Minutes Later β In the Lounge
The room was small, stuffy, and smelled like instant noodlesβbut it had two plastic chairs and an old kettle that still worked.
Ajay poured him tea without asking.
"So. You fought?"
"At a party," Rohan muttered. "Her ex was there. They talked. I lost it."
Ajay nodded sagely. "Jealousy. The uninvited third wheel."
"She said I don't trust her. Maybe she's right."
"And do you?"
Rohan didn't answer.
Ajay leaned forward.
"Let me tell you something, Rohan. You can't build love on fear."
"Fear?"
"Fear she'll leave. Fear you're not enough. Fear that someone else fits better into her world. That kind of fear builds walls, not bridges."
Rohan sipped his tea. It tasted stronger than usual.
"But she's... she's from a different league, man."
"So? You think hearts come with class tags?"
Rohan chuckled. "I guess not."
"She shared a room with you, in a blackout, on a stormy night, and lived to tell the tale. If that's not trust, what is?"
Rohan went quiet.
"You hurt her?"
"I think I did."
"Then fix it."
"It's not that simple."
"Yes it is," Ajay said, smiling. "Say what you feel. Say it even if it shakes your voice."
Rohan looked at the steam rising from his cup, swirling like the thoughts in his chest.
"Thanks, Ajay."
"Anytime. Just rememberβyou don't get many storms like that. If someone stays through one, maybe they're worth the thunder."
π 8:34 PM β Outside Ishita's Apartment
Rohan stood across the street.
Lights were on.
He didn't ring.
Not yet.
He just stood there⦠remembering.
How she looked in the rain.How she laughed at his broken phone.How she kissed him like she was falling and wanted him to catch her.
His thumb hovered over his phone.
Rohan:
Still up? I⦠want to talk. No drama. Just me.
He stared at it. Then hit send.
No reply.
He waited.
Minutes passed.
Still nothing.
Then finallyβ"typingβ¦"
But the reply never came.
Only the lights turned off.
And Rohan was left in the dark again.