Today was an office holiday, so she stayed at home. In the evening, she went out to the supermarket for dinner. I was still at home. She didn't say anything before leaving—just lay on the sofa, staring at the ceiling and watching TV in silence.
I was lying on the other end of the sofa. It was evening, and the sun was starting to set. I kept thinking about going back to the village... but the thought of being away from Aria kept hurting me. I didn't want to go back to that lonely room—just me and some scattered cigarette packets.
Suddenly, the doorbell rang.
I got up to open the door, and there stood Gaurav.
"What are you doing here?" he asked, looking straight at me.
Snapping out of my daze, I replied, "Can I ask you the same question?"
He chuckled, trying to ease the awkwardness, and stepped inside. He sat on the couch like he'd been here before. I stood near the door, still unsure how to answer his question—What am I even doing here?
He looked at me… suspiciously.
"What?" I asked.
"Nothing. I just asked something."
"I'm here… because I know Aria. We're friends."
But as soon as I said it, I realized—Friends? Was that really what we were? No, we weren't friends. Then… what were we?
"That's strange," Gaurav said, eyebrows raised. "Raipur's a small place, huh? Never thought you two would meet. Wait… you live in the village, right? When did you come back here?"
"Actually… I live as a tenant in Aria's village home. The one where her parents and brother stay. That's where we first met. And… somehow we became good friends."
I don't know why I brought up her family or used the word friends. I didn't know what was happening to me.
"Okay," he nodded, his eyes now on the wall behind me—where Aria's photo was hanging.
"What about you?" I asked. "How do you know her?"
"We met through work. I'm an investor. She's just an employee."
Then he added coldly, "It's a working relationship. Nothing important."
Just then, Aria came back from the supermarket. She paused when she saw me opening the door. Her cheeks turned slightly pink as she smiled shyly. I blushed too.
That little pink dimple on her cheek—so rare—appeared again.
As her eyes landed on him — Gaurav — the smile on her face slowly faded into confusion. Still, she greeted him politely and asked why he was here. Their conversation shifted to work-related topics, but something about it felt dull… and uncomfortable. The air between them didn't feel warm. I quietly excused myself and headed to Aria's room.
This apartment only had one room. I felt drained, so I collapsed onto her bed without thinking. From there, I could still hear their voices echoing faintly into the room.
"I'll get it done," Aria said.
Her tone was calm… steady.
She sounded so different from the last time I saw her — more relaxed, more open. She wasn't nervous around him. She had changed.
Maybe… maybe he was the reason behind that smile I saw outside the café that day. That smile she wore so freely, so wholeheartedly.
A smile I never got to see when she was with me.
I heard the sound of the door closing—Gaurav must have left. I let out a breath of relief. I did want to talk to him, but not here… not in front of Aria. The relationship between me and Gaurav isn't something I can explain easily… especially not to her. I just hope Gaurav keeps it hidden from Aria.
She knocked on the door. "Hmm," I responded, lying back with my arms crossed. She looked at me for a moment, then asked if I wanted some chai. Again, I just replied with a simple "hmm." Words didn't come to me at that moment—maybe I didn't want to speak at all. I wanted to stay quiet, avoid any questions or answers. It didn't matter if Aria was the one asking, or someone else. All I wanted was to relax… and rest.
The moon shone brightly as I stood outside the apartment, staring up at the sky.
"Can I just go back to the village?" I whispered to myself.
Aria was making dinner—the sound of tadka crackling filled the air.
"Are you happy with him?"
I had practiced that question so many times in my head.
Does she like him? No… I could never ask her that directly.
And honestly, who am I to ask?
After everything I did… especially after that train incident… I hurt her.
Why would she even trust me now?
How could I ask about her personal life, like I still mattered?
I don't.
She'll probably think I'm a jerk… a bastard… the kind of guy who breaks hearts and then shows up pretending to care.
I'm a coward.
I couldn't say what I truly felt.
She's the brave one.
And if she is happy with him—Gaurav—
Then maybe I'm just the only one left feeling jealous.
I felt her presence behind me. My hands were gripping the balcony grill tightly, as if it was the only thing holding me together.
She stepped beside me.
I turned and looked at her tired face… the soft moonlight kissed her skin, casting a yellow glow across her cheeks. She looked almost divine—her plain white T-shirt reflecting the moon's light, her hair flowing gently in the breeze.
For a moment, I froze.
My mind, my heart, my eyes—all stopped on her. It was like she paused time.
She had that kind of power—like she could control everything.
My breath… my thoughts… my heartbeat.
What is this feeling?
God… please save me from losing control.
Hold me.
Don't let me lose my consciousness.
Please… I can't.
She looked at me.
I couldn't move.
"What am I going to do?"
My inner voice whispered.
But I had no answer.
Then she said,
"Let's eat dinner."
Was it a command? A request?
I didn't know. I just followed her.
I flicked my half-burnt cigarette over the wall,
And walked inside.
Did you know him? She asked about Gaurav to me…
We meet… in a party… " I lied
Ohh… rich man's know rich guy's… " She taunts
I know him… because we meet for purpose of work.. he was my client… anyways.. I'm going
I took my wallet, which was lying on the table in front of me, and slipped it into my back pocket before walking out of the apartment.
She just looked at me, frozen. She didn't stop me from leaving, didn't say anything. Does she really not care?
Outside, the cold wind blew through the street. I walked forward—faster and faster—avoiding her eyes. I didn't want to face her again.
I was heading back to my village, back to that silent house, that empty room. I wanted to return to my real home—the one where I had lived with my parents, with my mom and dad, with my brother. The family we once had.
After Mom and Dad, even Gaurav left me. Then I started feeling something for Aria, but I wasn't ready to accept it, not ready to confess, not ready to express my own feelings. I feel trapped in a circle I can't escape, no matter how hard I try.
Why? Why do I feel like this? Fear runs through my veins. I feel like I can't make her happy, like I'll only end up hurting her. In the end… I'll break her heart. Why do I feel this way? I don't understand what's happening.