Recap chapter 2
Tears slipped down her cheeks.
Even Aahan felt uneasy now—but he tried to reassure her. "He'll be okay by morning. Come on… let's go."
Naira nodded silently and got into the car.
As they drove away, one fear echoed loudly in their hearts—
In their silence, only one fear echoed—
that Yash might end up getting himself into serious trouble.
What if this night changed everything forever?
Chapter - 3
After a while, Yash pulled his car to a stop in front of a large, upscale bar. Stepping out, he walked inside and settled comfortably onto a chair, ordering a drink.
→ The cold air brushed against his face, but the chill inside his heart was far deeper. Under the blue lights of the bar, his face looked lost—almost empty—like his thoughts were trapped somewhere far away. He took the first sip of his drink, but instead of soothing him, the burning in his chest only grew stronger.
A few girls sitting nearby couldn't help but notice Yash—his attractive looks and effortless charm drawing their attention. One of them walked over, slid in beside him, and sensuously ran her hand over his shoulder from behind. She traced his face with her fingers and leaned in close, whispering in a seductive voice,
"Why, baby… you're alone again tonight?"
She was the same girl Yash had met the last time he was here.
→ He could feel her touch on his body, yet none of it reached his heart anymore. Somewhere deep inside him, something had already broken—silently, without making a sound.
Yash pulled her onto his lap, gently brushing her hair aside and kissing her neck. Leaning close to her ear, he murmured,
"Yes, baby doll, I did come alone. Why don't you take this loneliness away? Tonight, it's just you and me."
→ Even as he spoke, there was a hollowness in his voice—like he was only trying to bury his pain for a moment.
A smile spread across the girl's face. She moved closer, her lips nearing his. Yash closed his eyes—
And suddenly, Ishaan's face appeared before him.
→ Like a bolt of lightning, Ishaan's memory struck his heart—his smile, his innocence, and that one moment when he had made Yash's heartbeat race without even trying.
Something inside Yash shattered. He realized he couldn't betray himself like this.
Opening his eyes, he pushed the girl away and said coldly,
"Go. I don't want anyone here."
→ His voice was so cold that even she could sense the storm hidden behind his eyes.
Startled by his tone, the girl quickly stepped away, deciding it was best to leave. After that night, none of the girls in the bar dared to approach Yash again.
On the other side, it was already 10 p.m. when Anjali came to Ishaan and said,
"Son, it's quite late now. You should head home too."
→ In the soft yellow light of the café, Ishaan's face looked calm and peaceful despite the exhaustion.
Ishaan smiled and replied,
"Yes, you go home. It'll take me another 15 minutes. I'll close the café and then leave."
Anjali nodded and was about to step out when a boy entered the café, smiling, and said,
"Hello, sweetheart. I'm here to pick you up!"
Anjali smacked him hard on the head and said,
"Why are you so late? And today you didn't even come once the whole day. Don't you love your mom at all?"
Hearing this, Kartik held both his ears with his hands and said,
"Sorry, Mom. It was the first day of college today, so I got a little late."
After saying that, he went to Ishaan, hugged him tightly, and said,
"Thank you, Ishaan. Because of you, I got such a good college. I don't know what would've happened if you hadn't taught me!"
→ At that moment, a small warmth spread through Ishaan's heart… because someone's future had taken shape because of him.
Smiling, Ishaan replied,
"It's okay, Kartik. You're like my younger brother."
Hearing this, Kartik smiled too and said,
"See you tomorrow in college!"
Then he said goodbye and left with his mother.
(Ishaan was extremely good at studies. He used to make notes and sell them to students—not just his own subjects, but even notes for his seniors' subjects.)
Meanwhile, on the other side, Yash had drunk far too much at the bar. He could barely even stand properly now. He pulled out his phone from his pocket and tried to find his driver's number, but he was so drunk that all the numbers seemed to be dancing before his eyes. Irritated, he shoved the phone back into his pocket and walked out of the bar.
→ His steps were unsteady, but in truth, it was his heart that was trembling…
Every step screamed—
You're not alone, Yash. You're broken.
He staggered toward his car, sat inside, and tried to start it, but the car wouldn't start. Furious, he got out, stood in front of the car, kicked it hard, and shouted,
"You're just like Rajveer Malhotra— a traitor!"
→ The roots of pain in his words ran very deep.
At the mention of Rajveer's name, there wasn't hatred in his eyes… only hurt.
After that, he stopped a taxi and sat inside. As soon as he got in, the driver locked the car and asked,
"Sir, where would you like to go?"
Poor Yash's mind was so messed up that he had even forgotten his own address. He placed a hand on his head, trying to think where he needed to go. Finally, irritated, he said in a slurred voice,
"Don't you know where Yash Malhotra lives?"
To this, the driver replied,
"No sir, I don't know your address."
→ Hearing this, Yash felt like laughing at himself… and crying too.
As soon as the driver said that, Yash shouted angrily,
"Fine then—take me to Sunshine Café!"
Hearing this, even the driver replied, "Yes sir," started the taxi, and began to leave from there.
On the other side, Ishaan had almost finished all his work. He was just about to step out when he opened the café door—and saw Yash standing right in front of him. One look was enough for Ishaan to understand that Yash was heavily drunk.
→ Yash's eyes were red, his face looked exhausted… but there was a deep, unmistakable pain floating in his eyes—something no one could ignore.
Barely able to stand, Yash staggered toward Ishaan and collapsed into his arms. Holding onto him, he said, "Do you have 100 rupees? I need to give it to that taxi driver."
→ There was less intoxication in his voice… and more brokenness.
Ishaan glanced outside in the direction of the taxi driver, then helped Yash inside and made him sit properly on a chair. He took out 100 rupees, gave it to the driver, said "thank you," and came back inside.
After returning, Ishaan asked him, "Why did you come here?"
At Ishaan's question, Yash stood up, placed both his hands on Ishaan's shoulders, and looked straight into his eyes. In his drunken voice, he said, "Your eyes are very beautiful… which eyeliner do you use?"
→ His words sounded like a joke… but his eyes were telling the truth— he couldn't ignore Ishaan.
Hearing this, Ishaan pushed Yash slightly away and said, "So you came here so late at night just to tell me how beautiful my eyes are? Don't tell me you've started liking me?"
As soon as Ishaan said that, Yash instantly replied in an angry tone, "No! Not at all! You're very bad!"
Hearing this, Ishaan questioned him, "Okay, I'm bad—but what did I even do?"
To this, Yash replied in an innocent voice, "Because of you, I got insulted in front of everyone. Because of you, I fought with Naira. And on top of that, even my car got damaged because of you!"
After saying this, he went silent and almost fell—but Ishaan quickly held him tightly and pulled him back into his arms.
→ The moment Yash fell into Ishaan's arms, his heart felt calm for a second…
In a cold voice, Ishaan asked, "If I'm that bad, then why did you come to me?"
There was a chill in his voice—enough to scare anyone—but today, that coldness mixed with Yash's drunken glow made him look strangely cute.
For a moment, Ishaan paused—unable to decide whether to get angry or laugh.
Yash pulled away and said, "Because I can't find my home… I don't know where it disappeared. Now you'll take me to my house."
Yash's shaky voice and the innocent, confused expression in his eyes brought a soft smile to Ishaan's face.
For a second, Ishaan thought— "This guy shows so much attitude… but turns into a child when he's drunk."
At that moment, Yash looked extremely cute to Ishaan. His childish words made Ishaan laugh internally as he thought, "He's a bit rude… but in alcohol, he turns into a very cute baby boy."
Ishaan walked out of the café, held Yash's hand, and started taking him along. Soon, they were outside, and Ishaan led Yash toward his bike.
In an innocent tone, Yash asked, "Don't you have a car? I don't want to sit on a bike."
Yash's delicate, slightly complaining voice sounded like a spoiled prince speaking.
Ishaan stared at him for a second—unable to believe how dramatic someone could be.
Then he replied, glaring at him, "No, I don't have a car. I'm not as rich as you, you know."
There was a bit of bitterness, a bit of truth, and a familiar habit in his words—of placing himself lower.
Yash still looked at him as if Ishaan was committing a crime by riding a bike.
In his cold voice, Ishaan said, "If you want to come, you'll come on my bike. Otherwise, stay here."
Poor Yash had no other option. Making an innocent face, he smiled and said, "Take me however you want."
Inside, Ishaan thought, "With that innocent smile, this boy wins every time…"
They reached the bike. When Ishaan asked him to wear the helmet, Yash said, "Ride the bike slowly, okay? I'm not used to sitting on bikes."
Then holding his eyes dramatically, he added, "Otherwise my eyes will swell because of the wind, and then tomorrow I'll trouble you the whole day."
A spark appeared in Ishaan's eyes for a moment. "Tomorrow… that means I'll meet him again?"
Yash's words irritated him—and yet pulled him closer.
Ignoring his words, Ishaan gently pulled Yash closer, brushed his hair back, and put the helmet on him. Yash, meanwhile, was completely lost in Ishaan's eyes…
His face, his breath, his closeness—everything was pulling Yash away from his senses.
Then Ishaan sat on the bike, made Yash sit behind him, and placed Yash's hands around his waist. "I'm starting the bike," he said.
He started the bike and drove off.
The wind was blowing… the city night was slightly cold… but for Yash, only one thing felt warm—Ishaan's back, against which he rested his head.
Even in his intoxicated state, his heart felt strangely at peace.
Soon, they reached Yash's mansion. Ishaan parked the bike outside, removed Yash's helmet, held him firmly, and started taking him inside.
Ishaan's grip was strong, as if he didn't want Yash to fall. Yet his face still held that same cold expression—hiding so much beneath it.
Seeing Yash's condition, the guards rushed over. One staff member stepped forward and said, "Please hand Yash sir over to me. I'll take him to his room from here."
Ishaan looked at the guard and said, "Yash is very drunk. Just tell me the room number—I'll take him myself."
The staff member looked at him for a moment—seeing responsibility, concern, and care mixed in his eyes. Then he nodded and led them to Yash's room.
Stopping near the door, he said, "This is Yash sir's room."
Ishaan replied, "Okay," opened the door, took Yash inside, and laid him gently on the bed.
Looking around the room, he murmured, "This baby boy's room is even bigger than my house."
The fragrance in the room, Yash's belongings—everything felt royal.
Ishaan thought to himself, "We're born into two completely different worlds…"
Yet today, he was the one laying Yash onto his own bed.
Thinking this, Ishaan turned to leave—but Yash stopped him. He tightly held Ishaan's hand, pulled him closer, and said, "Please… don't leave Yash alone too."
There was a soft innocence melting in Yash's voice— enough to make Ishaan's heart skip a beat.
As he said this, Yash slightly opened his eyes. Seeing Ishaan so close above him, he pressed his lips to Ishaan's and kissed him.
That moment— the scent of alcohol, Yash's warm breaths, and his sudden action— for one second, Ishaan's world completely froze.
Shocked, Ishaan pushed him away, rushed out of the room, and in his haste, collided with a woman outside.
Thank you