SCENE 1

P R A P T I

Love.

Once, this word meant something to me. It meant everything. There was a time when I could have died for it without thinking twice. A time when I didn’t even hesitate before giving myself completely to someone… believing it was real. Believing he was real.

But now… I hate that word.

How can someone play with your emotions so perfectly that it feels real? Every moment, every touch, every word… it all felt true. And yet, none of it was.

I sat there, curled slightly into myself, my fingers clutching the edge of the bedsheet as my gaze stayed fixed on nothing in particular.

“Ayansh Rai Singhania…”

Even taking his name felt heavy.

“That name… sirf dard deta hai ab,” I whispered under my breath, my voice breaking slightly.

There was a time when I wanted to become his. Completely. Even if it meant hurting myself in the process. I wanted to take away all his pain… give him every bit of happiness I could.

But He broke me. He shattered me into pieces so small that even if I tried to put myself back together, I didn’t know where to begin.

“Main khud ko jodte jodte… khud hi kho jaungi,” I murmured, my fingers tightening as a tear slipped down my cheek.

Now, all that was left inside me… was anger.

Hatred.

“I hate him,” I said softly, but the words carried weight. “I hate him with everything that’s left in me.”

SCENE 2

A Y A N S H

. I picked up my phone and dialed Sarthak, keeping my gaze fixed ahead.

He picked up quickly.
“Boss.”

My jaw tightened slightly as I asked, “Kuch pata chala uske baare mein?”

There was a brief pause from his side.
“Abhi tak nahi, bhai… hum log try kar rahe hain lekin—”

I cut him off immediately, my grip on the phone firm now. “Try se kuch nahi hota Sarthak, mujhe result chahiye.”

Another short silence. I could imagine him straightening up on the other end.
“Mil jayegi, boss. Is baar miss nahi hongi.”

I exhaled slowly through my nose, my fingers tightening around the edge of the desk. “Hona bhi nahi chahiye.”

The call ended.

I leaned back in my chair, head resting against it for a moment. My eyes stayed fixed on the ceiling, but my mind wasn’t there. It was somewhere else entirely. Somewhere she always ended up reaching without even being present.

My voice came out low, almost to myself. “Kab tak chupogi tum…”

A faint smirk formed, but there was no warmth in it. My hand slowly slid from the armrest to the edge of the chair, gripping it tighter.

“Dhund hi lunga tumhe… Neel pari.”

The name felt familiar on my tongue, like it always belonged there. My eyes closed for a second, breath steady but heavy. “Is baar mujhse door nahi jaa paogi. Jaane hi nahi dunga.”

SCENE 3

P R A P T I

“aap sab jaante the na…” I said, my voice controlled but carrying clear hurt, my brows slightly furrowed while I stared at him without blinking.

He stayed silent.

His silence made my lips press into a thin line and I let out a slow breath, shaking my head slightly as a bitter expression formed on my face.

“kya mila yeh sab karke…” I said again, my tone sharper now, my hands moving slightly as if trying to hold back everything building inside me. “aapko sab pata tha… fir bhi aap chup rahe…”

He still did not reply.

His silence felt heavier than any words.

I looked at him for a moment longer, then let out a small humorless laugh, my shoulders dropping slightly as disappointment settled in completely.

“you know what… mujhe aapke saath rehna hi nahi hai…” I said, my voice firm this time, my eyes no longer searching his face but holding a clear decision.

A Y A N S H

I leaned closer, resting my forehead against hers, my eyes closing for a brief second as I tried to steady my breathing.

“kuch to bolo… main tumhari awaaz sunne ke liye taras gaya hoon… please…”

This time my voice broke.

I could hear it myself.

For a moment, everything around us faded again. It was just us standing there, too close, too quiet, too lost in everything we had been holding inside for months.

Her hand slowly lifted, moving toward my chest. I felt her fingers coming closer, my heart reacting instantly, a small hope rising inside me that maybe… just maybe she was not going to push me away this time.

I thought she was going to hold me.

I thought she was going to come closer.

But the next second—

She pushed me.

Hard.

The force made me step back, breaking that moment completely. Before I could react, before I could grab her again, she turned and ran.

A/N :

Hey cuties So, I know it was a little confusing, but tell me—how was it? 🥹❤️

And about the chapter updates, they’ll start from 20th June on this and on watty the updates will start once we reach Chapter 20 here . I'm currently caught up with something really important. My father has been hospitalized, and I couldn't bring my laptop with me, so writing has been difficult. I also can't properly edit the chapters I've already written, which is why everything is taking longer than expected.

You all have been so patient with me, and I'm asking for just a little more patience, pretty please, cuties. 🫶✨

Also, don't forget to flood the comments with your thoughts! I really hope you all liked this chapter. I'll be posting the tropes and dedication soon as well.

Until then, enjoy this chapter and take care! ❤️