Aahan's place

As the moon climbed high, casting a silver glow through the window, he stumbled through the doorway, his steps unsteady and reeking of alcohol.

This night was different; it was the first time he had drowned his sorrows in liquor since Mishti had entered his life.

His hair, unkempt and wild, cascaded over his forehead in a disarray that spoke of restless hands running through it in desperation. His eyes, once the windows to his soul, now resembled two smouldering embers, red-rimmed and sunk deep into their sockets, reflecting the turmoil that churned within.

In his pocket, his fingers found the cold metal of the locket she had given him, the last piece of her he had left.

He clutched it tightly as if hoping the warmth of his hand could reignite the warmth of her smile. But the only answer was the loneliness in the quiet night.

He threw himself onto the bed, the sheets cold and unwelcoming. His hands reached out, pulling the pillow into a desperate embrace. It was a feeble substitute for her warmth, her laughter, her love.

He buried his face into the pillow, searching for the faintest trace of her jasmine-scented hair. The fabric, once a barrier between their dreams, now felt like a vast chasm.

His heart ached as if it had been hollowed out, leaving a void no drink could fill. The pillow, drenched with the scent of her, was now soaked with his tears.

"Mishti, my soul is shattered... Every second without you is an eternity of pain. The laughter we shared, the love that blossomed-it's all fading away, leaving me in this unbearable silence. I have fought so hard to have you in my life, without you, I'm adrift in an endless night. I can't endure this void... I'm losing myself in the darkness..." He sobbed..

"Mishti, my heart is bleeding... I'm suffocating in this loneliness. Without your love, life is a cruel joke, and I'm the punchline. Please, don't leave me alone in this cold, merciless world... I'd rather let the sorrow take me than face another dawn without you...I can't... I won't survive this abyss. Without you, every breath is a battle, and I'm tired, so very tired..."

"I will die without you Mishti..." He screamed...

"The day I first saw you changed me.. It really changed me.. My heart only beats for you.. I can't lose you.."

His tears become more intense, the load they carry and the pain they have was extreme.

Crying and sobbing, he slept..

#Flashback#

The sun hung low in the sky, a fiery orb casting a warm golden glow over the bustling city. A gentle breeze whispered through the streets, carrying with it the distant sounds of life and the sweet scent of jasmine. At a traffic signal, amidst the symphony of honking cars and the rhythmic tapping of pedestrian footsteps, his car came to a halt.

Aahan's pov

"What happened?? Why did you stop? We're already getting late for the meeting."

I said to the driver.

"Sir,.. the traffic signal." He responded.

"Huhh.."

I leaned back in the seat, my gaze inadvertently drifting to the world outside the window. My gaze fell on a girl. She stood at the bus stop.

She was a portrait of grace in the soft light of dawn. Her kurti, a delicate shade of sky blue, was adorned with intricate embroidery that traced patterns of traditional motifs. The fabric of her attire was moving gently with every breath of the morning breeze.

Her jhumkas, silver and ornate, were like chimes that sang a silent song of elegance with each subtle turn of her head.

They complemented the soft curves of her face, drawing attention to the gentle arch of her brows and the depth of her gaze.

Her eyes, deep black in which anyone can drown, framed by long lashes, held the serene calm of the early hours.

Her hair, untamed and free, cascaded down her shoulders in waves of midnight, each strand glimmering with the touch of sunlight. It framed her face, a natural veil that added to her mystique, and swayed to the rhythm of the wind as if it were a melody only she could hear.

Her lips, a soft red, were like the petals of a rose that had bloomed just to greet the day. Her skin, kissed by the first rays of the sun, glowed with a warmth that was both inviting and comforting.

She was looking here and there and I was staring at her every movement.

It seemed that the time had frozen.

Standing there, she seemed not just a part of the morning, but the very essence of it-her presence a gentle reminder of the beauty that exists in the simplicity of everyday moments.

The bus arrived and she stepped on, a sudden gust of wind claimed one of her jhumkas and it fell on the ground. She was unaware and the bus carried her.

Without any hesitation, I stepped out and picked up the jhumka. I clutched it in my hand and sat back in the car.

As the traffic light turned green, the car started.

The whole way my mind was occupied by her image, that smile, those eyes...

"How can someone be so beautiful??"

I huffed....

"Sir...."

My thoughts were interrupted by a voice.

"Yeah..?"

"We reached.." He replied.

I came out of the car and slipped the jhumka into the pocket of my pants.

After the meeting

"We are glad to work with you Mr. Rajvanshi." The man said.

"You won't get disappointed, Mr. Shekhawat."

I smiled and he left.

I went to my cabin.....

"Namaskar, Sir ji.." A figure appeared in front of me.

(Greetings, Sir)

"Pi rkhi h ky??" I asked taking off my coat.

(Are you drunk??)

"I am fit and fine, Sir ji.." He replied.

"Reyansh, Are you done??"

"Did you give me any treat or something to eat.?? Asking me like a stupid, Are you done..?" He said sarcastically.

"Like I roam around with a pocket full of treats just waiting to hand them to you.." I replied.

"You are out of senses today.... Did something happen??"

I raised my eyebrow.

"Yessss!!!...A good news.." He said excitedly..

"What?? Really!! Are you pregnant??"

"Yess!! No!!"

He threw a cushion on me but it landed on the floor.

"You shut up.. Rascal.." He shouted. "Don't change my gender.."

I burst into laughter... "See even your tongue is slipping."

"Stop laughing, Aahan... otherwise I will kill you..."

"But don't worry I will soon give you the good news that YOUR BHABHI IS PREGNANT. .."

I was trying to control my laugh..

"For that you have to get married first or atleast get a girlfriend.." I teased him.

"Listen, today Mom and Dad are returning to India..." He said..

"That's awesome... I would be the first one who will tell them about your pregnancy..." I replied..

"Saale... kamine.... aur bache ka baap tu h. Actually I am not out of senses but you are!!"

("You... bastard.. and you are the father of the child..")

"I haven't even touched a girl yet forgot about man." I said crossing my arms near my chest. "Vaise tu baap banega ya maa?" I asked with a mischievous glint in my eyes.

He threw a file on me, "You!!"

I quickly bent down and the file missed me, "Whoa.. I escaped.." I exclaimed.

"Ouucchhh.." Vansh yelled, the file smacking him squarely in the face as he walked in the cabin.

"Vansh, are you okay??" I asked trying to control my laugh.

"Yeah, just a paper cut.... on my face!!" He replied, pulling a sheet off his cheek and Reyansh burst into laughter...

"Oh God!! Why did I come here??" He murmured rubbing his cheek..

"Your words are clearly audible, now tell me, why did you come??" I asked controlling my smile... my face was neutral..

"Sir, just to handle you these files..." He replied, "But I didn't know this would happen to me.." He muttered....

"Vansh...!!" I called and Reyansh started to laugh shamelessly.

"I should leave now.." saying this he put the files on the table and left....

I slid my hand into the pocket of my pants and the cool touch of the jhumka reminded me of the beauty I had witnessed today.

With a gentle motion, I took it out, holding it up to light. My eyes were fixed on it, admiring it and its owner.

"Heyy... what it is??" Reyansh interrupted my thoughts.

"Can't you see??" I replied.

"I can see it very well..... but I am asking, why is it with you.....??

I told him everything that happened this morning...

"So it means our CEO, Mr. Aahan Rajvanshi is in love and that too love at first sight...." He coughed.

I gave him a death glare.

"Aise na dekho ji pyaar ho jayega.........." He said mockingly.

("Don't look like that, I will fall in love...")

"Would you stop this nonsense??" I said looking at him.

"Haan.. abb toh iss dost ki baate bakwas hi lgengi....ladki ka chakkar babu bhaiya..." He said with fake tears...

("Yes, now this friend's talks will seem nonsensical... it's all about a girl, my friend.")

I huffed...

"It's not love.... it fell so I just picked it.."

"Uff... The excuses..I wish.... teri jhumka girl tujhe mil jaaye.." He said.

"Oyeeeeee...... I am late, I have to go to the airport..." He screamed looking at the clock.

"What a memory..!!" I remarked.

"Shut up.... I am going now..." He said taking the car keys..

"I will also accompany you..."

I put the jhumka in the drawer and left with him for the airport.....