LOGINTheir gaze clashed. Years of love. Years of hurt. All standing between them. "Mujhe laga tha tumne mujhe chhod diya." Arjun's voice softened, almost breaking. Nancy smiled sadly. (Translation: I thought you gave up on me.) "Maine khud ko chhod diya tha, Arjun." She murmured, barely above a whisper. (Translation: I had given up on myself, Arjun.) That broke him. His shoulders slumped. "Aaj bhi?" The question slipped out before he could stop it. Nancy looked at him for a very long moment. (Translation: Even today?) "Aaj bhi." She said very quietly. His breath caught in his chest. (Translation: Even today.) "Isliye mujhse door rehti ho?" He asked and she nodded yes. (Translation: Is this the reason, you stay away from me?) "Isliye main tumhari aankhon mein nahi dekh pati. Kyun ki agar dekh liya...to fir mazboot nahi reh paungi." She said. (Translation: That's why I can't look into your eyes. Because if I do... I won't be able to stay strong.) Arjun stepped closer, his v
"To fir abhi tak aap wahan kyun khadi hain? Aap ko Nancy ke kamre mein hi sona hai kya? Aap ko yahan accha nahi lag raha?" He asked her thinking she might feel more comfortable in Nancy's home than his room. (Translation: Then why are you still standing there? Do you want to sleep in Nancy's room? Don't you like it here?) "Ji nahi aisa kuch bhi nahi hai." She replied slowly still rooted at her place. (Translation: No, it's nothing like that.) "To fir kya baat hai, bacche? Idhar aaiye." He asked gently and patted the space beside him. (Translation: Then what's the matter, kiddo? Come here.) She obeyed and took some baby steps towards the bed and slowly climbed on it. Adjusting her dupatta she sat where he asked her to. Her fingers fidgeting in her lap as if she was fighting with her inner turmoil and didn't know how to express it. He could clearly notice the uncomfortable demeanor of her and he knew why. Today's interaction with Sudha had surely left an impact on her. "Aap ko k
"J-Ji nahi, humara kehne ka wo matlab nahi tha." She said immediately with her eyes wide, head shaking in denial. (Translation: N-No, that's not what I meant.) "To fir kya matlab tha aap ka?" Ryker asked nudging his head a little closer to her. (Translation: Then what did you mean?) Inaayat looked at their surroundings and there was no one, still she felt a little flustered at his closeness. She looked down again fidgeting her fingers together. "Ji, hum jayein?" She asked softly and all the playfulness in his demeanor was gone. (Translation: Can I go?) He didn't want her to go. He didn't want to go back to that cold room again, alone. But he didn't know how to tell her that without her he couldn't get a single ounce of sleep. That room without her presence feels haunting to him. Ryker, who knew so many languages- didn't know the language which could convey his feelings, his silent words to her. "Nahi aap nahi jaa sakti'n." He said and it came out a little harsh which startled
"Ye to badi khushi ki baat hai ki tumhe koi aitraaz nahi hai." Sudha said to Arjun and her voice piercing two hearts at the same time. (Translation: It's great news that you have no objections.) "Congratulations..." Nancy muttered under her breath, voice brittle like cracking glass. Her nails dug into her palm, trying to contain the breaking inside her chest. It pained more than the physical pain she was having already. "Mere Arjun bhai deserve karte hain sabse best. Ab kisi aur ke baare me sochne ki zaroorat hi kya hai, jab Vibha unke liye ek dam perfect hai." Urvashi said stepping closer and smirking faintly. (Translation: My Arjun bro deserves the best. Why even think about anyone else when Vibha is absolutely perfect for him?) That "perfect" was like a knife thrust into Nancy's throat. Arjun's eyes flickered- guilt, remembrance, pain- before he masked it again. He didn't look at Nancy. He couldn't. If he did- he would break apart. He didn't want it like this, he never
Two weeks later, everything was still and no new drama took place in the haveli but not for too long, soon a new bomb was going to drop in the haveli, snatching the two weeks of peace from some people. In these two weeks nothing much happened. Nancy was in her recovery phase while Arjun's attention was on her only, he stopped attending meetings and conferences and used to stay in her room only, like he had long forgotten his laptop and board members. While Ryker was frustrated, as well as craving for Inaayat's attention which she wasn't giving to him, unintentionally. She didn't leave Nancy's side in these two weeks at all; even if he insisted that she can see Nancy whenever she wants but she pleaded with him to let her stay beside Nancy because she doesn't want to leave her alone, and in case she needed something She should present there. Ryker wanted to tell her that she doesn't need to be with her like a nurse but seeing the sad expressions on her face and sympathy of Nancy he
She instantly realised her mistake and looked back at Nancy, like a kid caught stealing. Nancy looked away, shame and fear clouding her eyes due to being helpless. Inaayat started cleaning her collarbone area gently. "Ahhhh..." Nancy yelled in pain. Inaayat stopped mid-motion. The cloth froze in her hand. Instead of keeping going she stopped for a while. Nancy's lips wobbled and she turned her face away to hide tears. Inaayat resumed and this time her touch was feather-light. When Inaayat finished cleaning her wounds, she took the bowl and cloth away. When she returned back she saw Nancy trying to sit up again and Arjun immediately asked her. "What happened?" He asked her, ready to tell her to keep laying still. "Washroom..." Nancy let out in her painful voice and before she could even move more he stopped her. "You can't go like this... Let me help you." Arjun said. Nancy wanted to say no but she knew he was saying right and Inaayat wasn't strong enough to support her in the bat







