POV: Aaravi

There’s no pain quite like the kind you see coming — and still can’t avoid.

Ashwin was gone.

He always leaves.

I held the bedsheet close like it could shield my emotions. But it couldn’t. Nothing could.

He said he loved someone else.

And the way he said it — like it had already been decided, signed, sealed, and hidden from me for years — made it worse.

I curled up on the couch and let the tears come.

Then, the bell rang.

I wiped my face, opened the door — and froze.

“Appa?”

He walked in, suitcase still in hand, face drawn with concern.

“I just got back. What happened? The security said you haven’t been coming down.”

I burst into tears again.

He dropped everything and pulled me into his chest. Like he used to when I was eight and scraped my knees trying to learn cycling.

“I told him that I love him appa,” I whispered. “ Ashwin. But he rejected me. How… how could he? he said there’s someone else.”

Appa didn’t flinch.

He just held me tighter.

“I tried everything, Appa. I tried to become someone he’d admire. I begged. I loved. I broke. And still—”

“Shhh,” he said, brushing my hair.

“You always said love wins. That persistence pays. But he doesn’t even see me.”

He made me sit on the couch. Poured me water. Waited until my sobs calmed.

“I didn’t know it was this bad,” he said quietly.

His jaw clenched. Just for a second.

“Did he hurt you?”

“No,” I said immediately. “Not physically. But… words can cut too, right?”

He nodded.

“Do you still love him?”

I nodded without hesitation.

He exhaled. “Then let me handle it.”

My eyes shot up.

“Appa—”

“I’m not going to force him. He owes me that much. He owes you a straight path. Not breadcrumbs and bruises.”

My throat tightened.

“Will you make him come back?”

He gave a small smile. “I can’t make someone love, aara kutty. But I can make them see.”

And for the first time in days, I felt like maybe I wasn’t alone in this madness.

I had someone in my corner.

My father.

I smiled wiping my tears.

" Get ready for the dinner.” he said and left.

I had hope. If appa said he will do something, then definitely he will finish it without any crumbs.

I got ready in the evening itself and waited for him to call me. To the dinner right. The driver arrives and honked the horn. I left to my father's home.

POV: Ashwin

The dining hall was grand but quiet.

Crystal lights hung low, casting soft shadows over the table dressed in white and gold. Aromas of perfectly plated food filled the air, but none of it registered.

Not to me.

Because I felt it coming.

Rajasekar uncle’s eyes hadn’t left me since the starters.

My father was in an unusually good mood, swirling wine and talking about expansion plans. My mother was beaming at Aaravi, who sat directly across from me, her eyes lighting up every time she caught me glancing her way.

I didn’t know where to look.

I only knew I had nowhere to hide.

Then, uncle cleared his throat. And everything fell silent.

“Ashwin,” he began, voice calm, “you’ve been a part of our family for a long time now. In business, and more importantly, in trust.”

I straightened slightly.

He looked at my parents. Then back to me.

“We’ve watched you grow into a man of integrity and quiet strength. And… it would make me incredibly proud if you would consider becoming a permanent part of this family.”

Silence.

Aaravi didn’t move.

My mother gasped softly. My father smiled and placed his wine glass down, his tone suddenly warm.

“We would be honored, Rajasekar. Truly.”

I looked at Aaravi. Her cheeks were pink. Her eyes glossy.

She didn’t say anything.

She didn’t need to.

She was already living the moment she had always dreamed of.

“Ashwin?” my father nudged. “What do you say?”

I swallowed hard.

My heart was beating too fast. Maya’s smile flashed in my mind. Her paint-covered hands. Her soft voice.

I breathed in slowly.

“Uncle,” I said, meeting Rajasekaran uncle’s eyes, “I… need some time to think.”

His expression didn’t change. He simply nodded.

“I understand. Take all the time you need.”

Aaravi still smiled.

Soft. Hopeful. Almost certain.

And I sat there, trapp

ed between duty, desire.

The dinner continued. Laughter resumed.

But inside me?

Everything stayed still.

Waiting for a choice I didn’t want to make.