Aisha had never felt so alive.
The event had been a grand success. Her entrepreneurship drive had gathered an overwhelming response, with investors praising her vision, young entrepreneurs seeking her guidance, and the media buzzing about her achievements. Everywhere she turned, she was met with admiration and warmth.
She should've been exhausted after the long day, but instead, she felt electric, as if she were standing on the peak of something extraordinary. And now, sitting across from Rishi at their favorite rooftop restaurant, under the soft glow of city lights, it felt like the perfect ending to a perfect day.
"I have to admit," Rishi said, smirking as he leaned back in his chair. "I almost thought you'd mess up your speech with how nervous you were this morning. But look at you....Miss Inspirational."
Aisha rolled her eyes but couldn't help smiling. "Oh, please. I nailed that speech. You're just mad that I didn't need your last-minute pep talk."
He raised an eyebrow. "Right. So the 'Rishi, what if I trip and embarrass myself?' text I got before the event was someone else?"
She narrowed her eyes. "I take that back. You're the worst."
Rishi chuckled, lifting his glass. "The worst best friend you've ever had."
She clinked her glass against his. "That, I can't argue with."
They ate in comfortable silence, the kind that only came after years of knowing each other inside out. Rishi made a few sarcastic remarks about her sudden popularity, grinning as he picked at his food. "I swear, Aisha, you give one motivational speech, and suddenly you're everyone's role model. Should I start scheduling fan meetups for you?"
Aisha smirked, spearing a piece of grilled chicken with her fork. "Oh, absolutely. You can be my manager. I'll even let you take pictures of me for my fan club."
Rishi placed a dramatic hand on his chest. "What an honor! Do I get paid, or is my suffering the only reward?"
She chuckled. "Your payment is my company. Pretty priceless, don't you think?"
He leaned forward, resting his chin on his hand. "Mmm... debatable."
Aisha threw a napkin at him, laughing when he dodged it with ease. Underneath all the teasing, there was something else....a quiet, unspoken sense of pride. He was genuinely happy for her. And Aisha felt that.
Just as she picked up her phone to check the messages flooding in, her screen lit up with an unknown number. She frowned.
Rishi, noticing her hesitation, asked, "Expecting a secret admirer?"
Aisha scoffed. "If I was, you'd be the first to know so you could scare him away."
He grinned. "Damn right."
She swiped to answer. "Hello?"
For a moment, there was silence. Then a familiar voice cut through the noise of the restaurant.
"Aisha."
Her heart stopped.
Ranvir.
Her grip on the phone tightened as a wave of emotions crashed into her....shock, anger, confusion, and something she didn't know.
She hadn't heard his voice in months, not since she had blocked him. Not since she had decided to move on. So why, after all this time, was he calling now?
"I know I'm the last person you want to hear from," he continued. "But... can we meet?"
Aisha felt her breath hitch. The background noise around her faded, and for a second, it was just her and the voice she once loved. The voice that had hurt her.
"I need to say something," Ranvir added, his tone softer than she remembered. "Can we meet?"
Meet?
She blinked, her mind racing. What did he want now? Was this some new manipulation? Or was it... genuine?
"Aisha?" Rishi's voice pulled her back. She glanced up to find him watching her closely, concern flickering in his eyes. "Who is it?"
She hesitated for a second too long.
Rishi's expression shifted....he knew. Of course, he knew.
Her fingers curled around the phone, her pulse quickening. A thousand thoughts ran through her mind, but only one question truly mattered. 'Did she want to meet him?'
She took a shaky breath, lowering the phone slightly. "It's Ranvir," she murmured, barely above a whisper.
Rishi's jaw tensed. "What does he want?"
"He wants to meet," she admitted, unsure of what she was feeling. "He says he needs to talk."
Rishi scoffed, leaning back. "Right. Because that worked out so well the last time."
She chewed on her lip, staring at the name on her phone screen. "I don't know, Rishi. Maybe I should just...."
"No," he cut her off, his voice firm. "You don't owe him anything. He doesn't get to waltz back in just because he suddenly feels like talking."
Aisha sighed, rubbing her temple. "I know. But... what if I need closure? What if hearing him out finally lets me move on completely?"
Rishi exhaled sharply, studying her. "And what if he just messes with your head again? Do you really want to risk that?"
She looked down at her phone. The seconds ticked by, and she could feel the weight of Rishi's gaze on her. Finally, she made her decision.
With a deep breath, she muttered, "I'll meet him. But not alone."
Rishi's frown deepened. "Aisha...."
"I'm not stupid, Rishi," she interjected. "I just… I need to see for myself what he has to say. And if he tries anything, I know you'll be right there to drag me out."
Rishi sighed, raking a hand through his hair. "Damn right, I will."
She arrived at the cafe, her nerves on edge as she stepped inside. Ranvir was already there, waiting at a corner table with a bouquet of lilies....her favorite. He stood as she approached, offering the flowers with a small, hesitant smile. Her breath hitched. He looked almost the same, yet different. There was a tiredness in his eyes, a hesitation in his steps that wasn't there before.
Rishi was nearby, watching, though not at the table. She knew he'd intervene if needed, but this was her battle to fight.
Ranvir sat across from her. "Thank you for meeting me." "Also congratulations, Aisha," he said sincerely. "You've built something incredible. I always knew you would."
Aisha accepted the flowers cautiously, her expression unreadable. "Thanks, Ranvir. But let's not pretend like we're here for small talk. What do you really want to say?"
Ranvir sighed, running a hand through his hair. "I owe you an apology....probably a thousand of them. But I also just... wanted to see you. To see how you're doing."
She crossed her arms, watching him carefully, her voice calmer than she felt. "And? Is this what you wanted, Ranvir? To see me, to apologize? Or is this just another way to make yourself feel better?"
Ranvir let out a deep breath, his gaze searching hers running a hand through his hair. "I know I messed up, Aisha. I hurt you. I was selfish and blind, and I.... Aisha, I was a fool. I took you for granted, and I lost the best thing that ever happened to me. I miss you....every single day. I miss your laughter, your stubbornness, even your anger. And knowing that I can't undo what I did... it's killing me."
Aisha's grip on her chair tightened. "You didn't just 'lose' me, Ranvir. You broke me."
His face twisted in pain. "I know."
There was silence between them, thick and heavy.
"I don't expect you to forgive me," he said finally. "I just needed you to know that I regret everything. That I miss you."
Aisha swallowed hard. A part of her wanted to scream, to tell him how much he had hurt her, but another part....one she barely acknowledged....felt a dull ache at his words.
"I've moved on," she said, steady and firm. "And you should too."
Ranvir studied her, then his gaze flickered past her. Aisha didn't have to turn to know he had spotted Rishi.
A bitter smile touched his lips. "I see."
She didn't confirm or deny it. She didn't need to. The way Rishi had stood by her, protected her, and loved her without asking for anything in return....it said enough.
Ranvir sighed and stood. "Goodbye, Aisha."
She watched as he walked away, not looking back. Aisha exhaled slowly, feeling a weight lift off her chest.
She was finally free.
Just as she let out a breath she hadn't realized she'd been holding, a warm hand touched her shoulder. She turned to find Rishi standing there, his expression unreadable yet knowing. "You okay?" he asked, his voice softer than usual.
Aisha gave a small nod. "Yeah. I think I am."
Rishi studied her for a moment before smirking. "Well, good. Because I was worried I'd have to chase after him and give him another reason to regret his decisions."
She chuckled, the heaviness in her chest finally easing. "No need for that. I'm done looking back."
Rishi nudged her playfully. "So, does this mean we can finally go celebrate properly? Maybe some ice cream? Or should I prepare a victory speech for you?"
Aisha laughed, linking her arm with his as they walked away. "Ice cream sounds perfect. No speeches, though. I've had enough of those for one lifetime."
And with that, they stepped into the night, leaving the past exactly where it belonged....behind them.
As soft music played nearby the bar, Rishi leaned in closer, a teasing glint in his eyes. "What do you say, Miss Inspirational? Care to honor me with a dance?" he asked, extending his hand dramatically.
Aisha raised an eyebrow, amused. "Since when do you dance?"
Rishi smirked. "Since I realized it's a great excuse to hold you close."
She rolled her eyes but couldn't fight the smile tugging at her lips. "You're impossible, Rishi," she muttered, placing her hand in his.
"And yet, you can't resist me," he teased, pulling her onto the dance floor. He spun her effortlessly, his grip firm yet gentle. As the soft rhythm enveloped them, she found herself laughing, her head tilting back as he dipped her dramatically.
"Show-off," she whispered.
"Only for you," he murmured back, his voice low and playful. Their eyes met, a lingering moment stretching between them before he twirled her again, the tension of the night melting away in his arms.