Forsaken Melody

Part 12

Her mother's words bellowed in her ears and Avantika withdrew her hand from his gentle grasp with a decisive repulsion that kicked him in the gut. The one that had allowed him into her fortress was a businesswoman - a mother looking out for her baby - not the woman who had loved him and lost herself.

Abhay recoiled slightly at the abrupt withdrawal of Avantika's hand, a flicker of hurt crossing his features. He had dared to hope for a moment of connection, a bridge between their fractured past and uncertain future. Yet, her swift rejection was a stark reminder of the chasm that still separated them, a painful reminder of the wounds that had yet to heal.

Silence enveloped them once more, heavy with unspoken words and the weight of missed opportunities. Avantika could feel the emotional walls she had painstakingly built around her heart solidify once again, the tendrils of vulnerability retreating into the fortress she had erected to shield herself from further pain.

"I... I'm sorry if I overstepped," Abhay murmured, his voice tinged with regret and uncertainty. He could sense the shift in Avantika's demeanor, the invisible barriers that rose between them with each passing moment.

"You did. It took less than a minute after committing to professionalism to clasping my hand. Is that what you call professionalism, Mr. Malhotra?"

Avantika's words were laced with sarcasm and a hint of bitterness, her tone conveying the deep-seated hurt that still lingered within her. Abhay winced at the rawness of her emotions, hating himself for being the cause of it all those years ago.

"I-I didn't mean to... It's just..." Abhay struggled to find the right words, his heart heavy with regret and guilt. He had hoped that their meeting would bring them some closure and possibly even a chance to start over. But with Avantika's walls firmly in place, he knew that his chances were slim.

"It's just what?" Avantika prompted, her eyes flashing with a mix of anger and pain. She couldn't believe how easily Abhay had slipped back into her life after all these years, stirring up memories and emotions she had worked so hard to bury.

"It's just... I wanted to apologize," Abhay finally managed to say, his voice trembling slightly. "For everything that happened between us."

Avantika stiffened at his words, feeling a surge of resentment rise within her. She had tried for years to push him out of her mind, to forget the way he had broken her heart and shattered her dreams. And now here he was, seated in front of her and offering an apology as if it could fix everything.

"Oh, it's her! If I was turned down so publicly, I would never dare to show my face in that place again. But not everyone prizes honour, I guess," said one of the women seated around her in the cafeteria.

Avantika wished she could disappear into the seat as she closed her eyes with a resigned sigh. It was not courage that had dragged her to the ground of hungry vultures, it was the absence of privilege to walk away without a worry about her education and the money invested that shackled her to the place which plagued her nightmares.

"I cannot imagine how desperate she was to throw herself on Abhay that way! She was out to trap him and deluded herself into assuming his courtesy as something she could exploit. I don't understand how such people live with themselves!" added another woman, eying Avantika from the corner of her eyes.

Avantika realized resigning to the onslaught of hunger pangs was, perhaps, better than subjecting herself to the taunts of the relentless student populace around her. It was not the first time she had abandoned her physical needs to prevent sprinkling of salt over the gashes left behind a certain Abhay Malhotra more than a week ago. And Avantika was certain, it was far from being the last time.

Avantika knew that some wounds ran too deep to be healed with a simple apology. The pain of their past lingered between them like a thick fog, obscuring any chance of reconciliation. She could see the sincerity in Abhay's eyes, the regret etched in every line of his face, but it wasn't enough to undo the years of heartache she had endured.

Taking a deep breath to steady herself, Avantika squared her shoulders and met Abhay's gaze head-on. "You have a lot more to apologize than just that, Mr. Malhotra. And I'll have you know, apologies do not and cannot erase what has already happened," she said, her voice devoid of emotion. "They don't magically make everything right again."

Abhay flinched at her words, the weight of his mistakes bearing down on him like a heavy burden. He had hoped that by coming clean and seeking forgiveness, he could pave the way for a fresh start with Avantika. But her response made it painfully clear that some wounds were beyond repair.

"Let's stick to the rules we've agreed upon," Avantika replied, her tone firm yet not devoid of compassion. "We have a company to build, and personal distractions can only hinder our progress. We need to focus on our professional dynamic moving forward."

Abhay nodded, his gaze reflecting a mix of understanding and disappointment in himself. He knew he had let his emotions get the best of him, blurring the lines that Avantika had so clearly defined. As he retracted his hand and straightened in his seat, a sense of determination flickered in his eyes.

"You're right, Ms. Sharma. I'll make sure to uphold the boundaries we've set," Abhay affirmed, a hint of regret still lingering in his voice. Despite the ache of missed connection between them, he understood the importance of maintaining professionalism for the sake of their partnership.

With a silent acknowledgment between them, they resumed their discussion on the company's upcoming projects and strategic direction, their voices mingling with the hum of the café and the soft clinking of cups in the background. As they delved into the details of their shared responsibilities and goals, a sense of purpose settled between them, overshadowing the lingering tendrils of unresolved emotions.