Mujhe Pyaar Hua Tha~ Short Stories Collection

3

Author's POV

Jeevika was alone in their bedroom, organizing their belongings. Mihir had left for work, and she decided to tackle the task of cleaning out the cupboards. As she rummaged through old boxes, she stumbled upon a small, locked chest that piqued her curiosity.

Finding the key tucked inside an envelope marked "Private," she unlocked the chest and discovered an assortment of photographs and letters. Her heart raced as she realized these were remnants of Mihir's past. She sat down on the bed, her hands trembling as she sifted through the items.

The photographs showed Mihir with various women at parties, on vacations, and in intimate settings. One picture, in particular, caught her attention. Mihir was sitting on a beach with a woman, their faces close together, foreheads touching, and his hand gently brushing her cheek. The look in his eyes was tender and affectionate, a look she had seen in their own moments of intimacy.

As she read through the letters, a sense of unease settled in her heart. One letter, dated a few years ago, stood out. It was from a woman named Aakriti, written in a delicate, flowing script.

Dear Mihir,

I can't stop thinking about the time we spent together last weekend. The way you held me, the way you made me feel—I've never experienced anything like it. I know we're supposed to keep things casual, but I can't help wanting more.

You have a way of making me feel special, like I'm the only woman in the world. I know you said you're not looking for anything serious, but I just wanted you to know how I feel.

Yours, always,
Aakriti

Jeevika felt her world crumbling. She had trusted Mihir completely, but this discovery shattered her sense of security. She decided to confront him that evening when he returned from work.

When Mihir walked through the door that evening, he immediately sensed something was wrong. Jeevika's face was pale, her eyes red from crying.

"Jeevika, what's wrong?" he asked, concern evident in his voice.

She held up the diary and the photographs. "I found these today while cleaning. Why didn't you tell me about this part of your life, Mihir?"

Mihir's face fell as he saw what she was holding. He sat down, running a hand through his hair. "Jeevika, I never meant to hide this from you. I just... I didn't think it was important because it's all in the past."

"But it is important, Mihir. How can I trust you when I've discovered this side of you only now? How do I know you're not still that person?" Jeevika's voice trembled with emotion.

Mihir took a deep breath, his voice earnest. "Jeevika, I swear, I've changed. Meeting you made me realize what I truly want in life. Those women meant nothing to me. You are the only one who matters."

"But it's hard for me to believe that when I've read all this," Jeevika said, holding up the diary. "You wrote about those encounters like they were nothing. How can I be sure you won't revert to that behavior?"

"I understand why you're upset," Mihir said softly. "But please, believe me when I say I've left that life behind. I love you, Jeevika. I want to build a future with you."

"It's just... I thought I knew you, Mihir. This makes me feel like I married a stranger," Jeevika couldn't hold back her tears any longer.

Feeling lost and needing guidance, Jeevika decided to visit her parents the next day. Mihir agreed it was a good idea, hoping that their wisdom could help mend the rift between them.