Love For Him

Chapter 12

As the evening sun cast a warm glow over the room, Rahul and Hardik sat in silence, each lost in thought. The tension between them had loosened, but the air still held a sense of vulnerability, as if both were afraid that this fragile truce could break at any moment.

Hardik shifted slightly, looking around the room that had once been theirs in a different, happier time. Memories flooded him-quiet mornings, shared laughter, the little moments that had once meant so much. He had taken all of it for granted, and now he realized just how precious those moments had been.

"Rahul," Hardik said softly, his voice breaking the silence. "I want you to know that, in the time I was away, there wasn't a single day I didn't think of you. I was a fool to leave, and an even bigger fool to think that I could make things better by distancing myself."

Rahul glanced at him, a flicker of old warmth in his eyes, but it was quickly overshadowed by the hurt that still lingered. "Words, Hardik," he replied quietly, his voice steady but laced with pain. "They're just words. I need to see action, real change. Only then will I believe you."

Hardik nodded, his jaw tight with determination. "I understand, and I don't blame you. I've spent too long making excuses. But from now on, my actions will show you how much you mean to me. I'm not here to ask for forgiveness. I'm here to earn it, however long it takes."

Rahul nodded, a small, tentative smile playing at the corner of his lips. "If that's the case, then let's take it slow, Hardik. Let's start as... friends."

Hardik's eyes softened, and he couldn't help but chuckle. "Friends, huh? Alright, Rahul. Friends it is. But just know that this friend will be doing everything he can to win back your trust-and your heart."

A gentle laugh escaped Rahul's lips, and for the first time, the weight on his chest felt a little lighter.

---

As Ishan walked out of his college building, he noticed Shubman's car parked a little further down the road. Shubman leaned against it, his arms crossed, his face as stoic as ever. Despite the distance, Ishan felt the weight of his presence. A mix of excitement and nerves fluttered in Ishan's chest-Shubman had come to pick him up. Even though their relationship was more of a silent companionship right now, small gestures like this made Ishan feel a sliver of hope.

Rishabh, who was still beside him, suddenly nudged him, his eyes wide. "Arre yaar, yeh toh Shubman sharma hain!" he whispered in awe. "Yeh toh waise bhi mashhoor hain, aur phir Rohit Sharma ke bhai bhi hain! Toh, tum inhe kaise jaante ho, bhai?"

Ishan hesitated, not wanting to explain the complex nature of his relationship with Shubman, especially on his first day. He forced a casual smile. "Oh, bas... family friend hain," he lied, hoping Rishabh wouldn't press further.

Rishabh grinned, clearly impressed. "Badiya hai, yaar. Tumhare connection toh bade high level ke hain!" He winked, playfully nudging Ishan.

As they neared the car, Ishan's gaze drifted to Shubman. He noticed that Shubman's eyes briefly flickered over Rishabh, but he didn't react, keeping his usual reserved demeanor. Rishabh, ever the chatterbox, continued talking, his voice loud and cheerful as he teased Ishan about his mysterious "family friend." But suddenly, he grew serious and leaned in closer to Ishan.

"Waise, tumhare is 'family friend' ke baare mein ek aur baat suni thi," he said with a grin. "suna hai iska boyfriend hai... kya naam tha uska..? Ha! Yashaswi.." He chuckled, completely unaware of how those words struck Ishan.

For a moment, Ishan felt his heart drop. The memory of the first car ride with Shubman after their marriage surfaced, vivid and painful. He had glanced at Shubman's phone as it buzzed with a call. The name on the screen had been "Yashaswi Baby ♥️." Seeing that had left a bitter ache in his chest, a reminder that he was perhaps just an obligation to Shubman, a responsibility he had taken on unwillingly.

Ishan swallowed, trying to keep his expression neutral as he forced a smile at Rishabh. "Chalo, milte hain kal," he said, patting Rishabh's shoulder and hoping to divert the conversation. He gave his new friend a quick nod and headed toward Shubman, feeling a pang of discomfort at how easily he'd lied.

As he approached, Shubman opened the passenger door for him without a word, then climbed into the driver's seat himself. They drove in silence, the only sound being the soft hum of the engine. Ishan kept glancing at Shubman, trying to gauge his mood, but as always, Shubman's expression was unreadable.

Finally, unable to bear the silence, Ishan spoke up. "Aap kaise ho?" His voice was hesitant, almost unsure, as if testing the waters.

Shubman glanced at him briefly, his voice calm yet distant. "Main theek hoon."

The silence returned, heavier this time. Ishan wanted to ask about Yashaswi, to finally clear the uncertainty that gnawed at him, but he held back, afraid of the answer he might receive. Did Shubman still love Yashaswi? And if so, what did that mean for him, for their marriage?

After a few moments, Ishan gathered his courage and tried again. "College... college achha tha. Maine ek dost bhi banaya." He smiled, trying to keep the conversation light, hoping to get some kind of response from Shubman.

Shubman nodded slightly, his gaze fixed on the road. "That's good," he replied, his tone polite but distant.

Ishan's heart sank. This was supposed to be their chance, wasn't it? A new beginning, a chance to understand each other. But the distance between them seemed insurmountable, like a wall that wouldn't crumble no matter how hard he tried.

As they pulled into the driveway, Ishan took a deep breath, deciding to speak his heart. "Kya... kya hum kabhi normal ho sakte hain?" His voice was barely a whisper, but the question held a raw vulnerability that surprised even him.

Shubman's grip tightened on the steering wheel, his jaw clenching. For a moment, Ishan thought he might finally open up, that he might say something to bridge the gap between them. But instead, Shubman's expression softened slightly, and he looked at Ishan with a gentleness that was almost painful to bear.

"Ishan," Shubman began, his voice soft, yet distant. "Main tumhare saath kabhi na-insaafi nahi karna chahta. Tum bhi khushi deserve karte ho, apni zindagi mein."

Ishan felt a pang in his chest. Shubman's words were kind, but there was a finality to them, as if he were gently pushing Ishan away rather than pulling him closer. He wanted to reach out, to tell Shubman that he didn't want anyone else's happiness-he only wanted a chance to be happy with him.

But before he could speak, Shubman stepped out of the car, ending the conversation without another word. Ishan followed, his heart heavy with unspoken words and unresolved feelings.

As they entered the house, the silence stretched between them, more pronounced than ever. Ishan could feel the weight of it pressing down on him, each step echoing the loneliness he felt in their marriage. He watched as Shubman walked up the stairs, his form disappearing into his room, leaving Ishan standing alone in the hallway.

For a brief moment, Ishan thought about reaching out, about trying once more to close the gap between them. But the memory of Yashaswi's name on Shubman's phone lingered in his mind, and he couldn't bring himself to push any further.

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