Writing in my diary with a bloodstain on the corner of my lips, because of my cousin, Dhruv Pathak. We had it out tonight at the Pathak mansion's get-together party.

The evening started perfectly, surrounded by the people who meant the most to me. The Solar Squad and Stellar Crew kicked off an intense game of Monopoly, with twists, turns, and no chance for cheating. Uncle Nikhil played the bank officer, keeping everyone honest. One by one, Jaya, Mahira, Rivan, and Tara bowed out, leaving the showdown between me and Dhruv.

And I won. Bankrupting Dhruv felt sweet, and, surprisingly, we wrapped up without argument until dinner.

We were late to the table, and there it was my favorite tiramisu. Just one piece, perched alone on the dessert plate. I knew Dhruv liked tiramisu, but I loved it more. I grabbed one end of the plate, but he caught the other, refusing to let go. We tugged it back and forth, a silent tug-of-war over a single piece of cake.

Tara and Rivan tried to talk sense into us, suggesting we share, but neither of us was ready. Then Dhruv threw the first jab with words. "The cruel Solar Squad leader doesn't deserve tiramisu."

"The losers' Stellar Crew don't need tiramisu," I shot back, feeling his rage flare.

Then, with one final pull, the tiramisu crashed to the floor. I barely registered the mess before Dhruv's fist met my cheek. My hand formed a fist before I even thought, and I smashed his nose in return. Blood poured from his nose, but we stopped as the elders rushed in, separating us.

Tonight should have been my victory. Instead, Dhruv ruined it, and I hate him for that.

- from Ishaan's diary written at the age of 16

Ishaan's POV

A rapturous feeling surged within me, my heartbeat racing, as Tara proposed to me during her graduation speech. In our relationship, we'd always been open about our supposed hatred. 

But seeing her confess her feelings like that, in front of everyone, felt surreal. I never thought she cared for me this deeply.

Today, I arrived to Tara's college to watch her receive her degree and medals. Seeing her achieve this made me feel overwhelmed with pride. 

Since the day we married, I'd carried the guilt that I'd derailed her life with an arranged marriage. Despite the neck pain, I came today for her. I know her mom would be incredibly proud of her and Rivan.

But Tara's proposal—it was unexpected, and it felt incredibly special.

As soon as she finished, she ran to me from the stage and threw her arms around me, hugging me tightly in front of everyone. I stood in stunned silence, her words still echoing in my mind. 

I didn't know how she'd found out I'd been funding her education. I can only guess Rivan must have told her. I never wanted her to know. But today, she knew a few of the things I'd quietly done for her.

In her embrace, she whispered her proposal again, igniting a surge of warmth and something indescribable in my heart. 

Should I propose to her?

 Should I hug her back?

For a moment, I felt paralyzed. I'd always wanted to confess my love, but the responsibility I carried in her life had forced me to keep my distance.

I was amazed by her courage to declare her love so openly. The way she clutched the back of my shirt made my heartbeat thunder in my ears. 

A zap of electricity went through me when she whispered those three words, adding my name, still holding me close.

As everyone threw their graduation caps in celebration, my thoughts were interrupted by a familiar voice calling Tara's name. 

I shifted my gaze to Dhruv, who glared at me with an intense, fiery look. His eyes held the same anger I'd seen ten years ago over a piece of tiramisu. But this fight was not about dessert. It was about who holds power, who wins the best things in life.

Last time, I lost the dessert from my hands. This time, I wouldn't let Dhruv's anger, sympathy, or friendship take Tara from me.

When Tara moved to talk to Dhruv, my arms instinctively tightened around her, pulling her closer. I wanted her here, with me, in that moment. 

Dhruv's frustration grew as he saw my response to her hug. He looked ready to storm off, but Rivan managed to calm him down, distracting him just in time.

I felt Tara's disappointment when she noticed Dhruv's anger. Her eyes flickered between him and me. She shut her eyes, resting her head against my chest with a peaceful smile on her lips. 

We stayed in that embrace for a long while a hug I had yearned for. Her warmth made me forget everything else.

A cough from Mahira pulled me out of my reverie. I understood Mahira wanted to speak with me.

"We need to drop Rivan at the airport," Mahira said, and Tara's eyes widened in surprise.

We finally pulled apart. Tara's gaze shifted toward Rivan and Dhruv, who were talking nearby.

"Let him stay a few more days," she pleaded with me.

"No," I replied, standing firm in my decision.

"Let's at least have a snack together before we drop Rivan at the airport," Tara insisted, making it impossible to refuse her.

After the ceremony, we all went to a restaurant near the college. Tara focused on talking to Rivan, while Dhruv and I exchanged heated looks across the table. Though we sat silently, a cold war simmered in our glances.

Tara sat beside me, and a twinge of guilt crept in. I felt like I was creating a distance between her and Rivan. But Rivan's future is important, and for now, he needs to go to Canada.

I noticed a girl with a warm smile sitting beside Mahira. I'd seen her face on Tara and Rivan's Instagram posts before.

"Are you a college friend of Tara and Rivan's?" Dhruv asked, directing his question to the girl with the kind smile.

"Yes, my name is Sushmitha. I'm close friends with Tara and Rivan," she replied, sipping water.

"Where are you working?" I asked as she set her glass down.

"I work at Promoton Marketing Firm," she said, smiling politely.

"Do you know about us? Do you know who we are?" Mahira asked her, curious.

My eyes darted from Sushmitha to the twin siblings, who seemed completely uninterested in our conversation. Tara and Rivan were off in their world, absorbed in an animated discussion. I often wondered what they could talk about for hours.

"Yes, I know about you. Tara and Rivan used to talk about all of you during our free periods. I've also heard about the whole 'Solar Squad' and 'Stellar Crew' rivalry," Sushmitha said with a chuckle.

As the waiter approached our table, Dhruv picked up the menu and ordered food for himself, Tara, and Rivan.

It annoyed me that Dhruv ordered food for my wife without even asking her.

Who is he to decide for my wife?

"How can you just order Tara's food like that?" I scoffed at Dhruv, who only smirked back.

"I'm Tara's friend. I know what she likes and doesn't," Dhruv replied, giving me a wink that I couldn't stand.

"Exactly. So you know Tara likes me, not you," I retorted, a small smirk.

Sushmitha looked shocked at our exchange, while Mahira patted her hand reassuringly, explaining that this kind of banter was normal between us. Dhruv clenched his jaw, holding back his anger.

I knew what he was trying to do. He wanted to look like the good guy in front of Tara and Rivan. Just then, Tara and Rivan paused their conversation to turn their attention to us.

"Tara, you shouldn't have proposed to Ishaan. You made the wrong decision," Dhruv said calmly, taking a bite of his chicken puff.

"I just said what was in my heart," Tara responded, her gaze shifting from Dhruv to me.

"But Ishaan didn't say anything. He didn't accept or deny your proposal. He just stood there like a statue," Dhruv continued.

I could see how Dhruv manipulated the conversation, subtly criticizing me in front of Tara. Taking a bite of my chocolate cookie, I kept the remaining half on my plate.

Tara's gaze fell on the brownies, and she picked one up, holding it in her delicate hands. Her lips parted slightly as she took a bite, placing the half-eaten brownie back on her plate. She looked even more beautiful savoring that brownie.

"Love is about giving unconditionally, without expecting anything in return. So, Tara's proposal is flawless to me. Isn't that right?" Sushmitha asked, nibbling on her croissant.

"I don't agree with that," Dhruv replied firmly.

In a surprising gesture, Tara pushed her plate of brownies towards me and took my half-eaten cookie. I was taken aback - Tara was particular about her brownies and never shared them, not even with Rivan or Dhruv.

Without looking at each other, I took the brownie she left, relishing the thought that it had touched her lips.

"Yes, love is about giving yourself wholeheartedly to someone whom you think them as your soul. I have no regrets about my proposal to Ishaan," Tara said, glancing at me.

In her doe-shaped eyes, I could see the love shining brighter than the stars.

I could hear the love in the words she spoke.

I could feel the love in the air, even in her simple gestures.

I could taste the love in the brownie she shared with only me.

I could sense the love within me, all because of Tara.

"I don't care about your romantic ideas. What's Ishaan's definition of love?" Dhruv pressed, refusing to let me enjoy the moment.

Annoyed, I stayed silent, letting my emotions speak louder than my words.

The waiter returned with the bill, and I reached for it, placing the cash inside the black bill folder.

"Come on, Ishaan. Tell us, what's love to you?" Dhruv goaded, clearly trying to rile me up.

If I were still a teenager, I would have been the first to propose to Tara. But adulthood had made me more guarded.

I noticed the back of the bill paper was blank, and an idea struck me. I pulled a pen from my blazer.

While I focused on the paper, Sushmitha shifted the conversation, asking Dhruv for his take on love.

"Sushmitha, Love is a give-and-take relationship. It should be mutual," Dhruv replied.

"Love isn't a business transaction!" Tara protested.

"Agreed!" Sushmitha added in support.

"Stop supporting Tara. A healthy relationship requires love from both sides. But Ishaan can't even define what love is," Dhruv mocked.

Ignoring him, I wrote on the back of the bill.

Love is Tara. Tara is Love.

For me, Tara was my first and last love. She made me understand love, even from a young age. She was the definition of love for me.

Expressing my feelings openly felt vulnerable. It was safer to confide in paper than in people.

The waiter returned, and I placed the bill with the cash in the black bill folder. I handed back the bill, having written my thoughts on its back.

As I did, I noticed everyone was still waiting for me to respond. Glancing at my watch, I decided to leave.

"It's getting late, and Rivan needs to go to the airport. I'll drive us," I announced, avoiding Dhruv's gaze.

"So sad, Tara. You love this ogre who doesn't even understand love," Dhruv muttered. "I'll take my car. I'm not riding with him."

Tara, Rivan, and Mahira followed me to the car in silence. Sushmitha stayed behind, busy with work, while Dhruv trailed us in his car.

We arrived at the airport just in time, but Dhruv didn't arrive. Tara sobbed as she hugged Rivan goodbye.

"Don't worry, he'll be back for your birthday next week," I reassured her, trying to ease her sadness.

"Really?" Her tear-filled eyes turned to Rivan for confirmation.

"Yes. I'll be back to finalize some government details," Rivan said, gently releasing her from his embrace.

Mahira reminded us that Rivan needed to check in soon, and just then, Dhruv walked up, a strange expression on his face.

Dhruv gazed at me differently in that moment, a puzzled expression in his eyes that I couldn't quite understand.

Dhruv hugged Rivan goodbye, his grip lingering before finally letting go.

Rivan picked up his bags and waved back at us as he headed toward the airport's check-in area.

"Tara, why don't you wash your face? You look a bit tired," Dhruv suggested as Tara walked off with Mahira to freshen up.

Moments later, Dhruv held out a crumpled bill in front of me. "What's this?" he asked.

"A bill for what we ate," I replied casually.

"Don't act smart. What did you write on the back of this?" Dhruv's irritation was on his face.

"You know English. Read it yourself," I shot back with a smirk.

I realized then that the waiter must have handed Dhruv the bill I'd scribbled on. But I felt no fear. There was nothing Dhruv could say to make me deny how I felt about Tara.

"Is it true?" Dhruv's voice softened, almost pleading.

"Yes. Love is Tara. Tara is love," I stated, watching Dhruv freeze, unable to respond.

"I've cared about her since my teenage years. To be honest, I didn't even know what love was until I met her. After Tara came into my life, everything changed." I paused, glancing at Dhruv as he clenched his jaw.

"Tara is my love," I finished, meeting his frustrated gaze head-on.

Dhruv glared at me. "What if I give this bill to Tara?" he challenged, eyes narrowing.

"You won't," I replied calmly. "You're not foolish enough to use this against me. It would jeopardize your plans with Tara."

Dhruv scoffed. "Ishaan, you're an ogre. How could you even think of loving Tara? I always thought you hated her."

I didn't flinch. "I love her, Dhruv. So stay away from her."

Dhruv's face twisted in anger. "Your biological parents abandoned you when you were born. Mr. Abhay Divan and Mrs. Kirtida Divan adopted you, but you brought them nothing but bad luck—they died in an accident, leaving you orphaned all over again. You were alone until Tara came along." His words bit into me, making my fists clench.

Dhruv's statement was true. But, Whatever Dhruv said about my past was 90%, he didn't know about my full past.

I am glad that he didn't know my entire past.

"Tara came into your life by accident. You have no idea how to love someone, Ishaan. You're too bitter. Eventually, Tara will leave you, just like everyone abandoned you," Dhruv sneered.

"Tara won't leave or abandon me," I snapped, seething at Dhruv. "I'll end things myself. I'll divorce her."

"What?" came a shattered whisper. Tara was standing there, heartbroken.

This chapter is told from Ishaan's perspective. Ishaan is an introvert, which means he doesn't openly express his feelings to everyone. Instead, he writes about his emotions in his diary. Many people prefer not to share everything verbally, and I believe readers can relate to that. It will be interesting to see if he starts to express himself more in the upcoming chapters. 

Will Ishaan express his feelings to Tara?

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