12
A RUNAWAY BRIDE

May

1 a.m.

Abhishek felt his gut twist in anxiety as he looked at a soundly sleeping Aastha. Her hair sprawled on the pillow, arms spread. He didn't know why he suddenly woke up. But he couldn't complain, because he could take in the comfort of just being beside her. Soaking in the love she radiated, soothing every wound that hurt.

A ray of moonshine crept from the gaps in the blinds, dimly illuminating her already beautiful face. He couldn't help but gaze at her, couldn't help but be drawn to her, like a moth to a flame.

Giving into his desire to be simply closer to her, Abhishek intertwined their palms, feeling a surge of warmth in him. And suddenly, he felt a sense of euphoria, a tranquility take over him, heart at peace after many sleepless nights.

In no time, Abhishek had dozed off. Aastha is here.

_____

next day

As the hour hand struck the number six, Aastha's eyes opened, as if on cue. She blinked, trying to adjust to the bright surrounding, sitting up straight. It seemed like any other morning.

Except it wasn't.

Her husband was right beside her, clinging onto her hand, sleeping peacefully. She gasped, pulling away her hand, making him stir in his sleep. Flashbacks of the previous night struck her and she felt her heart race, heat rushing to her cheeks.

"Oh God," her voice was raspy and low as she got out of bed, trying to make sense of the happenings of last night. "I should go, I should go," she muttered, sharply inhaling. But that was the last thing Aastha wanted. She somehow wanted to stay, wanted him to hold her hand not today...forever. She tried to calm her racing nerves, trying to wiggle her hand away from him. But his grasp on her was tight, as if he was scared to let go. "Abhay...Abhay," she whispered weakly, attempting to pull her hand away.

Abhishek stirred in his sleep, his grip on her loosening unknowingly. Aastha took the chance, getting out of bed. She scanned the entire room, memories of the previous night flashing in front of her eyes. She tiptoed away, slowly, steadily, opening the door ever so slightly. But as she left, Aastha felt like she was leaving her entire world, again.

She exhaled softly, making her way to Nikita's and her shared room. She was worried, concerned about what excuse would she craft to tell her. But before she could think of something, she was distracted by a loud, audible gasp. Her eyes widened in horror and she shut her eyes, turning to look who gasped.

"Oh no way," Aastha immediately groaned as she saw a taller boy, clasping his palms on his mouth, pupils dilated animatedly. None other than the prince of ict himself. "Shubi, no,"

"Aastha," he started, "leaving Sharma's room,"

"Shubi, NO," Aastha gasped out. "Go back to bed!" She instructed him as if he were a little schoolgoing boy. He shook his head, completely shocked.

"Aastha, this is serious, were you, did you, I mean," Shubman was stuttering; struggling to grasp the entire situation when they heard a loud yawn.

"Nitish?" Aastha was confused to see the Reddy boy yawning as he stretched.

"Bhabhi?" Nitish sounded unsure, suddenly freezing mid-jumping-jack. Oh god.

"What are you doing so early in the morning? You should be resting after yesterday's match," She asserted and Shubman instantly nodded.

"Aastha's right, Kimono. Go sleep,"

Nitish panicked, but instantly masked his emotions, rolling his eyes.

"I'm a serious sportsman. I'm heading to the gym," he nonchalantly declared making the other two frown.

"Nitish...kya bhoot chada hai? Go to bed," Aastha said, her concern obvious. Nitish was conflicted, bewildered on what to say but then, something struck.

"Ek minute! What are you two doing in the lobby so early?" He asked, a smug smile appearing on his face.

Aastha and Shubman shared a quick glance, sheepishly smiling.

"Sara wanted chocolates," he shrugged. "So I got up to get chocolates,"

"And I am here because I want to go to di's room and get my..." Aastha blanked out on what to say while Nitish expectantly looked at her.

"To get your?"

"My face mask," she said, bobbing her head.

"Ooh, fancy," Nitish and Shubman responded together, instantly, as if on reflex and Aastha rolled her eyes.

"Anyway, Nitish back to bed. Shubman, get out and buy the chocolates. Good day, gentlemen," she said, scampering to Nikita's room. Shubman sighed, shaking his head, Nitish a little confused.

"Khada kya hai? Suna nahi bhabhi ne kya kaha?" (What are you standing for? Didn't you hear what she told you?) Shubman said and Nitish just nodded, talking slow strides towards his room.

The captain of Gujarat Titans exited the scene, getting into the elevator, but unbeknownst to him, the other cricketer, instead of going back to his room, had rushed down the stairs.

Aastha luckily had the card key for the room, slipping into it as she saw an asleep Nikita, face buried into the pillow. Hopefully she'll think I've been here all night.

______

7:41 a.m.

Abhishek woke up, but to an emptiness. His hand was lying on the bed, missing warmth from the minute Aastha had left. Abhishek smiled. Ever so slightly. Maybe because he wasn't surprised. Maybe because he felt that he was right to cling onto her palm last night. He lazily got out of the bed, somehow unaffected. As each second passed, memories of last night were hitting him like a ton of bricks, and he cringed in embarrassment.

Do you regret it?

Do you regret it?

Do you regret it?

His voice kept on ringing his head, as if it was taunting him. Mocking him for wanting to go back. If Aastha couldn't even want to wait to have a difficult yet necessary conversation, he shouldn't be wanting to go to her...right? If she can walk away after the previous night, just like that...like it didn't mean anything, why should he run to catch her? He was not the only one in the relationship.

Do you regret it?

Do you regret it?

Do you regret it?

Abhishek splashed water on his face, trying to get rid of his drowsiness. As the water droplets touched his face, it clicked. Another memory of last night came back to him. It was Aastha's soft voice— the last thing he had heard before he dozed off.

"Do you regret it?" Abhishek mumbled out somehow, heavy eyelids about to drop down. Aastha stayed silent, swallowing. He had wrapped his around her, a second away from sleeping. Her heart thudded in her chest, and she felt her hand tremble.

"Yes," Aastha said, a few tears slipping from her eyes as she removed Abhishek's hand from her.

And the world went black for Abhishek, soundly slipping into his dreamland.

Abhishek froze. He had heard quite a number of confessions in his life. But this was surely the most heart wrenching one. She regretted it all. Right from the moment when they met on the beach in Goa. Every second, every smile, every hug, every kiss, their two weddings, every single day for the past three years. She regretted it. He felt weak in his knees, as an unexplainable ache spread in his chest.

Yes.

Yes.

Yes.

His watch vibrated on his wrist. A message from Aastha.

Aastha💞
My flight's got preponed. It's at 8:30 now. Let mummy papa and di know, please. Thanks. All the best for the rest of the season.

Abhishek removed his watch, keeping it beside the sink. He inhaled, head throbbing. Hope was a dangerous thing to live on. Before he could wallow in his pain, he heard a loud knock on the door. It was his sister, annoyed.

"Where's Aastha?" Nikita asked, adjusting her AirPod.

"She left. Her flight got preponed," he blankly answered, face unreadable. Nikita looked at her baby brother. He looked lost. He looked like his life had no purpose, eyes unable to convey any emotion coursing through him.

"Abhay..." she started but he sighed.

"Di! You know how I played an entire match yesterday? I'm tired, let me go back to sleep, please," he said, sounding a little less robotic this time, groaning. Nikita simply nodded, defeated. The door shut, the older sibling walking away while the younger fell down to his knees, bursting into tears.

At least the tears were a constant these days.

would love to know your thoughts about the story so far!
do you like the characters? are you actually rooting for aastha and abhishek to get back together? or no?

ALSO i need an opinion, would Nitish's story be an interesting subplot for you all? Or should I make another book? 😭 if i keep it in post script, i promise it won't overshadow our leads, but would keep things lighter and simpler. Lmk lmk❤️