Mahira's POV

Rahul proved to be an unwavering pillar of friendship, a true confidant who refused to let me linger in the shadows of my past. Instead, he propelled me into the vibrant world of the club, an experience I had never tasted before.

Our night unfolded with infectious laughter and uninhibited dance moves. We savored a drink or two, cautious not to cross the line into inebriation. Amidst the pulsating beats and swirling lights, a momentary exhaustion prompted me to seek refuge in the restroom.

As I turned a corner, I found myself trapped, wedged between an unyielding wall and a solid chest, my heart leaping into my throat.

"What the hell?" I exclaimed. The dim lighting obscured the identity of the person before me, but as my vision adjusted, a shocking revelation left me momentarily speechless.

We stood there in silence, our gazes locked, a torrent of memories flooding my mind. The person before me bore the weight of my past, shamelessly meeting my stare.

When the vivid recollections overtook my thoughts, I snapped back to reality and, with a surge of resolve, pushed him aside.

"Mahira!..." he began, but his words faltered. He understood the reasons behind my silence. He had no right to speak to me, not after the betrayal that had shattered my trust.

I couldn't bear to linger in his presence any longer, so I turned on my heel and walked away, leaving him behind in the darkness.

We were never destined to be together, not with the intricate web of family complications that entangled our lives. But what stung the most was the betrayal of our feelings, the deceit that had poisoned the well of our shared history.

We had been childhood sweethearts, and even when distance separated us after I left the city, our connection remained unbroken. We had confessed our crushes to each other, and after graduating, we had chosen to preserve those tender emotions. Our relationship was never overly serious, but it had been the vessel for some of our most cherished romantic memories. Yet, that fateful day when he betrayed my trust, everything changed. It had been a year, but the scars still felt raw.

He... Krish.

Rahul wore a look of confusion and concern when I abruptly mentioned my desire to return home. Throughout our journey back, he attempted to coax me into sharing my troubles, but I skillfully diverted the conversation. The last thing I wanted was for Rahul to become privy to my complicated history with a certain individual. While he was aware of my childhood sweetheart, Krish, I believed there was no need to delve deeper into that chapter of my life.

"Rahul," I suddenly inquired, my curiosity piqued, "when do you plan to confront your past?"

Four years had passed, and he still seemed reluctant to let go and open himself up to new possibilities.

"Mahira, you seem eager for me to move forward," he responded. "So why not stay and be with me?"

His unexpected suggestion caught me off guard. I glanced at him, expecting a jest or a playful remark, but his expression remained serious, his eyes focused on the road.

"Are you out of your mind? Don't jest about this, Rahul. I'm serious," I rebuked him. "Your mother is genuinely concerned about your reluctance to settle down."

"And why do you assume I'm jesting?" he countered.

"Come on, Rahul, we're just friends, remember?" I reminded him of our mutual understanding. While our bond transcended mere friendship, embarking on a romantic relationship was a complex matter we had consciously avoided.

"Mahira, I haven't found anyone who understands me as deeply as you do," he admitted. "Yes, we made a promise, and that's precisely why I've refrained from discussing it. But you see, I'm not wasting my life away. I need time. I'm not suggesting I'll remain single forever, but for now, I'm not prepared."

I already knew all of this, and I empathized with his stance. My intention was merely to gauge his current mindset and ensure he was content. It heartened me to discover that he had truly moved beyond the past.

As Rahul dropped me off at my home, it dawned on me that my father had also returned.

It was nearing 11 p.m. now. I couldn't help but wonder if he had been waiting for me.

As I entered the living room, I noticed he was engrossed in watching TV. However, the moment he caught sight of me, a palpable sense of relief washed over him. He promptly stood up and approached me.

"Mahira, where have you been? You left so suddenly, and we were all getting quite worried," he expressed genuine concern.

"I apologize; I was quite agitated at that moment when everyone started asserting themselves. I am an adult now, and I can make my own decisions. You've been absent from my life for a considerable time, so it's safe to say you might not know me as well as you once did," I responded calmly. It was against my nature to be impolite, even though I regretted my abrupt departure earlier.

"But that doesn't mean we can't be concerned," he countered.

"I understand, which is why I just apologized. I didn't mean to hurt anyone."

"I know, but..." he paused, seemingly realizing the undeniable truth. "You must be tired. Go freshen up. I've prepared some food, and I'll warm it up for you. Come and eat after you're ready," he suggested before heading towards the kitchen.

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I know it's a late update. But I'll try and update the next part soon.

Thanks for reading.

xxx