2500+ Words

 chaahat ban gae ho tum
 ki aadat ban gae ho tum,
 har saans me yoo aate jaate ho,
 jaise meree ibaadat
 ban gae ho tum.

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Author's pov:

Ashwin and Yuvan stepped into the lobby of the upscale hotel, their spirits buoyed by the prospect of their reunion and the adventures that lay ahead. The lobby was adorned with elegant furnishings and bathed in soft, inviting lighting, creating an atmosphere of refined luxury.

As they approached the check-in counter, a courteous hotel staff greeted them with warm smiles. Ashwin stepped forward, exchanging pleasantries with the receptionist as he completed the check-in process. Yuvan, ever the social butterfly, engaged in lighthearted banter with the staff, eliciting laughter and adding a touch of joviality to the proceedings.

Once the formalities were complete, Ashwin received the key cards to their rooms, and the duo made their way to the elevator. Inside the elevator, they exchanged excited glances, their anticipation palpable.

"So, Ash, ready for a memorable stay in London?" Yuvan asked, his eyes sparkling with excitement.

Ashwin grinned, his own excitement mirrored in his friend's demeanor. "Absolutely," he replied, his voice tinged with enthusiasm. "It's been too long since we've had a chance to catch up like this. I'm looking forward to exploring the city with you, Yuvan."

Yuvan nodded eagerly, his adventurous spirit already tingling with anticipation. "You bet! London's got so much to offer – from its iconic landmarks to its vibrant culture," he exclaimed. "And with you as my tour guide, I have no doubt we'll make the most of every moment."

As the elevator doors slid open on the 23rd floor, Ashwin and Yuvan stepped out into the corridor, their eyes immediately drawn to a figure standing just a few feet away. It was a woman, her silhouette elegant and poised, framed by the soft glow of the hallway lights.

Ashwin's heart skipped a beat as he recognized her. It was Riya, his ex-girlfriend. Memories flooded back to him, memories of a time when they were happy together, before everything fell apart.

Yuvan noticed the tension in Ashwin's posture and glanced at him, concern evident in his eyes. But Ashwin remained silent, his gaze fixed on Riya, his expression guarded.

Riya turned as she sensed their approach, her eyes locking with Ashwin's. There was a flicker of surprise in her expression, quickly masked by a composed facade.

"Ashwin," Riya greeted, her voice smooth and composed, though there was an undercurrent of tension beneath the surface.

"Riya," Ashwin replied, his tone cool and distant.

Yuvan observed the exchange silently, his senses on high alert as he took in the charged atmosphere between the former couple.

Riya's gaze shifted to Yuvan, a polite smile tugging at the corners of her lips. "And who is this?" she asked, though her eyes never left Ashwin's face.

"This is Yuvan, my friend," Ashwin replied tersely, his jaw clenched.

Yuvan nodded in acknowledgment, his gaze steady as he assessed the situation.

Riya's smile faltered slightly, though she quickly regained her composure. "Nice to meet you, Yuvan," she said, her tone polite but tinged with a hint of desperation.

Yuvan returned the greeting with a nod, though his expression remained neutral.

The tension between the three of them was palpable, each moment stretching out uncomfortably as they stood in the dimly lit corridor.

Finally, Riya spoke again, her voice soft but determined. "Ashwin, can we talk?" she asked, her eyes pleading with him.

Ashwin's jaw tightened, his resolve hardening. "There's nothing left to say, Riya," he replied, his tone firm.

Riya's expression fell, hurt flashing in her eyes before she quickly masked it with a forced smile. "Please, Ashwin," she pleaded, her voice tinged with desperation. "I came all the way to London to see you. I just want a chance to explain myself."

Ashwin's expression darkened, his eyes narrowing. "You came here? Riya, this is crossing a line. You can't just show up unannounced like this," he said, his tone accusing.

Riya's face crumpled, tears welling up in her eyes. "I'm sorry, Ashwin," she whispered, her voice barely audible. "I just wanted to see you, to tell you how much I regret what happened."

But Ashwin's heart remained unmoved, his walls firmly in place. "It's too late for apologies, Riya," he said coldly. "You made your choice, and now you have to live with the consequences."

With a final, pleading look, Riya turned and walked away, her shoulders slumped in defeat. As Ashwin watched her go, a pang of guilt tugged at his heart, but he quickly pushed it aside. He knew that he had to protect himself from further hurt, even if it meant closing the door on the past for good. And as he turned to Yuvan, he felt a sense of relief wash over him, knowing that he had made the right choice.

...Flashback Time!!...

In the warm glow of the evening sun, Ashwin and Riya strolled hand in hand through the bustling streets of Mumbai, their laughter mingling with the sounds of the city. They were young and in love, their hearts entwined in a bond that felt unbreakable.

As they walked, Ashwin couldn't help but steal glances at Riya, his heart swelling with affection for the girl beside him. She was radiant, her eyes sparkling with mischief as she teased him about his choice of music or the way he walked.

"You walk like a penguin, Ashwin," Riya teased, her laughter tinkling like wind chimes in the breeze.

Ashwin chuckled, rolling his eyes playfully. "And you talk like a parrot, Riya," he retorted, earning a playful swat on the arm from his girlfriend.

But despite their teasing banter, there was an undeniable tenderness between them, a love that transcended words and filled the air around them with warmth and joy.

As they reached their favorite spot overlooking the sea, Ashwin pulled Riya close, wrapping his arms around her waist as they watched the sun dip below the horizon, painting the sky in hues of pink and gold.

"Isn't it beautiful?" Riya whispered, her voice soft with awe.

Ashwin nodded, his gaze never leaving Riya's face. "Not as beautiful as you," he replied, his words heartfelt and sincere.

Riya blushed, her cheeks tinged with pink as she leaned into Ashwin's embrace, feeling the steady rhythm of his heartbeat against her chest.

In that moment, time seemed to stand still as they lost themselves in each other's arms, their love a beacon of light in a world filled with darkness.

Their love story continued to blossom as they navigated the ups and downs of life together. From romantic dinners under the stars to impromptu adventures in the city, Ashwin and Riya cherished every moment they shared.

One sunny afternoon, Ashwin surprised Riya with tickets to her favorite band's concert. As they danced and sang along to the music, their laughter mingled with the melodies, creating memories that would last a lifetime.

But amidst the joy and laughter, there were moments of vulnerability and doubt. Riya struggled with her career aspirations, unsure of which path to pursue, while Ashwin grappled with the pressures of his own ambitions.

Amidst the bustling streets of the city, Ashwin and Riya's relationship faced its greatest test yet. It was a crisp autumn evening when Ashwin stumbled upon a scene that shattered his world and left his heart in tatters.

As he walked through the dimly lit alleyways, a sense of unease settled over him. Riya's behavior had become increasingly distant in recent weeks, and Ashwin's gut told him something was amiss. Ignoring the gnawing doubts in his mind, he pressed on, determined to uncover the truth.

His heart pounded with each step, the anticipation building with each passing moment. And then, in a cruel twist of fate, his worst fears were realized.

There, in the shadowy corner of an abandoned building, Ashwin saw them – Riya and Vikram Mehra, locked in a passionate embrace. The sight hit him like a sucker punch, stealing the air from his lungs and leaving him reeling with disbelief.

As the confrontation between Ashwin and Riya unfolded, emotions ran high, and words were exchanged like daggers in the night.

Riya's voice trembled as she tried to explain, to justify her actions, but Ashwin's heart was already fractured beyond repair. He couldn't bear to hear her excuses, couldn't fathom how she could betray him in such a cruel manner.

"Why, Riya? How could you do this to me?" Ashwin's voice cracked with emotion, his eyes burning with a mixture of hurt and anger.

Riya's gaze faltered under the weight of his accusation, her lips parting in a feeble attempt to form a response. "Ashwin, please, just listen to me. It's not what you think—"

But Ashwin cut her off with a bitter laugh, the sound ringing hollow in the stillness of the night. "Save your lies, Riya. I've seen enough to know the truth."

The air between them crackled with tension as they stood locked in a battle of wills, the silence punctuated only by the ragged sounds of their breath.

And then, just when it seemed as though the tension would reach its breaking point, Vikram Mehra emerged from the shadows, his smug grin twisting Ashwin's gut with a surge of fury.

"Ah, Ashwin, my old friend," Vikram's voice dripped with sarcasm as he sauntered forward, his gaze locking with Ashwin's in a challenge. "I see you've discovered the truth at last."

Ashwin's fists clenched at his sides, his jaw set in a steely resolve. "You think this is some kind of game, Vikram? You think you can just waltz in here and destroy everything I've worked for?"

Vikram's smirk widened, the arrogance radiating off him like a palpable force. "Oh, Ashwin, you always were too easy to manipulate. But then again, what can I say? All's fair in love and war."

The words hung heavy in the air, a stark reminder of the depths of betrayal that Ashwin had been subjected to. And as Vikram turned and walked away, leaving Ashwin alone in the darkness, the full weight of his betrayal settled over him like a suffocating shroud.

A torrent of emotions surged through Ashwin's veins – anger, betrayal, heartache. He felt as though the ground had crumbled beneath his feet, leaving him adrift in a sea of anguish.

Riya's eyes widened in shock as she saw Ashwin standing before her, the truth laid bare for all to see. Guilt washed over her features, mingling with the pain etched into Ashwin's eyes.

For a moment, time stood still as Ashwin and Riya locked gazes, the weight of their shattered love hanging heavy in the air. And then, without a word, Ashwin turned on his heel and walked away, leaving Riya alone in the darkness.

But their confrontation was far from over. Enraged by the betrayal, Ashwin sought out Vikram Mehra, his fists clenched with fury. Vikram's smug demeanor only fueled Ashwin's rage, pushing him to the brink of his sanity.

In a blur of motion, Ashwin launched himself at Vikram, fists flying in a flurry of punches. The sound of their blows echoed through the night, a symphony of pain and anger that reverberated off the walls of the alley.

But even as their fists collided and blood spilled, Ashwin knew that this fight was about more than just physical violence. It was a battle for his dignity, his pride, his shattered heart.

In the end, Ashwin emerged victorious, his resolve unshaken despite the bruises and scars that marred his body. And as he walked away from the scene of the confrontation, a sense of closure washed over him, cleansing him of the pain and betrayal that had threatened to consume him.

Though the wounds of betrayal would heal with time, the scars would remain as a reminder of the tumultuous journey that had led him to this moment. 

... End of flashback...

Ashwin hesitated, his gaze flickering with a mixture of reluctance and pain as Yuvan pressed him for answers. How could he possibly explain the depths of his betrayal, the agony of discovering his girlfriend's infidelity with his own eyes?

"Yuvan, it's... it's complicated," Ashwin began, his voice low and strained. "But I guess you deserve to know the truth."

Yuvan's brow furrowed in confusion, his eyes searching Ashwin's face for some hint of what lay beneath his guarded exterior. "What do you mean, Ash? What happened?"

Ashwin took a deep breath, steeling himself for the inevitable onslaught of memories that threatened to engulf him. "It's about Riya," he started, his voice barely above a whisper. "We were together for years, but... things changed."

As he recounted the events that had shattered his world, Ashwin could feel the weight of his past bearing down on him like a suffocating blanket. The pain was still raw, the wounds still fresh, despite the passage of time.

Yuvan listened in stunned silence, his eyes widening with each revelation. He had never imagined that Ashwin's past held such heartache, such betrayal. And yet, as he listened to his friend's story, he couldn't help but feel a surge of anger on Ashwin's behalf.

"Damn, Ash," Yuvan muttered, his voice tinged with disbelief. "I had no idea... I'm so sorry, man."

Ashwin shook his head, his expression grim. "Don't be sorry, Yuvan. It's not your fault."

But Yuvan couldn't shake the feeling of guilt that gnawed at him from within. How could he have been so blind, so oblivious to the pain that his friend had endured? He vowed then and there to stand by Ashwin, to support him in whatever way he could

"Wait, she doesn't know?" Yuvan asked, his voice tinged with disbelief.

"She who?" Ashwin asked confusedly.

"Anshika..." 

Ashwin shook his head, a bitter smile playing at the corners of his lips. "No, she doesn't. And even if she did, She don't actually care about all this."

The words fell between them like a barrier, separating them from the outside world. Yuvan struggled to comprehend how Anshika could remain so indifferent to Ashwin's pain.

"But she's your wife, Ash," Yuvan protested, his voice tinged with frustration. "She should know about this. She should care."

Ashwin's expression hardened, his gaze turning inward as he grappled with the tumultuous emotions swirling within him. "Nevermind, Yuvan," he admitted, his voice barely above a whisper. "But some things... some things are better left unsaid."

The notification on Ashwin's phone interrupted the heavy silence between him and Yuvan, drawing his attention away from the weight of his past and towards the present moment. With a furrowed brow, he unlocked his phone and opened the message from the unknown number, his heart skipping a beat as he beheld the image displayed on the screen.

It was Anshika, seated in the meeting hall, her expression focused and determined as she engaged in conversation with her colleagues. The sight of her sent a jolt of conflicting emotions coursing through Ashwin's veins – pride in her professional achievements mingled with a pang of regret at the distance between them.

Before he could dwell on his thoughts any further, his phone began to ring, the shrill sound cutting through the silence like a knife. With trembling hands, he answered the call, his voice tight with tension as he braced himself for the conversation that lay ahead.

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Heya lovies:

24th Chapter! After 3-5 days I guess :) ...!!!
I hope you all liked it! give lots of love and support love ya all!...
And something is wrong isn't it?
Well finally a part better than those teasing one I guess
Do give lot's of love guys please! I will appreciate that...!!!
I am lazy writing this to be honest!
And I don't know how many chapters it will take :)
They both are only supporting and nothing changed much T-T
Pray for my mind guys

Your little author:
Ashi ;)