IRA's - POV

As we landed in India, my heart began to race. It felt like I was finally home. But honestly-home is never about places, it's always about people. The people we love.

And the thought of seeing him after eight fucking years? God, it's enough to drive me crazy. Eight years that felt like an eternity.

Yeah, I curse a lot-but never in front of my parents. They still think I'm the "good girl." Truth? You'd totally freak out if you ever met the real me.

Even the idea that I'll see him in just an hour is enough to send me spiraling. I know I should be focusing on the real reason we came here-to visit my sick grandpa-but my stupid heart has its own priorities.

Finally, we reached the hospital where Grandpa was admitted. I took a deep breath, trying to control the chaos inside me. My heart was about to burst with the happiness, the fear, the longing of seeing him again.

Control, Ira, control. You got this. Just stay calm, put on a neutral face, don't let it slip. I whispered to myself, patting my shoulder for courage. But deep down, I knew-no amount of control could silence the way my heart still beats for Vivaan.

As we entered, the strong smell of medicine instantly hit my nostrils. God, have I ever told you how much I hate hospitals? But as I said, I'll do anything for the people I love-even if it means facing my worst fears.

Just then, Saanvi came running and engulfed me in a tight hug. "God, I missed you so much," she said, her voice trembling. I hugged her back tightly, a smile tugging at my lips. "Yeah, I'm planning to stay forever in India just for you," I joked, trying to lighten her mood.

But even as I joked, my eyes unconsciously scanned the hallways, my heart silently praying for just one glimpse of him. Vivaan. The name itself was enough to make my pulse go wild.

Meera aunty hugged me next, asking about my health, my studies.

And then-behind her-I saw him.

Vivaan.

Sitting there, staring blankly at the wall. My heart screamed in happiness, but at the same time, sadness hit me like a wave. He looked so broken, like he'd lost something precious and had completely lost hope.

If God ever gave me one wish, it would be this: "Give me a chance to make him happy for the rest of his life."

My thoughts shattered when Vivaan suddenly stood up and walked in my direction. Oh my god, someone tell my heart and body to behave. But he crossed right past me, ignoring me as if I didn't even exist.

Hurt burned through me as I turned to see where he was going. He bent down to touch my parents' feet.

I'd never done that. I knew about these traditions, but I'd never followed them. And yet, when I saw him doing it, I bent down at the same time to take their blessings with him.

He looked at me with widened eyes, like I'd done something forbidden. My dad gently held my shoulder and made me stand. "Only married couples take blessings together, sunshine," he said, ruffling my hair. My dad always calls me sunshine; he only uses my name when he's angry. I gave him a nervous smile.

Just imagining myself and Vivaan as a couple was enough to create a thousand butterflies in my stomach. But I knew it was impossible. He still loved someone else. Someone who wasn't me.

I looked at him, hoping to see at least a flicker of something-anger, frustration, anything. But his face was blank, emotionless, like he'd given up on life entirely.

Rajmathi grandma walked into the corridor from the emergency room and lovingly cupped my cheeks. "We all missed you so much, Ira," she said. I bent to take her blessings. "God bless you," she whispered, making me stand.

"Go inside. Your grandpa wants to talk to you," grandma said, pointing toward the emergency room.

I entered, and tears stung my eyes. Grandpa lay there with countless wires attached to him, the sound of machines beeping steadily. I sat on the chair beside him and held his hand. He smiled weakly.

"How is my Ira?" he asked, trying to sit up.

I adjusted the bed and placed a pillow behind his back. "Grandpa, you know how much I love you, and how much it hurts me to see you like this," I said, my voice trembling.

"I'm fine. As long as I stay happy and my family stays happy," he replied with a faint smile.

" Grandpa, I'll make sure you're always happy, no matter what," I said, smiling through my tears.

He tightened his hold on my hand. "I have a wish, and only you can fulfill it. Can you do it for me?"

"Of course, Grandpa. You don't even have to ask-just command me," I said, smiling genuinely.

He looked into my eyes and said softly:

"I want you to marry Vivaan."

For a moment, I thought I had misheard him. Marriage? With him? My Vivaan? The boy who owned every stolen piece of my heart since childhood, the man who could still make my pulse race just by breathing in the same room?

I wanted to scream, laugh, cry-all at once. Did he know what kind of havoc he had just unleashed inside me?

"Only if you're willing to. I'm not forcing you. I know you love him. The decision is yours-just tell me when you've made it," he added, patting my head gently.

                        VIVAAN's - POV

Hospitals. I hate them. The smell of antiseptic, the walls that echo pain, the machines that beep like they're counting down to the end.

But here I was, sitting like a lifeless statue, staring at the blank wall, my mind heavier than my chest.

Grandpa's condition shook me. He has always been my strength, the only one who could command me without resistance. And yet, even he had to collapse-because of me. Because I couldn't move on.

I clenched my jaw, trying to push the thought away, but my heart betrayed me, beating faster the moment I heard her voice in the corridor.

Ira.

Eight years, and still, I knew it was her without turning. That same laugh, that same energy. The girl with ocean-blue eyes who had always looked at me like I was her entire world.

But for me? She was just a reminder of the walls I had built, the promises I had made to myself after Anaya.

Never again. Never love again.

When I finally stood, I caught her in my peripheral vision. She was staring at me like I was someone she'd prayed for every day. But I couldn't let myself feel anything. Not for her. Not for anyone.

So, I walked past her. Cold. Detached. Ignoring her presence, even though my heart screamed that I noticed every detail-her nervous smile, the way she held herself, even the pain in her eyes when I didn't acknowledge her.

I bent to take Uncle and Aunty's blessings, but when Ira bent down with me, I froze. My eyes widened without my permission. Didn't she realize what that meant?

Her father gently teased her, but I turned my face away quickly, masking everything. I couldn't allow even a flicker of reaction.

When I finally dared to glance at her again, she was watching me with hope, curiosity... love.

And me? I gave her nothing. Just the hollow face of a man who had already buried his heart years ago.

Because Ira deserved someone whole, and I was anything but.

When Grandma asked her to go meet Grandpa, a part of me wanted to follow, to see if Grandpa was asking her for the same thing he had asked me earlier. To marry. To settle. To move on.

But what Grandpa didn't understand was this-

I was already dead inside. And no marriage, no girl-not even Ira-could change that.

At least, that's what I told myself.

-to be continued!

Uff guys I crossed more than 1300 words.

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