Chapter 3

Mayank's pov;

I stumbled back to my penthouse, completely wasted. I didn't want to face my mother in this state; she'd be disappointed. It had been ages since I touched alcohol, but tonight, I just needed it. My legs were shaking as I made my way to my room and collapsed onto my bed, clutching a bottle of alcohol.

Looking at myself in the mirror, I couldn't help but feel a deep sense of regret. I was sorry for the mess I had become. Frustration welled up inside me, and in a fit of anger, I hurled the bottle at my reflection. But instead of shattering, the mirror revealed her smiling face, mocking me. It only fueled my rage, and I lashed out, punching the mirror, hurting myself in the process.

As I sat there, drowning my sorrows in alcohol, thoughts of her consumed my mind. She seemed to live life on her own terms, while I was left here, lost in a sea of regrets and longing. It felt like her care and love were nothing but a facade, a pretense to keep up appearances. Deep down, she didn't truly care. She only loved herself, incapable of loving anyone else.

"Why did you give me that glimmer of hope?" I cried out, my voice echoing in the empty room. "Why do you make me believe that you might feel the same way I do?"

The questions tore through me, each "why" a desperate plea for answers that I knew deep down I would never receive. The frustration and confusion overwhelmed me, and I couldn't contain it any longer. I screamed, releasing the pent-up emotions that threatened to consume me.

Flashback;

Today is Seher's birthday, and I've decided that this is the day I'll finally confess my feelings for her. Remember that time we were painting in the college garden, and she wrote those beautiful letters on my shirt? Man, I was over the moon when I saw those magical words. It felt like she loved me too!

I turned to my best friend, Ansh, and asked him, "Am I dreaming, bro? Pinch me or something!"

Ansh chuckled and replied, "Dude, you've asked me that like 50 times already! You're not dreaming, trust me."

I couldn't help but burst with happiness. "Ansh, I can't even put into words how ecstatic I am. She loves me back! I always thought my love would be one-sided forever, and I never had the guts to admit it. But she did, and now I'm feeling so confident. I'm going to pour my heart out and confess my love to her."

We've been roaming in the mall for the past half an hour, trying to find the perfect gift for her. I know what she likes, but today is such a special day for me that I want to make it extra special for her too.

Then, like a lightning bolt, an idea struck me. "Yes, I've got it!"

Ansh looked at me curiously and asked, "What is it, man?"

With a mischievous grin, I replied, "I know exactly what gift to give her”

“Thank goodness you finally made a decision, or else we would've spent forever in the mall” Ansh said, and we both chuckled.

As soon as I got home, I dashed straight to my room. I opened my closet and pulled out that special shirt—the one she had written those beautiful words on. I held it in my hands, and a big smile spread across my face. I knew exactly what I had to do.

I grabbed a marker and started writing my response on the shirt. I poured my heart out, saying all the things I wanted to tell her but never had the courage to say directly. I wrote, "I love you too, Seher. I fell for you the moment I laid eyes on you. You're the most important person in my life. You give my life meaning, and you're the reason I smile. Thank you for being with me. Your love means everything to me."

Finally, the moment arrived. I walked into the party, and there she was, looking absolutely stunning like an angel. I couldn't take my eyes off her. And then, she made her way towards me.

I wished her a happy birthday, but little did I know that everything would crumble that day. The way she treated me was so harsh, and yet, I can't help but feel like there are lingering emotions inside me. I don't want to love her anymore, I really don't. Tears stream down my face, but I quickly wipe them away.

I find myself standing in front of a broken mirror, and in its shattered pieces, I see her face. It's like I'm hallucinating, unable to escape her presence. But this time, I won't forgive her. I want revenge, and I'll make sure she feels the pain she inflicted on me. An evil smirk spreads across my face, fueled by my determination.

"Seher Sethi, you're going to experience the same pain you caused me. I won't let you get away with it, Seher," I scream, letting out all my frustration. Exhausted, I lie down on my bed, and soon darkness engulfs me.

Next morning;

I woke up to the warm rays of sunlight streaming through the window, gently nudging me awake. Stretching my arms, I made my way to the bathroom to freshen up, ready to start the day. As I descended the stairs after getting ready for the day, I asked the butler “Where's Ashi ma?”

"In the kitchen, ma'am," she replied promptly.

With a smile I made my way to the kitchen and greeted her, "Good morning, Aashi Ma."

Returning the smile, she said, "Good morning, baby. Let's have breakfast. I've made it just for you."

Grateful for her efforts, I nodded and joined her at the table. We ate our breakfast in silence, the air heavy with unspoken questions. Eventually, Aashi Ma broke the silence.

"Are you feeling okay now?" she asked, her voice filled with concern.

Without a second thought, I replied, "Yes, I am." It was the only answer I could give her, for my heart still yearned for that certain someone.

Before she could delve deeper into the topic, my phone beeped, signaling a new message. It was from Mrs. Mittal, my manager.

"Come to my office in half an hour. I want to introduce you to a job that is right for you," I read the message while a frown settled on my forehead.

Curiosity piqued, Aashi Ma inquired, "Who is this?"

"Oh, it's just my manager, Mrs. Mittal," I explained. "She wants to introduce me to a new job opportunity."

Concern etched on her face, Aashi Ma interjected, "Seher, I think you should take a break."

Her words caught me off guard, and I couldn't help but wonder if she was right. Maybe it was time for me to step back and reassess my priorities.

“You don't have to work for now, take a little break for yourself,” she added further.

"But Ashi Ma, you're always so busy at the hospital, and if I stay home alone, my mind starts wandering to things I don't want to think about. Work is the only thing that can keep me away from all these thoughts," I explained, hoping she would understand.

She nodded in agreement, her eyes filled with empathy. "I understand, Seher. Sometimes keeping ourselves occupied can help us deal with difficult emotions but running away is not the solution." I know her concern for me, but i can't face everything all over again.

With her support, she kindly offered to drive me to her office where Mrs. Mittal wanted to meet me. As we made our way there, a mix of anticipation and nervousness filled my chest. This meeting had the potential to be a turning point in my life, and I couldn't help but wonder what opportunities awaited me.

As we arrived at the office, Ashi Ma gave me an encouraging smile before heading off to the hospital. I watched her leave, feeling a sense of gratitude for her unwavering support. Taking a deep breath, I gathered my courage and stepped into the office. The room was filled with a sense of anticipation, and I couldn't help but feel a flutter of excitement mixed with a tinge of anxiety.

Thoughts raced through my mind as I prepared myself to meet Mrs. Mittal. What if this job opportunity was exactly what I needed? Could it be the chance to break free from the monotony and find a new path? Or would it be just another disappointment, leading me back to square one?

With each passing moment, my heart beat a little faster, my palms grew slightly clammy. But amidst the nerves, there was a glimmer of hope, a flicker of excitement. I reminded myself to stay open-minded and embrace whatever came my way. This could be the beginning of a new chapter in my life, and I was determined to make the most of it.