Aisha Oberoy had always believed in love....the kind that swept you off your feet and made your heart race with an intensity that left you breathless. And for years, she had convinced herself that Ranvir Malhotra was the man who would give her that love. The youngest son of the Malhotra empire, Ranvir had the charm of a prince and the recklessness of a storm. He was the kind of man who could make a woman feel like the center of his world one moment and leave her questioning her worth the next. And Aisha, blinded by love, had willingly given her heart to him.
The morning sun streamed into Aisha's luxurious penthouse, casting golden hues over the marble floors. She stood in the kitchen, humming softly as she arranged a lavish breakfast spread on the dining table....his favorite omelet, fresh juice, and coffee just the way he liked it. It had become a ritual for her, waking up early to make sure Ranvir started his day with everything perfect.
She had texted him the night before, reminding him about their breakfast plans, but as she glanced at the clock, disappointment crept in. He was late. Again.
Aisha pulled out her phone and dialed his number. It rang and rang before finally going to voicemail. With a sigh, she set it down and pushed a strand of hair behind her ear. She knew how this would go. He would show up late, flash that disarming grin, and she would forgive him. Because she always did.
An hour later, the front door finally opened, and in walked Ranvir, looking effortlessly handsome in his undone white shirt and expensive watch. He stretched, yawning, as if he had just woken up from a dreamless sleep.
"Morning, babe," he said casually, not even looking at her as he walked straight past the dining table and towards the living room.
Aisha forced a smile. "Ranvir, you're late. I made breakfast for you."
He threw himself onto the couch, scrolling through his phone. "Yeah? That's sweet, but I already grabbed something on the way."
Her heart sank. She had spent an hour perfecting everything, making sure it was just right. "You could have told me," she said, keeping her voice steady.
He finally looked up at her, arching a brow. "You always make a big deal out of nothing, Aisha. It's just breakfast."
Her fingers curled into a fist at her side. It wasn't just breakfast. It was the small things....the constant effort, the endless devotion. And all he ever did was dismiss it like it was nothing.
Pushing down her disappointment, she walked over and sat beside him. "Are we still on for tonight? The gala?" she asked, her voice filled with hope.
Ranvir groaned and ran a hand through his thick hair. "Aisha, I told you, I might have other plans. Why do we have to go to every event together?"
"Because we're engaged," she reminded him softly, her fingers brushing against the ring on her hand.
He scoffed. "Yeah, and? Do you need me attached to your hip all the time?"
Aisha swallowed back the lump forming in her throat. "It's just that these events matter to me. I want us to be together, to show people that...."
"That what?" he cut in, irritation flashing in his eyes. "That we're some perfect couple? Aisha, people already talk enough about us. I don't need to parade around like some trophy husband."
Trophy husband? The words stung, and for a moment, she felt ridiculous for even trying. She always gave, always adjusted, and yet, no matter how much she loved him, it was never enough.
"You don't have to come if you don't want to," she finally said, her voice barely above a whisper.
He nodded, already turning his attention back to his phone. "Cool. I'll let you know if I'm free."
That was Ranvir. Always keeping her at arm's length, always making her feel like she was the one holding onto something that wasn't really there. And yet, she couldn't let go. Because love wasn't meant to be easy, right? Love meant fighting for someone, proving your worth, making them see that you were enough.
Or at least, that's what she had always believed.
That evening, Aisha waited in their favorite restaurant, the soft glow of candlelight reflecting in her hopeful eyes. She had made a reservation weeks ago....it was their anniversary. A day she held close to her heart, a day she believed symbolized their love, no matter how flawed it was.
But as the hours passed and the waiter gave her sympathetic glances, her hope withered. She called Ranvir, only for the call to go unanswered. Again and again.
An uneasy feeling settled in her stomach. And then, as she scrolled through social media absentmindedly, her breath hitched. There he was....smiling, laughing, a drink in his hand. Surrounded by the same women who had once insulted her, mocked her in hushed voices at parties, calling her 'desperate' for holding onto him.
Tears welled in her eyes, but she quickly wiped them away. This wasn't the first time he had let her down. Taking a deep breath, she convinced herself that he would have an explanation. Maybe he got caught up with business. Maybe it wasn't what it looked like.
She left the restaurant and went home, waiting for his call. Hours later, long past midnight, her phone finally rang.
"Aisha, I'm sorry. I got stuck at work," Ranvir's voice was smooth, devoid of any real remorse.
She wanted to call him out, to tell him she knew where he was, but instead, she forced herself to smile through the pain. "It's okay," she whispered.
He sighed in relief. "I knew you'd understand. I'll make it up to you, alright?"
And just like every time before, she chose to believe him. To hold onto the love she thought they had.
Maybe, just maybe, love wasn't supposed to feel like this.
But Aisha wasn't ready to let go just yet.