The morning sun filtered through the sheer curtains of Aisha's bedroom, casting a soft glow on her delicate features. Today would be different. Today, she would put in more effort, look her best, and maybe....just maybe....Ranvir would finally see her, truly see her.
She stood in front of her vanity, carefully applying her makeup, making sure every stroke enhanced her beauty. She chose a deep red dress that hugged her curves perfectly, the kind of dress she knew he liked. She wanted him to look at her with admiration, with love....just once. As she fixed her earrings, a small smile played on her lips. Maybe this was the effort she needed to make. Maybe she could be enough for him.
Her phone buzzed. Absentmindedly, she picked it up, her heart still fluttering with nervous excitement. But the moment she opened Instagram, the world around her dimmed.
There he was. Ranvir Malhotra, dressed impeccably, his arm draped casually over the shoulder of a woman who had once sneered at Aisha at a party. The caption on the story read: "Best night ever with my favorite people! ❤"
Aisha's breath hitched as she scrolled. More pictures. More videos. More laughter. He wasn't working last night. He wasn't busy. He had been out with them....women who had insulted her, humiliated her, called her desperate for holding onto him.
She felt the familiar sting in her heart, but the pain wasn't new. It was just another addition to the long list of disappointments. She bit her lip, trying to push the ache down, trying to remind herself that she had chosen this, chosen him. And love meant understanding, right? Maybe she was overreacting. Maybe she was making a big deal out of nothing....just like he always said she did.
She placed the phone down with trembling fingers. It wasn't the first time. It wouldn't be the last.
As she stared at her reflection in the mirror, memories surfaced. How many times had he walked away only to come back as if nothing had happened? How many times had he made her believe that every argument, every tear, every moment of neglect was her fault? That she was the one who needed to change, to be better, to prove she was worthy of his love?
And yet, despite it all, she still waited for him.
Hours passed before the sound of the front door opening echoed through the penthouse. Aisha's heart pounded as she stepped forward, her dress flowing around her like a silent plea for attention. He stood there, scrolling through his phone, barely glancing at her.
"Ranvir," she greeted softly, hoping....praying....that this time would be different.
He barely lifted his gaze. "Hey."
Nothing more. No compliment. No acknowledgment of the effort she had put in. No warmth in his voice. It was as if she was invisible.
Aisha swallowed the lump in her throat. "You didn't come home last night."
Ranvir finally looked up, his expression unreadable. "I told you, I was busy."
Her fingers clenched at her sides, but she forced her voice to remain calm. "Busy? I saw the pictures, Ranvir. You were out celebrating with them."
His eyes darkened as he let out a sharp exhale. "So what? I needed a break. You always suffocate me with your expectations, Aisha."
She blinked, stunned. "Expectations? Ranvir, it was our anniversary. You didn't even call. You didn't even care."
His jaw clenched, irritation flashing across his face. "God, Aisha, do you ever stop nagging? Every single time, it's the same thing with you! You always turn everything into a fight."
"I just wanted us to spend time together," she whispered, her voice barely audible.
Ranvir scoffed. "You always want something, don't you? Always pushing, always making me feel like I'm the bad guy. Maybe I wouldn't go out so much if you weren't so damn clingy all the time."
Aisha's lips parted in shock. How had the conversation flipped so easily? How had she once again become the one at fault? The tears that had threatened to spill earlier now burned in her eyes, but she refused to let them fall.
Ranvir grabbed his keys from the table. "I don't have time for this. I'm going out."
She took a step forward, desperate to fix things, to make it better. "Ranvir, please...."
But he was already gone.
As the door slammed shut behind him, Aisha stood frozen, staring at the empty space he left behind. She had dressed up for him. She had tried. And once again, it wasn't enough.
Aisha stood in the living room, her eyes glistening with unshed tears. The weight of disappointment settled heavily on her chest as she finally allowed herself to break. She sat down on the couch, hugging her knees, silent sobs wracking her body. She hated this feeling....this emptiness, this ache of loving someone who didn't love her back.
The sound of the front door opening again made her stiffen. But it wasn't Ranvir.
It was Rishi Malhotra.
His sharp gaze instantly softened when he saw her. "Aisha?" His voice was gentle, concerned.
She quickly wiped at her eyes, forcing a small smile. "Oh, hey, Rishi. What are you doing here?"
Rishi took a step closer, his jaw tightening as he noticed the streaks of mascara smudged under her eyes. "I was just dropping off some documents, but… what happened?"
"Nothing," she whispered, shaking her head. "It's nothing."
He let out a quiet sigh, his fingers curling into fists before he relaxed them. He had always known. Always seen the way Ranvir treated her. And yet, he never interfered....because she had chosen his brother, and he had chosen to stay silent.
But today, seeing her like this, he couldn't stay quiet.
His gaze traveled to her dress, and he exhaled. "You look beautiful, Aisha."
She let out a small, broken laugh. "It doesn't really matter."
"It does," he said firmly. "That dress suits you perfectly. But more than that, you don't need to change yourself for anyone."
She looked up at him, surprise flickering in her eyes. "You really think so?"
Rishi smirked, leaning against the couch. "Of course. In fact, if I didn't know better, I'd say you just walked out of a magazine cover."
Despite herself, Aisha let out a soft laugh, shaking her head. "You always know how to make me laugh."
He smiled, relieved to see even a small spark return to her eyes. "Well, someone has to remind you how incredible you are."
For a moment, Aisha felt warmth replace the cold ache in her chest. She had spent so long chasing after Ranvir's love that she had forgotten what it felt like to be seen.
And Rishi....he had always seen her.