Page 68 of Since You Came Along

Raghav froze mid-step. ‘What?’ he whispered.

‘She was worried she’d upset you by dancing with Rutvik. She thought she’d let you down. Why the hell didn’t you talk to her?’

‘I didn’t…’ Raghav trailed off.

‘You didn’t what? Didn’t go cold on her? Ignore her? Did you even try talking?’

‘No,’ Raghav admitted, the word stuck in his throat.

‘When you see her today—and you will, because shehasto be okay—you’ll hug her and never let her go. I don’t care what’s happened between you two. Whatever it is, you’ll fix it. Youoweher that much,’ Swayam said, anguish simmering in his voice.

Raghav swallowed hard. ‘I will. I promise.’

Swayam took a deep breath and tried to stay calm, but his words hit harder. ‘Rutvik made her feel like she wasn’t enough. Those words haunt her even now. And because of your behaviour, she felt it again. When you get your second chance, you’ll spend your whole bloody life making sure she never feels like that again. Make it right, you understand me?’

‘Yeah, I do.’

The line went dead, but Swayam’s words became an unshakeable weight on him. The thought of Meera in pain, doubting herself because of him, made him sick. Raghav couldn’t think of a life without her. He wouldn’t lose her too.

Raghav vowed to make it right. All he wanted was that second chance.

Chapter 23

The entire journey home was a blur of guilty thoughts and desperate prayers. Raghav replayed every moment, every word left unsaid, imagining all the ways he could have been better.

The weight of it all pressed down on him, making it hard to breathe. The thought that Meera believed she wasn’t a good enough wife stabbed at his heart. If he had any purpose left in life, it was to prove her wrong.

With that hope, he entered his home. His ears buzzed, his mind too fraught to focus. Then he caught the sound of soft music. The sweet, familiar scent of hot chocolate drifted through the air. A gentle scratching sound came from the living room.

As he walked into the room, he saw her. Meera was curled up on the sofa, her legs tucked beneath her. A sketchbook rested on her lap, her hand moving over the page with a piece of charcoal.

She had pulled her oiled hair into a messy bun and was wearing an old, oversized hoodie that she often stole from him. From where he stood, Raghav noticed the small wince of pain that flickered across her face with each movement.

For a moment, he froze. Relief coursed through him like a tidal wave. His Meera was home, alive and safe. The thought consumed him, leaving no room for anything else.

A loud ring from the phone behind her startled Meera. She turned hastily and then gripped her head as the sudden motion sent a sharp pain shooting through her. Through narrowed eyes, she saw Raghav standing at the living room entrance, looking like he had been through hell.

Raghav didn’t even glance at the phone as he answered it. He murmured, ‘She’s here. She’s home.’ He let the phone drop to the floor and took a tentative step forward. His feet dragged as if each step took all the strength he had left.

‘Raghav?’ she said, concerned.

He reached for her, stopping just a foot away. His gaze didn’t waver, fixed on her as though he couldn’t believe she was real. When she tried to get up, Raghav shook his head.

Slowly, hesitantly, he reached out and caressed her cheek. His fingers brushed her skin like a whisper, and he let out a shaky sigh. Then, leaning down, he pressed a soft kiss to her forehead before dropping to his knees in front of her.

Raghav rested his head on her lap. His shoulders trembled, and though he made no sound, she knew he was crying. Her hand went to his hair, stroking it.

‘Raghav, honey, what are you doing here? What’s wrong?’ Meera asked, scared.

He didn’t answer, only wrapped his arms around her waist, clinging to her like she would disappear at any moment. She could feel his silent sobs against her.

‘Are you hurt? Did something happen?’ she pressed, panic rising in her chest.

Still, he didn’t respond. Meera cupped his face, tilting it up so she could look into his eyes. They were bloodshot, his face haggard, as though he hadn’t slept in days.

‘Why is your phone switched off?’ he rasped.

‘I told you, it’s been acting up. After your call earlier, it just shut down and hasn’t switched on since. Why? What’s happened, Raghav?’ Her heart pounded as she searched his face for answers.

---