11 PM…
Aditya, Ruhi, Rivan, and Mr. Shah had just gotten free from their work!
Everyone else had already left for the hotel a little ways away, so Aditya and Ruhi were getting ready to head there too —
That’s when Rivan grabbed Aditya’s hand and said, “Big bro… where are you going?!”
Aditya smiled lightly and explained, “My friends are at a hotel nearby. They even booked me a room there — so Ruhi and I are heading over.”
Rivan, still holding Aditya’s hand like a child, pouted, “Take me with you too!”
Mr. Shah intervened quickly, “Boss… you really shouldn’t do that.”
Ruhi frowned, confused. “Why not? I mean… if he wants to go, and he has no meetings left for the night, why can’t he come?”
Aditya hesitated — just a flicker of discomfort on his face — and Rivan noticed it.
He let out a faint smile and said, “Bro… I was just kidding. After such a tiring day, even someone like me just wants to go home and crash! Come on, Mr. Shah… let’s get the car!”
With that, Rivan walked away.
Mr. Shah gave Aditya a polite bow and followed him out.
Ruhi was left puzzled.
As far as she knew, Aditya had only met Rivan six months ago.
Rivan was mischievous, barely knowing the basics of business — and yet, his ideas were so brilliant that Aditya didn’t hesitate for even a second before funding him.
Not just funding, Aditya gave him everything needed to turn his idea into reality — including his time.
Aditya might be the kindest man at heart, but in business, he never let emotions interfere.
He had never once invested in a person or idea that wasn’t serious.
And yet, Rivan was the only exception — the only person Aditya trusted blindly.
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But even with all that trust, there was still a strange distance between Aditya and Rivan…
A distance Ruhi had never seen him maintain with anyone.
She had tried asking Aditya about it once, but failed miserably.
The drive to the hotel was quiet.
Half an hour later
Out in the hotel garden, they spotted Ira and Aniket sitting on a bench.
Aditya walked over to them, while Ruhi went inside.
Ira’s cheeks were puffed out, her face a storm of anger.
She was furious with Aditya — so furious that she had sat here just to make sure he saw it.
And Aniket?
There was no way he’d let his best friend’s little sister — the same girl who’d been tying rakhi on his wrist since childhood — sit out here all alone this late at night.
He was there to silently support Ira’s protest.
The moment Aditya approached, Aniket smirked and teased, “Adi… I thought that art fair and competition were just for marketing, but turns out you had a different master plan altogether, ustad!”
Aditya ignored him completely and sat down next to Ira.
Ira turned her face away and said coldly, “Aniket bhai… tell him that Ira is mad and doesn’t want to talk to anyone right now!”
Aditya glanced at Aniket.
Both men exchanged a look — and a small smile at Ira’s innocent anger.
Trying to hide his grin, Aniket repeated exactly what Ira had said.
Playing along, Aditya added dramatically, “Alright then… maybe you can also tell us why our wild kitten is angry at us? And when she’ll be ready to scratch us?”
Ira narrowed her eyes at him, stood up, and hid behind Aniket.
“Aniket bhai… tell him I’m really angry! I’m not joking!”
Aditya stood up too, bent slightly toward her, and held his ear apologetically.
“Fine… then I’m really asking — what do I need to do to calm my wild kitten down?
Scratch me all you want, I won’t say a word… but why are you so mad at me, my wild kitten?”
Ira’s eyes softened a little as she said, “Bhai… why did you do that? You know that ring isn’t just a prize, it’s a symbol of love!
You were supposed to give it to Anamika while confessing your feelings — but you lied and gave it away like that! Why did you do it?!”
Aditya’s gaze fell to the ground.
He took a deep breath and said quietly, “Because your brother is a coward… and greedy.
Greedy for just a few more moments with Anamika.
Greedy to help her for a little longer.
And scared that if I confessed, she’d turn away from me again and run.”
Ira turned away and started walking off.
“I didn’t expect this answer from my brother,” she said, her voice trembling.
Aditya just smiled bitterly at his own helplessness and sat down on the bench again.
Aniket sat next to him, letting out a deep sigh before looking up at the sky.
Aditya’s eyes stayed fixed on the ground, while Aniket searched the sky for a falling star.
Finally, with a faint smile, Aniket spoke, “I couldn’t believe it when Ira told me my dad asked you to do this.
You know… I was actually happy hearing that — that my dad was starting to believe in love and memories again.
But when I saw the way you fulfilled his challenge… I realized the truth about love’s memories.”
“The truth about love’s memories?” Aditya asked, finally lifting his gaze.
“Yes…” Aniket said softly.
“Love’s memories are a balm — they heal every wound.
But they’re also a weapon which gives wounds— the kind of wound that never heals.”
Looking straight into Aditya’s eyes, Aniket added, “I just hope Ira will one day understand the wound in your heart.
And I hope… that one day you’ll find the balm that heals it — and frees you from this fear.”
And just then, a shooting star streaked across the night sky.
Far away, Rudra was watching from a window.
He couldn’t hear what they were saying, but his sharp eyes caught every expression on their faces.
“Something… definitely happened,” Rudra muttered to himself.
“But what? Ira wouldn’t be angry with her brother for no reason.
If I had to guess, I think I know the reason — or rather, the person.
Why is forgetting the past so hard…?”
