“You’re a jerk!” I yelled at him, my voice trembling with frustration. How could he think I’m stupid? Do I look stupid? Do I act like a fool? Sure, I might be a bit childish sometimes, but that doesn’t mean I’m an idiot.
“What did you just say?” he asked, raising an eyebrow as if he hadn’t heard me the first time.
“I said, YOU. ARE. A. JERK.” I shot back, staring straight into his dark brown eyes, emphasizing each word. His eyes were so mesmerizing—deep and beautiful.
Wait, what the hell am I even thinking? I’m supposed to be angry at him for always being so rude!
“How dare you?” he growled, standing up from his chair and taking long strides toward me.
My heart pounded, and fear crept in, but I wasn’t about to back down. I held my ground, determined not to be intimidated.
“Oh, I see how it is," I said, crossing my arms. "You can call me stupid, but I can’t call you a jerk? Fantastic double standards.”
He came even closer, gripping my arm tightly. His eyes burned with anger as they locked onto mine. “Who the hell do you think you are, calling me a jerk?”
My voice faltered. “Hn...” I felt weak all of a sudden. Fighting with him was pointless because, damn it, I loved him.
“Listen, Dr. Sohana Shekhawat,” he said, his voice dripping with venom, “I’m polite to people for specific reasons. That doesn’t mean I have to be nice to every damn person I meet. Got it?”
Each word hit me like a punch to the gut. He released my arm with a rough jerk, leaving me reeling.
“Ruhaan—"
“No, Kabir.” He cut off his friend who had tried to intervene. “Some people need to know their limits.”
Tears welled up in my eyes, but I refused to let them fall. I blinked rapidly to keep my composure, lifting my gaze to meet his one last time.
“I was wrong about you.” That was all I could manage before I turned and stormed out of his office.
I barely made it to my car before the dam broke. Sliding down behind the vehicle, I hugged my knees and let the tears flow freely.
“How could you say that to me? You know I love you. I’ve loved you for so long… I missed you so much these past ten years, but I never expected you'd come back into my life this way—as my patient. You were always so kind before... Why are you like this now?” I whispered, staring at his picture on my phone, my heart breaking all over again.
“Sohana! Sohana!” I heard Kabir calling me. Quickly, I wiped my tears and stood up, turning to face him as he approached.
“Sohana, are you okay?” he asked, his voice full of concern.
“Yes, I’m fine,” I lied. “Why wouldn’t I be?”
“You don’t look fine. Your eyes are red and puffy. Were you crying?” he asked, searching my face.
“No, Kabir. Something just got in my eyes, that’s all,” I mumbled, avoiding his gaze.
He didn’t seem convinced but let it go. “Look, I know Ruhaan was out of line. He was incredibly rude, especially to you—his doctor, who’s only trying to help him. But there’s a reason for his behavior.”
“A reason?” I echoed, my curiosity piqued.
“Yeah, but I can’t share it. Ruhaan doesn’t like people talking about his personal life behind his back,” he said, and I nodded. At least Kabir was loyal to his friend—that was one good thing about him. The other was what Ruhaan’s secretary had mentioned earlier.
“Ruhaan used to be amazing. I mean, really amazing. But something happened that changed him—turned him cold. He believes all doctors will eventually give up on him because of his attitude. But, Sohana, please don’t give up on him. We need the old Ruhaan back—the happy, funny, cheerful guy we all miss. I need my best friend back,” he pleaded.
“I won’t give up on him, Kabir,” I promised. “I’ll do whatever it takes to help him recover.” I silently vowed, I promise, Mom.
“Thank you,” he said, visibly relieved.
I gave him a small smile and turned to leave when he called out, “Wait!”
I glanced back at him, raising an eyebrow.
“Actually, I came to deliver a message from Ruhaan—a ‘sorry,’” Kabir said, his voice softer now.
A flicker of happiness sparked inside me, but I quickly smothered it. Sure, Ruhaan didn’t say it himself, but it was something. Not that I expected him to march over and apologize. Ruhaan Raichand wasn’t exactly the type to humble himself like that.
“It’s okay,” I replied with a shrug. “But next time he behaves like a jerk, he’s going to have to apologize in person, or I won’t forgive him.”
Kabir chuckled, “Forget forgiveness! If he pulls that again, just slap him. Don’t worry—I’ll back you up. We’re friends now, right?”
I laughed, feeling a little lighter. “Deal. Bye, Kabir.”
“Bye, Sohana,” he said with a grin.
🧿
I was sitting in a café, waiting for Alisha to arrive. She had called me right when I was about to head home after meeting Kabir.
"Sohanaaa!" I heard her voice from behind. I turned and saw her rushing towards me, her eyes red and puffy, framed by dark circles. Had she been crying?
"What happened? Why did you call me? And why do you look so restless?" I bombarded her with questions the moment she reached me.
"Are you going to let me sit down first or keep interrogating me?" she retorted, wiping her face.
"Okay, okay, sit," I said, pulling out a chair. Once we were seated, I gave her a concerned look. "Now, tell me what happened."
"We fought," she said quietly before tears started welling up again.
"We? Who's 'we'? What are you talking about? Alisha, give me something to go on here!" I pressed.
"Rishi and I. We had a fight," she mumbled, staring down at the table.
"But why?" I asked, leaning in closer.
"He said I was interfering too much in his life," she admitted, her voice trembling.
"And why would he say that?"
She hesitated, then began. "I wanted to talk to one of my client, but my phone was broken. So, I asked Rishi for his. While I was on the call, a girl named Tanya rang him. I didn't pick up, but she left a message. And… I blocked her number." She started crying again. "Her name was saved with a heart."
I raised an eyebrow. "And why exactly did you block her?"
She fell silent.
"Alisha?" I prompted. "What happened next?"
"Rishi walked in right after I blocked her. He saw what I did and got so angry. He grabbed his phone back and yelled at me for 'interfering in his life.' He told me to stay out of his business."
I leaned back, sighing. "Okay, he may have been harsh, but let's be real—it was your fault."
Her eyes shot up in surprise. "What? Why would you say that?"
"Why did you block her, Alisha? Be honest."
She hesitated, biting her lip before finally whispering, "Because I love him."
I blinked. "What did you say?"
"I love him, Sohana. I’ve been in love with him for three years." Her voice cracked as the confession tumbled out.
My jaw dropped. "Wait... what? Say that again. I promise I won’t tell anyone, not even Rishi, unless you want me to."
She looked at me, tears brimming in her eyes. "I love Rishi. I’ve loved him for so long."
I couldn’t help but smile. "I knew it! I had my suspicions, especially that time at the club when you were secretly praying for Rishi and Riya to break up."
"Ugh, what should I do now? How can I convince him?" she asked, looking utterly lost.
"Don't worry," I said, patting her hand. "I’ll talk to him."
"Really? Thank you, thank you so much!" she cried, throwing her arms around me. But then her eyes fell on my arm.
"Wait… what are these marks? Finger marks? Who grabbed you?"
The memory of Ruhaan gripping my arm flashed in my mind. I explained what had happened.
Alisha’s face hardened. "That bastard! How dare he lay a hand on you like that? I’m going to kill him!"
"Stop it!" I interrupted. "Don’t curse him."
"Why shouldn't I? How dare he behave like that with you?"
"Alisha, it's fine. Let it go. I’m fine now," I reassured her, though part of me was still shaken.
She huffed, then paused, her tone softening. "You love him, don’t you?"
My heart clenched. "More than anything," I whispered, my mind drifting to the moment I first saw him.
"Tell me," she urged, grinning mischievously. "How much?"
"I love him so, so much. When I look into his eyes, I feel like the most beautiful woman in the world. His dimples, that smile—it’s everything I want to see until my last breath. His voice… oh, how I long to hear him say, ‘I love you, Sohana.’ He’s my favorite distraction in this chaotic life."
I sighed, lost in the memory of him.
Alisha's eyes sparkled. "Oh, stop! You're going to make me cry. But seriously, if you told him how you feel, I’m sure he’d accept you."
Her words hit me like a cold splash of reality.
No. Why am I letting myself believe in something that can never be? He’ll never be mine. I’m deluding myself, living in a fantasy that has no future. I can't love him. Not like this.
"He’s not for me, Alisha," I said quietly, forcing a smile. "I need to stop pretending otherwise."
She frowned. "Why would you say that?"
"Because it's true. Ruhaan… he could never be mine."
The truth stung, but I had to accept it.
🧿
Hellooo pyaaree logon. How are you all? How was this part?
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Meet you in the next chapter. Till then byeee.
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