ENJOY (⁠ ⁠◜⁠‿⁠◝⁠ ⁠)

Riyansh lay on his bed, his eyes fluttering shut as the weight of his thoughts dragged him into an uneasy sleep. Memories of Niya swirled in his mind, vivid and raw, pulling him back to a time when things were simpler, and love wasn’t tainted with misunderstandings. Meanwhile, miles away, Niya sat wide awake, tangled in the same web of thoughts. Life had a cruel way of complicating things. One craved understanding; the other refused to listen. Oh, who will explain to these two pyaar ke panchhi—wait, scratch that. Right now, they were more like heartbroken Devdases, nursing wounds too deep for words.

The night was heavy with silence, and the clock struck 2 AM, but Niya hadn’t managed to close her eyes even once. Usually, in moments like these, she would sneak into her brother’s room, ramble about her day, and eventually fall asleep. But tonight, her heart felt too burdened to share, even with him.

How did we end up here? she wondered, clutching the edge of the sofa on her balcony. How did I end up so far away… and so alone?

Her thoughts spiraled back to Riyansh. Mera chidkuraam. The nickname once brought a smile to her face, but now it only left an ache in her chest. Aur mera chidkuraam mujhse itna chid gaya ki he pushed me away, she thought bitterly. Riyansh, the boy who used to fight with her over the smallest things, had now built walls so high she couldn’t even glimpse the person she once loved.

She sighed, resting her head against the sofa, her guitar beside her. Maybe he doesn’t think someone like me is worth the effort anymore.

Eight years. Eight long years since their last conversation—the one that broke everything. Niya had tried to hold it together back then, plastering a smile for her parents and her brother, pretending she was fine. But in the quiet of her own company, the cracks in her heart showed. His last words to her, spoken in anger, echoed relentlessly in her mind.

I’ve moved on, she tried to convince herself. But the truth was harsh. She had moved on only toward her career, leaving behind the idea of love altogether. Love felt like a luxury she could no longer afford, not after Riyansh had shattered her trust so completely.

Her gaze drifted to the stars. She didn’t want to think about him anymore, but the upcoming trip loomed over her thoughts like a storm cloud. He would be there, and she had no idea how to face him. I don’t want to go, her heart whispered. But her sense of responsibility, her guilt, screamed otherwise.

Rishu deserves happiness, and they’ve jeopardized his relationship because of me. I can’t let that happen. My life may be a mess, but I’ll fix theirs. Even if it means facing Riyansh. Even if I have to hold back my anger. But forgiveness? Never. Not for him.

Tears welled up in her eyes as she strummed her guitar absentmindedly, each note laced with her turmoil. The cool night breeze kissed her cheeks, but it brought no comfort. Eventually, her exhaustion caught up with her, and Niya fell asleep right there on the balcony, her guitar still resting in her lap and her thoughts still lost in the labyrinth of Riyansh’s memory.

(⁠◍⁠•⁠ᴗ⁠•⁠◍⁠)

The morning sun had already climbed high, spilling its golden light into the Thakur household. It was 10 AM, and Niya was still in her dreamless slumber, awkwardly curled up on the sofa on her balcony, completely oblivious to the chaos beginning to brew downstairs.

Radhika had arrived a little while ago and was now seated comfortably in the living room, chatting animatedly with Aashika. Her dramatic tendencies were in full swing as she leaned over the backrest, clinging to Aashika's shoulder like a long-lost child.

"Maashimaa, did you forget about me completely? Ever since Niya came back from London, you haven’t even bothered to call me! I mean, look at me—I had to come all the way here myself!" Radhika complained, her voice dripping with mock hurt.

Aashika chuckled, stroking Radhika’s cheek affectionately. "Oh, my dear, how could I ever forget my other child? You know you’re just as precious to me."

At that moment, Harsh strolled into the living room with his signature mischief-filled grin. He folded his hands theatrically and announced, “Aree Radhika ji, aap yaha? Main toh dhanya ho gaya aapke subah-subah ke darshan paa kar! Vaise, jaaiye, apni kumbhkaran soul sister ko uthaiye. Ab tak toh so rahi hai woh!”

[Oh, Radhika! You're here? I'm so blessed to have your morning darshan. By the way, go wake up your Kumbhkaran soul sister. She's still asleep!]

Radhika turned to glare at him as he added with a mock-pout, "Aur mujhe lag raha tha aaj breakfast reh hi jaayega! But no, meri pyaari aunty ne mujhe disappoint nahi kiya!"

[And here I was thinking I’d have to miss breakfast! But no, my lovely aunt came through for me!]

He flashed a sweet, almost sarcastic smile at Aashika, who just shook her head, used to his antics.

Radhika narrowed her eyes, already prepared for a counterattack. "Tum bhi kumbhkaran ho—oops, sorry—bandar ho!" She leaned forward dramatically, her voice dripping with mock sympathy. "Aww, bandar ko subah se bhook lagi thi? Alele! Maashimaa, please feed this poor starving monkey!"

[You're just as much of a Kumbhkaran—oops, sorry—a monkey! Aww, the poor monkey must be starving since morning. Auntie, please feed the monkey!]

Harsh threw his hands up, giving her a classic "Done with you" look. "Bas bas! Enough of your nautanki! Go on, wake up your pyari-pyari, jag se nyaari Niya before I personally come upstairs and drag her out of bed."

Aashika laughed softly at their bickering. "You two are impossible," she said fondly, though she made no attempt to intervene. It was just another typical morning in their home—loud, chaotic, and filled with love.

(⁠◍⁠•⁠ᴗ⁠•⁠◍⁠)

Radhika stood before Niya's door, her thumb pressing gently on the fingerprint sensor. The door clicked open with a soft hum, and she stepped inside, her eyes scanning the room for any sign of her best friend.

"Niya, where are you?" Her voice bounced off the walls, but there was no answer. The silence in the room was thick, almost suffocating. The bathroom door was ajar, but it was empty too. A spike of concern tugged at her chest.

Then, her gaze fell upon the open balcony door, and something inside her twisted. With a mix of dread and urgency, Radhika hurried towards it.

There, on the balcony sofa, Niya sat alone. Curled up in a ball, clutching her guitar as though it were the only thing anchoring her to this world. Her eyes, usually so full of life, were swollen and red, a reflection of tears that had fallen far too many times. Her cheeks were streaked with the remnants of her sorrow. Radhika’s heart dropped, the sight of her best friend so broken, so vulnerable, making her breath catch in her throat.

Without a second thought, Radhika rushed forward, gently taking the guitar from Niya’s hands and setting it aside with care. Kneeling beside her, she reached out, her hand grazing the soft curve of Niya’s face.

"Niya... Niya... wake up, it’s me," she whispered, her voice soft but insistent, trying to pull her friend out of the dark space she’d retreated into.

Niya stirred slowly, her eyes fluttering open like she was emerging from a painful dream, confusion clouding her gaze for a moment before she focused on Radhika. The recognition hit, and Radhika’s heart shattered a little more. This wasn’t the Niya she knew—the confident, strong, unbreakable force of nature—but a girl adrift in the ruins of something she couldn’t yet heal.

Radhika couldn’t stop herself. She wrapped her arms around Niya, pulling her into a tight embrace. Her fingers gently rubbed her back, offering what little comfort she could.

Niya sighed softly, leaning into the hug as if it was the only thing keeping her from falling apart. "Thik hu main, bas kal thoda acha nahi lag raha tha. Tu aise react kar rahi hai jaise main parlok sidharr gayi." Her words were faint, a weak attempt at humor, trying to shield herself from the weight of Radhika’s concern.

[I'm fine... really. Just had a rough night. You're acting like I've gone off to the afterlife already.]

Radhika, not one for half-truths, pulled back slightly and gave Niya a light smack on her back. "Don't you dare lie to me, Niya. I know you too well. You're not fooling me." Her voice was filled with both affection and a gentle scolding, her brow furrowed with deep worry.

Niya managed a small laugh, the edges of it brittle, before she pulled away a little, trying to create some distance from the weight of the moment. "Okay baba, dekh na ab thik hu main. Aur main abhi fresh hoke aati hu. Fir ham panchayat bulate hai." She attempted to deflect with her signature lightheartedness, but Radhika could still see the sadness in her eyes.

[Okay, okay, I get it. You caught me. But I’m better now. I’ll go freshen up, and then we’ll call for our grand ‘panchayat’ meeting, alright?]

Radhika’s eyes narrowed in mock sternness, her arms crossing over her chest. "You better hurry up. I’ve got a lot of things to discuss with you, and trust me, I’m not letting you off easy!" She pointed dramatically toward the bathroom like a teacher instructing her student, the theatricality of it making Niya chuckle despite the heaviness lingering between them.

Niya gave a playful salute, her mood shifting ever so slightly. "Yes, ma’am! Just give me a minute."

As Radhika stood there, watching Niya shuffle off to the bathroom, she knew that the journey ahead for her best friend wouldn’t be easy. Niya was fighting battles she hadn’t yet spoken about—battles Radhika could only begin to understand. But one thing she knew for sure: she would be there, every step of the way, making sure those scars didn’t define Niya forever.

(⁠◍⁠•⁠ᴗ⁠•⁠◍⁠)

That morning, Riyansh had left for the office unusually early—a calculated move to avoid any interaction with his family. He knew, all too well, that they would ask the questions he wasn’t prepared to answer, the questions that gnawed at him from the inside. But what he didn’t expect was for Aman to notice his early departure, which, in hindsight, wasn’t that surprising. Aman, after all, always seemed to catch onto the smallest details.

Siya Maa had called Aman that morning, her voice tinged with worry. "Aman beta, Riyansh didn’t come by today. He always stops to chat before heading out, but today… he just left." There was a hint of concern in her tone, one that made Aman pause. This was far from normal.

As Aman walked into the office, the air felt heavy, thick with a tension that immediately set him on edge. The employees moved about in a quiet, anxious shuffle, avoiding eye contact, their fear palpable. Something was off, and it didn’t take long for Aman to connect the dots. Riyansh's temper, always a fiery thing, seemed to be on the brink of an explosion.

As he weaved through the crowd, his eyes landed on Om, who was standing by the coffee machine, looking particularly uneasy. Without a word, Aman approached him.

"What's going on, Om? Why does everyone look so terrified?"

Om gulped, clearly reluctant to say much, but the tension in his voice betrayed his unease. "Sir, it’s about a letter Mr. Riyansh received from Makwana. It’s stirred up quite a bit of discomfort around here. I overheard a few employees talking about it..."

Aman’s frown deepened, his mind racing. "Hold on. I’ll see what’s going on."

Om’s eyes widened, a look of caution flashing across his face. "Sir, I really think you should wait. You might not want to go there right now."

But Aman didn’t have time for hesitation. He gave Om a reassuring nod, his expression firm. "I’m not waiting. I’ll handle it."

He strode toward Riyansh’s cabin, the door swinging open with a smooth force that mirrored his purpose. Inside, Riyansh sat slumped in his chair, his head leaned back, eyes shut tight, lost in his own world—completely unaware of Aman’s entrance.

Without missing a beat, Aman’s voice broke the silence. "Sitting like this won't stop Makwana from doing whatever he's planning."

Riyansh’s eyes shot open at the sound of Aman’s voice. His posture stiffened, his jaw tightening. "He’s crossed the line now. I can’t tolerate this anymore, and you know exactly what I’m capable of!" His words were sharp, laced with frustration and something deeper—something heavier.

Aman raised an eyebrow, but didn’t back down. "Fine, first hand me that letter."

Riyansh let out a heavy sigh, gesturing lazily toward the table. Aman picked up the letter, his eyes scanning the words quickly, disbelief washing over him.

"What the hell? Why is this guy so desperate to marry off his daughter to you?" Aman exclaimed, his voice a mix of disbelief and genuine confusion. He was struggling to process the words before him.

Riyansh shrugged, his usual nonchalance returning, but it didn’t fool Aman. There was something more beneath the surface, something Riyansh was trying to bury beneath his exterior.

Aman leaned in, his gaze fixed on his friend. "Are you okay, man? I don’t know why, but something about your face tells me otherwise."

Riyansh scoffed, trying to brush it off with his usual bravado. "Why would anything be wrong? It’s just Makwana getting on my nerves, as usual."

Aman wasn’t convinced. He crossed his arms over his chest, narrowing his eyes as he sized up Riyansh. "No, it's something more. I can see it. Come on, spill it already."

Riyansh, of course, knew Aman wouldn’t let it go. He’d dig and dig until he got the truth. With a heavy sigh, Riyansh snapped, "Stop overthinking. I’m fine!"

Aman’s smirk was playful but firm. "Nope, you’re going to tell me now, or I’m canceling everything. No trip."

Riyansh narrowed his eyes, a look of realization dawning on him. Aman was dead serious. After a tense pause, he finally relented. "Fine. You want to know? Here’s the truth..."

As Riyansh spilled his frustrations, Aman listened intently, the weight of his friend’s words sinking in. When Riyansh was finished, Aman placed a hand on his shoulder, offering him the only comfort he could. "Don’t worry too much about this. Whatever happens next, we’ll handle it. But for now, let’s head home and deal with Makwana’s nonsense first."

Riyansh’s expression softened, his anger momentarily replaced by gratitude. It wasn’t often he let someone in, but with Aman, he knew that no matter how dark it got, he wouldn’t have to face it alone.

(⁠◍⁠•⁠ᴗ⁠•⁠◍⁠)

Niya stepped out of the bathroom, fresh and glowing, only to catch Radhika staring at her with an expression that spoke volumes.

Niya, wiping her face with a towel, teased, "Aise kyun dekh rahi hai, jaise mujhe Yamraaj utha ke le ja rahe ho!"

Radhika snapped back, "Chup kar tu! Faltu ki bakwaas kar le, kehne ko doctor banne wali hai aur dhoro jaise harkatein karti hai!"

Niya paused, towel still in hand, and pointed an accusing finger at Radhika. "Dhorr hogi tu!" Then, her tone softened as she mumbled, "Aur sorry, ab nahi karungi. Bas kal yaad nahi raha main wahan kab so gayi aur..."

"Alright, alright! Just tell me clearly what's going on. And what's up with this trip?" Radhika interrupted, her patience beginning to wane.

Niya sat down beside her, slinging an arm casually over Radhika’s shoulder. "First, you tell me—are you still mad at me?"

"Pagal hai kya? Nahi hoon naraz. Ye sab chhod! Tu vo sab bata!" Radhika replied, rolling her eyes.

"Vo?" Niya’s brow furrowed in mock confusion, adding a playful nudge.

"Are you crazy? I'm not mad. Now stop stalling and spill everything!" Radhika insisted.

"Haan, bata rahi hoon maate, sabar kar!" Niya teased, tapping Radhika’s cheek lightly.

But suddenly, Niya’s face grew serious. Radhika, ever observant, recognized the shift immediately. She gently placed her hand on Niya’s, her voice soft. "If you're not ready to talk about it now, we can discuss it later. Vaise bhi, kaun sa tu goongi aur main behri ho jaungi ki hum baat nahi kar paayenge."

Niya let out a soft laugh, the tension in her shoulders easing. She smiled, a genuine, fleeting expression of warmth, before taking a deep breath.

"But I want to tell you," Niya insisted, her tone softer now, the weight of what she had been holding inside beginning to surface.

"Haan to, mahurat nikalbau yaa aise hi batayegi?" Radhika encouraged with a teasing glint in her eyes.

Niya’s smile faded as she began to explain everything that had been on her mind, the flood of emotions that had taken hold of her last night. She had always been the tough one, the one who didn’t let her guard down easily, but Radhika saw through it all. She knew Niya better than anyone else.

As Niya finished, Radhika gave her a long, thoughtful look before replying, "Tu usse chhod de ab!"

"Leave him?" Niya repeated, a flicker of confusion and frustration crossing her face. "Maine kab pakda hai usse? Bas pata nahi, kabhi kabhi... Aur waise bhi, tu toh jaanti hai mujhe!"

"Haan, isiliye keh rahi hu, chhod de ye sab," Radhika pressed, her voice firm, before changing the subject. "Waise, trip pe aa rahi hai na?"

Niya nodded slowly, her tone shifting to something softer. "Haan, bhaiya aur Rishu ke liye. Main nahi chahti unka relation bhi... Teri tarah ho jaaye."

Her voice trailed off as she looked down, lost in thought, her words carrying a deeper meaning than she intended.

Radhika gave a small smile, trying to lift her spirits. "Koi na, hataa vo sab. Main waise bhi ab yaad nahi karna chahti."

Niya’s eyes softened with a tinge of guilt as she turned to face Radhika. "Tujhe trip ke baare mein kisne bataya? Kyunki main... sorry yaar, main bata nahi paayi."

Radhika raised an eyebrow and grinned. "Haan, haan, ab kyun bataogi tum mujhe!"

Niya playfully huffed, her face twisting into a dramatic pout, and turned her face away. "Huhhh!"

Radhika laughed and then nudged her.

Niya shook Radhika’s arm like a child. "Tell me, who told you? And are you coming or not?"

"Abhinav bhaiya called me and told me everything. And I'm coming too because you're going," Radhika replied, her eyes shining with excitement.

"Thik hai, fir chalte hain," Niya said with a smile, finally feeling a sense of calm after sharing her worries. The air between them lightened, and together, they were ready to face whatever was coming next.

.

.

.

Baaki ka baad me okieee

Aur guys vo jo "dhorr" word hai uska mtlb hai janwar pagal kuch bhi samjh lo vo jabalpur side use kiya jata hai ◉⁠‿⁠◉

Bye♡