Chapter 5

The days following Aisha's return were anything but peaceful. Though Arshaad had made it clear that his feelings for Ashwin were unwavering, Aisha wasn’t about to back down without a fight. She seemed determined to win Arshaad back, and her presence was felt everywhere Ashwin and Arshaad went.

It started with subtle things—Aisha showing up at places where Ashwin and Arshaad usually hung out. She would linger near their lunch table at school, casually joining conversations and slipping in comments about the “good old days” with Arshaad. At first, Arshaad tried to be polite, not wanting to cause a scene, but it was clear that Aisha wasn’t just there to reminisce.

One afternoon, as Ashwin and Arshaad were walking home from school, they noticed Aisha’s car parked a little too close to Ashwin’s house. She was leaning against the hood, her eyes fixed on them as they approached. Ashwin’s heart sank, a sense of dread creeping up his spine. He knew this confrontation was inevitable, but he wasn’t ready for it.

“Hey, Arshaad,” Aisha called out, completely ignoring Ashwin’s presence. “Can we talk for a minute? Just the two of us?”

Arshaad stiffened beside Ashwin, his jaw tightening. “Aisha, we’ve already talked. I don’t know what else there is to say.”

Aisha pushed off from the car, her expression a mix of desperation and determination. “Please, Arshaad. Just give me five minutes. That’s all I’m asking.”

Ashwin felt a knot forming in his stomach. He didn’t want Arshaad to go with her, but he also didn’t want to come across as insecure or controlling. He knew Arshaad had made his choice, but the fear of losing him to Aisha was gnawing at his insides.

Arshaad must have sensed Ashwin’s discomfort because he turned to him, his eyes filled with reassurance. “It’ll be quick,” he promised, squeezing Ashwin’s hand. “I’ll be right back.”

Reluctantly, Ashwin nodded, watching as Arshaad followed Aisha to a spot a few steps away. He stood there, trying not to eavesdrop, but it was impossible not to catch snippets of their conversation.

“Arshaad, I miss you,” Aisha was saying, her voice trembling slightly. “I made a mistake leaving, but I’m back now. We can start over. You know we had something special.”

Arshaad’s response was firm but gentle. “Aisha, what we had was in the past. I’ve moved on, and you need to, too. I’m with Ashwin now, and I’m happy. Please respect that.”

“But how can you be sure?” Aisha pressed, her voice pleading. “How do you know that he’s the one for you? We were perfect together. Don’t you remember?”

Ashwin’s heart pounded in his chest. He wanted to rush over and pull Arshaad away, but he forced himself to stay put. He had to trust Arshaad.

“I remember,” Arshaad replied quietly. “I remember that we were good together, but that doesn’t mean we were perfect. What I have with Ashwin is different. It’s real, and it’s what I want.”

Aisha’s face twisted with frustration. “You’re just confused,” she insisted. “You’re caught up in something new, but once you think about it, you’ll realize that I’m right. We’re meant to be together.”

Arshaad took a deep breath, his patience wearing thin. “Aisha, I’m sorry you feel this way, but this conversation is over. I’m not confused, and I’m not going to change my mind. I’m with Ashwin, and that’s not going to change.”

Aisha stared at him, her eyes searching his face for any sign of doubt, but there was none. She let out a shaky breath, her shoulders slumping in defeat. “Fine,” she said finally, her voice small. “But don’t say I didn’t warn you when things fall apart.”

Without another word, she turned and walked back to her car, her posture rigid with barely concealed anger. As she drove away, Ashwin let out the breath he hadn’t realized he was holding. Arshaad walked back to him, a tired look on his face.

“Are you okay?” Ashwin asked, his voice soft.

“Yeah,” Arshaad replied, though he sounded exhausted. “I’m just… tired of all this. I wish she would just let it go.”

Ashwin nodded, his heart aching for Arshaad. He reached out and took Arshaad’s hand, giving it a comforting squeeze. “I’m sorry this is happening. I know it’s not easy.”

Arshaad looked at him, his expression softening. “You don’t have anything to be sorry for, Ash. This isn’t your fault. And I’m not going to let her come between us. I promise.”

Ashwin managed a small smile, feeling a little more at ease. “I believe you.”

The days that followed were tense. Aisha didn’t confront Arshaad directly again, but her presence lingered like a shadow. She was always around, watching from a distance, her eyes filled with a mixture of longing and resentment. It was clear that she wasn’t ready to give up, and that knowledge weighed heavily on Ashwin.

But despite the pressure, Arshaad remained steadfast. He made sure to reassure Ashwin every chance he got, whether it was through a lingering touch, a whispered promise, or a gentle kiss. And slowly, Ashwin began to relax, trusting in the strength of their relationship.

One afternoon, after school, Arshaad surprised Ashwin by taking him to a quiet spot in the park, away from their usual haunts. The late afternoon sun cast a warm glow over the grass, and the sound of birds chirping filled the air.

“I wanted to bring you here because it’s special to me,” Arshaad said, his voice soft. “It’s where I used to come to think, back when things were tough. It’s where I came when I realized I was falling for you.”

Ashwin’s heart skipped a beat. “You… you were thinking about me here?”

Arshaad nodded, a small smile playing on his lips. “Yeah. I didn’t know what to do with how I was feeling, but being here helped me figure it out. And I wanted to share it with you.”

Ashwin felt a warmth spread through his chest, and he stepped closer to Arshaad, wrapping his arms around him. “Thank you,” he whispered. “For everything.”

Arshaad hugged him back, holding him close. “We’re going to get through this, Ash. No matter what Aisha does, we’ll be okay. I know we will.”

And in that moment, standing together in the quiet of the park, Ashwin believed him. As long as they had each other, they could face whatever challenges came their way. Their love was strong, and nothing—not even Aisha’s persistent attempts—could break it.

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