Chapter 21 breakdown
I quickly pulled my hand out of Raj's and stood up, grabbing my purse. "I think I need some fresh air," I said, trying to sound casual.
Raj looked concerned, but he nodded. "Do you want me to come with you?"
I smiled weakly. "No, it's okay. I'll just be a minute."
I stepped out of the restaurant, taking a deep breath of the cool night air. The street was bustling with people, and I walked a little ways down the block, trying to clear my head.
Suddenly, I heard my name being called. "Janvi!"
I turned to see Vihaan running towards me, his eyes wild and desperate. He grabbed my arms, his grip tight. "Janvi, don't go," he said, his voice shaking. "Please don't go."
I was taken aback by his intensity. "Vihaan, what's wrong?" I asked, trying to calm him down.
But he just kept talking, his words tumbling out in a rush. "I love you, Janvi. I love you so much. I've been trying to fight it, but I can't. Please don't leave me. Stay with me."
I was shocked. I didn't know Vihaan felt this way. "Vihaan, calm down," I said, trying to soothe him. "Let's talk about this."
But he just kept going, his eyes pleading with me. "Raj makes you happy, doesn't he? You're going to leave me for him, aren't you?"
I sighed, feeling a mix of emotions. "Vihaan, I need time to think. Can we talk about this later?"
Vihaan's face crumpled, and he fell to his knees, his arms wrapped around my waist. "Please, Janvi. Don't leave me. I'll do anything. Just don't leave me."
I was taken aback by his desperation. I didn't know what to do. Part of me was flattered by his declaration, but another part of me was scared. What did this mean for us? For our future?
I gently stroked his hair, trying to calm him down. "Vihaan, let's talk about this later, okay? I promise. Just get up, and let's go somewhere private."
Vihaan looked up at me, his eyes red-rimmed. "You promise you'll listen to me?" he asked, his voice barely above a whisper.
I nodded. "I promise."
As I stood there, Vihaan's arms wrapped around my waist, I felt a wave of emotions wash over me. I was torn between the desire to comfort him and the uncertainty of what to do next. My mind was racing with questions. What did Vihaan's declaration mean? Was he truly in love with me, or was this just a momentary infatuation?
I gently stroked his hair, trying to calm him down. "Vihaan, let's talk about this later, okay? I promise. Just get up, and let's go somewhere private," I said, my voice soft and soothing.
Vihaan slowly got to his feet, his eyes never leaving mine. He looked broken, vulnerable, and I felt a pang of sympathy for him. I nodded, and he followed me to my car, his movements mechanical.
As we drove to a quiet spot nearby, the silence between us was palpable. I could sense Vihaan's eyes on me, but I didn't dare look at him. I didn't know what to say.
When we arrived, Vihaan got out of the car and walked to the waterfront, staring out at the city lights. I followed him, my heart heavy with emotion.
"Vihaan, talk to me," I said, my voice barely above a whisper.
Vihaan turned to me, his eyes filled with tears. "I don't know how to say this, Janvi," he said, his voice cracking. "I've been in love with you for so long. I tried to ignore it, to tell myself it was just a stupid crush. But I couldn't. You're the only one who makes me feel alive."
I felt a lump form in my throat as I listened to his words. I had no idea Vihaan felt this way. "Vihaan, I..." I trailed off, not knowing what to say.
Vihaan took a step closer to me, his eyes pleading. "Don't say anything, Janvi. Just listen to me. I've been watching you, seeing the way you light up when you're with Raj. I know you care about him. But I want you to know that I'm here for you, too. I'll do anything to make you happy."
I felt a wave of emotion wash over me. Vihaan's words touched something deep within me. I didn't know what to do, but I knew I couldn't just stand there. I reached out and took his hand, feeling a spark of electricity as our skin touched.
"Vihaan, I need time," I said, my voice barely above a whisper. "I care about you, too. But I need to figure out what's going on in my head. Can you give me that?"
Vihaan's eyes searched mine, and then, slowly, he nodded. "I'll give you all the time you need, Janvi. Just don't leave me."
I looked at Vihaan, my heart heavy with emotion. "Vihaan, I'm scared," I admitted, my voice barely above a whisper. "I care about you, but I need time to process everything. And to be honest, I'm still hurt about what happened in college."
Vihaan's eyes dropped, and he nodded, knowing exactly what I was referring to. "The bet," he whispered, his voice filled with regret.
I took a deep breath, the memories still stinging. "Yes, the bet. You and your friends made a wager about me, and you won. You won a lot of money, and I was just a game to you."
Vihaan's face contorted in pain, and he took a step closer to me. "Janvi, I'm so sorry. I was young and stupid, and I didn't realize what I was doing. I didn't realize how much I would hurt you."
I nodded, feeling the tears well up in my eyes. "I know you're sorry, Vihaan. But it's hard for me to just forget about it. I need time to trust you again, to trust that you won't hurt me like that again."
Vihaan's eyes filled with tears, and he nodded, his voice barely above a whisper. "I understand, Janvi. I'll give you all the time you need. I'll do whatever it takes to make things right between us."