Abhi arrived at the café earlier than expected. He chose a secluded corner, away from prying eyes, and waited. The place was quiet, save for the occasional chatter of patrons and the soft hum of jazz music playing in the background. He tapped his fingers against the wooden table, his mind still heavy with everything that had transpired in the past few days.
A few minutes later, Ishika walked in, her presence as composed as ever. She spotted him instantly and made her way over. "You look like you haven't slept," she said, taking a seat opposite him.
"I haven't," Abhi admitted. "Too much on my mind."
She nodded as the waiter approached. "A black coffee for me," she ordered before glancing at Abhi. "And for you?"
"The same."
As the waiter left, Ishika folded her arms. "So, what did you want to talk about?"
Abhi exhaled, running a hand through his hair. "Everything. I feel like I've been living in an illusion. Ruhi... she wasn't who I thought she was."
Ishika didn't look surprised. "I figured. She was always too perfect when you talked about her."
A bitter smile crossed his lips. "Yeah, and I was too blind to see through it."
Silence stretched between them until Ishika leaned forward slightly. "So, what now?"
Abhi hesitated before answering. "I don't know. My parents expect me to go ahead with this engagement, and for the first time, I'm not sure if I want to fight it."
Ishika studied him, her gaze searching. "Are you saying that because of your parents or because of me?"
Abhi met her eyes. "Because I think you might be the only person who understands what it feels like to be in a golden cage."
Ishika smiled faintly. "That, I do."
Their coffee arrived, and for a moment, they sat in silence, sipping the warmth of their drinks. For the first time in a long time, Abhi didn't feel as lost.
---
Meanwhile, Ruhi sat alone in her apartment, her mind racing. Her world was crumbling. Without Abhi, she was nothing. And she couldn't let that happen. She had to do something-anything-to fix this.
She grabbed her phone and dialed a number. "Meet me tomorrow," she said urgently. "I have a plan."
On the other end, the voice chuckled. "Desperate, are we?"
Ruhi clenched her jaw. "Just do as I say."
As she hung up, her expression hardened. If Abhi thought he could walk away this easily, he was wrong.
....to be continued....