Song - Oh re piya

Abhay

The car hummed as I drove, the soft rhythm of the engine filling the space between us. My fingers gripped the steering wheel a little too tightly, my knuckles white with the tension. I couldn't get the image of Riya's tear-streaked face out of my head. The rage inside me was still simmering, but I kept my face neutral. I'd barely said a word since we left the hospital because what could I say? The anger and frustration weren't going to help her feel any better.

I had to keep it together. She needed someone calm. Someone who didn't blow up and lash out, even though every part of me wanted to storm in and knock some sense into Dhruv.

I glanced at her again. She was still staring out the window. The soft music of Jahsne bahara surrounded and my fingers followed the rhythm of the song on the steering wheel. I couldn't help the small smile that tugged at the corner of my lips.

But God, I hated seeing her like this. It tore me apart to watch her fall apart, especially when it was because of something so stupid. Dhruv should've known better. He should've been there for her, not pushing her away like that. She'd worked up the courage to reach out to him, and he'd crushed it. He hadn't even given her a chance. And I didn't know what to do. I wasn't the type to fix people, not anymore. Hell, I'd stopped trying to fix myself a long time ago.

And yet, here I was, stuck in this mess. I'd never imagined I'd be sitting here, in my car, trying to find a way to make things better for her. I wasn't even sure how I'd gotten to this point.

I hated that I cared this much.

And yet, I didn't regret it. I was changing. For her, of all people.

The realization hit me hard. My hands clenched on the wheel, the pressure causing my palms to sweat. I wasn't used to this. I wasn't used to feeling like I could do something real for someone without it all crumbling into nothing. But with her, I felt something different. Something worth trying for.

I shook my head, a bitter laugh escaping my lips.

"Fuck."

I had no idea what the hell I was doing, but I was doing it for her.

The thing was, I didn't hate the change. I'd hated it at first, resisted it. But now? Now, it felt right. And the longer I tried to ignore it, the more it felt like the thing that was finally pulling me into a life I didn't know I wanted. A life where I wasn't just alone in my own head, hiding.

And Riya? She was already in that life, whether she knew it or not.

Whether Dhruv was going to like it or not.

I glanced at her again. She wasn't crying anymore, but I could see the quiet weight she was carrying. She was always strong and always managing, but the cracks were there. She was human. And I was ready to help her pick up the pieces, even if it meant fixing a few of my own in the process.

The traffic blurred as my thoughts muddled together, a strange kind of peace taking over me. I stopped the car slowly as we reached our destination. A place I knew she was going to like. She straightened up in her seat when I paused the song.

"I almost fell asleep." She mumbled.

"Yeah, you have a boring playlist," I replied, getting out of my seat. I saw her glaring through the front window as I opened the door for her. She got down with her eyes narrowed.

"Or maybe the company is boring." She mumbled, looking around. A smile tugged at my lips.

I felt the weight of the shift in my life. Whatever I'd known about control had slipped right through my fingers since Riya had entered the picture. I was canceling my plans, sitting at the café where she worked, giving her unsolicited advice. I was barging into her life at every single point. Taking her to my favorite spot.

The rooftop cafe I picked was tucked away from the noise of the city. It wasn't fancy, but it had its charm. The kind of place that made you feel like the rest of the world didn't exist. The dim, golden lights overhead reflected off the glass-topped tables, and a soft acoustic playlist hummed in the background. A place she would've loved to go.

Riya sat across from me, her chin resting on her hand as she absently stirred the lemon soda in front of her. She wasn't her usual self. She was quieter. But I didn't push her to talk. I figured she needed the space, and for once, I was willing to be patient.

My eyes took in her lips, slightly puckered by the pressure of her hand. Her open hair fell in waves, hiding her shiny jhumkas, the ones she wore regularly. I guessed these were her favorites. Small black jhumkas adorned with small beads. My fingers twitched with an irrational urge to brush her hair aside and see them up close. Why did she like them? What else did she like?

"You picked a good spot," she said after a while, her voice breaking the silence. Her lips curved into a faint smile, though it didn't quite reach her eyes. "It's nice here."

"Glad you approve." I leaned back in my chair, smirking a little. "I figured you could use a change of scenery."

She nodded, her gaze drifting to the skyline visible beyond the rooftop's edge. The city lights flickered like stars, and for a moment, we just sat there, lost in the quiet beauty of it all.

"You are quieter than usual," I said after a moment. "It's creeping me out. I'm used to you throwing insults my way by now."

"Don't tempt me," she replied, her voice dry but soft.

"Fair enough." I reached for the plate of fries between us and held it out. "Here. This always helps."

She rolled her eyes but grabbed a fry anyway. "You just don't want to feel guilty for eating all of them yourself."

"Guilty? No. But I figured you'd accuse me of being selfish if I didn't offer."

"That's because you are selfish." She popped the fry in her mouth, her lips twitching into a faint grin.

We fell into an easy rhythm after that, the conversation flowing more naturally. She teased me about my questionable taste in music, and I made fun of her for knowing every line to every Shah Rukh Khan movie ever made.

"Wait, so you're telling me you haven't seen Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge?" she asked, her eyes wide with disbelief.

"Of course, I've seen it," I shot back. "It's hard to avoid when it's on repeat everywhere. But it's overrated. All that running through mustard fields? Who does that?"

"You have no soul," she said, shaking her head. "It's a classic."

"Sure, if you're into melodrama and cheesy one-liners. That too with some good old stalking." I picked up another fry, grinning. "You into stalking, little Miss Saviour?" Her jaw fell open, and it took a lot for me to not burst into laughter.

"Shut up, you sicko." She threw a fry at me and burst into laughter.

"You sure it's me who's sick?" I said, and her cheeks tinged. God, she was beautiful. My laughter died at my thought. I cleared my throat to get it out of my mind.

"Says the guy who watches crime documentaries for fun," she retorted, arching an eyebrow. "Don't even try to act superior."

"So you're agreeing you read those stalker stories," I smirked.

"No, I don't, you asshole."

"At least those crime documentaries have plot twists," I said, grinning. "Besides, you're one to talk. I heard you quoting Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham the other day."

Her eyes widened in shock. "What was that dialogue? The one you were shouting at the top of your lungs in the cafe? Lucknow da kurta...pathani salwar...something something." I smirked.

She hid her face in her palms. "It's an iconic film, okay? The chemistry between Kajol and Shahrukh is unbeatable."

I gave her a mock-serious look. "I have no idea what you're talking about."

She laughed, and for a moment, it felt like things were normal. Like she wasn't carrying the weight of the world on her shoulders.

After dinner, I drove aimlessly, letting her pick the music as we made our way toward the bandstand at her request. She scrolled through my playlist, making a face at almost every song. They were good songs.

"Do you listen to anything that's not depressing?" she asked, finally settling on an upbeat track.

"Hey, I have range," I protested. "But I'll admit, sad songs are...consistent."

"That's putting it lightly." She leaned back in her seat, the glow from the streetlights casting shadows on her face. "What's your favorite song?"

"I don't have one," I said. "Too much pressure to pick just one."

"Lame answer," she said, smirking. "Mine's Chaiyya Chaiyya. Because obviously."

"Obviously," I repeated, laughing. "You're predictable."

"And you're boring," she shot back, sticking her tongue out.

The streets were almost deserted by the time we reached the bandstand. The air was crisp, the water shimmering under the pale moonlight. We found a spot. An empty stone bench facing the gentle waves lapped at the shore. It was almost 3 AM.

The warmth of her hands spread into mine as we sat on the bench. I leaned back on the bench, arms stretched out along the top slats looking at the sky. My fingers splayed, brushing the rough edges of the stone.

Riya leaned against the railing, her face tilted up to the sky. "It's so quiet," she murmured.

"That's the point," I said, turning my head to watch her. Then going back to the starless sky.

She turned to me, her eyes soft under the streetlight. "Do you ever think about the future?" she asked suddenly, her voice low, almost hesitant.

I turned toward her, a little thrown by the question. "Not much, honestly. I'm more of a 'deal with what's in front of you' kind of person."

I noticed her fingers absently running over the cold metal of the railing. "So you don't dream about your future?"

The chatter of a few people around us kept on as background noise. What was I supposed to answer?

I looked back at the waves and the cold air. "What would I dream of? I have everything, don't I? Everything's already planned for me." I shrugged.

Her expression was unreadable. I didn't like it when I was not able to read what was going on in her mind. "I have no idea how to respond to that."

I laughed at her words. "What do you dream of?"

She was thoughtful for a moment, "I want to teach art someday." Her hair moved with the wind as she looked into the distance. Probably listening to the sound of the waves crashing on the rocks.

"Why didn't you study art?" I asked. A question that I wanted to ask since the day Dhruv has proudly shown me her painting calling her the best artist in the whole world. Why didn't he show that side of his to her? My brows furrowed at the thought.

"My parents didn't think it would be useful," she said in a somber tone. "So, I'm studying English. Then, I'll prepare for government exams. Apparently, I'm too smart for art." A sad smile spread on her face.

The parents were weird. Hers and mine. And everyone else's. In hopes of not fucking up their kid's future, they fucked up the mental health a lot. That was the fatal flaw of being a human being.

"Our college has a diploma course for it. Why don't you try it?" I asked, suddenly remembering it.

"Digital art and illustration? Yeah, no. Not doing that. Parents won't allow it. Too much work." She shook her head.

"Did your parents give you permission to go out today?"

She glared at me, and it made me chuckle, "Just making a point."

"Maybe I will," she stated, straightening up. Then she turned towards me, "What are you planning on doing?"

"Joining my father's company. If it survives." That was another shit show I dreaded going in. My piece of shit uncle got a golden goose, and he killed it. Well almost.

"Ah, Rudra told me."

"You talk to your friends about me?" I smirked, and she opened and closed her mouth like a fish.

"I don't."

"Sure. I totally believe you." I looked at her as a small smile played on her lips.

"Abhay." Her soft voice called out.

"Hmm?" A soft wind blew, and I heard someone calling out for tea. I had never felt this peaceful.

"Do you like it? The work you're doing?"

"I don't know. But I do know I'm good at it. Maybe I enjoy it a bit too." I looked at the sky. I could feel her eyes on me.

"I'm...glad you're talking to your mother," she said with a hesitance in her voice.

I looked at her, and our eyes met. "We're not, ms. Saviour."

"You took her work, right?" Her brows contorted in confusion.

"That doesn't mean we talk."

"Would you ever?" She asked hopefully. When I didn't answer, she spoke again. "Do you think broken relationships get back to where they were?"

I took a deep breath. I didn't want to look away from her. "They do. They just need a lot more effort. From both sides."

She was quiet for a while. I waited with bated breath for the moment she would look at me, I would have to look away. She didn't, and I got a few more seconds to take all of it in.

"Your mother loves you a lot. I hope you know that."

"I do."

"I'm saying all this because I know you're not going to say anything today." She said softly and looked at me. I didn't look away.

"You shouldn't tell people your tricks."

"Noted." She smiled and I melted. The warmth of it was too much for me to handle so I pretended to turn and look around. I saw a tea seller nearby, sitting on the steps leading to the water.

Getting up, I asked, "Tea?" She nodded, and I walked towards the person selling tea. Taking the paper cups, I walked back to her. Her lips held a small smile.

"Here." I handed her one and sat down. I wish I could've frozen this moment in time. Her hair danced in with the wind, the soft noise of her jhumkas that you would miss if weren't paying attention, the smudged kajal of her eyes, the soft sleep-laden eyes, the easy conversation, and the sound of the crashing waves.

For the next hour, we sat there, talking about everything and nothing. She told me about her favorite childhood memories, and how she used to sneak out to paint on the terrace when everyone was asleep. I told her about the time I accidentally smashed my dad's prized bonsai tree and tried to blame it on the newborn Veer.

By the time we got up to leave, the first hints of dawn were creeping into the sky. As we walked towards our car, she held my t-shirt lightly. I turned to see her rubbing her eyes.

"Thanks for tonight," she said quietly.

"Anytime," I replied, meaning it more than I cared to admit.

As I drove her to her friend's place, the silence between us felt different. It was softer and lighter. I glanced at her to see her softly snoring in her seat.

And for the first time in a long time, I felt like maybe, just maybe, I was doing something right.

----

One of my favorite chapters. It made me want to create a playlist for both of them. What songs do you think would suit them?

Do vote and share your thoughts <3