Awkward Heartstrings (HEARTSTRINGS SERIES-1)

Reyansh pov

The Ahmedabad dust clung to me, a gritty reminder of the miles I’d traveled, the time I’d spent away. But all I could think about was Aadya. Her face, her smile, the way her eyes crinkled at the corners when she laughed – it was all I’d held onto during those long, lonely months. The phone calls, the video chats, they were a lifeline, but they were never enough. I needed to be there, with her, in our little bakery, in our little apartment.

The wedding cake photos she’d sent…five tiers! My Aadya, always pushing herself, always creating magic. Pride warred with guilt. I should have been there, supporting her, tasting that damn cake. Instead,

I was miles away, chasing my own ambitions, while she was facing challenges, celebrating triumphs, all without me. The guilt gnawed at me. I’d missed so much.

My anniversary. It loomed on the calendar, a stark reminder of my absence. I couldn’t bear the thought of spending it apart from her. I had to be with her. No more excuses, no more delays. I booked the first flight I could get.

The flight felt like an eternity. Every minute that ticked by was a minute I wasn’t with her. I clutched the bouquet of red roses I’d bought at the airport, their velvety petals a fragile symbol of my love, my apologies, my hope.  I also had a small, intricately carved wooden box in my pocket.

It was something I’d found in Ahmedabad, a little trinket that reminded me of her – delicate, beautiful, and full of hidden depths.

Finally, the plane landed, and I rushed home, my heart pounding in my chest. As I stood on her doorstep, the porch light illuminating the familiar number, I took a deep breath. This was it. This was my chance to make things right.

I rang the doorbell, and waited, my nerves on edge. The door opened, and there she was. Aadya. She was even more beautiful than I remembered. Her eyes, usually sparkling with laughter, were filled with a mix of emotions – surprise, relief, and something else…something that looked like hurt.

"Happy anniversary," I managed, my voice rough with emotion.

She just nodded, tears welling up in her eyes. That was it. That one nod, that silent acknowledgment, broke down the wall I’d built around my own emotions. I pulled her into my arms, holding her tight, breathing in her familiar scent – cinnamon and something uniquely Aadya.

"I missed you," I whispered, the words tumbling out, raw and honest.

"I missed you too," she replied, her voice choked with tears.

We stood there for a long moment, just holding each other, the silence speaking volumes. The distance, the time apart, it all melted away in that embrace. I knew then that I’d made the right decision. I’d come home.

Just then, I heard a familiar voice.

"Reyansh? Is that you?"  It was Rooh, Aadya's best friend.  She was standing in the doorway of the bakery, a look of surprise and then immense relief on her face.

"Oh my god, you're actually here!"  She rushed forward and gave me a quick, but heartfelt hug.  "Aadya didn't tell me you were coming!"

Aadya smiled, a genuine smile that reached her eyes.  "I wanted it to be a surprise," she said.

"A good one," Rooh said, winking. 

"Now, I'm going to leave you two lovebirds alone.  But," she added, pointing a finger at me, "you hurt her again, and you'll have me to deal with."

I chuckled.  "Wouldn't dream of it," I said, looking at Aadya.

Rooh left, and I turned back to Aadya.  "I know I haven't been here," I said, my voice sincere.