Beyond the Stars, Between Us.

"Channa Mereya" – Ae Dil Hai Mushkil
"Sachi mohabbat shayad wahi hai,
Jisme junoon hai, par do dilon ki yaari mein sukoon hai..."

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Rakshit's POV

The golden morning sun poured across Bengaluru's restless streets like honey—crowded, warm, and slow.
The scent of jasmine from roadside stalls mixed with the familiar aroma of filter coffee and the faint trail of incense rising into the air. It should've felt like any other morning. But today... it didn't.

And no, it wasn't just the interview. It was something else entirely. Something I couldn't name.

As I reached the towering gates of ISKCON Temple, a strange weight settled in my chest. Not heavy—just an ache. Gentle. Familiar. The kind that rises when you feel a memory brush past your skin.

Umang.
She used to talk about this temple like it was magic. "One day I'll drag you there," she'd said, teasing. "Just wait. You'll love the vibe."

I never went. Not with her.
And now, years later, I was here—chasing echoes I had no right to hold on to.

I paused just before the entrance, lost in a stream of people. Children tugged at parents, old men murmured mantras, the bells chimed again and again. But for me, everything slowed. I felt something.
Not a pull I could explain. Not a reason I could give. Just... her. Like her presence had been stitched into the air.

And then—

"Bhaiya sambhal ke chaliye, abhi prasad gir jata!"

My breath caught. That voice.

I spun around so fast my vision blurred, eyes darting across the crowd. I scanned every face like my life depended on it.

But... nothing. Just strangers. Footsteps. Chatter. Bells.

My fingers curled into fists. Was it her?
It sounded like her. That tone. That little hint of irritation wrapped in softness.
But she wasn't here. Of course she wasn't.

Still, I couldn't move. I just stood there, heart thudding against my ribs like it wanted to leap out and find her itself.

"You look troubled, beta."

The voice startled me. I turned to see a priest standing nearby. His face was weathered but warm, eyes gentle in a way that made me feel seen.

"I... I thought I heard someone," I said quietly. "Someone I knew. But maybe it was just in my head."

He nodded like he understood completely. "When the soul craves connection, it brings echoes. This temple... it listens. Sometimes it answers, too."

I didn't know what to say. But something in his words stayed with me. I turned my gaze to the idol of Lord Krishna, bathed in golden light, and let the silence fill the spaces I couldn't speak into.

No, I hadn't seen Umang.

But for a moment... I had felt her. And somehow, that was enough.

Umang's POV

The cool marble of the temple floor grounded me as I stepped inside. Familiar chants floated through the air. The scent of ghee lamps and sandalwood washed over me like a long-lost peace. But something unsettled me—like a thread pulled taut in my chest.

Why now?

I shut my eyes, trying to soak in peace, but it wouldn't come.

Rakshit. The name came uninvited, but it lodged itself in her thoughts like it always did.

"Forget it," I whispered to myself.

As I moved forward, a sharp bump jolted me. Startled, I snapped, "Bhaiya sambhal ke chaliye, abhi prasad gir jata!"

The man didn't even look back. Typical. Rolling my eyes, I walked on. I found a quiet corner, folding my hands before Kanha, and trying to silence the noise in my head.

After praying, I sat in a secluded corner of the temple, to forget, to move on. I had promised myself I wouldn't let him haunt me anymore. I couldn't afford to fall for him again, to have my heart shattered once more.

 After some time, I gathered myself. Today was important—I had an interview to conduct at the office. I had no time for ghosts of the past. Before leaving, I cast one last glance at Kanha's deity.

 "Help me, Kanha," I whispered. "Whatever is ahead, give me the strength to face it. And... keep him happy. Let him succeed in everything he does." 

With that, I walked away, unaware that fate had other plans for me.

Author's POV

As Umang entered her office, she took a deep breath, shedding the emotions of the morning. Work awaited, and she refused to let anything distract her. Her heels clicked against the floor as she strode toward her cabin, ready to immerse herself in the day's tasks.

Her desk was already stacked with files of candidates. She skimmed through them quickly, making necessary notes. There was no time for delays. She had a series of interviews lined up, and everything needed to go smoothly.

Just as she reached for the last file, a colleague called out to her.

"Umang, the interview is about to begin! They need you in the boardroom."

Startled, she placed the file back without a second glance. Straightening her outfit, she composed herself and headed to the boardroom, her mind shifting into work mode.

The room was filled with the usual professional energy. The panel was seated, the candidates ready. One by one, the interviews proceeded. Umang kept her emotions firmly locked away, her focus unshaken.

Then, it was time for the last candidate.

She picked up the final file, the one she had set aside earlier. As her eyes fell on the name, the air was sucked from her lungs.

Rakshit Sangtani.

Her grip on the file tightened. Her breath stilled. Her pulse roared in her ears.

Before she could process the shock, the door opened.

And there he was.

Rakshit stepped in, his posture composed, but his eyes betrayed the same stunned disbelief she felt. The room held its breath as their gazes locked—an unspoken storm raging between them.

Fate had brought them face to face once again, in a way neither had expected. A brief silence stretched before one of the interviewers broke it.

"Please have a seat. Let's begin."

Umang clenched her fingers beneath the table, steadying herself. There was no escaping this. No running from the past.

She had to face him. She had to face everything they once were. 

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So, everyone, this was the third chapter. I hope you all enjoyed it. If not, please suggest ways I can improve. I have tried my best to avoid any grammatical mistakes.

Please support me by voting and commenting on the chapter.

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