Drowning Love

chapter 29

Rehaan's POV

It's funny how things never really turn out the way I thought they would. Reality hit differently from my expectations, and the unexpected happened.

I've been in love with the same girl that my brother is now in love with. Pihu. She was the one I always believed I'd end up with. I was convinced that no matter how many times my brother would screw things up, we'd eventually come back to each other.

But I learned something harsh and painful—she wasn't running to me because she loved me. She was running from him. The man she now loves. And the truth is, I always knew that. I just never wanted to admit it.

Whenever Bhai hurt her, she came to me. But her soul was entangled with him. She feels for him immensely. And ironically, that's one of the reasons I've always loved her so much. Her heart has this unshakable ability to love, even when it hurts her.

So it broke me—shattered me—to watch her give that love to someone else.

I thought I'd be the one to build a future with her. I pictured a home, laughter echoing in it, her beside me, a child on the way, building dreams together. But that future was never mine. It never even had a chance.

And then came the final blow—news that crushed whatever hope I had left.

She's pregnant.

I'm going to be called "uncle." Not father. Uncle. The woman I've loved, my Pihu... she's carrying his child.

That night, I couldn't breathe. My chest felt tight, like someone was sitting on it. My vision blurred. My hands trembled. It started with cold sweats, and then, silence fell heavy on me—inside me. A panic attack. I had never experienced one before, and God, I wish I never had.

I curled up on the bathroom floor, clutching my shirt, gasping for air, trying to quiet the storm inside me. It wasn't just sadness—it was a grief that screamed through my bones.

That night, I realised the part of me that was hers... it had died. Quietly.

But there is one thing that survived—my respect for her. She changed me. She taught me more about love than anyone ever could.

I've let go of the 'what ifs' and 'could've beens.' She loves him. Not me.

So I've closed the chapter.

Even if my heart didn't want to.

⸻

Pihu's POV

"Go have your medicine, Pihu," he ordered me gently that morning. He had returned early. He told me he couldn't sleep without me. The truth is, I couldn't sleep without him either... but I didn't tell him that.

"Okay, okay... I'll eat it," I replied in a silvery voice. He watched as I swallowed it with water.

"At what time are you going to Pune to meet Tia?" I asked.

"Don't mention her," he said quickly.

"I'll be fine, you enjoy your trip," I smiled softly, trying not to show the sting in my chest.

"I'm not going," he simply said.

"What? Why?" I looked up, surprised.

He didn't answer directly. Just placed a bowl of fruits in front of me and made me eat them like a child. Then he left for work.

I spent the day knitting. I finished the baby's sweater. Now I was working on one for Eeshan. My phone rang—it was Tanvi.

"Congratulations! Pihu, I'm so happy for you!" she squealed.