Forbidden Mania

Mishka Basu's Pov~

The soft glow of the evening sun filtered through the windows, casting a golden hue over the living room. I sat on the floor by the large bay window, my knees drawn up to my chest as I watched the last traces of daylight fade into the horizon.

Delhi had a way of calming me in moments like this, the city's chaos melting into a gentle hum as the evening set in.

My father, Dr. Arun Basu, was still at the hospital. Being one of the most renowned surgeons in the city, he rarely came home before dinner, but I had long since gotten used to the empty house.

My mother had passed away while giving birth to me, and since then, it had always been just my father and me. We lived in a quiet neighborhood, the kind that felt both comforting and suffocating at times, but Arsh was always close by. His presence was the one constant that never changed.

Arsh Malhotra. The thought of him alone brought a soft smile to my face.

He had been my best friend, my protector, and my love since childhood. Growing up, we had spent every moment together-running through the narrow streets, getting into trouble, and dreaming of the future.

He had always been there for me, through every laugh and every tear, and I couldn't imagine my life without him.

I picked up my phone, my fingers instinctively scrolling to his number. We hadn't spoken all day, but that wasn't unusual. Arsh was busy, taking on more responsibilities with his family's business. Still, he always found time for me, no matter how hectic things got.

Just as I was about to call him, my phone buzzed. A message.

"I'm outside. Come up to the terrace."

I smiled. Of course, he was already here.

I slipped on my sandals and quietly made my way upstairs to the terrace. Our terrace had become our place, a refuge from the world, where Arsh and I could just be.

The moment I stepped outside, the warm breeze embraced me, carrying the scent of the evening's lingering jasmine. And there he was, leaning against the railing, his tall frame silhouetted against the dusky sky.

"Hey." I called softly, closing the door behind me.

Arsh turned to me, his familiar smile lighting up his face. "I thought you'd forgotten about me."

I walked over to him, shaking my head. "As if that's even possible."

He chuckled, pulling me into a gentle embrace. His warmth surrounded me, and for a moment, everything felt right. His presence had a way of grounding me, of making me feel like I could take on the world as long as he was by my side.

"You've been busy," I said, resting my head against his chest. "I missed you."

"I missed you too," he murmured, his voice deep and reassuring. "Work's been crazy. Mom's been driving me nuts about the business. You know how she is."

I pulled back slightly, looking up at him. His silver grey eyes met mine, and I could see the tiredness in them, the weight of his responsibilities starting to take a toll.

Arsh had always been the perfect son, the one who handled everything with grace and charm. But I knew him better than anyone. I could see the pressure behind that smile, the stress that his family's expectations brought.

"You need to take care of yourself," I said softly, reaching up to smooth a lock of hair from his forehead. "You can't do everything."

He sighed, leaning into my touch. "I know, Mishka. But I want to make things easier for Mom. Especially with, everything."

He didn't need to say more. I knew what he meant. His family was complicated, especially with his older brother, Raghav, in the picture. I hadn't seen Raghav much growing up. He lived nearby, in a house provided by their father, but he had always been somewhat of a mystery. Arsh never spoke about him openly, and I never pressed the issue. It was clear the topic caused him pain.

"Let's not talk about that right now," Arsh said suddenly, his tone lighter. "I came here to spend time with you, not to drown in family drama."

I smiled, grateful for the shift in the conversation. "Good. Because I need you to help me with something."

He raised an eyebrow. "Oh? And what's that?"

"I've been thinking about redecorating my room. It's so boring, and I need a fresh start. I thought maybe you could help me pick out new colors or furniture."

He laughed softly, pulling me closer. "Mishka, I have absolutely no idea how to decorate. But if you want my opinion, I'll give it."

"That's all I need," I teased. "Your opinion is more valuable than you think."

We stood there for a while, wrapped in each other's presence, talking about nothing and everything. The worries of the world seemed to fade away, replaced by the warmth of our shared memories. This was what I loved most about Arsh. No matter how heavy life became, he had a way of making it all seem manageable.

With him, I felt safe, like nothing could touch us.

As the sky turned from a soft orange to a deep purple, Arsh pulled me to the edge of the terrace, pointing out toward the distant city lights.

"See those lights over there?" he asked, his voice low.

I nodded.

"One day, Mishka, we're going to live in a house with a view just like that. Away from all the noise, where it's just you and me."

I smiled, my heart swelling at the thought. "You've got it all figured out, haven't you?"

He shrugged, a playful glint in his eyes. "I've had this figured out the day I saw you for the first time. I'm just waiting for the right time."

I leaned into him, feeling the warmth of his body against mine. "I don't need a fancy house, Arsh. Just you."

He tilted my chin up gently, his eyes locking with mine. "You'll always have me, Mishka. No matter what."

In that moment, everything felt perfect. The world outside could be chaotic, filled with complications and unanswered questions, but here, with Arsh, I felt like I had everything I needed. He was my anchor, my love, my future.

And as the stars began to twinkle overhead, I allowed myself to dream of the life we would build together. A life free of expectations, free of the weight of our families, just the two of us, standing side by side.

As the night deepened, a cool breeze swept over us, rustling the leaves of the old neem tree that stood tall in the corner of the terrace. The calmness of the evening was hypnotic, the city noises growing distant as if the world was giving us this moment of peace.

I shifted slightly, still wrapped in Arsh's embrace, watching the sky above. The stars seemed brighter tonight, twinkling like promises whispered by the universe. I could feel Arsh's heartbeat beneath my ear, steady and comforting, grounding me in a way nothing else could.

"Tell me something," I murmured, breaking the comfortable silence.

"What do you want to know?" Arsh replied, his voice a soft rumble.

"Where do you see yourself in five years?"

He chuckled lightly. "Is this an interview now?"

"Maybe," I teased, tilting my head to look up at him. "I'm serious, though. Where do you see us?"

Arsh's gaze softened, his eyes searching mine. For a moment, he seemed to consider his answer carefully, as if the future we had always dreamed of was just within reach.

"I see us together," he said quietly, his fingers tracing gentle patterns on my arm. "Happy. Maybe traveling the world, or maybe settled down in that house with a view of the city lights. Wherever we are, as long as it's with you, I'll be content."

His words filled my heart with warmth, but there was a shadow in his eyes, a flicker of something unspoken. I knew Arsh better than anyone, and though he tried to hide it, I could sense the weight of his family's expectations pressing down on him. The Malhotras were a powerful name, and with that came a responsibility that I knew Arsh struggled with.

"And you?" he asked suddenly, his hand lifting to tuck a stray strand of hair behind my ear. "Where do you see yourself?"

I smiled softly, leaning into his touch. "Right here. With you."

It was the simplest truth, and yet, in that moment, it felt like the most profound. I didn't care about the future as long as it had him in it. Arsh had always been my everything, the one constant in my life. Losing my mother at birth had left a void, but Arsh filled that space with his love, with his unwavering presence.

The distant sound of a car engine broke the silence, pulling me from my thoughts. Arsh glanced over the terrace railing, his brow furrowing slightly.

"Dad must be home," I said, recognizing the familiar hum of my father's car.

"I should probably get going," Arsh replied, though he made no move to leave.

I looked up at him, my fingers tightening their hold on his shirt. "You don't have to go yet. Stay for dinner?"

He hesitated, his expression softening as he looked down at me. "I'd love to, but..."

"But?"

"Mom's been calling," he said, sighing. "She wants me home early tonight. Something about a family meeting."

I frowned slightly but didn't push. I knew how things were with his family, especially with his mother. Arsh loved his mother, but there was always this tension, this invisible line he had to toe with her. And as much as I wanted to be a part of every aspect of his life, I knew his family was something we didn't talk about as much. Not yet, at least.

"Okay," I said softly, stepping back from him. "But you'll make it up to me tomorrow?"

His lips quirked into a smile, and he pulled me in for one last hug. "Tomorrow, we'll spend the whole day together. Promise."

I nodded, feeling the familiar tug of sadness as he pulled away. I watched him head toward the door, the evening shadows playing across his figure. Before he disappeared, he turned back, his eyes locking with mine one last time.

"I love you, Mishka."

The words were soft, spoken like a promise meant only for me.

"I love you too," I whispered back, the words lingering in the air long after he was gone.

As I stood alone on the terrace, the wind picking up ever so slightly, I let the moment settle around me. Arsh was my world, and in moments like these, I felt like the luckiest person alive. But deep down, I couldn't shake the feeling that something was shifting, like the quiet before a storm.

"Mish?"

My dad's voice broke my trance and I went downstairs only to see him tensed. I immediately held his shoulder to comfort him.

"Is everything alright?"

"I saw Arsh leaving." He sighed and continued, "Look I know you are an adult but him coming our home and not talking about you to his parents is concerning Mish."

I retrieved my hand and couldn't say anything to my Dad who was making a point like any father.

"I know he loves you and you love him Mish but I don't want your heart to get hurt that's all." He said softly, and went to his room.

I sat on the counch and tried to breathe all the words he just said to me.