Chapter 171

In the quiet solitude of his car, as Nitish drove away from the jewelry store, his mind was cast back to a past that he had long tried to leave behind. The unexpected encounter with Ayesha had opened a door to memories he had kept firmly shut, memories of a time when life seemed both simpler and infinitely more complicated.

In his previous life, Ayesha had been a significant part of Nitish's life. She was beautiful, vivacious, and had a charm that was hard to resist. Nitish, old and deeply in love, had seen a future with her, a future that seemed bright and promising. But that future was shattered when Ayesha betrayed him after marriage. The revelation of her infidelity had come at a time when Nitish was already grappling with challenges both on and off the cricket field. It was a blow that had knocked the wind out of him, leaving him feeling alone and betrayed.

What made it harder was the absence of support during those dark days. Nitish had found himself isolated, with no one to turn to, not even his daughter who was not even his, and who was too young to understand the complexities of adult relationships. Ayesha's cruelty in those days was not just in her infidelity but also in her indifference to the pain she caused. It was a pain that Nitish had carried with him for a long time, a wound that had only just begun to heal.

Seeing Ayesha again, now seemingly the same age as he was in this new life, stirred a whirlpool of emotions in Nitish. There was confusion, a sense of disorientation, and an underlying current of distress. In his previous life, Ayesha had been almost fifteen years his junior, a gap that had seemed inconsequential then. But now, in this parallel world where they were both sixteen, the dynamics felt surreal, almost dreamlike.

As he drove, Nitish's thoughts inevitably drifted to Jahnavi. She had brought a light into his life that he hadn't realized was missing. Her laughter, her understanding, and the easy way she had of making him feel valued had given him a new perspective on life. But as he thought of her, he was also acutely aware of their age difference. In his mind, he was a man in his fifties, while she was a young girl of sixteen. It was a disparity that gave him pause, a moral dilemma he couldn't easily reconcile.

Nitish knew that some things were worth waiting for, and he was willing to be patient, to give Jahnavi the time and space she needed to grow and make her own choices. He didn't want to rush anything or overstep boundaries. His feelings for her were deep, but he was determined to navigate them with respect and care.

The more he thought about it, the more Nitish realized how Jahnavi had changed his perception of what was attractive. In his past life, Ayesha had been the epitome of beauty and desire for him. But now, her allure had faded, overshadowed by the genuine connection he felt with Jahnavi. Jahnavi's beauty was not just in her appearance but in her spirit, her intelligence, and her kindness.

As Nitish arrived home, he found himself at a crossroads of emotions. The past had unexpectedly collided with his present, bringing with it old wounds and new realizations. But amidst the turmoil, one thing was clear: his feelings for Jahnavi were real and profound. She had brought a sense of hope and happiness into his life, a contrast to the pain and betrayal he had experienced with Ayesha.

Lying in bed that night, Nitish reflected on the journey his life had taken. From the highs and lows of his cricketing career to the complexities of his personal life, it had been a path of learning and growth. He realized that every experience, good or bad, had shaped him into the person he was today. And as he drifted off to sleep, he held onto the thought of Jahnavi, a beacon of light guiding him towards a future filled with possibilities.