SHANAYA'S POV :
The evening air was cool, and the city felt alive, buzzing around me as I walked aimlessly. I needed a break—away from the constant whirlwind of college preparations, farewell parties, and family expectations. The streets were quieter now, the kind of peace I hadn't realized I was craving.
I was lost in my thoughts when I heard hurried footsteps behind me, followed by a voice that was sharp, almost impatient.
"Watch where you're going!"
I spun around just in time to avoid bumping into a man rushing past me. His tone was harsh, the words biting, as though he had somewhere important to be and didn't have the time or patience for anything else.
"Excuse me?" I said, surprised by the sudden confrontation.
He stopped abruptly in front of me, his face hard, eyes cold. His lips were pressed into a thin line, and for a second, I could feel the tension radiating off him. He didn't even flinch at the question, just shot me a frustrated look.
"I didn't expect someone to be walking so slow in the middle of the sidewalk," he muttered, irritation clear in his voice. His words were clipped, almost dismissive, like I was an obstacle in his path.
I narrowed my eyes, taken aback by the rudeness. "Well, maybe you should be more careful where you're going."
His gaze flickered to mine for a moment, and for a split second, I saw something else—something more intense behind his sharp demeanor. His eyes, dark and stormy, seemed to lock with mine, and I felt a sudden, inexplicable tug in my chest. But just as quickly, he looked away, breaking the moment.
"Look, I'm sorry, alright?" he said, though his tone didn't quite match the apology. "But I'm running late. Got a meeting in five minutes. Can't deal with this right now."
His frustration was palpable as he took a deep breath, running a hand through his tousled hair, clearly annoyed with the delay. But as he turned to leave, I couldn't help but notice how effortlessly he moved, the strength in his stride, the way his jaw clenched with irritation. Even in the chaos of his rush, there was something magnetic about him.
I watched him walk away, the city's noise drowning out everything but the echo of his footsteps. There was something about him—a raw, unapologetic energy—that left a strange knot in my stomach. Despite his rudeness, I couldn't shake the way he made me feel.
He had caught me off guard—his attitude, his presence, the way he carried himself. It wasn't just his looks, though his sharp features certainly made an impression—it was the intensity he radiated, the brief moment of connection that made my heart race unexpectedly.
I shook my head, trying to dismiss the feeling. "Get a grip, Shanaya," I muttered to myself. "He's just some rude guy you bumped into. Nothing more."
But deep down, i knew there was something more about him that i couldn't quite ignore. Something about the way he made me feel...even for those few seconds.
As I walked back, the feeling of unease in my chest was replaced by a soft warmth, and my mind drifted to the first time I'd met Rohan.
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Flashback Starts
It was a similar evening, the sun setting just as it had tonight. I was walking home from school, my mind a whirlwind of teenage anxieties, when I first saw him. He was standing outside the local cafe, laughing with his friends, his eyes sparkling in the fading light. There was something about his carefree smile, the way he carried himself like the world was meant for him, that caught my attention.
I was so lost in the moment, I nearly bumped into him—sound familiar? He had caught me just in time, a laugh escaping him as he steadied me.
"Careful there," he had said with a wink, and that smile had melted all the tension inside me. I'd never seen anyone so effortlessly charming, so sure of himself. The connection had been immediate, even in that brief encounter.
It wasn't love at first sight, no. But it was something stronger than that—something deep and easy, like we were meant to cross paths. And soon enough, we had become inseparable.
Flashback Ends
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I smiled softly at the memory. Rohan. My first everything. The boy who had been there through it all—the laughter, the heartache, the moments that shaped me into who I was today.
As I continued walking back, I couldn't help but wonder about the rude man I'd just met.
His presence had lingered in my mind longer than I cared to admit. Yet, I knew my heart already had its place—forever locked in the memories I had shared with Rohan.
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Heyy guys! So sorry for the short chapter today! 🙈
But... what do you all think of this mystery man? 😏😏
Who do you think he is? What's his story? Let me know your thoughts in the comments! 💭💬
Can't wait to hear your guesses! 😘
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Thank you — for showing up, for caring, and for believing in stories like this. Ashes of Us is more than just a book to me. It’s a piece of my heart stitched together with emotions I’ve lived, dreams I’ve whispered, and wounds I’ve tried to heal through words. Writing this wasn’t easy — because falling in love with characters like Shanaya and Kabir meant opening parts of myself I hadn’t touched in a long time. But knowing that someone out there is reading their story, feeling what they feel, and holding space for their journey — that means the world to me. Every message, every share, every word of encouragement gives this story a heartbeat beyond the pages. I hope Ashes of Us makes you feel seen. I hope it reminds you that grief and love can co-exist. And most of all, i hope it stays with you - even after the final line. With all my love, Vrinda ❤
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