23

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Aastha sat tucked into the corner booth of a small, warm restaurant, her elbows resting on the polished wooden table, a half-empty cold coffee pushed aside and a paper napkin crumpled between her fingers. The mellow hum of soft music drifted around her, but her mind was louder — tangled in secrets, half-baked escape plans, and the ache of feeling strangely alone in a relationship that was supposed to be full.