My Cruel Love
Previously.
Maya didn't even realize what was snatched from her hand—before she knew it, she was pulled into a sudden, breath-stealing embrace.
To Arman, that moment was everything.
A long-lost memory from a decade ago… suddenly found.
Maisha Talukdar. Roll No. 23. Class 6.
The name on the tiny school nameplate matched the one he'd been searching for all these years—
his childhood Mayaboti, the girl he never stopped loving.
But one question started to haunt him—
Could Maya and Maisha actually be the same person?
Or was this just a painful coincidence?
Before he let hope cloud his mission, Arman made a choice:
Forget Maya. Focus on finding Maisha.
And with that, he picked up the phone and called the one man who could help him get answers..
Birat: "Absolutely, sir. I'll leave tomorrow to find your Maisha. Don't worry—I'll bring her in front of you this time, no matter what."
Arman: "No need to bring her to me. Just find out where she is. I'll face her myself. And why wait till tomorrow? Leave today."
Birat, with a slightly pleading tone: "Please, sir, give me today. I just got home to spend some time with my family. I rarely get that chance because of work. So… just today, please."
Arman, though clearly annoyed, held back and said, "Alright, fine. Just find her as soon as possible. And don't worry about money—whatever it takes, I'll cover it. I want my Maisha back. Go wherever you need to."
Birat: "Thank you, sir. I'll find her very soon—hopefully."
He ended the call. Birat, a skilled detective from a reputable agency, had been working on Maisha's case for a long time. Despite coming from a middle-class background, he had solved several major cases—making him Arman's obvious choice for something so personal.
Just then, Abir entered the room.
Abir: "So… any news? I keep hearing 'Maisha, Maisha.' Did you find her?"
Samira followed him in. "Brother," she said, "isn't Maisha the girl who saved big brother's life in Darjeeling?"
Abir: "Yep. That's the one your brother's obsessed with."
Samira: "I know. He even divorced Maya for her. So… any luck?"
Arman felt irritation build inside him. As much as he loved his sister, whenever she and Abir were together, they turned into a nagging duo he couldn't stand.
"No," Arman snapped. "Not yet. But I will soon."
Abir's eyes wandered over to a wooden box on the cot. He stepped forward, picking up an old broken watch and examining it.
"Wait a minute… isn't this grandfather's box? I remember seeing this with him when he was alive. And this watch—what's it doing here?"
Arman: "Yes. The box is grandfather's. And that watch is mine—I was wearing it during the accident in Darjeeling."
Abir's memory clicked. "Oh yeah, I remember now. After we admitted you to the hospital, the doctor handed me this watch and some other things. Once everyone came to the hospital, I gave them to grandfather. There was something else too… but I can't quite recall what."
Arman quietly slipped the nameplate into his pocket, choosing not to show it to them. He knew Abir couldn't stand Maisha and wouldn't want her to return. No point in explaining.
"You don't have to remember," Arman said. "What did you come to tell me?"
Abir: "Right—Mr. Daniel's assistant emailed. They're arriving in three days. All of Maya's designs need to be ready by then. If they like what they see, they'll finalize the deal and pay an advance on the same day."
Arman: "Understood. And my little sister—anything you'd like to say?"
Samira nodded. "Yes, big brother. I hate going to college with the driver every day. So today, I decided we all go together. You'll drop me off on your way to the office. Then you, Abir, sister Maya—everyone can go from there."
Arman: "You know I don't like too much fuss…"
Samira cut him off, grinning: "Yes, yes, I know. But just for one day, please? I get bored alone. Pretty please?"
Arman sighed deeply. "Alright, fine. Let's go. I'm coming."
"Yay!" Samira squealed and dashed out joyfully. Abir followed behind.
Arman exhaled again. He took the nameplate out of his pocket and looked at it with quiet emotion.
"In the crowd of thousands, I am still alone.
Because in this crowd… you're not here, my little Mayaboti.
This chest holds nothing but emptiness now—
and that emptiness is gnawing away at me.
Please, just come see me once…
Let me hold you… calm this storm inside.
I love you, little Mayaboti… I love you so much."
He kissed the nameplate softly and placed it inside his grandfather's box. Then he grabbed his laptop bag. He'd been dressed for the office for a while now.
He descended the stairs through the quiet drawing room toward the door. Abir and the others were already waiting near the car. The drawing room was empty—everyone had finished breakfast and left for work.
Just as Arman reached the door, someone suddenly bumped into him.
Earlier, Samira had called Maya to let her know they'd all be leaving together. Maya, now rushing while checking her bag, collided with someone unexpectedly.
Startled, she instinctively grabbed the collar of his shirt to steady herself.
You can guess what happened next.
But this time, Arman didn't let Maya fall.
He caught her gently by the waist.
Maya's eyes were tightly shut in fear.
To be continued...