Apulki Chapter 21 - The Reason Why
- Hansa
- Jun 9
- 6 min read
Recap Chapter 20: Isha finally admits to herself that she wants to marry Neerav, but a chance discovery leads him to believe she accepted his proposal out of pity. Determined to learn the truth, he uncovers a shocking mix-up about his medical report and asks Isha out to dinner on the anniversary of their first meeting.
When Wine Loosens More Than Tongues
Isha and Neerav sat across from each other in a restaurant, celebrating two full years of knowing each other.
Dinner had just been served.
"Before I forget," said Neerav, "I got a call from MasterChef India."
"You did?" Isha nearly knocked her glass.
"They want me to participate in the upcoming season."
"Neer!" She grinned. "That's amazing!"
She picked up a piece of chilli paneer, tasted it, paused, and looked at Neerav with the seriousness of a judge delivering a landmark verdict.
“You know, this chilli paneer? You make it much better than them.”
Neerav looked up. “Really?”
“Yupp.” She nodded. “You’ll definitely make it to the top ten.”
The waiter came by and filled their glasses with wine.
“Here’s to MasterChef India. And to the second anniversary of our first meeting,” said Isha.
Neerav clinked his glass against hers.
“It’s been that long?”
Isha laughed. “I never thought I’d date a guy who drives a pink Scootie Pep.”
“And I never thought I’d fall in love with a tomboy.”
Isha picked up a forkful of food and shoved it into his mouth before he could say anything else.
Neerav ate obediently.
Isha took another sip of wine.
Her cheeks were flushed. She was a little tipsy now. Not gone. Not foolishly drunk. Just soft around the edges, her words a little freer, her smile a little looser.
Neerav watched her for a moment.
“Why did you agree to marry me, Ishu?”
Isha blinked at him. “Because I love you.”
He looked at her. “You love your career more.”
Isha grinned and drained her glass. She snapped her fingers at the waiter and pointed to her empty glass. He nodded and refilled it.
“Actually,” she said, picking up the glass, “I didn’t want to marry.”
Neerav’s fingers stilled around his own glass.
“Then why did you say yes?”
“Because I love you.”
“But not enough to marry me?”
Isha leaned forward and beckoned him closer.
“Come closer. I’ll tell you a secret.”
Neerav moved closer.
She leaned to his ear and whispered, “I saw your report.”
The smile left his face.
For a second, the noise of the restaurant seemed to move away from him. Plates clinked, people laughed, someone at the next table was asking for extra onions, but Neerav heard nothing.
His hand tightened around the glass.
Isha looked around. “Shh,” she whispered. “Not a word to anyone.”
Neerav sat back slowly.
“So Yammu was right.”
Isha hiccupped.
“Yupp, she was right.” “I’m the luckiest girl in the world. I’m marrying the most wonderful family in town.”
“Into,” Neerav said quietly.
Isha frowned. “Into?”
“I’m marrying into the most wonderful family.”
“See, you also agree.” She counted on her fingers. “Wonderful mother-in-law. Wonderful father-in-law...”
Then she twirled her wine.
“Wonderful wine.”
Neerav watched her empty the glass.
He reached across the table and tucked a loose strand of hair behind her ear. His fingers lingered lightly against her cheek.
Isha smiled at him.
He sighed.
“Let’s get you home.”
I Do! I Do!! I Do!!!
The next morning, Isha sat in Bean There Spilled That with her head buried between her hands.
“God,” she groaned. “My head’s splitting. How do I go to work like this?”
“He knows,” said Yamini.
Isha looked up.
“Huh?”
“Neerav knows why you said yes.”
For a second, Isha simply stared at her.
Then the meaning sank in.
“Why the hell did you tell him? No wonder he's not answering any of my calls or texts.”
Yamini took a sip of coffee.
“You should be pleased. I did the dirty work for you.”
“Meaning?”
“You don’t need to break off the engagement now. He’ll do it himself.”
Isha blinked.
“But I want to marry him, you darn stupid...”
Yamini nearly dropped her cup.
“You do?”
“I do! I do!! I do!!!”
“Well, no point saying it to me.”
The colour drained from Isha’s face.
“Bet he won’t even look at me now... What do I do?”
Yamini thought for a moment.
Then snapped her fingers.
“Idea.”
“What?”
“The way to all men’s hearts is through their tummy.”
Isha rolled her eyes.
“Aur Neer ka toh heart, head, career, sabhi kuch tummy se hi hai,” Yamini added.
“Yeah right. As if you don’t know my culinary skills.”
“Just make breakfast.”
“Breakfast?”
“C’mon. Anyone can make breakfast.” Yamini waved a hand dismissively. “Then once he’s eaten, explain everything. He’ll understand, I’m telling you.”
Isha wasn't nearly as confident.
But at the moment, it was the only plan she had.
When It's Not Just the Eggs That Break
The next morning, Akash sat in front of the television, watching a cricket match.
Neerav strode into the apartment, pulled out a chair at the dining table and sat down.
Isha appeared from the kitchen carrying a plate.
“Akash, don’t you have to meet Yammu?”
“Nah.” Akash didn't take his eyes off the television. “I just spoke to her.”
“She has something urgent to tell you,” said Isha.
Akash glanced at her.
“Now.”
He caught the look on her face and immediately stood up.
“Okay. Chill. I’m going.”
The front door closed behind him.
Isha placed the plate in front of Neerav.
Fried eggs on toast.
Neerav took one bite.
“Fried eggs are the simplest thing to cook. Even a toddler can cook better than this.”
He pushed back his chair.
Isha’s heart sank.
He was leaving.
She grabbed his arm.
“Please don’t go. I’ll cook something else.”
Neerav tried to free himself, but she held on.
“I’m sorry, Neer. Please don’t go.” Her voice cracked. “I love you.”
Neerav turned around.
“You said yes out of pity?”
Isha hung her head.
“Because you felt sorry for me?” His eyes searched hers. “Did you really think I’d propose if I had a serious illness?”
She opened her mouth.
Nothing came out.
“Am I so selfish?”
Tears rolled down her cheeks.
“You don’t know me at all, Miss Isha Baner...” He stopped himself and pressed his lips together. “Miss Isha Sharma.”
Isha began to cry.
Before she realised what was happening, Neerav had crossed the distance between them.
He grabbed her shoulders and pinned her firmly against the wall.
“Neer...”
“The time we spent together... all those words...” His voice broke slightly. “They meant nothing to you?”
His hand rose to her face.
“Why did you let me touch you, Ishu?”
His fingers brushed her cheek.
“Huh? Why?”
Isha could barely see him through her tears.
Because I loved you.
Because I still do.
But the words remained trapped inside her throat.
Neerav’s thumb brushed across her lips.
“Why did you let me kiss you?”
Then he kissed her.
Hard.
Angry.
Hurt.
Nothing like the kisses they had shared before.
Isha’s breath caught.
For one stunned moment she simply stood there.
Not because she was afraid.
Just shocked.
Because beneath the anger, she knew exactly what had wounded him.
The kiss ended as abruptly as it had begun.
Neerav stepped back.
Silence filled the room.
Then he pulled the engagement ring off his finger.
Isha stared at it.
No.
No.
Please no.
He pressed it into her palm.
Closed her fingers around it.
Patted her fist, his eyes brimming with tears.
And walked away.
A moment later, the front door slammed shut.
Isha slid slowly down the wall and onto the floor.
Her lower lip was bruised and bleeding slightly.
Tears streamed down her face.
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Missed a chapter? Click on the links below:
Chapter 10 - https://www.hansawriter.com/post/apulki-chapter-10
Chapter 11 - https://www.hansawriter.com/post/apulki-chapter-11
Chapter 12 - https://www.hansawriter.com/post/apulki-chapter-12
Chapter 13 - https://www.hansawriter.com/post/apulki-chapter-13
Chapter 14 - https://www.hansawriter.com/post/apulki-chapter-14
Chapter 15 - https://www.hansawriter.com/post/apulki-chapter-15
Chapter 16 - https://www.hansawriter.com/post/apulki-chapter-16
Chapter 17 - https://www.hansawriter.com/post/apulki-chapter-17
Chapter 18 - https://www.hansawriter.com/post/apulki-chapter-18
Chapter 19 - https://www.hansawriter.com/post/apulki-chapter-19
Chapter 20 - https://www.hansawriter.com/post/apulki-chapter-20
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Oops I m late. Was traveling.. so I read now
Hmm kahani mein twist
Aisi situation mein Aisa hi kiss aayega
But neerav knows reports were mixed up
Why he didn't clear
Or maybe next chapter again twist
I liked the title 'the one where not only egss broke' its catchy and funny.
Another one where we got diff duo convo, akash and ishu's perhaps first or second one.
I didnt like the vibe of that passionate kiss, it felt problematic. Plus the revealation .. not really ideal righteous of neer to get the secret out by making her tipsy? I hope he had not planned this. He is a good guy.
I hope everything ends well
Why eould he kiss her before breaking up? So weird
It's for the good tho cause she didn't want to get married anyway.....unril now 🤣
Waiting for the next chapter