Chapter 49: 46. Rihaan and Naira

As Naira stood in the kitchen with Samyuktika, she felt the weight of her unspoken fears pressing down on her. She glanced at her , bustling about with an infectious energy, and a wave of pity washed over her. If only she knew what I knew about Anirudh. But Naira couldn’t bring herself to voice her concerns. The thought of Samyuktika’s cheerful demeanor faltering made her hesitate.

“Hey, are you okay?” Samyuktika asked, her brow furrowing as she noticed Naira’s distracted expression.

“Yeah, just a bit tired,” Naira replied, forcing a smile. “I didn’t sleep well last night.”

“Oh, I get that. I can make you some tea if you’d like,” Samyuktika offered, clearly concerned.

“No, it’s fine,” Naira said quickly, shaking her head. “I just need to get my mind off things.”

As breakfast came together, the sound of sizzling on the stove and the aroma of spices filled the air, creating a comforting atmosphere. Naira tried to focus on the moment, but the nagging fear about Anirudh lingered in the back of her mind. What could he do?

As they set the table, Naira's thoughts spiraled back to Anirudh’s charm and his unsettling fixation on her. She could easily imagine how he might approach Samyuktika if he ever got the chance, and the very thought made her stomach churn.

Once breakfast was ready, the family gathered around the table, laughter and chatter filling the room. Naira found it hard to concentrate on the conversations happening around her. Instead, her mind drifted to Anirudh, wondering if he had any plans for the day. Will he try to contact me again?

During the meal, Naira watched as Samyuktika animatedly recounted a funny incident from school, her laughter ringing like music. But each chuckle reminded Naira of the threat that Anirudh posed, and she felt an urge to shield her friend from whatever might come next.

Finally, after breakfast, while everyone else began to disperse, Naira knew she couldn’t keep her feelings bottled up any longer. But she also feared that saying anything would only complicate things further.

“Hey, I’ll be in my room for a bit,” Naira said to Samyuktika, trying to sound casual. “I just need some time to clear my head.”

“Okay! Let me know if you need anything,” Samyuktika replied cheerfully.

As Naira retreated to her room, she closed the door behind her and leaned against it, her heart racing. What if Anirudh tries to approach Samyuktika? She felt a deep sense of protectiveness wash over her. Naira picked up her phone, contemplating whether to warn her friend.

But deep down, she knew that Samyuktika was a strong person. Maybe it’s better if I don’t say anything. I don’t want to ruin her mood. The idea of creating unnecessary tension made her hesitate even more.

As the hours passed, Naira’s worry only grew. She knew she should trust Samyuktika to handle herself, but the gnawing feeling in her gut wouldn’t let up. What if I’m too late?

Determined not to let her fears consume her, Naira decided to distract herself by diving into her studies. She sat at her desk, surrounded by textbooks and notes, but her mind continued to wander back to the unsettling thoughts about Anirudh.

I’ll keep my distance, she resolved silently. I’ll protect Samyuktika from Anirudh, even if I have to do it from the shadows.

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Naira sat nervously at a cozy table in the corner of the bustling café, glancing around as she waited for Rihaan to arrive. The ambiance was warm, filled with the enticing aroma of coffee and freshly baked pastries, but her mind was racing. What would they talk about?

When Rihaan finally walked in, his easy smile instantly put her at ease. He waved as he approached, and Naira felt a flutter of excitement mixed with apprehension. “Hey, sorry I’m late! The traffic was insane,” he said, taking a seat across from her.

“No problem! I just got here a little early,” Naira replied, forcing a smile.

As they settled in and ordered their drinks, the conversation flowed easily at first. They discussed their favorite movies, music, and shared a few laughs. Naira found herself relaxing, enjoying Rihaan's charm and the way he listened attentively to her stories.

But then, just as she began to feel comfortable, Rihaan's expression shifted. He leaned in slightly, his gaze serious. “Naira, I wanted to talk to you about something important.”

Her heart raced at the sudden change in his tone. “What is it?” she asked, her voice tinged with concern.

“I know about what happened the other day—when you were almost kidnapped,” Rihaan said, his voice low.

Naira's breath hitched. “What do you mean? How do you know?”

He hesitated for a moment, then continued, “I was at the mall that day. I saw you with Anirudh, and when he tried to grab you, I followed. I didn’t mean to scare you, but I couldn’t just stand by and do nothing.”

Naira felt a rush of emotions—fear, relief, and confusion swirling inside her. “You saw everything? Why didn’t you say anything before?”

“I didn’t want to bring it up until I knew you were okay. I didn’t want to make you uncomfortable,” Rihaan explained, his expression sincere. “But I’ve been worried about you ever since. It’s not safe for you to be around him.”

Naira’s heart pounded as she processed his words. “I didn’t think anyone had seen that. It was terrifying,” she admitted, her voice trembling slightly. “I thought I could handle it on my own.”

Rihaan reached across the table, gently placing his hand over hers. “You don’t have to face this alone. I’m here for you. If you feel threatened or scared, just let me know. I’ll help you in any way I can.”

Tears welled up in Naira’s eyes, a mixture of gratitude and vulnerability overwhelming her. “Thank you, Rihaan. That means a lot to me,” she said, her voice barely above a whisper.

“But it’s not just about the incident. I want to know how you’re really feeling about everything—about Anirudh and this whole situation,” he urged, his gaze steady and concerned.

Naira took a deep breath, the weight of his question pressing down on her. How was she feeling? Confused? Scared? She felt like she was juggling too many emotions at once. “I… I don’t know,” she admitted finally. “I’m scared, and I don’t want to feel that way. But at the same time, I feel trapped. Anirudh seems to be everywhere.”

Rihaan nodded, his eyes filled with understanding. “It’s okay to feel that way. What happened was traumatic. You don’t have to pretend everything is fine. It’s alright to ask for help.”

The sincerity in his voice gave her a sense of safety she hadn’t felt in a long time. “I guess I just didn’t want to burden anyone with my problems,” she confessed, feeling the weight of her struggles beginning to lift.

“You’re not a burden, Naira. Friends are supposed to support each other. Just know that I care about you and I want to help you through this,” Rihaan said, squeezing her hand reassuringly.

Naira looked up at him, her heart swelling with appreciation. “Thank you, Rihaan. I really needed to hear that. I’ve felt so alone with everything going on.”

As their drinks arrived, the tension between them eased slightly. But Naira couldn’t shake the feeling that this was just the beginning of a much deeper conversation about trust, safety, and the unexpected connection she felt with Rihaan.

Here’s the continuation with Naira asking Rihaan about her feelings and his insights on her situation:

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Naira took a deep breath, the weight of her emotions pressing heavily on her chest. She looked at Rihaan, searching his eyes for the truth she was afraid to confront. “Am I doing something wrong, Rihaan?” she asked, her voice trembling slightly. “I mean, is it wrong to still have feelings for him?”

Rihaan sighed, his expression softening as he considered her question. “A little bit, yeah,” he replied honestly. “I know it’s hard to accept, especially when you loved someone so deeply. But holding onto those feelings, especially when he’s married, complicates everything. It’s a lot to unpack.”

Naira felt her heart sink. “But how can I just forget him? It feels impossible.”

“I get that. It’s hard to let go of someone you loved so much. But it becomes a problem when those memories start to consume you,” Rihaan explained. “You can’t let the past dictate your present or your future. It’s not fair to you or anyone else.”

Naira’s mind raced as she absorbed his words. “So, what am I supposed to do? Just pretend he never existed?”

Rihaan leaned in closer, his voice earnest. “No, it’s not about pretending. It’s about acceptance. You loved him, and that’s valid. But if you can’t let go, it becomes a sin—because then you’re willing to break apart someone else's life just to satisfy your own happiness. That’s where the real mistake lies, Naira.”

Her heart sank as she realized the truth in his words. “You’re saying I’m being selfish?”

“Not selfish in a cruel way, but maybe just a little blind in love,” Rihaan said gently. “I mean, I remember that day when you added chilly to the poha. You did it because you thought it would ruin that day of Samyuktika and you will become a queen. "

Naira felt heat rise in her cheeks, embarrassment washing over her. “I was caring for my feelings and was jealous of Samyuktika ”

“Exactly,” he said, nodding. “You cared so much that you didn’t see the bigger picture. It’s not wrong to want him back, but you need to understand that sometimes, letting go is the best way to love someone. It’s a hard lesson, but it’s necessary.”

Naira sat back, her heart heavy with the weight of his words. Letting go felt like an insurmountable challenge, but she knew he was right. “So, what do I do now?” she asked, her voice barely above a whisper.

Rihaan smiled softly, his expression warm and supportive. “Take it one step at a time. Start by giving yourself permission to feel your emotions without judgment. Talk to your friends, lean on your support system. And when you’re ready, try to focus on what makes you happy outside of him.”

Naira nodded, a sense of clarity beginning to form amidst the chaos in her heart. “Thank you for being honest with me, Rihaan. I really appreciate it.”

“I’m always here for you, Naira. Just remember, you deserve happiness too,” he replied, his hand still covering hers, providing comfort in that moment.

As they sat together in the café, Naira felt a glimmer of hope. It was going to be a long road ahead, but maybe, just maybe, she could learn to let go of the past and embrace the future—whatever it held.

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