It had been four weeks since Naina and Rivaan had last seen each other. Four weeks of Rivaan trying everything to win her forgiveness, but she ignored him. She kept herself busy, throwing herself into her new role as Jamesâs assistant. Work had become her refuge, her shield from the overwhelming emotions she refused to confront.
But no matter how hard she tried to distract herself, the nights were the hardest. In the quiet, when the world slept, she was left with only her thoughts and memories. The night that had changed everything haunted herâthe look in Rivaanâs eyes, the disbelief, the anger. And then, the push.
Her hand unconsciously brushed against the small scar just above her forehead, a permanent reminder of that final confrontation. It had hurt, but not as much as his refusal to believe her, the coldness in his eyes when she tried to explain. She had never wanted things to escalate like that, never wanted to leave. But it hadnât been her choice.
Not really.
Rivaan didnât know the full story. He didnât know that it wasnât her decision to walk away. His mother had made sure of that.
Naina had left, broken and alone, unable even to say goodbye properly. She had hoped Rivaan would come for her, that he would fight for her, that he would believe in her.
But weeks had passed, and nothing had changed. Rivaan hadnât reached out, hadnât come after her. He believed she had left because of that push, and that was the story he had accepted. He didnât know his mother had forced her out.
Naina wasnât sure how to change that now. She had tried to move on, but the weight of unfinished words lingered between them like a ghost, haunting her in the quietest moments.
---
That evening, Naina sat alone in her small apartment, staring at the city lights outside her window. Her mind kept wandering back to the days before everything had fallen apart. She couldnât help but wonderâwould things have been different if she had stood her ground? If she had told Rivaan the truth about his motherâs ultimatum?
But would he have believed her?
Her phone vibrated on the table beside her, snapping her out of her thoughts. Glancing down, she saw an unknown number. Hesitant, she picked it up.
âNaina?â
The sound of his voice made her freeze. It was Rivaan.
Her heart quickened, a mix of anxiety and anger swelling inside her. She had made it clear that she didnât want to talk to him. She had severed ties for a reason. What was he doing?
âRivaan, I told you not toââ
âPlease, Naina,â he interrupted, his voice desperate, more so than she had ever heard before. âJust let me say this. You owe me that much.â
âI donât owe you anything,â Naina snapped, her grip tightening around the phone. âYou didnât believe me when I needed you to. What more is there to say?â
There was a long pause on the other end. Naina could hear Rivaan taking a shaky breath.
But instead of responding, Rivaan stayed silent.
Nainaâs anger surged. âYou see, Rivaan? You still donât know what to say. You never listen to me, and now itâs too late.â
She ended the call without waiting for his reply, her chest heaving as she fought back the mix of emotions swirling inside her.
---
Meanwhile, Rivaan stood in their once-shared apartment, phone still in his hand. The living room felt colder, emptier without her presence. He stared at his phone, frustration and regret flooding through him. He had thought he was doing the right thing by giving her space, but maybe it had been a mistake.
He slid the phone into his pocket, his eyes absentmindedly drifting around the room. Thatâs when he saw itâthe CCTV camera they had installed for security. An idea flickered in his mind.
Maybe there was something he hadnât seen. Something that could explain everything.