Chapter 35: chapter 35

Vihaan's mind buzzed like a live wire. The memory of Aarohi’s defensive tone and the thought of Rohan hovering in her life ate away at his patience. His possessiveness, which he had always dismissed as part of who he was, now felt like a burning wound he couldn’t ignore.

Meanwhile, Aarohi trudged through her day at college, trying to ignore the sinking feeling in her chest. Vihaan’s words from their fight replayed endlessly in her head, clashing with her own anger and guilt. Why couldn’t he trust her? And why couldn’t she shake off the frustration that he didn’t understand?

As she walked across campus after class, a voice broke her thoughts.

“Aarohi!”

She turned to see Rohan, his usual smile in place as he waved and jogged up to her.

“Hey, you looked like you needed a distraction,” he said, his tone light and cheerful.

Aarohi sighed. “You don’t know the half of it.”

“Well, that’s why I’m here,” Rohan said, his eyes glinting with humor. “There’s this amazing café I found near campus. Great coffee, even better vibes. Come on, my treat.”

She hesitated for a moment, thinking of how Vihaan would react, but quickly pushed the thought away. Why should she let his unwarranted jealousy dictate her choices?

“Alright,” Aarohi said with a small smile. “Let’s go.”

---

The café was buzzing with life, and Aarohi found herself relaxing in the cozy corner Rohan had chosen. His jokes and stories filled the gaps in her mind that had been clouded with tension, and for the first time in days, she felt lighter.

Rohan leaned back in his chair, his eyes on her. “You know, Aarohi, you’re different when you’re not stressing over everything. More… free.”

She laughed softly. “I’ve had a lot on my plate lately.”

“I can see that,” he said, his voice softening. “But for what it’s worth, I hope whoever’s adding to your stress realizes how lucky they are. You’re pretty amazing, Aarohi.”

She froze at his words, unsure of how to respond. The sincerity in his tone made her heart twist uncomfortably.

Before she could speak, her phone buzzed on the table. She glanced at the screen, and her heart sank.

Vihaan: Call me when you’re free.

---

Vihaan stared at the photo on his phone, his hand tightening into a fist. One of his acquaintances had forwarded it—a casual picture of Aarohi and Rohan at the café, sitting close and laughing like they didn’t have a care in the world.

He felt like the ground beneath him was shifting. It wasn’t just jealousy—it was fear. Was she slipping away from him?

Without a second thought, he grabbed his car keys and stormed out of his office, his mind set on finding answers.

---

Aarohi was halfway home when a sleek black car pulled up beside her, the window rolling down to reveal Vihaan’s tense face.

“Vihaan?” she said, startled. “What are you doing here?”

“Get in,” he said, his voice clipped.

“What? Why?”

“Get in, Aarohi,” he repeated firmly. “We need to talk.”

Reluctantly, she slid into the passenger seat, the tension thick enough to cut with a knife. Vihaan didn’t speak as he drove, his knuckles white on the steering wheel.

He finally pulled into a quiet, empty parking lot and turned to her, his eyes blazing.

“What’s going on with you and Rohan?” he demanded, his voice low but dangerously controlled.

Aarohi blinked, taken aback. “What are you talking about?”

“Don’t play dumb,” Vihaan snapped, holding up his phone to show her the photo. “This! What is this, Aarohi?”

Her stomach sank, but she forced herself to stay calm. “It’s a picture of me and a friend having coffee. That’s all it is.”

“A friend?” Vihaan scoffed, his tone dripping with disbelief. “He’s not just a friend, Aarohi. He’s constantly around you, texting you, showing up in your life like he belongs there. And now this?”

“You’re overreacting,” Aarohi shot back, her own temper flaring. “Rohan is a friend, Vihaan. Why can’t you just trust me?”

“Because it’s not about trust!” Vihaan exploded, his voice rising. “It’s about the fact that he’s trying to take my place, and you’re letting him!”

“I’m not letting him do anything!” Aarohi countered, her voice shaking. “You’re the one who’s making this into something it’s not!”

They glared at each other, the air between them crackling with unresolved tension.

Vihaan leaned closer, his voice dropping to a dangerous whisper. “Tell me the truth, Aarohi. Are you starting to feel something for him?”

The question hung in the air like a storm cloud, heavy and ominous. Aarohi’s breath caught, her heart pounding as she searched for the right words.

But before she could answer, Vihaan’s phone buzzed loudly, breaking the moment. He glanced at the screen, his expression hardening.

Without a word, he put the phone down and looked back at her, his eyes unreadable.

---

What did Vihaan see on his phone that changed everything? And would Aarohi’s answer come too late?