The next morning, Aarohiâs heart pounded in her chest as she stared at the new message from the unknown person. It was followed by an image that made her blood run cold.
The first photo was of Vihaan at a dimly lit club, a drink in his hand. Next to him was a woman, her body language close to his, both of them laughing. But it wasnât just the image that unnerved Aarohiâit was the way the woman was leaning in, seemingly too familiar, as though they had been together for a long time. The caption beneath the photo read: "Is this how he spends his time when he's not with you?"
Aarohiâs heart sank. She stared at the picture, her mind racing. She knew Karan was often with Vihaan, so it didnât make sense that he would be so close with a stranger. But the image still bothered her. It seemed too perfectâa snapshot of what could easily be misinterpreted. The woman wasnât just talking to Vihaan, she was sitting next to him, blushing and looking like they shared more than a simple conversation.
Before she could process the first photo, another one came through. This one was even more shockingâa picture of Vihaan in a bedroom, shirtless, lying peacefully on a bed. The room looked ordinary, but the girlâs purse on the bed next to him raised a thousand questions.
Aarohiâs breath caught in her throat. She felt sick. Her mind raced with one thought: Is he cheating on me?
The doubt gnawed at her. Was this why he didnât want the marriage? Was he already involved with someone else? If it was true, then why had he said he was âgiving this relationship a tryâ? Aarohi was confused and hurt. What was he really trying to doâwas this just an act for his family, or was there something deeper?
Her fingers hovered over her phone, the uncertainty suffocating her. She couldnât hold onto the doubt any longer. She had to confront him. She needed answers.
Aarohi sent a message to Vihaan:
âMeet me tomorrow at the cafe. We need to talk.â
---
The next day, Aarohi arrived at the cafe earlier than usual. Her nerves were on edge, her hands clammy as she waited for Vihaan to arrive. Her mind was clouded with all the questions, the images, and the doubts swirling in her head. She didnât know how to approach him, didnât know how to ask the questions without sounding accusatory.
When Vihaan finally entered, his gaze softened as he spotted her. He walked over, taking a seat across from her. There was an uneasy tension between them, but he didnât seem to sense the storm brewing inside her.
"Hey," he greeted her, his voice casual. "Whatâs up? You wanted to talk?"
Aarohi took a deep breath, her fingers tapping nervously against her cup. She didnât want to jump straight into the accusations. She didnât want him to feel attacked or cornered. But the doubt was too strong now.
"I just⦠wanted to talk," she began, her voice steady but laced with uncertainty. "Iâve been thinking about things, and I guess thereâs a lot I donât understand. Especially about your past⦠your relationships."
Vihaan raised an eyebrow, clearly not expecting that question. He leaned back slightly in his chair, trying to read her expression. "What do you mean? My past relationships?"
Aarohi took a moment before continuing. She didnât want him to think she didnât trust him, but the imagesâthe photosâhad made her question everything. She had to know the truth.
"I just⦠I need to understand more about you, Vihaan," she said, her voice low. "You said you were âgiving this relationship a try,â but I donât know what that means anymore. And⦠I saw something that made me wonder about your intentions. About where you were last Friday. And the person you were with."
Vihaanâs face hardened slightly, but he kept his composure. "I donât know what youâre talking about," he said, his tone more guarded now.
Aarohiâs eyes held his, unblinking. "I saw the photos," she said, her voice barely above a whisper. "I saw you with a girl at the club, and then⦠a picture of you sleeping in a room with her purse on the bed. I donât know what it means, but I need to know if youâre being honest with me."
Vihaanâs expression faltered for a moment, his jaw tightening. He looked away, then met her gaze again, his voice much quieter now. "Aarohi, I donât know whoâs sending you those things, but theyâre not telling you the truth."
He paused, his fingers tightening around his coffee cup. "The girl at the club? She came up to me and asked if I was taken. I told her I was, and she left. Thereâs nothing more to it than that.
She hesitated for a moment, gathering her thoughts. âThe pictures... the one at the club with the girl... I just donât get it. You said it was nothing, but why didnât you mention her to me?â
Vihaanâs eyes narrowed slightly, but he didnât lose his composure. "Aarohi, I already told you. It was just some girl who asked me if I was taken. I said I was. Thatâs it. Nothing happened."
Aarohi nodded, trying to remain composed. "Okay. But..." She paused before adding, "Then thereâs the other oneâthe one in the bedroom with the purse on the bed. Vihaan, how do you explain that?"
His face stiffened. "I canât explain it, because itâs not real. Someone must have edited those photos. I swear to you, nothing happened."
Aarohi could feel her heart racing. "It doesn't feel like an edit, Vihaan. The picture... looks so real. And now youâre telling me you didnât do anything? Why was she even there?" Her voice rose with the growing frustration. "Why didnât you tell me about her, about that night?"
Vihaan stood up abruptly, his chair scraping against the floor as his frustration mirrored hers. "Iâm not going to keep repeating myself. It was nothing, Aarohi. Just stop trying to make it something itâs not."
Aarohiâs temper flared. "How can you expect me to believe that, when everything points in the opposite direction? Why should I trust you when you're acting like this?" Her eyes flashed with anger. "I asked you to be honest with me, and all youâve done is dodge my questions."
Vihaanâs jaw clenched, his eyes filled with frustration. "I didnât dodge anything. Youâre just refusing to trust me!" His voice was tight, barely holding back his own anger.
Aarohi shook her head. âI can't do this right now, Vihaan. I canât keep pretending that everything is fine when youâre not even being straight with me." Without another word, she turned and walked out of the cafe, leaving him staring after her, a feeling of helplessness settling over him.
---