The morning sunlight filtered through the curtains of Aarohiâs room, but the warmth did little to ease the cold ache in her chest. She had spent the entire night tossing and turning, replaying every moment, every word, and every emotion. The locket lay on her bedside table, a cruel reminder of the promises Vihaan had made and the trust he had shattered.
She wasnât sure what she wanted to do next. Confront him again? Ignore him completely? None of it felt right. Her thoughts were interrupted by the sound of her phone buzzing on the nightstand.
It was Vihaan.
Aarohi hesitated, her finger hovering over the screen. The call stopped, only to be replaced by a message:
âAarohi, please meet me. I need to explain everything. Same café, 4 PM.â
She stared at the message, her heart conflicted. Did she really want to hear what he had to say? After everything, did it even matter? But deep down, she knew she needed answers. Even if they hurt, she couldnât live with this cloud of doubt hanging over her.
The café was quieter than usual, the ambient chatter and clinking of cutlery muted against the tension between Aarohi and Vihaan. Aarohi sat stiffly across from him, her hands clenched on her lap, her eyes wary. She had come to confront him, to demand the truth, but part of her dreaded hearing it.
Vihaan, on the other hand, looked restless but determined. He leaned forward slightly, his voice soft yet steady. âAarohi, I know Iâve hurt you. I know the pictures look bad, and you deserve an explanation.â
Aarohi didnât respond immediately, her gaze fixed on him as if trying to read the truth in his eyes. âThen explain, Vihaan. Because right now, I donât know what to think.â
He took a deep breath, his jaw tightening briefly before he spoke. âThe pictures are real. I wonât deny that. Tara and I... we were together years ago. I thought it was love, but she left without a word, and I was shattered. I didnât know why she left or if Iâd ever see her again. And for a long time, I didnât.â
Aarohiâs expression didnât soften, but she didnât interrupt him either.
âSheâs back now, Aarohi,â Vihaan continued, his voice tinged with frustration. âAnd I donât know why sheâs doing this. Sending those pictures, manipulating youâitâs her way of playing games. But I swear to you, I have no feelings for her. Not anymore.â
Aarohiâs heart wavered. His words sounded genuine, his expression sincere. But before she could fully process his explanation, her phone buzzed.
Instinctively, Aarohi picked it up, her brows furrowing as she opened the message. Her blood ran cold. It was a picture of the necklace Vihaan had given herâthe same intricate silver locket she had held onto last night. But this one wasnât hers. It was identical, down to the handwritten note inside.
Her name had been replaced with Taraâs.
The handwriting matched, the note identical except for the name. Aarohiâs stomach twisted. âThis canât be from before,â she whispered, her voice barely audible. âWhy would you give her the same necklace?â
Vihaan leaned forward, his face falling as he saw the picture. âAarohi, I didnât give her this,â he said firmly. âThis is her way of messing with your head. I donât know how she got it or why sheâs doing this, but I swear, itâs not what it looks like.â
Aarohiâs phone buzzed again, another message. She hesitated before opening it, dread pooling in her chest.
âYou have good taste. But Iâm going to take my Vihaan back.â
The words felt like a dagger to her heart. Even though a part of her knew Vihaan wasnât involved, the thought of Tara claiming him made her feel sick. Her grip on the phone tightened as her emotions threatened to spill over.
Vihaan, noticing her reaction, snatched the phone from her hands. His jaw clenched as he read the message, his eyes darkening with anger. âThis is sick,â he muttered. âSheâs trying to tear us apart, Aarohi. I would never go back to her. Never.â
Aarohi looked at him, her voice trembling. âI know this isnât your fault, Vihaan. I can see what sheâs doing. But why didnât you tell me about her? About your past? Even after our engagement, youâve barely told me anything about yourself. I donât even know you.â
Her words hit him hard, and for a moment, he couldnât respond. She was right. He had kept so much of himself hidden, thinking it wouldnât matter, that they could build their relationship from the present without delving into the past.
âI thought it didnât matter,â he admitted quietly. âI thought we could move forward without dredging up old wounds. But I was wrong. Youâre right, AarohiâI havenât told you enough. And thatâs on me. But please believe me when I say Iâll do whatever it takes to fix this. To make sure she doesnât come between us.â
Aarohiâs eyes softened slightly, though her anger lingered. âI need time, Vihaan,â she said, her voice steadier now. âTime to process all of this, to figure out where we stand. And I need you to be honest with me. No more secrets.â
Vihaan nodded, his expression resolute. âYou have my word, Aarohi. No more secrets.â
The tension between them remained, but for the first time in days, there was a glimmer of understanding. Aarohi left the café feeling conflicted but slightly lighter. She didnât know where they would go from here, but at least she had the truthâor as much of it as she could handle for now.
Vihaan watched her leave, determination hardening in his chest. He wouldnât let Tara win. Whatever it took, he would protect what he had with Aarohi. And this time, he wouldnât let his past ruin his future.