Chapter 54: chapter 53

Aarohi walked out of her college building, the weight of her exams still hanging over her despite having finished the last one. She was relieved it was finally over, but the feeling of unease never fully left her. The thought of her upcoming wedding, the pressure from family, and the complicated dynamics with Vihaan lingered in her mind.

She spotted Vihaan’s car parked just outside the college gate, and her heart fluttered at the sight. He had promised to pick her up after her exam, and true to his word, he was already there.

As she walked toward the car, she couldn’t help but feel grateful for his support over the past few weeks. Despite his possessiveness and moments of tension, he had been there for her in ways no one else had.

Vihaan’s eyes softened as he spotted her, a smile playing on his lips. He opened the car door for her, and she slid in, her gaze meeting his.

“How was it?” Vihaan asked, his voice low, a hint of concern in his tone.

“It went... well,” Aarohi replied, trying to shake off the nerves that still clung to her. “Glad it’s over, though.”

He gave her a reassuring smile. “You did great. I know you did.”

Aarohi settled into the seat, but her mind was elsewhere. She had barely begun to relax when she saw Rohan standing near the entrance of the college, his eyes locked on her. The sight of him immediately made her uneasy.

Vihaan, noticing the change in her demeanor, frowned slightly. “Is something wrong?”

Before Aarohi could respond, Rohan approached them. His presence made her tense, and she shifted uncomfortably in her seat. Vihaan’s gaze hardened as Rohan neared, but he didn’t say anything.

“Hey, Aarohi,” Rohan said, his tone soft but sincere. “I just wanted to talk for a minute.”

Aarohi hesitated but nodded, her heart racing. She wasn’t sure what he wanted, but she knew it wasn’t going to be an easy conversation.

Rohan turned to Vihaan, offering a brief nod before speaking again. “I owe you an apology, Vihaan. I know I crossed a line, and I was wrong to interfere.”

Vihaan’s eyes narrowed but remained calm. He didn’t respond immediately, instead waiting for Rohan to continue.

Rohan turned back to Aarohi, his expression softening. “I’ve been thinking a lot about everything that happened. When I first saw you, I just... I liked you. I thought maybe we could be friends, and I could get closer to you.” He paused, looking at her with a mix of regret and acceptance. “But then I found out you were already in a relationship, and I didn’t know how to let go. I convinced myself there was still a chance, and that’s when things got messy.”

Aarohi’s chest tightened, the words sinking in. She had felt the unease building between them ever since Rohan started getting closer, but hearing him admit it so openly made her feel conflicted.

“I tried to make you doubt Vihaan,” Rohan continued, his voice a little more vulnerable now. “I thought that maybe if you questioned things, I could get closer to you. But seeing what it did to your relationship... I knew I was wrong.” He paused, his shoulders sagging a little. “I should have backed off sooner. And now, with the wedding coming up... it’s time for me to move on.”

Aarohi’s heart skipped a beat as Rohan’s words hit her. She knew what he was saying, but hearing it out loud felt different. Rohan was finally letting go, and part of her felt a little relieved, but there was also a sense of loss. It wasn’t easy to walk away from someone who had once been a friend.

“I’m not going to keep following you around,” Rohan said, his gaze sincere but final. “You’re getting married, and I don’t want to be the one causing more trouble in your life. It’s time to say goodbye.”

The silence hung heavy between them as Rohan gave her one last look before turning away, walking toward his car without another word.

Vihaan was the first to speak, his voice low and serious. “Are you okay?”

Aarohi nodded, though she felt a little shaken by the conversation. “Yeah. I’m fine.”

But Vihaan didn’t seem convinced. His protective nature kicked in, and he reached out, gently placing a hand on her shoulder. “You know you don’t have to face these things alone, right?”

Aarohi looked up at him, her heart swelling with appreciation for his concern. “I know. Thank you... for being here.”

Vihaan smiled softly, his possessiveness surfacing again as he leaned in slightly. “Always. And I’m not going anywhere.”

As they drove away from the college, Aarohi felt a sense of finality settle in her chest. Rohan had let go, and she could now focus on the future with Vihaan—on the wedding, on the life they were about to build together. But the conversation with Rohan had left her with mixed emotions, and she couldn’t help but wonder if this was truly the end of the past.

Vihaan glanced at her, his eyes soft but intense. “You’re mine, Aarohi. And I’ll make sure nothing comes between us.”

Aarohi smiled, her heart finding solace in his words, knowing that, for now, they were heading toward a future they would face together—without any distractions.