Overthinking and Overwhelmed

Your votes matter! By voting for each chapter, you help boost the story’s visibility, allowing more readers to discover and enjoy it. Please, vote before you start reading the following chapter. Thank you for your support!

GUYS, PLEASE VOTE. PLEASE HIT THAT FOLLOW BUTTON.

The night was restless for Dhruvin.

Lying in bed, staring at the ceiling, Nishant’s words played on repeat in his head.

Did Aashna ever tell you she belonged to our school?

It wasn’t the words themselves that unsettled him—it was the weight they carried. The way Nishant had said it, the way he had watched Dhruvin’s reaction with just a little too much amusement. Aashna had never once mentioned going to his school. Why? And why did she seem so terrified of Nishant? The pieces weren’t adding up, and that gnawed at him.

Turning on his side, Dhruvin looked at Aashna. She was curled up against him, her breathing soft and even, but her hand was unconsciously clutching his t-shirt. Even in sleep, she sought comfort. Protection. From what? Or… from whom?

He tightened his grip around her, pressing a small kiss to the top of her head. Whatever it is, Aashu, I’m here. I won’t let anything hurt you.

The next morning, everyone was groggy and slow-moving. The late-night partying had taken its toll, and the villa was a mess.

Aashna had been unusually quiet since waking up. While everyone engaged in lazy conversations over coffee, she busied herself with packing up, her focus distant, her smile not quite reaching her eyes.

Dhruvin noticed.

As they sat together on the patio, he nudged her gently. “Babba, you never told me you went to my school.”

Her fingers stilled over her cup of tea.

She blinked once, twice, before forcing a casual chuckle. “Did I? Must have slipped my mind.”

Dhruvin’s jaw clenched. He knew when she was deflecting.

He tilted his head, watching her carefully. “You never told me you knew Nishant either.”

Aashna stiffened. Just for a second—but Dhruvin caught it. She tried to mask it with a shrug. “We weren’t close. It wasn’t important.”

That was a lie. Aashna was a bad liar.

But she looked so uneasy, so desperate to change the topic, that Dhruvin let it go. For now.

But I’ll find out, Aashu. I swear I will.

The drive back home felt longer than it was. Aashna sat with her head against the window, watching the city blur past. The moment they dropped her home, she let out a deep breath, as if she had been holding it the entire time.

As she entered her room, Shadow ran to greet her, nuzzling against her legs. She smiled faintly, kneeling to pet him, but even the warmth of her dog couldn’t silence the storm in her head.

She had spent the past few days drowning in anxiety, fear, and memories she wished she could forget. But now, in the safety of her home, she finally allowed herself to think. Really think.

Should she tell Dhruvin?

The past was an ugly wound she had kept stitched up for years. Nishant had made her life hell in school. The constant taunts, the cruel jokes, the whispering behind her back. The way he had made her feel small.

And Dhruvin… Dhruvin had been there, but he had been nothing more than a silent observer. He wasn’t her tormentor, but he wasn’t her savior either. He had just… watched.

A tear rolled down her cheek before she could stop it.

“Aashna didi?”

She jolted at the voice, turning to see Aryan standing at the doorway, concern etched on his face.

“You’re crying,” he said, stepping inside. “What happened?”

Aashna wiped her tears hastily. “It’s nothing.”

Aryan scoffed. “Bakwaas mat kar. You don’t cry over ‘nothing’.” He sat beside her, waiting patiently.

She sighed, staring at the floor. “It’s about Dhruvin. About Nishant.”

Aryan’s expression darkened. “That guy who bullied you?”

Aashna nodded.

Aryan exhaled sharply. “Did he do something again? Tell me, Aashna, because I swear to god—”

“No,” she cut in. “He didn’t do anything. But he’s back. He was at the trip, and…” She hesitated, voice growing smaller. “Dhruvin doesn’t know.”

Aryan’s eyes flashed with understanding. “And you’re wondering if you should tell him.”

She nodded again.

Aryan sighed, running a hand through his hair. “Aashna, you can’t keep carrying this alone. Dhruvin deserves to know. He’s your boyfriend. Don’t you think he’d want to protect you?”

Aashna bit her lip. “But what if… what if he doesn’t understand? What if he thinks I’m just being dramatic?”

Aryan shook his head. “Dhruvin isn’t Nishant. And he does care about you. He already knows something’s wrong—he asked me about it too.”

Aashna’s heart clenched. Of course he did. Of course Dhruvin knew she was struggling, even when she tried to hide it.

Aryan placed a hand on her shoulder. “You don’t have to tell him everything at once. But at least give him something. Trust him.”

Aashna took a deep breath, nodding slowly. “Okay. I’ll tell him.”

Aryan smiled. “Good. And if that Nishant asshole tries anything, just tell me. I’ll make sure he regrets it.”

Aashna let out a small laugh, shaking her head. “I know you will.”

As Aryan left, Aashna lay back on her bed, staring at the ceiling.

Dhruvin deserved the truth.

She just hoped she was ready to give it to him.

❤️❤️❤️❤️

Author’s Note

Hey there, dear reader! 💛

If you enjoyed this chapter, don't forget to vote, share, and show some love. Your support means everything and keeps me going! ✨

Let me know your thoughts—I’d love to hear from you! 💕📖