Sunday, at Ruhani's room.
Aakriti visited Ruhani's home to meet her, finding Ruhani engrossed in her laptop, tackling office work.
Aakriti noticed Ruhani's subdued responses to her queries and turned serious, asking, "Have you still not forgotten him?"
Ruhani paused, her gaze locked onto Aakriti's, eyes welling up. "How can I forget?" she exclaimed. "Is it that easy to erase memories? Aarav abandoned me as if I never existed in his life."
Aakriti's attention intensified, focusing on Ruhani.
Aarav Gulati, Ruhani's ex-boyfriend, had parted ways with her a year ago. Ruhani couldn't shake off the pain; she had deeply loved him.
Their relationship spanned two and a half years, and they had known each other for nearly five. They shared school days, but Aarav attended a different college.
He had secretly admired Ruhani since school and confessed his feelings in their college's first year. From then on, they were inseparable.
As soon as Aarav completed his graduation, he secured a job in Gujarat, necessitating an out-of-state relocation. Ruhani, then in her fourth year, struggled to cope with the impending long-distance relationship. After a year and a half together, cracks began to form.
Ruhani sobbed uncontrollably, confessing to Aakriti, "How can we forget those we love? Families have disagreements too; do we abandon our parents? No! Then why did he leave me?" Aakriti's eyes welled up seeing Ruhani's tears.
Embracing Ruhani, Aakriti listened intently as she continued, "I made Aarav's life hell, constantly troubling him. My possessiveness and insecurity fueled endless questions and fights. That's why he left me."
Aakriti's expression shifted to indignation. "Who told you this?" Aakriti asked firmly. "This is normal in love! We become possessive, ask questions, and fight. It's not a reason for breakup. Arav was just making excuses."
Ruhani's voice grew hoarse from crying. Ruhani's voice trembled as she continued, "The day before your birthday, I told Aarav 'I love you' over chat, and he replied, 'Now I don't feel anything.' I thought he was stressed with work."
She paused, collecting her thoughts. "I calmed him down, saying, 'Don't worry, everything will be fine. Don't take too much stress.' But on your birthday night, he said something that left me breathless."
Aakriti's expression turned puzzled. "My birthday?" she asked, furrowing her brows. "Why didn't you tell me then, Ruhani? This was happening since the day before my birthday, and you didn't mention it once!"
Ruhani explained. "I didn't want to ruin your birthday. I thought he was just stressed, and I could handle it."
Ruhani wiped away tears. "I even skipped drinking at your party, remembering how I'd have spoiled your celebration if I were drunk."
Aakriti's eyes welled up. She gently slapped Ruhani, tears streaming down her face. "You crazy girl! You were in so much pain, yet you worried about my birthday! You hid your agony from me and everyone at the party!"
Ruhani sobbed, "Because I love you."
Aakriti's expression turned slightly annoyed. "But I didn't know, because you didn't consider me your best friend. You didn't confide in me."
Her voice laced with self-reproach. "What kind of best friend am I, celebrating my birthday oblivious to your pain, blinded by your fake smile? Shame on me."
Ruhani clutched Aakriti, pleading, "Don't say that, please. I told you eventually."
Aakriti's annoyance persisted. "Yes, but a week later."
Ruhani's sobs intensified. "I thought I could fix everything, and things would get better. After all, Aarav loved me deeply."
Aakriti's tone turned stern. "Aarav's actions won't be justified, Ruhani. This won't be okay."
Just then, Mrs. Aabha entered Ruhani's room, noticing the untouched tea. "What's this? You two haven't had tea yet? It must be cold by now."
Mrs. Aabha's voice startled Ruhani and Aakriti, who hastily wiped away tears to avoid detection.
Mrs. Aabha lifted the tea tray, eyeing them concernedly. "I'll reheat this, but what's wrong with you two? Why do you look so down?"
Aakriti burst into laughter, attempting to deflect Mrs. Aabha's concern. "We were just fighting, Aunty."
Mrs. Aabha's confusion deepened. "Fighting? Why?"
Aakriti stuttered, fabricating a reason, "She never visits my house, and we never meet properly outside, that's why."
Ruhani chimed in, nodding vigorously to support Aakriti's tale. Mrs. Aabha chuckled, amused by their antics. "You two are still kids, I see. Alright, I'll reheat the tea. Drink it before it gets cold again, and no more fighting!"
With a warm smile, Mrs. Aabha left the room. As soon as she departed, Aakriti and Ruhani let out a collective sigh of relief.
But Mrs. Aabha suddenly turned back, her expression serious. "Aakriti, dear, please keep visiting us like this. We're delighted to have you, and Ruhani's happiness matters to us too."
With a gentle smile, Mrs. Aabha disappeared from view.
*******
What happens next?
What did Aarav say that left Ruhani breathless?
What did Aarav do that made things irreparable?
Despite loving her so deeply, why did Aarav leave Ruhani?
What was the real reason behind Ruhani and Aarav's breakup?"
Let me know in the comments and likes below!
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