As Ruhani read Aarav's reply, her heart shattered into a thousand pieces. She couldn't comprehend why Aarav, who once loved her deeply, now refused to be with her. Aarav, once a sensible and understanding individual, had become unreachable.
Ruhani desperately tried to reason with Aarav, hoping a face-to-face conversation would clarify the misunderstandings. But with Aarav in Gujarat, meeting seemed impossible.
Feeling helpless, Ruhani confided in Aakriti, pleading with her to intervene. However, Aarav's reluctance to discuss Ruhani remained unwavering.
Days of relentless calls and messages finally yielded a breakthrough. Aarav answered Ruhani's call, leaving her stunned.
With a trembling voice, Ruhani concealed her anguish, speaking softly, "Hello, Aarav. How are you?"
As she spoke, her throat constricted, and she clutched her mouth to stifle the sobs, fearing Aarav would hear her despair.
Aarav replied nonchalantly, "I'm fine, how are you?"
He merely wanted to engage in casual conversation, inquiring about Ruhani's well-being as he would with any old friend.
Ruhani responded, her voice laced with emotion, "How can I be without you?"
Aarav's calm demeanor faltered, irritation creeping into his tone. "Ruhani, please! I just want to talk normally, without any drama. That's all I expect from you."
Ruhani's composure shattered, her pent-up emotions bursting forth. "And what about my expectations, Aarav?" she sobbed, her voice rising. "You casually declared you felt nothing for me, that you didn't love me. Did you ever consider how I'd feel? How your words would shatter me?"
Collecting herself, Ruhani continued, her words dripping with anguish. "When we fell in love, when you proposed, you asked for my consent before entering this relationship. Why didn't you ask me before ending it? Why did you unilaterally decide everything?"
On the other end, Aarav listened silently to Ruhani's anguish-filled words. She continued, "When a relationship begins with mutual consent, why should it end with just one person's decision? What did I do to deserve such punishment?"
Ruhani's voice cracked as she sobbed, her words pouring out in desperation. "Was our bond so fragile that you could sever it with a single message? You didn't even deem it necessary to discuss the reasons for ending it. Why, Aarav? Why?"
Aarav finally broke his silence, his voice rising. "You want to know why I don't want to be with you? Because I slept with someone else."
Ruhani's eyes widened, her ears burning. She forgot to breathe, stunned by Aarav's words. "What are you saying, Aarav? Are you fabricating excuses to get rid of me?" she asked, incredulous.
Aarav's irritation resurfaced, his tone sharp. "Are you mad? Didn't you hear what I just said? I can't be with you because... I cheated!"
Aarav hadn't finished speaking when Ruhani interrupted, her voice laced with urgency. "Who is she?"
Aarav's tone softened, "You don't know her."
Ruhani's voice trembled, "How did this happen?"
Aarav hesitated, "We went for an office dinner, and we drank too much... and..."
Ruhani's eyes welled up, her fists clenched, as tears streamed down her face. This conversation was excruciating for her, yet she steeled herself to know the truth.
"Aarav, who is that girl? What's her name?" Ruhani asked again.
Aarav repeated, "You don't know her, Ruhani."
Ruhani's desperation grew, "Why won't you tell me her name? I won't react, I just want to know."
Aarav sighed, "Knowing her name won't change anything. I made a mistake, and we can't be together anymore."
Undeterred, Ruhani listed the names of Aarav's female friends and colleagues, her voice rising. "Is it one of them?"
Ruhani had been privy to Aarav's relationships and friendships, knowing each of his female friends and colleagues by name. Their past arguments had often centered around these very women.
Aarav's curt response to Ruhani's list of names was a simple "No."
Ruhani's patience had worn thin, her anger boiling over. "None of your flatmates, none of your colleagues?" she demanded, her voice trembling. "Then who is she? Why won't you reveal her name?"
Aarav's irritation was evident, but his tone remained calm. "You wanted to know the reason, and I told you."
Ruhani's tears flowed freely as she asked, her voice cracking, "Do you love her?"
*******
What happens next?
How would Aarav react to Ruhani's probing inquiry?
Who was the enigmatic woman whose presence had shattered the foundations of their relationship, leaving Ruhani's heart in tatters?
Would Ruhani ultimately uncover the truth behind the girl's identity, or would Aarav continue to shield her from the devastating revelation?
Let me know in the comments and likes below!
Stay tuned for the next chapter of
'Chat By Fate' exclusively on Web Novel.
.
.
Dear readers! Please don't forget to leave your valuable reviews after reading my novel.
For more engaging stories, follow me on Web Novel
and stay updated on my novels through Instagram @(author.rabina).
.
.
Thank you!