As weeks went by, Ria found herself falling deeper for Arun. He was everything she had ever wanted in a partner: supportive, caring, and patient. He made her feel special, loved, and cherished in a way she had never experienced before. Ria's doubts about him began to fade—until Priya intervened again.
Ria and Arun had been together for almost four months when Priya's warnings became impossible to ignore. Ria had always trusted Priya's judgment. After all, they had known each other for years, shared countless memories, and supported each other through every heartache. When Priya raised her concerns about Arun, Ria listened—perhaps more closely than she had ever listened before.
"You really need to be careful, Ria," Priya said one evening when they were having dinner. Ria could see the sincerity in her eyes, but there was also something else—a note of worry. Priya had never looked at her with such seriousness before. "I just think you need to ask yourself, 'Why is he so perfect?' There's always something beneath the surface, and I don't think you're seeing it."
Ria was taken aback. "What are you talking about?" she asked, trying to suppress the rising tension inside her. "Arun is great. He's everything I've ever wanted."
"I know, but that's the problem," Priya replied, her voice low. "You deserve more than just 'perfect.' You deserve honesty, trust... not someone who might be hiding something."
Ria was silent for a long time, contemplating her best friend's words. Could Priya be right? Was she so blinded by love that she couldn't see the flaws in Arun? She thought back to the countless times Arun had reassured her, the way he had never brought up his past, never mentioned any serious exes, and how he was always so careful not to let her see anything less than his best self. Ria tried to shake off the feeling of unease that started to settle in her chest.
For the first time, she questioned the man she had come to trust with her heart.