The night was quiet, but sleep evaded Vedha. She turned restlessly in bed, her thoughts clouded with worry.
Shourya, noticing her unease, sat up. "Vedha, what's wrong?" he asked, his deep voice soft yet commanding.
She hesitated, glancing at him nervously. "It's... it's about my friend Pooja," she began, her voice low.
Shourya frowned slightly, his curiosity piqued. "What about her?"
Vedha fiddled with the edge of her blanket, unsure how to express her concern. "She... she told me something, Shourya. Something I can't stop thinking about."
"Just say it," he urged, sensing her hesitation.
She hesitated, her heart racing with the discomfort of sharing something so personal. "She and her boyfriend Dhanush... got closer, Shourya," Vedha finally said, her cheeks burning with the embarrassment of even saying it aloud. "They... crossed a line."
Shourya's expression didn't shift much, but his brows furrowed slightly. "And why does this bother you so much?" he asked calmly.
"It's not just that," Vedha continued, still hesitant. "Dhanush is cunning, Shourya. He tried to impress me before he even approached Pooja. I didn't trust him then, and I don't trust him now. But Pooja won't listen to me—she trusts him completely. She said they were careful, but..." She trailed off, biting her lip.
Shourya leaned forward slightly, his gaze steady. "You're worried he's using her," he said, piecing her thoughts together.
Vedha nodded. "Exactly. I told her, Shourya. I warned her not to get so involved with him, but she just brushed me off. She even joked about me being overly cautious. She said things like, At least I'm not like you, married and still...'"
Her words faltered, and she quickly stopped herself. The room fell silent, and Shourya's gaze remained steady, waiting for her to finish.
Vedha hesitated, her voice trembling as she reluctantly continued. "She said... 'At least I'm not like you, married and still... untouched.'"
The words hung in the air, the vulnerability in her tone cutting through the silence. She glanced at Shourya, her chest tight, unsure of how he'd react.
Shourya's jaw tightened at her words, a flicker of protectiveness flashing in his eyes. "She said that to you?"
Vedha looked down, her voice soft. "Yes. I know she didn't mean to hurt me, but it still stung. She doesn't understand... how much this whole situation worries me. She trusts him more than me, and I'm scared, Shourya. What if he hurts her? What if—"
"Vedha," Shourya interrupted gently but firmly, "you've done what you could. You've tried to warn her. Sometimes people need to learn the hard way. But let me be clear—if this Dhanush crosses any lines or tries anything against you or Pooja, I won't let it slide.
Vedha looked at him, her eyes wide with a mix of surprise and gratitude. "You'd do that?"
He nodded, his voice calm but resolute. "You're my wife, Vedha. Your worries are mine too, don't let this eat at you too much. We'll handle whatever comes."
For the first time that night, Vedha felt a sense of relief. Shourya's support was a balm to her troubled heart, and she knew she wasn't alone in her worries anymore.
Pooja sat on the edge of her bed, her hands trembling as she clutched the fabric of her sheets. The tears flowed uncontrollably, each sob racking her body with guilt and anguish. I can't do this, she thought. I can't hurt Vedha.
The thought of betraying her best friend, of doing something that would change everything between them, felt unbearable.
I can't betray her like this, Pooja thought, her heart breaking at the very idea. I can't be the one to hurt her. She trusts me—how can I do this to her?
One week, Dhanush's words rang in her ears, like an ominous countdown ticking away the precious time she had left to make a choice. A choice she didn't want to make. A choice she hated herself for even considering.
I can't betray her like this, Pooja thought, her heart breaking at the very idea. I can't be the one to hurt her. She trusts me—how can I do this to her?
She wanted to scream, to do anything to undo the path she had been forced down. But there was no way out. No escape. She was trapped in this painful situation, and the truth gnawed at her—she was about to give Vedha's innocence away to someone who didn't deserve it.