Ria's eyes fluttered open, and she rose from bed, her heart heavy with a sense of foreboding. She made her way to Rahul's room, her footsteps quiet on the plush carpet. As she pushed open the door, her world came crashing down.
Rahul sat on the bed, his arms wrapped around a stunning blonde, her lips curled into a sly smile. Ria's eyes widened in horror as Rahul's gaze met hers, his expression unrepentant.
"This is Tia," Rahul said, his voice devoid of emotion. "My secretary." Tia's hand snaked into Rahul's, her fingers intertwining with his as she gazed up at Ria with a triumphant glint in her eye.
"I'm Rahul's girlfriend," Tia declared, her voice dripping with malice. "We're getting married soon. You need to sign the divorce papers, Ria." Ria's eyes locked onto Rahul's, searching for a glimmer of remorse, but his gaze remained impassive, his eyes cold and unyielding.
Ria's voice trembled with anguish. "Was this why you wanted a divorce? Because of her?" The words hung in the air, heavy with betrayal and heartbreak. Rahul's expression remained unmoved, but Tia's smile grew wider, her eyes flashing with victory.
Rahul's voice dripped with malice as he said, "You guessed it right, Ria. I'm in love with Tia." Tia's lips curled into a sly smile as she leaned in to kiss Rahul's hand, her eyes glinting with triumph.
Ria's heart seethed with jealousy, her eyes burning with unshed tears. She felt as though she'd been punched in the gut, her breath knocked out of her. The realization hit her like a ton of bricks - Rahul had betrayed her, deceived her, and humiliated her.
With a quiet dignity, Ria turned and walked back to her room, leaving Rahul and Tia to their victory. The door closed behind her with a soft click, and she let out a sob, her body shaking with anguish.
As the day wore on, Rahul and Tia left for the office, leaving Ria to her tears. But she refused to give in to her sorrow. Instead, she steeled herself, determined to show Rahul that she wouldn't be easily defeated.
With a newfound resolve, Ria visited the beauty parlor, emerging with a stunning makeover. Her hair was styled to perfection, her makeup flawless, and her white frock hugged her curves in all the right places.
As night fell, Ria waited for Rahul, her heart pounding in her chest. When he arrived, she pretended to stumble, her eyes locked onto his as she fell.
Rahul rushed to her side, catching her in his arms. "Ria, what's wrong?" he asked, his voice laced with concern. Ria's eyes sparkled with tears as she whispered, "I'm scared, Rahul. Don't leave me alone."
Rahul's expression softened, and he scooped her up in his arms, carrying her to the bed. As he lay down beside her, Ria's hand crept into his, her voice barely audible. "I'm so scared, Rahul."
Rahul's eyes locked onto hers, and for a moment, Ria thought she saw a glimmer of the man she once loved. He reached for the glass of water on the bedside table, but Ria's hand tightened around his. "I don't have the courage," she whispered.
With a gentle smile, Rahul lifted the glass to her lips, his eyes never leaving hers. As the water touched her lips, Ria felt a spark of electricity run through her body. Rahul's hand cradled her head, his fingers tangling in her hair as he helped her drink.
As the night wore on, Rahul lay beside Ria, his arm wrapped around her, his eyes watching over her as she slept. For the first time in weeks, Ria felt a sense of peace, her heart beating in tandem with Rahul's. But as she drifted off to sleep, she couldn't shake the feeling that she was living in a dream, one that would soon shatter into a million pieces.
The next morning, Rahul left for the office, leaving Ria alone in the vast, empty house. Ria's mind was consumed by thoughts of Rahul, her heart aching with a mix of love and longing. The silence was oppressive, and she found herself wandering aimlessly, searching for a distraction from her thoughts.
As the hours ticked by, Ria's restlessness grew. She couldn't shake the feeling that she needed to be with Rahul, to see him, to talk to him. Suddenly, an idea struck her. She would visit Rahul's office, taking some food for him as a pretext.
Ria's heart skipped a beat as she contemplated the plan. What if Rahul asked her why she had come? What would she say? She pushed aside her doubts, her mind made up. She would go to Rahul's office, no matter what. With newfound determination, Ria set about preparing a meal for Rahul, her hands moving with a sense of purpose.
Ria's hands trembled as she packed the lunch, her heart heavy with a sense of foreboding. She made her way to Rahul's office, her feet carrying her on autopilot. As she reached the door, she hesitated, her hand poised to knock.
But then, she heard Tia's voice, shrill and manipulative. "When are you going to get a divorce from Ria?" Ria's heart sank, her breath catching in her throat. Rahul's response was like a dagger to her soul. "I've already given her the divorce papers. She's just being stubborn."
Tia's laughter was like a slap in the face. "You should just go and get her to sign them. Why are you being so patient?" Ria felt a wave of nausea wash over her, her eyes stinging with tears. She couldn't bear to hear any more.
As she turned to leave, her hand slipped, and the lunch fell to the ground. Rahul and Tia emerged from the office, their faces a picture of surprise. Rahul's eyes locked onto Ria's, and for a moment, they just stared at each other.
Ria's voice was barely audible. "I just came to bring you lunch." Tia's smile was venomous. "You don't need to bother. I'm here to take care of Rahul." Rahul didn't intervene, didn't say a word, as Tia continued to taunt Ria.
"Why haven't you signed the divorce papers yet?" Tia sneered. Ria's response was laced with pain. "That's between me and Rahul." Tia's face twisted in anger, and she raised her hand, slapping Ria across the face.
Rahul didn't flinch, didn't react, as Ria's eyes welled up with tears. But then, something inside Ria snapped. She raised her hand, slapping Tia back with a force that left the other woman reeling.
Rahul's eyes flashed with anger, and he turned on Ria, his words biting. "How dare you!" Ria's heart shattered into a million pieces as she realized that Rahul was truly gone, lost to her forever. She turned and ran, leaving behind the shattered remains of her heart.
As night descended, Rahul entered Ria's room, his eyes scanning her face. "Have you signed the divorce papers?" he asked, his voice devoid of emotion. Ria's eyes, still red from crying, welled up with fresh tears. "Is that why you're here?" she whispered, her voice cracking.
Rahul's expression remained impassive. "Just sign them, Ria. I have other things to attend to." Ria's eyes flashed with anger, but her voice was laced with sadness. "I've changed myself for you, Rahul. I've tried to be the person you wanted me to be. But when Tia slapped me, you didn't even react."
Rahul's eyes narrowed. "You slapped her back, didn't you? And what was the point of bringing me lunch?" Ria's voice was barely audible. "I'm leaving, Rahul. I've signed the papers. I'll never come back into your life."
Just then, Rahul's phone rang, shrill in the silence. He answered, his expression changing from indifference to shock. "What?!" Ria's eyes locked onto his, her heart racing. "What is it?" Rahul's voice was barely above a whisper. "Your family...they're gone. The house caught fire...everyone's dead."
Ria's world came crashing down around her. She felt like she'd been punched in the gut, her breath knocked out of her. She stumbled backwards, her eyes fixed on Rahul's horrified face. Tia's eyes, too, were streaming with tears, but Ria didn't care. She turned and ran, her feet carrying her towards the door with a mind of their own.
Rahul followed, catching up to her as she reached the car. "Ria, wait!" he shouted, grabbing her arm. But Ria shook him off, her eyes blazing with grief and anger. She flung open the car door and slid into the driver's seat, starting the engine with a roar.
As they sped towards Ria's house, Rahul's words echoed in her mind. "Everyone's dead." The thought was unbearable, and Ria felt her heart shattering into a million pieces. When they arrived at the house, Ria's worst fears were confirmed. The house was a smoldering ruin, the flames reduced to smoldering embers.
The police were already there, their faces somber. "I'm so sorry, ma'am," one of them said, his voice gentle. "The fire was too intense. We couldn't save anyone." Ria felt like she was living in a nightmare, her mind numb with grief.
As she stumbled towards the house, Rahul caught her, holding her back. "Ria, don't," he whispered, his arms wrapped around her. "You can't go in there." But Ria struggled against him, her eyes fixed on the ruins of her home. She had to see it for herself, had to confront the reality of her loss.
Ria's body shook with uncontrollable sobs as she struggled to break free from Rahul's grasp. "Let me go, Rahul!" she wailed, her voice hoarse from crying. "I have to see...I have to see if anyone's still alive!"
Rahul's arms tightened around her, holding her back with a fierce determination. "No, Ria! You can't go in there! It's not safe!" But Ria was beyond reason, her grief and despair consuming her.
She kicked and struggled, her fists pounding against Rahul's chest. "Let me go! Let me go!" she screamed, her voice echoing through the night air. But Rahul held firm, his face set in a grim mask.
Finally, Ria's strength gave out, and she collapsed against Rahul, her body wracked with sobs. She wept until she was exhausted, her tears falling like rain onto Rahul's chest.
As she cried, Rahul held her close, his arms wrapped tightly around her. He didn't try to comfort her or offer words of solace. He just held her, his presence a steady, reassuring force in the midst of her chaos.
Eventually, Ria's sobs subsided, and she went limp in Rahul's arms. He lifted her up, cradling her like a child, and carried her back to his car. As he drove her back to his house, Ria lay against him, her eyes closed, her body still shaking with occasional sobs.
Rahul knew that the divorce was finalized, that he was no longer bound to Ria. But as he looked down at her fragile form, he felt a pang of responsibility, of duty. He couldn't just leave her alone, not now, not when she needed him most.
So he took her back to his house, holding her close as he carried her inside. He laid her down on the bed, covering her with a blanket, and sat down beside her, watching over her as she slept.