Chapter - 48
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We were sitting quietly in the car. Aarav was driving, and I was just looking out the window.
My mind was loud, but my lips stayed sealed.
Still... something inside me was not letting me stay quiet anymore.
"There's something I wanted to say," I spoke softly.
He looked at me for a second, then back to the road.
"It was me..." I said, my fingers nervously playing with my dupatta.
"The scratch on your car... I didn't mean to. I just—"
"I know," Aarav said, cutting me gently.
I looked at him, surprised.
"You know?"
He gave a small smile. "It was all written on your face, Siya. That guilt, that fear... I could see it the moment I looked at you."
My eyes dropped. I didn't know what to say.
"And if it was anyone else," he continued, "that person wouldn't have just walked away like that. But you're not just anyone, Siya. You're my everything."
His words made my heart warm and ache at the same time.
How can someone love me so easily... so deeply?
And yet... the ones I call my friends, I haven't even told them the truth.
Suddenly, the weight of hiding this part of my life felt heavier.
I'm lying to my friends.
Trisha... Karan... they're my first real friends—the first ones to laugh with me, listen to me, care without expecting anything in return.
And here I am... hiding such a big truth from them.
What if they find out?
What if one day someone tells them I'm married to Aarav Singh Rathore—their Rana sa?
Will they feel betrayed?
Will they stop talking to me?
Will they think I never trusted them?
I don't want to lose them.
I was so lost in my thoughts that I didn't even realize Aarav had reached out and gently held my hand. His touch always brings a kind of calm, like the world pauses for a second.
"What's going on in that overthinking mind of yours?" he asked softly, eyes still on the road.
I shook my head slightly, forcing a small smile. "Nothing..."
He looked at me for a brief second, then said, "Hmm..."
He didn't ask again.
He never forces me to speak... and that sometimes makes me want to tell him even more.
After a few minutes, the car entered a building's underground parking.
I looked around, confused.
This wasn't a place I recognized.
But I didn't ask.
Maybe I was too distracted. Or maybe... I just trusted him blindly.
He came to my side, opened the door, and extended his hand.
Without a word, I placed mine in his.
His fingers wrapped around mine—firm, warm, safe.
He led me into the lift, pressed the button for the 5th floor.
Neither of us said anything.
When the elevator doors opened, I saw soft lights, flowers... and a quiet space.
It was a restaurant.
Empty.
No one else. Just us.
I looked at him, surprised. "Did you book this whole place?"
He gave a small smile and simply said, "Yes."
We walked to a table near the large glass window.
The whole city looked small from here.
We sat down, and the attendant came.
This time, I ordered without overthinking.
I don't even know what I picked... but it didn't matter.
Aarav was sitting beside me now, not across.
His hand gently reached out again and held mine.
"Now," he said in his calm voice, "tell me what's bothering you."
I looked away.
He softly added, "And don't say nothing this time. I can read your face better than you think."
I swallowed.
Words felt heavy, stuck somewhere in my throat.
"I... I feel like I'm lying," I whispered.
He didn't interrupt me.
Just listened. And held my hand tighter.
"Trisha... Karan... they're my first friends. Real friends. I never had anyone like that before. And now I'm hiding something this big from them. What if they find out from somewhere else? What if they feel like I betrayed them?"
My voice broke a little.
"What if they leave me?"
Aarav sighed softly. He lifted our hands and kissed the back of mine.
"You're not lying, Siya. You chose not to share. And those are two very different things."
I looked at him slowly. His eyes held no judgment. Only warmth.
"You're protecting your peace. You're protecting us," he continued.
"There's no shame in that. You don't owe anyone your truth until you are ready to share it. And when that time comes—if they're real friends—they'll understand. And if they don't... then maybe they were never meant to stay."
I blinked back a tear.
"But... I don't want to lose them..." I whispered.
He leaned in gently, brushing a strand of hair behind my ear.
"You won't," he said softly. "Because I won't let you."
And in that moment... something in my heart felt lighter.
Even if just a little.
I smiled at him—tiny, shy, but full of meaning.
Because somehow, his words stitched a part of me that had been tearing apart all day.
And once again, I silently thanked the universe... for sending him to me.
Suresh entered the bank, his steps quick and filled with tension. Time was slipping out of his hands, and he had no room for delay. He walked straight to the counter and handed the cheque to the bank employee.
"I want this cheque transferred to my account. It's urgent," he said, wiping the sweat off his forehead.
The man behind the counter checked the cheque, paused, and looked up.
"I'm sorry, sir," he said politely. "But the signature on this cheque doesn't match our system records. We can't process it."
Suresh frowned, his tone rising with frustration.
"What nonsense is this? You're wasting my time! This is an original cheque. Call your manager. I'm not talking to anyone else!"
He slammed his hand on the counter.
"Manager! Manager!" he called out loudly.
A few people turned to look. Moments later, the bank manager came out of his cabin, adjusting his glasses.
"Yes, what's the matter?" the manager asked.
Suresh handed over the cheque and explained everything in an irritated tone.
The manager carefully checked it, then looked at Suresh with a serious expression.
"I'm sorry, sir. But this cheque is invalid. The signature doesn't match. We can't release the funds."
"What do you mean invalid?" Suresh shouted. "This is a real cheque! The signature is also real!"
The manager's voice remained calm but firm.
"It appears you've been given a fraudulent cheque. I suggest you report this to the police."
Suresh's heart dropped. He immediately pulled out his phone and tried to call the man who had given him the cheque, but the number was switched off. He rushed to the broker's office, only to be met with denial.
"I don't know who you're talking about," the broker said, turning his face away.
Now completely broken, Suresh returned home empty-handed. He had lost the house. He had no cheque. No money. And the clock was ticking. Today was the last day to return the investors' money.
He had only 23 lakh left... but it wasn't enough.
At home, Meenakshi noticed his pale face as he entered.
"What happened?" she asked.
Suresh sat down on the couch, exhausted and angry.
"I've been cheated. The cheque was fake. I went to the bank, and they rejected it. I tried contacting the man, but his phone is off. I even went to the broker—he refused to recognize me."
Meenakshi sat beside him, stunned.
Suresh looked at her, desperate. "Did you talk to Tara?"
Meenakshi shook her head. "No... she's not answering my calls."
Suresh sighed heavily, rubbing his forehead. "I don't know what to do now. I have only a few hours left to return the money. Only 23 lakh... it's not enough."
There was a heavy silence between them.
Then Meenakshi asked quietly, "Why didn't you go to the police?"
Suresh's expression tightened. "And say what? That I was stupid enough to sign house papers in exchange for a fake cheque? I don't have time, Meenakshi. And I have no proof. They'll laugh me out of the station."
But Meenakshi, surprisingly, looked calm.
"Why are you stressing?" she said slowly. "Even if we don't return the full amount... what will they do? They'll ask for shares in the company, right?"
Suresh looked at her, confused. "Yes, so?"
"Those shares aren't in your name," she said without hesitation.
"And the person whose name they're in... no one will dare to ask her for the money. They value their lives too much. So now, handle it your way—but make sure we don't lose those shares."
Her words hit him like a realization.
"You're right..." Suresh muttered, sitting up straighter. "I didn't think of that before."
He stood up with new energy. "I'll go and talk to them. I'll give the money I have and try to buy more time."
Without another word, he grabbed his keys and walked out of the house, leaving Meenakshi behind with a faint, calculating smile on her face.
It was dinner time, and I was in the kitchen with Maa and Chachi, helping them arrange everything. After so many days, I was cooking with them again... and honestly, it felt nice. Warm. A little peaceful too.
Everyone was already seated at the dining table—except him.
I had already gone to his study a while ago to tell him that dinner was ready. He looked up from his laptop and said, "I'll be there in five minutes." But it had been longer than that now... and still, no sign of him.
I tried not to overthink, but my eyes kept shifting towards the hallway. Was he too busy again? Maybe something important came up... or maybe he just forgot.
I was lost in thought when Arjun Bhaiya called out, "Bhabhi, how's your studying going? Finals are around the corner, right?"
I nodded quickly and said softly, "Yes... just a few days left. I'm trying to revise everything."
He smiled wide. "Well, after your exams, you and I are going on an ice cream date. No excuses!"
I giggled, "Only if you let me choose the flavours."
And just like that, we started talking. Everyone slowly joined in. Laughter, soft chatter... it all felt so light. So real.
Then I started sharing something funny from my class.
"So there's this guy in our class," I said, smiling as I looked at everyone. "Every time we have to submit an assignment, he comes with the funniest excuse."
Everyone looked at me curiously, waiting for more.
"Last time he said a rat ate his assignment.
" I laughed. "And this time... oh God...
he said, 'I tried submitting my assignment, but my laptop had a glitch.
It deleted everything and then auto-corrected my entire paper into an ancient language.
I thought about translating it, but then the paper mysteriously disappeared. It's a modern-day mystery.'"
I couldn't stop smiling. "And he said all this with the most serious and innocent face! Our teacher just stared at him. And the whole class burst into laughter!"
Everyone laughed, and I could see them exchanging glances... as if trying to say something with their eyes. But I didn't pay much attention. I was happy, talking about college... about something that felt mine.
But then—
A deep, firm voice cut through the laughter like a knife.
"So, you went to college for this and not to study, Ranisa?"
My smile disappeared.
I turned slowly... and there he was. Aarav.
Standing tall, sharp eyes on me. His tone wasn't loud, but it was enough to silence the whole room.
My heart skipped a beat. I suddenly felt small, like I'd done something wrong.
I lowered my eyes and bit my lip. He's joking, right? Or maybe he's serious... oh no... why did I share that story? Was it too silly? Too childish?
I could feel everyone's eyes shifting from me to him.
But I didn't say anything. I just looked down at my hands, my fingers nervously playing with the edge of my dupatta.
He walked towards the table, silent as always, and sat on his usual chair beside me.
I didn't dare to look at him.
But then... he started serving food onto my plate. And not just anything—he served all the dishes I liked. My favourite sabzi, my favourite daal... I noticed, but still didn't look up. Why is he always like this? One moment serious, the next moment soft. It's so confusing...
And then, suddenly, he held my hand.
I looked at him, shocked for a second, but before I could say anything, he turned to Dadi Maa and spoke in his usual firm voice, "Dadi Maa, I was thinking... now we should plan for the reception."
Everyone at the table froze for a second—then smiled.
"Reception?" Maa asked with a big smile.
"Yes," he said. "After Siya's final exam. You all can decide the date."
Everyone looked happy. Excited even. Talking about decorations, clothes, and guests.
And I... I just sat quietly, still looking at the food on my plate. My cheeks were warm. He told me this morning... still, hearing him say it in front of everyone like this...
Then he leaned a little closer to me, and in a low voice—so only I could hear—he whispered,
"Where are you lost, Mrs Rathore? Eat your food. And please, give rest to your tiny brain."
I blinked and looked at him from the corner of my eye.
Tiny brain? Again?
I glared at him—just a little—but enough to show I wasn't pleased. Why does he always say that? Does he think I don't use my brain? Hmph. My brain works better than his. At least I don't go around scaring people with my loud voice!
I started eating without saying anything. I was too stubborn to reply. Let him think whatever he wants. I won't talk.
Then Dadi Maa looked at me with her kind smile and asked, "Siya beta, are you okay with the reception?"
I nodded gently. "Ji, Dadi Maa."
But I still didn't look at him. And I wouldn't.
Every time... every single time, he tries to scare me with that deep voice and serious face. And then acts like nothing happened. It's not fair.
I kept my eyes on my plate, quietly finishing my food, pretending like I wasn't affected.