CHAPTER 24 #2
The day she withdrew and threw herself into work had been his wake-up call.
That was when he chose to change things, to try, to confess what she truly meant to him.
That was why he had taken her to South Africa.
But the damage was already done. His silence, his secrets, the way she had found out about Noor Mahal through Shagufta instead of him, it had broken the last thread between them.
Now, as he changed into his nightclothes in the guest room, he couldn’t suppress the ache growing in his chest. In a few hours, she would be gone. For an entire year. And though he had promised not to stop her, the pain of watching her go felt unbearable.
He gave in to his heart desiring to see her one last time before she left and headed to their bedroom. Aanya was asleep, her luggage packed and stacked neatly beside the wardrobe. The sight of it stole his breath.
He moved slowly toward the bed, his heart hammering against his ribs as he sat next to her.
His eyes lingered on her face as he gently tucked a loose strand of hair behind her ear.
He wasn’t here to wake her or speak again.
Words had already failed them. But he needed to see her once more. Just once.
After a few stolen moments of silent admiration, he stood and walked out without another glance.
The moment his footsteps faded, Aanya opened her teary eyes. Why was he doing this? What was he trying to prove?
She could feel it all… his hesitation, his feelings, the silent storm he carried just like her. He hadn’t come to beg her to stay. He hadn’t touched her with desperation. But he had still come. Just to see her. Just to be close.
She hugged her pillow tighter, staring into the darkness. Was she doing the right thing? Was this distance necessary?
Her heart answered before her mind could argue.
Yes. It was. It had to be.
****************
The next morning, their house help informed Aanya that the car was waiting downstairs to take her to the airport.
Her luggage had already been loaded. She thanked her with a quiet nod, then took one final look around the room.
It had only been a month and a half, but within these walls, she had lived moments that would stay with her forever.
Fierce arguments, awkward silences, stolen glances… all with Reyansh Chopra.
As Aanya descending the stairs with a heavy heart, she spotted Nani seated in the living room, her posture rigid, her eyes fixed, almost as if she had been waiting to witness her leave. Aanya offered her a curt glance and continued toward the main door.
She knew Reyansh was still at home. He was likely watching her, somewhere, silently. Perhaps from a window.
As she stepped outside, the driver opened the car door for her. Just before getting in, Aanya deliberately lifted her head and looked toward the drawing room window. There, just as she had expected, a shadow slipped quickly out of view. Someone had been watching her, and now hiding. It was him.
She let out a long, steady breath as emotion swelled in her chest, then slipped into the car. With one last look at the mansion that had briefly felt like home, she told the driver to take her to the airport.
As the car rolled through the gates of Chopra Mansion and disappeared into the main road, Reyansh stepped back to the window. His gaze followed the car until it became a distant speck. She was gone. Truly gone. And this time, he had no illusion that she would turn back.
He stood there for several more minutes, etching every memory he had of her into his heart.
Then, drawn by the lingering echo of her presence, he made his way back to their bedroom.
The room that had once been hers too. He needed to be near her things.
To lie on the bed she had last touched. Maybe, just maybe, the silence would speak to him.
That’s when he noticed the envelope.
It was the same one he had used to send her the letter through Sunny. But it wasn’t his letter inside. As he picked it up, his breath caught. It was hers. A letter… to him.
Reyansh,
Yes, you hurt me. Deeply. Your secrets… the way you mishandled our relationship…
Your unpredictable hot and cold behaviour…
your assumptions about my character… every bit of it shattered something inside me.
But I won’t pretend I’m innocent either.
I made mistakes too. And I’m not saying that to ease your guilt. It’s just the truth.
Relationships have always scared me. Ever since I lost my mother, I’ve been afraid of attachment.
But I can’t keep using that as an excuse to sabotage my own life.
There are children out there who have lost both parents and still found purpose.
I chose to stay lost. I spent years trying to punish my father and his wife for making me feel unwanted and in that process, I ruined myself.
Boozing, partying, wasting money and time. .. that was all I ever knew.
Until you.
Yes, Reyansh. Until you showed me the mirror.
You told me where I stood and the reflection shocked me.
I had no identity. No purpose. And who do you think gave me the fire to build something for myself?
You did. I owe that to you in more ways than I can count.
If I hadn’t taken your criticism to heart, I wouldn’t have found this job.
Wouldn’t have found this version of me. Everything I’ve changed, every step forward I’ve taken, is in some way connected to you.
And now, I ask you one more favour. Remind Shagufta that she didn’t win. If we’ve parted ways, it’s because we chose to reflect and heal. Not because she succeeded in driving a wedge between us. I trust you’ll find your way of handling her.
And now coming to you… please get a grip on yourself.
No one wants to see you like this, not even Sunny.
You’re stronger than this. We’re not gone from each other’s lives.
We’ll be in touch, either through Di, or your annoying little spies who’ll keep reporting back that I’m safe and alive.
And maybe… if we both really want to, we’ll speak.
Text. Email. Whatever suits us. You know that’s possible.
Thank you for letting me go and chase my dreams. That meant more to me than you’ll ever understand.
And now… about us.
Our marriage.
I’ll think about it. I don’t know when or how, but I will. Living under one roof with you as husband-wife has made me realize its worth, and how much dignity it carries. I won’t dismiss that.
And finally… I don’t hate you. I mean it. I may not love you, but I don’t hate you either. This distance, this space is necessary. It might help us figure out if we’re really meant to find our way back to each other.
Until then look after yourself. I want to see you smiling. Forever.
Aanya
Reyansh inhaled sharply and clutched the letter to his chest. His lungs burned with the breath he had forgotten to take while reading this letter. His heart felt like it had restarted after days of numbness. This letter… it was everything. It was hope.
She didn’t hate him.
That alone was enough to keep him going.
He smiled faintly, something between relief and pain.
Aanya had said more through these words than they ever had in person.
It was ironic, how their letters carried the intimacy their conversations never could.
She was right. This space would help them heal.
And when the time was right, maybe their paths would converge again.
And yes, she knew he’d keep eyes on her. Knew he’d ensure she was safe. He would… because that’s what even unspoken, unacknowledged love looked like.
Delhi International Airport
“What? How many more surprises are you hiding from me, Aanya?” Navya asked dramatically.
She had come to see off Aanya at the airport, just to steal a few final moments before the departure.
“Come on, Navya… don’t act so shocked,” Aanya said with a tired smile.
She had just told Navya about the letter she left for Reyansh and how she wasn’t shutting the door on their marriage just yet.
Navya groaned and threw up her hands. “I don’t know what to say anymore. But I hope whatever you’re getting into is good for you. Now, give me a hug before that colleague of yours drags you away.”
Aanya hugged her best friend tightly. “I’ll miss you.”
“I’ll miss you too.”
“Liar,” Aanya teased, pulling back. “So, what’s up with you and Rohan?”
Navya instantly flushed. “You’re unbelievable.”
“I knew it!” Aanya grinned. “You’re totally falling for him.”
“Not yet. He’s complicated. Just got out of a serious relationship. I don’t think he’s ready for another.”
“Well, give it time. Your charms are deadly,” Aanya winked. “If he doesn’t fall for you, someone else will.”
“Oh, I have someone else in mind already,” Navya smirked.
“Who?” Aanya narrowed her eyes.
“The Greek God himself… also known as your husband.”
Aanya pinched her. “Don’t you dare. He’s still my husband .”
Navya burst into laughter. “Oho! Someone’s not ready to give up that title just yet!”
Aanya rolled her eyes. “If I ever dump him, I’ll hand him over to you personally.”
“I’ll be waiting,” Navya teased. “Now go. Shikha’s waving like a maniac from the departure gate.”
They hugged again, this time tighter, longer.
Then finally, Aanya turned, dragging her bags along with her. She would miss this country. This city. That house.
And… him.