The truth she never knew
Author's pov-
Divya inhaled sharply, trying to steady herself. Purv’s words echoed in her mind, suffocating her with emotions she had buried long ago. But she couldn’t do this—not now.
She yanked her wrist free from his grasp, her voice quiet but firm. "I don’t know anything, Purv."
His brows furrowed. "Divya—"
"Let me go." Her voice wavered, but she held her ground. "I don’t want to talk about this right now."
For a moment, he just looked at her, as if trying to read her mind, trying to find the tiniest crack in her resolve. But she turned away before he could.
Without another word, she got into her car and drove off, leaving him standing there in the dim glow of the streetlights.
--------------------------------------------------
Divya didn’t go home.
She drove without thinking, her hands gripping the wheel tighter than necessary. The weight in her chest felt unbearable, like she was suffocating under emotions she had no control over.
When she finally stopped the car, she realized she was near a park—the same park she used to visit during college whenever she needed a moment to breathe.
She got out, inhaling the cold night air, trying to clear her thoughts.
And then—
"Running away won’t help, you know?"
She turned sharply to see Rudra leaning against a tree, arms crossed, watching her with an amused yet knowing expression.
"Rudra?" she frowned. "What are you doing here?"
"Could ask you the same thing," he said, walking over. "But I already know the answer."
Divya sighed, rubbing her temples. "Not in the mood for riddles, Rudra."
"Then let’s talk straight," he said, sitting down on the grass and patting the spot beside him. "Sit."
She hesitated but eventually gave in, sitting beside him.
For a few seconds, neither of them spoke. Then, Rudra broke the silence.
"You know, Purv is a mess without you."
Divya let out a dry chuckle. "Really? He seemed fine these past five years."
Rudra sighed, shaking his head. "You only saw what he let you see."
She turned to him, confused.
"You think Purv just moved on after you left? That he didn’t care?" Rudra scoffed. "You have no idea what he went through, Divya."
She swallowed but said nothing.
"You know what the first thing he did after that night?" Rudra continued, his voice quieter now. "He made sure Vaani was sent out of Delhi."
Divya stiffened. "What?"
"He didn’t want her anywhere near him. Near you. He knew how much she had hurt you." Rudra exhaled. "And do you know why she never tried to contact you again? Because Purv warned her. If she ever tried to bother you, he would make sure she regretted it."
Divya’s heart pounded. "You’re lying."
"Am I?" Rudra raised an eyebrow. "For five years, he stayed away because he thought that’s what you wanted. But not once did he ever move on. Not once did he let anyone else take your place in his life. You think that’s the sign of a man who didn’t care?"
Divya felt her throat tighten. She turned away, staring at the dark sky, trying to process everything.
"Why are you telling me all this, Rudra?" she whispered.
"Because you need to stop running, Divya." Rudra’s voice softened. "You deserve to know the truth before you push him away completely."
She clenched her fists, emotions swirling inside her like a storm. "But he—"
"He’s an idiot," Rudra cut in. "I won’t argue with you on that. But he loves you, Divya. He always did. And he’s finally realizing how much he screwed up."
Divya shut her eyes, feeling a tear slip down her cheek before she could stop it.
"I don’t know what to do, Rudra," she admitted, her voice barely above a whisper.
Rudra sighed, standing up and offering his hand. "Then start by stopping the act. Admit to yourself that you still love him."
Divya hesitated, staring at his hand before finally taking it.
Maybe it was time she stopped pretending.