CHAPTER7[SILENCE MEETS OBSESSION]
Aarohi and Sana step out for dinner.
The place is warm, softly lit… a quiet contrast to the storm inside Aarohi.
They sit, order food… and start talking.
For a while—
it feels normal.
---
Sana smiles, leaning back slightly.
“Waise… I did it.”
Aarohi looks at her.
“Kya?”
“I became a designer. The one thing I always wanted.”
A proud, soft glow on her face.
“My own label… my own work.”
---
Aarohi smiles—genuine this time.
“I knew it. Tu kar legi.”
---
They continue talking, laughing a little…
Then suddenly—
Sana pauses.
“Sun… Aarohi.”
Aarohi looks up.
“Wo jo café mein tha na… that was Vihaan.”
A slight pause.
“And his so-called best friend… Karan.”
---
Aarohi’s expression doesn’t change.
No reaction.
Nothing.
---
She simply picks up her glass.
“Chhod na, Sana.”
Calm. Distant.
“Dinner ho gaya hai… chalte hain.”
---
Sana studies her face for a second…
But says nothing.
---
Outside—
They walk together.
The night air feels heavy.
---
Suddenly, Sana’s phone rings.
She answers—and her expression changes.
“Okay… I’m coming.”
She cuts the call and turns to Aarohi.
“Ghar pe guests aa gaye hain, mujhe jaana hoga.”
Then quickly adds—
“Tu jab airport ke liye nikle na, call karna. Main aa jaungi.”
---
Aarohi nods.
Then pulls her into a hug.
“Tujh jaisi koi nahi hai… seriously.”
A soft smile.
“You really are the best.”
---
Sana laughs lightly.
“I know.”
---
They share a small, playful moment…
Then go their separate ways.
---
On the other side—
Vihaan leaves the office.
Sitting in the backseat of his car.
Silent.
His guards’ cars following behind.
---
The city lights pass by…
But his mind is still somewhere else.
---
Then—
His eyes fall outside.
And he sees her.
---
Aarohi.
Walking alone.
Lost in her own world.
Unaware.
---
“Stop the car.”
---
The brakes hit instantly.
Before anyone can react—
Vihaan steps out.
---
Aarohi keeps walking.
Lost in her thoughts.
As if the world around her doesn’t exist.
As if… nothing matters anymore.
---
And behind her—
Vihaan starts walking towards her.
Slow.
Steady.
Dangerously determined.
Suddenly—
Vihaan steps right in front of Aarohi.
So close… that she doesn’t even get time to react.
Her balance slips.
She’s about to fall—
But before she hits the ground—
A strong arm wraps around her waist.
And in one swift move—
He pulls her towards himself.
---
Aarohi crashes straight into his chest.
Her breath catches.
For a moment…
Everything freezes.
---
His grip is firm.
Possessive.
As if letting go… isn’t an option.
---
Aarohi’s senses blur.
Her heartbeat—uneven.
Her mind—blank.
Like she’s lost… in that one second.
---
Then—
Reality hits.
She quickly pulls herself away.
Creating distance.
---
Vihaan watches her.
A faint smirk playing on his lips.
“Tumhe abhi tak theek se chalna nahi aata…”
His tone low. teasing.
“Girti padti rehti ho.”
---
Aarohi doesn’t reply.
Not a word.
She simply turns—
And starts walking away.
---
But—
He grabs her wrist.
Tight.
Stopping her instantly.
---
Aarohi turns back, anger flashing in her eyes.
“Pagal ho kya? Kaun ho tum jo mera haath pakad ke khade ho?”
Her voice sharp.
“Chhodo mujhe.”
---
Vihaan’s smirk deepens.
His grip doesn’t loosen.
Instead, he steps a little closer.
“Toh… tum mujhe nahi jaanti ho?”
A pause.
“Waise… bade din baad mulaqat hui hai, Aarohi.”
---
Her name.
From his lips.
---
Aarohi tries to pull her hand back.
But his hold—
Doesn’t break.
Not even a little.