Chapter 53: Chapter Fourty Eight.

Three days.

It had been three long days since Meera had seen or heard from Arjun. Her life felt somewhat normal—or at least quieter.

The oppressive weight of his presence, the constant tension that came with it, had lifted, and for that, she was undeniably thankful.

But the fear lingered.

Every creak in the house, every knock at the door, and every shadow she glimpsed from the corner of her eye sent a shiver down her spine.

Deep down, she prayed fervently that he would never return, that he would finally leave her alone.

But a small, persistent voice in the back of her mind whispered otherwise. Arjun wasn’t the kind of man to walk away, and she knew it.

Yet, there was another storm brewing—this one far closer to home.

Veer.

Despite his injuries and the confrontation that had left her emotionally drained, Veer hadn’t stopped trying to reach her.

He called, texted, and even sent gifts to her house—lavish bouquets of flowers, carefully wrapped boxes of her favorite sweets, and handwritten notes filled with apologies.

"I’m sorry, Meera. Please forgive me. Please talk to me." one note read, its words as heavy as the weight she felt pressing down on her heart.

But she couldn’t. Not yet.

Veer’s persistence only added to her turmoil. He had already become someone Meera begin to develop a true feelings, someone she trusted and relied on, but that night...that night had shattered something between them.

She couldn’t unsee the way he had changed, the anger, the violence, and the possessiveness that mirrored everything she despised about Arjun.

It frightened her, and she wasn’t ready to face him or the questions his behavior had raised in her mind.

Her parents, however, had noticed the rift.

It started with her mother’s concerned glances during dinner, the way her father would occasionally clear his throat and exchange a look with her mother when Veer’s name came up.

"Meera, is something going on with you and Veer?" her mother finally asked one evening as they sat together in the living room.

Meera, who had been absentmindedly going through her phone. She glanced up, forcing a small smile.

"No, Mom. Everything’s fine." she lied, her voice as steady as she could manage.

Her father raised an eyebrow.

"Fine? You’ve barely spoken to him these past few days, and he’s been calling the house constantly. Did you two have a fight?"

"No, Papa.." Meera said quickly, shaking her head. "He’s just...busy, and so am I. That’s all."

Her mother wasn’t convinced.

"Are you sure, beta? You’ve seemed...distant lately. Is there something you want to talk about?"

Meera’s heart clenched. For a brief moment, she considered telling them everything—the weird other side of Ranveer, the chaos that had unfolded, and so much more. But she stopped herself.

What good would it do?

Although she feels a little uncomfortable with Veer now, bit still believe Arjun was at Fault. And she can't drop the bombing news yet to her parent.

They will get angry and things might go south.. She couldn’t bear the thought of anything happening to them because of her.

So she forced another smile and said, "I’m fine, really. You don’t need to worry about me."

Her mother hesitated but eventually nodded, though the worry in her eyes remained.

Later that night, Meera sat in her room, staring at the bouquet of white roses Veer had sent earlier that day.

They were beautiful, their petals soft and pristine, but they felt like a reminder of everything she was trying to avoid.

She sighed, picking up the card that had come with them.

"Meera, I’m so sorry for everything. Please give me a chance to make things right. I miss you. —Veer"

Her fingers tightened around the card, and a tear slipped down her cheek.

She missed him too—the old him, the man who used to make her laugh, who used to feel safe.

But now, everything felt tainted, and she didn’t know if they could ever go back to how things were.

Setting the card down, she turned her gaze to the window, watching as the moonlight spilled into her room.

Three days without Arjun.

She prayed it would turn into forever.

♡♡♡

"Finally! Oh my God, I can't wait!" Jiya beamed, practically skipping as she and Meera made their way to the school parking lot where Jiya’s scooter was parked.

Meera chuckled softly, glancing at her friend’s glowing face.

"You’ve been so happy all day, Jiya. Relax, it’s not that serious." she teased, though her tone was warm.

Jiya rolled her eyes dramatically and tossed her hair over her shoulder.

"Um, excuse me, but I do have the right to be happy, thank you very much." she declared, grinning from ear to ear. "Besides, I can’t wait to see Mr. Khan again."

Meera’s brow arched suspiciously.

"Hmm. I don’t know what you’re thinking, but if it’s what I think it is, then you’re absolutely wrong." Jiya said.

Then Meera’s eyes twinkled with amusement.

"Ugh, Meera! Stop with that face!" Jiya groaned, her cheeks turning pink as they reached her scooter.

Meera laughed, shaking her head.

"I don’t know what you’re talking about, Jiya. Maybe you should clarify."

Jiya pouted, her face fully red now, and she crossed her arms in mock defiance. "You’re impossible."

"By the way." Jiya changed the subject quickly, handing Meera the spare helmet, "is Mr. Siddhartha still coming?"

"Well." Meera began, placing the helmet in her hands, "he said he would, and he’s bringing Ishita along. But I haven’t reached out to them again yet."

"That’s fine.." Jiya said, settling her own helmet on her head, "but maybe call or text Sid tonight and Ishita too. You know, just to remind them. It’s not every day we have the CEO of A.M. Empire attending a school event! And the best part? Everyone will know it’s you who made that happen." Jiya giggled like a child, clearly excited, and Meera couldn’t help but smile at her enthusiasm.

"You’re so—" Meera started but stopped mid-sentence when Jiya’s eyes narrowed, and she gestured toward something—or someone—behind her.

"Um, Meera?" Jiya said cautiously. "Isn’t that Veer?"

Meera followed Jiya’s gaze, spotting Veer a little distance away. He was standing by his car, looking around as if searching for someone.

Her heart sank when his eyes landed on her, softening instantly. He closed the car door and started walking in their direction.

Meera exhaled deeply, already feeling the weight of the conversation she didn’t want to have.

"Jiya, let’s go." she said, her voice clipped with irritation.

But Jiya grabbed her hand before she could move.

"Meera, I know you’re upset. Irritated, even. But maybe…just talk to him." Jiya said gently, her voice laced with concern.

"I’m not saying you have to forgive him or take him back, but at least clear the air. Your parents are worried too, you know."

Meera bit her lip, hesitant. "I really don’t—"

"And that’s okay." Jiya cut her off, giving her hand a reassuring squeeze. "But it’s better to let it out than to hold it in. Even if you don’t want him in your life anymore, tell him that. It’s better than leaving things unsaid and having him assume otherwise. Just…try, okay?"

Meera sighed, looking at her friend’s hopeful expression. Then she glanced back at Veer, who was almost there. She nodded reluctantly.

"Fine. Thank you, Jiya."

Jiya smiled brightly. "Good. I’ll leave you to it, then."

By the time Veer reached them, Jiya had already stepped aside, giving them space.

"Meera." Veer greeted softly, his voice warm yet tinged with guilt.

His eyes locked onto hers, and for a fleeting moment, Meera felt the familiar tug of his sincerity. It almost melted her resolve. Almost.

Jiya, however, wasn’t ready to let things go so easily.

"Well then, Meera.." she said, collecting back the helmet, "call me later, alright? Take care."

She turned to Veer, her smile vanishing in an instant.

"Hey, Jiya." Veer started, but Jiya cut him off with a sharp grin, one that carried no friendliness.

"I just happen to hate men who act like sheep but are really wolves in disguise." she said sweetly, her tone venomous.

Veer froze, caught off guard by the biting remark, and for a moment, he didn’t know how to respond.

With that, Jiya hopped onto her scooter, shooting Meera a final encouraging glance before riding off, leaving the two of them standing alone in the quiet parking lot.

"Meera? Can we talk... please?" Veer’s voice was soft, almost desperate.

Meera stood frozen for a moment, feeling an odd mix of emotions.

There was a time when hearing Veer’s voice would send her heart racing, her cheeks warming with a shyness she couldn’t control. But now? That spark, that innocent excitement, was gone. Instead, an uneasy discomfort settled in its place, one she couldn’t shake.

"Okay," she finally said, her tone neutral, "but please, make it quick. I have work."

Veer’s face lit up at her response, his eyes softening with relief. He smiled—a hesitant, almost childlike smile, as though he’d been waiting for this moment for ages.

"Don’t worry." he said quickly, his voice tinged with hope. "I’ll drop you off at work afterward... let’s go?" He gestured toward his car, his eagerness palpable.

Meera hesitated. Every fiber of her being screamed at her to decline, to walk away and maintain the distance she’d worked so hard to create.

But Jiya’s words echoed in her mind: It’s better to communicate, even if it’s just to clear the air.

With a sigh, Meera nodded, though her reluctance was evident.

Veer didn’t seem to notice—or maybe he chose to ignore it. His joy was almost overwhelming, as if this small concession from her was the breakthrough he’d been waiting for.

He led the way to his car, opening the door for her like he always did. Meera slipped inside, her hands clasped tightly in her lap.

The drive was quiet at first, the hum of the engine filling the silence. Veer kept glancing at her from the corner of his eye, his hands gripping the steering wheel a little too tightly.

"So.." he began, his voice careful, "how have you been?"

Meera glanced at him briefly before looking out the window. "I’ve been fine." she replied curtly.

Veer bit his lip, his grip on the wheel tightening. He had imagined this conversation going differently, with her being more open, more forgiving.

But her cold demeanor was like a wall he couldn’t break through.

"Meera.." he said, his tone softening, "I know I’ve made mistakes. I know I hurt you, and I hate myself for it. But... I need you to understand, i was not myself yesterday,  Arjun provoked—"

"Veer.." Meera interrupted, turning to face him, her voice steady,

"please don’t justify what happened. I don’t want excuses. What’s done is done."

Her words cut him like a blade, but he nodded, swallowing hard.

"You’re right. No excuses. But I need you to know how much you mean to me. I can’t... I can’t lose you, Meera. You’re everything to me. Arjun has been disturbing you, i know that, and i dont want you to be with a dangerous Man..And Meera, i think we should get engaged soon."

Meera looked at him, her expression unreadable.

There was a time when those words would have melted her heart, but now they felt heavy, like chains trying to bind her to something she no longer wanted.

"Veer." she said after a pause, "I think you’re holding on to something that isn’t there anymore. I’ve changed, and honestly... so have you. You acted so..different yesterday.."  she mumbled the last words

His knuckles turned white on the steering wheel.

"Changed? Meera, I haven’t changed! I’m still the same person who—"

"No, you’re not." she said firmly, cutting him off. "And neither am I. Whatever we had, it’s not the same anymore. I thoughtto know you better and see how things go, but.."

The car stopped at a red light, and Veer turned to her, his eyes glistening with unshed tears.

"Please don’t say that." he whispered. "We can fix this. We can go back to the way things were. Just... give me a chance."

Meera shook her head slowly, her heart aching for the boy she once knew but couldn’t recognize anymore.

"Veer, I dont like violent men and its one thing i fear more than anything, with what you did yesterday there was no difference between you and Arjun, you look..different, I'm sorry, i will be lying to you if i say i need time, but honestly you have implant a fear in me and i dont want it to grow, thats why i stay away from you for a while, we cant always get what we want Veer. That's... life."

The light turned green, but Veer didn’t move. The honking of cars behind them snapped him out of his daze, and he pressed the gas pedal, his face etched with pain.

The rest of the drive was silent, tension hanging heavy in the air.

When they finally reached Meera’s workplace, she unbuckled her seatbelt and opened the door. Before stepping out, she turned to him one last time.

"Take care of yourself, Veer. And let me take care of myself too."

She closed the door softly and walked away, leaving Veer sitting in his car, staring after her with a broken expression.

As she entered the building, Meera exhaled deeply. She had done what she needed to do, but her heart still felt heavy. Some endings weren’t easy, even when they were necessary.

♡♡♡

Meera sat at her desk, focused on finishing the last few lines of her assignment.

The faint hum of wind brushing against her windowpanes had been a constant background noise all evening, growing louder with each passing hour.

She glanced outside, the sky was heavy with dark clouds, and the occasional flicker of lightning illuminated the streets below.

It was only a matter of time before it will start raining.

With a satisfied sigh, Meera capped her pen and leaned back in her chair.

She admired the neat stack of completed pages in front of her, then began tidying her study table, placing everything back in its proper spot.

After turning off the standing lamp, she walked over to her bed, where her phone buzzed with a notification.

Curious, Meera picked it up and unlocked the screen. A smile tugged at her lips as she read the message.

Don't worry, Meera. We didn't forget 😊. We'll see you there tomorrow evening.

It was from Siddhartha, confirming his attendance at the event.

The reassurance made her heart feel lighter. She couldn’t help but feel a bit proud that someone as important as him had agreed to come.

Just as she was about to set her phone down, it buzzed again—this time, a call.

The sudden ringtone startled her, and she frowned as she saw an unknown number flashing on the screen.

After a moment's hesitation, she answered. "Hello?"

At first, there was nothing but static on the other end. Then a voice, deep and unfamiliar, spoke.

"Good evening, Miss Meera."

Meera’s brows furrowed. "Um, who is this?"

"I'm Mr. Ranveer Luthra's personal assistant." the man explained politely.

Her confusion deepened.

Ranveer’s PA? Why would he be calling me?

"Okay?" she said cautiously, "is there a problem?"

The man hesitated before speaking again, his tone apologetic.

"I know this might be out of place, but Mr. Luthra is... heavily intoxicated, ma'am. He refuses to leave and insists that we call his fiancée. He’s adamant that he’s waiting for you."

Meera’s stomach dropped.

"Fiancée?" she repeated, incredulous. Her initial reaction was a mix of shock and annoyance.

"Yes, ma'am." the PA confirmed, clearly uncomfortable.

Meera closed her eyes, pinching the bridge of her nose.

"Listen.." she said firmly, "I am not his fiancée. He’s being stubborn. Just take him home, please."

Before the man could respond, she heard a faint, muffled voice in the background—Veer’s voice.

"Meera..." he slurred, his tone drenched in desperation. "Please... Meera..."

Her chest tightened as she heard him. Despite everything that had happened, the sound of his vulnerable state tugged at her heartstrings. She felt a wave of guilt creeping in.

"Miss Meera." the PA interjected again, "he refuses to leave unless you—"

"Please just get him home safely. Goodnight. " Meera interrupted, her voice sharp but tinged with worry. She ended the call abruptly, tossing her phone onto the bed.

Sitting down, she rested her head in her hands. The mix of emotions swirling within her was overwhelming.

She was angry—angry that Veer had put her in such an awkward position.

What if he gets hurt? she thought, biting her lip.

Meera sighed deeply. She didn’t hate Veer, no matter how much his actions had upset her.

There was a time when she had cared for him deeply, and a small part of her still did, even if it wasn’t the same anymore.

But was it her responsibility to fix this?

The storm outside mirrored the chaos in her mind as she sat there, torn between guilt and self-preservation.