15

I have survived everything

But i fear that i cannot

Survive myself

Later that evening, Aradhya found herself overwhelmed by the weight of her emotions. The encounter with Reyansh had stirred up memories she had tried so hard to bury. As the night grew darker, the nightmares of their past began to haunt her, each one more vivid and painful than the last.

Unable to hold back any longer, she sought solace in the one person who had always been there for her—Karan. She found him in the living room, his comforting presence a stark contrast to the turmoil inside her. Without a word, she walked over and collapsed into his arms, her body shaking with sobs.

Karan held her tightly, his heart aching for her. He gently stroked her hair, whispering soothing words, trying to offer her the comfort she so desperately needed. Aradhya clung to him, her tears soaking his shirt as she let out all the pain and anguish she had been holding in.

“It’s okay, Aradhya,” Karan murmured softly. “Let it out. I’m here for you.”

Her sobs grew louder as more memories flood inside her mind.

“I thought I was over it,” she cried, her voice muffled against Karan’s shoulder. “But seeing him again… it just brought everything back.”

Karan continued to hold her, his own eyes glistening with unshed tears. He knew how much Aradhya had suffered, and he wished he could take away her pain. But all he could do was be there for her, offering his unwavering support.

As the night wore on, Aradhya’s sobs gradually subsided, replaced by a deep, exhausted silence. She remained in Karan’s arms, finding a small measure of peace in his comforting presence. The nightmares of the past still lingered, but for now, she knew she wasn’t alone. Karan was there, and that made all the difference.

The next day, Karan couldn’t shake the image of Aradhya’s tear-streaked face from his mind. Determined to protect his only bestfriend,he sought out Reyansh.

Karan approached with a steely resolve, his expression hardening as he neared Reyansh. Without preamble, he sat down across from him, his eyes blazing with anger and determination.

"Karan,you didn't even knock"dhruv stated,his younger brother was being indifferent.

"Do you knock on my office that you are saying to him!"Reyansh said and dhruv rolled his eyes.

"Bhaiya"Karan began,his voice low but firm"we need to talk"

Reyansh looked at him, surprise flickering in his eyes. He could sense the tension radiating from Karan and braced himself for what was coming.

“You need to stay away from Aradhya,” Karan continued, his tone unwavering. “You’ve caused her enough pain already. Last night, she was in tears, haunted by the nightmares of your past together. She doesn’t need that kind of hurt in her life again.”

Reyansh’s face fell, guilt and sorrow washing over him. He opened his mouth to speak, but couldn't form words.

Reyansh swallowed hard, the weight of Karan’s words sinking in.

As Karan’s words echoed in Reyansh’s office, the tension in the room was palpable. Reyansh felt a surge of determination.

His eyes met Karan’s, filled with a newfound resolve. “I understand what you’re saying, Karan,” Reyansh said, his voice steady but firm. “But I can’t just walk away. I know I’ve caused her pain, and I need to make it right. I promise you, I’ll do everything in my power to take her pain away.”

"How bhaiya?how?she was happy now finally,but now again!! I cursed you a lot in these years without knowing it's you,just stop it please.she doesn't deserve it"Karan's voice turning louder as he spoke.

"I am not here to snatch her happiness Karan,I am here to make things right.she has buried her emotions inside her,never for once she shouted,she blamed me,she stood up for herself.her bottled up emotions would hurt her more than my presence would do and I do not want that.I want her to take out her emotions, shout at me,hit me,tell me all my faults once again so she can be at peace.if all this happens and she wants I will myself walk away from her life"

Karan knew he was right-she has bottled up her emotions.No matter how much she cries and screams but the pain won't wash away until she confronts Reyansh.

"You better mean it, bhaiya"Karan replied,his voice stern.

"Because If you hurt her again,i will forget that I had a brother named Reyansh Rajput"

Reyansh nodded, fully aware of the gravity of his promise. “I won’t let her down again,” he said with conviction. “I know I have a lot to prove, but I’m not giving up on her. Not this time.”

As Karan left the office, Reyansh felt a mix of fear and hope. The path ahead was uncertain, and he knew it wouldn’t be easy. But he was determined to face whatever challenges came his way.

For Aradhya’s sake, he would do whatever it took to heal the wounds he had caused and take away her pain.

Aradhya arrived at her interior design studio early in the morning, ready to tackle the day’s projects.

As she approached the entrance, she noticed a beautiful bouquet of flowers placed delicately on the doorstep. The vibrant colors and the sweet fragrance momentarily lifted her spirits, but then reality set in.

She knew these flowers were from Reyansh. Her heart hardened, and a wave of anger surged through her. How dare he try to win her over with flowers after all the pain he had caused? Without a second thought, she picked up the bouquet and threw it into the nearby trash bin, her hands trembling with a mix of fury and hurt.

As she turned to enter the studio, something caught her eye. A small, folded note had fallen from the bouquet and landed on the ground. Curiosity got the better of her, and she bent down to pick it up. Unfolding the note, she saw Reyansh’s familiar handwriting. The words were simple but loaded with emotion: “I am sorry, Jaan.”

She Huffed and crumpled the note in her hand,With a deep breath, she straightened up and walked into her studio, determined to focus on her work. She couldn’t afford to let Reyansh’s actions disrupt her life again. But as she sat at her desk, the note’s words echoed in her mind, a reminder of the unresolved feelings and the painful memories that still lingered.

As the evening sun dipped below the horizon, casting a warm glow over the park, Aradhya walked along the winding paths, seeking solace in the fresh air. The events of the day had left her emotionally drained, and she needed a moment to clear her mind.

Unbeknownst to her, Reyansh had followed her, unable to stay away . He kept a respectful distance, watching her from afar, his heart heavy with the weight of his promise to take away her pain.he closed his eyes and open them with a jerk as the same incident of park from past came infront his eyes.

Aradhya paused by a bench, taking a deep breath and closing her eyes, trying to find some semblance of peace. When she opened them, she saw Reyansh standing a few feet away, his expression a mix of determination and sorrow.

“Aradhya,” he called softly, his voice carrying a hint of desperation. She turned to face him, her eyes narrowing with a mix of anger and exhaustion.

“What are you doing here, Reyansh?” she demanded, her tone sharp. “I thought I made it clear that I don’t want to see you.”

Reyansh took a tentative step closer, his hands raised in a gesture of surrender. “I know, and I’m sorry for intruding. But I couldn’t stay away. I need to make things right, Aradhya. I need to take away your pain.”

Her eyes flashed with anger. “You think a few words and some flowers can erase the past? You think you can just waltz back into my life and fix everything?”

Reyansh’s shoulders slumped slightly, but he held her gaze. “I know it’s not that simple. I know I’ve hurt you deeply, and I can’t undo the past. But I want to try. I want to be there for you, to help you heal.”

Aradhya’s heart ached with a mix of emotions"you can't just decide or take away my pain, it's not that easy reyansh.if it was possible i would have done so earlier"

"I know,” he said quietly, his voice filled with regret. "i wish I had fallen in love with you years ago.you deserved the love i couldn't give you before and now I want your love which you can't give me.how miserable the life is!"

She stared at him in silence and he continued to speak"My heart is so full of you aradhya that I can hardly call it mine."he hesitated and then said"I am sorry Aradhya but I read your diary"

Her breath got stuck in her throat and she closed her eyes.

"I am really a monster aren't i?"he chuckled bitterly.

She opened her eyes and gazed into his"so you know now,that you are a monster!"

He smiled,and exclaimed"let me love you Jaan,show me your scars and let me show how perfect you are.i will adore you,as a drowned person does the sea.i crave you constantly,so deeply that it's a physical ache now.show me your thorns and I will show you hands ready to bleed"his voice turning desperate"I love you with all my bruised heart.i don't know how but I love you...let me hold your heart like flower"

Aradhya’s eyes, filled with a mix of pain and defiance, met his. She took a deep breath, her voice steady but laced with sorrow. “The flower is dead, Reyansh,” she replied, her words cutting through the evening air. “The petals have fallen off.”

Aradhya turned away, her heart heavy with the memories of their past.

Her heart was once fragile and beautiful but now it lay in pieces,the petals scattered by winds of time and pain.she wasn't sure if it could ever bloom again,but she knew she had to protect herself from further hurt.

Reyansh stood there, his resolve unwavering despite the sting of her words. He knew the path to redemption would be long and arduous, but he was determined to try.

“I understand,” he said quietly, his voice filled with regret. “But I’ll do everything I can to help it bloom again, even if it takes a lifetime.”

Aradhya didn’t respond, but as she walked away, a part of her couldn’t help but wonder if there was still a chance for healing, even if the flower seemed beyond saving. For now, she needed time and space to find her own strength, to see if the petals could ever be gathered again.

जो मिल ना स्का,

उसका इंतज़ार क्यों है,

जो मिल रहा है उससे

इंकार क्यों है

बड़ा मुश्किल है

खुद को समझना

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उसके लिए इतना प्यार क्यों है.❤️🩹