Ruhi stood frozen, her breath caught in her throat as she watched Abhi walk away. The air around her suddenly felt heavier, pressing against her like an invisible weight. A thousand thoughts ran through her mind, each one laced with panic. How much had he heard? How much did he know?
ran through her mind, each one laced with panic. How much had he hea
Aarav clicked his tongue, shaking his head. "Well, that was unexpected."
Ruhi snapped her gaze to him, her expression twisted with frustration. "You think this is funny?"
Aarav leaned back, arms crossed over his chest, a smirk tugging at the corner of his lips. "I think it's about time your little fairytale crumbled."
She clenched her fists, ignoring the sickening churn in her stomach. This couldn't be happening. Not now. Not when she was so close to everything she wanted.
She grabbed her purse and stormed out of the café, her heels clicking against the pavement. The cool evening air did little to calm the heat rising in her chest. Her eyes darted around frantically, searching for Abhi. He couldn't just disappear. Not after everything she had invested in this.
Spotting him near his car, she picked up her pace. "Abhi! Wait!"
He didn't stop. Didn't turn. His movements were controlled, deliberate, as he pulled open the car door.
Ruhi reached out, grabbing his arm. "Please, just listen-"
The way he looked at her made her words die in her throat. His usual warmth was gone. Replaced with something cold. Distant.
"Listen?" His voice was eerily calm. "To what, Ruhi? More lies?"
Her heart pounded against her ribs. "I-I can explain."
A bitter smile flickered across his lips. "Can you? Because I think I finally understand."
She shook her head, gripping his arm tighter. "No, Abhi. You don't understand anything. I love you."
A harsh laugh escaped him, but there was no humor in it. "Love?" He took a step back, forcing her hand to drop away. "Love isn't deception, Ruhi. Love isn't using someone for their name, their money."
Tears burned in her eyes, but she fought them back. "You're wrong. We- we can fix this."
Abhi exhaled, running a hand through his hair. "Fix what? A relationship built on lies?" His voice softened, but it wasn't kindness-it was exhaustion. "I thought you were different, Ruhi. I wanted to believe it."
Ruhi swallowed hard, desperation creeping into her voice. "You still can."
Abhi's gaze was unwavering, searching her face for something-anything-that might contradict the ugly truth he had uncovered. But there was nothing left to find.
A long silence stretched between them before he finally spoke. "I don't think I ever really knew you."
Her breath hitched. She wanted to scream, to argue, to convince him that none of this mattered-that they could still be what they once were. But the truth had unraveled around them, leaving nothing but a hollow shell of what she had crafted.
Abhi took another step back, as if putting physical distance between them would help him erase the emotions still lingering in his chest. He shook his head, more to himself than to her. "Goodbye, Ruhi."
And just like that, he turned and got into his car. Without another glance, without a hint of hesitation, he drove away.
Ruhi stood there, rooted to the spot, watching the taillights fade into the distance.
For the first time, she realized that no matter how hard she tried to chase him, he wasn't hers to control anymore.
And that terrified her more than anything else.
......to be continued.....