chapter 5

"Time decides whom you meet In your life "💗💗🫠......The early morning sun filters in through the curtains. Aarohi jerks awake, her breaths uneven and her heart pounding. The nightmare's grip on her is still fresh, her mind replaying flashes of dark, suffocating memories. She presses her hand against her chest, willing herself to calm down.The door opens softly. Rudra steps in, dressed casually, his expression neutral but observant. He notices the distress on Aarohi's face.Rudra (cautiously): "Aarohi? Are you alright?"Aarohi doesn't respond immediately. She leans against the headboard, brushing a trembling hand through her hair. Her silence is heavy, and Rudra hesitates before stepping closer.Rudra: "It's just me. I heard...something. Thought I'd check."Aarohi looks at him briefly, her walls still firmly in place.Aarohi (curtly): "I'm fine."Rudra raises an eyebrow, unconvinced. He folds his arms, leaning slightly against the bedpost.Rudra: "You don't look fine."Aarohi's eyes flicker with annoyance, but she doesn't have the energy to argue. Instead, she looks away, her voice barely audible.Aarohi: "It was a nightmare. That's all."Rudra studies her for a moment, then takes a step closer, his tone softening.Rudra: "Nightmares don't just vanish if you keep ignoring them. I know we're...not exactly close, but if something's bothering you, you can tell me."Aarohi glances at him, skeptical. Her lips press into a thin line.Aarohi: "Why do you care?"Her question catches Rudra off guard for a moment, but he recovers quickly. He sighs, running a hand through his hair.Rudra: "Because we're in this together. Whether either of us likes it or not."Aarohi's expression remains guarded, but there's a flicker of something-curiosity, maybe-in her eyes. Rudra sits on the edge of the bed, maintaining a respectful distance.Rudra: "Look, I know this marriage wasn't your choice. It wasn't mine either. But here we are. And unless one of us decides to walk away, we're stuck with each other."Aarohi stiffens slightly, her fingers clutching the bedsheet. Rudra notices but keeps his tone measured.Rudra: "All I'm asking is...can we try? Give this marriage a chance. Not for anyone else. Just for us. To see if we can make it work."Aarohi studies him, her expression unreadable. The silence stretches, and for a moment, Rudra wonders if he's overstepped.Aarohi (finally, quietly): "Why do you think it would work? We're so...different."Rudra (with a faint smile): "Maybe that's exactly why it could work. Sometimes, different is good."Aarohi looks down, her thoughts tangled. She doesn't respond, but Rudra stands, sensing it's enough for now. He glances at her one last time before heading toward the door.Rudra (gently): "Think about it. That's all I'm asking."He leaves the room, his footsteps fading down the hall. Aarohi stares at the doorway, her emotions conflicted. For the first time, she considers the possibility he might be right.At lunch timeThe camera pans to Rudraksh sitting in his luxurious, well-organized office cabin. His sharp eyes are fixed on a file in front of him, but his mind is elsewhere. He leans back in his leather chair and picks up his phone, dialing a number.Rudraksh (commanding tone): "Vikram, come to my cabin. Now."A few moments later, Vikram, his trusted personal assistant, enters the room, holding a notepad.Aditya (politely): "Sir, you called for me?"Rudraksh (leaning forward, his tone cold and calculating): "I need you to dig into Aarohi's past. Everything. Her family, her life before this marriage, anyone she's close to, and any secrets she's hiding."Aditya (hesitant): "Sir...are you sure about this? It might-"Rudraksh (cutting him off): "I didn't ask for your opinion, Vikram. I need answers. Aarohi's hiding something, and I want to know what it is. Use every resource we have."

Aditya nods, scribbles a note, and leaves the cabin. Rudraksh sits back, his expression unreadable but determined. He clenches his jaw, muttering to himself.

Rudraksh (to himself): "mujhe pata Karna hi Hoga uske nightmares k Piche ki wajah.Aarohi sits by the window, her gaze distant as she hugs her knees. The soft glow of her bedside lamp fills the room. The phone on her table vibrates, breaking the quiet. She hesitates, glancing at the screen. Seeing Rudraksh's name, her brow furrows in confusion. After a moment, she picks up the call, her voice barely above a whisper.Aarohi (hesitantly): "Hello?"Rudraksh (clears his throat, his tone casual but slightly awkward): "Hi...it's me."Aarohi grips the phone tighter, unsure how to respond.Aarohi (softly): "Yes. I know."The silence stretches for a moment before Rudraksh speaks again.Rudraksh (lightly): "Did you have dinner?"Aarohi blinks, surprised. She wasn't expecting such a question from him.Aarohi (after a pause): "No...not yet."Rudraksh (frowning slightly, though she can't see it): "Why not? It's late."Aarohi lowers her gaze, her voice quiet but firm.Aarohi: "I wasn't hungry."Rudraksh exhales audibly, trying to mask his concern.Rudraksh: "That's not a good enough reason. You need to eat, Aarohi."Aarohi doesn't respond immediately, unsure what to say. She's not used to someone speaking to her this way, with concern laced in their voice.Rudraksh (softly, almost like a suggestion): "At least have something light.Aarohi hesitates, feeling shy but also oddly touched by his unexpected call.Aarohi (murmuring): "I will...later."Rudraksh (firmly but kindly): "Promise me."Aarohi glances down at her lap, her cheeks warming slightly. She nods, then remembers he can't see her.Aarohi (softly): "I will."Rudraksh hears the faintness in her tone but doesn't push further. He pauses for a moment, then speaks, his voice softer than before.Aarohi: aapne yeah puchne k Liye phone Kiya thaa.Rudaraksh: hmmmm, ByeArrohi : byeAaarohi is still in shock the Rudaraksh called her.At office

Later that evening, Rudraksh is at his cabin . His best friend Dev enters, his demeanor casual and friendly, but his eyes are observant.

Dev (grinning): "Rudra, what's with the long face? Don't tell me marriage is already driving you crazy."Rudraksh (sighs, setting his glass down): "It's not like that, Dev. This isn't...normal. Aarohi and I don't even know each other. We're like strangers under the same roof."Dev sits across from him, his grin fading as he notices the seriousness in Rudraksh's tone.Dev: "Okay, tell me. What's going on?"Rudraksh: "I'll admit, I didn't treat her well in the beginning. I was...angry. At the situation, at her. I didn't think for a second what she might be going through."Dev (raising an eyebrow): "Let me guess. Now you're feeling guilty?"Rudraksh (leaning forward, his voice low but firm): "It's not just guilt. It's...something else. I see her, Dev. She's broken in ways I can't explain. And I've only made it worse. But now...I want to fix it."Dev (studying him closely): "Fix it? Or fix the marriage?"Rudraksh (pausing, then nodding slightly): "Both. Maybe I was wrong to judge her without understanding her. I've asked Vikram to look into her past. I need to know who she really is."Dev (leaning back, skeptical): "Rudra, digging into her past might not get you the answers you want. What if it pushes her further away?"Rudraksh: "Then I'll deal with it. But I can't stand here doing nothing. She's my wife now, Dev. I want to at least try to make this marriage work. Even if it's just for the sake of giving us both a chance."Dev (after a pause, smirking slightly): "Who would've thought Rudraksh Rajput would be talking about giving someone a chance? Maybe marriage is changing you after all."Rudraksh rolls his eyes but doesn't respond. Dev claps him on the shoulder, his tone turning serious again.Dev: "Just...be careful. If you're serious about this, don't let your usual methods ruin it before it even begins."Rudraksh (nodding, his tone determined): "I'll handle it, Dev. This time, I'll do it right."Aarohi sits on the edge of her bed, nervously fiddling with her dupatta. The room is quiet, but her mind is anything but. After pacing for a few minutes, she finally picks up her phone and dials Tara's number. The call connects, and Tara answers with her usual lively energy.Tara (cheerfully): "Aarohi! Finally, you ryaad Aayi tujhe meri! What's up?"Aarohi (hesitant, her voice low): "Tara...I need to talk to you."Tara (immediately sensing her tone): "What happened? Are you okay?"Aarohi (sighing, her words slow and uncertain): "It's Rudraksh. He's...he's acting so differently."Tara (curious): "Different how? Did he do something again? If he hurt you, I swear I'll-"Aarohi (interrupting quickly): "No, no, nothing like that. It's just...he's being...nice."Tara (pausing in surprise): "Nice? Are we talking about your Rudraksh? The one who's usually all broody and distant?"Aarohi (nodding, then realizing Tara can't see her): "Yes. He's...he called me earlier. To ask if I had eaten luch."Tara (laughing lightly): "Wait, wait. He called just to ask about your luch? That's it?"Aarohi (earnestly): "Yes! And he's been saying things, Tara. Like...he wants to give this marriage a chance."Tara (playfully): "Well, that doesn't sound like a bad thing. Isn't this what you wanted deep down?"Aarohi (looking down, her voice almost a whisper): "I don't know what I want anymore. He was so distant before, and now he's...I don't understand him. What if it's just a phase? Or worse, what if he's pretending?"Tara (reassuringly): "Aaru, listen to me. Maybe he's finally realizing you're worth the effort. People can change, you know. Maybe he's trying to make things right."Aarohi (still unsure): "But why now? After everything, why does he suddenly care?"Tara (gently): "Maybe because he's starting to see the real you. And let's be honest, Aarohi, who wouldn't care about you? You're kind, patient, and way stronger than you think."Aarohi stays silent, her fingers nervously playing with the edge of the bedspread.Tara (playfully but encouragingly): "Look, if he's trying, maybe you should too. Just don't overthink it. Take it one step at a time. If he messes up, I'll be the first to tell him off."Aarohi (a faint smile forming): "You always know how to make things sound simple."Tara (grinning on the other end): "That's what best friends are for. Now, promise me you won't stress too much about it. Just see where it goes."Aarohi (softly): "Okay. I'll try."Bye butterflies 💕 🤗Happy reading 😁 😁