Chapter-9 Before the goodbye

Aarohi was completely shattered after her conversation with Shreya. The words kept echoing in her mind, suffocating her. That entire day, she didn't speak a word to anyone at school. She quietly went home and locked herself in her room, crying uncontrollably.

The next morning, when her mother told her to get ready for school, Aarohi simply said, "I'm not feeling well today."

When Sukhi called to check on her, Aarohi gave her the same excuse.

She stopped replying to everyone's messages, including Nirvay's. He had sent her two messages, but she didn't even open them.

By evening, Sukhi grew worried and went to Aarohi's house.

Sukhi: "What's wrong? Are you on your period? Or is it something else? Wait—Aarohi, your eyes are swollen! Were you crying? What happened? Please tell me."

Aarohi broke down and told Sukhi everything Shreya had said.

Sukhi: "Aarohi, please—first talk to Nirvay. Don't jump to conclusions. You know how manipulative Shreya is."

Later, Sukhi went home and immediately called Ayush to tell him everything. Then she called Nirvay.

Sukhi: "Nirvay, tell me honestly—why did you become friends with Aarohi?"

Nirvay: "With the intention of real friendship, obviously. Why are you asking this?"

Sukhi: "Did you ever tell Shreya that Aarohi is just a toy for you? That you wanted to play a game with her?"

There was silence. Nirvay paused for a long moment, his throat dry.

Nirvay: "Who told you this?"

Sukhi: "Shreya told Aarohi."

Nirvay was completely panicked. He had no words.

Nirvay: "Aarohi is home, right?"

Sukhi: "Answer me, Nirvay."

Nirvay: (taking a deep breath) "Yes… I said those words to Shreya at the very beginning, but it was just… just a random sentence. It had no meaning. She used to constantly ask me why I was getting so friendly with Aarohi, and I just said it in the flow… I didn't mean it."

Nirvay: "Please, Sukhi, I need to talk to Aarohi. I know she won't answer my calls or my messages. Please help me meet her. I beg you."

Sukhi: "I understand what happened. I've known you since nursery, I can see the way you've changed because of Aarohi. But she's only known you for 11 months, Nirvay. She doesn't know you like I do. Come, I'll try to convince her."

Sukhi went to Aarohi's house again.

Sukhi: "Aarohi, Nirvay is coming. Please meet him."

Aarohi: "No, I don't want to see him."

Sukhi: "Please, Aarohi. At least clear things up. Don't overthink without hearing his side."

It took Sukhi 30 minutes of convincing. Finally, Nirvay arrived and called Sukhi.

Sukhi: "Come on, Aarohi, he's here. Let's talk it out."

Nirvay asked both of them to sit in his car. Sukhi pushed Aarohi to sit in the front seat, but she refused and sat in the back. Nirvay watched her through the mirror—she didn't even glance at him. He drove them to a nearby park.

Sukhi: "You two talk. I'll be nearby."

Nirvay: "Please, just look at me. Please listen."

Aarohi: "I only want a yes or no answer. Did you say that to Shreya? Did you say I'm a toy and you wanted to play a game with me?"

Nirvay: "I can't answer this in just yes or no."

Aarohi: "Why not? If you said it, then say yes. If not, say no."

Nirvay: "Aarohi, please listen. It was just a sentence. It had no meaning."

Tears welled up in Aarohi's eyes. Her voice trembled.

Aarohi: "So your answer is yes. So tell me, Mr. Nirvay Raj, what game were you planning to play with me? My emotions? My feelings? My heart? Or… my body?"

Nirvay was stunned. He could barely breathe.

Nirvay: "What… what did you just say? You think I wanted to play with you? You think I'm that kind of guy? How can you even think this about me?"

Aarohi: "So many girls in school have said that you don't care about anyone's feelings. Maybe you thought I was a new, naïve girl—an easy target to fool."

Nirvay: "If I wanted to play games, it would've happened by now. And you wouldn't even have realized it. Tell me—did I ever say anything that made you uncomfortable? Did I ever demand anything from you? Did I ever try to touch you in the wrong way? Tell me!"

Aarohi: "If Shreya hadn't told me, maybe you would've done it in the future."

Tears fell from Nirvay's eyes.

Nirvay: "Do you really think that's who I am? That I'd play with your feelings? Your body?"

Aarohi: "Whatever game you wanted to play—you've played enough. Leave this toy now. Don't talk to me again. Oh, wait—our friendship wasn't even real, right? It was just a game."

Nirvay: (crying) "Please, listen. It wasn't like that. I said it casually, without meaning. It was so long ago, before we were even real friends."

Aarohi: "It doesn't matter when you said it. Your intention was to play, right?"

Aarohi walked away, crying, and went to Sukhi.

Aarohi: "Book a cab. I want to go home."

Sukhi: "Aarohi, please think. He's told me everything. Judge him by his actions, not by one word."

Aarohi: "Please just book the cab."

Ten minutes later, they left.

Nirvay sat back in his car, heartbroken, tears streaming down his face. He called Shreya.

Nirvay: "Why did you do this? Why did you tell her?"

Shreya: "Simple. She ruined my friendship with you, so I ruined hers."

Nirvay: "I'm going to complete the complaint against you. You were the one who planned the attack on Aarohi."

Shreya: (smiling cruelly) "That was over seven months ago. Who's going to believe you now? Besides, you know Jai's health is getting worse. And that doctor in London? He's a family friend of my uncle. You know Jai loves me too. I think you understand what you need to do now."

She hung up the call.

The next morning, Aarohi sat silently in her room, her sadness visibly painted across her face. Sukhi tried everything to cheer her up, but nothing seemed to work. Aarohi simply wasn't ready to smile.

Meanwhile, Nirvay came to school. His eyes searched for Aarohi, but she brutally ignored him at every turn. Nirvay felt heartbroken, and though Aarohi was pretending to be distant, deep inside, she was just as shattered.

All the classes for the day passed somehow.

After school, Nirvay stopped Sukhi.

Nirvay (desperately):

"Please help me, Sukhi. I can't handle this anymore—Jai's health condition, my parents' divorce, and now Aarohi's anger. It's all getting too much for me. I'm taking Jai to a pediatrician in another city. I've already applied for leave. I might not even make it back in time for exams. If nothing works there, I'll have to take him to one of the best pediatricians in London. He's treated many kids like Jai. Please, Sukhi, talk to Aarohi. She's blocked all my numbers, all my social media. She won't listen to me."

Sukhi (sincerely):

"Yaar, Aarohi is not ready to listen to anyone right now, but I'll try my best."

Sukhi tried again and again to explain things to Aarohi, but Aarohi refused to even hear a single word.

In another city, Nirvay kept trying to contact Aarohi through different numbers and accounts, but she blocked each one without reading a word. Jai's condition wasn't improving. The doctor advised that Jai should be admitted to the hospital.

Nirvay contacted his uncle in London.

Nirvay:

"Uncle, we need to bring Jai to London. Please help."

Uncle:

"Don't worry. I've already spoken to Shreya's uncle. He's arranged a special appointment. It's really hard to get time with this pediatrician, but since they're close friends, it's all set."

Nirvay:

"As soon as my exams are over, I'll bring Jai the very next day."

---

A Week Later

The exams began.

Aarohi's mood hadn't changed at all. Nirvay tried to wish her "All the Best" before each exam, but she coldly ignored him every time, without even glancing his way.

One by one, the exams finished.

It was the day of the final exam.

Nirvay had made up his mind—he had to talk to her.

After the exam, he walked straight to Aarohi.

Nirvay:

"I need to talk to you."

Aarohi started to walk away without saying anything.

Desperate, Nirvay gently held her hand.

Nirvay:

"Please, just two minutes. After that, you can leave if you want."

Aarohi (coldly):

"Say it."

Nirvay:

"My flight to London is tomorrow. I have to take Jai for his treatment. Will you come to the airport to meet me? Or… at least talk to me once on the phone? Just hear my voice… please don't block me one last time."

Aarohi:

"I won't do either of those. I'll only pray to God for Jai's recovery. That's all."

Without waiting for a reply, she walked away.

Sukhi, who had been watching from a distance, heard everything.

---

That Evening

Sukhi went to Aarohi's house.

Sukhi:

"I've tried everything to make you understand, but you're being so stubborn. He's leaving tomorrow. Just meet him once. He's so broken right now, can't you see that? Look, what Nirvay said—that comment—yes, it was wrong, but remember all those times he stood by you? Please, judge a person by their actions, not just by one sentence. Nirvay's actions were always pure towards you. He never disrespected you, never crossed a line, never hurt you intentionally. Please, Aarohi, think about it."