Chapter-10 The missed goodbye

That night, Aarohi couldn't sleep.

No matter how much she tossed and turned, her mind kept replaying every moment spent with Nirvay. The memories, his support, his little gestures, the way he always stood by her—all came flooding back.

A faint smile appeared on her face.

Maybe… maybe I should go to the airport.

The decision was made in her heart.

It was only 4 AM, and finally, sleep crept in.

(Morning sleep never spares anyone.)

Her phone kept ringing continuously, but Aarohi was deep in her slumber.

Her mother knocked on the door.

Aarohi's Mom:

"Beta, your phone's been ringing nonstop. Open the door, Aarohi!"

Aarohi's eyes suddenly snapped open. She picked up her phone—Sukhi Calling.

Aarohi:

"Yeah, tell me?"

Sukhi (angrily):

"Oh, you're alive! I thought you died in your sleep!"

Aarohi (confused):

"What?"

Sukhi:

"Look at the time! It's 7 AM! Nirvay's flight is at 8:30 AM! I've been calling you since 6 AM! GET UP AND GO!"

Aarohi (still groggy):

"Okay, okay, I'm getting ready… but how did you know I was going?"

Sukhi (teasing):

"I also know you'll have three kids in the future. Now MOVE!"

Aarohi unlocked the door.

Aarohi's Mom:

"Whose call was it? Your phone has been ringing for so long!"

Aarohi:

"It was Sukhi, Mom. I'm going to the bathroom to get ready—I need to go somewhere."

Aarohi's Mom:

"Where are you going so early in the morning?"

Aarohi quickly washed her face, changed her clothes, grabbed her bag, and started heading out.

Aarohi's Dad:

"Where are you going, beta? Tell me, I'll drop you."

Aarohi:

"It's okay, Papa. I'll manage."

Aarohi's Mom:

"At least tell us where you're going. Sit down first."

Aarohi's Dad:

"If there's any problem, tell me, beta. What's going on in your mind?"

Aarohi anxiously kept looking at her watch.

Finally, she spoke softly.

Aarohi:

"Do you trust me, Papa?"

Aarohi's Dad:

"Of course, beta."

Aarohi:

"Then please, just let me go."

Without waiting for further questions, she rushed out and quickly booked a cab. By the time she was on her way, it was 7:30 AM.

At the Airport

Nirvay was waiting near the departure gate, checking his watch every few seconds, hoping Aarohi would come.

Suddenly, Shreya appeared.

Jai (smiling):

"Shreya didi 😊"

Shreya (warmly):

"Oh my strong Jai! You'll get well soon. Here, this Iron Man figure is for you—it'll give you power. Hi, Nirvay."

Nirvay coldly ignored her.

Shreya (mocking):

"Don't ignore me, Nirvay. We're childhood friends."

Nirvay:

"Friends? Do you even know what that means? Jai, let's go over there."

He walked away with Jai to keep distance.

Shreya (following):

"So… you've fallen for her, haven't you?"

Nirvay:

"I don't owe you any answers."

Just then, Nirvay's phone rang—it was Sukhi.

Sukhi:

"Aarohi's on her way! Ayush and I were going to come too, but we thought it would be better if you two met alone. Has she reached?"

Nirvay (nervous):

"No, yaar… only 20 minutes left."

Sukhi:

"I really hope she makes it."

Shreya (overhearing):

"Oh, so Aarohi is coming too? Great."

Nirvay walked away from her, not wanting to waste another second.

Aarohi Arrives

Aarohi jumped out of the cab in a rush and hurried toward the airport gate.

Standing nearby, Shreya leaned against her car, smirking.

Shreya:

"Oh no, Aarohi. You're late."

Aarohi quickly checked her watch—it was 8:45 AM.

Her heart sank.

She started to search for another cab to go back.

Shreya (smiling):

"At least say hello. I'm your classmate, after all."

Aarohi (coldly):

"Not interested, thank you."

Shreya (mocking):

"You're so innocent, Aarohi. Even after knowing the truth, you still came to meet Nirvay? Impressive."

Aarohi:

"I don't want to hear any of your nonsense."

She began walking away.

Shreya:

"Oh, since you called it nonsense, let me add one more little nonsense—actually, no—an important fact."

Aarohi:

"You're always manipulating people. So don't even try with me again."

Shreya:

"But won't you hear the truth? Or are you afraid you might believe me?"

Aarohi kept walking.

Shreya (loudly):

"Did you know? To become friends with you, Nirvay paid two boys to stage fake attacks. You know, like a Bollywood hero moment? Both times when you thought you were being rescued—it was all planned. Do you really think it was a coincidence?"

Aarohi (shaken):

"I don't want to hear anything."

Shreya:

"Believe me or not, but he's a pro player, Aarohi. He'll do anything to achieve his goals—even if it means hurting you."

Aarohi was completely shattered.

Shreya (smirking to herself):

(In her mind)

"I'll make sure to separate both of you. Nirvay has no proof that I did this, so this round belongs to me."

Shreya (casually):

"Bye, Aarohi."

Aarohi's Flashback

Suddenly, Aarohi remembered that time when she had suggested filing a police complaint after the second attack, but Nirvay had stopped her, saying it would be too much—he would handle it himself. And yes…

Their friendship had really grown stronger after both those incidents.

Could it be?

Was Shreya telling the truth?

This misunderstanding had now planted such a deep seed of doubt in Aarohi's heart that it might be strong enough to break their bond forever.

Aarohi's Way Back

Aarohi sat silently in the backseat of the Ola cab, staring out of the window as the city passed her by.

She didn't want to cry.

She really didn't.

But the tears just wouldn't stop.

Her phone buzzed—Sukhi calling.

Sukhi:

"Did you meet him?"

Aarohi (softly):

"No."

Sukhi (cheerfully):

"Hey, don't be so tense. He's not gone forever. There's still the internet and phones—just chill, okay?"

Aarohi (firmly):

"Listen carefully—if either you or Ayush talk to me about Nirvay after today, I'll end my friendship with both of you."

Sukhi (shocked):

"What? What's wrong with you? Are you okay? Please, just tell me what happened."

Aarohi stayed silent for a few seconds.

And then… she told Sukhi everything. Every word Shreya had said.

As soon as the call ended, Sukhi immediately called Ayush.

Sukhi (worried):

"Ayush, something's wrong. Aarohi told me everything…"

Ayush (serious):

"Sukhi, I can't believe that Nirvay would ever try to hurt someone—and definitely not Aarohi. Shreya's lying. Nirvay told me about those incidents himself."

Sukhi (confused):

"I don't know what to do. Should we tell Aarohi the truth right now?"

Ayush:

"No… not now. Let me talk to her later—maybe in the evening or tomorrow."

Sukhi:

"Okay."

That night, Ayush sent a long message to Nirvay explaining everything.

Late Night - Nirvay Reads the Message

Nirvay's heart sank as he read Ayush's message.

He clenched his fists tightly, his whole body trembling with anger.

Shreya… how could you fall this low?

Ayush's message ended with:

"Take care of Jai. I know you would never try to hurt Aarohi. You told me about those boys yourself. If you still have their details, please send them to me."

Nirvay replied:

"Shreya did this. But I can't go against her… Jai's pediatrician is a close friend of Shreya's uncle. I can't take that risk."

Next Morning - Ayush Calls Aarohi

Ayush:

"Hey, Aarohi. How are you?"

Aarohi (emotionlessly):

"I'm fine."

Ayush:

"Look, I'm not here to give you clarifications. I just want to tell you one thing—Nirvay would never try to hurt anyone. Especially not you. He's my childhood friend. I know him better than anyone."

Aarohi (bitterly):

"Honestly, I'm starting to doubt you too. How come you never knew Shreya was his fake girlfriend? How did you not realize he was playing games with me?"

Ayush (hurt):

"I always considered you a really good friend, Aarohi. But what you just said… that really hurts me. Nirvay and I are best friends, yes. But I'm not his best friend in that fake world you're talking about. I'm part of his real world.

He never shares things that are meaningless or don't matter to him."

Aarohi (coldly):

"Say whatever you want, but do you really think I'll just believe you?"

Ayush (firmly):

"Aarohi, I'll only talk to you again when I can prove Nirvay is innocent."