Hey dear readers!!
I hope you all are doing good.
Here's the next episode as I promised.
Enjoy the episode and make sure to leave comment and also don't forget to press that cute little star. ⭐
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• EPISODE - 18 •
Days began to pass smoothly, like a melody played on a gentle breeze. Amaira's heart swelled with happiness so profound that it reflected in her every movement and every smile. The world seemed brighter, softer, as though life itself had conspired to paint her days in hues of joy and hope.
Her journey toward her dreams had truly begun. With every step she took, Arhaan stood firmly by her side-a quiet but steadfast pillar of strength. He was her constant, her unwavering support, helping her navigate the path she had chosen. His pride in her was evident, and he felt a quiet happiness, as though he too had found his place in the world through her.
For the first time in years, Arhaan felt truly whole. Amaira was no longer distant, no longer guarded. The walls she had built around herself had crumbled, leaving behind a closeness that filled the gaps in his heart he hadn't even realized were there. It was as if he had conquered the world-not with power or wealth, but with the love of a woman who made him feel worthy.
Amaira was unafraid now, confident in the bond they shared. She no longer hesitated to show him off to her peers, much to the envy of her college mates. Arhaan, the enigmatic figure once shrouded in mystery and dominance, had become a devoted partner. He dropped her off at college each morning and picked her up in the evening, a routine that brought him unexpected joy. It was the simplicity of these moments-the shared glances and the unspoken understanding-that tied them together more tightly than ever before.
Beyond Amaira, Arhaan found himself evolving. He had started devoting time to his business, something he had left to Irfaan for far too long. With renewed focus and determination, he began taking the reins, driven not only by ambition but also by a desire to build something for the future-a future he envisioned with Amaira by his side.
At home, Dadi and Irfaan were overjoyed. They had witnessed a transformation in Arhaan they had never thought possible. The once brash and unyielding man had softened, his edges smoothed by Amaira's presence in his life. They saw him laughing more, caring more, and most importantly, living more.
For Dadi, it was a long-cherished dream come true. She had always wanted to see Arhaan settled, not just in life but in his heart. And for Irfaan, who had watched over Arhaan like an older brother, the change brought a deep sense of relief. The happiness that radiated from Arhaan and Amaira was infectious, filling the house with a warmth it hadn't known in years.
Everything seemed to have fallen into place, as if the universe had finally aligned itself for them. But life, unpredictable as always, had its own plans. And while the present was beautiful, the future held its own mysteries, challenges, and tests. For now, though, they basked in the glow of their newfound happiness, unaware of what lay ahead.
2 Months later.
Arhaan stood outside the clinic, patiently waiting for his turn. The small waiting area buzzed with faint murmurs and the occasional sound of rustling papers, but he remained unfazed. With his hands tucked loosely into his pockets, he paced back and forth in a slow, deliberate rhythm. A calm smile lingered on his face, betraying none of the impatience or irritation often seen in others in such moments. Instead, he exuded an air of quiet contentment, as if time itself had decided to move at his pace.
Minutes passed, yet he didn't check his watch, nor did he glance toward the receptionist. It wasn't until twenty minutes later that his name was called.
“Sir, you may go in now,” the receptionist announced with a polite smile.
Arhaan nodded in acknowledgment, his own smile widening. “Thank you so much,” he said warmly before making his way to the doctor's office.
Reaching the door, he knocked lightly, the sound a soft echo in the quiet corridor. From inside came a calm, authoritative voice granting him permission to enter. Arhaan pushed the door open gently, stepping inside with a poised confidence that matched the cheer in his voice.
“Good morning, Doctor”, he greeted, his tone bright and welcoming, filling the room with a quiet warmth.
Dr. Anaya greeted him with a warm, reassuring smile.
“Hello, Mr. Arhaan. You look fresh and happy today,” she said, gesturing for him to sit on the sofa.
“Thank you,” Arhaan replied, taking his seat. “I really am. These days, I feel happier and more at ease than I have in a long time.”
Dr. Anaya sat opposite him in a single-seater sofa, her posture relaxed yet attentive. “That’s wonderful to hear,” she said with a soft nod. “It means you’ve overcome your fears.”
Arhaan’s lips curved into a grateful smile. “You know, Doctor, I can’t thank you enough. I realize this is your profession, but I also know how much time and care you’ve put into helping me. It hasn’t gone unnoticed.”
Dr. Anaya extended her hand toward Arhaan with a warm smile. “It's all your efforts,” she said, her voice filled with pride.
Arhaan shook her hand gently, his gaze softening. “It’s not just me,” he replied. “I was lost in my obsession and possessiveness for a long time, but with the constant sessions and your guidance, I finally feel at peace with myself. It’s been a long journey.”
Dr. Anaya nodded, her eyes reflecting a quiet understanding. “I'm glad to hear that,” she said. “You've made incredible progress.”
Dr. Anaya leaned forward slightly, her gaze steady and inviting, as she asked softly, “Now, tell me, what's your own thoughts on all of these? From the very beginning to where you are now?”
Arhaan smiled faintly, his eyes drifting to his hands as memories stirred within him. They flooded his mind, an uninvited torrent, and he inhaled deeply before he spoke.
“At first, when I met her, I was drawn to her—like a moth to a flame. It was gradual, almost imperceptible at times, but as the days passed, I realized she wasn’t just someone who caught my attention. She was the one. Since the very first moment she entered my life, I felt a pull—like something deep inside me knew she was meant to be there. And then… then came the kiss. I knew, I knew it was just a dare, but I never imagined someone would go that far to fulfill one. It hit me then, like a sudden revelation—that maybe, just maybe, she had feelings for me too.”
He continued with lots of guilt heaving his chest, “You see, I had always believed that a kiss wasn’t something you shared with a stranger, not with someone you barely knew. Not from my perspective, anyway. But there it was. She kissed me, just at the corner of my lips. A spark, fleeting but real, ignited in me. But when I came back to my senses, to the reality of that moment… I saw her with Kabir. At first, I thought they were just friends. But then she told me they were a couple. And, to be honest, I… I felt hurt. I felt cheated, though I couldn’t explain why. I think it stemmed from something I had seen long ago—my mother with her boss. My father had asked her why, and she said she loved him. She left everything for him. And in that moment, I felt a flash of something cold and familiar.”
Arhaan's voice faltered as the memory choked him, his words cracking as he continued.
“That’s why I thought Amaira was cheating on me. She had feelings for me, but now she was with Kabir. And keeping her by my side became my only focus. My utmost priority. I saw what had happened with my parents, how my father had forced my mother to stay, trapping her so she couldn’t leave. And, in my desperation, I did the same with Amaira. I didn’t want to lose her. I loved her, yes, but my fear consumed me—fear that she would leave me like my mother had left my father. Even though I loved her unconditionally, I couldn’t escape that fear. And deep down, I knew it wasn’t justified. But that’s where I had been.”
The weight of his words hung in the air between them, and for a moment, there was nothing but silence, as Arhaan faced the raw truth of his own emotions.
Dr. Anaya listened patiently as Arhaan spoke, her gaze steady, understanding the depth of his struggle. He took a slow breath, then continued, his voice heavy with regret.
“You know, Dr., I knew I had done something terribly wrong to Amaira. I knew I had hurt her beyond measure, and I felt guilty about it every single day. The pain was still there, and the guilt weighed down on my heart like a constant burden. In my fear of losing her, I never truly realized how wrong I had been. She had always said that I was nothing more than an obsession to her, not love—but believe me, doctor, she had been my love, and she still was. I had tried so hard to make her understand that it wasn’t obsession. I knew what I was doing, and I understood that my behavior had looked like obsession, but it wasn’t. It was fear. Fear of losing her. I just didn’t want to be alone anymore. I wanted to be loved by someone I could trust, someone who could love me back. I was done being alone all those years. You see, I had no family. My mother had left when I was eight, and after that, my father had remarried, giving love a second chance. But that woman hadn’t wanted me, so my father had left me with my grandmother. I couldn’t even imagine how I had pushed my grandmother to the point where she gave up on me and sent me to the orphanage. Can you imagine what that had been like, how I had survived all those years without anyone? To my mother, I had been a curse. To my father, just a responsibility. No one had wanted me. For all those years, all I had wanted was someone to love me, to care for me. And now… now I wanted to be the one who could give that love. But I didn’t know what had come over me, what had driven me to do those sinister things. I regretted trapping her in my love. I regretted it all. And now, I couldn’t help but think that if she had been with Kabir, she would have been much happier, right? She would have been following her dreams, achieving everything she had ever wanted. I regretted it all.”
He forced a smile, but his eyes betrayed him, showing the cracks in his broken heart.
Dr. Anaya's voice was soft but steady as she asked, “Do you want to let her go, Arhaan?”
Arhaan’s gaze met hers, his eyes filled with unspoken emotion. He shook his head, the tears threatening to spill, but he held them back.
Dr. Anaya smiled gently, her voice calm and reassuring. “Then don't. Didn't you say she started to see you differently? And didn't she confess that she loves you?”
Arhaan nodded, his voice soft. “Yes, doctor. She does.”
Dr. Anaya expression remained kind but firm. “Then let things unfold as they are. Let time heal everything slowly. I believe you have a beautiful future ahead of you. And as she can see, you have changed so much. I believe she is in love with you too.”
Arhaan sighed, his eyes heavy with emotion. “I feel the same. But doctor...”
Dr. Anaya's eyes softened. “Don't hesitate. Just say it.”
Arhaan gulped, his voice barely a whisper. “I'm dying day by day because of my guilt.”
Dr. Anaya leaned forward, her tone gentle but insistent. “Elaborate, please.”
Arhaan's voice cracked as he spoke. “I mean... the guilt o' her. It's getting he ast trauma I caused on my chest. I feel like I've cheated on her with all the manipulation I used to keep her by my side. I know I don't do those things anymore. But I can't deny the fact that I manipulated her mind to stay with me the last time. And I can't just brush off that feeling. And because of that, I... I... I always feel suffocated, and I hurt... hurt myself.”
Dr. Anaya's expression grew serious, her concern deepening. “What do you mean? What do you do?”
Arhaan's hand trembled as he slowly removed his jacket, revealing his bare arms. His skin was marred with many scars, some old, others still fresh, and even newer marks scattered across his skin. Dr. Anaya's eyes widened in shock as she took in the sight of the self-inflicted wounds.
She was stunned, the weight of his confession hanging in the air. Each scar seemed to tell a story of inner turmoil, a silent cry for help that had gone unnoticed until now.
Dr. Anaya scolded him, grabbing his arm firmly. “Are you crazy? Didn’t I warn you to stop?”
Arhaan’s voice trembled with guilt and frustration. “I tried, but I failed. Nothing gave me peace except this.”
Dr. Anaya’s tone was stern, her eyes filled with concern. “This is not right, Mr. Arhaan. This is so wrong. I warn you—don’t ever do this again, or I’ll have to tell Amaira about all of this.”
Arhaan’s eyes widened in panic. “No, no, no! Please. No.”
Dr. Anaya’s voice was firm but caring. “You better stop hurting yourself, Arhaan.”
Arhaan hesitated, his voice a mere whisper. “Hmm, but…”
Dr. Anaya took a deep breath before speaking, her words filled with urgency. “If you really want to keep her, if you want her to stay with her own decisions, then do one thing.”
Arhaan looked at her, confused and eager for an answer. “What?”
~~
Later that night, Arhaan found himself lost in thought, reflecting on Dr. Anaya's words. He muttered softly to himself, “I guess she was right. I should give her a chance.”
A small smile tugged at his lips. “This is the best thing I can do.”
He turned to the other side, trying to fall asleep, but restlessness gnawed at him. He sat up, unable to shake the feeling. With a sigh, he swung his legs off the bed and stood up. He walked out of his room, his footsteps quiet in the stillness of the night. As he stood in front of Amaira's door, he noticed the light from under the door still shining.
“What is she doing at this time?” he questioned to himself, unsure but needing to know.
“Amaira!” he called softly, his voice filled with uncertainty and longing.
Amaira opened the door and saw him standing there, his presence catching her off guard. Her expression was a mix of confusion and annoyance.
“Why are you up so late?” she asked curtly.
“That was my question,” Arhaan replied with a teasing smirk. “Why are you up so late, Mrs. Arhaan?”
She rolled her eyes and turned away, walking back toward the couch where she had been sitting moments earlier, surrounded by books and papers for her assignment.
“I’m studying, Mr. Arhaan,” she replied matter-of-factly as she resumed typing on her laptop.
Arhaan sat down on the bed, his gaze fixed on her as she focused intently on her work.
“Are you still going to study?” he asked softly, his voice tinged with puppy-like innocence.
“Yep. I have to. My exams are near,” Amaira replied, not even bothering to look up, her eyes glued to the screen.
“Hmm!! Okay...” Arhaan muttered under his breath, leaning back against the headboard.
He continued watching her in silence, his eyes tracing her delicate features. She looked so beautiful, her face glowing with a quiet determination. There was something so pure and innocent about her, completely absorbed in her studies.
But patience was never Arhaan’s strong suit. After waiting for what felt like an eternity—though it had only been ten minutes—he finally gave up.
“I need your attention, jaan,” he said, sulking like a child.
“I have my exams,” Amaira reminded him firmly. “Deal with it.”
Arhaan smirked, mischief dancing in his eyes. He got up from the bed and walked over to her. Without a word, he shut her laptop and, before she could object, scooped her up into his arms.
“Give me attention, and I’ll make sure you get the highest scores in all your papers,” he said, grinning playfully.
Ignoring her protests, he carried her to the bed and gently laid her down on her back. He pulled the quilt over her, tucking her in securely.
“But Arhaan…” Amaira began, trying to argue.
“Shhhh! No more words. I need you,” he whispered, sliding under the quilt beside her and wrapping his arms around her in a tight, warm embrace.
Amaira let out a soft sigh, a smile tugging at her lips. She gave in, her fingers threading through his hair as she stroked it gently.
“You’re such a baby,” she teased softly.
“Only for you to see.” Arhaan replied, his cheeks turning pink as he buried his face in her shoulder.
“So, When are you going to move into our room? How much longer do I have to wait?” Arhaan asked, his eyes still closed, his voice soft but tinged with impatience.
“Actually, I’ve been thinking about it,” Amaira said, her tone hesitant.
“And? What have you decided?” Arhaan pressed, curiosity flickering across his face as he cracked one eye open.
“Arhaan…” Amaira whispered, her voice barely audible.
“Yes, Arhaan ki jaan,” he replied, lifting his head and looking at her with a teasing smile that could melt anyone’s heart.
“Let’s have a proper wedding,” Amaira said, her words clear and purposeful, catching him completely off guard.
“Wh-what?” Arhaan stammered, his brows furrowing in surprise.
“I want a proper wedding. My dream wedding,” she said, her gaze unwavering. “Can we have one?”
“You really want a wedding?” he asked, disbelief and wonder lacing his voice.
“Yes,” she said, nodding firmly. “In front of the whole world. Can we?”
For a moment, Arhaan stared at her, and then, as if a light had burst within him, his face lit up with excitement.
“Yes, yes, yes! We can,” he said, his voice brimming with joy. “I’ve always wanted that too. Let’s have a wedding!”
Amaira smiled, her heart swelling at his enthusiasm. For the first time in a long while, she felt like her dreams were just within reach.
Amaira's eyes sparkled with excitement as she looked at Arhaan. “When can we hold the wedding?” she asked eagerly.
“Whenever you want,” Arhaan replied with a soft smile, his gaze fixed on her.
“I want it on my birthday,” she said, her voice brimming with anticipation. “It’s just two weeks away.”
Arhaan nodded without hesitation. “As you wish, Mrs. Arhaan. Your birthday it is.” He leaned closer, curiosity dancing in his eyes. “Now, tell me, what’s your dream wedding like?”
Amaira’s face lit up as she began to describe her vision. “I want it to be under a sky full of stars, surrounded by twinkling fairy lights. A soft breeze, delicate flowers everywhere, and everything in shades of white and lavender. I want it to feel magical, like a scene from a fairytale.” Her voice softened, her eyes distant as she imagined it.
Arhaan listened intently, a grin spreading across his face. “Done. I promise to give you the most beautiful dream wedding. Just the way you’ve always imagined.”
Suddenly, he jumped out of bed, startling Amaira.
“Where are you going?” she asked, frowning in confusion.
He looked back at her with a mischievous glint in his eyes. “I’m going to hug you after the wedding.”
Amaira’s brows furrowed. “But we’re already married!”
“Yes,” Arhaan said, his tone playful, “but let’s wait until we’re married again—the way you’ve dreamt about.”
With that, he waved at her, his excitement palpable, and left the room in a rush. Amaira shook her head with a soft laugh, her heart warming at his enthusiasm.
As Arhaan left, Amaira stepped down from the bed, a soft smile playing on her lips. She walked to the door, locked it quietly, and picked up her phone from the side table.
“I’ll give you the best wedding gift, my dear hubby,” she murmured to herself, her eyes twinkling with determination as she stared at the phone screen. “A gift you truly deserve.”
Placing the phone back on the side table, Amaira spun around with her arms wide open, her heart brimming with joy.
“I’m so happy,” she whispered, her smile growing wider as she twirled, savoring the moment. The thought of her dream wedding and Arhaan’s uncontainable excitement made her chest feel warm and light, as if she were floating on air.
[ TO BE CONTINUED ]