Burning Hearts

1. 𝐁𝐞𝐭𝐫𝐚𝐲𝐚𝐥

Chapter-1

Author's POV

May, 2019.

Jivapur, Amaravati.

The air was thick with apprehension. The day looked like any other ordinary day but none of them knew that their world would be forever changed.

He looked at the little girl, his baby sister and then at his friend, best friend.

The yellow thread adorning her neck proved that they were indeed married despite his strong refusal.

His face was etched with an unequal mixture of concern and anger. The silence in the air felt suffocating.
Both of them knew that his silence only meant destruction.

His gaze pierced through her. His eyes did all the talking. She couldn't look into his accusing eyes anymore. Gritting his teeth, he looked at his best friend who tied the knot to his baby sister. There was no guilt in his eyes. But sadness shone from the depths of his black pools because he knew that this would end their years of friendship.

He would never forgive this. For him, it was the ultimate betrayal.

He clenched his fists. Frustration mixed with sadness and anger was palpable.

" Is this your final decision Manvi?" he asked, his voice mixed with anger and sorrow. His gaze lingered between his sister and his best friend.

She looked at her lover, now husband. His black pools were filled with love for her. Yet there was a tinge of sadness. Her eyes darted back to her brother. His dark brown eyes screamed anger. The feeling of betrayal was evident in his eyes.

Tears welled up in her brown eyes as she nodded her head meekly.

" Are you choosing him over me? Over your brother who did everything to make you happy? Is this what I get in return?" his voice rose, laced with accusation and fury. His nose flared in anger.

She looked at him with teary eyes.

" Please don't say that Anna ( brother) try to understand me... please" She begged, looking at him with pleading eyes. " I cannot live without Arya... please shivu... Forgive me" She pleaded again, joining her hands in front of him. Tears streamed down her eyes, mirroring his own pain.

" You betrayed me, Arya!" Shiva looked at Arya, who looked down, clenching his jaws.

Did he betray him?

" There is no forgiving for betrayal!" Shiva stated, his voice curt, his eyes gleamed with fury. Both Arya and Manvi looked at him. Hurt and heartbroken.
" Betrayal leaves a lasting scar" he spat, taking a step back from both of them. " There is forgiveness for mistakes. but what you did is not a mistake. It is betrayal... the ultimate betrayal and there is no forgiving it!" he stated through gritted teeth. Taking a deep breath, he took another step back.

" Shivu please...don't do this..." She tried to take a step towards him but Shiva raised his hands, ordering her to stop approaching him.

" Shiva...don't do this to her. Manu loves you so much. You are hurting her Shiva.." Arya spoke for the first time during this heated conversation.

As soon as Arya said this, Shiva raised his hands and punched him square in the jaw. He raised his fists again to punch Arya but Manvi stood in front of Arya, halting Shiva's actions altogether.

She looked at him with teary eyes. Hurt palpable on her face.

" Shivu...I love Aryan.." she cried, holding Aryan's hands. " if you ever raise your hands on him again, consider me dead!" She said, breathing heavily.