Heirs of Punjab Book 5: Whispers in the Night✔

Chapter 28

Jasnoor Kaur Bindra

The aftermath of Sehej's outburst left me reeling, my heart battered and bruised by the sting of his anger. Every word he had spoken, every blow he had landed, echoed in my mind like a cruel refrain, a constant reminder of the pain he had inflicted upon me.

As I retreated to the solitude of my room, the weight of his betrayal settled over me like a suffocating blanket, the walls closing in around me with each passing moment. How could he have done this to me? How could he have let his jealousy consume him, unleashing a wave of violence that had left me broken and battered in its wake?

Tears pricked at the corners of my eyes as I sank onto the edge of the bed, the events of the day playing out in my mind like a nightmare from which I couldn't wake. I had trusted Sehej with my heart, had believed that our love was strong enough to weather any storm, but now, I found myself questioning everything I thought I knew about him.

A knock at the door jolted me from my thoughts, and I hesitated for a moment before answering, unsure of whether I was ready to face Sehej after what had happened. But when I opened the door, it wasn't him standing on the other side, but Arzooi, her eyes filled with concern.

"Jasnoor, are you okay?" she asked, her voice soft and gentle.

I forced a smile, trying to mask the turmoil brewing beneath the surface. "I'm fine, Arzooi," I replied, my voice betraying the tremor of emotion that threatened to overwhelm me. "Just...a little shaken up, that's all."

But Arzooi wasn't convinced, her brow furrowing with worry as she stepped into the room and closed the door behind her. "You don't have to pretend, Jasnoor," she said, her tone gentle but firm. "I know something happened between you and Sehej, and I'm here for you if you need to talk about it."

The floodgates burst open at her words, and I found myself pouring out the entire story, from the moment I had witnessed Sehej's violent outburst to the aftermath of his betrayal. With each word, the weight on my chest lifted ever so slightly, as if sharing my pain with Arzooi had somehow lessened its burden.

When I had finished speaking, Arzooi enveloped me in a warm embrace, her presence a source of comfort in the midst of my turmoil. "I'm so sorry, Jasnoor," she murmured, her voice filled with empathy. "No one deserves to be treated like that, least of all you."

Tears welled in my eyes once more as I buried my face in her shoulder, the flood of emotions threatening to consume me. "I thought he loved me, Arzooi," I whispered, my voice choked with sorrow. "I thought we had something special."

Arzooi pulled back slightly, her gaze meeting mine with unwavering compassion. "You do have something special, Jasnoor," she said, her words a gentle reminder of the love and support that surrounded me. "But sometimes, even the strongest bonds can be tested. It's up to you to decide whether you want to fight for what you have, or walk away."

Her words struck a chord deep within me, stirring something fierce and defiant in the depths of my soul. I couldn't let Sehej's betrayal define me, couldn't let his actions dictate the course of my life. I had to be strong, for myself and for the love we had shared.

With Arzooi's support bolstering my resolve, I wiped away my tears and squared my shoulders, a newfound sense of determination coursing through my veins. I didn't know what the future held, but one thing was certain – I wouldn't let Sehej's betrayal break me. Not now, not ever.