Broken Souls

𝙲𝚑𝚊𝚙𝚝𝚎𝚛 31

गलती हमारी ही थी जो
हम उनसे ज़्यादा बात करने लगे,
जब हों गई हमें उनकी आदत
तो वो हमें नज़रअंदाज़ करने लगे...

~Aarayna

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Author's POV

Aarayna's entire body tensed up upon hearing those words. She initially believed that she would eventually let it go and move on within an hour or so. However, deep down, she knew better. Aarayna had always possessed an uncanny ability to remember every little detail, and this situation was no exception. As Aviraaj attempted to approach her, Aarayna instinctively pushed him away while muttering under her breath,

"Jonnah and I got in a fight "

She effortlessly deceived him with a straight face, her expertise in lying honed over time. Aviraaj gazed into her emotionless eyes, noticing her calm breathing and relaxed posture,

"And he used a dagger so sharp on you? "

Aarayna knew she had to come up with a story fast,

"We often do friendly fighting, with some or the other weapon, this time we used daggers and he mistakenly did this, but you should have seen the cut I gave him on the back "

Aviraaj nodded in agreement as she revealed only part of the truth. Despite their frequent friendly arguments, they never resorted to violence and would never intentionally harm each other. As he stepped back to give her some space, she felt a wave of relief wash over her. However, he quickly reached behind her to grab a bandage and gently started wrapping it around her wound, 

"Aap jhooth bol rhi haine hum jaante haine, par kyun yeh nhi jaante"

Aarayna found herself at a loss for words once more, her falsehoods escaping everyone's notice except his. She gazed at him as he expertly applied the bandage, a display of flawless skill that hinted at countless repetitions. This led her to ponder how often he had relied on others for such assistance, only to find himself alone. With a deft motion, he secured the knot before locking eyes with her,

"Kab tak hi chupa paaengi aap sach? "

Aarayna did not know what to tell him,

"Aap bhi kab tak hi chupa paaenge sach ko? "

Avraaj was startled by her inquiry, caught off guard by the fact that she seemed to have an inkling about his hidden agenda. Her intuition had always been spot-on, and this time was no exception. Despite being aware of the immense power he possessed, the power that could potentially shatter her world, she chose to stay by his side. Perhaps, deep down, she yearned for the destruction he could bring, craving the bittersweet taste of pain. Her spirit, numb yet tumultuous, craved the agony that awaited. She couldn't possibly be privy to his clandestine scheme - a plan so covert that even Aadavan was only privy to a fraction of it. With a subtle step backward, he maintained unwavering eye contact with her, a silent dance of unspoken truths.

"Konsa sach? "

She laughed dryly touched her bandage, and once again used his words against him,

"Aap jhooth bol rhein haine hum jaante haine, par kyun yeh nhi jaante "

As she gracefully stepped down from the cold slab, he loomed above her, casting an imposing shadow. Though their connection was distant, an unspoken bond tethered them together. The air grew heavy with tension, leaving them both at a loss for words. Without uttering a single syllable, Aviraaj abruptly departed from the lavatory, leaving Aarayna behind. The intricate tattoo adorning his back served as a poignant reminder of the intricate complexities within their relationship. Aarayna's gaze shifted towards her own reflection in the opulent mirror, where the bandage on her skin served as a painful reminder of her past failures. Succumbing once more to her inner turmoil, she found solace in self-inflicted harm. Her eyes then wandered to the slab, where the gleaming scalpel lay within the kit. Hastily closing the kit, she swiftly exited the premises, yearning to escape the suffocating ambiance that surrounded her.