Shattered (Book #1 In Heart Series)✔️

Chapter 6: Destined to meet

IN SINGHANIA MANSIONAditya's Room

As Karthik entered the room, he found Aditya engrossed in his laptop. Karthik's sudden leap onto the bed startled Aditya.

"Why do you always have to scare me like that? Can't you act normal?" Aditya asked, not taking his eyes off the screen.

"Nope. So, are you busy right now?" Karthik inquired eagerly.

"Yeah, just going through some emails. Why do you ask?" Aditya responded, still focused on his work.

"I'm bored, so I thought we could hang out like old times," Karthik suggested, excitement evident in his voice.

"Sorry, mate. I'm occupied at the moment. Maybe another time," Aditya apologized, continuing with his work.

"You're not going to fulfill your friend's wish, Adi? Have I become a stranger to you?" Karthik pouted, feigning hurt. Aditya sighed and moved from the bed to the couch.

"Don't be a drama queen, Karthik. I said we'll go another day," Aditya replied.

Karthik jumped off the bed and dashed to the couch, grabbing Aditya's arm. "Adi, what if I'm busy the next time? We can't predict the future. If we want to do something, we should do it now while we're both free. Please come, Adi. Adi, please," he pleaded, putting on his best puppy face. Aditya shook his head in exasperation.

"Alright, fine. Let me get ready," Aditya relented, closing his laptop.

"Yes! Thank you so much, Adi!" Karthik exclaimed, planting a kiss on Aditya's cheek, much to Aditya's chagrin.

"Ugh, seriously?" Aditya grimaced, rubbing his cheek.

"Come on, Adi, don't give me that look. Remember when we used to do this as kids?" Karthik reminded him.

"That was when we were kids. We're grown men now. People will get the wrong idea. Now, please leave so I can change," Aditya said, nudging him toward the door.

"Okay, okay, I'm going," Karthik relented, finally making his way out of the room.

SEVEN HILLS HOSPITAL

Kritika waited outside for Aradhya, her thoughts consumed by the encounter with Anirudh. She looked up and spotted Aradhya running toward her like a frantic bird. Concern etched on her face, Kritika frowned.

"What happened, Aru? Why are you running like that?" Kritika asked, grasping her friend's arms firmly.

"Kri-tika, it's Anirudh! He's following me," Aradhya stuttered in fear.

"Aradhya!"

Kritika and Aradhya turned to see Anirudh approaching them. Their exchanged glances conveyed both annoyance and resignation.

Anirudh came to a stop in front of Kritika, his gaze shamelessly assessing her. Kritika clenched her fists in anger, while Aradhya rubbed her arm in a futile attempt to calm her down.

"Aradhya, go sit in the car. I'll be there in five minutes," Kritika ordered, her tone firm.

Aradhya obeyed silently, retreating to the car. Kritika then turned her attention to Anirudh, her expression steely.

"What do you want?" Kritika demanded, her voice cold.

"It's simple. You," Anirudh replied shamelessly.

"Then why are you following Aradhya?" Kritika questioned, her patience wearing thin.

"To get to you," Anirudh answered, his tone smug.

"This is between you and me. Stay away from Aradhya," Kritika warned, her eyes flashing with anger.

"Kritika, for you, I'll do anything. If that means getting rid of anyone in my way, so be it," Anirudh declared ominously.

"Have you no shame? If a girl isn't interested in you, leave her alone. Don't harass her like this," Kritika spat out, disgust evident in her voice.

"I would've left if it were any other girl. But you..." Anirudh pointed at her, a twisted smile playing on his lips. "You're special to me, Kritika. You're the first girl to reject Anirudh Pradap Singh Rathore. I can't just walk away from that. So, beware. I'll have you, one way or another."

"And I won't go with you, Mr. Rathore," Kritika shot back defiantly.

"We'll see about that. For now, I'll take my leave. Bye, sweetheart," Anirudh said, a sinister glint in his eyes, before turning and walking away.

Kritika stomped her foot in frustration before heading to the car. She slid into the driver's seat, her mind still reeling from the encounter.

"Are you okay? Did he do anything to you?" Aradhya asked, her voice filled with concern.

"I'm fine. Let's just go," Kritika replied tersely, starting the car and pulling out of the parking lot.

NIGHT AT SINGHANIA MANSION
"Let's take your BMW today," Karthik suggested as they prepared to leave.

"Sure, whatever you want," Aditya agreed, prompting a smile from Karthik.

They reached the parking lot and got into the car.

NEAR A PARK

"I know something's bothering you, Kriti. Please tell me," Aradhya pleaded for the fifth time.

"There's nothing, Aru," Kritika insisted, trying to mask her frustration.

"Kriti, my patience is wearing thin. Spit it out," Aradhya demanded.

"Fine, let me stop the car," Kritika relented, pulling over to the side of the road.

Once stopped, Aradhya dragged Kritika out of the car and into the nearby park.

"Why are we here, Aradhya? What's going on?" Kritika asked, puzzled by her friend's actions.

"Please, Kriti, I'm your friend. Tell me what's wrong," Aradhya implored.

Kritika sighed and began recounting her encounter with Anirudh. Aradhya's shock was palpable as she processed the information.

"Now what do we do, Kriti?" Aradhya asked, her voice tinged with fear.

"I don't know, but you need to stay away from him. It's a trap," Kritika advised, her concern evident.

"That man is a psycho," Aradhya spat out, shuddering at the thought.

"That he is," Kritika agreed.

"He's obsessed with you, Kriti," Aradhya observed, her tone fearful.

"I know, but there's nothing we can do about it. Let's forget about it for now. Come on, let's go home. Everyone will be waiting for us," Kritika said. Aradhya nodded. 

Their conversation was abruptly interrupted by a deafening crash, causing Kritika and Aradhya to whip around in shock.

(FLASHBACK)

Earlier, Aditya and Karthik had been engrossed in conversation, oblivious to the car parked directly in front of them. Their distraction led to an unfortunate collision.

(PRESENT)

As Kritika and Aradhya dashed towards the scene, their hearts pounded with apprehension. Surveying the damage, Kritika's eyes widened as she noticed a sleek BMW parked behind her car.

Infuriated by the reckless driving, Kritika's frustration boiled over. "Hey, you reckless driver! Get out of your damn car!" she shouted, striding towards the BMW with determination.

Aditya, hearing the commotion, emerged from his vehicle, his expression a mixture of confusion and annoyance. He found himself face to face with a young woman barely reaching his shoulders, her features contorted with anger.

Meanwhile, Kartik and Aradhya stood nearby, their anxiety palpable as they braced for the impending confrontation.

As Kritika and Aditya locked eyes, tension crackled in the air, the gravity of the situation hanging heavy between them.