Shattered (Book #1 In Heart Series)✔️

Chapter 32: Vow to change him

Kritika was preparing to meet Karthik. Aditya, stepping out onto the balcony, was puzzled by her actions.

"Where are you off to?" Aditya queried as he observed her.

"Out," Kritika replied, slipping bangles onto her wrist.

"I can see that. Where specifically?" Aditya pressed, growing annoyed at her vague response.

"I'm going to the temple. Care to join?" she offered, turning to face him.

"No, thanks. Why the temple now?" Aditya questioned, bewildered by her sudden plans.

"For prayer, obviously," Kritika scoffed. "Why else would one go?"

Aditya felt a warmth in his heart as he watched her apply sindoor. Unbeknownst to him, a smile tugged at his lips.

"Are you alright?" Aditya jumped as Kritika's voice interrupted his thoughts, her wide-eyed gaze fixed on him.

"Yeah, why do you ask?" Aditya replied, trying to regain his composure.

"Nothing... you were smiling," Kritika hesitated before responding.

"So what? Can't I smile?" Aditya retorted.

"Of course, you can, and you should always. You look cute," Kritika blurted out, her cheeks flushing as she realized what she had said.

"Um... I... I'm going," Kritika stammered, hastily grabbing her phone and fleeing from the room, leaving Aditya slightly bewildered by her abrupt departure.

Aditya blushed slightly before shrugging off the encounter and returning his attention to his emails...."Have you arrived, Kritika?" Karthik inquired over the phone.

"Yes, bhai. Where are you?" Kritika responded.

"I'm near the entrance," Karthik informed her. Spotting him, Kritika waved back and made her way over.

"Sorry if I kept you waiting," she apologized as she reached him.

"No worries. Let's go," Karthik replied, and they set off together.

"Bhai, is there something you want to discuss? Is it about Aradhya?" Kritika inquired as they walked.

"No, it's not about her," Karthik replied cryptically, leading them to a tranquil spot.

"Yesterday, I heard you're trying to uncover Aditya's past, right?" Karthik began, leaning against a tree with his arms crossed.

"Yes, bhai, but unfortunately, I haven't found anything," Kritika lamented, her expression falling.

"I know about his past, Kritika. That's why I asked you to meet me," Karthik revealed, prompting a hopeful smile from Kritika.

"Oh, really? Aradhya said something similar yesterday," Kritika exclaimed.

"Kritika, Aditya's past is far more harrowing than you can imagine," Karthik began, his voice weighed down by the gravity of his words. "He was a young man who believed fervently in true love, waiting patiently for it to find him. Despite my attempts to set him up with various women, he rebuffed every suggestion, adamant in his pursuit of genuine affection. Then, when he ventured to London for his business endeavors, he achieved monumental success. When he called me one day, his voice brimmed with an unfamiliar joy. He promised to reveal the reason behind his elation upon his return. I eagerly anticipated his homecoming, only to be confronted with a stranger in the guise of my dear friend. Gone was the Adi I knew—simple, innocent, and grounded—replaced by a hardened, callous businessman."

Kritika listened in silence, her heart heavy with empathy for Aditya's unseen turmoil.

"Kritika, Aditya fell deeply in love with a young woman in London," Karthik continued, and Kritika's attention snapped to his words, a twinge of pain pricking her heart.

"She was a medical student, captivating Aditya from their very first encounter. Despite her initial annoyance at his persistent pursuit, Aditya's unwavering dedication eventually won her over. On Valentine's Day, they confessed their feelings, and Aditya learned of her tragic orphaned status. He vowed to be her everything," Karthik recounted, his voice tinged with sorrow.

"Aditya had to travel to Australia for a crucial business meeting, leaving his beloved behind. Despite his fears, she reassured him of her safety, and they maintained constant contact through video calls. Upon his return, however, Aditya was met with silence. Concerned, he filed a missing person report, only to receive devastating news the following day," Karthik's voice faltered as he recounted the tragic events.

"Samaira," Karthik's voice trembled, "was found in a dire state, brutalized and barely clinging to life. Aditya rushed her to the hospital, where they discovered the extent of her injuries—her body ravaged by days of unspeakable violence. With her chances of survival slim, Aditya grappled with overwhelming guilt, blaming himself for her suffering. Tragically, Samaira passed away in his arms," Karthik concluded, his words hanging heavy in the air.

Kritika's eyes brimmed with tears as she absorbed the heartbreaking tale, her heart aching for Aditya's unimaginable pain.

"Adi was overcome with tears as he recounted this," Karthik continued, his voice laden with sorrow. "He is utterly shattered by that incident, consumed by guilt and regret. His faith in love and relationships has been irreparably damaged, which is why he vehemently opposes the idea of marriage."

Karthik's words hung heavily in the air, emphasizing the depth of Adi's anguish.

"Even now, he carries the burden of her death, haunted by the knowledge that he couldn't bring her justice," Karthik added, his gaze shifting to Kritika, who sat before him, tears streaming down her cheeks. Taking her hands in his, he implored her with earnest sincerity.

"Kritika, only you have the power to save him from this endless torment. Despite your feelings towards him, I beg you not to abandon him," Karthik pleaded, his voice a desperate plea.

With determination shining in her eyes, Kritika wiped away her tears and met Karthik's gaze.

"No, bhai. After learning of his pain and suffering, I cannot turn away. I promise you that I will do everything in my power to bring back the Aditya he once was," Kritika declared, her voice unwavering in its resolve.

Karthik's face softened into a grateful smile, touched by Kritika's unwavering commitment.

"Thank you, Kritika," he whispered, gratitude lacing his words.

As night cast its tranquil veil over the world, Kritika found herself lost in a whirlwind of thoughts.

"Aditya loved a girl," she whispered to herself, each word heavy with the weight of revelation.

"He was consumed by his affection for her."

"The sheer brutality of her fate," she continued, her voice trembling with emotion.

"She died in his arms."The harsh reality of Aditya's past echoed in her mind, a stark reminder of the pain he bore
."I was wrong about Mr. Singhania," she admitted, her resolve firm despite her doubts.

"He masks his anguish with coldness, but I won't abandon him. In the next six months, I'll bring back the man he once was," she vowed to the silent night.

Startled from her reverie by a sudden sound, Kritika turned to find Aditya standing by the balcony door.

"You startled me," she confessed, her heart still racing from the surprise.

"Finally admitting you're scared of me?" Aditya teased, a hint of amusement in his voice as he approached her.

"I'm not scared of you," Kritika retorted, her defenses rising instinctively.

"By the way, what are you doing here?" Aditya inquired, his tone casual but tinged with curiosity.

"Nothing special. Just needed some fresh air," Kritika replied, avoiding his gaze.

"I heard you were acting strangely today. What's going on?" Aditya's question caught her off guard, her shock evident in her expression.

"Am I dreaming? Mr. Singhania showing concern?" Kritika exclaimed, her disbelief palpable.

"Stop exaggerating. I was merely making an observation," Aditya responded coolly, attempting to dismiss the notion of his concern.

"Fine," Kritika muttered, stifling a yawn as exhaustion washed over her.

"Go and get some sleep. Standing here won't solve anything," Aditya advised, turning to head back inside.

"Mr. Singhania," Kritika called out, halting his retreat.

"What is it?" he asked, pausing to hear her request.

"Can I sleep on the bed tonight?" Kritika asked, her eyes pleading for a moment of comfort.

"That puppy eyes won't work on me. The answer is no. Good night," Aditya stated firmly before disappearing into the darkness of the room.

"Jerk," Kritika muttered under her breath, her frustration simmering as she resigned herself to another uncomfortable night on the swing.