Shattered (Book #1 In Heart Series)✔️

Chapter 14: Aditya's Guilt

Aditya was stunned by what had just transpired between him and Kritika. He was determined to stay away from her. If she hadn't pushed him away, he might have kissed her. Seeking solace, he silently retreated to the balcony and closed his eyes, memories flooding back.

"Jaanu, stop running. Look, your Adi is very tired."

"Oh, my baby is tired? Shame, shame! I thought you had great stamina, but I was wrong. All those muscles are useless."

Aditya caged her in his arms. "What did you say? That I have no stamina? Fine, I'll show you my stamina in bed."

She blushed and tried to push him away. "Chii, Adi, go away!"

"Stop blushing, baby. And if you ever question my stamina or body again, I won't say anything. I'll just show you."

"Adi, you're becoming shameless day by day."

He smiled and cupped her face. "Only for you," he whispered, then started kissing her.

Aditya opened his eyes, tears welling up. He had promised himself never to get close to any other girl, but his heart was betraying him. Whenever he saw Kritika, he felt an inexplicable attraction. Guilt gnawed at him. He took out his phone and stared at the lock screen picture with tears in his eyes. He caressed it and whispered, "I'm sorry." Determined to push these feelings aside, he wiped his tears and headed to the gym.

Kritika, after pushing him away, ran out of the room. She leaned against a pillar, taking deep breaths to calm her racing heart.

What was that? Why did I shiver at his closeness? Oh my God, if I hadn't pushed him, I would have lost my first kiss to that gorilla. Thank God nothing happened. Kritika, you need to stay away from him, or this will happen again.

Looking back at Aditya's room once more, she made her way downstairs. There, Ahana and Karthik were bickering over something. Seeing Kritika, Ahana jumped up and ran towards her.

"Kritika, do you think I'm stupid?" Ahana asked, pouting.

Kritika chuckled. "Who told you that you're stupid?"

Karthik piped up, "I told her."

Kritika looked at Ahana, who was pouting. "Oh, baby, you're not stupid. You're an idiot." Karthik and Kritika laughed, high-fiving each other.

Ahana wiped fake tears. "Oh my God, my best friend has changed. She doesn't even want me anymore."

Kritika rolled her eyes. "Stop being such a drama queen."

Ahana shrugged. "Whatever. Kritika, did you see my room? How is it? Did you like it?" she chirped. Kritika's face paled at the mention of the room. Karthik noticed.

"Kritika, what happened?" Karthik asked, shaking her shoulders.

Kritika rubbed her forehead and smiled weakly. "Nothing, Bhai. I'm okay."

Ahana looked concerned. "Kritika, you didn't like my room?"

Kritika stammered, "Um, actually, I got confused and mistakenly entered another room."

"Oh," Ahana said, looking relieved.

Karthik pressed on, "Which room did you enter?"

Kritika stiffened, avoiding his gaze. "I don't know. Anyway, I have to go. Papa must be waiting for me," she said hastily and ran out of the mansion.

Ahana chuckled. "Pagal ladki," she said, walking away.

Karthik frowned. *Something's wrong. Why did she become pale when I asked about the room? Did she go to Aditya's room? I must check on him.* He hurried to Aditya's room.

RAI MANSION

Kritika reached her house, deep in thought about Aditya. She didn't notice Aradhya standing there with her mouth open. Whenever Kritika saw Aradhya, she would hug her, but today she walked right past. Aradhya stood in front of her and called her name.

"Kritikaaa!" Aradhya shouted. Startled, Kritika screamed, "Ahhhh!" Everyone else in the house ran over, worried.

Raman asked, "Kriti, what happened? Are you okay?"

Kritika glared at Aradhya, who was smiling sheepishly. "I'm fine, Papa," she said, faking a smile.

Arjun asked, "Then why did you shout?"

Kritika stammered, "Uh, I... I saw a lizard on the floor. I was about to step on it, so I screamed," she explained, forcing a smile.

Ishita shook her head. "Kriti, you're 24 now, not an eight-year-old to scream at a little lizard. What will your husband do with you?" she teased.

Kritika frowned. "What will he do?"

Ishita sighed, "Hey Bappa, what will I do with her?" She muttered to herself as she walked to the kitchen.

Arjun patted Kritika's head and walked away. Kritika looked at Aradhya and dragged her to her room.

"Aradhya, what was that? Why did you scream like that?" Kritika demanded.

Aradhya retorted, "What else should I do when my best friend is walking like a robot?" Kritika opened and closed her mouth like a fish, unable to respond. Aradhya narrowed her eyes.

"Kritika, what happened to you? You don't look well," she asked. Kritika moved away, brushing her hair nervously.

"Nothing happened to me. You're just imagining things, Aru," Kritika insisted.

Aradhya sighed, "I'll ask about it later. For now, go freshen up and come down." She walked out of the room.

Kritika sighed in relief. *Thank God she didn't press further, or I would have been in huge trouble.* She sat on the bed and closed her eyes.

Karthik ran toward Aditya's room, frantically searching for him. *Where the hell is he?*

Hearing sounds coming from the gym room, Karthik's brow furrowed.

Aditya in the gym at this hour?* He rushed to the gym room and pushed the door open.

The sight before him left Karthik stunned. Aditya was relentlessly pounding a punching bag with his bare hands, his knuckles raw and bleeding. Alarmed, Karthik ran to him, grabbing his hands.

"What the hell are you doing, Adi? Stop it!" He shoved Aditya, causing him to stumble and fall to the floor.

Aditya looked up with bloodshot eyes, rage and pain mingling in his gaze. Karthik's heart sank at the sight.

"WHO THE HELL ARE YOU TO PUSH ME? WHO THE HELL ARE YOU?" Aditya roared, grabbing Karthik by the collar.

Karthik's face paled, tears welling up. Aditya suddenly snapped back to reality, realizing the gravity of his words.

"Karthik, look, I... I'm sorry. It's not what you think," Aditya stammered, trying to explain, but Karthik cut him off, staring at him with a hurt expression.

"It's okay. I... I understand. You're right. Who am I to you?" Karthik's voice broke as he turned and left the room.

Aditya punched the wall in frustration. "Shit, what have I done?"
Karthik sat at the bar, drowning his sorrows in vodka. The club, co-owned by both Karthik and Aditya, was their sanctuary, where they celebrated successes and mourned failures together.

Aditya parked his car outside the club, knowing exactly where to find Karthik. He entered and saw his friend, deep in his cups. The guilt gnawed at him; Karthik was more than a friend, he was like a brother, and Aditya had hurt him deeply.

Aditya approached and sat next to Karthik, who ignored him, continuing to drink.

"I am sorry," Aditya muttered, his voice laden with guilt. Karthik took a deep breath and attempted to rise, but Aditya grabbed him, pulling him into a tight embrace.

"Karthik, I... I'm really sorry. I know what I said was wrong. It wasn't intentional. Please forgive me." Aditya's plea was heartfelt, but Karthik's pain was still raw.

"Aditya, I don't know why you said what you did, but it hurt. We're more than friends, we're like brothers. How could you?" Karthik's eyes glistened with tears. Aditya realized the depth of his mistake.

"Karthik, what I said was wrong. I was frustrated. I was taking out all my anger on the punching bag when you came in and pushed me. I reacted without thinking." Karthik's gaze intensified.

"What made you behave like that?" Karthik asked, his voice demanding an answer. Aditya froze, unable to meet his friend's eyes.

"It's... it's nothing, Karthik." Aditya's stutter only heightened Karthik's suspicion.

Karthik stepped closer, standing directly in front of Aditya. "Will you tell me or not?" His patience was wearing thin.Aditya looked down, defeated.

"Fine. If you don't want to tell me, then don't." Karthik's voice rose. "You're right. Who am I to you? If you really cared, you would share your problems with me. Your behaviour is changing day by day, and I can't handle it anymore. I'm done. Just forget we were ever friends."

Karthik turned to leave but felt Aditya's grip on his wrist. "What?" he hissed.

Aditya raised his eyes, bloodshot and filled with anguish. "Samaira," he whispered.

Karthik's expression softened as he realized the weight behind that name.