TRUE LOVE

CHAPTER- 3

Hello og readers,

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The following morning, Aarohi stood in front of the mirror, her reflection pale and broken. The events of the previous night played on repeat in her mind—Neil walking away, their marriage dissolving right before her eyes. She had made up her mind; staying in the Birla mansion was no longer an option. It held too many memories, too much pain. It was time to leave everything behind, including her job at Birla Hospital. And one thing was clear in her mind: she would never return to Goenka Villa, her family home, where the judgments and whispers would only deepen her wounds.

She knew her decision would cause waves, but she was prepared for it. Or at least, she thought she was.

As she descended the stairs of the grand Birla mansion, her heart pounded with every step. The family was gathered in the living room— Anand, Mahima, Harsh, Manjari, Parth, Shefali, and, of course, Abhimanyu, who was seated quietly, lost in his thoughts. The air was thick with tension, the aftermath of the previous night's revelations still hanging between them.

Taking a deep breath, Aarohi stepped forward. “I have something to say,” she began, her voice steady despite the storm of emotions raging inside her.

Everyone’s eyes turned to her, sensing the gravity in her tone. Abhimanyu straightened in his seat, his sharp gaze locking onto her, already on edge from everything that had transpired.

“I’ve made a decision,” Aarohi continued, her chin held high, trying to maintain her composure. “I’m resigning from Birla Hospital. Effective immediately. And I’m leaving the Birla mansion as well. I’ve caused enough trouble here, and I need to move on with my life, away from all of this.”

The room fell into a heavy silence. Manjari gasped softly, while Harsh raised an eyebrow, clearly not expecting this sudden declaration.

“Aarohi, what are you saying?” Manjari asked, her voice laced with concern. “Leaving the hospital? The mansion? You don’t need to make any rash decisions.”

Aarohi shook her head. “It’s not rash, it’s what I need to do. I need to distance myself from everything here. It’s the only way I can find some peace.”

She looked down, fighting back the lump in her throat. “I won’t be returning to the Goenka Villa either. I’ve made up my mind. I’ll figure out my life from here.”

Just as she was about to turn and leave, Abhimanyu stood up abruptly, his face unreadable. “You’re not going anywhere.”

Aarohi blinked, taken aback. “What?”

“I said,” Abhimanyu repeated, his voice hardening, “you’re not leaving this mansion. And you’re certainly not resigning from Birla Hospital.”

The room went cold as his words sank in. Aarohi’s heart skipped a beat, confusion swirling with anger. “You don’t get to decide that, Abhimanyu. I’ve made my choice. I need to move on, and I need to be away from all of this—from you.”

Abhimanyu’s jaw clenched, his eyes blazing with a mix of emotions that even he couldn’t fully comprehend. He strode forward, his presence towering over Aarohi. “No. You’re not running away from this. Not after everything.”

Aarohi stepped back instinctively, her heart racing. “This isn’t your choice to make! You’ve done enough damage to my life. Let me leave in peace!”

But before she could say anything more, Abhimanyu grabbed her arm, his grip firm but not painful. “You’re not leaving,” he said quietly, his voice low and commanding.

Before anyone in the room could react, he pulled Aarohi toward the hallway, his mind set. She struggled against his hold, her breath quickening as panic started to rise.

“Abhi, stop! What are you doing?!” she yelled, trying to wrench her arm free, but his grip tightened, and she realized he wasn’t going to let her go.

Without another word, Abhimanyu dragged Aarohi up the stairs and down the corridor to one of the mansion’s guest rooms. He pushed the door open and pulled her inside. Aarohi’s eyes widened in disbelief as she realized what was happening.

“You can’t lock me in here!” she shouted, her voice trembling with both anger and fear.

Abhimanyu didn’t respond. He simply stepped out, closing the door behind him with a heavy thud, and turned the key in the lock.

Aarohi banged on the door, her palms stinging as she pounded against the wood. “Abhimanyu! Let me out! This is insane! You can’t keep me here!”

On the other side of the door, Abhimanyu leaned against the wall, his fists clenched, his mind in turmoil. He knew what he was doing was wrong, irrational even, but his emotions were out of control. Guilt, anger, and a desperate need to fix what had been broken clouded his judgment. He couldn’t let her leave. Not like this. Not when so much was still unsaid, unresolved.

Inside the room, Aarohi slumped against the door, her breathing ragged as she realized that he wasn’t going to let her out. Tears stung her eyes as she whispered to herself, “Why, Abhimanyu? Why are you doing this to me?”

Her mind raced. She needed to get out. She needed to leave this place, to find her freedom. But as she sat there, trapped, she couldn’t help but feel the weight of the tangled web they were all caught in—her love for Abhimanyu, her failed marriage with Neil, and now this. It seemed like there was no escape.

Downstairs, the rest of the family stood in stunned silence, unsure of what to say or how to intervene. Manjari’s hands shook as she looked up the stairs, her heart aching for both Aarohi and her son.

Harsh shook his head, muttering under his breath, “This is getting out of control.”

Manjari took a step forward but stopped, unsure if she should go after Abhimanyu or let him handle it his way. But deep down, she knew this was far from over.

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To be continued.....

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