Destined Heart's

chapter 15

Unforeseen Shadows

As the days melted into weeks, Abhimaan and Anshika's anticipation for their upcoming vacation grew palpable. They eagerly counted down the days, relishing the thought of escaping their demanding lives and reconnecting in a tranquil setting.

However, fate had other plans.

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One afternoon, Abhimaan received an unexpected call on his personal line. The name flashing on his screen sent a pang of unease through him: Riya Verma, his ex-girlfriend from several years ago. They had parted ways amicably, but memories of their time together still lingered.

Curiosity and a hint of apprehension compelled Abhimaan to answer the call. "Hello?"

"Hi, Abhimaan. It's Riya," came the familiar voice on the other end.

"Riya, hi. It's been a while. How are you?" Abhimaan replied, his tone guarded.

"I'm good, thanks. Listen, I'm back in town for a while, and I was hoping we could catch up," Riya said, her voice tinged with warmth.

Abhimaan hesitated, his thoughts racing. He glanced at the calendar, realizing their vacation was just around the corner. "I... I'm not sure if that's a good idea, Riya. I'm in a relationship now."

"I understand, Abhimaan. I just thought... maybe we could grab a coffee, as friends," Riya suggested tentatively.

Abhimaan sighed, torn between nostalgia and loyalty to Anshika. "I'll think about it, Riya. I need to go now."

---

As he ended the call, Abhimaan's mind was in turmoil. He hadn't expected Riya to resurface in his life, especially not now when he was preparing to whisk Anshika away on a romantic getaway. He debated whether to tell Anshika about the call, but uncertainty gnawed at him.

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That evening, as they sat together on the couch, Abhimaan found himself unable to shake off the unease that had settled over him since Riya's call. Anshika noticed his distracted demeanor, her concern growing.

"Abhimaan, is everything okay?" she asked softly, placing a hand on his arm.

He hesitated, his gaze meeting hers. "Anshika, I... I received a call today."

Her brow furrowed in curiosity. "Who was it?"

"It was Riya," Abhimaan admitted, watching for her reaction.

Anshika's expression remained neutral, though a flicker of surprise passed through her eyes. "Your ex-girlfriend?"

"Yes," Abhimaan confirmed, his voice tinged with unease. "She's back in town and wanted to catch up."

Anshika nodded slowly, processing the information. "And what did you tell her?"

"I told her I wasn't sure if it was a good idea," Abhimaan replied honestly, feeling a knot of guilt forming in his stomach.

---

Anshika remained silent for a moment, her thoughts swirling. She trusted Abhimaan, but the sudden reappearance of his ex stirred a mix of emotions within her. "Abhimaan, I appreciate you telling me. But why did she call you now, of all times?"

"I don't know, Anshika. It took me by surprise too," Abhimaan admitted, his gaze earnest.

She nodded slowly, a thoughtful expression on her face. "I trust you, Abhimaan. Just... keep me in the loop, okay?"

"Of course," he replied, relieved by her understanding.

---

Despite Anshika's reassurance, doubts continued to linger in Abhimaan's mind. He couldn't shake the feeling that Riya's unexpected return would disrupt the harmony they had fought so hard to maintain in their relationship.

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In the days leading up to their vacation, Abhimaan found himself grappling with conflicting emotions. He debated whether to meet Riya, seeking closure from their past or risking the stability he had found with Anshika. Meanwhile, Anshika immersed herself in preparations for their getaway, hoping the idyllic setting would provide the respite they both needed.

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As they boarded the flight to their destination, Abhimaan and Anshika carried with them the weight of unspoken uncertainties. Little did they know that their journey together was about to face its most formidable test yet.

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**To be continued...**