Tales of Ishq

Shadows of deception

      In the vibrant city of Mumbai, life was a whirlwind of opportunities and dreams. Among the millions of people with dreams, there was Ananya who dreamt of becoming successful in her career as well as in her personal life. She was a bright and spirited girl with an infectious laughter, found herself drawn to Rohan, a calm and intellectually sharp young man. They met at a college event, introduced by mutual friends, and their connection was immediate. They shared dreams and passions, and soon their relationship blossomed into something beautiful and profound.

Ananya and Rohan spent countless hours together, discovering more about each other and themselves. Their relationship was a sanctuary of joy and trust, and despite the demands of Rohan's job, which often required him to travel abroad, their bond remained strong. They communicated as often as they could, sharing their daily lives, dreams, and aspirations.

However, their happiness was shadowed by the presence of Arhaan , Rohan’s best friend since childhood. Even though Arhaan was cold and distant to others but he was always the sweetest person for his family and to anyone close to him. He was handling his family business which already became vast thanks to his contribution . But behind his charming facade there laid a heart darkened by unrequited love. Arhaan had harbored feelings for Ananya since their teenage years, but he had never confessed, fearing rejection and the disruption of their friendship.

Arhaan watched from the sidelines as Ananya and Rohan's relationship flourished, each moment of their happiness a painful reminder of what he believed should have been his. Consumed by jealousy and bitterness, Arhaan decided he could no longer stand by. Determined to claim Ananya for himself, he devised a malicious plan to destroy their relationship.

Rohan's job required him to travel to Europe for an extended period, leaving Ananya behind. Seeing his opportunity, Arhaan began to plant seeds of doubt in Ananya's mind. He would casually mention seeing Rohan with other women, implying that Rohan was not as committed as he seemed. Initially, Ananya dismissed these comments, confident in their relationship. But as Arhaan persisted, her trust began to waver.

One evening, Arhaan invited Ananya over to his house under the pretense of needing someone to talk to. As they sat in his living room, he produced a series of photographs. The images showed Rohan with another woman, a colleague with whom he had a strictly professional relationship. In the photos, Rohan appeared too close for comfort, laughing and sharing what seemed like intimate moments. Arhaan presented these photos with feigned reluctance, as if he were revealing a painful truth he wished he didn't have to share.

Ananya's world tilted on its axis. Her trust in Rohan crumbled, replaced by suspicion towards him that grew with each passing day. She tried to confront Rohan about the photos, but his explanations seemed inadequate, overshadowed by the seemingly damning evidence. As Rohan was unable to return to India due to his work commitments, his absence only fueled Ananya's doubts. She felt increasingly isolated, and her trust in Arhaan grew, because of the years of friendship and his apparent concern for her well-being.

Arhaan, seeing his plan unfold perfectly, took the next step. He persuaded Ananya's parents that he would be a better match for her. Her parents, already fond of Arhaan and aware of his long-standing affection for their daughter, agreed to arrange the marriage. When Ananya expressed her reluctance, Arhaan played on her emotions, suggesting that marrying him would be the perfect revenge against Rohan. Desperate to escape her heartbreak, Ananya reluctantly agreed.

The wedding was a small, traditional affair. Ananya, dressed in a resplendent red sari, looked beautiful but carried a sadness in her eyes. Arhaan, on the other hand, beamed with triumph. As they exchanged vows, Ananya couldn't shake the feeling of betrayal and confusion, but she convinced herself that Arhaan's love was genuine and that she needed to move on from Rohan.

Four months later, Rohan returned to find his world upside down. Ananya and Arhaan were married, and the life he had envisioned with her shattered into million pieces . Desperate to understand what had happened, Rohan tried reaching out to Ananya, but she refused to see him. Her initial attraction had turned to disgust, fed by Arhaan’s lies and her own sense of betrayal. Every attempt Rohan made to contact her was met with silence or outright rejection.

As the months passed, Ananya's feelings for Arhaan deepened. Despite the deceit that had brought them together, she found herself genuinely in love with him. Arhaan's constant affection and care made her believe that she had made the right choice. Their life seemed perfect, especially when Ananya discovered she was pregnant. Arhaan’s joy knew no bounds, and he showered her with affection, further cementing her belief that she had made the right choice.

Their days were filled with preparations for the arrival of their child. Arhaan doted on Ananya, attending to her every need and ensuring she was comfortable. He spoke of their future with excitement, painting a picture of a happy family. Ananya, reassured by his devotion, began to push thoughts of Rohan to the back of her mind, focusing instead on the life she was building with Arhaan.