Aarya - The Way We Once Were

Chapter 20

"Come, you need to eat something"

Yash patted the seat next to him; Aarti was hesitant at first but decided to sit down. She was surprised when Yash sent the butler away and made her coffee instead. Yash then placed a small plate of spicy mushroom omelet, her favorite. She couldn't help but secretly stare at him as he served her. Who's this man sitting next to her?

"Can I ask you something?"

She heard Yash voice, bringing her back to reality. She nodded her head while taking a bite of her omelet.

"Your scar"

He paused for a moment, not sure how to bring it up.

"On your wrist"

His voice was low. Aarti looked up and her eyes met his.

"How did that happen?"

He let out a whisper and Aarti exhaled; Yash was not supposed to see that.

"Life just happened"

She blurted out and he looked on.

"I'm capable of doing my job, if that's what you're worried about"

She said quietly and he turned to face her.

"I could care less about work. It's you I'm worried about"

She looked at him, stunned.

"I care about you"

He caressed her cheek and Aarti saw concern in his eyes.

"If there's anyone you should care about, then it should be your fiancé"

She gently removed his hands from her face and Yash felt gutted.

"As for my scars, they'll fade with time"

She looked down, trying not to tear up. Her scars are now a part of her identity, they are a reminder that she's a failure.

"And what about the other scars on your body?"

Yash noticed old bruises on her arm and her stomach when she was unconscious.

"Who did that to you?"

His voice was firm. Aarti eyes widen with fear, how can she tell him that her own mom did that to her? Just then, her phone rang and Aarti sighed in relief. She picked up and it was Mansi on the other end of the line. After hanging up the call, she looked at Yash.

"Mansi is outside waiting for me"

She got up and Yash followed, he walked her to the front gate.

"Thank you for everything"

Aarti turned to face Yash and he nodded his head, telling her it's okay.

"You still didn't answer my question. Who did this to you?"

His voice was soft this time and his eyes full of worry, as he gently touched her bruise.

"It doesn't matter anymore"

She looked down, avoiding eye contact with Yash.

"It matters to me. Someone physically left bruises on your body and I need to know who did that to you"

He lift her chin up and looked into her eyes.

"That person is no longer in my life. No need to worry anymore"

She whispered and Yash wondered who hurt her so much?

As Aarti turned to leave, she stumbled on a small rock and Yash quickly grabbed her by her waist and pulled her in closer. She took a step back and Yash let go of her waist. He watched her got inside the car and then watched as the car disappeared slowly. What Yash didn't realize, a few photographers hid behind his mansion, taking pictures and videos of their every moves.

The rest of the day Yash felt uneasy. He thought he had everything in his life figured out; he'd marry Arpita and move on. But being around Aarti was making him feel things for her again.

He knew that he need to talk to Arpita but he doesn't know what to say to her. How can he tell her that he is not in love with her? That he's only marrying her because his mom forced their alliance.

Aarti laid in her bed and closed her eyes as she recalled everything that happened. Mansi covered her with a blanket and caressed her hair.

"Get some rest. And if you need anything, just call me"

Mansi kissed her forehead before leaving the room.

"You've been there for me since the first day we met, Mansi and I'm so thankful for you"

Aarti thought to herself. She knew Mansi had a lot of questions but she had no answers for her. Would Mansi judge her for spending the night with Yash? Would she believe that they were both innocent? All these thoughts were going through Aarti's head, making her sleepless.

Her phone beeped; it was a message from Yash.

"Take as many days as you need to recover"

She read it and then placed the phone close to her chest. Yash is too kind but she can't take advantage of his kindness.

After staying home for three days and getting lots of bed rest, Aarti was back at the office. Pari was so happy to see her, she rushed and hugged her.

"Where have you been? I missed you"

Pari finally let go of their hug and Aarti smiled at her.

"I was sick"

Aarti lied and Pari nodded as she put her to sit down. She glanced at Yash cabin door and Pari noticed her restlessness.

"Sir is in a meeting"

Pari said to her and Aarti avoided looking at her. She was glad that Yash wasn't there, she did not need any more distractions.

Around lunch time, the girls got together and chatted as normal. Ishita, who was on the computer, gasped loudly. Pari and the rest of the girls walked up to her desk and they all became shocked.

"Oh my goodness"

Pari glanced at Aarti, and then back to the computer. Aarti, not knowing what was going on, also walked up to them. Her eyes widen with horror as she saw the headline on the news.

"Yash Sindhiya's mistress spotted leaving his mansion Sunday Morning"

Next to the article, there was a picture of Yash, his hands wrapped around Aarti's waist.

"Aarti, what is this?"

Pari was dumbfounded, so was the rest of the girls.

"This can't be happening"

Aarti stumbled back¸ still looking at the article. All of a sudden, she felt like everyone was staring at her, mumbling amongst themselves. Aarti felt the entire room closing in on her, she needed to get out of there. Rushing out of the office so swiftly, Aarti bumped into Yash, making her fall right into his arms.

"Sorry"

She mumbled as she picked herself up and rushed out the door. Yash just stood there, dazed. Why did Aarti leave in a haste?

"What's happening here?"

He raised his eyebrow as he watched a bunch of astonished ladies, staring at him. Before anyone could answer him, Yash felt his soul left his body as he glanced at the article on the computer.

Aarti Doobay, Yash's former lover, now mistress was caught romancing outside his mansion. That's not the juicy gossip of the day though, Ms. Doobay actually works at Sindhya & Corp. isn't that interesting? I wonder how long this affair has been brewing? How does Arpita Joshi, Yash fiancé, feel about all this?