Whisper of the Night

Chapter 19 : Ghosts of the Past

Kaira's POV:

It had been almost a week since I started living at Rishav's house, and each day felt like I was intruding more into his world. The attack had shaken us all, and Bhaiya insisted I stay here for my safety. But something had changed in Rishav since that day. He had become distant, almost cold, and it was tearing me apart.

Tonight, after another day of silence and avoidance, I couldn't take it anymore. My curiosity about that mysterious room, coupled with Rishav's changed behavior, gnawed at me. I had to know what he was hiding.

I approached the door, my heart pounding. I twisted the knob and pushed it open, stepping into the dimly lit room. My breath hitched as I took in the sight before me. Every wall was covered in photos of Rishav and a girl. They looked so happy, so in love.

In the center of the room, a video played on a loop, showing Rishav and the girl laughing, talking about their future, and planning their wedding. The joy on his face was unmistakable. My chest tightened as I realized just how deeply he had cared for her.

Tears streamed down my face as I watched the video. The reality of my place in Rishav's life hit me like a ton of bricks. I was an outsider, a temporary guest in a world where someone else had once been the center.

With a heavy heart, I turned and left the room, finding Rishav in the living room. He looked up as I entered, his eyes widening at the sight of my tear-streaked face.

"Rishav," I choked out, "who is she?"

He didn't answer, just looked away, his jaw clenched.

"Answer me!" I screamed, my voice filled with anguish. "Who is she? Why are there pictures of her everywhere?"

Silence. He just stared at the floor, refusing to meet my gaze.

"I can't stay here," I whispered, my voice breaking. "I can't live in a place where I'm constantly reminded that I'm not her."

I rushed to my room, packing my belongings with trembling hands. The pain was unbearable, but I knew I had to leave. Staying here would destroy me.

As I dragged my suitcase to the front door, Rishav stood there, his face a mask of pain.

"Where are you going?" he asked quietly.

"I'm going back to my apartment," I replied, my voice shaking. "I can't stay here."

"Let me give you a ride," he offered, stepping forward.

I shook my head, fresh tears falling. " Iss ghar me ye haak mera nahi hai."

He reached out, his hand trembling. "Kaira, please..."

"Please what, Rishav?" I interrupted, my voice rising with emotion. "Pretend like everything is okay? Pretend like I'm not just a stand-in for someone you lost?"

His silence spoke volumes. He looked at me with a mixture of sorrow and regret, but he said nothing.

I turned and walked out the door, my heart breaking with every step. The cab I had called was waiting, and as I got in, I looked back one last time. Rishav stood in the doorway, his figure silhouetted against the light. He didn't try to stop me, and that hurt more than anything.

As the cab pulled away, I let the tears flow freely. My heart was shattered, but I knew I had to be strong. For myself. For my future. Even if it meant leaving behind the love I thought I had found.

The ride back to my apartment was a blur of emotions. Every memory of Rishav, every moment we shared, played in my mind like a cruel reminder of what could never be. When the cab finally stopped, I paid the driver and walked up to my apartment, feeling utterly alone.

Inside, I dropped my suitcase and collapsed on the couch, the weight of the evening pressing down on me. I knew I had made the right decision, but that didn't make it any easier. The pain of losing Rishav, of realizing that I could never be the person to heal his wounds, was overwhelming.

I took a deep breath and tried to gather my thoughts. Ritu would be here soon, and I needed to be strong for her. She had been my rock through all of this, and I couldn't let her see me fall apart.

As I sat there, I thought about what Bhaiya had said, about finding my own path and not letting anyone hold me back. I knew he was right. I needed to focus on my career, my dreams, and my own happiness.

But no matter how much I tried to convince myself, the ache in my heart remained. I missed Rishav already, and the thought of never seeing him again was almost too much to bear.

Rishav's POV:

The moment Kaira left, the house felt emptier than ever. I stood at the doorway, watching her cab disappear into the distance. My heart ached, but I couldn't find the words to explain. I couldn't erase the past that haunted me.

I walked back into the house, my footsteps echoing in the silence. I entered the room filled with memories of her. The videos, the pictures—they were all reminders of a life I had once dreamed of, a future that was ripped away from me.

I sat on the edge of the bed, running my hands through my hair. The weight of my past love, the promises I couldn't keep, and the guilt of letting Kaira believe she was second best all crashed down on me. I knew I had hurt her, and that realization cut deeper than any physical wound.

Varun had trusted me with Kaira's safety, and I had failed him. But more than that, I had failed Kaira. She deserved to know the truth, to understand the reasons behind my coldness. But every time I tried to tell her, the words got stuck in my throat.

As I sat there, lost in my thoughts, Varun's words echoed in my mind: "Take care of her." I had promised him I would, but how could I when I couldn't even take care of myself?

Kaira's POV:

The drive back to my apartment felt like an eternity. My heart was heavy with the weight of unspoken words and unanswered questions. I leaned my head against the window, watching the city lights blur past.

Arriving at my apartment, I dragged my suitcase inside and collapsed onto the couch. The silence was deafening, a stark contrast to the turmoil inside my mind. I couldn't stop thinking about the girl in the photos, the way Rishav had looked at her with so much love. Why hadn't he told me about her? Why had he kept this part of his life hidden?

As the night wore on, I replayed the moments in my mind. The look on Rishav's face when I confronted him, the way he had stood silent, unable to explain. It broke me. I had thought we were building something together, but now I felt like an intruder in his life.

I knew I had to talk to someone, and the first person that came to mind was Ritika. I picked up my phone and dialed her number, hoping she would help me make sense of the chaos.

"Ritika," I said when she answered, my voice trembling, "I need to talk."

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