Mere Piya

CHAPTER-TEN

TANGLED IN STORM

The monsoon season descended upon the Kashish estate with a fury, drenching the sprawling grounds and turning the gardens into a lush, vibrant paradise. The constant patter of rain against the windows created a soothing rhythm, but inside the mansion, the storm brewing between Vedant and Aarohi was far from calming.

It had been a week since Vedant's late-night visit to Aarohi's room, and the tension between them had only grown. They spoke little, their interactions limited to curt exchanges and lingering glances that were heavy with unresolved emotions. Yet, beneath the cold exterior, there was an undeniable chemistry—a spark that neither could ignore, no matter how much they tried.

That evening, as the rain poured down in torrents, Aarohi found herself once again wandering through the estate, her thoughts a tangled mess. She was trying to make sense of her feelings, of the strange, magnetic pull she felt towards Vedant despite his harshness. She needed to clear her mind, and the gardens had always been her refuge.

The rain soaked her clothes as she walked among the flowers, the scent of wet earth and blossoms filling the air. She didn't care that she was drenched; the cool water on her skin was a welcome distraction from the turmoil in her heart.

She found herself at the edge of the estate, near the small pavilion that overlooked the lake. The rain had blurred the line between the sky and the water, creating a serene, almost ethereal atmosphere. Aarohi closed her eyes, letting the rain wash over her as if it could cleanse her of the confusion and pain she felt.

"Aarohi."

The voice was deep, commanding, and unmistakable. Aarohi's eyes snapped open, and she turned to see Vedant standing a few feet away, his figure silhouetted against the rain. His shirt clung to his muscular frame, drenched by the downpour, and his eyes were fixed on her with an intensity that made her heart race.

"What are you doing out here?" he asked, his voice barely audible over the sound of the rain.

Aarohi searched for an answer, but all she could manage was, "I needed some air."

Vedant took a step closer, his gaze never leaving hers. The rain continued to pour around them, creating a world where only the two of them existed. "You'll catch a cold."

Aarohi couldn't help the small smile that tugged at her lips. "Aise keh rahe hain jaise apko meri bari fikar hain?."

For a moment, Vedant's expression softened, but then his usual guardedness returned. "Don't read too much into it," he said, though his voice lacked the usual coldness.

They stood there, the rain pounding around them, neither willing to make the first move, both unsure of what to say. But the electricity between them was undeniable, a palpable tension that crackled in the air.

Finally, Vedant took another step closer, his eyes dark and unreadable. "Why do you keep doing this, Aarohi? Why do you keep trying to prove yourself?"

Aarohi swallowed hard, the lump in her throat, making it difficult to speak. "Kyun ki mujhe khudko bekasoor sabith karna hain, mujh par jo ilzaam apne dia hain dhoka ka use mitana hain"

Vedant's hand reached out, brushing a strand of wet hair from her face. The touch was gentle, almost tender, and it sent a shiver down Aarohi's spine. "And what if I don't want to believe you?"

"Then I'll keep trying," Aarohi whispered, her voice trembling with emotion. "I'll keep fighting to prov..."

Her world trailed by as Vedant's hand lingered on her cheek, his thumb tracing the curve of her jaw. His eyes bored into hers, searching for something—truth, perhaps, or maybe a sign of weakness. Whatever it was, Aarohi met his gaze head-on, refusing to back down.