Ajeeb Dastan Hai Yeh (Completed)

Chapter 80: Decision

He couldn't deny the truth any longer. Ignoring Manvi hadn't made his feelings disappear. It hadn't erased the memory of the way her lips felt against his, the way her eyes had looked at him with such tenderness. If anything, it had made those memories stronger, more vivid, and harder to escape.

Sitting in his cabin one evening, long after most of the office staff had gone home, Aarav's thoughts drifted back to Manvi her kindness, her patience, the unspoken love that lingered in her eyes every time she looked at him, despite his coldness. Guilt gnawed at him. He realized that by keeping her at arm's length, he wasn't just hurting her he was denying himself the chance to be happy. And wasn't that what he truly wanted? Happiness? Love?

With a sudden sense of determination, Aarav stood from his chair. He wasn't going to let fear control him any longer. He had to make amends, to tell her how he felt before it was too late. He stepped out of his cabin, his mind racing with the things he wanted to say, the apologies he needed to make.

But as he scanned the office floor, Manvi wasn't there. Her desk was empty, the soft glow of her computer screen the only sign she had been there earlier. Aarav's chest tightened. He had waited too long. She had gone home.

Not wanting to waste any more time, Aarav grabbed his keys and headed out of the office. The cool evening air hit him as he stepped into the parking lot, and without a second thought, he got into his car and drove straight to Malhotra Mansion. The roads were quiet, the city winding down for the night, but Aarav's mind was anything but calm. His thoughts swirled with everything he needed to say to her. He couldn't let her continue to believe that she meant nothing to him, that what had happened between them in Shimla was just a fleeting moment.

As Khushi spotted Aarav's car from her window, she rushed down the stairs, her heart heavy with concern. She found him sitting on the couch in the living room, his face buried in his hands, the weight of his emotions overwhelming him. The soft glow of the evening sun filtered into the room, casting a warm light across Aarav's slumped figure. Khushi approached him quietly, her footsteps soft on the marble floor. Without a word, she began to gently press his head, a comforting gesture she had done so many times before.

Aarav lifted his face, his eyes glistening with unspoken thoughts, and smiled weakly at Khushi. The vulnerability in his eyes struck her deeply, and she sat beside him, her concern growing.

"Kya hua, Dadda? Itne pareshan kyun ho?" she asked softly, her voice filled with gentle concern as she studied his troubled face.

Aarav sighed deeply, shaking his head. "Nahi, kuch nahi," he replied, his voice heavy with emotions he wasn't ready to share.

Khushi frowned, her eyes narrowing in frustration. "Dadda, aapne promise kiya tha na, aap mujhse kuch nahi chupaoge," she reminded him, her voice gentle but firm, urging him to open up.

Aarav let out another deep sigh, the tension in his chest tightening as he struggled to find the right words. "Khushi, mujhe khud kuch samajh nahi aa raha," he admitted, his voice low and defeated.

Khushi looked at him with understanding. "Ya aap samajhna nahi chahte ho, Dadda," she said gently, her voice laced with love and patience.

Aarav turned to her, confusion clouding his features. "Matlab?" he asked, unsure of what she meant.

"Maine aapke saath itne saal misbehave kiya, wo sab aap bhool paye?" Khushi asked, her voice tinged with remorse and hope.

Aarav's expression softened. "Khushi, tumne mujhe itni haseen yaadein di hain ki wo sab mayne nahi rakhta," he replied, a faint smile tugging at the corners of his lips. He had forgiven her long ago, cherishing the bond they had rebuilt over time.