𝐹𝐴𝑇𝐸𝐷 𝑆𝐸𝑅𝐸𝑁𝐴𝐷𝐸 ✅

Chapter 26 : Life Changed

Arohi stepped into Shivay's home, the familiar warmth now tinged with sorrow. She picked up her phone and called her parents, her voice steady despite the turmoil inside. “I’ll be back home tomorrow,” she said, trying to mask the heaviness in her tone.

As she hung up, she turned to find Shivay sitting on the sofa, almost vulnerable. His eyes were distant, filled with grief that seemed to consume him. The usually confident and strong Shivay felt shattered in this moment.

He didn’t speak; he just stared at the floor, lost in his thoughts. Arohi moved closer, sitting beside him. She reached for his hand, intertwining her fingers with his, trying to offer comfort.

Shivay remained silent, his gaze still fixed ahead. Arohi wanted to say something, to break the silence, but she knew that words felt inadequate in the face of such loss. Instead, she leaned her head on his shoulder, staying close, hoping her presence could somehow ease his pain.

Minutes passed, and the weight of their shared grief hung in the air. Arohi wished she could reach into his heart and pull out the sorrow. She tightened her grip on his hand, silently promising that she would be there for him, no matter how long it took for him to find his voice again.

Arohi gently guided Shivay into his room, her heart heavy with sorrow. She helped him settle onto the bed, tucking him in as if trying to shield him from the pain surrounding them. As she sat beside him, tears streamed down her cheeks.

“Why does he have to face all of this?” she whispered to herself, her voice trembling. The reality of the situation crashed over her like a wave. “Because of me, he lost his parents. How am I supposed to face him now?”

She hugged him tightly, wishing she could absorb his pain, take it away somehow. She buried her face in his shoulder, letting her tears fall freely. Arohi felt utterly helpless, grappling with the guilt that twisted her heart. She wanted to be strong for him, but in this moment, she felt just as broken.

As she held him close, she silently vowed to support him through this dark time.

---

The next day, Arohi sat on her bed, her eyes swollen and red from crying. She felt a heavy weight in her chest as she replayed the events of the previous day in her mind.

“Why am I the reason for his parents’ deaths?” she thought, anguish twisting in her gut. The guilt consumed her, suffocating any glimmers of hope or comfort. She couldn’t shake the feeling that if she hadn’t been in Shivay’s life, his parents would still be alive.

Arohi buried her face in her hands, her heart aching for him. She wanted to reach out, to be strong for Shivay, but the burden felt too heavy to bear. The walls of her room closed in around her, amplifying her despair. All she could think about was how unfair it was that he had to suffer such a loss while she felt powerless to help him.

Vihaan knocked softly on Arohi's door, sensing her distress. When she opened it, he immediately pulled her into a warm embrace. "I’m so sorry, Arohi," he whispered, his voice filled with compassion.

She melted into his arms, grateful for his presence, even amid her turmoil. Vihaan held her tightly, letting her feel the comfort of his support. "You don’t have to face this alone," he said gently, brushing his hand through her hair.

Arohi tried to gather her thoughts, but the tears kept flowing. "I just... I feel so helpless," she admitted, her voice muffled against his shoulder.

Vihaan pulled back slightly to look into her eyes. "You’re not helpless. You’re strong, and you’ll get through this. Just take it one day at a time." His words were soothing, but Arohi felt the weight of guilt still pressing down on her heart.