Bound by Fate: A Journey of Hearts

CHAPTER 12

As soon as Ananya turned and walked out of the room after declaring her decision, Ishaan felt a jolt of urgency. He watched her leave, her back straight, yet her shoulders weighed down by the magnitude of everything that had just unfolded. Without a second thought, he followed her out, his steps quickening to catch up, but his mind was swirling.

**The realization hit him hard: the girl who had saved his life that day was none other than Ananya — his cousin Ritwik’s fiancée.** The same girl he had texted earlier, unknowingly. The woman he had been searching for since that fateful moment. And now, the woman whose trust Ritwik had shattered so carelessly.

His heart clenched as the full weight of it all settled in. Ritwik had cheated on Ananya—**this girl who had saved him without even knowing him.** The girl he had been drawn to since that brief encounter months ago. Ishaan’s mind flashed back to that day when his life had nearly ended, and how her presence, her bravery, had pulled him back. And now, he watched her walk away, her world in pieces, thanks to Ritwik’s betrayal.

He quickened his pace, wanting to say something—anything—to comfort her. His hands curled into fists as he thought about Ritwik’s arrogance and the way he had pushed Ananya. He wanted to tell her that she deserved better, that she shouldn’t blame herself for what had happened, and most of all, that she wasn’t alone. But as he neared her, he hesitated.

**Now wasn’t the time to thank her or to tell her that they were connected in more ways than she knew.** Now was not the time to talk about the life she had saved or the inexplicable bond he felt toward her. Ananya needed space, time to process everything that had happened. She didn’t need more confusion.

Ishaan slowed down, his eyes never leaving her. He kept his distance, walking silently behind her, making sure she was okay but giving her the space she needed. He watched as she disappeared into her room, the door shutting behind her. He stood there for a moment longer, his mind torn between wanting to be there for her and knowing that he needed to wait.

**He would tell her everything when the time was right.** For now, all he could do was give her the silence and solitude she needed to heal.

Ishaan stood outside Ananya's door for what felt like an eternity. The hallway was quiet now, the tension from earlier slowly dissipating, but inside him, a storm raged. His mind kept replaying the events of the day—the betrayal, the confrontation, and the realization that Ananya, the woman who had unknowingly impacted his life in such a profound way, was now at the center of a whirlwind of emotions and hurt.

He wanted to knock, to say something—anything—that might ease her pain. But he knew that no words could undo what had happened. She needed time to process, and he couldn’t crowd her with his own feelings or confessions right now. It wasn't just about thanking her or making sense of their connection—it was about giving her space to breathe after what she'd just been through.

As much as he wanted to be the one to comfort her, Ishaan knew this wasn't his moment. His heart ached for Ananya, not just because of Ritwik's betrayal but because she was now doubting herself, questioning everything, and he wished he could somehow stop those thoughts.

He sighed, running a hand through his hair, feeling the weight of the situation settle on his shoulders. He couldn't just walk away from this. Not now. Not when he had finally found her again. But what could he do? He wasn’t sure if Ananya would ever be ready to hear everything—the truth about how they were connected, the gratitude he carried for her, and how, in some strange way, he had been waiting for this moment without even knowing it.

For now, all he could do was wait.

He walked back down the hallway, forcing himself to leave her alone, even though every instinct in him told him to stay close. His mind raced with thoughts of what would come next. **The wedding was off, and Ananya had made her decision, but the fallout was just beginning.** There would be questions, confrontations, and he would have to face his family, too.

But first, there was Ritwik. His cousin had crossed a line, not just with Ananya but with everyone who believed in the sanctity of what their wedding was supposed to represent. Ishaan clenched his fists at the thought of Ritwik’s behavior. How could he be so blind, so arrogant, to think he could treat someone like this?

As Ishaan made his way back to his own room, he vowed that when the time was right, he'd tell Ananya everything. **He’d thank her for saving his life, share the connection they unknowingly had, and maybe, just maybe, they could start anew.** But for now, he’d stay in the background, waiting, ready for when she needed him.