In the heart of chaos

Chapter 48

Aarohi took a deep breath as she approached the grand entrance of the Birla mansion. She knew this visit was bound to stir up emotions, but she was determined to keep her composure. Dressed in a simple yet elegant saree, she held a neatly wrapped invitation in her hand. This wasn't just any visit; she was here on a mission—to deliver a message, loud and clear.

As she walked into the house, the familiar ambiance felt heavy with past conflicts. The memories of previous encounters with Abhimanyu and Akshara lingered in the air, but today, Aarohi was here not as a victim of their insults, but as a strong, confident woman who had moved on.

Abhimanyu was in the living room, flipping through a medical journal when Aarohi entered. He glanced up, surprise flickering across his face before his expression hardened. Akshara, who had been sitting nearby, looked up as well, her eyes widening in shock.

"Aarohi," Abhimanyu said, his tone laced with disdain. "What brings you here? Come to remind us of some more of your accomplishments?"

Aarohi didn't flinch. Instead, she gave him a cool, composed smile. "Actually, Abhimanyu, I'm here for something more important."

He raised an eyebrow, clearly unimpressed. "And what might that be? Another speech about how much better you are?"

Ignoring his jab, Aarohi stepped forward and placed the wedding invitation on the table in front of him. "This is an invitation to my wedding," she said, her voice steady and clear.

The words hung in the air, and Akshara's eyes widened even further. "You're getting married?" Akshara asked, her voice tinged with disbelief.

"Yes," Aarohi replied, her tone curt. "I'm getting married to Rishi Malhotra. And before you get any ideas, let me make something very clear." She turned her gaze back to Abhimanyu, who was staring at her with a mixture of shock and anger. "This invitation is purely a formality. You and your family are not welcome at my wedding. I've moved on from the past, and I don't want any negativity on my special day."

Abhimanyu's expression darkened, and he opened his mouth to retort, but Aarohi cut him off. "Before you say anything else, just know that your insults don't affect me anymore, Abhimanyu. You can try to bring me down all you want, but it won't work. I'm not the same person I used to be."

The silence in the room was palpable. Akshara, still reeling from the news, looked between Aarohi and Abhimanyu, unsure of what to say. She hadn't known about Aarohi's engagement, and the fact that she was finding out like this was both shocking and upsetting.

Aarohi continued, her voice firm. "I've come here to extend an olive branch, not because I expect you to accept it, but because I'm choosing to rise above the pettiness. I'm choosing peace and happiness over past grievances. But make no mistake—I won't tolerate any interference in my life or my marriage."

Abhimanyu finally found his voice, though it was filled with bitterness. "You think you can just waltz in here and tell us what to do? You—"

Aarohi held up a hand, silencing him. "I'm not here to argue, Abhimanyu. I'm here to inform. What you do with that information is up to you. But don't mistake my kindness for weakness."

With that, she turned on her heel, leaving a stunned silence in her wake. As she reached the door, she paused and glanced back at Akshara, who was still sitting in shock. "Akshu, I genuinely wish you all the best. But I hope you understand why this wedding isn't the place for you or your family. Goodbye."

Without waiting for a response, Aarohi walked out of the Birla mansion, her head held high. She had said what she needed to say, and she felt a sense of closure wash over her. The past was behind her, and she was ready to embrace her future with Rishi, free from the shadows of the Birlas.

As she stepped into her car and drove away, Aarohi felt a weight lift off her shoulders. She had faced her past, and she had emerged stronger than ever. The wedding would be a new beginning, a celebration of love and life—and nothing, especially not the Birlas, would take that away from her.