The next few days were a blur of confusion and unease for Riya. Every time Aryan smiled at her, every time he reached for her hand, the warmth she once felt had dulled. She couldn’t shake Arjun’s warning, and no matter how hard she tried, the doubt gnawed at her.
Aryan, ever observant, noticed the change. One evening, while they were sitting on the balcony of his apartment, watching the city lights flicker in the distance, he broke the silence.
“Riya, what’s been going on?” Aryan asked softly, turning to face her. His voice was calm, but there was concern in his eyes. “You’ve been distant these past few days.”
Riya froze, her heart racing. She had been trying so hard to hide her feelings, but now the moment had come. Could she confront him about it? What if Arjun’s warning was just a misunderstanding? She had no proof—only the doubt Arjun had planted.
“I’ve just been... thinking,” she replied, avoiding his gaze. Her voice felt small, and she hated how vulnerable she sounded.
“Thinking about what?” Aryan pressed, his tone gentle but persistent.
She hesitated. Could she really ask him? Could she trust him with the fears that had been swirling in her mind?
“Aryan,” she started slowly, “I talked to Arjun the other night. He said some things that... I don’t know how to process.”
Aryan’s face darkened slightly at the mention of his brother, but he remained silent, waiting for her to continue.
“He said that you have a history of... being distant in relationships. That you don’t always open up fully,” she explained, her heart pounding as the words spilled out. “I didn’t want to believe it, but I’ve been feeling so unsure lately. I need to know... are you really all in? Or are you holding back?”
There. She had said it. The question had been asked, and now all that remained was his answer.
Aryan’s expression shifted from concern to frustration. He sighed deeply, running a hand through his hair. “I can’t believe Arjun said that,” he muttered under his breath. “He always thinks he knows what’s best for everyone.”
Riya watched him, waiting for him to address her question.
“Look,” Aryan began, his voice steady but strained, “Arjun has always seen me in a certain way. I’ve had my share of complicated relationships in the past, it’s true. But I’m not that person anymore, Riya. I’ve changed.”
Riya wanted to believe him. She really did. But the flicker of doubt still lingered. “Then why didn’t you tell me about this before?” she asked softly. “Why did I have to hear it from your brother?”
Aryan shifted uncomfortably in his seat. “Because it’s in the past. I didn’t think it mattered anymore. I didn’t want to drag you into my baggage. With you, it’s different. I don’t want to screw this up.”
The sincerity in his voice touched Riya, but the doubts weren’t fully erased. “I understand that people change, Aryan. But I need to know that you’re being honest with me—about everything. If there’s something you’re not telling me, I’d rather hear it now than later.”
He reached for her hand, his grip firm but gentle. “Riya, I’m telling you now—there’s nothing I’m hiding from you. I’m here, fully. I want this to work as much as you do.”
Riya looked into his eyes, searching for any signs of dishonesty. His gaze was unwavering, but a part of her still felt uncertain. Could love really be that simple? Could she trust him completely, knowing that he had a past he hadn’t fully shared?
Before she could respond, Aryan leaned in, brushing a soft kiss against her forehead. “I love you, Riya. Don’t let Arjun’s words make you doubt that.”
Her heart swelled at his words, but the shadows still lurked. She returned his kiss, resting her head on his shoulder, trying to silence the doubts that refused to fade.
Over the next few days, Riya threw herself into her daily routine, trying to distract herself from the turmoil inside. She met Aryan for coffee, hung out with friends, and focused on her work. But no matter how much she tried to push her feelings aside, the tension between her and Aryan was palpable.
One evening, as they sat at their favorite café, Arjun walked in, his presence instantly reminding Riya of their conversation. He glanced at her briefly before joining some friends across the room, but that brief look was enough to bring all her doubts rushing back.
Aryan noticed her shift in mood. “You’re thinking about what Arjun said again, aren’t you?” he asked quietly.
Riya bit her lip, not wanting to admit it. But Aryan already knew.
“I told you, Riya. I’m here. With you. Let’s not let anyone else get in between us,” he said, his tone more serious now.
“I know,” she whispered. “But it’s just hard to shake the feeling. I trust you, but...”
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Aryan reached across the table, taking both her hands in his. “Then trust me with everything. Stop letting the past dictate how we move forward. I want a future with you. Isn’t that enough?”
Riya gazed at him, her heart torn between her love for Aryan and the lingering doubt Arjun had sparked. She wanted to believe Aryan, but a part of her still felt like there was something missing—something just out of reach.
“I’m trying,” she said finally, squeezing his hands. “I really am.”
Aryan gave her a small smile, but behind it, she sensed a hint of frustration, as if he was running out of ways to reassure her. The tension between them was growing, and Riya feared that if she didn’t find a way to resolve it, the distance would only widen.
And in the back of her mind, Arjun’s words continued to echo: "Be careful."
