𝐋𝐞𝐬𝐬𝐨𝐧𝐬 𝐨𝐟 𝐋𝐨𝐯𝐞 ❤️🌼

20: A Test of Trust

Over the next few days, the rumors continue to spread, and Avneet becomes more withdrawn. She tries to focus on her studies, but the whispers in the hallways and the side glances from her classmates are starting to wear her down. She avoids Siddharth as much as she can, not wanting to add fuel to the fire.

But Siddharth notices the change in her. One afternoon, after class, he catches her as she's leaving the lecture hall.

Siddharth: (gently) Avneet, wait.

She stops, turning to face him. She's tired-emotionally, mentally-and he can see it in her eyes.

Siddharth: (concerned) You've been avoiding me.

Avneet sighs, running a hand through her hair.

Avneet: I'm just... trying to keep things from getting worse. People are watching us, Sir. I don't want to give them any more reasons to talk.

Siddharth steps closer, lowering his voice.

Siddharth: Let them talk. They don't know the truth.

Avneet: (frustrated) But the truth doesn't matter to them! They're going to believe whatever they want, and it's going to believe whatever they want, and it's going to ruin everything. Your reputation, my career... it's all at risk.

Siddharth takes a deep breath, his eyes softening as he sees the weight of her worry. He steps even closer, his voice calm but firm.

Siddharth: Listen to me, Avneet. I know it's hard, but we can't let other people control how we live. If we start making decisions based on what others think, we'll lose ourselves.

Avneet looks away, her emotions swirling. She knows he's right, but the pressure is suffocating. Every whisper, every sideways glance chips away at her confidence, and the fear of losing everything she's worked for is growing stronger by the day.

Avneet: (softly) I just don't want to lose you.

Siddharth's heart skips a beat. Her vulnerability hits him hard, and he realizes just how deeply this is affecting her. He reaches out, gently taking her hand, his thumb brushing over her knuckles.

Siddharth: (sincerely) You won't. I promise you that.

She looks up at him, their eyes locking. For a moment, the noise of the world fades, and all she can feel is the warmth of his hand, the strength of his presence. But even as she finds comfort in his words, the weight of the rumors lingers in the back of her mind.

Just then, the door to the lecture hall opens, and a group of students walks in, laughing and talking. They spot Avneet and Siddharth standing close, holding hands, and their conversation stops. A few of them exchange glances, whispering to each other.

Avneet pulls her hand away, her heart pounding as panic sets in.

Avneet: (whispering) See? This is exactly what I'm talking about. They're going to blow this out of proportion.

Siddharth watches the students leave, his jaw tightening. He's angry-not at Avneet, but at the situation they're trapped in. He hates that they have to hide, that they can't just be honest about their feelings without facing backlash. But he knows Avneet's fears are valid.

Siddharth: (quietly) I'll talk to the administration if I have to. I won't let this affect you.

Avneet shakes her head, her voice trembling.

Avneet: No, you can't. If you go to them now, it'll just make things worse. They'll think there's something to hide.

Siddharth frowns, hating how powerless he feels. He wants to protect her, to shield her from all of this, but he knows she's right. Bringing more attention to the situation could backfire.

Siddharth: (sighing) Then what do you suggest we do? We can't just keep avoiding each other forever.

Avneet bites her lip, unsure of what to say. She doesn't have the answer. She just knows that she's tired-tired of hiding, tired of pretending like there's nothing between them when, in reality, her feelings for Siddharth are growing stronger every day.

She looks up at him, her voice quiet but determined.

Avneet: Maybe we just need to take a step back. At least for now.

Siddharth's heart sinks. He doesn't want to step back-he doesn't want to put any distance between them. But the look in her eyes tells him she needs space to breathe, to figure out how to deal with everything that's happening.

He nods, though it feels like a knife twisting in his chest.

Siddharth: (softly) If that's what you need, I'll respect it.

Avneet's throat tightens. She didn't expect it to hurt this much to say those words, but she knows it's the right thing to do. She gives him a small, sad smile, trying to hold back the emotions welling up inside her.

Avneet: Thank you.

With that, she turns and walks away, leaving Siddharth standing there, watching her go. His heart aches, but he knows he has to let her go-for now. He hopes that when the dust settles, they can figure out how to be together, without the weight of rumors and gossip hanging over their heads.

_____________________________

☜ That's for today ☞

Meet you in next chapter till then take care byyy.

Love
SM
❤️