Ashes of a Broken Heart

Chapter 6: A Fork in the Road

Karan stood by the window, waiting for Tejasswi. The cool night air brushed against his face as he leaned against the frame, his thoughts swirling between the scheme he had meticulously crafted and the strange sense of conflict gnawing at him. He glanced at his phone. She was on her way.

Moments later, Tejasswi knocked at the door, her face flushed from both the walk and the emotional storm she had been battling all evening.

"Hey," she greeted softly, her voice shaky, as Karan opened the door.

"Hey," Karan responded, his voice calm, a mask of concern plastered over his true intentions. "You okay? You sounded upset over the phone."

Tejasswi let out a heavy sigh, stepping inside. "I just... I don't know anymore, Karan. My parents, my career... everything feels like it's falling apart."

They sat on the couch, and Karan listened quietly, allowing her to vent. It was part of the plan. Let her feel understood, let her confide in him.

"Meri family ko kuch samajh nahi aata," Tejasswi began, frustration spilling over. "Main unko bata chuki hoon ke yeh mera khwab hai, mera career hai, lekin har din wo mujhe aur dabate ja rahe hain."

Karan nodded, hiding his smirk. "I get it, Tejasswi. It's hard when the people who are supposed to support you just don't understand." His voice was soothing, drawing her further into his web.

"To main kya karoon?" she asked, almost pleading. "I love them, but it's suffocating. Main thak gayi hoon ye soch soch ke ke mujhe unke aur apne khwabon mein se ek chunna parega."

Karan saw the opening and gently nudged her toward the path he had laid out. "Dekho Tejasswi, tumhe chunna nahi chahiye. But sometimes, people only realize what they've lost jab wo unke saamne nahi hota. Shayad ab waqt aa gaya hai ke tum unko dikhao ke tum apne balboote par khadi ho sakti ho. Step away for a while. Jab wo dekhenge ke tum kitni successful ho, wo khud tumhare paas aa jayenge."

Tejasswi's brow furrowed, doubt flickering in her eyes. "Lekin agar main unhe chhod doon, to main kahan jaungi? Main unke bina kya karoongi?"

Karan leaned closer, his expression softening. "You're not alone, Tejasswi. Tumhare paas main hoon. Agar tumhe kabhi rehne ki jagah chahiye... you can stay with me. Just as friends, of course."

The words hung between them for a moment. Tejasswi felt the weight of her world crashing down, but Karan's offer, though tempting, made her hesitate. The idea of leaving her parents—her home—felt like an unbearable step, yet Karan was making it sound like the only way to prove herself.

"Tum theek keh rahe ho," she murmured, her voice barely audible. "Maybe I do need to step away... but it's so hard to imagine walking out of that door and not looking back."

Karan leaned back, masking his satisfaction with a look of concern. "It won't be easy, but you're stronger than you think. Kabhi kabhi naya rasta chunnay ke liye, pehle ek mushkil kadam lena padta hai."

Tejasswi bit her lip, her eyes distant as she thought about her parents. "They'll hate me if I leave."

"Maybe at first," Karan said smoothly, "lekin jab wo dekhenge ke tumne apne balboote par kya hasil kiya hai, they'll respect you more than ever. Trust me."

She let his words sink in, her heart heavy with the decision she didn't know she was already making. A part of her wanted to believe Karan—wanted to trust that this was the right thing to do. But there was that familiar guilt, the nagging voice inside that told her she was betraying her family.

"Main... main sochungi," she finally said, her voice shaky with indecision. "I just need some time."

Karan smiled, but there was an edge to it. "Of course, take all the time you need. I'll be here whenever you're ready."

Later that night, Tejasswi's dilemma deepens.

As she stood outside her parents' house, staring at the door, memories of all the arguments flashed through her mind. The disapproving looks, the harsh words about her career choices, the constant pressure to conform to their expectations.

"Tumhare khwab kya hain?" her mother's voice echoed in her head. "Yeh sab fazool cheezen hain. Family sab se zyada aham hai!"

Her heart clenched. Karan's words played on repeat, weaving a different narrative—one where her success would finally force her family to see her for who she was. But was that really what she wanted?

She sighed, turning away from the house, her thoughts in turmoil. Karan had given her a way out, but stepping away from her family felt like stepping off a cliff.

Karan's Satisfaction

Karan watched Tejasswi leave his place earlier that evening, feeling a strange sense of victory. She was nearly there, almost convinced that walking away from her family was the right decision. He'd have her exactly where he wanted soon enough—dependent on him, needing his support.

"Ek aur kadam," he thought to himself, satisfaction curling through him. "Bas ek aur kadam, aur wo meri ho jayegi."

But as much as he tried to focus on the plan, there was a nagging pull he couldn't quite ignore. Tejasswi's vulnerability, her innocence, and the way she looked at him with such trust—something about it made him feel... something. He shook his head, dismissing the thought.

This wasn't about feelings. This was about revenge.

Later, Tejasswi stood on the street corner, torn between two worlds. Karan's words echoed in her mind, urging her to take control, to step away from her family's shadow. And yet, her heart ached with the thought of walking away from the people she loved most.

She didn't know where to go, or what to do next. But one thing was certain—something had to change.