Fated in Silence

Prologue: Kavi

Kavi sat in the hushed library of his college in Mumbai, the weight of the world resting heavily on his shoulders. He pretended to be engrossed in a textbook, pages slightly curled and worn, but his focus was elsewhere. Beneath the cover, he scrolled through his phone, his heart racing as he thumbed through photos of her—Kavya.

Each picture told a story. There were snapshots from school trips, family gatherings, and moments frozen in time. He paused at a picture that made his heartache. In it, Kavya's older brother, Abhay, held a little Kavya in his arms, a radiant smile lighting up her face. Kavi's own brother, Aarav, stood beside her, cradling a younger version of himself, wide-eyed and innocent. They had all met for the first time at a parent-teacher meeting, and it felt like fate had intertwined their lives from that moment on. In the photo, Kavya and Abhay grinned at the camera, while Kavi was captured mid-gawk, completely smitten. Aarav, amused, raised an eyebrow, clearly confused by Kavi's sudden infatuation.

Just then, the tranquility of the library shattered as Krish barged in, his voice cutting through the silence like a knife. "Kavi! Are you seriously studying, or are you just here to scroll through old photos of your woman?"

The librarian shot him a sharp glare, and Kavi snapped his phone shut, throwing a glare at Krish. "Thanks for the subtlety, genius."

Krish smirked, leaning against a nearby shelf. "What? Can't blame a guy for looking out for his best friend. You're like a lovesick puppy over here."

Kavi rolled his eyes, but Krish's playful sarcasm faded as he grew serious. "Listen, I just got off the phone with Agrima. She said it's about Kavya, and she won't give me any details unless you talk to her."

Kavi's heart raced at the mention of her name, anxiety coiling tightly in his chest. What's wrong with her? The room felt smaller, the air heavier. Krish continued, urgency lacing his voice. "We all know she is strong but this time she's been struggling, and we both know she needs you now more than ever. You have been avoiding her thinking the past might repeat itself but would you be okay knowing she hurt herself and you weren't there for her?"

The weight of Krish's words hung in the air. Kavi clenched his fists, the internal battle raging within him. What if I'm just a reminder of her pain? He hated the idea of being the cause of her suffering.

But as he glanced down at his phone, he knew he couldn't ignore the truth any longer. He wanted to be there for her; he needed to be there for her.

With a resigned nod, Kavi pulled out his phone, his fingers trembling as he dialed Agrima.

"Hey, Kavi," she answered, her voice filled with concern. "Thank god you called. I need to tell you what happened today."

Kavi listened intently, his heart sinking further with each word. Agrima recounted the anxiety attack, the way Kavya had been humiliated during a seminar while anchoring, her HOD's harsh words echoing in the background. Each detail felt like a dagger piercing through him. Kavi's fists clenched as anger boiled within him.

"If you think Kavya can handle this alone, you're dead wrong," Agrima insisted. "She needs you and we both know she won't let anyone else in."

The call ended, but Kavi's determination ignited a fire within him. He thought she could manage, but life had played a dirty game with them. He realized he couldn't stand by any longer.

"I'm coming for you, Lavender," he murmured to himself, a fierce resolve filling his chest. "Whatever it takes."

Memories flooded back, vivid and raw. He recalled the countless nights they spent talking about their dreams, their fears, and the promises they made. How did it all fall apart? Kavi thought, frustration brewing inside him. He could feel the weight of his anger begin to shift, morphing into a volcanic eruption ready to destroy anything in its path.

Kavi dialed his brother, Aarav. "I'm leaving for Delhi. Tell everyone," he said, urgency thick in his voice.

"Wait, what? You're actually going to her?" Aarav's surprise was evident.

"Just tell them," Kavi snapped, frustration and worry blurring together. "I need to be there for her."

After hanging up, Kavi's thoughts raced. Why hadn't I been there for her before? The regret settled heavily in his heart. He had to know what Kavya was going through, and this time, he wouldn't let her push him away.

As he paced the library, Kavi's thoughts turned dark, fueled by the anger that simmered beneath the surface. He remembered the days when Kavya had been vibrant and full of life—before everything changed. He had kept an eye on her, stalking her like a ghost, hoping to see a glimmer of the girl he once knew. But what he found instead were signs of her struggle, her pain, and the way she had locked herself away from the world.

Aarav walked downstairs, informing their family. "Mom, Kavi's heading to Delhi," he said casually.

His mother looked up with a hopeful expression. "Do you think he's going to see her?"

Aarav leaned back with a smug smile, a glint in his eye. "I know the tone he used when he talked about her. That only comes out when it's about Kavya."

Kavi took a deep breath, his resolve solidifying. He had no intention of returning to a place filled with painful memories, but he knew that he would fight for her—no matter the cost. The thought of Kavya hurting alone made his blood boil. He would be her shield, her comfort, and her strength.

With a final glance at his phone, Kavi steeled himself for the journey ahead. He would confront his fears, and he would reclaim what was rightfully his. The world may have tried to tear them apart, but he was determined to get his Lavender back, whatever it took.