Ashes of a Broken Heart

Chapter 26: The Uncovered Truth

The night of the fashion show was electric, with lights blazing and the room abuzz with excitement. Tejasswi's creations had already started wowing the audience, each look capturing her journey, pain, and resilience. Backstage, she could hardly breathe from the thrill of seeing her work come alive. All the late nights and sacrifices felt worth it as each model took to the runway wearing her designs.

A small smile curved on Tejasswi's lips as she squeezed Meera's hand. "I'm just glad it's over. I poured so much into this, I don't know how much I had left in me."

"But you made it happen, and that's what matters," Meera replied warmly. She hesitated for a moment, then added, "You know, you have some people in the crowd who are rooting for you tonight."

Tejasswi looked at her, confused. "People?"

Meera smiled, holding back a more significant revelation, choosing her words carefully. "Let's just say you have more support than you realize."

Before Tejasswi could probe further, a sudden rush of activity broke their conversation. The main event organizer called out to her, frantically waving to get her attention. "Tejasswi! There's an issue with the sponsor setup. Something about last-minute confirmations."

Curious, Tejasswi excused herself and followed the organizer to a secluded corner where a few business sponsors were gathered, reviewing final details. She hung back, listening to the tail end of a conversation between two of them.

"...yes, Karan's contribution went through quietly," one sponsor was explaining to another. "He didn't want any recognition, insisted everything go to her name. Quite a sacrifice."

Tejasswi's heart stopped. Karan? Her hands shook slightly as she gripped a nearby chair for support. Meera noticed the color drain from Tejasswi's face and quickly came over.

"Tejasswi," she whispered, "what's wrong?"

Tejasswi managed to choke out a response, her voice laced with disbelief. "Meera... did you know Karan... he was behind this?"

Meera's face softened. "Yes, I did. I was going to tell you, but I thought you'd find out in your own way. Karan wanted to support you without forcing himself back into your life."

The full weight of the revelation hit her, conflicting emotions flooding her chest. Anger, confusion, and the slightest hint of warmth mingled in a way that left her feeling dizzy. Meera's gaze softened as she continued, "Karan was willing to stay in the shadows if it meant seeing you succeed."

Tejasswi shook her head, disbelief clouding her expression. "Why now, after all that's happened? Why not come forward and just tell me?"

Meera sighed, glancing down. "I think he didn't want to burden you with his regret. He wanted to make things right without expecting anything from you. But you deserve to know that he's been rooting for you, from afar."

Tejasswi took a deep breath, trying to process everything. "He hurt me, Meera. He hurt us both. And now he wants to just... make amends like this?"

Meera gently placed a hand on her shoulder, grounding her. "Teju, you're right to feel angry. No one is saying you have to forgive him or accept him back into your life. But maybe... maybe this is part of his journey to understand the gravity of what he did."

Her friend's words brought a small sense of comfort, helping Tejasswi see the situation through a more balanced lens. It didn't make the pain go away, but it was a reminder that perhaps, in his own way, Karan was attempting to right his wrongs.

With a heavy sigh, Tejasswi glanced toward the stage, the applause of the audience echoing from beyond the curtains. She knew this night was hers, that her hard work had brought her here. But knowing that Karan had silently paved the way added a bittersweet edge to the accomplishment.

As she prepared to step out and take her final bow, Meera squeezed her hand one last time. "You're not alone, Teju. I'm here, and no matter what you decide—whether you want to forgive or not—I'm with you every step of the way."

Tejasswi nodded, taking strength from Meera's unwavering support. With a mixture of emotions swirling inside her, she took a deep breath and stepped out onto the stage, standing tall under the spotlight, letting the applause wash over her.