Silent Vows

Chapter 25

Karan sat alone in his room, staring blankly at the ceiling as the early morning light crept in through the curtains. He hadn’t slept, his mind spinning with everything Meera had said — and everything she hadn’t. He felt like he’d been given a glimpse behind her wall, only for it to slam shut again before he could make sense of it.

He sighed, scrubbing his hands over his face, hoping it would help clear the whirlwind of emotions that seemed to be spiraling out of control. His phone buzzed beside him, and he glanced at it, expecting one of his friends. But it was a message from Arav.

"Hey, man. We need to talk."

Karan frowned, the frustration from yesterday bubbling up again. Arav was at the center of so many questions he had about Meera — questions she had brushed off with a calm indifference that only fueled Karan’s confusion and irritation. He grabbed his keys and headed out, a determined set to his jaw. He was going to get some answers today, one way or another.

Karan leaned back against the edge of the stone bench, his arms crossed tightly across his chest, looking at Arav with an intensity that demanded answers. He wasn’t ready to let this go — not until he could finally make sense of the walls Meera had so carefully built around herself.

Arav watched him, a knowing look in his eyes. “You know, Karan,” he began, his tone both cautious and firm, “there’s more to Meera than you might realize. She’s been through a lot. You might not understand all of it, but…” He paused, as though choosing his words carefully. “There are reasons she acts the way she does.”

Karan’s gaze narrowed. “I get that, but it doesn’t make it any easier. One minute she’s this quiet, guarded girl, and the next, she’s saving people’s lives, keeping secrets, like…” He let out a frustrated breath. “I don’t know what to make of it.”

Arav tilted his head slightly, as if measuring Karan’s sincerity. “Look,” he said, leaning forward, “Meera’s had her fair share of… difficulties. People haven’t always been kind. In fact, she’s had people come close only to hurt her — or make her the butt of jokes just for being herself” His expression hardened slightly, as though remembering things he’d rather not.

Karan looked striken by the revelation. "C'mon, man don't tell me you never knew people can be cruel and sick" Arav snorted seeing karan's disbelief.
"That's why she doesn't feel comfortable around new people" Karan whispered, barely audible.

Arav nodded. “It’s not something she likes to talk about, and I respect that. But it left scars, Karan — scars you can’t always see. And it’s why she’s careful, why she keeps people at a distance. She’s not just protecting herself; she’s trying to stay safe.”

Karan absorbed this, feeling his irritation soften slightly as he considered Meera’s guarded demeanor in a new light. But the frustration hadn’t vanished completely. “Then why won’t she just tell me this?” he said, his voice strained. “If she could just be honest, maybe I could… I don’t know, understand her better.”

Arav’s expression softened, almost sympathetically. “It’s not that easy for her. You’re asking her to be vulnerable in ways she hasn’t allowed herself to be in a long time. And with someone like you…” He shrugged. “Let’s just say she has her doubts.”

Karan’s jaw clenched. He knew exactly what Arav meant. Meera’s impression of him — the playboy, the flirt — likely wasn’t making it any easier for her to let her guard down. “But I’m not here to hurt her,” he said, his voice rougher, more desperate than he intended.

“I know that,” Arav replied calmly. “And maybe she does too, deep down. But Karan…” He leaned forward, lowering his voice slightly. “This isn’t something I can explain for her. Whatever she chooses to share with you, or not, is up to her. It’s her story to tell, not mine.”