Till Death Do Us Apart

~30~

Here is the story of what happened in the past.

I am really trying my best to write to your expectations , do know I don't have any degree in this field. So kindly support meh.

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*Flashback*

Arjun, Diya, and Parinidhi, fondly known as Nidhi, were inseparable since their school days. Their bond was admired by many, envied by some, but cherished deeply by the trio. When it was time for college, they made a pact to stick together. Diya pursued Fine Arts, Nidhi delved into Ceramic Art, and Arjun, ever passionate about business, chose Business Management. Their college campus was vast, and bicycles were their means to navigate it, often racing through pathways, laughter echoing behind them. The strength of their friendship was undeniable.

However, not everyone celebrated their closeness. Among Diya’s classmates was Akriti, a wealthy girl used to getting everything she wanted. When Akriti saw the trio’s unwavering bond, jealousy took root in her heart. Her determination to destroy their friendship became a silent mission. She started by befriending Diya, hiding her true intentions behind a mask of kindness. Day by day, Akriti sowed seeds of doubt and discord between Diya and Arjun. Eventually, she managed to win Arjun’s affections and began dating him. Blinded by love, Arjun failed to see Akriti’s manipulations and distanced himself from Diya and Nidhi at her insistence.

Diya saw through Akriti’s facade but every warning she gave Arjun fell on deaf ears. As months passed, Arjun was completely isolated from his old friends. Meanwhile, a prestigious art competition was announced, offering the winner a chance to advance their career. Diya and Akriti both entered, knowing how life-changing this opportunity could be. Akriti, realizing Diya’s talent posed a threat, tried every trick to sabotage her work. But Diya's resolve remained strong, and Akriti’s attempts failed.

Desperate, Akriti manipulated Arjun once more. She convinced him to steal Diya’s final art piece, playing on his lingering feelings of betrayal and their fading friendship. Under the guise of reconciliation, Arjun reached out to Diya, expressing regret and a desire to reconnect. Overcome with nostalgia, Diya and Nidhi welcomed him back, unaware of his true intentions. During a small gathering meant to rekindle their bond, Arjun betrayed Diya’s trust and stole her masterpiece.

On the day of the competition, Diya’s heart shattered when she discovered her work was missing and that Arjun was responsible. She quickly remembered a secondary piece she had created and rushed home to retrieve it. But Akriti, unwilling to take any chances, had hired goons to kidnap Diya, ensuring she wouldn’t reach the competition in time.

With Diya kidnapped and Akriti’s victory secured, Arjun watched as she accepted the accolades and prepared for her departure abroad. Far from feeling remorse, Arjun felt only satisfaction. To him, it was simply a choice—loyalty to Akriti, who had become a significant part of his life, over two old friends who no longer fit into his world.

Diya was kept in an isolated warehouse, a place that echoed with fear and loneliness. The walls seemed to close in around her as she tried desperately to escape, but every attempt was in vain. Her body was weak, and her mind was clouded with panic. The hours dragged on, but hope seemed as distant as the world outside.

Then, just when Diya thought she couldn't take it anymore, a figure appeared. A stranger. He rushed to her side, cutting through the darkness of her captivity. Her vision was blurry from the tears that streamed down her face, and in her fragile state, she couldn’t make out his features. All she could sense was a presence that felt oddly comforting, someone who seemed determined to help her despite the danger.

The man guided her out of the building, his grip firm but gentle. He told her to make her way home, urging her to get to safety, but before she could even speak or thank him, he was gone. An emergency, he said. And with that, he vanished into the night, leaving Diya standing in the cold, confused and vulnerable, but free.

As if fate had a hand in the situation, Daksh arrived soon after. He had tracked her phone, refusing to let go of the hope that he could find his sister. His heart dropped when he saw her, but the relief of having her back in his arms overwhelmed his fear. Without a word, he wrapped her in his arms, guiding her home.

When Diya returned, broken and defeated, Arjun showed no sign of empathy. He dismissed their past, treating their friendship as a chapter that had long closed. He justified his betrayal, convincing himself that Diya's suspicions about Akriti had always been driven by jealousy. To Arjun, his role in stealing Diya’s art was nothing more than necessary for Akriti’s success.

As time went on, Arjun continued on his path, indifferent to the pain he had caused. The memories of his once-strong bond with Diya and Nidhi faded into the background, replaced by ambitions he believed mattered more. While Akriti left for a promising future, Arjun buried himself deeper into his own pursuits.

No one knew what Diya endured during her kidnapping. Whenever she tried to speak of it, the memories clawed their way back, suffocating her voice and leaving her trembling.  Every detail replayed in her mind—the fear, the helplessness, the overwhelming sense of betrayal.

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