Aarya - The Way We Once Were

Chapter 23

"Does she have her cell phone?"

He suddenly asked.

"I believe so. It's not here"

Mansi looked once more. Yash called Aarti's cell phone repeatedly until she finally picked up.

"Aarti, where are you?"

His voice was full of worry.

"Jaan, please talk to me. Tell me where you are and I'll come get you"

He pleaded with her as he heard her quietly sob.

"I'm done, Yash. I'm tired of this cruel world"

She finally said and Yash felt helpless. He tried to listen for any clue in the background, maybe something that would help him track her location.

"Please don't ever say that. Just tell me where you are"

Yash tried not to panic. He heard the sounds of crashing waves in the back and realized she's by the water, followed by a train whistle. Where they live, there's only industrial trains. Yash knew that train only passes by one river, he knew exactly where she was. He began driving towards her, without her knowing.

"Please tell everyone that I'm sorry"

She said before ending the call.

"Fuck"

He hit the gas pedal, going 100MPH. Yash eyes widen with fear as he watched Aarti standing on top of the rocks, near the cliff.

"Aaarti"

He let out a scream, startling Aarti. She turned around and was shocked to find Yash rushing towards her.

"Don't come any closer. Please let me be"

She said in between tears.

"What do you think you're doing? Please step away from the rocks"

He pleaded with her.

"Just leave me alone, I'm begging you"

She didn't have the courage to look him in the eyes.

"I'm not leaving here without you, Aarti. You're coming home with me, NOW"

Yash was not leaving her all by herself, to end it all. He was determined to leave with her.

"Fine, then you can leave with my corpse"

Before Yash could even process what Aarti was saying, she turned and jumped right into the lake. He froze for a moment in complete shock. He felt his entire body turned numb as his eyes widen. With his heart pounding heavily, he quickly dived into the water, swimming towards her. Yash lifted her lifeless body and brought her to shore.

"Please wake up"

He gently tapped her face as he tried to control his tears.

"You need to get up! Please get up"

Yash shook her harder but she was unresponsive.

"You cannot leave me. I need you here with me"

He held her close to his heart.

"I can't live without you; I love you Aarti"

He sobbed. Yash lips touched hers as he tried to resuscitate her, while gently pressing down her chest. She slowly regained conscious as she coughed up water. Slowly opening her eyes, Aarti came face to face with a frantic Yash.

"Thank god you're okay"

He grabbed her and pulled her into an embrace. Aarti was left confused; she was surprised by his behavior. She stared into his eyes as time stood still. Is he really worried about her or is she just imaging everything? As she was lost in her own thoughts, her vision started to blur. Aarti suddenly felt dizzy and collapsed in Yash arms.

"Babe?"

He felt her body drop and he gently tapped her face. Not getting a response from her, Yash picked her up and placed her in his car. He sped back to the mansion, carefully placed her on his bed and called his family doctor to come right away.

After examining her, the doctor gave her some Iv and signalled Yash out of the room.

"Is she stressed?"

The doctor asked and Yash recalled everything that happened recently, resulting in Aarti's suicide attempt.

"The reason why I'm asking is because her blood pressure is off the charts"

She continued and Yash looked on.

"I gave her a sedative to help calm her nerves. She should wake up within the next few hours"

She said before leaving the room. Yash sat besides Aarti; the doctor's voice echoed in his ears.

"If anything would've happened to you today"

He paused as he held her hand.

"I would never be able to forgive myself"

His voice almost breaking.

"I never thought that my mom would stoop so low and try to destroy your reputation. But I swear to god, I'll make everything right"

He kissed the back of her palm. Just then, his phone began to ring; Arpita was calling. He sighed, knowing that at some point he'll have to talk to her. But right now his first priority is making sure that Aarti is okay, Arpita can wait. His phone buzzed; he received a message from Arpita.

I don't know what's going on but you can't avoid me forever Yash. I'm coming over to the mansion. We need to talk!

His entire muscle tensed; if Arpita comes here and see Aarti at the mansion, it'll create more drama. He informed his servants and guards to not let Arpita inside the mansion. He won't risk Aarti's health or her reputation anymore.

"I'm sorry, Arpita. I never meant to hurt you in any way but I know that Aarti is the one I love. We'll talk soon and I'll explain everything to you. I just hope you forgive me and move on with your life"

Yash said to himself as he sighed. He knew that Arpita is innocent in all this, but he can't marry her knowing that he's still in love with Aarti.

Aarti eyes slowly opened and she realized she was once again in Yash bedroom. Gradually flashbacks of last night emerged her and Aarti became overwhelmed. Just then, she felt a hand touched hers and Aarti flinched. Looking up, she saw Yash carefully staring at her. He was trying to read her expression; he wanted to know what was on her mind.

"Talk to me, jaan"

He said softly as he sat beside her. Aarti closed her eyes in agony; how can she tell Yash that she's tired of it all; that she no longer wishes to live.

"Why am I here Yash?"

She finally asked, still looking away from him. One look at him and she knew she'd break in front of him.

"This is where you belong"

He lifted her chin to face him.

"I don't belong here"

She pushed his hand away.

"Why don't you understand that I don't belong here. I don't want to cause any more problems Yash"

She tried to get up but Yash held her hand again. Just then they both heard yelling coming from outside.

"Yash"

Aarti froze, she knew that voice. Yash was left confused.

"How dare you block my way?"

Arpita screamed at the guards as she pushed past them and barged into Yash bedroom. Her eyes widen with shock as she saw Aarti and Yash sitting on the bed.