After Advait left Samaira heartbroken on the day that was supposed to be the happiest of her life-their wedding day-her world shatters. Picking up the pieces, she barely manages to rebuild herself when her family insists she marry Aarav, a successfu...
I stand there, frozen, my mind racing. Anay? The mysterious caller? The shock hits me like a tidal wave, and for a moment, I’m lost in the chaos of my thoughts. I hadn’t expected this—Anay, my childhood friend, someone I had trusted for so long, being the one behind the phone calls that had haunted me. The same person who had kept an eye on me from afar.
His voice snaps me out of my trance. “Enough of you two,” he says, his frustration thick in the air. “Everything I did, I did it to protect you both. You don’t get it—your safety was my priority.”
I blink, trying to make sense of his words. Safety? What does he mean by that? I try to speak, but he doesn’t give me a chance to ask.
“If Advait found out that I helped you escape—if he knew I was involved—he wouldn’t hesitate for a second. He’d come after me, and Aahana. You don’t understand the danger you’re in. You never saw the side of him I’ve seen,” Anay continues, his voice strained, eyes filled with fear.
I swallow hard, my throat dry. “What are you talking about?” I ask, though part of me knows the answer will shake everything I thought I knew about Anay and Advait.
Anay paces, his frustration growing with every word. “You remember the night of the attack, right? The one you told me about? When you were attacked on your wedding night?” He pauses for a moment before his voice grows quieter, tinged with worry. “The attackers might have thought you were Advait’s bride, Samaira. But do you know what would’ve happened if they’d gotten to you? They could’ve hurt you... or worse.”
His words hit me like a slap to the face. They thought I was his bride? I feel a lump form in my throat. The danger was closer than I ever imagined. I had been so focused on the attack, the chaos of that night, that I hadn’t considered this possibility.
Anay takes a deep breath before continuing. “You don’t know what Advait is capable of. He’s ruthless when it comes to protecting what he owns. I’ve seen him... I’ve seen him do things that haunt me.”
“What do you mean?” I ask, though I already have an inkling.
Anay's face darkens. “I was at his company once, looking for an investment. He wasn’t there, but I overheard something I shouldn’t have. I saw him shoot someone—without hesitation. Cold, calculated. He didn’t even think twice.”
My heart skips a beat. Advait shot someone? I’ve seen his dangerous side—the way he handled himself during the attack on our wedding night. But shooting someone in broad daylight? In his office? That’s too extreme, even for him.
Anay continues, “It wasn’t just one person. He shot multiple people. His own allies. I don’t know why he did it, but I saw it with my own eyes. And I knew then that if he found out Aahana was involved in helping you escape... I don’t even want to imagine what he’d do.”
A chill runs down my spine. The anger and fear in Anay’s voice are palpable, and for a moment, I wonder if he’s telling me everything. But I know he wouldn’t lie about something like this.
“I had to do it, Samaira. I couldn’t let Aahana or you fall into his hands. He’s not someone you want to be on the bad side of,” Anay’s voice softens, and I can see the concern in his eyes. “I’ve found someone I love, someone worth fighting for. I couldn’t just let it slip away.”his eyes fixed at Aahana.
I stare at him, taking in everything he’s said. He wasn’t trying to hurt us; he was trying to protect us. But the danger we’re in is much bigger than I realized.
Anay looks at me, his gaze intense. “I did whatever felt right at the time, Samaira. I gave Advait your location because, no matter how ruthless he is, I knew he would never hurt you. Not you, Samaira. I knew he’d come for you, but he’d never hurt you. I had to make sure you were safe. I thought it was the best decision.”
The weight of his words hits me hard. He had made a choice—one that now feels both right and wrong, depending on how I look at it.
Aahana’s POV:
I stand outside, my heart pounding in my chest as I listen to their conversation. Anay’s voice is filled with urgency, and the more he speaks, the more I feel a sense of unease creeping in. What is he hiding?
I already knew something was off, but hearing it from him makes it feel so much more real. He’s trying to protect Samaira—and me—but why didn’t he tell me? Why didn’t he say anything before?
My thoughts are a tangled mess as I strain to listen. I can hear Anay speaking in low, strained tones, his voice full of fear and concern. “You don’t understand. If Advait finds out I helped you escape—if he knows that I was involved—he will come after me. And Aahana. You don’t know what he’s capable of.”
Why didn’t he tell me? My mind races as the words begin to sink in. Anay’s been hiding something from me. And Samaira... she’s been part of it all along. The knots in my stomach tighten, and I try to calm myself.
I can hear Samaira’s voice, steady but soft, asking Anay more questions. Her tone is curious, but there’s something deeper in her words—something she’s not saying out loud.
I try to focus, but every word that comes from Anay’s mouth makes it harder to breathe. “Advait... shot someone? His own allies?” I whisper to myself, but the realization hits me like a punch in the gut. Why is Anay involved in this? Why did he never tell me about Advait's dangerous side?
I shift on my feet, suddenly feeling more distant from the two of them. I don’t know how to deal with this—how to confront Anay, how to face Samaira. But the words keep coming, and they only make my chest ache more.
Finally, I hear Samaira ask the one question I’ve been afraid of. “What do you mean, Anay? Why didn’t you tell us before?” She sounds calm, but there’s an edge to her voice that I know is hiding her hurt.
And then it hits me. What if Anay really does care for Samaira in a way I didn’t know?
I don’t know how much longer I can stand outside, eavesdropping on their conversation. My heart feels like it’s about to beat out of my chest. I want to run in, to stop them, but I can’t move. I have to know the truth.
And then, as I hear Anay confess everything—the truth about his involvement, the danger Advait poses, and the terrifying realization that he’s been keeping this from me—I feel the tears start to well up in my eyes. What does this mean for us? For me and Anay?
Samaira’s POV (Continued):
The realization settles in as I look at Anay. The protective layer around him, his past choices, and his unwavering concern for us—all of it is starting to make sense, but the sting of betrayal is still there.
I take a deep breath and step forward, reaching out to him. “Anay... you did what you thought was right at the time. I get it now,” I say softly, my voice shaking. “But you could’ve told me sooner... We could’ve figured this out together.”
He doesn’t say anything at first, but I see the relief in his eyes as if a burden has been lifted. Aahana steps in, her voice gentle yet filled with emotion, “Samaira’s right. We should have been a team through this. No secrets.”
And as the tension in the room eases, the years of confusion and hurt begin to unravel. Without another word, I pull Anay into a hug. He stiffens for a moment, but then, slowly, he wraps his arms around me. Aahana joins in, and the three of us stand there, the weight of our past decisions hanging in the air.
The hug isn't just an embrace of comfort; it's a silent promise. A promise to move forward, together, no more secrets, no more doubts.
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