Ruhanika Arora (Ruhi)
A broken soul who was raped by her own uncle at the age of 16.
She is arranged with someone who seems to love her existence in front of him.
But she is too shy and scared to face him coz of his history.
Abhiraj Rathore (abhi...
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The weeks that followed were a delicate dance, a balancing act between trust and fear, between hope and doubt. Ruhanika had made the choice to try, to let herself open up to the possibility of healing, but every step felt heavy, each one weighed down by the past. She couldn’t erase the hurt that had carved its way into her heart, but she could choose to move forward, one cautious step at a time.
Adhiraj was there, always present, always trying. But his presence, once a source of warmth, now felt like a constant reminder of the work that lay ahead. Every gesture he made, every effort he put forth, felt sincere—but so did the doubts that lingered in her mind. How long would this last? Was this just another cycle, another illusion of a happy ending that would eventually crumble under the weight of their history?
The moments they shared were quiet and tentative, like two people learning to speak a new language after years of silence. When they met, it wasn’t the carefree laughter of their past, but rather careful conversation, as if they were both testing the waters of each other’s hearts again.
One evening, Adhiraj invited her to dinner at a small, intimate restaurant he had chosen. It was a place they had once visited together when everything between them had been effortless, when their love had been simple and unburdened. As they sat across from each other, the flickering candlelight casting soft shadows on their faces, Ruhanika couldn’t help but notice how different everything felt now. The once familiar intimacy between them now seemed fragile, like something delicate that could break at the slightest touch.
Adhiraj studied her from across the table, his eyes filled with something she couldn’t quite name. Hope, perhaps, but also fear—the same fear that Ruhanika carried with her every day. The fear that they were both trying to reclaim something that might never return.
“How are you doing?” he asked, his voice gentle but laden with concern.
Ruhanika stirred her drink, avoiding his gaze for a moment. It wasn’t that she didn’t want to answer him—it was just that she didn’t know how. How could she explain the quiet ache that pulsed beneath her skin, the feeling of being torn between wanting to believe in them and being terrified of being hurt again?
“I don’t know,” she said finally, her voice soft. “Some days I feel like I’m closer to finding peace, and then other days... I don’t know. It’s like I’m stuck in the middle of something that I can’t fully understand.”
Adhiraj’s expression softened. “I know I’ve made this harder for you. I know I’ve hurt you. And I’m sorry for that. But I’m not going anywhere. I want to make this right, Ruhanika. I want to prove to you that I’m here to stay.”
His words felt like both a promise and a plea. Ruhanika’s heart ached at the sincerity in his eyes, but she couldn’t shake the shadow of doubt that still loomed over her. Samaira was gone, yes—but she had left a mark on their relationship, a reminder that there were things in Adhiraj’s life she could never fully erase.
“I’m trying to believe that,” Ruhanika said quietly, her fingers tracing the rim of her glass. “But it’s not just about Samaira. It’s about us, and everything we’ve been through. It’s about me learning to trust you again.”
Adhiraj nodded slowly, understanding. “I get that. I know that it’s not just about the past few months, but everything that’s led up to this point. And I know I can’t just tell you to forget everything. I can’t just expect you to forgive me and move on.”
“I don’t want to forget,” Ruhanika replied, looking up at him finally. “But I need to know that the person in front of me is the one who truly wants to be here, with all of me, not just the easy parts.”
The quiet tension between them seemed to deepen as the words settled in the air. Adhiraj didn’t rush to answer. Instead, he reached for her hand across the table, his touch warm and steady. For a moment, Ruhanika allowed herself to feel the comfort of his touch, even as the doubts continued to swirl inside her.
“I’m here,” he said, his voice firm, yet gentle. “And I’m not just here for the easy parts, Rooh. I’m here for all of it. I know it’s going to take time. And I know it’s going to be hard. But I’m not going anywhere.”
Ruhanika felt her heart ache at his words. She wanted to believe him, truly. She wanted to believe that love, with all its complexities, could be enough to rebuild what they had lost. But a part of her—deep inside—was still terrified that the cracks in their relationship were too deep to heal, that the past would always come back to haunt them.
As the evening wore on, they spoke in softer tones, their conversation drifting from the painful truths to lighter topics—memories from the past, small talk about work, and the occasional laugh. But even in those lighter moments, Ruhanika couldn’t escape the feeling that something was missing. The ease they once shared was gone, replaced by the weight of what they had both endured. It wasn’t enough just to be in the same room anymore—they needed more. They needed time. They needed patience. And most of all, they needed to rebuild a foundation of trust that had been shattered.
Later, as they walked out of the restaurant, the cool night air brushing against their faces, Ruhanika couldn’t help but notice how different it felt walking beside him now. The closeness was there, but it was tentative, like two people who had once been in love but were now learning to be in love again, each step forward both a leap of faith and a cautious step back.
“Thank you for tonight,” she said, her voice quiet as they reached her car. “For giving me space to figure this out.”
Adhiraj stopped walking and turned to face her, his hands tucked into his pockets. “I want you to take all the time you need. I’ll be here, waiting, when you’re ready. Just... know that I’m not giving up. I’m not going anywhere, Rooh.”
Ruhanika’s heart swelled with emotion, but the fear was still there, still gnawing at the edges of her resolve. Could she trust him again? Could she trust herself to let go of the fear, to allow herself to love him fully without the constant weight of doubt?
For now, she didn’t have the answer. But one thing was clear—she wasn’t ready to give up on them, not yet. Not when there was still a sliver of hope left, no matter how small.
“I’m not ready to promise anything yet,” she said softly, her voice steady. “But I’m willing to try, Adhiraj. I’m willing to see where this can go.”
His eyes softened with understanding, and for the first time in weeks, Ruhanika felt the weight in her chest lighten just a little. The road ahead would be long, but maybe, just maybe, they were on the right path.
And for the first time in a long while, she allowed herself to believe that they could find their way back to each other. Slowly. Step by step. Together.
꒰⑅ᵕ༚ᵕ꒱˖♡♡˖꒰ᵕ༚ᵕ⑅꒱ Okieee I love you always Byieee 🩷🦢
