Till Death Do Us Apart

~31~

Let's read lovelies

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Diya's POV

I slowly walked into the room, my steps dragging with exhaustion, the weight of the night’s events still lingering in my chest. I was used to carrying the burden alone, but tonight a new feeling was lingering within myself.

Aarav ji was sitting on the couch, his gaze lifting as he heard me enter. He could see something had changed in me.

I didn’t even have to say anything. Aarav ji stood up and walked over to me concerned flashing in his eyes. "Diya, what happened?" he asked, his voice soft.

I paused for a moment, taking a breath as I  met his gaze. I had kept so much from him—my plans, my pain, the weight of everything i'd endured. And i  want to share everything with him. I want to tell him everything but somewhere I was worried how would he react. Will he understand me and stood by my side or he will just walk around treatinge the same my friends did.

He led me to the couch . I slowly took a seat beside him, my hands trembling slightly as I folded them in my lap. "I—I did something tonight," I  began with a low voice  but steady. "Something I’ve been planning for a while now."

Aarav ji sat beside me,  waiting for me to continue.

With a deep breath, I  started to narrate everything. I spoke with a trembling voice, my words were  heavy with emotions that i had carried for too long. He remained quiet, his eyes were fixed on me offering the safety i  needed to keep going. He understood that if he interrupted, i might never find the courage to speak again.

Every word i shared was like a piece of the burden i had been holding onto, and he let me unload it all without judgment, without rushing me. He knew this was my moment to heal, and his only role was to be there, steady and unshaken.

My voice cracked slightly as the words tumbled out. "I showed them the video, the proof.  Akriti lost everything—her job, her award, even her engagement. Arjun... he was left with nothing, too. And somehow, in all of it, I thought I would feel different. But it wasn’t what I expected."

Aarav ji was silent for a moment, taking in my words. His face softened with understanding, and he gently placed a hand on mine . “Diya... I don’t know what it must’ve taken for you to get to this point. All the pain, the loss... but I want you to know one thing.”

I looked at him, my eyes tired but searching for something in his face, some sign that he understood.

“I’m proud of you,” he said, his voice full of sincerity. “You took back what was yours, what they tried to steal from you. You didn’t let them control your story anymore. It wasn’t easy for you, and I know it wasn’t about revenge... but you stood up for yourself. That takes incredible strength.”

I felt my chest tighten, a knot loosening in my throat. I  hadn't expected him to say that. “ You think like that ” i asked, my voice was small, as though i couldn’t quite believe it.

Aarav smiled, squeezing my hand. “I do. You did what you needed to do. It wasn’t about hurting them—it was about finding your own peace. And you’re not alone in this anymore, Diya. I’m here. I’ll always be here for you.”

Tears welled up in my eyes again, but this time they were different. They were tears of relief, of finally being seen, of not having to carry this alone. I slowly leaned into Aarav ji, resting my head on his shoulder as I sob, but this time, it wasn’t from the weight of the past—it was because I  had someone who truly understood.