Anuragaanjali ~ The Eternal Love ✅

Chapter 45 : The Pain

A Promise in Silence

The forest was silent, the only sounds the distant calls of birds and the rustling of leaves in the wind. The air was thick with the scent of pine and earth, a sharp contrast to the bustling life of Indraprastha that Aaradhya had left behind.

Nakul had dropped her off at the forest's edge, his face filled with the sorrow of the decision he had carried out. He had spoken only briefly as they arrived, explaining that Arjun had sent her here, far from the city, to protect her from the harsh rumors that had been spreading. But he hadn't told her the full reason—Aaradhya could see the hesitation in his eyes, the unspoken pain in his words.

As he stood before her now, his posture solemn and his gaze averted, Aaradhya's heart was heavy with confusion and hurt. She could feel the ache of separation from Arjun deep in her chest. The sun was beginning to dip beneath the horizon, casting long shadows across the forest floor, and the chill of the night was beginning to settle in.

But it wasn't the cold that made her shiver. It was the realization of the cruel truth: Arjun had sent her away not just to protect her from the gossip and accusations, but because he too had believed them, even for a moment.

She stepped forward, her voice shaking with emotion. "Nakul... Why? Why did he send me here? What have I done wrong? Does he really believe I betrayed him?"

Her words trembled in the air, and Nakul sighed deeply, lowering his gaze to the ground. He wanted to say so much, to explain the pain he could see in Arjun's eyes, but the words stuck in his throat. He wanted to shield her from the truth, to protect her from the unbearable weight of what had happened, but he knew it was time she heard the full story.

Aaradhya's eyes were wide, full of unshed tears, as she stood there, waiting for an answer. The silence stretched between them, broken only by the sound of her shallow breaths. Finally, Nakul spoke, his voice thick with regret.

"Aaradhya," he began, his tone gentle but firm. "Arjun has been tormented by the rumors that have spread throughout Indraprastha. The people, the court... they have begun to question your loyalty to him. They suspect your friendship with Krishna, and in their eyes, that has become a betrayal."

Aaradhya's heart skipped a beat, her world trembling beneath her feet. The weight of Nakul's words crashed into her, and she staggered back, her breath coming in short gasps.

"Why... why would they accuse me of such a thing?" she whispered, her voice barely audible. "I have always been faithful to him. I love him with all my heart. Krishna is my friend, my guide. But I have never crossed a line. Why don't they see that?"

Nakul's eyes were filled with sympathy, and he stepped closer to her, his hand on her shoulder in an attempt to offer some comfort. "I know, Aaradhya. We all know. But the people of Indraprastha... they don't understand the bond you share with Krishna. And Arjun, in his anguish, believes it is the only way to protect you—by sending you away, far from the eyes of those who judge."

Aaradhya's heart shattered as the reality of the situation settled over her. She had been sent away not because of something she had done wrong, but because Arjun, in his pain and confusion, had made the hardest choice of all.

Tears began to fall from her eyes, silent and relentless, as the ache in her chest deepened. "Does he really think I would betray him? Does he not know me at all?" she whispered, her voice thick with sorrow.

Nakul's heart ached for her, and he struggled to find the words that could bring her any peace. "Aaradhya, Arjun is in pain. He believes this is the only way to shield you from the cruelty of the world. But it is not a reflection of his love for you. He loves you more than anything. This is a decision made out of fear, not distrust."

Aaradhya nodded slowly, but the tears didn't stop flowing. She wiped them away furiously, refusing to let them fall freely. She had to be strong, for the child growing inside her, for the love she carried in her heart. She knew what she had to do, but the pain of separation was unbearable.

After a long silence, she looked up at Nakul, her face determined despite the sorrow that clung to her every feature. "Nakul, please... there's one thing I ask of you. Please, don't tell Arjun about the child. He does not need this added burden. Let him believe that I am here alone, far away from him, without any reason to worry further."

Nakul's eyes widened in shock. "But Aaradhya, he needs to know. This is his child too. He deserves to know."

Aaradhya shook her head firmly, her voice quiet but resolute. "No, Nakul. It would only add to his pain. He is already carrying so much burden. I cannot bear to see him suffer more because of me. Please, promise me... promise that you will never tell him about the child until the right time comes."

Nakul stared at her, his heart torn. He had never seen her so determined, so selfless in her pain. With a heavy sigh, he nodded reluctantly. "I promise, Aaradhya. I will never tell him. I will protect this secret, for you, for the child, and for Arjun."

Aaradhya closed her eyes, a faint smile of gratitude crossing her face. "Thank you, Nakul. You are a true friend."

The wind howled through the trees, but the silence between them was deep, heavy with unsaid words. Nakul looked at her once more, his heart filled with sorrow for what she was enduring. But he knew that Aaradhya was strong, and she would endure whatever came her way—for her love, and for the life she carried inside her.

As Nakul turned to leave, Aaradhya stood alone in the twilight, staring out into the vast, uncertain world ahead. She had made a promise to herself—to protect Arjun, even from the truth, until the time was right. She would wait. She would endure. And no matter how far the distance stretched between them, her love for him would never falter.

With a deep breath, she whispered to herself, "I will wait for you, Arjun. No matter the time, no matter the distance. I will wait for you."