kaho Na Pyaar Hai

The proposal confusion

Ariyana's POV

It had been days since the college fest, and Ruhaan and I had fallen into a rhythm. Everything seemed easier with him—our conversations, the laughs, the comfortable silences. But there was something about the growing tension between us that I couldn't shake. It was like a quiet storm brewing, and I wasn't sure if I was ready to face it.

That afternoon, I was sitting in the campus library, trying to focus on my project. Suddenly, my phone buzzed with a message.

Vivek: "Ariyana, meet me after class? I need to talk to you."

I frowned at the screen. Why would Vivek want to talk to me? The last thing I needed was another lecture from the self-proclaimed "Greek God" of college. But curiosity got the better of me, and I texted back.

Me: "What's up?"

Vivek: "It's important. Just meet me."

I sighed, glancing around the library. As if on cue, Ruhaan's message appeared on my phone screen.

Ruhaan: "Are you okay? You're acting a little distant lately."

I hesitated before typing back.

Me: "I'm fine. Just dealing with some things."

Ruhaan: "Anything I can do?"

I couldn't tell him the whole truth. I didn't want to complicate things. Not when everything was so confusing already.

Me: "I'll be fine. See you later?"

Ruhaan: "Of course. I'll be there."

I smiled at his reply, but it didn't quite reach my heart. There was too much going on in my head.

Third Person POV

Later that afternoon, Ariyana met Vivek near the college's main building. He was waiting by the bench, his usual overconfidence apparent. As soon as he saw her, he stood up, walking toward her with a grin.

"Ariyana," he said, his tone too smooth for her liking. "I've been meaning to talk to you."

She crossed her arms, already feeling the discomfort in her chest. "About what, Vivek?"

He shrugged, still smiling. "About us. I've been thinking a lot lately, and I think we make a good team. Not just for the project, you know?"

Ariyana's heart skipped a beat. "What are you trying to say?"

Vivek's smile turned more serious. "I like you, Ariyana. I've liked you for a while now. And I think... we should explore this. See where it goes."

Ariyana blinked, taken aback. This wasn't how she expected this conversation to go. She wasn't sure how to respond, but the last thing she wanted was to hurt his feelings.

Before she could say anything, Ruhaan's voice interrupted from behind her.

"Ariyana, everything okay?" Ruhaan's question was calm, but his eyes locked onto Vivek with an intensity that sent a wave of discomfort through Ariyana.

Vivek turned, his grin returning. "Ah, Ruhaan. Just the guy I wanted to see. We were talking about Ariyana here."

Ruhaan's expression darkened slightly. "What's going on, Vivek?"

Ariyana quickly stepped between them, trying to calm the situation. "Ruhaan, it's fine. Vivek just wanted to talk about the project."

Vivek raised an eyebrow, sensing the tension. "Really? Because I thought we were talking about something a little more... personal." He looked at Ariyana with a teasing smile.

Ruhaan's jaw tightened. "I think you should leave, Vivek."

For a moment, the two of them stood there, staring each other down. Ariyana could feel the heat rising between them. It wasn't just a disagreement—it was something much deeper.

Vivek, sensing that the moment wasn't in his favor, shrugged nonchalantly. "Alright, alright. I'll leave you two to figure things out." He walked off, but not before giving Ariyana a lingering look.

Ariyana turned to face Ruhaan, but she couldn't read the expression on his face. His concern for her was evident, but there was something else there too—a hint of jealousy, maybe?

Ariyana's POV

I watched as Vivek disappeared into the crowd, but the tension didn't leave. I turned to face Ruhaan, my heart beating faster than I was willing to admit.

"Ruhaan, you didn't need to do that," I said, my voice shaky. "It was just a conversation."

Ruhaan raised an eyebrow. "A conversation? Really? You don't think that was more than just a conversation?"

I opened my mouth to respond, but the words caught in my throat. He was right. Vivek's confession had thrown me off balance. I didn't know how to process it, but I also didn't know how to explain that to Ruhaan.

"Look," Ruhaan said, his voice softer now. "I just... I care about you, Ari. And I don't like seeing you with him."

I stared at him, my breath caught in my throat. "Ruhaan, it's not what you think."

"You're right," he said quietly. "I don't know what to think. But I don't want to see you get hurt."

Ariyana's heart ached at his words. She wanted to reach out to him, to explain everything. But the confusion was still there, lingering in the air like a cloud she couldn't push away.

Third Person POV

Ruhaan studied her for a moment, his mind racing. There was something about the way Ariyana looked at him that unsettled him. He wasn't sure if it was fear, hesitation, or something else entirely.

"Ariyana," he began, his voice softer now, almost pleading. "What are we doing here? What is this, really? I don't want to keep guessing."

Ariyana looked down, her emotions all tangled up. "I don't know, Ruhaan. I wish I did. But... I don't want to lose you."

The words were out before she could stop them, and in that moment, she realized they were true.

Ruhaan took a step closer, his hand reaching for hers. "Then don't," he whispered.

And for a brief moment, the world seemed to stand still, their hearts beating in sync, neither one of them knowing what the next step would be—but both unwilling to walk away from each other just yet.