kaho Na Pyaar Hai

Family Interference

Ariyana's POV

The weeks after that night with Ruhaan were filled with quiet contentment. It felt like everything was slowly falling into place—the connection between us had deepened, and for once, I didn't feel like I was walking a tightrope, balancing my feelings and fears. But, as always, there was a storm waiting on the horizon, ready to shatter this peace.

Mia had been watching us closely—her silent disapproval making her presence more suffocating than ever. And today, as if she had been waiting for the right moment, she came knocking at my door.

I was sitting at my desk, absorbed in my assignment, when the door swung open with a loud bang.

"Mia!" I said, startled, pushing my chair back. "What is it now?"

Mia's gaze flicked over me, her lips curling into a smirk. "Ariyana, tumhare aur Ruhaan ke beech kya chal raha hai?"

I blinked, caught off guard. "Mia, yeh kya bakwaas hai? Tumhe yeh sab kyun poochna hai?"

She took a step closer, her heels clicking ominously against the floor. "Kyunki main nahi chahti ki tum apni zindagi kharaab kar lo. Ruhaan is not the right guy for you."

"Stop it," I shot back, standing up. "You don't get to tell me who's right for me. Tumhara kya haq hai?"

Her smile faltered for a second, but she quickly regained composure. "Mujhe bas tumhare liye bechaini ho rahi hai. Tum samajh nahi rahi ho. Ruhaan is not who you think he is."

I crossed my arms, refusing to let her see how much her words hurt. "And you think you know better? Because, Mia, trust me when I say, you don't."

Without waiting for her to respond, I walked past her, heading straight for the door. "I'm done with this conversation."

Ruhaan's POV

I was sitting in my car outside Ariyana's house, waiting for her to come out. We had plans for a casual dinner, just the two of us, but I had this nagging feeling in my gut. Something felt off.

Just then, my phone buzzed. A text from Ariyana: "Meet me at the park instead. I'll explain everything when I see you."

A sick feeling twisted in my stomach. I knew this wasn't good. Something had happened.

I quickly started the car, making my way to the park. The cool evening breeze hit my face as I parked, my mind racing. What was going on? Had Mia said something to her? I didn't want to believe it, but I could feel the tension between us growing.

Ariyana was sitting on a bench by the fountain when I arrived. Her face was tense, her lips pressed into a thin line. She looked up as I approached, her expression a mix of frustration and sadness.

"Ari..." I started, my voice tentative. "What happened?"

She stood up, her hands wringing together. "Mia happened," she muttered, her eyes downcast. "She came to my room today and said things about you. About how you weren't good for me. How I should stay away from you."

My heart sank. I couldn't believe it—Mia was still trying to control her life. Still trying to ruin us.

I stepped closer to her, my hand reaching out to cup her cheek. "Ariyana, listen to me. Mia doesn't know anything about us. She doesn't understand what we have."

Her eyes flickered up to meet mine, and there was a storm of emotions swirling in them. "But what if she's right? What if—what if you're just using me? What if I'm just some distraction for you?"

I froze, her words hitting me harder than I expected. "Ariyana..." I whispered, my voice breaking. "I would never use you. You mean more to me than anyone ever has. I swear, you're not a distraction. You're everything."

Ariyana shook her head, a single tear slipping down her cheek. "I want to believe you, Ruhaan. I really do. But I don't know how to fight this anymore. I don't know how to fight my family... Mia..."

I gently wiped away her tear, my fingers brushing softly against her skin. "You don't have to fight alone. I'm here, always. And I'll fight for us. For you."

She sniffled, wiping her eyes. "But what if I can't fight anymore? What if I'm too weak?"

"You're not weak," I replied softly, pulling her into my arms. "You're strong, Ariyana. You've been fighting your whole life. And now, you don't have to fight alone. I'm here, and I'll never leave you. Not now, not ever."

I held her for a long moment, letting her lean into me, her body shaking with quiet sobs. I knew the road ahead wouldn't be easy. But one thing was certain—I would protect her. I would never let anyone, not even Mia, tear us apart.

Ariyana's POV

As Ruhaan held me, I felt a sense of peace that I hadn't known in a long time. His words, his touch, were a balm to my wounded heart. For the first time, I felt like I wasn't alone in this fight. Maybe I didn't have to fight Mia, Rajveer, and everyone else on my own. Maybe, just maybe, I had Ruhaan by my side.

"I'm scared," I whispered, my voice trembling.

"I know," Ruhaan murmured, his lips brushing the top of my head. "But we'll get through this. Together."

And for the first time in a long time, I truly believed him.

The park was quiet, the sound of the fountain filling the air as we stood there, wrapped in each other's arms. Despite the looming storm, for that brief moment, everything felt right. Everything felt possible.

And as Ruhaan whispered to me that everything would be okay, I finally allowed myself to believe that love, the kind of love we shared, could conquer anything—even the fierce storm that was Mia.