kaho Na Pyaar Hai

Unravelling truths

Ariyana's POV

The weight of Ruhaan's arms around me was comforting, but it didn't stop the gnawing unease deep in my chest. I knew I had to tell him everything, but the truth felt like a heavy burden I wasn't sure I was ready to carry. Not yet.

We stayed like that for a while, my face buried in his chest, my tears soaking his shirt. He didn't say anything, just held me, as if that was all he could do to help me through this storm.

I could feel the warmth of his embrace, but it didn't stop the ache in my heart.

"Mia... she's been threatening me," I finally whispered, my voice breaking. "She knows everything about my father. And she won't let me go until I give her what she wants."

Ruhaan stiffened, pulling away slightly to look at me. His expression was unreadable, but his eyes were full of determination. "What does she want, Ariyana? What is it she's threatening you with?"

I closed my eyes, the words choking me as I tried to speak. "She... she wants me to break up with you. To walk away from you, Ruhaan."

The room seemed to freeze around me as Ruhaan's grip tightened on my shoulders. The fury in his eyes was undeniable, but his voice was surprisingly calm as he spoke.

"She wants you to leave me? Just like that?" he asked, his voice low but full of intensity.

I nodded, my heart pounding in my chest. "Yes. And I... I don't know if I can keep doing this. I can't lose you, Ruhaan. But I also can't let her destroy everything."

His face softened, and he gently cupped my face in his hands. "Ariyana, you're not alone in this. I won't let her or anyone tear us apart."

But I could see the conflict in his eyes. He was worried, worried about me, about what Mia's threats could mean for our future. And the truth was, I was scared too.

Ruhaan's POV

The anger I felt when I heard what Mia had been doing to Ariyana was nearly overwhelming. I couldn't believe how far she would go to manipulate and control people—especially Ariyana.

But the part that hit hardest was the idea of losing her.

I looked at Ariyana, her fragile form in front of me, her face streaked with tears. I'd promised her I would always protect her, but this... this was something bigger than anything I'd ever imagined.

"I'm not going to let her win," I said, my voice firm, filled with a resolve that came from deep within. "Whatever it takes, we'll get through this. Together."

Ariyana stared at me, her eyes full of doubt and fear. "But what if it's too much, Ruhaan? What if everything falls apart?"

I shook my head, leaning in to kiss her forehead, my lips lingering there for a moment longer than usual. "It won't. Because we have each other. And that's all we need."

She looked at me, her gaze softening, but there was still an undeniable sadness in her eyes. "You don't know Mia like I do. She's not just going to let go. She'll keep pushing until everything falls apart."

I cupped her face gently, brushing my thumb across her cheek. "Then we'll fight back. You're not alone in this, Ari. I'll be right here with you, every step of the way."

I could feel her trembling, and without thinking, I pulled her into my arms again. This time, there was no hesitation, no fear of what might happen next. It was just me and her, two hearts connected by a bond that had only grown stronger despite everything we'd been through.

Ariyana's POV

The truth was starting to sink in, and I could feel it settling deep into my bones—Ruhaan wasn't just offering comfort. He was offering a future. One that, no matter how difficult it might be, I wanted to fight for.

I pulled away slightly, just enough to look into his eyes. "You're sure about this, Ruhaan? Because once we step into this, there's no turning back."

He smiled softly, but it was a smile that carried the weight of his promise. "I've never been more sure of anything in my life."

Before I could say anything else, he kissed me. It wasn't a kiss of urgency or desperation. It was a kiss of reassurance. A kiss that said everything would be okay.

But even as his lips pressed against mine, I couldn't ignore the gnawing fear that something much bigger was coming.

Something I wasn't sure we were ready for.

Ruhaan's POV

Ariyana's lips felt like home—soft, warm, and reassuring. But even as I held her, I couldn't shake the feeling that things were about to take a turn for the worse.

Mia wouldn't let up. And the closer Ariyana and I got, the more determined she would be to destroy everything we had.

But there was no going back now.

I pulled away from the kiss, my forehead resting against hers. "We'll handle this, Ari. I promise."

She nodded, though I could see the uncertainty in her eyes. It wasn't just Mia she was afraid of—it was the idea of losing me. Of everything crashing down.

But we wouldn't let that happen. Not if I could help it.

And as I looked into her eyes, I knew one thing for sure: I would never let her go. Not now. Not ever.