Shadows Of The Stumps

Chapter - 120

In Rahul's room, the atmosphere was thick with unspoken emotions. Meera sat cuddled against Rahul, her heart aching for him, while Athiya sat a little away, her expression serious. Virat lounged on the couch, his arms crossed, watching the exchange with a mix of concern and frustration.

"How are you now, Anna?" Meera asked softly, her voice filled with worry.

"I'm okay, Meeru," Rahul replied, his tone reassuring. "Bas thoda sa migraine tha."

Virat groaned, unable to hold back his sarcasm. "Yeah, thoda sa migraine, thoda sa temper that ultimately made you unconscious, nai?"

Rahul looked up at him, almost like a kid caught in a mistake. "Sorry na, Virat. I know I messed up, but I freaked out, and things just went out of hand."

Virat was about to melt at Rahul's sincerity when Athiya interjected, her voice firm. "Yeah, you don't even realize what you've done today. You questioned Hardik's character, Rah. And to bring up Natasha like that? We all know how hurt he was because of that. How could you, of all people, do this?"

Rahul looked up, guilt washing over him. "I know I messed up, Tia, par mera woh matlab nahi tha yaar. It's Meeru, and she is slowly healing now—the therapy, losing Ayan, going off duty. I don't want her to get hurt again."

Meera hugged Rahul tighter, seeking comfort in his presence. Virat leaned forward, his expression serious. "And why do you think she will get hurt, Rahuliya? Out of everyone in the world, why do you think Hardik will hurt her? He's the one who pushed her to go back to dancing. They are best friends. How can one truth about his feelings change all your perceptions about him? Are you forgetting that he is the first one who Meera confided in after Ayan and Arya's death?"

He then looked at Meera, his voice softening. "I'm sorry, Meeru, I'm having to talk about all of this in front of you, but you know what I'm saying, right? He would never hurt you intentionally. And you relying on him without any second thought does mean something, right?"

Meera nodded against Rahul's chest, feeling the warmth of his support. Rahul kissed her forehead gently, his heart heavy with regret. "I messed up pretty bad, didn't I? But I still feel he should have talked to me once. I didn't want to know like this. Maybe it just could have been a lot better."

Athiya stood up and walked forward to the bed, sitting in front of him. "And you think he wanted you to know like this? Maybe he was waiting for the right time for both of you, and you people just eavesdropped. Even if unintentionally, this was an accident. No one planned for this, right? And maybe he too is figuring out things for himself, just like Meera."

As the two slowly nodded, Virat moved to sit in front of Meera. "And you, madam, I know this is a lot. I know this feels like betraying Ayan, but trust me, it's not. It happened with Mahi Bhai too, right? And why am I having this talk again? Arjun and Kabir must have said that already."

Meera nodded, her eyes glistening with unshed tears. "Yeah."

Rahul nudged her gently. "Speak up, bacha. None of us is going to judge you."

Meera sighed, her voice trembling as she continued, "We are two different beings, Anna. With Ayan and me, a lot was common. In your lives, glamour plays a great role; in ours, it's shadows. And what if this goes wrong?"

Athiya piped in, "And what if it doesn't?"

Meera replied back, "What if I am not ready for this?"

Rahul looked up, his expression earnest. "Benefit of doubt, Meeru. Give yourself that benefit. And I'm not saying this because of Harry; I really think you should. No one is asking you to build Rome in a day, right? Take your time."