Shadow of redemption

NEW THREAT

Hello everyone welcome to the new chapter ☺️☺️☺️

Later the in morning, as Aaravi got ready for the hospital, Rakshit hesitated near the car keys. Aaravi noticed and asked, "Rakshit, are you coming?"

He shook his head, handing the keys to Aryan. "Aryan, you drop her. I... I can’t take the risk again."

Aaravi frowned. "Rakshit, it wasn’t your fault."

Rakshit avoided her gaze. "I can’t, Aaravi. The thought of something happening to you..."

Aryan patted Rakshit’s shoulder. "Don’t worry, Rakshit. I’ll take care of her. You relax."

Aaravi sighed, touching his hand gently. "Rakshit, trust yourself as much as I trust you."

As Aryan drove, Aaravi spoke softly, "Bhai, Bhabhi, please talk to Rakshit. He's not himself lately. I feel something is troubling him deeply."

Riya nodded. "I’ve noticed it too. He’s distracted and distant. We’ll find out."

Aryan frowned. "He won’t easily open up. Rakshit’s the kind to keep everything bottled up."

Aaravi smiled faintly. "That’s why I trust you both. He respects you, Bhai and Bhabhi, you have a calming way with words. Please, for his sake, try."

Riya reassured her, "Don’t worry, Aaravi. We’ll get to the bottom of it. He’s not alone in this."

Aryan and Riya entered the Mumbai apartment to find Rakshit pacing anxiously across the living room, his hands clenched. The moment he saw Aryan, he rushed over, his voice filled with urgency.

"You dropped Aaravi safely, right? She’s okay? Is she... angry with me?"

Aryan frowned, exchanging a glance with Riya. Before Aryan could respond, Rakshit continued, his voice trembling slightly, "I shouldn’t have driven. I... I put her in danger. How could I be so reckless? She must hate me now..."

Riya stepped forward, placing a comforting hand on his shoulder. "Rakshit, calm down. Aaravi is fine. She wasn’t angry, just concerned about you."

She guided him to the sofa, and Aryan handed him a glass of water. Rakshit took it, his hands shaking slightly. "She’s everything to me. I can’t forgive myself for even the slightest harm coming her way because of me."

Riya sat beside him. "Rakshit, we know how much Aaravi means to you. But she’s more worried about you. Whatever is troubling you, you need to let it out."

Aryan added firmly, "Riya’s right. Aaravi doesn’t need a perfect man. She needs the one who loves her as you do. Talk to us."

Rakshit sighed, leaning back. "It’s... complicated. I’m afraid my darkness will consume her light. I can’t risk that."

Aryan leaned forward, his tone firm yet caring. "Rakshit, Aaravi is your strength, not your weakness. She sees the man you are, not the darkness you fear."

Riya added softly, "And keeping things bottled up will only hurt her more. She deserves to know what’s troubling you."

Rakshit looked at them, his voice barely a whisper. "I’ve built walls around myself for so long... but with Aaravi, they crumble. I’m terrified of losing her."

Aryan placed a reassuring hand on Rakshit’s shoulder. "Then trust her. Let her in. Together, you can face anything."

Rakshit nodded, his resolve hardening.

Rakshit sat alone in his room, staring at a picture of Aaravi on his phone. Her smile was his anchor, but tonight, it felt like a distant light.

"She deserves someone better, someone without shadows," he muttered, running a hand through his hair.