you are my destiny

chapter 64.

The lift doors slid open with a faint ding. Armaan and Arya stepped out, a strange silence hanging between them. Ahead, Rihaan was already helping Ruhi bhabhi and Uma aunty into the apartment, but Armaan and Arya lagged behind.

Arya stole a sideways glance at him—this stranger who had suddenly appeared in her life connected to her brother. He looked calm, but there was a quiet intensity in his eyes that made her uneasy.

Arya broke the silence first, her voice sharp but shaky.
“Tumhe… tumhe kaise pata chala mere bhai ke baare mein?”

Armaan paused, shoving his hands into his pockets. “I was there when it happened. I saw him collapse. We all rushed him to the hospital.”

Her eyes welled up instantly. “He… he was fine when he called me last night. And now you’re saying he was attacked? How can this happen?”

Armaan softened, watching her crumble. For a moment, he forgot his usual careless charm. He wanted to tell her everything would be fine, but the words stuck in his throat. Instead, he said quietly, “Your brother is a fighter. He won’t give up this easily.”

Arya blinked at him, surprised at the certainty in his tone. For some reason, his words steadied her heart a little.

They reached the apartment door, where the others had already gone inside. Arya stopped just before entering, turning to face him fully.
“Why do I feel like… you’re hiding something?” she asked, searching his eyes.

Armaan froze, caught off guard by her directness. Then, a faint smirk tugged at his lips—the kind of smirk that was more defense than arrogance.
“Maybe I am,” he admitted lightly, “but not about your brother.”

Before Arya could reply, Rihaan’s voice echoed from inside.
“Armaan! Arya! Jaldi aao!”

Arya took a deep breath, wiped her tears quickly, and walked in. Armaan lingered a second longer, staring at her retreating figure. For reasons he couldn’t explain, his heart beat just a little faster.

Other side at Ahana's house

The gate creaked open as Ahana pushed it, her steps heavy, her breath uneven. The clock had already struck three, and the neighborhood outside was silent. But inside her home, the lights were still on.

Her mother was sitting on the sofa, Yash pacing anxiously near the window. The moment the door opened, both of them turned.

“Ahana!” her mother exclaimed, rushing toward her. “Where were you? Do you know what time it is? I was so worried—”

Her words stopped abruptly. Her eyes widened in horror as they fell on Ahana’s hands and clothes, soaked in blood.

The color drained from her face. “What… what is this? Blood?”

Yash’s chest tightened as he moved quickly toward her. “Ahana, are you hurt?!” He grabbed her hands, his eyes frantically searching her body for wounds.

Ahana’s lips quivered, tears spilling down her cheeks. Her voice came out broken. “It’s not mine…”

Her mother froze, her hands trembling as they reached up to cup Ahana’s face. “Then whose blood is this? Tell me, Ahana… what happened?”

Ahana’s chest heaved. She shook her head as if denying reality, but the words spilled out between sobs. “He attacked him… He tried to kill Abhimaan… this… this is his blood…”

Her mother staggered back as though the floor had slipped away from beneath her feet. She clutched the edge of the sofa for support, her eyes wide with disbelief.