Aarya - The Way We Once Were

Chapter 31

Yash paced back and forth in his room; worried out of his mind for Aarti. He wondered if she went back to Maansi's apartment, he hoped she did. Now that a child is involved, he was more concerned about her health. Yash decided to check his surveillance footage, he needed more information on this mystery man. The only footage he found were when the man entered and exited the front door. He used a code that only a few people know of, Yash was certain that someone gave him that code.

"What if Aarti did not give him that code, what if she really didn't know him?"

He paused for a moment.

"But I saw them in bed together"

He rubbed the back of his head.

"What if that's what he wanted me to believe"

Yash was left confused. He zoomed in on the man and he took a screenshot of his face. Yash then took out his phone and called someone.

"I need you to run a background check on this man. I need every detail, every encounter, everything"

He said before hanging up. If this man is lying, then he need to know whose order he's been following. Who is behind this whole setup?

Within minutes, Yash got another call.

"Sir, we got an ID. His name is Robert, he's a conman. He has a bunch of warrants in his name"

The man said, confirming Yash doubt.

"What kind of warrants?"

He asked.

"Fraud, theft, and even sexual assaults"

He continued, leaving Yash shocked.

"The latest police report, he drugged and raped a woman in her own home"

Yash eyes widen; he felt the room spinning as new information came to light.

"But that's not all. We hacked his bank account; it looks like $100,0000 was transferred into his account a few days prior"

He paused, making Yash more curious.

"Who sent him all that money?"

Yash asked.

"Gaitree Sindhiya"

His voice was low. Yash stood there for what felt like eternity. His own mom was the one behind this deceit; she knowingly sent a rapist into their home.

"Listen carefully; I need you to follow Robert and my mom. Get as much evidence as you can on them"

He said before hanging up. Yash was furious; his mom wanted to play games, then okay. He was going to destroy everything she worked so hard to build, he will make her regret ever double crossing him.

Yash called Aarti's phone but it went straight to voicemail. He needed to see her, to beg for her forgiveness.

"I'm so sorry jaan. I made the biggest mistake by not listening to you and taking your side"

He fell on the floor, barely able to breathe.

"I can't look at you anymore, you truly disgust me"

Echoed in his head.

"I want a DNA test done"

He punched the mirror, pieces shattering everywhere. His knuckles became bloody but that didn't stop him, he kept hitting the mirror. That was his punishment for not believing Aarti; he deserved every pain and suffering Aarti had to go through because of him.

He tried calling her once more but it kept going to voicemail.

"Please pick up, jaan. We need to talk"

He sent her a message.

"Tell me where you're and I'll come to you"

He wrote another message.

He then called Maansi's phone; he was desperate to speak to Aarti, to see her. After the third ring, she picked up.

"Yash, is everything okay?"

Maansi's voice was low.

"I need to talk to Aarti"

His voice was desperate.

"Please give her the phone"

He pleaded.

"Aarti isn't here, Yash. Isn't she with you?"

Maansi began to panic a little.

"She left. I thought she came to see you"

Yash voice broke. If Aarti isn't with Maansi, then where is she?

"Okay, you're scaring me. Tell me what happened"

She asked and Yash narrated the entire incident.

"You chose to believe a stranger over your own girlfriend?"

Maansi raised her voice.

"I know, Maansi. I'm an idiot"

Yash sobbed.

"You fucked up really bad. I don't think she'll ever forgive you for this"

Maansi was conflicted. On one hand she knew that Yash isn't a bad person, he was just acting on impulse. But she also knew that Aarti is suffering somewhere alone because Yash chose not to believe her.

"Please help me find her"

He begged her.

"If Aarti disappeared, then that means that she doesn't want to be found. All you can now is give her space to think"

Maansi sighed.

"Would you please let me know if you hear from her. I just want to know that she's okay"

His voice was low.

"Of course"

She paused.

"A little advise, Yash; next time don't be so quick to judge. Sometimes the things we see with our eyes are not always real"

She continued and Yash knew she was right.

"You always were the wise one"

He said and she let out a soft chuckle.

"So what does this mean for your mom?"

Maansi asked and Yash became stiff again.

"I don't think our relationship is fixable at this point. I'm done with her"

He tried to calm his nerves. Maansi was quiet for a moment, wondering if she would tell Yash the truth. She knew Aarti never would, and at this point she really had nothing to lose.

"There's something you should know"

She finally said.

"Your mom is the reason Aarti broke up with you a few years back"

Her voice cracked. Yash eyes widen as the realization hit him, his mom was behind a lot of his downfalls.