Aarya - The Way We Once Were

Chapter 32

"How could I have been so blind?"

His voice was low. He recalled Aarti drunkenly confessing that someone made her leave, but he would've never thought that it would be his own mother.

"Aarti carried that guilt with her for so long, Yash. She knew you'd be shattered if you ever found out"

Maansi continued, feeling better about her decision to tell Yash.

"All these years I hated Aarti for leaving me, I blamed her for betraying my trust"

His voice was horsed.

"I cried in my mom's arm and she consoled me, when she was the reason for my heartbreak"

He sighed heavily as he realized that his mom's betrayal cut deep.

"I need to find Aarti"

He said before hanging up the call. He tried her phone once more but it went straight to voicemail. Yash then called the same private investigator from earlier.

"I need you to track my girlfriend. I need to know that she's okay"

His voice was steady. He gave the guy Aarti's phone number and other important information that might help him trace her.

Yash sat on the cold floor, his eyes red and swollen. He recalled his mom condescending attitude every time he spoke about Aarti. He thought that his mom was just being protective of him but now looking back, he realized that she manipulated him all along. He then recalled his mom introducing him to Arpita when he was at his lowest. She grew fond of Arpita and somehow convinced him to marry her.

"Arpita is a great girl, Yash. She fits in with our family so well. I know you don't love her right now but she's madly in love with you. I know that someday you will feel the same way about her"

His mom's voice echoed in his head.

"I went along with the engagement only because I wanted you to be happy. But you never cared about my feelings, did you?"

He broke down sobbing.

The PI called him back with some new information about Aarti.

"Her phone is currently turned off but her last location was at Paradise Inn"

He said.

"I called the inn and the Clark said that someone that fits Aarti's description did check in, but he haven't seen or heard from her in two days"

He continued and Yash grabbed his car keys.

"Thank you. I'm heading there right now"

He said as he got in his car and sped off. The entire drive there, Yash was shaking with anxiety. He hoped that Aarti was okay, he would never forgive himself if anything happened to her.

"I need Aarti's room number"

He demanded as he reached the front desk.

"Sir, I can't give out our costumer's information"

The Clark looked at him.

"How about now?"

Yash handed him a stalk of bills and the Clark smiled.

"Room 152"

Yash scoffed at him; just a moment ago he couldn't give out information but now that money's involved, he was easily bribed. He rushed to room 152 and knocked on the door.

"Jaan, are you in there. Please open up"

He pleaded but there was no response.

"Please talk to me. Tell me that you're okay"