BEYOND UNFINISHED✔️

Chapter 11. Beneath the Surface

Song - Next to me - Arman Malik.

Sometimes we become so selfish, that to get happiness we fill others with sorrow.

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Their POV

Anaya parked her car near the café and walked in. Being a weekend, the place was buzzing with chatter and clinking cups. Her eyes scanned the crowd until she found Aashi waving at her from their regular corner. A man sat beside Aashi with his back to her.

She made her way over quickly.

"Sorry, I'm late... you know the traffic..."
She avoided mentioning her unexpected meeting with Arjun. That name still stirred something inside her—too sharp, too unresolved.

The man turned toward her. Handsome, confident, charming. She glanced at Aashi.

"It's fine, we were just talking. Anyway... Anaya, this is Vivan." Aashi gestured to him.

Vivan stood, offering a hand with a smile that could charm a glacier.

"Hey, Vivan Rathod... Aashi's boyfriend. And I must say, you are indeed beautiful—just like she described."

Anaya flushed slightly.

Charmer...

Vivan pulled out a chair for her.

Hmm...gentleman!

"These flowers are for you..." Anaya handed him the bouquet.
"I'm sorry... I didn't know what else to bring."

"Hey, it's OK. I love flowers... they remind me of Aashi's beautiful smile." He looked at Aashi, his eyes soft with adoration, then at Anaya with genuine warmth.

He handed her an expensive box of chocolates, one he had picked out specially. They soon ordered brunch.

After the meal, Anaya was sure—Vivan was a genuinely good man. Despite being a billionaire, he was humble and warm. She now fully understood why Aashi was head over heels. He cared for her in ways that weren't loud but consistent and deep.

But between them stood one colossal wall: Arjun Rajvansh.

Anaya knew she had to soften that wall. According to Aashi, only Arjun could influence their father and grandfather to approve the relationship. But Arjun wouldn't just disapprove—he would destroy Vivan, burn the idea to ash, and smile while doing it. His idea of love came wrapped in rules, pride, and the suffocating weight of family honor.

But for Aashi's happiness, Anaya was ready to take that risk. And maybe... just maybe... she could help Arjun too. Help him feel. Help him live.

Or was she just losing herself in the process?

She sighed and drove home.

Rajvansh Residency

Vedika sat in the living room, munching on cookies and lost in thought. Krish was resting after returning from his trip.

Sid suddenly dropped beside her, stealing a cookie like a seasoned thief. Vedika glared daggers at him. He ignored her entirely.

Before she could scold him, Arjun stormed in, speaking sharply on the phone—more barking than talking. Vedika's eyes sparkled with mischief.

She turned sweetly to Sid and said, in a voice just loud enough to reach Arjun's ears:

"Sid... I think you should ask Anaya out..."

Arjun halted mid-step. His entire body stiffened like a wolf catching scent.

Vedika smirked.

"Yes... she's smart, intelligent, beautiful... and humble. Any man would be lucky to have her. Don't delay or someone else might take her..."