That night, Riya tossed and turned in bed. Her heart was restless. She knew what she was feeling for Aarav was real. More real than anything she had ever felt in her life.
But reality was cruel. She wasn't an ordinary woman. She was Riya Malhotra — a name attached to wealth, business empires, and family expectations.
And that's when her phone buzzed.
Kabir Malhotra.
Her family friend, her father's business partner's son. Tall, charming, polished — the perfect "match" society had always seen for her.
Kabir: "Back in town tomorrow. Dinner at Taj? Uncle insists we meet. Don't say no 😉"
Riya stared at the message, her chest tightening. Kabir had always been around. Good-looking, rich, confident. But she had never felt anything for him. Still, her family adored him. And the world would never accept her with a café waiter.
At the Café Again
Next day, Riya visited the café again. Aarav greeted her with that same genuine smile, the one that lit up his entire face.
"You came again," he said softly.
"Maybe… I like the music here," she teased.
Aarav played a tune on his guitar, one softer and slower this time. He looked at her as if she was the only person in the room. And for a few minutes, she forgot everything — her surname, her empire, Kabir. There was only Aarav.
But then, Kabir walked in.
Collision of Two Worlds
Kabir, dressed in an expensive blazer, spotted Riya instantly.
"Riya? Here?" He looked around the small café, his nose wrinkling slightly. "This is where you've been disappearing to?"
Riya froze. Aarav looked between them, confusion in his eyes.
Kabir stepped closer, slipping an arm around her shoulder casually. "I've been calling you for days. Uncle is worried. You didn't tell me you were hanging around… here."
Aarav's jaw tightened, but he stayed silent. His respect for her was too deep to interrupt.
Riya quickly pulled Kabir's arm off. "Kabir, not here."
But Aarav had already understood. This man belonged to her world. Someone polished, rich, perfect on paper.
The Silent Pain
After Kabir left, Aarav didn't meet her eyes. He just packed his guitar quietly.
"You don't have to explain," he said finally, his voice low. "I know someone like you… you don't belong here with someone like me."
Riya's heart broke. She reached for his hand, but he gently pulled away.
"You're wrong," she whispered, her voice shaking. "Aarav, you're the only place I've ever belonged."
Her eyes filled with tears. She hated that Kabir's presence had made Aarav doubt himself.
Aarav finally looked at her, pain clear in his eyes. "Then prove it, Riya. Prove that you choose me — not the world, not their plans. Me."
Riya's Dilemma
That night, Riya sat alone on her balcony, Kabir's voice echoing in one ear, Aarav's in the other.
Kabir represented everything her life had been built upon — wealth, security, family approval.
Aarav represented everything her soul craved — truth, music, love.
And as the night wind touched her face, Riya realized… she couldn't run from this forever. She would have to choose.