The air into the office felt charged as Rishabh stepped into the room, tentative and showing that he is broken. Kiana turned, the faint sound of the door clicking shut making her spine stiffen. His voice was low, wavering.
"Kiana…I…..I am Sorry", he said, voice rough with guilt. "I don't know what came over me….but you have to believe, this isn't who I am. This isn't what I wanted for us."
Kiana felt a bitter sting rise in her chest. She refused to cry this time—refused to let the man who had shattered her be witness to the depth of her pain.
"Then what did you want Rishabh?" she asked quietly, voice shaking with restrained emotions. "You wanted to hold her hand in your cabin while I worked late here in my cabin? You wanted both worlds—one for the nights you felt lonely, another for the days you felt proud?"
Rishabh looks at her wryly.
Yes! Your new love interest, she was here at my office. She thought it was me who asked the management to suspend her on you people's fun, that I am the party crasher who couldn't admit to the fact that my fiancé chose her over me and hence I am taking it out on her by terminating her job contract. She also told me about your fun-filled nights and all the outings which matched to your details when you told me that you are going to meet your family at your hometown.
Rishabh flinched, fighting it hard to get words to explain himself, the convincing words which wouldn't reach to his mind.
I don't know….I don't know what to do with us anymore! He confessed, voice falling to whisper.
I will talk to our parents and sort out the matter. I will take full responsibility for what I have done.
No need!
I have already contacted your family and called off the marriage. I haven't told to your parents about the reason behind this decision of mine, as it is not my secret to reveal.
Best of luck!
She turned towards the window, as she didn't wanted to show her tears which were about to reveal her secret pain which was caused to her by his betrayal.
Kiana stood silent for a long moment, staring out at the city that had been witness to both, their love and betrayal. Somehow, amid the sting of heartbreak, a faint clarity emerged.
She drew a deep breath and spoke, voice calm and firm.
"That's the problem, Rishabh. You don't know. But I do. I deserve more than 'I don't know.' I deserve a 'yes' that doesn't waver, a 'love' that doesn't cheat….a life that doesn't break at the first test.
With that she stepped past him, brushing an unseen weight ffrom her heart. In that moment, she felt the threads binding her to this chapter begin to unravel—making space for a new one.
Kiana stood before Mr. Narayanan, her voice clear, hopeful and sure.
"Sir, I'll go to Seoul. Not just for the project but for myself. I don't know what the future holds for me, but I owe it to myself to find out—away from this heartbreak, and closer to the person I want to become."
Mr. Narayanan smiled, his eyes soft with pride.
"That's my girl. The world doesn't wait for anyone, Kiana, But it will make space for those who are brave enough to come forward and lead the initiative to step forward for a better future."
As she left the room, Kiana felt the pain of betrayal yielding to a quiet strength. The chapter of her heartbreak was closing…..and the chapter of her belonging, resilience and a new dawn was about to begin—in a city far from home, where the whispers of the spring would guide her path.