The house was quiet again.
Too quiet.
Aarav was on a call—
in the other room.
Serious.
Focused.
"Ensure it doesn't happen again," his voice echoed faintly.
Meher sat on the couch—
staring at nothing.
Five minutes.
Ten minutes.
Fifteen.
She sighed.
"Bas thodi der ke liye…" she murmured.
(Just for a little while…)
Her eyes moved toward the door.
Then back.
"Aarav ko pata bhi nahi chalega…"
(He won't even know…)
A pause.
Bad idea.
She knew it.
Still—
she stood up.
Slowly.
Carefully.
Checking the hallway.
No one.
Her fingers reached the door.
Hesitation.
Then—
click.
She stepped out.
The air felt… nice.
Free.
A small smile appeared.
"See… nothing happened…"
She took a few steps ahead—
slow.
Peaceful.
Meanwhile—
inside—
Aarav ended his call.
"Done—"
He turned—
walking back.
"Meher—"
Silence.
He frowned.
"Meher?"
No response.
His steps quickened.
The couch—
empty.
His heartbeat—
picked up instantly.
"Meher!"
Nothing.
Then—
his eyes moved to the door.
Slightly open.
His jaw clenched.
"Unbelievable…"
Outside—
Meher turned back—
about to return.
"I should go before—"
"Aur kitni door jaati?"
(How much further were you planning to go?)
She froze.
That voice.
Slowly—
she turned.
Aarav stood there.
Arms crossed.
Eyes locked on her.
Not shouting.
But far more dangerous.
"Aarav…"
Silence.
He stepped closer.
Each step—
heavy.
"Rules yaad hain?"
(Remember the rules?)
She looked down.
"Main bas—"
"Bas?"
He stopped right in front of her.
"Bas kya?"
Her voice came out smaller now.
"Thodi der ke liye…"
(Just for a little while…)
A pause.
A long one.
Then—
he ran a hand over his face.
Frustration.
"Ek minute ke liye bhi nahi bola tha maine."
(I didn't say even for a minute.)
"I know…"
"Phir bhi?"
She looked up at him—
guilty.
"I got bored…"
That answer—
almost made him laugh.
Almost.
Instead—
he stepped closer—
grabbing her wrist gently.
"Tumhe samajh nahi aata hai?"
(Don't you understand?)
His voice—
not loud.
But intense.
She flinched slightly.
"I'm sorry…"
A pause.
That word—
hit differently.
His grip loosened.
But didn't leave.
"Sorry se kuch hota hai?"
(Does 'sorry' fix it?)
She shook her head slowly.
"No…"
Silence again.
Then suddenly—
she stepped closer.
Wrapping her arms around him.
Tight.
"I won't do it again…"
Her voice—
soft.
Genuine.
Aarav stood still.
Not reacting immediately.
Then—
slowly—
his hand moved.
Resting on her back.
Pulling her closer.
"You always say that…"
"I mean it this time…"
A pause.
Then softly—
"Pakka…"
He exhaled.
Long.
Because he knew—
she wasn't careless.
Just… stubborn.
And his.
"Last warning," he murmured.
She nodded against his chest.
"Okay…"
Then—
very quietly—
"Punishment milegi?"
(Will I get punishment?)
That—
changed the air.
Aarav pulled back slightly.
Looking at her.
Eyes narrowing just a little.
"You want one?"
She smiled nervously.
"Maybe…"
A pause.
Then—
he leaned slightly closer.
"Mil jayegi."
(You'll get it.)
Her cheeks turned pink instantly.
Because now—
this wasn't just scolding.
It was something else.The room was quiet.
Too quiet.
Aarav stood there—
still looking at her.
Meher smiled nervously.
"Punishment…?" she whispered.
But this time—
Aarav didn't reply.
He just… watched her.
Intensely.
Something felt off.
"Aarav?"
A pause.
Then slowly—
he spoke.
"Tumhe sach jaana hai?"
(Do you want to know the truth?)
She frowned.
"Kaisa sach?"
(What truth?)
Silence.
Then—
he took a step back.
Creating distance.
Unusual.
"Jo kuch bhi hua…"
(Everything that happened…)
His eyes didn't leave hers.
"…kidnapping… attack… chase…"
A pause.
"…it wasn't just them."
Her heart skipped.
"Aarav… what are you saying…?"
His voice dropped.
"Someone from inside was helping them."
Shock.
"What?!"
Her mind raced.
"Kaun…?"
(Who?)
A long pause.
Then—
very slowly—
he said—
"Tum."
Silence.
Absolute silence.
Meher froze.
"…what?"
Her voice—
barely there.
Aarav's expression didn't change.
"Tumhe yaad nahi hai?"
(Don't you remember?)
She stepped back.
Confused.
Scared.
"Aarav… yeh kya—"
"Messages."
He took out his phone.
Showed her.
Her number.
Unknown chats.
Locations sent.
Her breathing stopped.
"Nahi… yeh… yeh maine nahi—"
"Tumne hi kiya."
(You did.)
Firm.
Final.
She shook her head violently.
"No… no Aarav… I would never—"
"Tumhe yaad nahi hai."
That line—
cut deep.
Her eyes filled instantly.
"Stop it…"
Her hands trembled.
"Please… stop…"
Aarav stepped closer.
This time—
not angry.
Something worse.
Certain.
"Doctor ne kya bola tha…"
(What did the doctor say…)
A pause.
"…shock ke baad memory gaps ho sakte hain."
(After trauma, there can be memory gaps.)
Her heart dropped.
Because suddenly—
things didn't feel right.
Fragments.
Moments she couldn't recall properly.
"Impossible…" she whispered.
But doubt—
had already entered.
"Tumne mujhe betray kiya…" Aarav said quietly.
(You betrayed me…)
That broke her.
"NO!"
Tears fell instantly.
"I didn't… I swear…"
Her voice cracked.
"I would never hurt you…"
Silence.
Then—
Aarav said something that changed everything.
"Tumhe use kiya gaya."
(You were used.)
She froze.
"…what?"
Aarav's expression softened slightly.
"Tumhe manipulate kiya gaya… without you realizing."
(You were manipulated…)
Her mind went blank.
"Kaun…?"
Aarav's jaw tightened.
"Wahi…"
The same enemy.
"But the difference is…"
A pause.
"Unhe andar ka raasta kisi ne diya."
(They got inside help.)
And that—
was her.
Unknowingly.
She collapsed slightly—
sitting down.
"I… I don't remember…"
Her voice—
shattered.
"I didn't know…"
Aarav looked at her.
Pain visible now.
Because this—
hurt him too.
"I know."
That line—
soft.
But heavy.
Because now—
this wasn't just about enemies.
It was about trust.
Broken.
Confused.
And dangerous.
Because if she was used once—
who says it won't happen again?The room didn't feel the same anymore.
Not after that truth.
Meher still sat there—
hands trembling slightly—
eyes unfocused.
"I didn't know…" she whispered again.
Aarav heard it.
But this time—
he didn't go to her.
That—
was the first change.
Usually—
he would've been beside her already.
Holding her.
Calming her.
But now—
he stood still.
A few steps away.
Not far.
But not close either.
"Aarav…"
Her voice broke.
He looked at her.
His eyes—
not angry.
Just… tired.
"I need some time," he said quietly.
That one sentence—
felt heavier than anything.
"Time…?"
She stood up slowly—
ignoring her weakness.
"You're… leaving?"
He shook his head.
"No."
A pause.
"Bas… thoda distance."
(Just… a little distance.)
Her heart sank.
"From me…?"
Silence.
That was the answer.
Her lips trembled.
"I said I didn't know…"
"I believe you."
Immediate.
No hesitation.
That should've comforted her.
But it didn't.
Because his next words—
hurt more.
"Par phir bhi hua."
(But it still happened.)
She stepped closer.
"Aarav please…"
He didn't move.
Didn't step back.
But didn't step forward either.
That space—
stayed.
"I need to think," he said.
His voice calm.
Too calm.
"About what?"
A pause.
"About everything."
That broke her.
Her eyes filled instantly.
"I'm still the same…"
"Pata hai."
(I know.)
Another pause.
"Par situation same nahi hai."
(But the situation isn't the same.)
Silence.
Heavy.
She reached for his hand.
Instinctively.
Like always.
But this time—
he didn't hold it back.
He didn't pull away either.
Just… didn't respond.
Her fingers slowly dropped.
That small moment—
hurt more than anything.
"Aap aise mat karo…"
(Don't do this…)
Her voice—
soft.
Broken.
"I'm not punishing you."
He said it quietly.
"I'm trying to understand."
She shook her head.
"This feels like punishment…"
A long silence.
Then—
he finally moved.
Walking past her.
Not touching.
Not stopping.
"Aarav…"
He paused.
But didn't turn.
"I'm still here," he said.
A pause.
"Bas… thoda kam."
(Just… a little less.)
And then—
he walked away.
The door closed softly behind him.
Meher stood there.
Frozen.
Because for the first time—
Aarav wasn't gone.
But he wasn't hers either.The house was quiet again.
But this time—
it wasn't peaceful.
It felt empty.
Meher sat by the window—
staring outside.
Not really seeing anything.
Her mind—
stuck on one thing.
"Bas… thoda distance."
Her fingers tightened slightly.
"You're still here… but not really…" she whispered.
Behind the wall—
in the next room—
Aarav stood.
Silent.
He could hear her.
Every word.
Every pause.
And it hurt.
But he didn't move.
Didn't go to her.
Instead—
he turned away.
His phone in his hand.
"Keep an eye on her," he said quietly.
"24/7."
A pause.
"No mistakes."
Call ended.
He looked toward the door again.
For a second—
he almost went.
Almost.
But then—
he stopped himself.
Because distance—
was the only way he could think clearly.
Even if it meant hurting her.
And himself.
Later—
Meher stood up slowly.
Trying to walk.
Still weak.
She took a few steps—
but lost balance slightly.
Before she could fall—
a hand caught her.
Firm.
Familiar.
Her heart skipped.
"Aarav…"
She looked up—
hope flashing instantly.
But he didn't meet her eyes.
Just helped her stand straight.
"Careful," he said.
Soft.
But distant.
The same voice—
but not the same warmth.
She held his arm slightly longer.
As if asking him—
without words.
"Stay…"
But he gently moved his hand away.
"Walk slowly," he added.
Still not looking at her.
"Aarav…"
A pause.
He stopped.
But didn't turn.
"Tum the na…"
(You were there, right…)
Silence.
Then quietly—
"Main hamesha hoon."
(I'm always there.)
Her breath hitched.
"Par dikhte kyun nahi…"
(Then why don't you show it…)
No answer.
Because he didn't have one.
Or maybe—
he didn't want to say it.
He walked away again.
Same distance.
Same silence.
That night—
Meher slept late.
Restless.
Turning again and again.
And at some point—
she woke up.
A strange feeling.
Like someone was there.
She looked around.
The room—
empty.
Or so she thought.
Because near the door—
in the dim light—
a shadow moved.
Aarav.
Standing there.
Watching.
Making sure she was okay.
Her breathing was steady again.
She was safe.
That was enough for him.
He turned to leave—
quietly.
But just before stepping out—
he looked back once more.
At her.
Sleeping.
Peacefully.
And for a second—
his expression softened.
Completely.
"Stupid…" he whispered.
But his voice—
full of care.
Then—
he left.
Without waking her.
Without letting her know—
that even in distance—
he never left.The silence didn't heal.
It only grew heavier.
Meher couldn't take it anymore.
Not the distance.
Not the silence.
Not him being there… but not hers.
She stood outside his room.
Her hand on the door.
Hesitating.
Then—
she pushed it open.
Aarav was inside.
Standing near the table.
Phone in his hand.
He looked up.
Saw her.
A pause.
"Rest karna chahiye tumhe," he said calmly.
(You should be resting.)
That tone.
Normal.
Too normal.
And that—
broke her.
"Bas?"
He frowned slightly.
"Kya?"
"Bas itna hi?"
(Is that all?)
Her voice—
shaking.
He didn't reply.
Because he didn't understand—
or maybe—
he didn't want to.
She stepped inside—
closing the door behind her.
"Aap mujhse baat kyun nahi kar rahe ho?"
(Why aren't you talking to me?)
"I am talking."
"No."
She shook her head.
"This is not talking."
Her eyes filled.
"Yeh… yeh distance hai…"
(This… this is distance…)
Aarav exhaled slowly.
"I told you—I need time."
"Kitna time?"
(How much time?)
Silence.
That silence—
answered everything.
Her tears fell.
"Aapko lagta hai maine aapko hurt kiya…"
(You think I hurt you…)
"I didn't say that."
"Par feel toh wahi ho raha hai!"
(But it feels like that!)
Her voice rose—
for the first time.
Raw.
Honest.
"I didn't do anything intentionally…"
"I know."
"Phir bhi aap aise behave kar rahe ho!"
(Still you're behaving like this!)
Aarav's jaw tightened.
"I'm trying to protect you."
"From me?"
That question—
hit hard.
Silence.
"Answer me, Aarav!"
He looked at her.
Finally.
Fully.
"Yes."
That one word—
broke everything.
Her breath hitched.
"…what?"
"If you were used once…"
His voice—
low.
"…it can happen again."
Her tears fell faster.
"So I'm dangerous now?"
"I didn't say that."
"You meant that!"
A pause.
Then—
very softly—
"I'm scared."
That wasn't her.
That was him.
And it changed everything.
Her anger faded slightly.
"You're scared… of me?"
He shook his head immediately.
"No."
A step closer.
"I'm scared for you."
A pause.
"And because of that… I can't think straight."
Silence.
Then—
she stepped closer too.
Closing that distance herself.
"Aap mujhe punish kar rahe ho…"
(You're punishing me…)
"I'm not."
"Ho."
(You are.)
Her voice softened—
but broke.
"Aap mujhe door kar rahe ho…"
(You're pushing me away…)
That—
hurt him.
Clearly.
He looked away.
Because he couldn't deny it.
She reached for his hand again.
This time—
not letting it fall.
"Look at me…"
He didn't.
"Aarav… look at me."
Slowly—
he did.
Her eyes—
red.
But steady.
"I'm still me."
A pause.
"Main wahi hoon…"
(I'm the same…)
Her grip tightened.
"Jo aapse pyaar karti hai…"
(The one who loves you…)
Silence.
That word—
love—
hung between them.
Heavy.
Real.
"Trust me…"
A whisper.
"Even if I forget everything…"
A tear slipped down.
"…I won't forget you."
That—
broke him.
Completely.
Because that wasn't logic.
That was her.
And he knew it.
Aarav stepped forward—
closing the distance finally.
His hand lifted—
holding her face.
This time—
not distant.
Not controlled.
Real.
"Tum mujhe tod deti ho…"
(You break me…)
She smiled through tears.
"Phir jod bhi lo…"
(Then fix yourself…)
A pause.
Then—
without thinking—
he pulled her into his arms.
Tight.
Desperate.
No distance.
No walls.
Just them.
"I hate this…" he whispered.
"Me too…"
She clung to him.
Because finally—
he wasn't far anymore.
.
.
.
.
Hope you like it 🌙 🧿