Part 11: A Battle for Love
472 Words
Aarushi’s heart pounded as she locked eyes with Vivaan across the glittering ballroom. The world around them faded—the laughter, the music, the flashing cameras. For a moment, it was just them.
But then, reality crashed back.
Naina Malhotra—his supposed fiancée—appeared by his side, looping her arm through his. She smiled at the guests, but her eyes flickered toward Aarushi, as if she had noticed the silent war happening between them.
Vivaan stiffened but said nothing.
Aarushi’s fingers curled into fists. If he wanted to marry Naina, why was he looking at her like she was the only thing that mattered?
Meera (whispering): “Go talk to him.”
Aarushi (shaking her head): “It’s too late.”
Meera: “No, it’s only too late if you let it be.”
Aarushi hesitated for only a second before she turned toward the exit. If Vivaan had made his choice, she wasn’t going to humiliate herself by begging him to choose her.
But she didn’t get far.
Because suddenly, Vivaan’s voice echoed across the hall.
Vivaan (loudly): “This engagement is a lie.”
Gasps filled the room.
Aarushi’s feet froze.
Mr. Mehra stood up from his seat, his expression thunderous. “Vivaan! What nonsense is this?”
Vivaan stepped forward, pulling his hand away from Naina’s grasp. “I never agreed to this. My parents forced it on me.”
Naina’s smile turned icy. “Vivaan, darling, don’t create a scene.”
He ignored her. Instead, he turned to the one person who mattered.
Aarushi.
Vivaan (softly but firmly): “I love you, Aarushi.”
The room fell silent.
Vivaan: “I tried to do what my parents wanted, but I can’t. Because no amount of money, no amount of power, will ever mean more to me than you.”
Aarushi’s breath caught.
Mr. Mehra (furious): “Vivaan, if you walk away from this engagement, you will lose everything.”
Vivaan turned to his father, his expression calm. “Then so be it.”
More gasps. The Mehra heir, turning his back on his empire… for love?
Aarushi felt her eyes sting with tears.
Vivaan walked toward her, stopping only inches away.
Vivaan (softly): “Say the word, Aarushi. If you tell me to stay, I’ll stay. If you tell me to go… I’ll walk away forever.”
Aarushi stared at him, her heart hammering. This was it. Their moment.
And for the first time, she wasn’t scared anymore.
She reached for his hand, squeezing it tightly.
Aarushi (whispering): “Let’s go.”
Without another word, Vivaan took her hand and led her out of the grand ballroom, leaving behind gasps, stunned silence, and a world he no longer belonged to.
Because love—their love—was worth more than anything.
---
End of Part 11.
- Writer
