Tangled Hearts

Chapter 12 - The Distance Between Them

Rhea Malhotra glanced at the elegant silver watch wrapped around her wrist — the same one Aryan Mehra had gifted her just a few days ago. Ever since then, she had grown unusually punctual, checking the time as though it connected her to him somehow.

Sitting in the bright living room of their modern Los Angeles home, she tapped her fingers impatiently on the armrest. The golden California sunlight filtered through the large windows, painting the marble floor in soft warmth.

Just then, Aryan descended the staircase — crisp white shirt, jeans, and that casual confidence that always seemed to follow him. His eyes met hers for a moment, and a brief flicker of memory passed between them — her confession. “I think I love you.”

She had not brought it up since, nor asked for an answer. That unspoken space between them both relieved and confused him.

It was not that Aryan did not like her — he did, more than he could admit. But he had not yet come to terms with what he truly felt. Maybe it was his pride, or maybe that unyielding wall of control he always kept up around his emotions.

“You are ten minutes late,” Rhea said, her voice carrying a mix of mock irritation and playfulness as she held up her wrist.

“I’m not coming to college today,” Aryan replied casually, shoving his hands into his pockets.

“What? Why not?” Her tone instantly shifted from teasing to worry.

“Not just today,” he said, leaning against the railing. “This whole week. We have got a project assignment. I need to visit a few corporate offices to prepare financial reports. So, one week off from campus.”

Rhea’s face fell. “So... I’m going alone now?” Her voice was small, disappointed — almost childlike.

Aryan could not help the corner of his lips twitching upward. He tried hard to suppress his laughter; if he so much as chuckled, she would probably start a full-blown argument, and they would both be late.

“Not exactly,” he said. “I will drop you off in the morning, and the driver will pick you up in the evening.”

That made her feel a little better, though the thought of spending a week on campus without him made her chest tighten. She sighed but nodded quietly.

After breakfast, Aryan drove her to St. Martin's. As soon as they stepped out of the car, Aryan’s friends — Nitin and Dhruv — were already waiting near the parking lot.

“Man, we are free for a week!” Nitin exclaimed. “Feels like parole from this academic prison!”

“Yeah!” Dhruv added, grinning. “Finally some real fun instead of boring lectures.”

“As if you ever paid attention in class,” Aryan teased, earning laughter from both.

Even Rhea giggled, the sound light and unguarded. Aryan turned to her and said, “Stay near the parking lot after classes. The driver will be there.”

“Okay. Bye,” she said softly, her heart sinking a little.

Aryan watched her walk away until she disappeared around the corner of the building.

Dhruv, noticing the look in Aryan’s eyes, cleared his throat. “Hey, man… is there something you are not telling us?”

Aryan frowned. “What are you talking about?”

“Come on,” Nitin teased. “Do not tell us Rhea’s just a family friend. You treat her differently. You have never even let a girl sit that close to you.”

Aryan shot them both a glare. “Aren’t we getting late? Let’s go.”

They exchanged knowing smirks but did not push further. Aryan climbed into the driver’s seat, started the car, and the group drove off toward their first project destination — leaving behind a girl who already missed him more than she wanted to admit.

---

At College

Rhea walked through the St. Martin's campus with a strange emptiness clinging to her. Even though she had friends and classes to keep her busy, her mind kept drifting back to Aryan. Every hallway reminded her of him — the quick glances between lectures, the quiet moments in the cafeteria, the little arguments that always ended in laughter.

By lunchtime, she was seated in the canteen with her classmates — Rosy and Tina — but her eyes kept falling on the corner table where Aryan and his friends usually sat. The chair he always occupied looked painfully empty.

Sighing, she got up to grab her lunch. But as she turned around from the counter with a tray in hand, she bumped into someone.

“I’m so sorry!” Rhea blurted out, steadying herself.

The girl she bumped into crossed her arms and glared. She wore a fitted top and a short designer skirt — her long hair flowing freely, her expression dripping with arrogance.

“Do you want to kill me or what?” she snapped.

“It was just an accident,” Rhea said politely, her tone gentle.

But the truth was, the girl had intentionally stepped into her way. Of course, Rhea did not know that.

“So… you are Rhea, right?” the girl suddenly asked, her voice laced with feigned sweetness.

Rhea blinked, startled. “Yeah… do I know you?”

“Oh, not really,” the girl said with a smirk. “I just know your name because I happen to know him.” She paused dramatically before continuing. “Aryan Mehra.”

Rhea froze. Her heart skipped. “You… you know Aryan?” she asked hesitantly.

“I’m Monica Patel,” the girl said, brushing imaginary dust from her sleeve. “Aryan’s classmate. Or maybe… a bit more than that.”

Rhea’s eyes widened. More than a classmate? The words hit like a slap.

“Don’t you have project work too?” Rhea asked, trying to sound calm though her insides churned. What she really wanted to say was mind your own business.

Monica smirked. “I don’t do boring things like that. I have people to handle such stuff. My dad runs Patel Financial Group. We do not chase grades — we own the companies others dream of joining.”

Rhea clenched her jaw. Every word from Monica carried the kind of smugness that made her want to scream.

“You seem like a smart girl,” Monica said, stepping closer, her voice dropping low. “So take my advice — stay out of Aryan’s way. He deserves someone who matches his world.”

Rhea stood there, stunned and speechless. The cafeteria noise faded into a dull hum around her. Without another word, she turned and walked away, leaving her untouched lunch on the counter.

---

Later That Evening

By the time Rhea returned home, the weight of the day pressed heavily on her shoulders. First, Aryan was not there in college. Then came Monica Patel — arrogant, perfect, and disturbingly confident about her connection with him.

Feeling drained, Rhea climbed the steps toward her room, lost in thought. Just as she turned the corner, she collided hard with someone — solid, tall, and very familiar.

“Ouch!” she cried, clutching her forehead.

“Can’t you watch where you are going?” Aryan’s voice thundered in irritation.

“Well, maybe you should watch where you are going!” she shot back, rubbing her head.

“It’s pointless talking to you,” he muttered, exasperated, and walked past her into his room.

Rhea glared at his back as he disappeared behind the door. “Unbelievable,” she grumbled, storming off to her own room.

After a quick shower, her stomach growled, reminding her she had not eaten all day. She sighed, remembering why — Monica.

“Stupid classmate of a stupid guy,” she muttered under her breath, walking down the staircase distractedly.

Still lost in thought, she missed a step.

“Ahhh!” she screamed as her foot slipped. Her body tumbled down, hitting the stairs before landing painfully on the floor below.

“Rhea!” Sonia Mehra’s panicked voice echoed through the house as she came running from the kitchen, her face drained of color.

The watch on Rhea’s wrist — Aryan’s gift — glinted faintly in the light as she lay there, motionless, her pain and confusion blending into the blur of that terrible moment.