Chapter 23
826 Words
A Love Tested by Fate
Ishaan sat in silence, his heart heavy as he watched Arohi quietly accept the gifts from Arjun. A lavish bouquet of her favorite flowers. A box filled with memories—things she used to love. A note that read:
"For the lost time together... I’m sending you all your favorites."
Ishaan’s hands clenched into fists. She wasn’t excited, but she didn’t reject them either. That silence cut him deeper than any words ever could.
That night, as they sat at the resort’s ballroom for dinner, Ishaan tried to act normal. But deep down, he knew—something had changed.
And then, it happened.
The music faded, and Arjun walked onto the stage.
The room stilled.
And in front of everyone, Arjun confessed.
“Arohi, I never stopped loving you. I tried to move on, but I couldn’t. I still love you… and I believe our love deserves a second chance.”
Arohi’s breath hitched. Ishaan’s stomach dropped.
Everything around him blurred. The clinking glasses, the whispers, the curious glances.
He turned to Arohi, hoping, praying that she would deny it. Say something. But she didn’t.
Instead, she stood up and ran out of the ballroom.
Arjun followed.
Ishaan saw red.
Not this time.
A Fight for Love
Ishaan stormed outside, his rage fueling every step.
And there they were—Arohi, crying, and Arjun, holding her shoulders.
Without thinking, Ishaan grabbed Arjun by the collar and shoved him backward.
“She’s my wife!” Ishaan roared. “Do you understand that? She’s MINE!”
Arjun stumbled but steadied himself. His jaw tightened.
“Ishaan, I—”
But Ishaan didn’t let him finish.
His fist connected with Arjun’s jaw, sending him to the ground.
Arohi gasped. “Ishaan, stop it!”
Arjun wiped his bleeding lip and got up, his eyes dark with anger.
“You don’t own her,” he spat. “I loved her before you even knew she existed.”
Ishaan lunged again, but this time, Arjun was ready. He ducked and landed a punch to Ishaan’s ribs, making him stagger back.
“You had no right to come back into her life,” Ishaan growled.
“And you have no right to force her to stay with you,” Arjun shot back. “Have you even asked her what she wants?”
That struck a nerve. Ishaan froze, his breathing ragged.
Arohi stepped between them, tears in her eyes.
“Enough!” she shouted. “This isn’t a competition!”
She turned to Ishaan, her voice trembling.
“You don’t get to make decisions for me.”
Then, she turned to Arjun, her heart breaking.
“And you… you can’t just walk back into my life and expect things to be the same.”
The pain in her eyes shattered them both.
Just as she was about to step back, Arjun suddenly winced, clutching his ribs.
Arohi’s eyes widened. “You’re hurt!”
“I’m fine,” Arjun muttered, but when he tried to stand straight, he stumbled.
Arohi rushed to him.
Ishaan watched in agony as his wife helped another man.
“Come on,” Arohi said. “You need to rest.”
She put Arjun’s arm around her shoulder and started walking him toward the resort.
Ishaan stood there, fists clenched, feeling like he had already lost.
A Heart in Conflict
Arohi helped Arjun to his room, forcing him to sit down. She grabbed the first-aid kit, her hands shaking.
She dabbed at his wound, avoiding his gaze.
“You shouldn’t have fought,” she murmured.
Arjun exhaled. “I had to. I can’t just stand back and watch you slip away from me again.”
Arohi’s hands stilled.
“Arohi,” Arjun whispered. “Tell me honestly… do you still love me?”
She closed her eyes, torn apart by emotions.
“I don’t know,” she admitted. “I don’t know what I feel anymore.”
Arjun swallowed hard. “I’ll be here, Arohi. Just think about it. I wish we could spend some time together.”
Arohi’s heart ached. She didn’t answer. She simply stood up and walked away.
The Breaking Point
When she returned to her room, Ishaan was waiting. His knuckles were bruised, his expression unreadable.
“Did you take care of him?” he asked bitterly.
Arohi sighed, exhausted. “Ishaan, don’t do this.”
“Don’t do what?” He let out a hollow laugh. “Not fight for my wife?”
Arohi’s eyes softened. “I never said I wanted to leave.”
Ishaan clenched his jaw. “But you didn’t say you wanted to stay, either.”
She looked down, unable to deny it.
Silence stretched between them.
After what felt like forever, she finally whispered, “Thank you… for helping me get my closure.”
Ishaan’s heart broke a little more.
They lay down in the same bed that night… but they felt miles apart.
- Writer
