CHAPTER TWENTY ONE : A TWIST IN THE TALE
“But what if it happens in real life?” Priya’s voice was a soft murmur, tinged with a vulnerability that she rarely let show. Her eyes darted away from Aryan, unable to meet his gaze as her heart pounded in her chest.
“And why do you think so?” he asked, his voice low and soothing, though laced with confusion. He searched her eyes, trying to decipher the source of her anxiety.
Priya hesitated, her mind racing. She thought, ‘Because there is such a secret of my life that you do not know, and I am afraid that after knowing it, you will not leave me’ But she couldn’t bring herself to say the words out loud. The fear of losing him, the man she loved more than anything, was too great. Instead, she stayed silent, her heart heavy with the secret she continued to keep.
Aryan took a deep breath, his own emotions churning as he tried to understand the source of her distress. He could feel the tension radiating from her, and it tore at his heart. “Riya Look, what do you think, what are you to me?” he began, his tone gentle yet firm, trying to reassure her “Have I ever said that I like you? Or I have a crush on you?” His eyes never left hers, searching for a reaction.
“No” Priya whispered, her voice barely audible as her heart sank further. The word hung in the air between them, heavy with the sorrow of her growing fears. Her mind latched onto that single syllable, dreading what he might say next.
Aryan, sensing her growing sadness, quickly completed his thought, his voice filled with a fierce sincerity that left no room for doubt. “Whenever I said, I only said that I love you. Which means I can’t live without you, So how can you even imagine that I would leave you?” His voice wavered slightly as he fought to keep his emotions in check, wanting to convey the depth of his feelings without overwhelming her.
Her heart skipped a beat at his words. She wanted to believe him, to let his reassurance wash away all her doubts, but the secret she harbored still loomed large in her mind. She bit her lower lip, hesitating for a moment before speaking again. “So promise me that even if I ever make a big mistake, you will not talk about leaving me,” she pleaded, her voice thick with emotion, her eyes wide and earnest as she looked up at him.
Aryan’s heart ached at the desperation in her voice. He reached out to gently cradle her face in his hands, his thumbs brushing away the tears that threatened to spill from her eyes. “I promise,” he said, his voice steady and filled with unwavering determination. He smiled softly, hoping to lift her spirits. “Now smile,” he added gently, his eyes shining with affection as he waited for her response.
Her lips curved into a hesitant smile, the warmth of his words seeping into her heart and easing some of her fears. She nodded slightly, her eyes glistening with unshed tears as she leaned into his touch, finding comfort in the familiarity of his embrace.
“Come here, give me a hug,” Aryan said softly, his voice filled with warmth as he opened his arms to her. She stepped forward, wrapping her arms around him tightly, her head resting against his chest as she drew strength from the steady rhythm of his heartbeat.
As they held each other, the world outside seemed to fade away, leaving only the two of them, cocooned in their shared warmth. The scent of his cologne filled her senses, grounding her at the moment and allowing her to momentarily forget her worries. For that brief instant, all her fears felt far away, and she could almost believe that everything would be okay.
After a moment, Aryan pulled back slightly, looking down at her with a playful glint in his eyes. “Would you like to eat some ice cream?” he asked, his tone light and teasing, as if trying to coax her back into a happier mood.
Priya nodded in response, her smile growing a little wider as she allowed herself to be led by his playful spirit. The heaviness in her heart began to lift, replaced by a tentative joy that she was only just beginning to trust again.
“Then let’s go” He said, his voice carrying a note of excitement as he started driving.
The bright neon lights of the ice cream parlor cast a cheerful glow over the small shop as Aryan and Priya walked inside. The smell of freshly made waffle cones mingled with the sweet scent of various ice cream flavors, creating a mouthwatering aroma that made Priya’s stomach growl softly.
The parlor was filled with the soft hum of conversation and the occasional burst of laughter, giving it a cozy, welcoming atmosphere. Aryan smiled as he glanced around, taking in the sight of families and couples enjoying their treats. They sat on the table, when the waiter came to them for the order, He turned to Priya, his eyes twinkling with mischief. “Order for me too,” he said.
Priya chuckled softly, her earlier worries momentarily forgotten as she looked over the menu. “Okay,” she replied with a grin, her eyes dancing with amusement as she considered her options. After a brief moment of deliberation, she looked up at the waiter and said, “Two mint choco, please.”
The waiter nodded, noting down the order before turning back to them with a smile. But before he could walk away, Aryan made a face, his expression one of playful disgust. “Mint choco?” he repeated, his voice laced with disbelief as he raised an eyebrow at her.
Priya giggled, unable to contain her amusement at his reaction. “Hmm,” she hummed in affirmation, a mischievous smile playing on her lips as she watched him squirm.
The waiter, sensing the playful banter between them, held back a chuckle as he waited for any further instructions. Aryan’s exaggerated expression of distaste made Priya laugh even harder, her earlier sadness now a distant memory. Just as the waiter was about to leave, she stopped him “Cancel mint Choco, and please give us two chocolate flavors,” she said, her voice warm and full of laughter.
The waiter nodded again, his smile widening as he walked away to prepare their order. Aryan, still recovering from the shock of her initial choice, turned to her with a questioning look. “Why did you change it?” he asked, a mixture of curiosity and relief in his tone.
Priya’s smile softened as she met his gaze, her eyes filled with affection. “Because I know you don’t like mint choco,” she replied simply, her voice tender as she watched his reaction.
Aryan blinked in surprise, touched by the thoughtfulness behind her words. “So why did you order it before?” he asked, his curiosity piqued.
She smile turned mischievous again as she leaned in closer, her eyes twinkling with mischief. “I just want to see your reaction,” she admitted with a playful laugh, her shoulders shaking with amusement.
He chuckled, shaking his head in mock disbelief. “Oh really?” he asked, his voice filled with affection as he reached out to ruffle her hair. “Well, how did you know I don’t like it?”
Her eyes sparkled with a secret knowledge as she answered. “Mom told me about it,” she said, her voice light and teasing as she watched him process her words.
“And what did she tell you about me?”
Priya giggled, her laughter light and carefree. “It’s our secret,” she said with a wink, her eyes dancing with mischief as she kept the mystery alive.
“Hmm secret”
“Hmm… secret,” Aryan repeated, his tone playful as he pretended to be deep in thought. “Yaa,” she replied with a grin, clearly enjoying their playful exchange.
The morning light filtered through the curtains, casting a warm glow over the bedroom as Priya stood in the bathroom, the sound of running water filling the air. She hummed softly to herself, lost in thought as she enjoyed the soothing warmth of the shower. Aryan sat on the bed, flipping through a magazine absentmindedly, his mind drifting to the events of the past week.
Suddenly, the shrill ring of Priya’s phone pierced the quiet morning, breaking the tranquility. Aryan glanced at the device, his brow furrowing slightly as he called out, “Riya, your phone is ringing”
“Who is it?” Priya’s voice echoed from the bathroom, slightly muffled by the sound of the water.
Aryan picked up her phone, squinting at the screen. “Soulmate?” he said, the name catching his attention as he looked at her in surprise. There was a moment of silence, and then, with a sudden urgency, Priya quickly turned off the shower and grabbed a bathrobe. She emerged from the bathroom, her wet hair clinging to her face as she hurried towards Aryan. But before she could reach him, he mischievously cut the call, a teasing smile on his lips. “Oops, you’re late, the call ended,” he said, holding the phone just out of her reach.
Priya’s eyes widened in panic, but she quickly masked it with a forced smile as she took the phone from his hand. “Btw, tell me one thing,” Aryan began, his tone casual but with a hint of curiosity. “I’m here, so who was that ‘Soulmate’?” He raised an eyebrow, a playful smirk on his lips as he teased her.
Priya’s heart raced as she tried to think of a believable explanation. She knew she had to tread carefully. “Someone you don’t know about,” she replied with a teasing tone, trying to divert his attention.
He playful demeanor didn’t waver, but there was a hint of jealousy in his eyes as he continued his line of questioning. “And who?” he asked, his tone still light but with an underlying edge.
Priya, sensing his growing curiosity, decided to keep up the playful banter. “My best friend,” she said with a mischievous grin, knowing exactly how to push his buttons.
He narrowed his eyes slightly, the jealousy now more evident in his voice. “Girl or boy?” he asked, his tone slightly more serious as he tried to gauge her reaction.
She couldn’t resist teasing him further. “What if I say it’s a boy?” she asked, her eyes sparkling with mischief as she watched his expression change.
His eyes widened, and he immediately leaned in closer, his voice tinged with mock seriousness. “Then I won’t leave him,” he said, his tone a mix of jealousy and protectiveness.
Priya laughed, unable to keep up the ruse any longer. “Relax Mr. Jealous. It’s a girl,” she said, her voice filled with affection as she reached out to pat his cheek.
Aryan let out a sigh of relief, though he still raised an eyebrow in suspicion. “Sure?” he asked, his tone still playful but with a hint of doubt as he looked at her closely.
“Hmm… Now, can I call her?” Priya asked, eager to change the subject and move on from their playful interrogation.
“Sure” Aryan said, handing her the phone. Priya quickly dialed the number, her heart still racing from the close call. She sat on the bed, waiting for the call to connect…
On call
“Hello,” Priya said softly, her voice still a little unsteady as she tried to catch her breath after the shower.
“Where are you busy?” Mini’s familiar, bubbly voice came through the phone, full of warmth and energy.
“Nothing… I was just taking a shower,” Priya replied casually, running a hand through her damp hair as she sat on the edge of the bed.
“Btw, bro—you were rocking in it!” Mini blurted out, her excitement spilling through the speaker.
“In what?” Priya asked, her brows knitting in confusion.
“What do you mean in what?” Mini laughed. “I’m talking about your series!”
“My series?” Priya repeated, blinking in surprise, completely lost.
Mini let out an exaggerated gasp. “Oh my God—don’t tell me you didn’t know that the first episode was released last night!”
“I really didn’t!” Priya said, her voice rising with disbelief. “I haven’t even talked to the director since the shoot ended!”
Mini laughed again, that bright, carefree sound that always made Priya smile. “Well, now you know! And let me tell you, you guys blew up overnight! People are going crazy for it—the starting itself has gone viral!”
“Really?” Priya asked softly, her eyes widening, a smile tugging at her lips as the news sank in.
“Yes! You’re trending, girl!” Mini squealed, her tone overflowing with pride.
Priya laughed, unable to contain her happiness. “Thank you so much for giving me such good news first thing in the morning!”
“There’s one more piece of good news,” Mini teased, her voice dipping into playful mystery.
Priya grinned, intrigued. “And what is it?”
“Guess where I am?” Mini asked.
Without hesitation, Priya replied, “Obviously in India—” but she stopped mid-sentence as something in Mini’s tone made her frown. “Wait… are you… in… Paris?” she asked slowly, her voice filled with disbelief.
“Yes, ma’am!” Mini said proudly, laughing.
“Really?!” Priya gasped, half smiling, half suspicious. “Wait… why do I feel like you’re kidding me right now?”
“Why would I joke about this?” Mini replied between giggles. “Anyway, I’m sending you my location—get here quickly! I can’t wait to see you anymore!”
Priya’s smile brightened instantly, her heart swelling with excitement. “Okay, okay, I’ll come!” she said eagerly.
Call ends.
As Priya ended the call, the excitement from Mini’s news still buzzing in her veins, she turned to find Aryan standing by the door, watching her with quiet curiosity. His brows were slightly furrowed, his hands tucked casually into his pockets.
“Where are you going?” he asked, his voice calm, but the subtle edge of concern in his tone didn’t go unnoticed.
“My friend Mini is in Paris, so I am going to meet her,” Priya replied quickly, unable to hide the spark of excitement in her voice as she walked toward the closet to grab her coat. Her movements were brisk, almost too eager—her mind already racing ahead to the reunion.
“Mini…” Aryan repeated, tilting his head thoughtfully. “Why do I feel like I have heard this name somewhere before?” he mused aloud, his tone casual but his eyes sharp with curiosity.
Priya froze for a split second, her heart skipping a beat. The air seemed to tighten between them. Damn it… why did I say her name? she thought, her mind scrambling for a way to cover up her slip.
Trying to sound natural, she turned with a small, controlled smile. “You may have heard, but it’s not necessary that it’s the same girl,” she said quickly, her tone just a touch too defensive.
Aryan raised an eyebrow, a faint smile tugging at the corner of his lips. “So when did I say that this is the same girl?” he teased lightly, but there was a flicker of suspicion in his gaze that made Priya’s pulse quicken.
“I thought so, that’s why I cleared your confusions,” she replied, her voice slightly rushed as she busied herself pretending to fix her hair in the mirror. She could feel his eyes still on her, weighing her words.
“Okay,” Aryan said finally, though the word came out slow, measured. He clearly wasn’t entirely convinced, but he let it go. “Now, I’m going. You also go carefully,” he added, stepping closer for a brief moment, his voice softening.
Just as he reached the doorway, he paused and turned back, a playful glint dancing in his eyes. “And yaa… come back before evening,” he said with a grin.
“Why?” Priya asked, caught off guard, blinking up at him.
“We will go out for dinner,” Aryan replied, the grin widening into a warm smile. There was something boyish and sweet in the way he said it—simple, yet it made her heart flutter.
“Okay,” Priya said, her voice gentler now, a smile blooming on her lips. The thought of dinner with him eased her earlier anxiety.
“Bye,” Aryan said as he turned to leave, giving her one last fond glance before walking out.
“Bye,” Priya replied softly, her smile lingering even after he was gone. For a few seconds, she stood there, her heart warm yet restless. Then, taking a deep breath, she quickly gathered her things—her phone, her bag, and her scarf—and hurried out, her pulse quickening with excitement as she left to meet Mini at the location she had sent.
The café was quaint and charming, nestled in a quiet corner of Paris. The air was filled with the rich aroma of freshly brewed coffee and the soft murmur of conversations in various languages. Priya walked inside, her heart pounding with excitement as she scanned the room for her friend.
Her eyes finally landed on Mini, who was sitting at a cozy table by the window, sipping on a cup of coffee as she waited. As soon as Mini spotted Priya, her face lit up with a radiant smile, and she stood up, her arms open wide. Priya rushed over, and they embraced tightly, the joy of reunion filling the air around them.
“Oh my love” Mini exclaimed, her voice filled with affection as she hugged Priya tightly, not wanting to let go.
“How are you?” Priya asked, pulling back slightly to look at her friend’s face. She was relieved to see Mini looking happy and healthy, her eyes sparkling with the same mischief that Priya had missed so much.
“I’m Fine” Mini replied with a grin, her eyes twinkling with happiness. “It’s good to see you,” she added as they sat down together.
“For me too,” Priya said, her voice soft as she took a moment to really look at her friend. It had been too long since they had last seen each other, and she couldn’t help but feel a deep sense of gratitude for this moment. As they chatted, catching up on each other’s lives, Priya suddenly felt a hand on her shoulder. She turned around, and as her eyes met the person standing behind her, she froze, her breath catching in her throat. It was someone she hadn’t expected to see.
❁𝐑𝐄𝐌𝐈𝐍𝐃𝐄𝐑❁
❀𝕴𝖋 𝖞𝖔𝖚 𝖑𝖎𝖐𝖊 𝖎𝖙!❀
♡ 𝙳𝚘𝚗’𝚝 𝚏𝚘𝚛𝚐𝚎𝚝 𝚝𝚘 𝙻𝚒𝚔𝚎, 𝚌𝚘𝚖𝚖𝚎𝚗𝚝 𝚊𝚗𝚍 𝚜𝚑𝚊𝚛𝚎 ♡
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