Page 115 of Mrs. Rathore

Their eyes lit up, leaning forward like I was about to spill a national secret. Why do women love gossip so much?

“I just fell in love with him,” I said with a small shrug, forcing a smile. I cleared my throat. “Excuse me, I need some water.”

I turned away quickly, letting out a long breath. Their eyes lingered too long on my face so I could feel it. Maybe they’d sensed my discomfort. Why did I have to mess things up?

“Is Avni here?”

The sound of a familiar voice hit me like a bolt of electricity.

Ira?

I stopped walking and instinctively turned toward the hallway, peeking around the corner. She was standing there in an olive green uniform. But she wasn’t alone.

Aryan stood across from her, hands buried in his trouser pockets, his expression unreadable. My feet moved on their own, carrying me closer, silently, drawn by instinct and fear. If they’re planning a murder, I have every right to listen.

“I can’t believe you brought her here with you…” Ira’s voice was laced with bitterness as she jabbed a finger toward Aryan. “To live with. For six months.” She let out a dry laugh. “Are you kidding me, Aryan? Don’t tell me you’re giving her hope and pretending you’ll stay with her forever, like some perfect husband. Which you’re not.”

My heart pounded. So she was posted here. Why hadn’t Aryan told me that before? Why did he hide that from me?

Aryan’s voice was calm but firm. “I thought we were here to discuss other things. I don’t want to talk about Avni, Ira. And I assume you don’t either.”

She let out another mocking laugh. “No, I was just shocked when I saw you with her. I hope you’ll break her heart, Aryan. Will you? Is it the small revenge I can expect from you?”

“What break?” he said dryly. “We don’t love each other. There’s nothing to break. I’m just fulfilling my responsibilities. That’s all.”

We don’t love each other.

The words sliced through me.

I clenched my fists, nails digging into my palms. I turned away quickly, but walked right into something, no, someone.

“I’m so sor—” My words froze in my mouth.

I looked up.

A pair of hazel eyes, warm, familiar, and stunned, looked down at me.

The breath left my lungs.

He looked exactly like I remembered but a little different. He had short-cropped hair and wore an officer’s uniform. He had the same gentle gaze I had once known like a prayer.

I blinked, once. Twice. Just to be sure.

No. It couldn’t be.

But it was.

“Prashant?”

______

Chapter 46

AVNI

“Prashant!” I blurted out in pure shock, staring at the man who had always been with me since childhood until our families were torn apart. I could never forget those warm eyes or how he would hug me protectively whenever I felt low. He was always there, no matter what. For a while, I had even thought I would marry him. But then, he vanished from my life, and I forced myself to move on.

“Avni,” he whispered in disbelief, stepping back slightly as his gaze swept down the length of my body. My cheeks flushed under his intense eyes.