Chapter 25 The Truth Revealed
Kiyan's eyes were no longer burning. They had become like a frozen golden lake. Beneath that still surface a storm of emotions raged. Nayan's words hung in the air like particles of poisonous mist. It was not Aarav.
His mind raced back to that day. The scene outside the cave. Aarav's smile. Aarav's voice. The gleaming dagger in Aarav's hand. Every detail was carved into his memory like engravings on stone. But now Nayan's words had begun cracking that stone.
Nayan stepped forward. His breathing was steady now but the shock of that day still floated in his eyes.
Kiyan he began again weighing every word as if they were shards of glass. That day. Aarav was supposed to come and meet you yes. At the college gate when Karishma fell her leg was covered in blood. I told Aarav I will take Karishma to the hospital. You go do what you need to do.
Nayan glanced at Aarav who was still sitting against the wall his eyes fixed on the floor. Nayan pointed toward Aarav's clothes. Even after washing faint pink stains still remained.
But Aarav did not listen to me. Nayan's voice held a strange mixture of pride and pain. He lifted Karishma in his own arms. So gently. Like she was a delicate flower. His hands. They got soaked in Karishma's blood. He set her on his bike. He took off his own jacket and wrapped it around her wounded leg to stop the bleeding.
Aarav stared at his own palms as if he could still feel the warm sticky red on them. He closed his fists.
I went with Aarav. We took Karishma to the hospital Nayan said. The doctors bandaged her leg. It took hours. Then we brought her safely back to her house. After that we both went to our own homes.
Kiyan lifted his head slowly. His gaze settled on Aarav who had his eyes closed now lost in the memories of that day.
When Aarav spoke his voice was a distant exhausted whisper.
Yes. After dropping Karishma off I headed toward my home. He opened his eyes. The pain in them looked fresh. On the way a child had an accident. A scooter. A little boy.
His breathing quickened. He shook his head as if trying to chase the image away.
I stopped my bike immediately. There was so much blood on the road. People were gathering but no one was stepping forward. I picked up that boy. He was so light. I ran him straight to a small clinic nearby.
Aarav looked at his clothes as if the blood was still visible on them.
It was evening by the time I got out of there Kiyan. The doctors saved him. That boy is fine now. But his blood was all over my clothes. All over my hands. I was shaking. Because that accident happened right in front of my eyes. I went straight home. When I got there I sat down and covered my face with both hands. I tried to sleep. But sleep never came. That scene kept replaying in my head over and over.
Aarav looked directly at Kiyan now. There was nothing hidden in his eyes anymore. Only a raw open wound of pain.
I was at my house that night Kiyan. How could I have come to you. And how could I ever have hurt your mother.
A long strangled cry tried to escape Kiyan's throat but it only came out as a painful choked sob. His entire body went slack all at once as if the strength had been drained from his bones.
You are lying Kiyan said but the anger was gone from his voice now. It was a defeated broken plea. You must be lying.
No Kiyan. Aarav spoke softly and stepped forward. I am not lying.
Then what. Kiyan's voice turned sharp suddenly like a child trying to reject the truth. So what. Was that your ghost I saw out there. Yes. Your shadow.
Aarav shook his head. A bitter understanding settled on his face. No Kiyan. Not a ghost.
Then a spark flickered in Kiyan's eyes. A horrible impossible possibility. His mouth fell open.
Girgit Raj (the Chameleon King). He whispered the name. It slithered through the air like a venomous snake.
Aarav's breathing nearly stopped. Nayan's face went white. The air in the room froze solid.
Not Girgit Raj Nayan said but there was no conviction in his voice.
Why not. Kiyan's voice was a hollow echo now. He buried his head in his hands. This cannot be. No. But if Aarav was not there if Nayan saw him here. Then the one who attacked my mother. The one who betrayed me. Who was it. Someone who looks like Aarav. Sounds like him. Wears his clothes.
Kiyan lifted his head suddenly. His golden eyes were blazing now with a terrible clarity. The name of a centuries old enemy had risen to his lips.
Girgit Raj. He can change form. He can deceive. His voice sank into a dangerous calm. He took on Aarav's form to plant hatred between us. So that I would hate you. So that we would be torn apart. And he. He tried to kill my mother. Only because she was in his way. Because she knew he was a liar.
The truth was so heavy so venomous that Kiyan's knees buckled. He slid downward slowly as if his spine had snapped. His knees hit the floor with a dull audible sound.
He knelt there. His back was bent like a bow under an unbearable weight. He lowered his head. His shoulders began to tremble faintly.
Forgive me Aarav.
The voice was so quiet so shattered that the words seemed to dissolve into the air.
I misjudged you. All these days. I hurt you so much. You said nothing to me. You suffered my anger. And I. His voice broke off into a choking sob.
Aarav moved forward immediately. He knelt in front of Kiyan and lifted his face with both hands. Kiyan's eyes were closed. Two streams of silver tears flowed endlessly from beneath his lashes leaving glistening trails down his cheeks.
No Kiyan Aarav said. A firm gentle strength filled his voice. You did nothing wrong. There is no need to apologize.
He wiped Kiyan's tears away his thumbs brushing the shining trails from his skin.
All of this was Girgit Raj's game. His conspiracy. To break us apart. To weaken us.
Kiyan opened his eyes. The anger was gone now. What remained was a deep unbearable guilt that was dimming even his golden glow.
Aarav pulled him into his arms. A tight full embrace. Kiyan resisted for a moment then his entire body went slack. He rested his head against Aarav's shoulder. A long rasping sob escaped him shaking his whole frame.
Aarav stroked his back slowly with a steady calming rhythm.
Now we have to reach him Kiyan Aarav whispered near his ear. That Girgit Raj. And we have to learn the truth from Karishma. Why did she betray us. Was she also his pawn.
Nayan who had been watching this scene silently stepped forward. The shock was gone from his face now. A cold determined anger had taken its place.
She knew Nayan said. A new metallic bitterness laced his voice. That day when she fell. Maybe she fell on purpose. So that Aarav and I would be separated. So that Aarav would be alone. So that the path would be clear for Girgit Raj.
Kiyan pulled back gently from Aarav. His tears had stopped now. In his eyes which were clear and cold again a new resolve was stirring. The grief had been replaced by a quiet dangerous fury.
He took Aarav's hand in his own. Aarav's palm was warm. Kiyan's was cold. But this time there was no shock. No fear. Only a connection that had grown even stronger by pushing through betrayal and pain.
We will find him Kiyan said. His voice was solid as stone now. And we will make him pay for every drop of blood. For my mother. For every lie he planted between us.
Aarav squeezed his hand tight. Together.
Nayan looked at both of them. A small bitter smile touched his lips. Then it is decided. First step. Karishma. We will ask her whose side she is really on.
Their eyes met. The old doubts the old wounds were still fresh. But now they were bound together by a new shared purpose. An enemy who had not only attacked them but had taken their love and trust and turned those very things into weapons against them.
Outside the night was growing darker. But in that darkness now there were three connected shadows ready to chase down a truth that might break them apart once more. Or bind them together forever.
Now that Girgit Raj's conspiracy has been exposed the question remains. Whose side is Karishma really on. Is she a pawn trapped by circumstance or a willing betrayer. And Girgit Raj. Is he acting alone or operating under the shadow of Aagya Sangathan (the Aagya organization). Aarav Kiyan and Nayan are about to step into a web where every face is suspect and every friend is a potential enemy.
© 2026 Aaryaveda. All rights reserved.
Do not copy or repost without permission