🌈✨Time didn't stop.
Even if Aarohi wished it would.
Days turned into weeks.
Weeks into months.
And slowly…
the world moved on.
But Aarohi?
She just learned how to pretend.
She laughed when people joked.
Smiled in photos.
Focused on studies.
And avoided every place that reminded her of Meher.
The terrace.
The bench.
Even the road outside the campus gate.
Because memories weren't soft anymore.
They hurt.
"Are you okay?"
Aarohi looked up.
Her friend sat beside her, concern clear in her eyes.
"You've changed."
Aarohi smiled faintly.
"People do."
But deep inside—
she hadn't changed.
She had just… shut down.
💔 Meanwhile…
Meher hadn't moved on.
Not even a little.
She still looked for Aarohi in crowds.
Still paused near her classroom.
Still typed messages…
and deleted them.
"I told you this would happen."
Rhea's voice cut through the silence.
Meher didn't respond.
"You broke her," Rhea added, softer this time.
Meher clenched her fists.
"I saved her."
Rhea let out a quiet sigh.
"By destroying yourself?"
Meher laughed bitterly.
"You think I had a choice?"
Rhea didn't answer.
Because she knew the truth.
Meher's family wasn't just strict.
They were powerful.
Controlling.
And dangerous.
The warning that day—
wasn't empty.
"Stay away from her… or she'll pay the price."
So Meher chose distance.
Cruelty.
Coldness.
Because it was the only way Aarohi would hate her enough to move on.
💔 Back to Aarohi…
Aarohi stood in front of a mirror.
Dressed in something she never thought she'd wear.
Soft colors. Simple. Safe.
"You look nice," her mother said with a smile.
Aarohi nodded.
Nice.
Not beautiful.
Not happy.
Just… acceptable.
"Meet him once," her mother continued gently.
"He's a good person."
Aarohi didn't argue.
Didn't resist.
Didn't say no.
Because somewhere along the way—
she had stopped fighting for what she wanted.
And maybe…
this was easier.
💍 That Evening…
The café was quiet.
Warm lights. Soft music.
Aarohi sat across from a stranger.
Kind eyes. Calm voice.
Safe.
"I've heard a lot about you," he said with a small smile.
Aarohi nodded politely.
"Same."
They talked.
About simple things.
Safe things.
And for the first time in months—
Aarohi didn't feel pain.
But she didn't feel love either.
And maybe…
that was the point.
💔 Somewhere Else…
Meher stood outside the same café.
She didn't plan to come.
Didn't want to.
But when she heard—
that Aarohi was meeting someone…
She couldn't stay away.
Through the glass window—
she saw her.
Smiling.
Talking.
Moving on.
Meher's chest tightened.
Her breathing uneven.
"This is what you wanted," she whispered to herself.
But it didn't feel right.
Because for the first time—
Aarohi looked okay…
without her.
And that broke Meher more than anything else.