When Rivals Fall

Chapter- 21 Confessions and Care

" Mein gehra tamas ,tu sunehra savera, main tera main tera
Musafir mein bhatka , tu mera basera
Main tera , mein tera
Tu jugnu chamakta ,Main jungle ghanera,
Main tera
~Kalank title track

Author's Pov

The anchor sets the rules: "Those who want to confess something have written it for another person, along with a song that represents their feelings. However, not all of them may be true confessions. If you think a confession is fake, you can call it out and earn a point."

Those who want to confess anything or any fake confession, or any funny thing , they wrote and all were given chits , so if didn't write anything, they submitted empty chits to the anchor , means all submitted the chits.

The room was filled with a mix of excitement and nervousness as the anchor picked up the first chit. Everyone fell silent, waiting to hear what was written. The anchor cleared his throat and began reading:

"Main tujhe hamesha chahunga, chahe tu mujhe na chahe zindagi bhar. Main tumhara tha, hoon, aur rahunga."
( "I will always love you, even if you never love me back for the rest of your life. I was yours, I am yours, and I will always remain yours." )

As soon as these words echoed through the room, a hush fell over the crowd. The depth of the confession was undeniable-it was raw, heartfelt, and carried the weight of unspoken love.

Then, the anchor revealed the song chosen by the confessor-"Main Tumhara."
( Tum na hue mere toh kya,
Mein tumhara, Mein Tumhara raha ,
Mere chanda , mein sitara raha )

A soft murmur spread among the guests, some exchanging glances, while others tried to guess who might have written it.

The girls discussed who could it be but none find the answer. Kashvi said , " kiskaa ho sakta hai ye"
( Whom could it be )

Vedika looking at anayra said , " yeh aarav to nhii hai"
( "This isn't Aarav, is it?" )

Anayra, who had been listening with a casual expression, scoffed, waving off the idea. "Aarav? Nhii dii, Woh din bhar mujhse ladta rehta hai. Yeh fake hai."
("Aarav? No, Di. He keeps fighting with me all day. This one's fake." )

Chelsi questioned her , " tu sure hai"
( Are you sure ?? )

Vedika studied her, but before she could say anything, Anayra added, "Aur waise bhi, main kisi se pyaar nahi kar sakti."
( "And anyway, I can't fall in love with anyone." )

Aarav, who had been staring at the floor the whole time, felt something inside him crack. Fake. That's what she thought of his feelings.

She didn't even consider the possibility.

He knew Anayra-her belief that she couldn't fall in love, her walls that she had built so high that even he couldn't reach them. But still, hearing her say it so easily, so carelessly, made his chest tighten with an ache he hadn't felt before.

He clenched his fists under the table, willing himself to keep his face neutral.

Ayaan, who had been quietly observing, saw the shift in his brother's expression-the way his jaw clenched, his fingers curled, the sudden stiffness in his posture.

Frowning, he nudged Aarav lightly. "Kya hua tujhe?"
( "What happened to you?" )

Aarav snapped out of his daze, shaking his head quickly. He forced a casual smile, though it didn't quite reach his eyes.

"Kuch nahi, bhaiya. Bas... washroom jaake aata hoon."
( "Nothing, Bhaiya. Just... I'll go to the washroom and come back." )

Without waiting for a response, he got up and hurried away, needing a moment to himself-away from Anayra, away from the words that had just torn through his heart.
Kaustubh tried to stop him by saying, " aarav sun to sahi" but he didn't.
( "Aarav listen .. )