Hello wonderful people!

Here is another update. Read on and give me feedback!

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Third-Person POV

As Ritika clung to Satvik, her tears flowed freely, her vulnerability laid bare. She could feel the weight of her past crashing down on her, and in that moment, she needed someone to hold her up. Satvik, sensing the depth of her pain, held her even tighter, offering a haven for her heartache.

Ritika's sobs gradually subsided, and she looked up at Satvik with tear-filled eyes. "I've carried this pain for so long, Satvik. I've always felt like I was abandoned, like I wasn't enough. And now, even though I want to move on, it's like this darkness keeps following me."

Ritika's words cut deep into Satvik's heart, echoing his past pain. Looking into her tear-filled eyes, he felt an overwhelming urge to protect her from the darkness that threatened to consume her. At that moment, he saw his younger self reflected in her vulnerability, and it stirred memories he had long tried to bury.

Satvik's POV:

Seeing Ritika in such anguish, I couldn't help but feel a sharp pang of hurt. It was as if her pain was a mirror, reflecting my past, my shattered illusions. I remembered the day I discovered my father's betrayal, the day my world came crashing down around me. The pain had been excruciating and left an indelible mark on my soul.

In Ritika's tearful gaze, I saw the same confusion and the same betrayal that had once clouded my vision. I had fought so hard to overcome the shadows of my past, to rise above the pain and mistrust that my father's actions had sown. And now, as I held Ritika close, I couldn't bear to see her walk down a similar path of darkness.

I tightened my embrace around her, my fingers gently tracing patterns on her back. "Ritika," I whispered, my voice soft yet determined, "you are not alone in this. I understand the weight of your pain, the ache of feeling abandoned. But you are so much stronger than you realize."

She looked at me, her eyes searching mine for solace. I continued, my voice steady, "I know what it's like to carry the burden of betrayal, to question your worth because of someone else's choices. But you have the power to rewrite your story, to define your own worth."

Ritika's gaze held curiosity and hope, and I knew I had to share my struggles with her. I took a deep breath, my heart pounding in my chest. "Ritika, when I was young, I discovered that my father had cheated on my mother. It shattered our family, and I watched my mother's pain unfold before my eyes."

A tear trickled down Ritika's cheek, and I wiped it away gently with my thumb. "I vowed never to let myself be vulnerable again, to never believe in the sanctity of marriage. I built walls around my heart to shield myself from the pain. But meeting you... it's like those walls are slowly crumbling."

She listened intently, her grip on me tightening as if seeking reassurance that my words were real. "Satvik, I had no idea," she whispered, her voice laced with empathy.

I smiled faintly, my thumb brushing against her cheek. "I've kept this hidden for a long time, Ritika. But I've come to realize that our pasts don't have to define our futures. I don't want you to be trapped by the pain you've carried. I want to help you break free."

I gently brushed her tears away and held her face in his hands. "Ritika, you are enough, and you are not defined by your past. We all carry scars, but they don't have to define our future. I want you to know that I'm here for you, no matter what. And I want to share something with you, something I've never told anyone before."

I held her close, my heart swelling with a mix of emotions. At that moment, I knew that opening up to Ritika about my scars was the right choice. As I looked down at her, I made a silent promise to myself—to be the strength she needed, to help her navigate the labyrinth of her past, and to ensure that she never felt alone again.

End of POV

Ritika's POV

Satvik's words hung in the air, a fragile bridge connecting our shared pain. As he held me close, I felt a rush of emotions, a mingling of empathy and understanding I hadn't anticipated. His vulnerability reflected my own, and I found solace in the fact that he had chosen to reveal his hidden scars to me.

Tears welled in my eyes as I listened to his story, the echo of his father's betrayal resonating deeply within me. I wiped away the tear trickled down my cheek, a mixture of sadness and gratitude filling my heart. At that moment, I felt an unspoken bond with Satvik, a connection forged through the fires of our shared pasts.

As he brushed my tears away and held my face gently in his hands, I felt warmth. His touch was comforting and reassuring, a silent promise that I wasn't alone in this journey. His words echoed in my mind, a reminder that I was indeed enough, that my worth wasn't dictated by the pain I had endured.

"Satvik," I whispered, barely more than a breath, "thank you for being with me at this moment. It means more to me than you can imagine." Our eyes locked, and in that gaze, I saw the strength he had summoned to overcome his past, the same strength he believed I possessed.

His smile was a balm to my wounded soul, a glimmer of hope that danced amid the darkness. "Ritika, we can't change our pasts but can shape our futures. Together."

His words wrapped around me like a protective shield, and I found myself leaning into his touch and embrace as he murmured the last part. The weight of my pain didn't feel as heavy as before, knowing that I had someone who understood and cared.

As I rested against his chest, my heart beat in rhythm with his. At that moment, I made a silent promise to myself—to allow myself to heal, to let go of the chains that had held me back for far too long. Satvik's honesty sparked a glimmer of courage and a newfound determination to face my demons head-on.

And as we stood there, united by our shared vulnerabilities, I knew that our connection was something special, something worth nurturing. With Satvik by my side, I felt like I could finally confront the darkness that had haunted me, and together, we would emerge stronger, ready to embrace the uncertain future ahead.

End of POV

Third-Person POV

Soon Satvik and Ritika left the mall and returned to Satvik's apartment as Ritika could not go back to her PG. The stars above seemed to twinkle with a knowing glint as if the universe was conspiring to bring them closer. Satvik and Ritika sat on the balcony, the gentle breeze carrying the scent of blooming flowers. Their quiet conversation had gradually drifted into a comfortable silence, and the air was charged with palpable tension.

Ritika's heart raced as she stole glances at Satvik, her mind whirling with conflicting emotions. She had been carrying a secret, and sharing it with Satvik was not a bad decision. She was most vulnerable at that moment. All the wounds of her past were reopened not to hurt... they were opened to heal. The words tumbled around in her mind, dancing on the tip of her tongue, but the fear of vulnerability held her back.

Satvik, sensing her unease, turned to her with a gentle smile. "Ritika, you seem lost in thought. Is everything alright?"

She looked into his eyes, the depths of his gaze comforting yet intimidating. She took a deep breath, her voice barely more than a whisper. "Satvik, there's something I want to tell you. Something that I've been holding back."

His brow furrowed slightly, concern etching his features. "You can tell me anything, Ritika. You know that, right?"

Ritika nodded, her fingers nervously playing with the edge of her dress. She took a moment to gather her thoughts before finally blurting out, "Satvik, I... I have feelings for you." Satvik was utterly stunned, his initial shock becoming a whirlwind of emotions. His eyes held a blend of surprise, warmth, and a hint of fear. He had never imagined Ritika's confession would unravel this way, leaving him grappling with a tangle of feelings he had tried to suppress.

As Ritika stumbled over her words, her voice quivering and eyes glistening with unshed tears, Satvik's heart clenched in response. He could see the raw vulnerability in her expression, and it pained him to think that she believed her feelings might be met with rejection.

At that moment, Satvik's inner turmoil became painfully clear. He was torn between his undeniable connection with Ritika and the stark contrast in their personalities and lifestyles. He had always been the rugged, toughened individual who had built walls to shield himself from the world's blows, while Ritika exuded a gentleness and innocence that seemed almost fragile.

His mind raced, torn between his genuine affection for her and the fear of hurting her. As he looked into her eyes, his voice softening, he gently interrupted her faltering words, his own emotions a tumultuous sea beneath his composed exterior.

"Ritika," he began, his voice carrying a mixture of tenderness and uncertainty, "it's not that I don't feel... it's just that... I never expected this. And I'm trying to understand what it all means."

He reached out, his fingers brushing against hers in a reassuring gesture. "You are not just a passing thought, Ritika. I care about you deeply, but we come from different worlds, different ways of life. It's not about rejecting your feelings; it's about wanting to make sure we're both ready for whatever this might become."

Satvik's heartache was evident in his eyes as he continued, his gaze locked onto hers. "I don't want to hurt you, Ritika. But I also don't want to rush into something without considering all the complexities."

Ritika's eyes, mixed with disappointment and understanding, held his gaze. She nodded slowly, her voice softening as she tried to articulate her feelings. "I know, Satvik. I don't want either of us to get hurt either. It's just... these feelings, they've taken me by surprise too." "Ritika, I want you to know that your feelings are safe with me. I care about you deeply, and I've felt a connection between us that goes beyond friendship. But the truth is I don't believe in relationship. "

Satvik gave her a small, appreciative smile, his thumb gently caressing the back of her hand. "Let's take our time, Ritika. Let's go this journey together, step by step. And who knows, we can find a way to bridge the gap between our worlds."

As their fingers intertwined, the unspoken promise of patience and exploration hung in the air. Their distance felt smaller at that moment, and the future seemed to hint at hope and possibility. Their connection, though forged in the midst of uncertainty, had the potential to transcend their differences and lead them down a path neither of them had anticipated.

Ritika's thoughts raced, her heart torn between the desire to embrace this new chapter and the fear of the unknown. She opened her mouth to respond when suddenly, something caught her eye. Down on the street, she saw a familiar figure—a woman who resembled her mother.

Her heart skipped a beat as she watched the woman walk arm-in-arm with a man whose face was obscured by the shadows. The sight triggered a cascade of memories—her mother's absence and the pain she had carried for years. The mystery of her mother's actions and the man beside her now fueled a growing sense of unease.

"Ritika?" Satvik's voice pulled her back to the present, his concerned gaze searching hers. "Are you okay?"

She tore her eyes away from the scene below, her mind racing with a million thoughts. "Satvik, I... I think you are correct. We should take things slow."

Satvik's brow furrowed, clearly sensing her turmoil. "Ritika. Let's take time to think about the relationship not friendship. Just know that I'm here for you, no matter what."

As Ritika turned her gaze back to the street, her heart was heavy with a growing sense of mystery. The woman and the man disappeared into the distance, leaving a trail of unanswered questions. The allure of the unknown tugged at her, igniting a spark of curiosity that she couldn't ignore.

Little did she know, the path she was about to embark on would lead her down a rabbit hole of secrets, unearthing truths that would challenge her perceptions and reshape her understanding of love, trust, and the complexities of the human heart.

And so, as the sun dipped below the horizon, casting long shadows across the city, Ritika's journey into the enigmatic depths of her past had only just begun.

*****

Okay! It was a longggg update. 

Finally the unexpected way of confession! 

I don't know how the flow is going on as I literally started writing after ages but I promise to keep the momentum going, unveil the secrets lurking in the shadows, and guide our characters toward their destinies.  

Your support means the lot to me, and I can't wait to share the rest of this thrilling ride with you. So guys buckle up!!! We're in for a rollercoaster of emotions, revelations, and heart-stirring moments. Let's immerse ourselves in Satvik, Ritika, and the enthralling dynamics that weave our story together.

Your comments and feedback will help me know know your insights and theories which will add an excitement to the story.  So if you click click on Star to vote pleaseee!

Adios amigos signing off!! Will come back with the update ASAP!