Chapter 3: Hidden Truth
Rima couldn’t sleep that night.
Arian’s words kept echoing in her mind—
“I was trying to protect you…”
Protect her from what?
She walked around her room, feeling restless.
Her heart was filled with questions, but no answers.
The next morning, Rima decided she couldn’t stay silent anymore.
She needed the truth.
She quickly got ready and went outside.
Her steps were fast, her mind even faster.
She knew where to find him.
Arian was standing near the same place where they first met—
that old roadside, now quiet and empty.
“Arian!” Rima called out.
He turned around, surprised.
“Rima… you came?”
“Yes,” she said firmly.
“Today, you’re going to tell me everything. No more secrets.”
Arian looked at her for a long moment.
Then he sighed.
“Alright… you deserve to know the truth.”
Rima’s heart started beating faster.
Arian slowly began,
“The day I left you… it wasn’t because I wanted to.”
“Then why?” Rima asked quickly.
Arian looked away.
“My family… they forced me.”
Rima frowned.
“Forced you? To leave me?”
He nodded.
“They found out about us. And they didn’t accept it.”
Rima felt hurt, but she stayed silent.
“They gave me a choice,” Arian continued,
“Either I leave you… or they would harm you.”
Rima’s eyes widened in shock.
“What…?”
“I couldn’t take that risk,” Arian said, his voice breaking.
“I couldn’t let anything happen to you.”
Rima’s anger slowly started fading, replaced by confusion and pain.
“So… you left me to protect me?” she asked softly.
Arian nodded.
“I thought if I disappeared… you would be safe.”
Tears filled Rima’s eyes.
“All this time… I thought you stopped loving me…” she said.
“I never did,” Arian replied immediately.
“Not even for a second.”
Silence fell between them again.
But this time, it felt different.
Rima looked at him, her heart torn between pain and love.
“Why didn’t you tell me the truth back then?” she asked.
Arian lowered his gaze.
“Because I was afraid… if you knew, you wouldn’t let me go.”
Rima couldn’t deny it.
He was right.
She took a deep breath.
“So what now?” she asked quietly.
Arian looked at her, hope in his eyes.
“I don’t know… but I don’t want to lose you again.”
Rima stayed silent.
Her heart was still confused.
But one thing was clear—
The truth had changed everything…
