THE SECRET FROM 5 YEARS AGO

Episode 3: The Secret from Five Years Ago

The sound of Arjun's car faded into the night.

Aisha remained standing in the corridor, staring at the mansion's entrance.

Questions filled her mind.

What could be so important that he left in such a hurry?

And what did he mean when he said that meeting her had ruined his life?

Before she could think further, a voice interrupted her.

"You should go to bed, child."

Aisha turned around.

Dadi Malhotra stood near the staircase, leaning lightly on her walking stick.

A warm smile rested on her face.

Aisha immediately felt comforted.

"Dadi."

The elderly woman gently patted her hand.

"Some answers reveal themselves with time."

Aisha frowned.

"What does that mean?"

Dadi's eyes sparkled knowingly.

"It means patience is sometimes better than curiosity."

Before Aisha could ask another question, Dadi changed the subject.

"Now go and sleep."

Reluctantly, Aisha nodded.

But sleep never came.

Meanwhile...

Across the city, Arjun's black car stopped outside a private hospital.

He stepped out and rushed inside.

His best friend, Rohit Verma, was already waiting.

"What happened?" Arjun demanded.

Rohit looked uneasy.

"She's awake."

Arjun froze.

For a moment, every emotion disappeared from his face.

Then came anger.

Fear.

And guilt.

Without another word, he walked toward a hospital room .

Inside, a young woman lay on the bed.

Her face was pale.

Machines beeped softly around her.

Slowly, she opened her eyes.

"Arjun..."

His jaw tightened.

The woman smiled weakly.

"You got married."

Arjun remained silent.

Her smile faded.

"So it's true."

A painful silence filled the room.

Finally, she spoke again.

"Does your wife know?"

Arjun's expression darkened.

"No."

"Will you ever tell her?"

His eyes hardened.

"No."

The woman closed her eyes.

"But she deserves the truth."

Arjun suddenly turned away.

"The truth destroyed enough lives already."

The next morning...

Aisha woke up after barely sleeping.

As she walked downstairs, she was surprised to find the dining hall filled with people.

The entire Malhotra family had gathered for breakfast.

For a brief moment, she felt hopeful.

Maybe today would be different.

Maybe things would improve.

Then she heard a familiar voice.

"Well, look who's here."

Riya Kapoor.

Aisha's mood instantly darkened.

Riya sat confidently beside Arjun's empty chair.

Almost as if it belonged to her.

Meera frowned.

"Riya, you're here early."

Riya smiled sweetly.

"I came to see Arjun."

The statement wasn't directed at Meera.

It was directed at Aisha.

A challenge.

A warning.

Aisha calmly took her seat.

She refused to react.

That only seemed to irritate Riya further.

Just then, the front door opened.

Arjun entered.

His eyes immediately found Aisha.

For a brief second, neither of them looked away.

Then Aisha noticed something strange.

He looked exhausted.

As if he hadn't slept all night.

As if he was carrying a burden too heavy to bear.

And for the first time...

She wondered if the man who hated her was suffering even more than she was.

But hidden inside Arjun's jacket pocket was a photograph.

A photograph taken five years ago.

A photograph containing a secret capable of destroying both their lives.

And someone had just stolen a copy of it.

To Be Continued...

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