The Twisted Knots

35.

"How could you, Tara?" he whispered, his tone filled with anguish and accusation. "How could you meet Shrestha when you knew she is against us?"

My mind spun with confusion and disbelief as Yash's accusation hung in the air like a heavy fog. How could he possibly know about my meeting with Shrestha? I had been careful to keep it a secret.

Yet here he was, standing before me with eyes filled with hurt and betrayal, his accusation cutting through me like a knife. I searched for answers, but they eluded me like shadows in the night.

"I didn't tell you about Shrestha," I stammered, my voice trembling with shock. "How did you find out?"

But Yash's expression remained unchanged, his gaze locked on mine with an intensity that sent shivers down my spine. "So, You did meet her. It doesn't matter how I found out," he replied, his voice laced with bitterness. "What matters is that you betrayed us."

His words struck me like a blow to the chest, leaving me reeling with the weight of his accusation. Betrayed? How could he think such a thing? I had only wanted to find answers, to uncover the truth hidden beneath layers of deceit.

But as I searched his eyes for any sign of understanding, all I found was anger and disappointment. The realization hit me like a ton of bricks – Yash believed I had betrayed him and his family, and nothing I could say would change his mind.

My heart pounded in my chest as I faced Yash, his eyes filled with a mixture of hurt and suspicion. I knew I had to defend myself, to make him understand that my intentions were pure.

"Yash, please," I pleaded, desperation creeping into my voice. "I only met Shrestha to help you with the case. I thought she might have information that could be useful."

Yash's expression remained guarded, his brow furrowed with skepticism. "And how exactly were you planning to help me by meeting with someone who is clearly against us?" he countered, his tone accusatory.

I swallowed hard, searching for the right words to explain myself. "I know she's not on our side," I admitted, my voice wavering slightly. "But sometimes, to get to the truth, we have to be willing to listen to all sides of the story."

Yash's skepticism seemed to deepen at my words, his gaze piercing through me as if searching for any hint of deception. "And did you find out anything useful?" he pressed, his voice tinged with suspicion.

I hesitated, unsure of how to answer. I knew I couldn't share it with Yash, not yet. The trust she had placed in me was a burden I couldn't bear to betray, even if it meant keeping secrets from the one person I trusted the most.

"Not... not exactly," I admitted reluctantly. "But I thought it was worth a try. I just wanted to help, Yash, I swear."

As Yash's grip tightened on my hand, I winced in pain, pleading with him to release me. But my words fell on deaf ears, and the pressure only intensified, sending waves of discomfort shooting up my arm.

Before I could protest further, Rajveer stepped in, his voice cutting through the tension like a knife. He demanded that Yash back off, his tone firm and commanding. With a swift motion, he freed my hand from Yash's grasp, positioning himself protectively in front of me.

I felt a rush of relief as Rajveer took charge, his presence offering a sense of security in the midst of chaos. He gently took my hand and began guiding me away from Yash, his touch a comforting anchor amidst the storm.

As we made our way towards Rajveer's car, I caught sight of Kalpana standing by the room, her expression one of concern. The sound of another object breaking inside the room only added to the turmoil swirling within me, and I struggled to contain the flood of emotions threatening to overwhelm me.

Closing my eyes, I let the tears flow freely, the weight of the situation bearing down on me like a heavy burden. But Rajveer was there, a steady presence by my side, offering solace and support in my moment of need.

When we finally stopped in front of his car, Rajveer turned to face me, his eyes soft with concern. With a gentle touch, he wiped away my tears, his gesture a silent reassurance that I wasn't alone in this.

"Everything will be okay, Tara," he murmured, his voice a soothing balm to my frayed nerves. "I'll take care of you."

Rajveer stood before me, his eyes filled with concern and his touch gentle against my skin, I couldn't help but be struck by his presence. His tall, commanding stature exuded confidence, while his chiseled features and piercing gaze held a certain allure that was hard to ignore.

I found myself admiring the way his dark hair fell in unruly waves across his forehead, framing his face in a way that accentuated his rugged good looks. His sharp jawline and angular cheekbones gave him an air of sophistication, while his warm, expressive eyes drew me in with their intensity.

As Rajveer opened the car door for me, I slid inside without questioning where we were headed. All I wanted was to escape the turmoil with Yash, to distance myself from the chaos that had erupted in my room. As we drove away, I couldn't help but feel a sense of relief wash over me, grateful that my family wasn't home to witness the scene.

Rajveer's reassuring touch brought me back to the present, his hands covering mine as if to offer comfort in the midst of my inner turmoil. But his words shattered the fragile peace that had settled over me, revealing a truth I hadn't been prepared to face.

"I'm sorry, Tara," Rajveer's voice was heavy with regret. "I was the one who told Yash about your meeting with Shrestha. I didn't realize he would react like that."

The realization hit me like a punch to the gut – Rajveer was not to be trusted. He had already proven himself capable of manipulation and deceit, first orchestrating my breakup with Kabir and now causing discord between Yash and me, his own brother.

Fear gripped me as I considered the possibility of being alone with Rajveer. What if he had ulterior motives? What if he planned to harm me, or worse, kidnap me? The thought sent shivers down my spine, and I couldn't shake the feeling of dread that settled over me like a suffocating blanket.

But as I glanced at Rajveer, his features softened with shock and confusion, I couldn't help but wonder if my fears were unfounded. Maybe, just maybe, there was more to him than met the eye. But deep down, I knew better than to let my guard down completely.

"Do you like me, Rajveer?" The words spilled from my lips before I could stop them, a sudden surge of courage propelling me forward.

The car came to a sudden stop, the screech of tires echoing in the silence. Rajveer turned to face me, his expression a mask of shock and disbelief. For a moment, neither of us spoke, the weight of my question hanging heavy in the air between us. And as I waited for his response, I couldn't shake the feeling that everything had changed in that instant.