Chapter 59 — You Are My Present

Arnav had dropped Rishi at school and returned to Qureshi Industries.

He was sitting in his cabin, going through some documents when there was a knock.

Before he could respond, the door opened.

Ritika walked in.

Arnav looked up.

Arnav: Ritu—

She walked straight toward him.

Slap.

Arnav froze.

Ritika's eyes were filled with tears, but her voice was firm.

Ritika: How dare you tell me those words, Arnav?

Arnav stared at her.

Arnav: Ritu, leave.

Ritika: No.

She stood in front of his desk.

Ritika: You will listen.

Arnav remained silent.

Ritika: I am going to talk, and today you are going to hear everything.

She took a deep breath.

Ritika: Yes, I did fall in love with Pavan at IIT Delhi.

Arnav's expression remained still.

Ritika: We met there. We studied there. We fell in love there.

Her voice softened.

Ritika: Even after I married Pavan, I continued working.

She paused.

Ritika: Then Rishi was born.

Her eyes became emotional.

Ritika: I quit my job because I didn't want to miss his childhood.

She looked directly at Arnav.

Ritika: Pavan is my past, Arnav.

She placed her hand over her heart.

Ritika: And you are my present.

Arnav's expression changed slightly.

Ritika: I accepted this marriage wholeheartedly.

Her voice trembled.

Ritika: I accepted you as my husband.

She wiped her tears.

Ritika: I didn't marry you because I wanted to forget Pavan.

Ritika: I married you because I wanted to move forward with you.

Arnav looked down.

Ritika: When you asked me whether I wanted to go back to IIT Delhi because I still loved him...

Her voice broke.

Ritika: I was hurt.

Ritika: I didn't know what to say.

She shook her head.

Ritika: And then you said you regretted falling in love with me.

She stared at him.

Ritika: How dare you say that?

Arnav finally looked at her.

Ritika: Do you know how much those words hurt?

He remained silent.

Ritika: You told me I was your first and last choice.

Her eyes filled with tears.

Ritika: You told me there was no second thought.

She took a shaky breath.

Ritika: And then one question made you doubt everything?

Arnav lowered his eyes.

Ritika: Listen to me carefully.

She stepped closer.

Ritika: I love you.

Arnav looked at her.

Ritika: You are my present, Arnav.

Her voice became softer.

Ritika: I look forward to spending my life with you.

Ritika: I look forward to waking up beside you.

Ritika: I look forward to seeing you with Rishi.

A tear rolled down her cheek.

Ritika: Pavan will always be a memory.

She paused.

Ritika: A good memory.

Ritika: He was part of my life, and I will never deny that.

She looked straight into Arnav's eyes.

Ritika: But I am not living there anymore.

Ritika: I am here.

She touched his chest gently.

Ritika: With you.

Ritika: I chose you, Arnav.

Her voice trembled.

Ritika: So don't punish me for having a past.

Arnav stared at her, completely silent.

Ritika: And don't ever tell me again that you regret falling in love with me.

She wiped her tears.

Ritika: Because I love you.

The room fell completely silent.

For the first time, Arnav had no argument left.

He only had the truth standing in front of him.