Serena’s perfume still lingered in the air long after she left.
Mira hated that.
It felt like a mark—like proof that the past never really leaves, it just learns better timing.
Aarav poured two glasses of water, his movements quiet, deliberate.
No words.
No explanations.
Just space.
Mira took the glass but didn’t drink.
“So,” she said finally, “this is what your enemies look like.”
Aarav leaned against the counter.
“She’s not just an enemy,” he said.
“She’s someone who knows where to strike.”
Mira nodded slowly.
“At people.”
“At feelings,” he corrected.
That landed heavier.
Mira walked toward him, stopping just short of touching distance.
“You don’t get to fight this alone,” she said.
“Not anymore.”
Aarav studied her face calm, tired, brave in a way that didn’t announce itself.
“You don’t even know what ‘this’ is yet,” he said.
“Then tell me,” she replied.
“No filters.
No half-truths.”
Aarav hesitated.
Then he spoke.
“Serena didn’t just marry me for love or power,” he said.
“She married me to own me.
And when she realized she couldn’t… she decided to destroy everything I built.”
Mira’s eyes narrowed.
“And now I’m part of that ‘everything.’”
“Yes.”
He didn’t soften it.
And she respected him for that.
Before Mira could respond, Aarav’s phone buzzed.
A message.
Unknown Number:
“Dinner tonight.
One hour.
Come alone if you want Mira safe.”
Mira saw his face change.
“Say it,” she said quietly.
He showed her the screen.
Her heartbeat thundered in her ears, but her voice stayed steady.
“She’s testing you.”
“And you,” he added.
Mira didn’t think long.
“Then we don’t give her what she wants,” she said.
Aarav raised an eyebrow.
“And what do you think she wants?”
Mira met his gaze, fearless.
“To scare me away.
To make me doubt you.”
She stepped closer.
“So let’s disappoint her.”
Aarav let out a breath he didn’t realize he’d been holding.
“You’re walking into a war zone,” he said.
Mira smiled small, sharp, sure.
“Then stop treating me like a weakness,” she said.
“I’m standing here as your choice.”
That word again.
Choice.
Aarav reached for her hand, squeezing once grounding, real.
“Stay alert tonight,” he said.
“Trust your instincts. And if anything feels off”
“I won’t freeze,” she finished.
“I promise.”
Outside, across the city, Serena sat in a dimly lit restaurant, wine untouched.
“He’ll come,” she said to herself.
“They always do.”
Her phone buzzed.
Unknown Number:
“We’re not playing by your rules anymore.”
Serena smiled slowly.
“Oh,” she murmured.
“This just got interesting.”
Aarav picked up his jacket, slipping it on slowly, like a man preparing for battle rather than dinner.
“This isn’t just about tonight,” he said, his voice steady but eyes sharp.
“Serena never does anything without a reason.”
Mira grabbed her bag, then paused.
“And neither do you,” she said.
“Which means you already have a plan.”
Aarav looked at her really looked.
“Yes,” he admitted.
“But plans change when emotions are involved.”
Mira took a step closer.
“Then let me be part of the plan,” she said.
“Not the problem.”
For a second, Aarav almost smiled.
Almost.
“If things go wrong,” he said quietly, “promise me you’ll walk away.”
Mira shook her head.
“No,” she replied.
“I promise I won’t disappear without a word.
That’s the only promise I can make.”
That answer scared him more than Serena ever could.
As they stepped out, the elevator doors closed behind them with a soft metallic click like sealing a decision that couldn’t be undone.
Somewhere across the city, Serena raised her glass at an empty table.
“To choices,” she whispered.
“And to the people who think they’re in control.”
The night waited.
And it was hungry.
Hey my lovely readers,
this is Aarushi Singh Rajput your Aaru 🫶
Chapter 11 is about power shifting quietly.
No screaming. No drama explosions.
Just people choosing whereband with whom they stand.
I’m still learning every day,
so please comment, review, and guide me.
Tell me honestly what you felt, what you loved,
and what you want more of.
Your words matter to me more than you know
1. Do you see Mira as brave now or dangerously confident?
2. Do you think Aarav is finally trusting someone… or risking everything again?
3.What do you think will happen at the dinner: manipulation, confrontation, or betrayal?
