The Blood That Was Not Mine
Chapter- 3
A quiet street near the Mehra Mansion – Night
The streets are dimly lit, the distant sounds of the party replaced by the chirping of crickets. Aira walks fast, her heels clicking against the pavement, but her breathing is ragged. She’s hugging herself tightly, as if trying to hold in the pieces of her breaking heart.
Her mind replays the words again and again
Aira Mehra ( Fl)
(the man standing beside you isn’t your real father.)
Each repetition feels like another crack in her chest.
Aira Mehra ( Fl)
(whispering to herself)
Why… why today? Why in front of everyone?
A car slows down beside her. The headlights briefly blind her before it stops. The door opens and Riaan Malhotra steps out, still in his black suit from the party, his expression unreadable.
Riaan Malhotra ( Ml)
(calmly)
You plan on walking until morning?
Aira Mehra ( Fl)
(turning away, voice trembling)
Go home, Riaan.
Riaan Malhotra ( Ml)
(walking toward her, hands in pockets)
No.
Aira Mehra ( Fl)
(snapping)
I don’t need your pity—
Riaan Malhotra ( Ml)
(cutting her off)
This isn’t pity. It’s common sense. You’re out here, alone, in the dark, with no idea who’s around. That’s not happening.
She tries to step around him, but he moves, blocking her path — not aggressively, but like a wall she can’t bypass. His eyes hold steady on hers, and for the first time tonight, there’s no crowd, no whispers — just the two of them.
Aira Mehra ( Fl)
(weakly)
Everything… everything I knew about my life… was a lie.
Riaan Malhotra ( Ml)
(quietly)
That’s not true.
Aira Mehra ( Fl)
(bitter laugh)
You heard him. You saw their faces. Papa couldn’t even deny it.
Riaan Malhotra ( Ml)
(soft but firm)
Even if the truth isn’t what you thought… it doesn’t erase eighteen years of love. Karan Mehra raised you. That matters.
Her lip trembles, and she looks away, not wanting him to see the tears spilling down her cheeks. But he notices anyway.
Without saying a word, Riaan shrugs off his suit jacket and drapes it over her shoulders.
Aira Mehra ( Fl)
(startled, clutching the jacket)
I’m not cold.
Riaan Malhotra ( Ml)
I didn’t say you were. But you’re shaking
They stand there for a moment, the night air heavy with unspoken things. Finally, she exhales shakily.
Aira Mehra ( Fl)
I hate that they kept this from me.
Riaan Malhotra ( Ml)
Then be angry. Scream. Break something. But don’t run away alone and make it easier for the world to hurt you.
Aira Mehra ( Fl)
(looking at him through wet lashes)
Why do you care so much?
Riaan Malhotra ( Ml)
(holding her gaze, voice steady)
Because someone should.
For the first time tonight, she doesn’t have the strength to argue. She lets him lead her toward the car.
Riaan Malhotra ( Ml)
(opening the passenger door)
You can go back and face them… or I can take you somewhere quiet. Your call.
Aira hesitates, glancing toward the distant mansion lights, then back at him. The weight of betrayal is still there, but right now, the thought of going back to that crowd feels unbearable.
Aira Mehra ( Fl)
(quietly):
Somewhere quiet
He nods once, no questions asked, and drives into the night — the beginning of a bond neither of them expected.
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