Riya/Ariya FF: Aakhri Umeed {A/N on p.1 | Update 14}

⚠️ Statutory Warning ⚠️

This story is going to be an emotional rollercoaster 🎢. If you have a sensitive heart 💔, proceed with caution. There may be some trigger warnings 🚨, so please read at your own risk and pace.

Thank you and enjoy the ride! ✨

With love,

Saraf ❤️

1st Part

2nd Part

3rd Part

4th Part

5th Part

6th Part

7th Part

8th Part

9th Part

10th Part

11th Part

12th Part

13th Part

14th Part

Part 1

The clock ticked away softly in the corner of Riya Mukherjee’s apartment. The only sound piercing through the suffocating silence was the faint, rhythmic dripping of the kitchen faucet—a monotonous reminder of the hours slipping by. The golden hue of the setting sun barely made its way through the heavy curtains, painting slanted shadows on the beige walls. The apartment was neat—almost too neat. It was the kind of organized space that revealed how its inhabitant lived alone and clung to routine for survival.

Riya sat on the floor in the dimly lit living room, her back resting against the cold wall. Her long, slender fingers clutched a half-empty glass of water, but her knuckles were pale from the grip—as though holding on to the glass meant holding on to something far more precious. Her wide, doe-like eyes stared at nothing in particular. Empty. Hollow. The book she had attempted to read lay discarded by her side, its pages forgotten.

Her phone vibrated softly on the coffee table. She glanced at it, the name “Shree Calling” flashing on the screen. Her lips pressed together. Her throat tightened. She let it ring out.
She wasn’t ready. Not yet.

Instead, she squeezed her eyes shut, trying to drown out the voices in her head—the voices she had carried from her childhood.

“Tum hi ho is sab ke peeche!”
“Jahan tum ho, wahan problems khud chal kar aa jaati hain.”
“Parivaar ki izzat ka socha bhi hai kabhi?”
“Tumse zyada besharam ladki nahi dekhi maine.”

Her mother’s sharp voice echoed like a whip cracking against her skin. She clamped her hands over her ears, but the words wouldn’t stop. She heard her father’s disappointed sigh, her siblings’ sneering laughter, and the coldness in their voices.

“Tum jaise logon ko parivaar pe bojh ban kar rehna aata hai bas.”

Her breathing quickened. Her heart pounded against her chest. She squeezed her eyes tighter. Her fingers trembled against the glass.

She placed the glass down with deliberate slowness and reached for the drawer of the coffee table. Her hand faltered only for a second before pulling it open. There, tucked beneath a stack of old bills and receipts, lay a small, inconspicuous silver blade. Thin. Sharp. Cold.

Her trembling fingers traced the edge. The familiar burn in her throat returned—the same hollow ache she had once believed would never come back.

Her phone buzzed again.
“Rathore Sir Calling.”

Her eyes stung. A sudden tremor of reality rushed through her. She blinked, the tears making her vision blur. With shaky hands, she dropped the blade back into the drawer and slammed it shut. Her chest heaved with heavy, uneven breaths. She snatched her phone and pressed it against her ear.

“Riya?” Sameer Rathore’s voice, steady and calm, filled the line. Firm. Reliable. Familiar.

Her lips parted, but no words came out. Her throat was too tight.

“Riya?” he repeated, softer this time. The concern in his voice was unmistakable.

She clenched her jaw, forcing her voice to sound normal. “Haan, Sir?”

“Tum ghar pe ho na?”

Her eyes drifted to the drawer. “Haan... bas thodi thak gayi thi,” she whispered.

“Tum thik ho?”

His voice was firm, yet laced with worry—the kind she was unworthy of. She swallowed hard. Her hands trembled slightly as she brushed away the tears clinging to her lashes.

“Bilkul thik hoon, Sir.”

Sameer paused on the other end. The silence stretched. He knew. She could hear it in the sharp breath he released. He always knew.

“Office aa jao.” His voice was soft, but the authority was unmistakable. “Team tumhara intezaar kar rahi hai.”

She exhaled slowly, her shoulders slumping. “Jee, Sir.”

***

The hum of fluorescent lights overhead buzzed faintly as Riya walked into the ETF headquarters. Her heels clicked softly against the tiles, and her footsteps echoed in the empty corridor. She had changed into her usual work attire—slim-fitting black trousers, a dark navy shirt, and a sleek black blazer. Her makeup was minimal, just enough to cover the sleeplessness under her eyes. The only trace of her previous breakdown was the faint redness clinging stubbornly to her eyes.

She inhaled deeply before pushing open the glass door.

The moment she entered, Chotu’s eyes lit up. “Arre, dekho kaun aayi!” he called out with a grin.

Shree turned from his desk, flashing his signature mischievous smile. “Madam ne apni darshan dene ki kripa kardi!” he teased.

A soft, fleeting smile tugged at Riya’s lips. She loved these two more than she could ever express. They were her anchors—the ones who made the darkness bearable.

“Tum dono ke bina toh zindagi adhoori hai na,” she quipped lightly, forcing a playful tone.

Shree’s eyes narrowed, feigning suspicion. “Achanak itni zyada tareef?” He leaned closer. “Kahin tumne mera system hack toh nahi kar diya?”

Chotu chuckled. “Ya phir lunch order karne wali ho isliye?”

Riya let out a soft laugh, feeling the warmth of their banter seep into her bones. It was always like this—easy, light, safe.

Her gaze instinctively drifted toward Arjun Rawte’s cabin. The glass walls revealed him sitting behind his desk, his sharp eyes fixed on a case file. The faint frown on his face made her chest tighten. He looked up suddenly, as though sensing her gaze. Their eyes met. His eyes—dark, piercing, and unfathomable—held hers captive.

For a moment, her breath caught in her throat. His expression remained unreadable, but his eyes softened ever so slightly. Just enough to make her feel seen.

“Riya,” Sameer’s voice called out, breaking her trance.

She blinked and turned to find her mentor walking towards her. His sharp eyes scanned her face, and she knew he was silently cataloging every detail—the slight redness in her eyes, the forced smile, the way her hands kept fidgeting with the strap of her bag.

“Sir,” she greeted, straightening her posture.

“Baat karni hai tumse,” he said, his voice low. Without waiting for her response, he turned and headed toward his office.

Riya followed quietly, feeling Arjun’s gaze linger on her as she walked away.

***

The moment Sameer closed the door behind them, his expression shifted. His face softened, losing its usual commanding demeanor.

“Baitho,” he gestured toward the chair.

Riya shook her head slightly, keeping her arms folded across her chest. “Main thik hoon, Sir.”

Sameer studied her for a long moment before he spoke, his voice barely above a whisper. “Riya... kitni baar kaha hai tumse, mujhse jhoot mat bola karo.”

Her throat constricted. She lowered her gaze, unable to meet his eyes.

“Main thik hoon,” she repeated softly, but even she didn’t believe the words.

Sameer walked closer and placed his hands on her shoulders. His voice was gentle yet firm. “Tum akeli nahi ho, Riya.”

And just like that, the dam broke. Her shoulders sagged, and she squeezed her eyes shut. A small, broken sob escaped her throat. She felt Sameer’s arms wrap around her, steady and warm. Her fingers curled into fists, clutching his jacket.

For the first time in months, she allowed herself to cry in front of someone.

“Tumhare saath hum sab hain, Riya. Hamesha,” he murmured against her hair.

Her throat tightened painfully, but she didn’t pull away. For once, she let herself be held.

I have been der in dumps but I had my bro and bff to drag me out

Why is her fam like this ..what is the reason.. misogynist attitude???

Glad she has shree and chotu and sam

i wonder what riya did/accused of that her family hates her that much

rathore seems to know? or just knows shes sad.

i loved the vibe of the story, dark thoughts and lightness through the men around her.

update soon!

Why does riya's family hates her or is it her step mother and family?

i hate seeing her cry

i love how chotu and shree always being her anchors

loved it, continue soon

This story seems very sad

Lets see what unfolds next

Part 2

Riya sat in Sameer’s office for what felt like an eternity, but neither of them moved. She remained in his arms, trembling softly as he held her with steady, unyielding warmth. Her fingers curled into the fabric of his jacket, knuckles pale from the grip, as though letting go would shatter her completely. Her shallow, uneven breaths echoed in the otherwise silent room.

Sameer didn’t speak. He simply held her, his hand slowly running over her hair, grounding her with his presence. His eyes—usually sharp and unwavering—were clouded with concern. He had seen Riya exhausted before, even hurt on the field. But this? This was different. This was the kind of brokenness that festered silently, unseen by the world.

After several minutes, she slowly pulled back, wiping the back of her hand across her damp cheeks. She avoided his eyes, ashamed of her outburst.

“Sorry…” she whispered hoarsely, her voice cracking.

Sameer’s eyes narrowed slightly. “Phir se bola na toh daant khaogi.”

Her lips twitched faintly—half a smile, almost reluctant. She let out a shaky breath, glancing down at her trembling hands. Sameer caught her wrists, holding them gently but firmly, making her look at him.

“Tumhe kisi se baat karni chahiye, Riya,” he said softly. His voice was calm, but the plea in his eyes was unmistakable.

She shook her head instantly. “Therapist se baat karti hoon main…” Her voice trailed off, barely a whisper.

Sameer’s jaw clenched slightly. He knew she was holding back. Her vulnerability was raw, barely concealed behind forced smiles and false reassurances. She was slipping through the cracks, and he could see it.

“Kab tak khud se ladti rahogi?” he asked softly, his voice barely above a whisper.

She didn’t answer. She simply stared down at her hands, her fingers twisting around each other anxiously.

The knock at the door made her flinch slightly. Sameer glanced over his shoulder.

“Rathore?” Arjun’s voice was firm but low.

Sameer exhaled slowly, brushing his thumb lightly over Riya’s wrist before releasing her. Without another word, he walked to the door and pulled it open.

Arjun’s eyes immediately landed on Riya. His gaze narrowed slightly, scanning her face with unspoken intensity. Her eyes were red-rimmed, the faint smudges of her hastily wiped tears still visible. She kept her head lowered, seemingly shrinking into herself.

Arjun’s jaw tightened. His fists curled ever so slightly at his sides.

“Sab thik hai?” His voice was deceptively calm, but his eyes remained fixed on Riya.

Sameer met Arjun’s gaze and gave him a subtle nod. “Tum isse le jao. Thoda kaam hai mujhe.”

Riya’s head snapped up slightly, her eyes wide. She looked at Sameer almost pleadingly, but he simply gave her a small nod of reassurance. She knew better than to argue with him.

Without another word, she walked past Sameer and out of the office, feeling Arjun’s presence close behind her. His footsteps were heavy, steady, and deliberate. She didn’t have to look at him to know he was watching her every movement.

***

The ETF corridor was empty as they walked side by side. Neither of them spoke. The only sound was the faint click of Riya’s heels against the floor and the heavy footsteps of Arjun beside her. Her arms were folded protectively across her chest, her gaze fixed on the floor ahead.

When they reached the observation room, Arjun suddenly stopped walking. Without a word, he reached out and caught her wrist, halting her in her tracks.

Riya stiffened. Her eyes remained on the floor, refusing to look at him.

“Riya,” he said softly, his voice lower than usual. It wasn’t a command—it was a plea.

She didn’t respond. She kept her gaze locked on the ground, her chest tightening painfully.

He took a step closer, his grip gentle but firm. “Riya… mujhe mat hatao apni zindagi se.”

Her eyes snapped up. Her lips parted slightly, but no words came out. Her throat tightened painfully at the raw vulnerability in his voice. She had heard his anger before, his taunts, his sarcasm—but this was different. This was him unguarded.

“Tumhe lagta hai ki hum nahi dekhte?” His voice was low, rough with emotion. His eyes bored into hers with a fierce intensity. “Tumhe lagta hai ki tum akeli ho?”

Her breath caught.

Arjun’s fingers gently curled around her wrist, his thumb lightly brushing against her skin. The simple touch made her eyes sting with unshed tears.

“Tum mujhse door bhaag rahi ho, Riya.” His voice was barely above a whisper, but it carried the weight of every unspoken emotion.

Her lower lip quivered slightly, and she quickly turned her face away, blinking rapidly.

“Main thik hoon…” she choked out, the words cracking.

“Jhooth.” His voice was sharp.

Her eyes snapped back to his, wide with surprise.

“Tum thik nahi ho,” he stated bluntly, his voice low but firm. “Aur mujhe batao mat ki tum ho.”

Her eyes burned. She tried to pull away, but his grip tightened slightly—not enough to hurt, but enough to stop her from running.

“Koi poochta nahi na tumse? Ki tum kaisi ho?” His voice softened. “Lekin main pooch raha hoon.”

Her chest tightened painfully.

“Riya…” his voice cracked slightly as he leaned closer. His forehead almost brushed against hers. “Mujhe tumhari zarurat hai.”

Her breath hitched.

The tears she had been holding back spilled silently down her cheeks. Her body sagged slightly, her weight leaning into his hold. Without hesitation, he pulled her closer. His arms wrapped around her slender frame, holding her tightly against him.

She crumbled.

Her hands fisted against his chest, clutching the fabric of his jacket. Her body shook violently as she sobbed against him, releasing every bit of anguish she had kept bottled up. Her muffled cries were broken and uneven, her breaths coming in sharp gasps.

Arjun held her tighter, his large hands stroking her hair and running soothing circles over her back. His jaw clenched as he pressed his lips to the top of her head, closing his eyes against the ache in his chest.

“Ro lo khul kar, Riya,” he whispered softly. “Main hoon yahan. Hamesha.”

Her sobs only grew louder, but she clung to him desperately. She buried her face against his chest, her fingers trembling against his jacket. His arms remained locked around her, unwavering and firm.

After what felt like an eternity, her sobs began to soften into shallow, uneven breaths. Her body remained pressed against his, her fingers still curled into his jacket. She didn’t let go. Neither did he.

Arjun slowly pulled back just enough to look at her. His hand brushed her damp hair away from her face. Her eyes were swollen and red, her cheeks damp with tears. She looked so fragile, so heartbreakingly beautiful.

Without thinking, he cupped her face in his hands and pressed his lips softly against her forehead. His eyes lingered shut, his lips lingering against her skin longer than necessary.

“Tum akeli nahi ho, Riya,” he whispered hoarsely.

Her lips parted slightly, but she couldn’t speak. She simply stared at him, her eyes glistening with unshed tears.

For the first time in years, she felt safe.

Loved it . The bond riya shares with the team, the way rathore and arjun consoled her and let her cry on their shoulders

Uff Even though this was sensitive I can't ignore sooo tempting 🤣 btw Riya's pain well written 😭🤧

Intriguing ❤️ update soon 😁