Morning light slipped quietly into the room.
Soft.
Warm.
But something felt… off.
Aarav opened his eyes slowly.
And the first thing he noticed—
Meher wasn't beside him.
He frowned slightly—
then turned.
She was there.
Curled up.
Holding her stomach.
Her face pale.
"Areh…" he sat up instantly.
"Meher?"
She didn't respond immediately.
Just shifted slightly.
"Aarav…" she whispered weakly.
He moved closer instantly.
"What happened?"
(What's wrong?)
She hesitated.
Then said softly—
"Mera… cycle start ho gaya."
(My period started.)
Aarav froze for a second.
Processing.
Then—
without saying anything—
he pulled her into a hug.
Gently.
Carefully.
"I'm here," he murmured.
"Don't worry."
She leaned into him—
but her body still felt tense.
Uncomfortable.
Without another word—
he lifted her in his arms.
Careful.
Like she might break.
"Aarav—" she whispered.
"Shh," he said softly.
And carried her to the bed properly—
making her lie down comfortably.
Adjusting the pillow.
Pulling the blanket over her.
Everything done quietly.
But then—
she started crying.
Soft at first.
Then harder.
Aarav froze.
Completely confused.
"Meher?" he said.
"What happened?"
No answer.
Just tears.
"Pain zyada hai?"
(Is the pain too much?)
She shook her head.
Still crying.
"Medicine?" he asked quickly.
"No…"
"Then what?"
Silence.
More tears.
Aarav ran his hand through his hair—
clearly lost.
"Tum ro kyun rahi ho?"
(Why are you crying?)
"I don't know…" she said between tears.
That confused him even more.
"How do you not know?!"
She cried harder.
"Aarav!" she said, almost frustrated.
"I just feel like crying!"
He blinked.
"What?"
"It's mood swings!" she finally said.
Still teary.
Still upset.
Silence.
Aarav stared at her for a second.
Then—
something clicked.
"Oh…"
He exhaled slowly.
Then moved closer again.
"Okay," he said softly.
"Then cry."
She sniffed slightly—
looking at him.
"What?"
"Cry," he repeated gently.
"I'm here."
That was enough.
She leaned into him again—
hugging him tightly.
And cried.
Freely.
This time—
Aarav didn't try to stop her.
Didn't ask questions.
Didn't try to fix it.
He just held her.
One hand on her back.
The other in her hair.
Gently soothing.
"Pagal ho tum…" he murmured softly.
(You're crazy…)
She hit his chest lightly.
"Shut up…"
He smiled faintly.
"Still crying though."
She glared weakly—
but didn't move away.
After a while—
her tears slowed.
Her breathing steadied.
Aarav adjusted her position—
making her lie comfortably against him.
"Better?" he asked quietly.
She nodded slightly.
"Hm."
A pause.
Then she whispered—
"Don't go anywhere…"
That line—
made his hold tighten slightly.
"Main yahin hoon," he said softly.
(I'm right here.)
And for the rest of the morning—
he stayed.
Not leaving.
Not moving much.
Because this time—
it wasn't about being strong.
Or protective.
It was about being there.
Even when he didn't understand everything.
And that—
was enough for her.The room stayed quiet.
Meher rested against him—
her breathing finally calmer.
But Aarav?
He wasn't relaxed.
Not at all.
Because seeing her like this—
weak.
uncomfortable.
it didn't sit right with him.
After a few minutes—
he gently shifted.
"Wait here," he said softly.
She frowned slightly.
"Kahan ja rahe ho?"
(Where are you going?)
"Bas aa raha hoon."
(I'll be back.)
She held his hand instinctively.
"Jaldi aana…"
(Come quickly…)
He nodded—
and left.
Five minutes later—
he came back.
With… too many things.
A heating pad.
Warm water.
Some snacks.
Medicine.
And something sweet.
Meher blinked.
"Aarav… yeh sab?"
He ignored the question—
placing everything neatly beside her.
"Idhar aao," he said.
She slowly adjusted herself.
Still weak.
Still tired.
He helped her lie down properly—
then carefully placed the heating pad on her stomach.
"Yeh help karega," he said.
(This will help.)
She looked at him—
softly.
"Tumhe kaise pata?"
He paused.
Then said casually—
"Google."
She stared at him—
then suddenly laughed.
A small laugh.
But real.
"Tum serious ho?" she said.
"Very," he replied.
"Research kiya hai maine."
She shook her head—
smiling faintly.
"Pagal…"
Aarav sat beside her again—
watching closely.
"Pain kam hua?" he asked.
"Thoda…"
"Thoda enough nahi hota."
('A little' isn't enough.)
He adjusted the blanket again—
making sure she was comfortable.
Then—
without asking—
he gently took her hand.
Holding it.
Silence.
But not awkward.
Just… soft.
After a moment—
he picked up the chocolate he brought.
"Yeh lo."
She raised an eyebrow.
"Bribery?"
"Treatment."
She smiled slightly—
taking it.
As she ate slowly—
Aarav watched her.
Not in his usual intense way.
But quietly.
Carefully.
"Tum aise kyun dekh rahe ho?" she asked.
"Check kar raha hoon."
"Kya?"
"Ki tum theek ho ya nahi."
She rolled her eyes slightly.
"I'm fine."
"Not convinced."
She shifted slightly—
then winced.
"Aah…"
Aarav leaned forward instantly.
"Kya hua?"
"Nothing…"
"Meher."
She sighed.
"Pain hai thoda…"
That was enough.
He moved closer—
and gently placed his hand over hers—
right above the heating pad.
Not pressing.
Just there.
Warm.
Comforting.
"Ab?" he asked softly.
She looked at him—
surprised.
"Better…"
He nodded.
Satisfied.
A few minutes later—
she slowly leaned toward him again.
Resting her head on his lap this time.
Without asking.
Aarav froze for a second.
Then—
his hand moved automatically to her hair.
Running his fingers gently through it.
Slow.
Careful.
"Sleep," he murmured.
She nodded slightly—
eyes already closing.
"Don't go…" she whispered again.
Aarav's fingers paused for a second—
then continued.
"I'm not going anywhere," he said softly.
And this time—
he meant it in the simplest way.
Not as a promise.
Not as a vow.
Just… as truth.
Hours passed.
And he didn't move.
Not even once.
Even when his arm got slightly numb.
Even when he could have rested.
Because right now—
she needed him.
And Aarav—
was learning something new.
Love wasn't always intense.
Or dangerous.
Sometimes—
it was this.
Sitting still.
Holding someone's hand.
And making sure—
they felt okay.The afternoon passed quietly.
Meher had slept for hours—
her head still resting on Aarav's lap.
And he?
He hadn't moved.
Not even once.
But slowly—
she stirred.
Her eyes opened lazily.
"Aarav…" she murmured.
"Hm?" he responded instantly.
She blinked—
then realized where she was.
"Tum yahin the?"
(You were here the whole time?)
He raised an eyebrow.
"Kahin aur jaana tha kya?"
(Was I supposed to go somewhere else?)
She smiled faintly.
"Pagal…"
"Tumhari wajah se."
She sat up slowly this time—
feeling much better.
Not perfect—
but better.
Aarav noticed instantly.
"Pain?" he asked.
"Kam hai."
(Less.)
He nodded.
Finally relaxing a little.
But then—
her eyes changed.
That familiar sparkle returned.
And Aarav noticed.
Immediately.
"Yeh look mujhe pasand nahi aa raha," he said.
She smiled mischievously.
"Kyuuun?"
"Because tum kuch planning kar rahi ho."
(You're planning something.)
She gasped dramatically.
"Main? Never!"
"Liar."
Before he could react—
she suddenly grabbed a pillow—
and hit him lightly.
"Aye!" Aarav reacted.
"What was that?!"
"Revenge," she said proudly.
"For earlier."
He narrowed his eyes.
"Oh… toh ab tum revenge logi?"
She nodded confidently.
"Yes."
Big mistake.
Before she could move again—
Aarav grabbed her wrist—
pulling her slightly closer.
Not rough.
But fast.
"Ab batao," he said,
"…kitna revenge lena hai?"
Her confidence dropped instantly.
"Uh… thoda sa…"
He smirked.
"Late ho gaya."
She tried to pull away—
but he didn't let go.
"Aarav…" she warned.
"Hm?"
"Leave me."
"Why?"
"Because I said so."
"Not convincing."
She huffed—
then suddenly tried a different tactic.
"Main abhi bhi weak hoon…" she said softly.
(I'm still weak…)
Aarav paused.
For a second.
And in that one second—
she slipped away.
Running toward the other side of the room.
Laughing.
"Aye!" he stood up instantly.
"Cheating!"
She turned—
walking backward.
"Smart move."
He shook his head—
smiling.
"Tum theek ho gayi ho na?"
(You're fine now, right?)
She nodded proudly.
"Bilkul."
"Good."
A pause.
Then—
"Ab main apna revenge le sakta hoon."
Her smile dropped.
"Aarav—"
Too late.
He walked toward her slowly.
Not rushing.
Enjoying it.
She stepped back.
One step.
Two.
Until—
she hit the wall.
No escape.
Aarav stopped right in front of her.
Close.
Very close.
"Ab bhaago," he whispered.
(Now run.)
She gulped.
"No space…"
"Exactly."
Her cheeks turned red again.
And he noticed instantly.
Of course he did.
"Abhi bhi blush karti ho?" he teased.
(You still blush?)
"Shut up…"
"Never."
He leaned slightly closer—
then stopped.
On purpose.
Just to tease her.
"Dar gayi?" he asked softly.
(Are you scared?)
She shook her head.
But her voice betrayed her.
"Thoda…"
He smiled.
"Good."
Then suddenly—
he stepped back.
Completely.
She blinked.
Confused.
"What?"
"Bas itna hi revenge tha," he said casually.
Her mouth opened.
"That's it?!"
He shrugged.
"Baaki baad mein."
(The rest later.)
She grabbed another pillow—
throwing it at him.
"Idiot!"
He caught it easily—
laughing.
"Tumhe irritate karna easy hai."
(It's easy to irritate you.)
She crossed her arms.
"Wait karo."
"I am."
Silence.
Then—
both of them laughed.
Because finally—
the heaviness was gone.
The fear was gone.
And what remained—
was this.
Playful.
Warm.
Real.The laughter slowly faded.
The room grew quiet again.
Not awkward—
just… still.
Meher sat on the edge of the bed—
watching him.
Something had changed.
She could feel it.
The way he suddenly went silent.
The way his smile didn't stay long.
"Aarav…" she said softly.
He looked up.
"Hm?"
"You okay?"
A pause.
He nodded.
"Yeah."
She didn't believe it.
"Liar."
A faint smirk appeared—
but it didn't reach his eyes.
She stood up slowly—
walking toward him.
Stopping right in front of him.
"Tell me."
He looked at her.
Long.
Like he was deciding something.
"You really want to know?" he asked quietly.
She nodded.
"Yes."
Silence filled the room.
Heavy this time.
Aarav exhaled slowly—
then sat down.
Leaning forward—
elbows on his knees.
For the first time—
he didn't look in control.
"Mujhe yaad nahi hai last time kab normal life jee thi," he started.
(I don't remember the last time I lived a normal life.)
Meher stayed still.
Listening.
"Bachpan se hi sab kuch alag tha," he continued.
(Everything was different since childhood.)
"No friends."
"No normal school."
"Bas… training."
(Only training.)
Her brows furrowed.
"Training?"
He nodded slightly.
"Haan."
"Aise ghar mein bada hua hoon jahan emotions weakness hote hain."
(I grew up in a house where emotions are considered weakness.)
His voice stayed calm.
But something inside it—
was heavy.
"Mujhe sikhaya gaya tha…" he said,
"…kaise control karna hai."
(How to control.)
"Logon ko."
"Situations ko."
"Khud ko."
A pause.
Then—
"Feel karna allowed nahi tha."
(Feeling wasn't allowed.)
Meher's heart tightened.
"Aarav…"
He shook his head slightly.
"Sunne do."
(Let me finish.)
"Jo chaha… le liya."
(Whatever I wanted… I took.)
"Jo problem bana… hata diya."
(Whoever became a problem… was removed.)
He didn't look at her while saying that.
And that—
made it heavier.
"Simple tha."
"No complications."
"No attachments."
Then—
he finally looked at her.
"And then… tum aayi."
(And then… you came.)
Silence.
Deep.
"Tumne sab kuch complicated bana diya," he said softly.
"Control khatam ho gaya."
"Rules break ho gaye."
A small, tired smile appeared.
"Pehli baar laga… main insaan hoon."
(For the first time… I felt human.)
Meher's eyes softened.
She stepped closer.
"Aur ab?" she asked quietly.
(And now?)
Aarav looked at her.
Straight.
"Ab dar lagta hai."
(Now I feel scared.)
That surprised her.
"Tumhe?"
(You?)
He nodded.
"Haan."
"Tumhe lose karne se."
(From losing you.)
Silence again.
But this time—
it wasn't heavy.
It was… real.
Meher slowly sat beside him.
Close.
Then gently placed her hand over his.
He didn't pull away.
"I'm not going anywhere," she said softly.
He looked at her.
Searching her face.
For doubt.
For hesitation.
But there was none.
"Promise?" he asked.
She smiled slightly.
"Promise."
Aarav exhaled slowly—
like something inside him finally eased.
Then—
very gently—
he leaned back—
resting his head against the wall.
And Meher—
without thinking—
rested her head on his shoulder.
No teasing.
No games.
Just truth.
And the quiet comfort that followed it.
Because this time—
she didn't just see his love.
She saw his darkness too.
And she stayed.
.
.
.
.
Tommorow chapter will be track changing chapter his dark past creates conflicts and he was not able to correct it