The room was quiet again.
But this time—
it wasn't peaceful.
It felt… heavy.
Meher lay on the bed—
weaker than before—
eyes half open.
Aarav sat beside her—
silent.
Too silent.
His hand held hers—
but his grip wasn't the same.
It was tighter.
More careful.
Almost… afraid.
"Aarav…" she whispered softly.
He looked at her instantly.
"Haan…"
She studied his face for a moment.
"You're quiet…"
He didn't reply.
Just looked down—
their hands still joined.
A pause.
Then—
very slowly—
he spoke.
"I'm sorry."
Her brows furrowed slightly.
"Kis liye?"
(For what?)
He exhaled softly—
his voice lower now.
"Tumhe akela chhod diya…"
(I left you alone…)
A pause.
"…aur phir yeh sab hua."
(…and then all this happened.)
She shook her head lightly.
"Nahi… it's not your fault—"
He cut her off gently.
"Hai."
(It is.)
His tone wasn't loud.
But firm.
"I knew you weren't fully okay."
Another pause.
"Phir bhi main gaya."
(Still… I left.)
Silence filled the room.
Meher looked at him—
really looked.
And for the first time—
she saw it.
Not anger.
Not control.
Guilt.
Deep.
Heavy.
She slowly tightened her hold on his hand.
"Aarav…" she said softly,
"main theek ho jaungi."
(I'll be okay.)
He looked up at her again.
His expression softened slightly—
but not completely.
"I know," he said quietly.
A pause.
"But ab…"
His voice dropped.
"…main koi risk nahi loonga."
(I won't take any risk now.)
That tone—
was different.
Decided.
Final.
She blinked.
"Aap phir se overprotective ho rahe ho…"
Aarav leaned slightly closer.
"Is baar thoda zyada."
(This time, a little more.)
She tried to protest—
but he continued.
"Tum kahin akeli nahi jaogi."
(You won't go anywhere alone.)
"Even inside the house."
Her eyes widened slightly.
"Aarav—"
"No."
Simple.
Direct.
"You'll rest."
"Properly."
"Doctor jo bolega—exact wahi hoga."
(Whatever the doctor says—exactly that will happen.)
She frowned slightly.
"Main patient hoon ya prisoner?"
(Am I a patient or a prisoner?)
He didn't smile.
Didn't soften.
Instead—
he leaned closer—
his voice low.
"Tum meri responsibility ho."
(You are my responsibility.)
A pause.
"And I failed once."
His eyes held hers.
"Dobara nahi hoga."
(It won't happen again.)
That line—
stopped her.
Because it wasn't control.
It was fear.
She sighed softly—
then slowly moved closer—
resting her head lightly against his arm.
"Okay…" she murmured.
Aarav looked at her—
slightly surprised.
"Okay?" he repeated.
She nodded faintly.
"But…" she added softly—
He raised an eyebrow.
"Thoda kam strict hona."
(Be a little less strict.)
For a second—
he didn't respond.
Then—
a faint smile appeared.
"Try karunga."
(I'll try.)
She smiled weakly—
closing her eyes again.
Her hand still holding his.
And Aarav—
didn't move.
Didn't leave.
Because this time—
he meant every word.The shift didn't take time.
It happened instantly.
From that moment—
Aarav changed.
The next morning—
everything felt… different.
Before Meher could even try to sit up—
he was already there.
"Slow," he said firmly.
"I can manage—" she tried.
"No."
One word.
Flat.
He adjusted her pillow himself—
helped her sit—
holding her as if she might break.
"Aarav…" she sighed softly,
"I'm not that fragile."
He looked at her—
completely serious.
"For me, you are."
That shut her up for a second.
Later—
when she tried to get up on her own—
just one step—
"Aarav—"
He was already there.
"Where?" he asked immediately.
"Washroom…" she replied.
"I'll help."
"I can go myself—"
"No."
Again.
Same tone.
Before she could argue—
he was already beside her—
supporting her carefully.
"Aap mujhe chalne bhi nahi doge?" she muttered.
(You won't even let me walk?)
He didn't respond.
Just guided her slowly—
completely focused.
Even after she came back—
he didn't leave.
Not for a second.
Phone calls?
Taken beside her.
Work?
Shifted to her room.
Meetings?
Cancelled.
"Tum overreact kar rahe ho…" she said finally,
watching him for a while.
He didn't look up.
"Maybe," he replied calmly.
"But I'm not stopping."
She stared at him.
"Aarav…"
This time—
he looked at her.
And what she saw—
wasn't just control.
It was fear.
Still there.
Still fresh.
"Kal kya hua tha yaad hai?" he said quietly.
(Remember what happened yesterday?)
She went silent.
Because she did.
He leaned slightly forward—
his voice lower now.
"I'm not going through that again."
A pause.
"Not even close."
That intensity—
made her heart skip.
But instead of arguing—
she softened.
"Aarav…" she said gently,
"I'm here."
He looked at her—
really looked.
"I know," he said.
"But I almost lost you."
That line—
hit deeper than anything else.
She didn't speak for a moment.
Then slowly—
she reached for his hand.
Holding it softly.
"You didn't," she whispered.
He tightened his grip immediately.
"Almost is enough."
Silence.
Then—
a small change.
She smiled slightly—
leaning back.
"Fine…"
He raised an eyebrow.
"Fine?"
She nodded.
"You can be overprotective."
A pause.
"But…"
He leaned slightly closer.
"Thoda pyaar se."
(With a little more softness.)
For a second—
he didn't react.
Then—
his expression softened just a little.
"Try karunga," he said again.
She smiled faintly.
And leaned closer—
resting her head lightly against his shoulder.
He didn't move away.
Didn't resist.
Because even with all the intensity—
this—
was what he wanted.
To keep her close.
Safe.
Always.The room had gone quiet again.
Not heavy this time.
Just… calm.
Meher was still resting against him—
her head on his shoulder—
her fingers loosely wrapped around his hand.
Aarav hadn't moved.
Not even a little.
But something in him—
had softened.
The sharp edges from before—
the tension—
the constant alertness—
it was still there.
But quieter now.
He looked down at her.
Her eyes were half closed—
her breathing slow—
peaceful.
A faint smile rested on her lips—
like she had finally found comfort.
And that—
did something to him.
His grip on her hand eased slightly—
not loosening—
just… gentler.
"Thak gayi?" he asked softly.
(Tired?)
She nodded faintly—
not even opening her eyes.
"Haan…"
A small pause.
Then—
very slowly—
she shifted closer.
Resting more of her weight against him.
As if trusting him completely.
Aarav exhaled quietly.
And without thinking—
his hand moved.
Gently brushing her hair back—
tucking it behind her ear.
Slow.
Careful.
"Tum na…" he murmured softly,
"…bohot pareshan karti ho."
(You trouble me a lot…)
She smiled slightly—
eyes still closed.
"Toh phir rehne do…" she whispered.
(Then leave me…)
He let out a quiet breath—
almost a soft laugh.
"Impossible."
A pause.
His fingers traced lightly along her hand—
absentminded—
gentle.
"Chhodne ka option nahi hai," he added.
(There's no option to leave you.)
This time—
she opened her eyes.
Looking up at him.
"Acha?"
He met her gaze.
"Haan."
No hesitation.
Something in his tone—
so sure—
so real—
made her heart skip.
She didn't tease this time.
Didn't argue.
Instead—
she lifted her hand slowly—
reaching his face.
Her fingers touched his cheek—
lightly.
As if checking—
if he was really there.
Aarav stilled.
Didn't move.
Just… let her.
"You look tired," she said softly.
He smiled faintly.
"Tumhari wajah se."
(Because of you.)
She frowned slightly—
"Sorry…"
He shook his head immediately.
"Don't."
His hand moved up—
holding her wrist gently—
not stopping her—
just… keeping her close.
"Worth it hai," he murmured.
(It's worth it.)
A pause.
Silence settled between them again.
But this time—
it wasn't empty.
It was full.
Of something quiet.
Something deep.
Meher leaned closer—
resting her forehead lightly against his shoulder again.
"Thank you…" she whispered.
"For what?"
"For staying…"
Aarav looked at her—
his expression softer than before.
"I told you," he said quietly,
"I'm not going anywhere."
This time—
it didn't sound like a promise.
It sounded like truth.
She smiled—
closing her eyes again.
And slowly—
without thinking—
Aarav leaned just a little closer.
Resting his head lightly against hers.
Not rushed.
Not forced.
Just… natural.
Because somewhere between fear and protection—
he had melted again.
And all that was left—
was her.The calm didn't last long.
It never really did with them.
Meher was resting comfortably now—
leaning against him—
finally relaxed.
Aarav's phone buzzed again.
He glanced at it—
then ignored it.
But it buzzed again.
And again.
Meher opened her eyes slightly.
"Pick up…" she murmured.
He frowned.
"Not important."
She gave him a small look.
"Ho sakta hai ho."
(It might be.)
He sighed—
then finally picked it up.
"Haan?"
A pause.
His expression changed slightly.
Not serious.
But… different.
"Abhi nahi," he said.
Another pause.
"I said later."
He cut the call.
Meher watched him carefully.
"Kaun tha?" she asked casually.
(Who was it?)
"Work," he replied shortly.
But something in his tone—
was off.
Before she could say anything—
the door knocked.
Aarav's eyes snapped toward it.
"Kaun?" he asked sharply.
"Sir… someone came to meet you."
He frowned.
"Mana kiya tha," he said.
(I told no one to come.)
"Sir, they insisted…"
Aarav stood up immediately.
"Stay here," he told Meher.
"I'm coming with you," she said.
"No."
Again—
firm.
But this time—
she didn't listen.
Slowly—
carefully—
she stood up.
"Aarav—"
He turned instantly—
moving toward her.
"Careful!" he said,
holding her before she could lose balance.
"I said I'll come," she insisted softly.
He stared at her for a moment.
Then sighed.
"Fine… but with me."
They stepped out together.
And then—
they saw her.
A woman—
standing confidently.
Stylish.
Poised.
The moment she saw Aarav—
she smiled.
"Aarav…"
Too familiar.
Too comfortable.
Meher noticed instantly.
"Long time," the woman added.
Aarav's expression hardened slightly.
"What are you doing here?" he asked.
"Missed me?" she smirked lightly.
That was enough.
Meher's fingers tightened around Aarav's hand.
Aarav noticed.
And without thinking—
he moved closer to her.
Subtly.
Protectively.
"She is?" Meher asked quietly.
Aarav glanced at her—
then back at the woman.
"Someone from the past."
That answer—
was not enough.
Meher's eyes narrowed slightly.
"Oh," she said softly.
But her grip didn't loosen.
The woman's gaze shifted to Meher—
slowly—
evaluating.
"And she is?" she asked.
Aarav didn't hesitate.
"My present."
The air changed instantly.
Silence.
The woman smiled—
but it didn't reach her eyes.
"I see…" she murmured.
Meher looked at Aarav—
just for a second.
And something inside her—
felt… strange.
Not fear.
Not anger.
Jealousy.
A small one.
But real.
Aarav sensed it.
And for the first time—
he didn't ignore it.
Instead—
his hand tightened around hers.
And he stepped just a little closer.
Making it clear.
Without words.
She wasn't going anywhere.The house finally went quiet again.
After the unexpected meeting—
after the strange tension—
everything slowly settled.
Aarav entered the room quietly.
Expecting her to be awake.
Maybe annoyed.
Maybe thinking too much.
But instead—
he stopped.
Meher was already lying on the bed.
Fast asleep.
Still in the same clothes.
His oversized shirt.
Loose.
Comfortable.
Her hair slightly messy—
face calm—
like the earlier tension never touched her.
Aarav exhaled softly.
A faint smile forming.
"Yeh ladki bhi na…" he murmured.
(This girl…)
He walked closer—
sitting beside her.
For a moment—
he just looked at her.
Peaceful.
Safe.
Then—
gently—
he tapped her shoulder.
"Meher…"
She stirred slightly—
eyes half opening.
"Hmmm…?"
"Kapde change karo… phir so jao properly," he said softly.
(Change your clothes and then sleep properly.)
She shook her head lazily—
eyes closing again.
"Nahi…"
Aarav raised an eyebrow.
"Seriously?"
No response.
Just a soft sleepy expression.
He leaned slightly closer—
a teasing smile forming.
"Main change kara doon?" he said lightly.
(Should I help you change?)
Her eyes snapped open instantly.
"Aarav!"
Her face turned red—
and she hit his arm lightly.
"Pagal ho kya?"
(Are you crazy?)
Aarav laughed softly.
"Arre mazaak tha," he said,
holding his arm dramatically.
(It was a joke.)
She glared at him—
still blushing.
"Bilkul funny nahi tha."
(Not funny at all.)
"Thoda toh tha," he replied with a grin.
She turned her face away—
trying to hide her smile.
"Chup raho…"
(Stay quiet…)
Aarav shook his head—
still smiling.
"Chalo… ab sach mein change karo," he said gently.
This time—
she nodded slowly.
He stood up—
turning away respectfully.
"Main bahar wait karta hoon," he added.
(I'll wait outside.)
She looked at him for a second.
And something softened.
"Jana mat…" she said quietly.
(Don't go far…)
Aarav paused at the door.
Then nodded.
"Yahin hoon."
(I'm right here.)
And for the first time after everything—
the room felt normal again.
Light.
Warm.
With just a hint of teasing—
and a lot of care.