I was trying hard to stay strong but a sharp unbearable pain started building in my stomach again...
It always happens to me like this.
My period cramps are extremely severe - along with vomiting, lower back pain, and intense abdominal pain. In worse moments, I even feel nausea and dizziness.
I went to the washroom, cleaned myself, and as I stepped out, my head suddenly started spinning.
I quickly grabbed the table to steady myself and sat down on the bed.
The pain made me curl up, and I tried to sleep while lying there... slowly, my eyes closed on their own.
(KABIR'S POV when he first noticed blood stain on her dress )
I don't know why, but something felt off the moment she said the waiter had called her.
Her voice sounded normal... but it wasn't normal.
It was controlled.
But It felt as if she was uncomfortable, as if she was hiding something. But exactly what - I questioned myself !
" Is she not feeling safe with me !?? Did I do something wrong?? I suspected myself !
"Maybe I'm overthinking," I told myself.
But the thought didn't leave.
"I turned toward the counter for a second-just a second-and that's when I realized I had left my phone behind.
Shitt !! What if she would be calling me ???What If Aaira see the phone or would pick her call ????A shiver ran down my spine !!
I rushed to get my phone back but then I saw -
Aaira.
At first, she looked fine.
Surrounded by a few kids, standing there like she was part of the moment.
But something didn't sit right.
Her smile.
It wasn't real.
My steps slowed without me realizing it.
"Why do I feel like something's wrong...?" I thought.
Then I noticed her face properly.
The slight tension in her expression. The way she wasn't fully present. The quiet embarrassment she was trying to hide.
I was still trying to process everything, completely confused, when my eyes finally fell on her dress-
and that's when I saw it.
A blood stain.
Before I could even think, I rushed forward.
In a hurry, almost instinctively, I moved behind her and gently covered her, as if shielding her from the world itself.
Her eyes looked wet... heavy with unshed tears.
She didn't say anything, but she looked helpless-like she was holding herself together with the last bit of strength she had left.
I held her gently and said, "Aaira... don't be embarrassed. I'm right here."
Then I brought her to my room.
She was deeply embarrassed, her voice trembling as she kept trying to speak, trying to push the moment away-but I just pulled her into a hug.
For the first time, our chest collided and we both wanted that,there was no hesitation between us... just a quiet moment where she finally stopped fighting her emotions.
I knew what she was going through. I knew that in this phase, a girl doesn't need questions or explanations-she needs care, understanding, and someone who simply stays.
She was going through mood swings too... I could see it in the way her expressions kept changing, in the way her silence kept breaking and returning again.
I noticed everything.
But I said nothing.
I just stayed there with her... quietly, like she wasn't alone anymore.
Her lily perfume lingered in the air, soft and almost grounding-but I forced myself to stay steady.
She was in pain. That was the only truth that mattered.
For a moment, I felt an overwhelming pull to stay close, to not let her go from my arms ... but I caught myself. I can't be selfish here !This wasn't about me. It couldn't be
.She needed comfort, not confusion. Safety, not intensity.
"Aaira... what are you doing to me? I'm driving crazyy for you"! It happens for the 1st time in my Life where a girl whom I met 10 days back has this intense effect on me !!! I thought, but didn't say it aloud.
Because saying it would only blur the line I needed to protect-hers, and mine.
She was younger. Vulnerable. And in that moment, fragile in a way that deserved care, not emotional chaos.
So I stayed composed.
I adjusted the blanket, made sure she was comfortable, and quietly said, "Rest. I'll handle everything! I'll be right back !
She felt tired and in pain !
I went to the table!
I quickly moved to the table and collected both mine and Aaira's belongings, my mind still racing but my actions unusually controlled.
I asked the female staff to clean the chair without wasting a second, my tone firm but polite-there was no time for hesitation.
Then I rushed out.
The car engine started in a hurry, tires barely waiting for me to settle properly. My grip on the steering wheel was tight, but my thoughts were tighter.
Something was wrong. She needed help.
I drove straight to the medical store.
Inside, I didn't overthink-I just focused on what she might need.
I wasn't even sure what exactly she was comfortable with, so I made sure to take options.
Pads... tampons... period panties. Everything that could help her feel safe and in control again.
Then I added a hot water bag.
And medicine for menstrual cramps.
My hands moved fast, but my mind was heavier than usual.
This wasn't just shopping. It felt like responsibility-quiet, urgent, personal.
Just concern-deep, steady, and helpless in its own way.
After that, I stepped into a clothing store.
For a moment, I just stood there-surrounded by colors, fabrics, choices... but my mind was somewhere else entirely.
With her.
I moved slowly through the racks, my fingers brushing against different fabrics until I found it-something soft. Really soft. The kind that wouldn't irritate her skin, wouldn't make her feel even slightly uncomfortable.
I picked a simple dress-nothing flashy, nothing heavy. Just gentle, breathable... something that would let her rest without feeling restricted.
Because she was already in pain.
And I knew... I couldn't take that pain away.
No matter how much I wanted to.
But maybe... just maybe... I could make it a little easier for her to bear.
Then... I found myself standing outside a lingerie section.
For a second, I just froze.
She needs this too ! But how can I ??? I was in confusion but then I realised It's important !
This was unfamiliar territory-awkward, almost intimidating. Soft lights, neatly arranged shelves... everything felt too personal, too delicate.
But then her face flashed in my mind.
Her helpless eyes.
Her discomfort.
And suddenly, my hesitation didn't matter.
I stepped in.
Inside the store, I realized something instantly-
I was the only man there.
Everywhere I looked... it was just women. Soft conversations, quiet movements... and then, suddenly, a few glances turning towards me
.
I shifted slightly, feeling out of place
A little awkward.
A little exposed.
Some of them looked at me with curiosity... as if trying to figure out what I was doing there. A few exchanged subtle smiles-almost teasing, almost knowing.
Maybe they thought I was shopping for my girlfriend.
Maybe to them, this was normal.
But for me... this was new.
Unfamiliar.
Yet I stayed.
My movements were slower now, more careful. I avoided looking around too much, focusing only on what could help her feel comfortable. Not anything fancy... not anything unnecessary.
Just essentials.
Something soft. Something breathable.
Something that wouldn't make her feel worse than she already did.
I didn't even know if I was choosing right.
But I tried.
Because this wasn't about getting it perfect.
It was about trying for her.
About showing up... even in places I'd never imagined I would walk into.
As I reached the counter, there was a brief moment of awkward silence-but I didn't let it shake me.
Because right now...
Her comfort mattered more than my discomfort.
I didn't know how this moment had pulled me in so quickly...
But right now, the only thing that mattered was getting back to her.
I took a sharp turn, the car almost screeching as I didn't bother slowing down.
On the way, I stopped for barely a minute-just enough to grab something for her. A quick remedy for the cramps... and her favorite KitKat.
I didn't even think twice.
Then I was back on the road, driving faster than I should've, my mind racing even more than the car.
Every second felt heavier.
What if she needed me?
What if she was worse?
I gripped the steering wheel tighter and pressed harder on the accelerator.
Soon, the café came into view.
I didn't wait. I parked carelessly, almost jumping out of the car before it even settled. My steps were hurried, breath uneven as I rushed inside.
Up the stairs.
Straight to the room.
I pushed the door open in a rush-
-and stopped.
I saw Aaira lying on the bed.
Her eyes were closed... her face slightly twisted, as if every breath carried a wave of pain. A faint sound escaped her lips-soft, broken... the kind that doesn't need words to be understood.
For a moment, I just stood there.
Watching her.
And something inside me sank.
She was the one in pain...
but somehow, it was reaching me too.
Not the same way. Not the same depth. But enough to make my chest feel unbearably heavy.
I walked closer, slower this time.
Careful... as if even my footsteps shouldn't disturb her.
It felt so unfair.
The way she was curled up in pain... the way her body was silently fighting something I couldn't even take away from her.
I clenched my fists slightly.
If I could... I would've taken it all from her.
Every bit of that pain.
Given her even a moment of relief.
But I couldn't.