37.

REYANSH

I sat on the edge of the bed, mindlessly scrolling through messages on my phone, but my thoughts were far from the screen. I was waiting for her.

The anticipation was like a thick fog, pressing down on me, every second dragging on painfully. My heart raced for reasons I didn't fully understand yet, like it was warning me of something, or maybe preparing me for something.

Finally, I heard the soft creak of the bathroom door, and there she was—Naina, wrapped in one of my black kurtas, her delicate frame swimming in the fabric.

The sleeves were rolled up to her elbows, exposing the pale skin of her arms, and the trousers clung loosely around her hips, making her look effortlessly captivating. Her wet hair cascaded down her shoulders, each droplet sliding down like the night itself was clinging to her.

I froze. My breath caught in my throat. Holy mother of God... am I even alive? If this is heaven, I don't want to leave.

She caught my reflection in the mirror, her gaze locking with mine as she walked to the vanity, reaching for the hair dryer. My pulse quickened—an electric connection snapped between us, invisible yet so palpable I could feel it in my bones.

I couldn't resist anymore.

Standing up, I crossed the room toward her, each step slow, deliberate, like time was measured in heartbeats. Reaching her, I gently took the dryer from her hand, placing it on the counter. She turned, her soft, knowing smile making my chest tighten.

Without a word, she wrapped her arms around my neck, pulling me close, her body warm against mine. Her scent—faint lavender mixed with the lingering smell of rain—wrapped itself around me, intoxicating.

My hands slipped down to her waist as I lifted her effortlessly, setting her on the vanity. Her legs parted slightly, inviting me in. My forehead pressed against hers, our breaths mingling.

"I swear," I whispered, my voice rough, barely holding back the flood of emotions, "you're going to be the death of me."

"I missed you, Ansh," her voice was soft, filled with the weight of a thousand unspoken words. She pressed a gentle kiss to my lips, and I tightened my hold on her, like letting go would break something inside me.

"I'm here now, biwi jaan," I murmured, my voice filled with a promise, "right in front of you. Now and forever."

She rested her head against my chest, her hair damp against my skin, and I stroked it gently, feeling the way her body seemed to relax in my arms. The tension of the last few weeks, months, hell, maybe even years, slowly melted away.

But then her voice broke the calm, soft and hesitant. "Ansh, I need to tell you something..."

I pulled back just enough to look into her eyes, cradling her face between my hands. "Ji kahiye, biwi jaan."

"First... let's sit," she whispered, glancing toward the bed.

Without a word, I lifted her into my arms, carrying her as though she weighed nothing. We settled on the bed, her body nestled into my lap, legs tucked around me. She looked up at me, her eyes swirling with hesitation, uncertainty, something I couldn't quite place.

"Ansh," she started, her voice shaky, "I'm sorry. For everything I did. I should've been more rational, but when I found out about everything... I lost myself. All I could think of was keeping you safe. I couldn't afford to lose you because losing you would mean losing myself."

Her words hit me like a wave, and the pain in her voice mirrored the storm inside me. Her eyes shimmered with unshed tears, matching the emotions burning in mine. I tightened my grip around her waist, running my fingers through her hair, letting her speak, letting her pour it all out.

She told me everything—from the texts she received, to the attack on Dadu and Dadi, to the car accident. The puzzle pieces clicked into place, and the picture that emerged was clear. There was one person behind all of it.

Nihal Ahuja.

The rage that flooded my veins was unlike anything I had ever felt. If I could, I would drag him to the deepest pits of hell, where he'd beg for death long before it came.

But then her voice broke through my thoughts, soft, fragile. "Ansh... how are you? And I don't mean physically. I mean... mentally. I left you when you needed me the most. Nothing can ever make up for that."

Her words shattered something inside me. I pulled her impossibly close, holding her so tightly it felt like we might merge into one. I buried my face in the crook of her neck, silent tears slipping down my cheeks.

Her hand found its way to my hair, gently stroking, comforting me in a way only she knew how.

"I'm sorry, Naina," I whispered, my voice raw. "I should've told you sooner. I should've trusted you more. But I was scared. Scared of losing you... scared you'd hate me once you knew."

Her arms tightened around me, pulling me closer. "I could never hate you, Ansh," she whispered, her lips brushing against my ear. "Not in this lifetime. Not in any."

We stayed like that, wrapped around each other, two broken souls trying to find healing in the wreckage

"I love you Ansh"

"I love you more biwi Jaan"