Under one roof !

14. Embracing each other

Vaani's Pov

'I really had a nice time in Goa.' I said, lying down on my pillow.

'Yah, me too.' He replied from the other side of our pillow wall.

'Can't we stay here for a few more days ?'

'No Vaani, there is a lot that needs to be done when we reach home.'

'Right, Mr. Righty.'

After a moment of silence, 'Agastya' I called him.

'Agastya, did you fall asleep ?'

As no replies came from the other side, I peaked over the pillow wall to look at him sleeping peacefully.

I aborted the idea of waking him up and went to the balcony.

The cold night breeze brought in the magnificent sand and sea scents. The moon light was dimmed by some grey moving clouds, leaving a faint radiance.

'Can't sleep ?'

'Agastya, you scared me.'

Smiling, he came and stood beside me.

'It feels serene, doesn't it ?'

'It does.' He replied.

'Why did you wake up ? I saw you sleeping peacefully.'

'How can I sleep when my dear wife here is in a dire need of some company ?'

'Right. But thank you, you can go back to bed.' I replied, earning a laugh from him.

We fell into a comfortable silence.

I looked at him standing beside me with a small smile on his face as he watched the beauty of the night sky.

'I know I am quite charming.' He said, his smile now turning into a big one as he looked at me.

I averted my eyes and looked at the view he was watching earlier.

'What's on your mind ?' He asked.

'Nothing.'

'No, there is definitely something.'

'Just, I thought living under the same roof with you would be unbearable but then look at us now, standing together and sharing the same view. '

'Right. We both survived.' He said, letting out a satisfied sigh.

A strong wind blew by.

'Ohh...ah.'

'What happened Vaani ?'

'I think something got into my eyes.' I said, rubbing my eyes.

'Wait, wait...let me see.'
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Agastya's Pov

'Are you feeling ok now ?' I asked.

'Yaah...umm thank you.' She said, looking up at me.

Now I notice the distance between us. My one hand is in her grip and the other hand is touching her cheek.

Should I just kiss her ?

No, wtf Agastya. Think straight.

Before I could do anything, Vaani broke our eye lock and said, 'we should probably go to bed. It's late.'

'Uh...ye...yeah !' I moved back, creating a distance between us.

Vaani casted me a last look, her face almost smily and went back into the room.

Great ! Why the hell did I stutter ?
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Vaani's Pov

'No...no...wait...noo...' Someone was muttering something.

I woke up. It's still dark outside.

'Wait for me.....no....plz....' It was coming from the other side of the bed.

I peaked over the pillow wall and looked at Agastya who was sweating profusely and muttering something.

I immediately removed the pillow wall and tried to wake Agastya up.

'Agastya.... Agastya, get up.... Agastya, it's a nightmare.' I shook him.

'Agastya, get up. I am here. It's a nightmare.' I patted his cheeks.

'No.......Vaani.....' He woke up with a jolt.

He looked at me, his eyes wide, breathing erratic and took me in a hug.

Discarding the jolt in my heart, I hugged him back.

'Here, I am here Agastya.' I tried to calm him down.

'Wait, let me get you a glass of water.'

'No. No, just stay here.'

'Vaani.'  Agastya called, still in my embrace.

'Yeah.'

'Can I make an unjust demand ?'

'Unjust ?'

'Stay with me today.' He said.

'I am staying with you only Agastya.'
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Agastya's Pov

'No, stay with me like this for tonight. Please.'

'You mean embracing each other ?' She asked, her tone, a bit lower.

'Will you be uncomfortable ?'

She didn't reply for a while.

'Vaani.'

'No.' She replied. 'Let's sleep.'

A feeling of deep safety and comfort radiated out as we both lay down in each other's arms. But sleep was faraway from both of our eyes.

'What did you see ?'

'Just some vague clippings Vaani.'

'Oh !' She didn't insist further.

We kept on talking for a bit.

'That's how it is done.' I stopped when I heard light snores coming from her. She has fallen asleep.

I looked at our entangled hands. A feeling of not letting it go overwhelms me.

My hold on her becomes tighter as a few images from the nightmare swirl back on my mind. But the discomfort immediately vanishes when I find her snuggling more into me.

I accept.

I am falling in love with her despite all the walls I have put up. Maybe it's time for me to work on my flaws. Loosing her even in my dream felt excruciatingly painful.

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💜