The Rathores in Therapy: A BCHD Epilogue

Chapter 29: Compassion and Courage

Last Time: After a few moments, Kabir's eyes widened, and he let out a shocked gasp. "Dr. Sandeep," he exclaimed, his voice filled with realization, "I think I know why Banni was so scared this morning."

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February 18, 2023, 12:30 pm, Banni Chow Home Delivery Kitchen, Jodhpur

Banni stood by the desk in her office, her scalded hand submerged in a bowl of ice water. The burn stung, but it was nothing compared to the ache in her heart. She had been lost in thought all day, unable to shake off the earlier conversation with Kabir. This lack of attention led her to accidentally spilling hot water on her hand while cooking.

After losing her mother at the age of 10, Banni made a promise to herself to never be weak again. She took pride in her strength, decisiveness, and problem-solving abilities - all skills developed in her pursuit of independence and self-reliance. However, the weight of her fears and insecurities now caused her to question everything she once believed in. Her fears started consuming her, leaving her uncertain and vulnerable.

Banni couldn't explain what had come over her that morning, causing her to reveal her deepest fears to Kabir. The visit from her past self had shaken some of her deeply buried fears. The image of a potential "too late" scenario that Past Banni had warned her about had been too horrifying to contemplate. Had that haunting possibility pushed her to lay herself bare in front of Kabir? Or was it simply the exhaustion from lack of sleep that made her vulnerable to her emotions? The weight of uncertainty lingered in her mind as she tried to make sense of her sudden vulnerability.

She also wondered how Kabir would perceive her for expressing these insecurities. Would he see her as weak? Would he judge her? The fear of being judged only added to her already overwhelming emotions.

Banni was deep in contemplation when suddenly she felt a pair of strong arms enveloping her waist from behind. Soft, tender kisses were planted on her delicate neck, sending shivers down her spine. It was a touch that felt both foreign and yet strangely familiar, awakening a sense of longing within her. Without even realizing it, the name "Yuvaan" effortlessly slipped from her lips, carrying a flood of emotions and memories.

Banni's heart skipped a beat as she turned around, her eyes shining with hope and anticipation. But as she met Kabir's hazel eyes instead of Yuvaan's dark ones, her excitement turned into confusion.

A mix of disappointment and longing washed over Banni's face, her lips trembling as she struggled to find the right words. She stepped back, moving out of Kabir's embrace, feeling a surge of guilt for her fleeting moment of confusion.

"Kabir..." Banni's voice wavered, torn between confusion and guilt. "I... I thought..." she trailed off, uncertain about how to proceed. Despite Yuvaan and Kabir being alters, she had always been able to distinguish between their touches. However, when Kabir had embraced her just now, she had felt... different, in a way that she somehow couldn't explain.

Kabir felt a prick in his heart when Banni took Yuvaan's name. It was a constant reminder of the presence and impact of Yuvaan in their lives. Banni had unconsciously done it several times in the 11 months of their marriage, but it still hurt him with the same intensity. Not wanting to give Banni another reason to feel guilty for something she had no control over, he swallowed his hurt and smiled at her.

"Banni," Kabir said gently. "I know you weren't expecting me here, but I wanted to see you after my session. However, I had not expected to find you injured. Let me take care of your hand."

He swiftly grabbed her injured hand and gently placed it back in the water bowl, scolding her softly, "You should have been more careful, Banni. You need to take better care of yourself."