Beyond Destiny ~ A Saga Of Timeless Love

22 ~ Unsaid Words

"While some things are better left unsaid, some things should never be left unspoken."

Ruhanika

I held him tightly in my embrace, unsure of how to console him anymore. I had never been good at offering comfort. I understood his pain only to a degree; there were depths of grief he couldn’t articulate. In moments like this, words often fell flat, and only those who had experienced such loss could truly comprehend its weight.

“Do you think she is proud of me?” His voice was raw, breaking through the silence.

“Of course she is proud of you, Dev. You are an exceptional man—a good son, brother, prince, and above all, a good person.” I tried to instill some conviction into my words. “You’ve shown you care about your people. You reduced the surcharges this year because of the poor harvest. You listen to those outside, and I have no doubt you will become a magnificent king. Your mother would be proud of you.”

A fleeting smile touched his lips, but it didn’t reach his eyes. He gazed up at the night sky, lost in thoughts of self-doubt. I recognized that when someone suffers abuse and neglect as a child, it can lead to a lifelong battle with insecurities.

“You know, Dev,” I began, choosing my words carefully, “I lost my grandparents and both my parents in an accident. When I woke up to the news, I felt like I was drowning in disbelief. I wanted to die; I couldn’t fathom life without them. I blamed myself for everything. I had begged them to take me on an outing, and when they said no, I had a tantrum. I cursed myself every day for being stubborn.”

“It wasn’t your fault, Rooh,” he replied, his voice steady.

“Exactly, Dev. It was a tragic accident. I had no way of knowing what would happen. If I had known, I would have done anything to keep them safe. The same goes for you. You were just a child; none of this was within your control.” I shared my story to help him see that he wasn’t alone in his pain.

He looked at me, searching for reassurance.

“Don’t do this to little Dev,” I urged. “He was just a child, a survivor. He did everything he could to make his mother happy. It wasn’t his fault. He feared for her happiness and wanted to protect her. He doesn’t deserve this self-hatred. He deserves to be happy.”

His olive-green eyes reflected a whirlwind of emotions—confusion, pain, a flicker of hope, and a longing for validation. I held his gaze, silently promising that I would always be by his side, that my fingers would remain intertwined with his.

He pulled me in closer, wrapping his arms around me as if seeking refuge from the turmoil within him. My head rested against his chest, and I could hear the steady beat of his heart, a sound that brought both comfort and a pang of sorrow. In that moment, I leaned in and pressed a gentle kiss to his chest, right over his heart—a silent vow between us.

We lingered in that silence, feeling the weight of our shared pain yet also the promise of solace found in each other. I hoped that, in time, he would learn to forgive himself and find the happiness he so deeply deserved.

                                🫅

We walked through the dense trees in the darkness. He gripped my hands tightly in his large, rough ones. I felt safe and secure, even at dusk. I was confident that he would look after me.

I did not know what had happened, but I felt more intimate with him than ever. Healthy communication is the first step toward a fulfilling relationship. Be it friendship, love, or marriage, healthy communication makes it bloom.

Today, we shared the things that hurt the most with each other, laying the groundwork for our blossoming relationship. I am feeling elated today.

I was walking while staring at his side profile, grinning like a love-sick fool. His jawline was sharp as a knife. The moonlight shining on his face made him appear ethereal.