"A very small degree of hope is sufficient to cause the birth of love."
Ruhanika
I felt completely drained, stripped of every ounce of energy, both physically and emotionally. Love, they say, takes as much as it gives—and tonight, I was feeling only the weight of its cost. How could one person wield so much power over my emotional state, leaving me helpless, aching, vulnerable? I wanted to shut it all out, to let sleep pull me under and bring peace, but my mind wouldn’t let go. Thoughts of him kept surfacing, slicing through me like a wound that refused to heal.
His silence was agonizing. For months, I had lived in the warmth of his attention, his gentle presence always lingering. Tonight, he’d left me cold, refusing even to meet my gaze after the ceremony. I’d tried to reach him, to draw him back into our world, but he turned away, unyielding. I lay there, replaying the scene, searching for answers, until exhaustion finally took over, and I drifted off.
In my deep, weary sleep, I felt something light brush against my cheek. I ignored it, slipping deeper, but the sensation returned, more insistent this time. My initial irritation stirred; I valued my sleep, and being interrupted was almost a violation. Groggily, I blinked my eyes open, struggling to adjust to the shadows cast by the dim moonlight filtering in through the window.
As my eyes focused, I saw a figure close to my bed, crouched near my head. A jolt of fear surged through me, and I opened my mouth to scream, but a warm hand covered my lips gently, silencing me. My heart hammered wildly as the figure leaned in, and then I heard his familiar whisper, “Rooh, don’t scream—it’s me, Dev.”
Relief and confusion warred within me as I looked up into his eyes, shadowed yet unmistakable in the soft moonlight. His gaze was intense, layered with emotions I couldn’t quite read. He seemed...haunted, his breathing heavy, almost ragged. He closed his eyes and lowered his forehead to rest against mine, drawing in a shaky breath. My initial anger softened, melting away as I recognized the pain mirrored in his face. Whatever distance had formed between us was hurting him too, perhaps as deeply as it hurt me. I stayed still, allowing him this closeness, feeling my own heart unravel.
I reached up slowly, threading my fingers through his hair, brushing it back in gentle strokes. He removed his hand from my mouth, only to wrap his arms around me and pull me into a desperate embrace. He practically lay over me, his body pressing into mine, warm and strong, his heart beating in sync with my own. Our faces were so close, our breaths mingling in the tiny space between us, our lips mere inches apart. A fierce longing sparked within me—I wanted to close that gap, to claim him, to let him feel my frustration and anger. How dare he ignore me? How dare he make me feel this ache?
His hands slid down, finding my waist, his fingers tracing the bare skin with a deliberateness that sent shivers up my spine. I wasn’t used to him being this close, not like this. His touch was tender yet intense, a quiet exploration, as though he was grounding himself in the reassurance of my presence.
Then he shifted, reaching behind me to the dori of my blouse. My instincts kicked in, and I caught his hand, trying to stop him. But he didn’t seem to care about my resistance tonight. He was seeking something more, something only he knew. His hand settled back on my waist, his fingers slipping along the curve as if trying to memorize every inch.
“Dev?” I whispered, my voice barely audible, my throat tight.
He didn’t respond immediately, a soft sound escaping him—a low hum, almost a growl, vibrating against me. He tucked his face into the curve of my neck, breathing in, then pressing a gentle, lingering kiss on my skin, just below my ear.
“I’m sorry,” he murmured, the words so quiet they felt like a secret meant only for me.
My heart softened. “Why?” I whispered, threading my fingers through his hair once more, feeling him relax under my touch. “Because you ignored me?”
YOU ARE READING
Beyond Destiny ~ A Saga Of Timeless Love
Random"We shouldn't play with fire, Rooh," He spoke near my ears, pecking my jawline. I was breathing erratically unable to encompass my perturbation. "What if I want to play with it?" I said, my voice sensual, subduing my thudding heart. His hand went t...
