HEALING HIM [ ✓ ]

30.

Shivaay woke up the next morning to find Rudra snuggled up to him. He smiled softly. His arm was pillowed by his baby brother. He stroked his head lovingly. Gently prying his hand away, he tucked him properly in the blanket, and turned down the temperature of the room just the way Rudra liked. His eyes widened when he saw Om asleep on the chair by the bed and tutted softly.

He shook him slightly.

"Huh?" Om asked as he opened his eyes sleepily. The first thing he saw after opening his eyes was the warm smile of his brother.

"Jaa soja." He gestured towards the bed. Om nodded and gave him a hug before he snuggled next to Rudra. And Rudra got a new pillow. Om's arm. He smiled to himself. His world. They had always been his little ones, and always will be. No matter how much they grow up.

He walked into the kitchen to prepare a cup of coffee for himself when he felt two arms circling around his torso and he couldn't control the smile that broke out in his face. He didn't need to turn around to know who it was. He sighed as the smell of orchids filled the air. "Morning." Annika said softly, Shivaay looked over his shoulder. He could only see her hair, though by her voice he could guess she was smiling.

"Feeling fine?" She asked as she brushed his hair with her fingers. Shivaay closed his eyes at her soothing touch. Annika stared at the serene expression on Shivaay's face. It brought her peace. Her hands went to his injury. He could feel the fear in her voice and her touch. He sighed, he had made her worry. Didn't he?

"I am fine, Annika. Don't worry. It was just a moment of weakness." Shivaay spoke as he turned around to look at her in the eye. She frowned at his words. How could he say that? He was the bravest person she had ever known. Bravest and the strongest. Selfless. And sometimes she found herself wondering was he even real?

"It was not weakness, Shivaay. It was your courage that you were able to confide about the darkest moment of your life even though it hurt you to relive the moment, do not feel bad about that." Shivaay sighed as she pinned him under her glare. Her eyes soon softened. And to his surprise and worry they soon shined with fresh tears. She closed her eyes for a moment before she turned to look at him when she felt his hand on her cheek wiping the single tear that she failed to hold in.

He looked at her properly, her eyes were red like his. She had been crying. He felt a pang in his chest.

"If—" she stopped her throat constricting in pain, she couldn't voice out her words. The memories of the last night were still fresh in her mind. "If only—" she held his hands tightly. Shivaay was now worried. He pulled her out of the kitchen and towards her own room. He had her seated on the bed while he knelt on the floor in front of her. His hands holding the hers resting on her knees.

"Calm down, Annika." He assured her. His eyes bright and shining. But all Annika could she was the swollen eyes with the red subsiding away slightly. "Annika." His voice grew stern. And she looked at him. Her vision teary. Shivaay smiled at her softly.

"Speak now." He gave her an encouraging smile. Annika wiped her tears hastily Shivaay frowning at her. "Ann—Annika! You are going to hurt your skin like this. Dab, not rub them." He said as he gestured with his hands and she couldn't held back her chuckle. Of course, he is the Shivaay Singh Oberoi, there's always a proper way of doing something in his dictionary.

"Okay, now speak what have you been trying to say?" She only sniffled. She herself hated it. Whenever she started crying her hiccups won't easily stop. Shivaay pulled her in a hug, his arms holding her head to him. And she felt his lips gracing the crown of her head in a feather light kiss. She smiled. Once her hiccups subsided she pulled away and stared at him. "If only I could take all your pain away from you." Shivaay frowned at her words.