The Sun & the Stars Aligned

23: Her first love

TARA

"He's a grown-up man, yet he sleeps like a child," I mused to myself as I observed his peaceful form, one leg and arm dangling off the couch in a haphazard manner.

I reached out to lift his hand to make him more comfortable, but in his sleep,  he pulled me closer, wrapping his arms around me. Before I knew it, I was on top of him. I found myself nestled against his chest, his warmth enveloping me as he instinctively wrapped his arm around my waist and pulled me closer.

His serene features belied the turmoil of the previous night when he returned home injured. As I followed him to our room, the sight of bloodstains on his shirt filled me with an unspoken dread, and tears welled up in my eyes uncontrollably.

I let out a small laugh, "Look at him, sleeping so peacefully as if nothing happened," I mumbled slowly.

Last night, when he returned home injured, I was in the kitchen drinking water. And when I went to the room, the sight of those bloodstains sent a shiver down my spine, and tears welled up in my eyes.

Gently, I touched the bruise on his face, aching for him. "It must hurt," I thought to myself as I caressed it, but he shifted in his sleep, turning us both sideways and trapping me between his solid frame and the couch. 

His arm around my waist drew me closer, my cheek pressed against his neck, and my heart skipped a beat at our close proximity. 

Flustered, I pushed against his chest, trying to create some distance between us. And he fell on the floor with a loud thump.

He opened his eyes and looked at me, confusion evident in his expression. "Biwi, what are you doing?" he asked, rubbing his head.

Okay, maybe I pushed him a little too hard.

Flustered, I quickly got up from the couch, trying to regain my composure. "You should be asking yourself that question. You're the one who pulled me onto the couch," I retorted, smoothing down my hair.

As he rose up, he raised an eyebrow at me, a mischievous glint in his eyes. "And what were you doing here on the couch with me instead of the bed? Care to explain?" he teased, a playful grin tugging at his lips.

"Um... well... your arm was hanging off the edge of the couch, so I was just trying to fix it," I stammered, attempting to conceal the fluttering of my heart. "But then..."

"But then what, jaan?" he interrupted, taking slow steps toward me.

Frantically searching for an excuse, I glanced around the room. "Um, nothing," I blurted out before hastily grabbing a towel and darting into the bathroom, his laughter trailing behind me.

"I'm warning you for the last time, stop beating so loudly," I scolded my heart, glaring at my reflection in the mirror. It's embarrassing. I shouldn't be helping anyone, especially when I end up getting caught in awkward situations.

Will you stop fluttering now? He's not even here, you silly heart.

After my shower, I tiptoed out of the bathroom, hoping he wasn't in the room. "Thank god he's not here. Probably at the gym," I muttered to myself.

I quickly changed into a pink suit and got ready before heading downstairs.

***

"What happened to your face?" Maa inquired, her concern evident in her voice. He didn't tell me, but he'll have to tell maa. How can he keep it from her?

He started coughing, "What happened to my face?" he asked, feigning confusion. It's quite clear he's not cut out for acting. He won't be winning any Oscars for this performance, that's for sure.