THE IMPERFECT PERFECTIONS

∆25~ 𝐊𝐢𝐬𝐬𝐞𝐬 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐂𝐨𝐧𝐬𝐭𝐞𝐥𝐥𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐬

  
     .♡‧₊˚  ☆ .♡ ‧₊ ♡‧₊ ☆ .♡ ☆  .♡‧₊˚  ☆ .♡

Hand in hand, they stepped out of Aditya's office.

Aditya's grip on her hand was firm but she didn't pay any attention to it.

Her gaze was distant and her mind was  clouded with the sad feeling that Niharika words and Aditya's silence had bought.

As they approached the car, Aditya's movements were automatic. Like everyday he opened the door to the passenger seat and Taniya slid into the car.

Her usual vivacity dimmed, her responses to his questions about her day were devoid of the warmth that usually accompanied their conversations.

Aditya stole glances at Taniya, wishing he could read her mind, wishing he could find the right words to bridge the gap that had suddenly appeared between them.

Upon arriving home, Taniya saw that the family had finally returned and were having ice cream.

"Aray bhabhi, itne sad kyu ho? Aapka toothpaste bhi laaya hai humne," Veer said trying to elicit a smile from Taniya.

"Mann nai hai," she murmured, her voice barely above a whisper, as she retreated upstairs without another word.

The room fell into a hush, all eyes turning to Aditya, searching for an explanation for Taniya's uncharacteristic behavior.

"Cold hai unhein," Aditya reasoned.

It was a half-truth to cover the real cold war between that had nothing to do with the weather.

"Kaise? Ab thk to hai na wo?" Kavya's concern was evident as she got up from the couch.

"Aap bethiye mama. Thk hai wo… wo baarish ki wajah se hogaya cold," Aditya reassured her, gently coaxing her to remain seated.

He didn't want the family to witness Taniya's vulnerability, not when he was still grappling with the cause himself.

He excused himself and followed Taniya upstairs, finding her in their room, standing before the mirror.

She was still in her work attire and was continuously staring at her reflection.

"Taniya," he began, his voice soft and careful.

He was trying not to startle her. "Is everything okay?"

She met his gaze in the mirror, her eyes a well of unshed tears. "Can I just have a hug?" she asked, her voice breaking.

"Of course," Aditya said and rushed towards her, wrapping his arms around her.

It was a hug that provided her comfort. It was like a safe spot in the storm of doubts and fears that threatened to overwhelm her.

"What happened?" he asked her.

"Nothing. Just want to be with you right now,"she said.

He held her too tightly, lifting her up and seating her on the bed, cradling her in his lap as he stroked her hair.

"Are you not feeling good, baby?" he asked with concern.

"I don't know what I'm feeling,"she confessed, nuzzling closer to him.

"It's okay to feel like this. I am with you always and nowhere else, with no one else. Always with you and only with you,"Aditya reassured her.

Taniya closed her eyes, seeking comfort from the person who was both the cause of her inner turmoil and the peace she desperately needed.

She couldn't blame him nor could she question him.

The only thing she wanted was to get away from him, yet paradoxically, the thing she needed most was to be close to him.