Eternal Echoes

Safe Heaven

Happy Reading ❤️

TW: slight mention of assault



• 25 •

The first light of dawn filtered through the curtains, casting a gentle glow over Shivansh's hotel room. He lay on his bed, eyes fixed on the serene, lush greenery of Coorg that stretched out beyond the window.

The serene view was a stark contrast to the whirlwind of thoughts in his mind as it wandered to the moments he had shared with Arika over the past few days.

The past days had been hectic for Shivansh, filled with countless meetings and new deals. Yet, amidst the chaos, spending time with Arika brought him peace. Her presence, whether working or traveling together, had become his source of comfort.

In a short span, Arika had become an essential part of his life. Before her, his days were monotonous, but now everything seemed vibrant and colorful. Shivansh looked forward to each new day, eager to see her again, and every moment they shared was etched in his heart.

Arika had painted his once black-and-white existence with her presence, making his life beautiful. For the first time in a long while, he embraced these colors and relished the change she brought.

As he lay there, he remembered the previous night's bike ride. How Arika’s eyes had lit up with happiness at the sight of the bike. Initially, when the idea of a bike ride had crossed his mind, he wasn’t sure if she would enjoy it. But seeing her excitement, he felt relieved for choosing the bike over the car.

During the ride, when Arika had held him tightly, her hands wrapped around his torso, her front pressed against his back, it sent volts of currents through his body. He remembered how she had been staring at him, and when their eyes met through the rearview mirror, she averted her gaze, her cheeks turning a delightful shade of red. In that moment, he had wanted so badly to lean back and kiss her cheeks, to feel their warmth against his lips.

During their little tea break in the middle of the ride they hadn’t talked much, yet the silence between them had felt so comfortable, as if their souls were having a conversation of their own.

The way she took lazy sips of her tea, and the way her lips curved into a smile every time their eyes met. It made him want to pin her against the bike and kiss her senseless, to taste those perfectly shaped pink lips.

Only he knew how much he was restraining his desires, because he didn't want to rush things and make her uncomfortable. With each passing day, it became harder for him not to pull her into his arms and keep her with him forever.

But he couldn’t act on his feelings without knowing how Arika truly felt about him. He needed to know if she felt the same way. There were moments that made him believe she did, but there was always a hint of uncertainty in her eyes that made him doubt.

He didn’t want to risk their friendship or the bond they shared by acting too quickly, as losing her was not an option.

Adverting his gaze from the scenery outside, Shivansh sighed, staring at the ceiling. His thoughts filled with Arika, and he knew he had to find a way to understand her feelings without jeopardizing what they had.

He then got up and stretched his arms and neck before getting out of bed. Changing into his gym wear, he went to the hotel gym and worked out for two straight hours. After returning, he showered and got ready for the day.

Meanwhile, Arika was still fast asleep in her room, basking in the warmth and comfort of the hotel's plush and soft bed. Suddenly, Nitya shook her hard, breaking her beauty sleep. She groaned and pulled the sheets over her face, trying to go back to sleep. Ignoring her protests, Nitya persisted, eventually pushing her into the washroom to get ready.