𝐇𝐢𝐬 𝐖𝐢𝐟𝐞

43 HEARTBEATS OF COMFORT.

Hey precious readers, this chapter is dedicated to you all. As your comments and votes, all encourages me. I love you all and wish to receive back from you all in the form of Votes & Comments.

See you in the comment section. Love you all.

ARJUN'S POV:

"Theek hai toh Avni apna samaan bandh lo, hum kal subah jaane wale hain. Tum tayyar rehna." Taiji said. I stared at her but didn't say anything.

(Alright, Avni, pack your stuff. We're leaving tomorrow morning, so be ready.)

I thought Avni would say something, but she didn't. Maybe she wants to spend some time with her family... or maybe she wants to go away from me. I shook my head, trying to get rid of those negative thoughts.

"Aunty, why don't you all leave a little later? Why go early? It's already late, and I think everyone should rest a little longer. Dadi-ji must be tired, and you all must be tired due to being jet-lagged." Vikram suggested, and for the first time, I wanted to pat his head with pride.

"But..." Taiji started, but I cut her off.

"You all should rest. Vikram is right. You can leave in the afternoon, but not early in the morning. And that's final." I said in an authoritative tone.

No one argued, and we all left for our respective rooms.

Avni went into the closet to remove her jewelry, so I decided to take a shower while she finished. By the time I came out, she had gone to freshen up. When she returned, her wet hair cascaded over her shoulders, looking absolutely mesmerizing. I couldn't take my eyes off her.

She moved toward the balcony, and I instinctively followed her. She placed her towel on the chair and stood there, gazing at the sky.

Without thinking, I wrapped my arms around her waist from behind. She flinched slightly, but I didn't move away.

"Shall I stay like this for some time, please?" I asked, my voice softer than usual. I rarely used such a tone with anyone, but with her, I couldn't help it.

"Only for some time." She whispered.

That was all the permission I needed. I held her properly, wrapping my arms securely around her waist. She leaned slightly against my chest, and I traced small circles on the back of her hand, feeling a strange sense of peace.

"Shall we sit? I know you're tired." I asked. She nodded.

Grabbing her hand, I led her toward the swing, not before picking up her towel. Sitting sideways, I made her sit between my legs, her back resting against my chest. Gently, I moved her hair to one side and began wiping it with the towel, making sure it dried quickly. I knew she catch cold very easily.

For the first time, she didn't feel distant. For the first time, the silence between us wasn't uncomfortable.

Moments later, I felt her weight relax against me. I looked down and saw her sleeping. Suddenly, she shifted, snuggling her face against my chest. Instinctively, I wrapped my arms around her, pulling her closer.

She seemed to fall into a deep sleep, and after a while, I carefully lifted her in my arms and carried her inside. I tucked her into bed, ensuring she was warm and comfortable.

Then, I felt something.

Looking down at myself, I sighed. I had to take a cold shower.

I moved into the washroom, turned on the cold water, and let it run over me.

---

AVNI'S POV:

After coming out of the washroom, I stood on the balcony, placing my towel on the chair.

Suddenly, I felt a pair of arms wrap around my waist. I flinched slightly, but he didn't move away.

"Shall I stay like this for some time, please?" He asked in a tone I had rarely heard from him. Arjun ji never spoke like this to anyone except his sisters... and sometimes, me.

"Only for some time." I replied, and he wrapped his arms securely around me.

Surprisingly, I didn't feel disgusted. Instead, I felt safe.

I leaned slightly against his chest, and he started drawing small circles on the back of my hand.

"Shall we sit? I know you're tired." He said, and I nodded. My legs were aching, and I was thankful for his thoughtfulness.

Grabbing my hand, he led me toward the swing, picking up my towel on the way. He sat sideways and, to my surprise, made me sit between his legs. My back rested against his chest, and he gently moved my hair to one side before towel-drying it. I knew why he was doing it-because he knew I could catch a cold easily.

For the first time, I didn't feel the urge to run away from him.

For the first time, silence didn't feel suffocating.

For the first time, his heartbeat calmed my mind in a way even I couldn't.

I didn't realize when sleep started taking over me, but my body felt too exhausted to fight it. After a while, I shifted slightly, feeling a slight pain in my back. I turned to my side and felt something firm but warm. Snuggling closer, I drifted off again.

I vaguely felt someone wrapping their arms around me, but I didn't think much of it. I remembered I was with Arjun ji, so I allowed myself to relax.

Some time later, I felt myself being lifted. I was awake but kept my eyes shut. I wanted to know what he would do when I wasn't in my senses.

Would he force himself on me?

But he didn't.

He gently placed me on the bed, tucked me in, and covered me properly with a blanket.

A minute later, I heard the door click open and then close. Curiosity got the better of me, and I opened my eyes. The sound of the shower running reached my ears.

Was he taking a shower?

I checked the time-it was 1 AM.

Why was he taking a shower at this hour?

Was it because he had touched me?

Tears rolled down my cheeks at the thought. I shut my eyes tightly when I heard the door open and close again. Then I felt the other side of the bed dip.

Soon, I felt Arjun ji's arm wrap around my waist as he pulled me toward him.

"I didn't take a shower because I touched you." He whispered against my ear.

"But for another reason. You have an effect on me, bachaa. I knew if I didn't take a shower, I would have ended up crossing my limits. So don't cry over something like this. You have a right on me. If you ever feel something like that, ask me... or at least say it."

My eyes snapped open in shock.

"Baby, I know you're not sleeping. Please turn around. I have to sleep without you for five days... that too without even seeing you."

A blush crept onto my cheeks.

"Can't we give this relationship a chance... just once?"

---

Your Thoughts Matter!

1. Did you like this chapter?

2. How did you find their little moment?

3. Did you like the idea of Pagphera?

4. Why do you think they want to take Avni with them?

5. Who asked the question in the end?

---