Closer Than Before | 𝘾𝙤𝙢𝙥𝙡𝙚𝙩𝙚𝙙 ✅

Chapter 3: Same Team?

Radhika's POV:

I woke up in the middle of the night, my throat dry. Reaching for the water bottle on the side table, I found it empty. Sighing, I got up and walked to the kitchen.

As I passed by the living room, I noticed Samar asleep on the small couch, scratching his arm in his sleep. There were mosquitoes buzzing around him.

Suddenly, a memory flashed through my mind. I remembered a time back in college when he showed me his arm and jaw, dotted with mosquito bites.

He had complained with a pout, "Look, tumhare logo ne kya kiya—machhar gang."

I had laughed and teased him, saying, "You deserve it. Good job, gang!"

The memory brought a smile to my face, mixed with a pang of pity. Samar was still sleeping on that small couch, vulnerable to those annoying little pests. I quietly searched for the All Out machine, plugged it in, and switched it on near him.

With that taken care of, I headed to the kitchen, filled my bottle, and returned to find him sleeping more peacefully now. He looked so innocent in his sleep, free of the burdens of our complicated past.

I silently made my way back to my room, feeling a strange mix of emotions—relief, sadness, and something else I couldn’t quite name. I settled back into bed, closing my eyes, and letting sleep take me once more.

****

I woke up to the smell of tea, and as I opened my eyes, there was Samar, standing beside the bed with a steaming cup in his hand.

He handed it to me with a gentle smile. "Good morning," he said, his voice soft yet cheerful.

Why was he doing this? Did he think doing all this would change my mind? I took the cup and looked at him. "You don’t have to do this, Samar."

He shook his head, still smiling. "I wanted to. Now get ready while I make us breakfast."

I sighed, but nodded, deciding not to argue. I got up, took a quick shower, and dressed for work.

When I came back to the room, Samar was still busy in the kitchen. I stood in front of the full-length mirror, combing my hair, trying to focus on the day ahead.

Just then, I heard the bathroom door open, and before I could turn around, I caught a glimpse of Samar in the mirror.

He had just come out of the washroom with only a towel wrapped around his waist, his body well-defined and toned. the result of countless hours at the gym, no doubt.

My heart skipped a beat, and I instinctively put my hands over my eyes. "Samar!" I shouted, my voice a mix of surprise and embarrassment.

"What?" he asked, clearly confused by my reaction. "I’m just getting ready. You’ve seen me like this before, Radhika."

"That was different! I saw photos" I protested, keeping my hands over my eyes. "Just… warn me next time, okay?"

I heard him chuckle softly. "Alright, alright. I’ll get dressed in the bathroom"

I peeked through my fingers just as he turned around and walked back into the bathroom, shaking his head with a smile.