Tere Ho Ke Rahenge (on hold)

Chapter 21

" Sorry ladies, but Eshanth is mine."

She knew it was silly to feel this surge of pride, but she couldn't help it. The world might see Eshanth as a powerful, desirable figure, but to her, he was so much more. He was the man who had quietly taken care of her when she was unwell, who had gone out of his way to get her favorite food just because she had asked. He was the man who had looked at her with such warmth in his eyes that it had made her heart skip a beat.

Eshanth walked in just as Adarshini's voice echoed softly in the room, "Eshanth is mine." His steps faltered, and he paused at the doorway, his eyes locking onto hers. There was a moment of silence, as they stared at each other. Eshanth's usual clam face has an impressive look, his eyes reflecting a depth of feeling he rarely showed. Then, without a word, he crossed the room, the tension dissolving into something more tender.

He placed the food he had brought on the bedside table, his movements deliberate and careful. Adarshini watched him, her heart beating faster, realizing just how much effort he had put into this small act of care. The restaurant was far, and she knew Eshanth must have driven like the wind to return so quickly. Yet, he didn't seem rushed now. Every action was measured, almost as if he was trying to extend this moment between them.

Eshanth glanced at her again before he turned away, walking over to the corner of the room where another small table stood. He carried it over, setting it in front of her with the same gentle care. Adarshini's eyes followed his every move, her earlier words echoing in her mind. *Eshanth is mine.* She hadn't meant to say it out loud, but now that she had, she couldn't take it back. And the way he was behaving—his quiet attentiveness—made her heart flutter even more.

He opened the food box and carefully poured the contents into a bowl, the aroma of the freshly cooked meal filling the room. "It's still hot," he said in his usual quiet tone, but there was a warmth in his voice that wasn't always there. "Wait a little before eating."

Adarshini nodded, a soft smile playing on her lips. She didn't need to say anything; her smile was enough to convey her gratitude.

She lifted the bowl slightly, blowing on the food to cool it down, her thoughts still tangled with the weight of what she had said earlier. She wondered if he had heard her, and if he had, what he thought about it. The way he was behaving now—it was almost as if he was acknowledging it in his own silent way.

Eshanth took a seat on the edge of the bed, his gaze fixed on her, observing the way she handled the bowl. The silence between them wasn't uncomfortable; instead, it felt intimate, as though they were sharing more than just the meal. Eshanth noticed Adarshini's hands shaking as she held the bowl. He reached out, taking the bowl from her hands, and scooped up a small bite, blowing on it gently before offering it to her. "Here, it should be cool enough now," he said.

Adarshini's heart skipped a beat at the gesture. She stilled for a moment, her mind become blank at Eshanth's action. She never in her life thought Eshanth would feed her. Her eyes roaming around his face, taking in his feature. She leaned forward slightly, taking the bite from the spoon, her eyes never leaving his. The food was warm and comforting, but it was the way Eshanth was feeding her that made her feel truly content. She felt a flush rise in her cheeks, a mix of shyness and happiness, but she didn't pull away.

"Thank you," she whispered, her voice soft and sincere.

Eshanth didn't respond immediately. He simply continued to feed her, his movements slow and careful.

When the meal was finished, Eshanth set the empty bowl aside and wiped the corners of her mouth with a napkin, his touch gentle. "You should rest now," he said, his voice low. "You' need to get better."