HER SAFE PLACE

Burden

Shivangi's POV

After coming back from the park, I went to my room, feeling quite tired from the day. Rocky soon followed with a tray of food. He said he brought it to my room because he thought I’d be too tired to go to the dining room. He didn’t want me to feel even more worn out by having to move around.

Even though I didn’t think it would be too hard to walk to the dining room, I really appreciated his thoughtfulness. It was clear he cared about how I was feeling and wanted to make things easier for me. We ended up having our meal in my room, which was much more comfortable than having to move elsewhere.

After we finished eating, Rocky went back to his own room but made sure to let me know that if I needed anything, I should call him right away without any hesitation.

I felt deeply grateful for Rocky’s support. He was doing so much more for me than anyone else ever had, and I couldn’t help but feel that I owed him a great deal. His kindness and help were truly remarkable, and I was thankful for everything he was doing to support me.

I sat alone in my room, feeling overwhelmed by everything that had happened. My one mistake had completely changed my life. I kept thinking that if I had been truthful from the start, things might have turned out very differently. The weight of this single error felt like a heavy burden. As I reflected on how one moment of dishonesty had led to such a significant shift in my life, tears began to flow from my eyes. The regret and realization of how things might have been different were almost too much to bear.

I spent the entire day consumed by my thoughts, feeling weighed down by the regret and sadness over my mistake. The hours seemed to drag as I replayed every detail, wishing things had turned out differently. By the time evening came, Rocky noticed my absence and came to check on me.

He arrived with a tray of snacks, a thoughtful gesture aimed at brightening my mood. As he set the food down, he began chatting with me in a gentle, supportive manner. He talked about light, comforting topics, trying to lift my spirits and provide a welcome distraction from my heavy thoughts.

I could see the effort he was putting into making me feel better. His kindness was evident in the way he was so attentive and considerate. Although I was still struggling with my emotions, I made an effort to respond to him, engaging in conversation and offering a small smile. It wasn’t much, but it was a sign that his support was making a difference. His presence and genuine concern provided a bit of relief from the burden of my worries, and I appreciated his companionship and care during such a tough time.

Later that night, Rocky came to my room to give me my medicine. I was expecting just a quick exchange, but what happened next took me by surprise. As he handed me the medicine, he suddenly asked, “Shivangi, can I sleep in your room tonight?” I was taken aback and stared at him, unsure of how to respond. His request was unexpected, and I wasn’t sure what to make of it.

Seeing my reaction, Rocky hurried to explain, “Don’t get me wrong. It’s just that I’ve noticed you’ve been having a lot of bad dreams and waking up scared. I’m not saying you’re afraid of anyone in particular, but I’m concerned about you being alone at night. I think it might help if someone were here with you, so if you don’t mind...”

I cut him off, trying to process his offer, “Calm down. I know I’ve been having nightmares.” I was hesitant about having him stay in my room, not because I didn’t appreciate his concern, but because I wasn’t sure how to handle the situation. Seeing my uncertainty, Rocky quickly reassured me, “I’ll sleep on the couch, don’t worry.” His reassurance made me feel a bit more at ease.

I gave him a small nod of agreement. After a few minutes, he made himself comfortable on the couch. His presence in the room, even though he was on the couch, brought a sense of comfort and security. Knowing that someone was there, ready to support me through the night, made it a little easier for me to settle down and try to get some rest.