INNOCENCE : An Innocent Lovestory

Chapter : 13

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The night was calm, with a soft breeze drifting through the open windows of their bedroom. The curtains fluttered gently, casting shadows that danced across the walls. The room was bathed in the gentle glow of moonlight, which filtered in through the sheer drapes, creating a serene and almost magical atmosphere.

Ananya was sitting on the bed, her laptop perched on her knees, as she typed away with focused intensity. She had work to finish—a report that needed to be sent off by the morning. Her eyes were glued to the screen, her fingers moving swiftly across the keyboard, her mind deep in thought. The world outside might have been peaceful, but her mind was abuzz with responsibilities and deadlines.

Rihaan, on the other hand, was sprawled out on the floor, surrounded by his toys. He had spent the last hour building an intricate tower with blocks, and after it was completed, he had knocked it down with glee. But now, he had grown tired of his toys, his attention wandering as he lay on his back, staring at the ceiling.

He glanced up at Ananya, who was completely absorbed in her work. For a moment, he simply watched her, taking in the way the moonlight seemed to caress her face, highlighting her features in a way that made her look almost ethereal. The soft light gave her an otherworldly glow, and in Rihaan’s mind, she looked just like a character from one of his favorite fairy tales—a princess from a faraway land.

As the minutes passed, Rihaan found himself unable to look away. There was something about the way Ananya looked in that moment that captivated him completely. He slowly got up from the floor and moved closer to the bed, his gaze never leaving her face.

Ananya, still focused on her work, didn’t notice at first. But eventually, she felt a pair of eyes on her, and she looked up, her brow furrowing slightly when she saw Rihaan standing at the edge of the bed, staring at her intently.

"Rihaan?" she asked, tilting her head in curiosity. "Why are you staring at me like that?"

Rihaan blinked, as if coming out of a trance. He shifted slightly, but his eyes remained locked on her. "You look… different," he said softly, his voice filled with a sense of wonder that made Ananya’s heart skip a beat.

Ananya blinked in surprise. "Different? How do you mean?"

Rihaan climbed onto the bed, sitting down beside her. His expression was serious, but there was also a hint of awe in his eyes. "You look like a princess," he said, as if it were the most obvious thing in the world. "The way the moonlight is shining on your face… it’s like you’re glowing. You look like one of those princesses from those movies I watched."

Ananya felt a strange sensation in her chest—a fluttering, ticklish feeling that made her momentarily lose her focus. She was used to Rihaan’s innocent compliments, but this one struck her differently. The way he was looking at her, with such pure admiration, made her feel… odd. Not in a bad way, but in a way that was unfamiliar.

"A princess, huh?" she said, trying to keep her voice light, though she could feel the warmth rising in her cheeks. "I’m not sure I’ve ever been called that before."

Rihaan nodded eagerly, his eyes wide with sincerity. "You do! You look just like a princess. The prettiest one ever."

Ananya chuckled softly, though the ticklish feeling in her chest only grew stronger. "Thank you, Rihaan. That’s very sweet of you to say." She reached out and ruffled his hair affectionately, trying to ground herself in the familiar gesture.

But Rihaan wasn’t done yet. He leaned in closer, his expression serious. "It’s true, Anya. You’re the most beautiful person I’ve ever seen. And I like you so much."

The simple, earnest words made Ananya’s breath catch in her throat. She wasn’t sure why, but something about the way Rihaan said it, with such innocent conviction, made her feel… different. It wasn’t just the words themselves, but the way he was looking at her, as if she really were some kind of fairy-tale princess.

"Rihaan…" she began, her voice softer than she intended. She wasn’t sure how to respond to the overwhelming sincerity in his eyes. The usual confidence she had around him seemed to waver, leaving her feeling unexpectedly vulnerable.

He leaned his head against her shoulder, sighing contentedly. "I like it when you work here, with me. It makes me feel safe."

Ananya smiled, a warmth spreading through her that had nothing to do with the moonlight. "I like being here with you too, Rihaan. You always make me feel better, no matter how busy or stressed I am."

Rihaan looked up at her, his expression softening into a contented smile. "You look beautiful when you smile. I will always make you smile, so you will always look beautiful."

Ananya felt that ticklish sensation in her chest again, stronger this time. She had always known Rihaan had a way of getting under her skin in the most innocent and endearing ways, but tonight felt different. There was something about the way he was looking at her, the way he was speaking to her, that made her heart flutter in a way it hadn’t before.

"I am happy, Rihaan," she said, her voice barely above a whisper. "Especially when I’m with you."

They sat in silence for a few moments, the only sounds being the soft tapping of Ananya’s laptop keys and the gentle rustle of the curtains in the breeze. Rihaan’s presence beside her was comforting, and yet there was that strange feeling inside her, that ticklish sensation that wouldn’t go away.

Finally, Rihaan spoke again, his voice dreamy. "Do you think… maybe one day… I could be a prince? Then we could be a prince and princess together."

Ananya laughed softly, the sound easing some of the tension she hadn’t realized had built up inside her. "You already are a prince, Rihaan. You’re the kindest, most wonderful prince I’ve ever known."

Rihaan beamed at her, the smile lighting up his entire face. "And you’re the best princess ever, Ananya. I’m really lucky to have you."

The words, so simple and yet so filled with love, made Ananya’s heart swell. She set her laptop aside, feeling the need to focus entirely on Rihaan in that moment. She wrapped her arms around him, pulling him into a tight hug. He melted into her embrace, resting his head on her shoulder.

"I’m the lucky one, Rihaan," she murmured, her voice filled with emotion. "I’m so lucky to have you in my life."

Indeed.

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