6.ECHOES IN THE QUIET [1]

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Ryan lay sprawled across his bed, lost in a deep slumber as the morning sun began its slow ascent

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Ryan lay sprawled across his bed, lost in a deep slumber as the morning sun began its slow ascent. A warm ray of sunlight crept through the balcony door, inching its way across the room until it finally kissed his bare chest. He stirred slightly, still caught in the grip of sleep, but as the light grew brighter, he began to rouse. His muscles flexed as he stretched his arms above his head, letting out a long yawn that echoed in the stillness of the morning. His hand absently ruffled his already messy hair, and for a moment, he simply enjoyed the quiet.

He was wearing nothing but a pair of shorts, his chest exposed to the cool morning air. Just as he was about to let himself drift back into a light doze, something caught his eye. He turned his head slightly, his gaze falling on the open balcony door.

As he rolled over, his eyes lazily wandered toward the balcony. The curtains, swaying gently in the morning breeze, partially obscured his view. But then, something-or rather, someone-caught his attention, freezing him in place.

 But then, something-or rather, someone-caught his attention, freezing him in place

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There she was-Hannah, standing on the balcony with her back to him. She was wearing a maroon frock with thin straps, the fabric hugging her frame softly. The morning light played off the delicate material, making her look ethereal, almost like she was part of the sunrise itself. Her hair fell over her shoulders, and she seemed lost in her thoughts, her slender arms wrapped around herself.


Ryan's heart skipped a beat, a rush of memories flooding his mind. The events of the previous night replayed vividly-his harsh words, his frustration, the way he pushed her away when she was just trying to help. He regretted it, every bit of it. But at that moment, he couldn't move; he just stared at her, feeling a knot tighten in his chest.

His mind wandered back to the conversation they had, her words echoing in his head.

"Tumhare dad kitne supportive hain, Ryan."

She had no idea. No idea about the real dynamics between him and his father. She didn't know what it was like to be constantly compared, to feel like you're never enough. And yet, she had tried to lecture him on it, invading the personal space he so desperately wanted to protect.

"𝘽𝙚𝙩𝙬𝙚𝙚𝙣 𝙏𝙬𝙤 𝙃𝙚𝙖𝙡𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙃𝙚𝙖𝙧𝙩𝙨"Where stories live. Discover now