ENIGMA

SLEEPLESS NIGHT 🌙

As Advik lay beside Ruhani, the weight of the night pressed heavily on him. His mind swirled with thoughts of the danger Ronit had posed and how narrowly they had escaped. He closed his eyes, attempting to calm the storm of thoughts and exhaustion.

Unbeknownst to Advik, Ruhani shifted restlessly in bed. She was feeling the intense urge to check her phone and lose herself in reels to escape the night’s events.

Ruhani, believing Advik to be asleep, shifted quietly in bed. Her phone lay just out of reach on the nightstand. Silently, she eased out of bed, her movements careful and deliberate.

As her hand reached out for her phone on the nightstand, Advik’s voice sliced through the quiet. “Ruhani, lay down again. You need to rest. I’m tired, and so should you be. We have things to do in the morning.”

Startled, Ruhani’s hand froze. She glanced at Advik, who still had his eyes closed, and slowly slid back under the covers. “Okay" she whispered, feeling a mix of frustration and resignation.

Minutes ticked by, and Ruhani began to fidget. Advik, sensing her restlessness, turned toward her. His eyes opened, revealing a mix of concern and irritation. “Are you an insomniac now? Why can’t you just sleep?” His tone was a blend of amusement and concern.

Ruhani was curled up in a fetal position, her eyes wet with unshed tears. She hadn’t complained yet, but her discomfort was evident. She clenched her stomach and tried to keep her breathing steady.

Advik noticed her discomfort and the tears. His voice softened with genuine concern. “Ruhani, what’s wrong? You look like you’re in pain.”

Ruhani’s voice was barely a whisper as she spoke through her tears. “It’s nothing… just…"

Advik turned on the bedside lamp, its soft glow casting light over her distressed face. He saw her curled up and immediately recognized the pain she was in. “You’re clearly hurting. What’s going on?”

Ruhani sniffed and hesitated, her voice trembling. “It’s just my stomach."

Advik’s face softened with understanding. “Let me take a look.” He reached out and gently placed his hand on her abdomen. “Where exactly does it hurt?”

Ruhani pointed to the spot, wincing as he touched her. “Here.”

Advik sat up, his expression serious. “Do you have your dates nearby? Sometimes stomach cramps can be related to menstrual cycles.”

Ruhani shook her head, her tears now flowing freely. “No, I don’t. I just get these aches often.”

Advik nodded, his mind working. “When do these pains usually occur? Any specific timing or type of pain you’ve noticed?”

Ruhani’s voice was barely audible. “Usually when I’m on an empty stomach. It just feels really painful, like cramping.”

Understanding the situation, Advik got out of bed and went to a drawer. He retrieved a small bottle of medicine and returned to her side. “Here, take this. It should help with the pain.”

Ruhani looked at the medicine with a mixture of fear and reluctance. “I don’t like taking medicine. It makes me feel worse.”

Advik’s tone was firm but gentle. “Ruhani, you need to take it. I can’t have you suffering all night.”

Ruhani’s voice quivered. “But I really don’t like it. Is there any other way?”

Advik’s eyes sparkled with a mischievous glint as he saw her growing fear. He leaned closer, his tone playful yet firm. “Oh, there’s another way, but I’m afraid you won’t like it.”