Healers Of The Hills

Chapter 7 🩺

ʜᴇʟʟᴏ ᴍᴀɴꜱʜᴀ'ꜱ
ᴛʜɪꜱ ɪꜱ ᴛʜᴇ ᴄʜᴀᴘᴛᴇʀ 7 ᴏꜰ ʙᴏᴏᴋ. ʜᴏᴘᴇ ʏᴏᴜ ᴡɪʟʟ ʟɪᴋᴇ ɪᴛ..
ɢɪᴠᴇ ʏᴏᴜʀ ᴏᴘɪɴɪᴏɴ ɪɴ ᴄᴏᴍᴍᴇɴᴛ ʙᴏx
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Vivaan had been out for an early morning run when he spotted Kiana pacing across the ground, her figure barely visible in the soft pre-dawn light. It was just past 4 AM, and seeing her out there all alone worried him. Something didn’t feel right. Without thinking twice, he jogged over to her, quietly approaching from behind.

"Kiana?" he called softly, placing a gentle hand on her shoulder.

Before he could say another word, her instincts took over. With a swift motion, she spun around and launched a punch that connected squarely with his jaw. He stumbled back, eyes wide with shock.

Kiana gasped as soon as she realized who it was.

"Vivaan? Oh my god!" Her hands flew to her mouth, horrified. "I'm so sorry, sir... I... I thought..." she stammered, her voice trembling. "I didn't mean to hit you. I—"

Vivaan recovered quickly, his expression softening as he stepped closer. He lifted his hand, his finger pressing gently against her lips. "Shhh," he whispered, his eyes locking onto hers. "It's okay. It's fine."

Kiana shook her head, her guilt overwhelming her. "No, it’s not fine," she choked out, her voice cracking. "How could I hit you? It’s all my fault. I... I can’t do anything right." Tears welled up in her eyes, her emotions spiraling out of control as she broke down in front of him.

Vivaan’s heart clenched at the sight of her. Without hesitation, he wrapped his arms around her, pulling her into a firm, protective embrace. "Kiana, hey, stop," he murmured softly, his breath warm against her hair. "It was just an accident. You don’t have to be so hard on yourself." He stroked her back, trying to soothe her.

She buried her face in his chest, her hands gripping his shirt as she cried quietly. Vivaan held her tighter, feeling the warmth of her body against his, her fragility stirring something deep within him.

"Look at me," he whispered after a moment, tilting her chin up so their eyes met. "You’re strong, Kiana. And it's okay to feel like things aren’t going perfectly. But you don’t have to be perfect." His voice was soft yet firm, and his thumb gently wiped away a tear from her cheek. "I’m here, alright? You don’t have to do everything alone."

Kiana gazed at him, her tears slowing as she absorbed his words. His touch, his presence—it was calming, reassuring in a way she hadn’t expected. Her heart raced as she felt the weight of his concern, his care.

"I... I’m sorry," she whispered again, though her voice had softened now, the tension in her body easing in his arms.

Vivaan smiled, brushing a strand of hair behind her ear. "Stop apologizing," he murmured, his fingers lingering near her cheek. "I wouldn’t mind taking a hundred punches if it means I get to take care of you."

As Kiana wiped the last of her tears and pulled herself together, Vivaan asked gently, “Are you okay now?”

She nodded, offering him a faint smile. “Yeah, thank you,” she whispered, her voice still soft from the crying. She turned to leave, eager to escape the overwhelming emotions that had just spilled over. But before she could take more than a few steps, she felt a warm hand wrap around her wrist.

“Kiana, wait,” Vivaan’s voice stopped her in her tracks.

She turned back to face him, her heart skipping a beat as she met his intense gaze. His hand remained on her wrist, firm yet gentle, as if he feared she might disappear if he let go.