I Found You

50.

• Adhira •

I looked down at my wrist as he fastened the gold bracelet he'd got for me as a Karwa Chauth gift. The chain was slender with a small blue evil eye charm catching the light.

It was beautiful but as I took it in, a sudden pang stirred in my chest. The happiness I'd expected to feel was overshadowed by an ache that threatened to spill over.

"You like it?" He asked, his warm gaze lifting to meet mine.

I nodded, unable to tear my eyes away from the bracelet. "It's beautiful... so thoughtful."

"Adhira," He murmured, his hand rising to cup my cheek, his thumb brushing against my skin. "Look at me," he urged. "What's wrong, baby?"

"Nothing," I whispered, blinking back tears that were pooling despite myself.

I leaned into his touch, hoping it would steady me, but a stray tear betrayed me, slipping down my cheek.

"Are you crying?" He asked, a genuine worry shadowing his eyes as he moved closer on the edge of the bed, closing the small space between us.

"No," I muttered.

"Kya hua?" He pressed, brushing the tear away with his thumb, "Batao mujhe?"

A small sigh escaped me as I finally gave in to the truth. "I don't have anything to give you," I confessed, my heart twisting as I spoke.

"You kept the fast for me, and I didn't even think to get you gift. I feel so thoughtless."

His lips curved slightly, a soft chuckle slipping through as he shook his head.

"Isliye ro rahi ho?"

I shook my head, sniffing, the words spilling out now that I'd started. "It's not just today. I've never given you a gift, like you do. You always bring me gifts, flowers without even reason."

My voice faltered, my gaze lifting to meet his. "But I... I couldn't even get you something today."

"Arey, bawli," He whispered as he brushed a finger against my flushed cheek. "I bring you gifts because they make you smile, because they make you happy. That's my gift right there. Seeing you this happy."

I bit my lip, my voice a quiet confession. "It's not just about the gifts only. I want you to feel as cherished as you make me feel."

His hand slipped to hold mine, his fingers intertwining with a gentle squeeze. "Adhira, I already do. You make me feel that every single day."

He shifted closer, his arms wrapping around me, pulling me into a warm embrace. I closed my eyes, sinking into his chest. His fingers traced slow circles along my back, easing the lingering ache in my chest.

"You may not see it, Adhira, but I feel it in the way you look at me, the way you care for me. Even if you never gave me a single material thing, I'd still feel like the luckiest man alive." He murmured, his lips close to my ear.

"And you've already given me the most precious gift."

I tilled my head slightly, curious. "And what's that?"

"Yourself." He said simply.

Heat crept into my cheeks and I let out a small smile, my fingers finding the edge of his shirt and clutching it tightly. "How are you always so good with your words?"

He chuckled, a low, comforting sound, and guided my hand to rest over his heart. "I'm good with other things too." He winked.

"Jaise?" I teased, my fingers unconsciously drifting to his shirt buttons, opening it.