I Found You

52.

• Adhira •

I stirred awake, missing the warmth I was wrapped in, my hand instinctively reaching out across the bed. But my cuddle bear was not there. His side was empty.

His absence tugged me out of sleep. Slowly, I opened my eyes, blinking against the dim light of the room.

The clock on the bedside table read 2:30 AM. A frown settled on my face. Where could he be at this hour?

I waited for a minute, hoping he would walk back in, but I only grew restless. So, I pushed the covers aside swinging my feet over the edge to slip them into my slippers.

My eyes landed on the balcony curtains swaying slightly. Walking over, I pulled the curtains aside to find the door unlocked.

There he was. Standing against the railing, with his back facing me, starring out at the dark, starry sky. He looked so lost.

I paused for a minute, my hand resting on the doorframe as I watched him in a way I rarely got the chance too, realising how much he kept locked away.

Taking a deep breath, I stepped out onto the balcony and without saying anything, wrapped my arms around his waist, my cheek pressing against his back.

He stiffened at first, then let out a quiet breath, placing his hands over mine, his body relaxing into my hold.

"You okay?" I asked, my voice muffled against his strong back.

"Hmm," He hummed, "just couldn't sleep."

I stepped closer slipping into his front, my arms circling around his waist in a tight hug. He exhaled, loosening up in my hold, the faint shudder of his breath brushing against my hair.

I didn't say anything, just pressed my cheek against his chest, listening to the steady yet heavy rhythm of his heartbeat.

I started rubbing his back in slow circles, trying to convey that it was okay. He didn't have to say anything-I already understood.

We stood there for a good few minutes in utter silence until he decided to break the silence, my name trembling on his lips.

"Adhira,"

I tilted my head, looking up at him through his chest. "Hmm," I prompted softly, my gaze searching his.

His throat bobbled as he swallowed before finally spoke. "You'll not leave me right? Ever?" There was a plea in his voice.

The fear in his eyes was so raw and bare, that it made my own chest ache.

"Never." I cupped his face, forcing him to look at me, my fingers brushing the edge
of his jaw.

He exhaled deeply, his forehead coming to rest against mine. "Eighteen years, Adhira. And I still miss her. I still don't know how to live without her."

I stayed quiet, giving him the space to continue. We both knew how much he needed to let this out—to let his heart finally open.

"There hasn't been a single day I haven't thought of her," he murmured, his chest rising and falling beneath me, uneven and heavy.

"But Veer..." His voice cracked, and I felt his grip tighten on my waist, grounding himself. "He has nothing. No memories,   no stories."

"She gave her life for him, and he doesn't even know what it's like to have a mother." He let out a bitter chuckle, one that made my chest ache.