His Corazón

31. My anchor

Akshita's pov

I was devastated hearing the news. It felt like the ground had been ripped out from under me, like everything I had ever dreamed of shattered in an instant. I couldn’t breathe, couldn’t think past the overwhelming pain that crashed over me. How could I not give Lucas the one thing he wanted—something I wanted too? I felt broken, unworthy of the love he kept giving me.

But through it all, he was there. Holding me, speaking words I struggled to believe, telling me that I mattered, that we mattered. Even when I felt like I was crumbling, he held me together.

I don’t know how I’m supposed to move forward, but Lucas... he’s my anchor. Maybe, just maybe, with him by my side, I can find my way through this.

"Akshu, are you awake?" I heard his sleepy voice.

I turned around in his arms and looked at his half opened eyes.

"Yes." I whispered lowly.

"Let's wake up now? It's been a long time since we are sleeping." He mumbled looking at me.

"What's the time." He shrugged and retrieved his phone.

"It's 2 in the afternoon."

"Oh!"

"Yeah, oh! Now, go and get freshen up. I will go prepare something for us to eat."

"I won't eat."

"You need to eat akshu, you are still recovering. I don't need any excuses." He warned me strictly and turned to leave but stopped and said, "Also, go and take a shower." He left.

I dragged myself out of bed and headed for the bathroom, feeling the weight of exhaustion pull at me. The hot water cascaded over my skin, but it did nothing to wash away the thoughts that had been consuming me since I heard the news. I stood there, unmoving, letting the water fall as my mind spun in circles.

I can’t give him a child.

That single thought played over and over, like a broken record in my head. It haunted me, clung to me, refusing to let go. The more I tried to push it away, the louder it became. I leaned my forehead against the cool tiles, feeling the steam rise around me, but it brought no comfort.

How am I supposed to live with this?

The grief of it hit me again, sharp and unrelenting, and I knew, no matter how long I stayed under the water, this pain wasn’t going to wash away.

"Akshu, akshu!!" I heard his yell. I turned off the shower and stepped out, wrapping a towel around myself and I came out.

"Ooh!" He looked at me in shock and then quickly turned back. I laughed at his antics.

"You have seen me already." I mumbled. He turned to look at me. His eyes racked all over my body while i turned crimson.

"Okay, enough. Stop eyeing me." He laughed and nodded.

"Why did you call me?"

"You were taking a long time in the shower, I grew worried."

I tightened the towel around myself and took a step closer to him, my heart warming at his concern. I could feel the worry radiating from him.

"Lucas," I called softly, and he turned his head slightly, glancing over his shoulder before fully turning to face me. His eyes met mine, and in that moment, the world seemed to be slow. I saw the love, the pain, the helplessness all at once, but more than anything, I saw the unwavering strength in him.

"I’m fine," I whispered, trying to sound convincing, but I knew it didn’t work. I wasn’t fine—not even close.

He crossed the distance between us in two long strides and gently cupped my face in his hands, his thumb brushing lightly over my cheek. "You don’t have to pretend with me, Akshu."