Unexpectly Yours:The Journey Of An Arranged Marriage

Part 46

One night, they were getting ready for bed. Kavya was scrolling through her phone, as usual, catching up on messages and emails. Abhay lay next to her, fidgeting with the blanket, his mind on anything but sleep. After a few minutes, he couldn't stand it anymore and gently pulled the phone out of her hands.

Kavya (protesting lightly): "Hey! I was in the middle of something!"

Abhay (settling into her side): "It's bedtime. Stop working."

He snuggled into her, resting his head on her stomach and curling his arms around her waist, as if she was the only thing that could give him peace. Kavya raised an eyebrow but smiled nonetheless, finding his antics cute.

Kavya: "You're like a big baby, you know that?"

Abhay: "Hmm... maybe. But I like being your baby."

She rolled her eyes playfully, running her fingers through his hair. Even though she thought he was just going through something emotionally, she still enjoyed the warmth of his presence. Little did she know, this was becoming Abhay's way of showing her love—a love he had yet to express verbally.

**********

One weekend, Kavya had planned a busy day of errands. She had to pick up groceries, run a few office errands, and visit her friend for a quick coffee. Abhay, of course, decided he was going to tag along.

Kavya (as she grabbed her purse): "I'll be out for a few hours. You don't need to come, Abhay."

Abhay (slipping his shoes on): "I'm coming. No question about it."

She laughed but didn't argue, knowing by now that Abhay wasn't going to let her go without him. As they walked through the grocery store, he stayed unnaturally close, walking by her side, sometimes brushing her hand with his as if debating whether or not to hold it.

Kavya (playfully nudging him): "You're acting like I'm going to disappear or something."

Abhay: "I just... I like being near you, that's all."

Kavya chuckled, giving him a look of amused disbelief.

Kavya: "Well, I like having you near me too. But you're acting like a puppy today."

**********

The moments continued—Abhay sneaking up behind her when she was least expecting it, holding her hand longer than necessary, brushing his fingers against her arm as they passed each other in the hallway. And Kavya, though she enjoyed the attention, still thought it was just his way of coping with the aftermath of everything that had happened. She didn't yet realize the depth of his feelings, or that his clinginess wasn't temporary.

It was one evening, after an especially long day for both of them, when things came to a head. Kavya was exhausted, lying on the bed, her arm draped over her eyes. Abhay came into the room and, without a word, crawled into bed beside her. Instead of lying next to her, though, he wrapped himself around her like a blanket—his arms tight around her waist, his face buried in her neck.

Kavya (groaning lightly): "Abhay, I can't breathe with you holding me like that."

Abhay (not moving): "I don't care. I just... I need you."

There was something in his voice—something that tugged at Kavya's heartstrings. She moved her arm from her eyes and turned her head to look at him. For the first time, she really looked at him.

Kavya: "What's going on with you? You've been so... clingy lately."

He hesitated, not sure how to explain it in a way that wouldn't scare her off.