THE IInd DECISION

36.Lines we cross

Ayan Pov:-

I stepped into the room, picked up the books, and carried them back to our bedroom, a sense of satisfaction filling my mind. When I turned the doorknob and entered, she was sitting there like a scared kitten, her eyes wide and uncertain. The moment she saw me, her face froze, but I could feel the relief that rushed through her body. Abruptly, she stood up and exclaimed, "Books!"

I placed them on the bed and smiled softly. "Yes... We need to close this generational gap. So, books. You're going to teach me about them," I said, watching as her eyes welled up with tears.

Wait. Why was she crying? Just yesterday, she was fighting me for these books. She stood silently, wiping her tears, and I felt my chest tighten. "What did you think?" I asked gently.

Her voice quivered as she wiped away a tear from her cheek. "I thought... I thought you were going to..." Her words broke off into sobs as she rushed toward me, throwing her arms around my torso, her face pressed into my chest. She cried, her whole body trembling as I wrapped one arm around her back, the other softly patting her head.

"Ashi, please don't cry, bacha," I whispered, my heart aching for her.

"But you... from yesterday... you were saying things like that," she managed through her sobs, holding onto me tighter. My chest tightened with regret. I hadn't realized my teasing had hurt her this much.

"I was just teasing you a little, Ashi," I said, my voice gentle. "You called me an oldie, and I didn't think you took it seriously."

She pulled away slightly, her face still damp with tears, and said, "But... you even wiped my tears with my pallu..."

I chuckled softly, trying to lighten the moment. "Oh, that. I didn't even realize why I did that."

She stared at me, her lips trembling. "I thought... you were going to force things on me... like them..." Her voice cracked, and instantly, regret surged through me. She thought I would do something like that to her?

I held her shoulders, my grip firm but careful. "Ashi, listen to me," I said, my voice more serious now. But she cried again, and this time, I tightened my hold, forcing her to meet my eyes. "Ashi, damn it, listen to me. I would never-never-do anything without your consent. I swear. And I would never let anyone hurt you, not even a hair on your head."

She sniffled, her eyes searching mine. "Pakka?" she whispered.

"Pakka, jaan," I promised. "You're more important than anything else." I pulled her into a tight embrace and whispered softly, "You're safe with me, Ashi." Her eyes, brimming with tears, met mine-so full of pain and relief all at once. Gently, I wiped away the streams running down her cheeks, offering her a silent promise with my gaze: I'm here now, and I won't let go.

She collapsed into my arms, holding on as if she'd finally found the anchor she'd been searching for. We stayed like that, wrapped in each other's warmth, for what felt like a small eternity. She needed this-needed to feel safe enough to let her walls crumble. She had carried her pain alone for too long, but now, she didn't have to. Not anymore.

I held her tighter, my heart silently vowing that I would protect her with everything I had. No one would ever hurt her again, not while I was here. I would fight for her, bleed for her, even die for her if it meant she would be safe.

Her sobs slowly subsided, her breaths evening out, as if my presence alone had brought her the peace she so desperately needed. Finally, she pulled away, calmer now, but I could still feel the weight of her trust settling between us. I would never let her down.

Her fingers brushed her wet cheeks as she whispered, "But... you slept beside me yesterday..."

I sighed, realizing how wrong she had taken things. "I slept there because my back was hurt. I couldn't sleep on the sofa. But I didn't touch you, Ashi."