Not Yet

3Temple Talks: Whispers of Forever

Saranyu's senses were overwhelmed as the rich, spicy flavors of the meal danced across her palate. It was unlike anything she had tasted before—a vibrant symphony of spices, textures, and warmth. But just as she was savoring the experience, a sudden cough caught her off guard. The spices were too intense for her unaccustomed throat, and she gasped, struggling to clear her airway.

In an instant, Rudra was beside her, moving swiftly and calmly, his concern evident. He handed her a glass of water, his hand steady as he held it to her lips. As she sipped, her breathing slowly returned to normal, the sharpness of the spices subsiding. Saranyu, still slightly breathless, met Rudra's gaze, and for the first time, something within her shifted. The kindness she saw reflected in his eyes was unlike anything she had ever experienced. It was genuine, without expectation or pretense. She felt her usual defenses falter.

The moment lingered between them. Saranyu, who had spent years building impenetrable walls around her emotions, found herself taken aback by the way Rudra had disarmed her with such ease. She had always been the ice queen, the girl with no weaknesses, but here, in front of him, she felt seen in a way that both terrified and comforted her.

For his part, Rudra didn't push or press her further. He simply smiled warmly, stepping back to give her the space she needed. His nonchalance grounded her, allowing her to process the emotions stirring within her. He was so different from anyone she'd ever known. Where others had either feared or misunderstood her cold demeanor, Rudra simply accepted it, never demanding more than she could give.

As they finished their meal, Rudra's hands moved with purpose as he began gathering up the dishes. Saranyu, flustered and feeling guilty, immediately tried to stop him. "Rudra, you don't have to do that," she insisted, half-rising from her seat.

But Rudra was undeterred. "Hey, it's the least I can do after making such a spicy dish," he said with a playful grin. Before she could protest further, he was already at the sink, washing the plates with swift efficiency. Saranyu watched, feeling a mixture of gratitude and disbelief. He moved through the kitchen like it was second nature, treating the task with an effortless grace she hadn't expected.

A pang of guilt tugged at her as she recalled how little she knew about household chores. Her life had always been about academic achievement, about being the best—anything outside of that realm was deemed unimportant by her parents. Cooking, cleaning, even something as simple as making a cup of tea—these were foreign to her, insignificant distractions she had never been allowed to indulge in. Yet here was Rudra, unbothered by the task, humming a light tune as if cleaning up were the most natural thing in the world.

Suddenly, before she could react, Rudra turned back to her and, with surprising strength and ease, lifted her up and placed her on the kitchen counter. The move was so unexpected that she froze, her cheeks instantly flushing with a deep, embarrassed red. Saranyu's heart raced in her chest, not because of the proximity but because of the ease with which Rudra seemed to navigate these moments. She couldn't bring herself to meet his eyes, unsure if he could see the whirlwind of feelings she was trying to suppress.

As Rudra continued with his task, Saranyu sat on the counter, her thoughts spinning. How had he become so important to her, and so quickly? How had he broken through when no one else had even come close?

When Rudra finished washing the last dish, he turned around with a satisfied grin. "All done!" he announced, as though he had just completed some grand feat. The kitchen gleamed, free of the clutter and mess they had created while cooking. Saranyu found herself smiling despite herself, a quiet, almost shy smile that she rarely allowed anyone to see.

"Thank you," she murmured, her voice so soft it almost surprised her. "For everything."

Rudra's grin softened into a more serious expression, a warmth filling his eyes as he stepped closer. "Anytime, Saranyu," he said with sincerity. "I'll always be here for you, no matter what."Saranyu felt her breath catch. His words touched something deep within her, something she had tried to keep buried for so long. It wasn't just his kindness or the way he made her feel safe—it was the way he made her believe that she wasn't alone.