His sukoon : His junoon

41

Enjoy

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Isha snuggled into the warm mattress, sighing in contentment at its comfortable feeling. Her arms tightened around the pillow, but she frowned at its unexpected hardness. Her hand roamed over the pillow, searching for the familiar softness, only to find it oddly structured, like small bricks.

Startled, she pulled her hand back and opened her eyes, realizing she was resting against Rudransh's chest. Instinctively, she thought to move away, but she froze as she felt the steady, calming rhythm of his heartbeat.

Glancing up, she saw his serene, peaceful face, free from his usual frown. It was the first time she'd seen him truly resting, other than those rare moments when he'd slept for only a few hours. She didn't want to disturb him.

Gently, she tried to pry his hand off hers, but he tightened his hold, his brows furrowing. Panic rising, Isha cautiously placed her other hand on his hair, stroking and patting softly. He took a deep breath and relaxed, falling deeper into sleep as his grip loosened, allowing her to free herself.

She quietly slipped out of bed and glanced at the time—5:00 AM. Heading to the bathroom, she came out half an hour later, dressed in an oversized hoodie and pajama pants. Since everyone in the household started their day a bit later, she had some time to herself and preferred staying comfortable rather than getting dressed in a saree just yet.

While she loved traditional attire, wearing a saree made her feel a bit shy, as it exposed her stomach. It also made her feel insecure about herself.

Sitting on the sofa, Isha picked up a book, Anxiety by Sonali Gupta, and got lost in the complex world of human emotions. She was startled when she sensed someone sit beside her.

Rudransh had woken up suddenly, missing the warmth that had enveloped him throughout the night. Looking at the clock, he noticed it was 5:57 AM. He'd slept for seven hours—an actual deep sleep, uninterrupted by nightmares. His gaze wandered until it landed on Isha, curled up on the sofa, engrossed in her book, her hair frizzy as if she hadn't brushed it.

Getting up, he grabbed a comb from the dressing table and sat beside her. He noticed her slight startle, but she stayed quiet. Taking the book from her hands, he gently set it aside and began threading his fingers through her hair, freeing it from any tangles before starting to comb.

Isha sighed, appreciating the calmness. They sat in silence for a few minutes before she finally remembered something important.

"Can I ask you something?" she murmured, her voice hesitant. Rudransh hummed in response, still focused on her hair.

"It's about my remaining studies..." Her voice trailed off, unsure of how to continue. After a moment of quiet, Rudransh spoke.

"I'll arrange it, don't worry," he said. Isha nodded, standing up to head to the walk-in closet to change into her saree.

"Freshen up," she whispered softly, walking away without looking back, unsure how to react around him.

At the dining table, Rudransh sat down, with Isha beside him. She served him food, casting brief glances his way with her large, expressive eyes before focusing back on her meal. He noticed her hair tied up in a bun, a bit too tightly for his liking. His fingers itched to free it, imagining how uncomfortable it must feel.

Unable to resist any longer, he quietly lifted his hand. The room fell silent for a moment, eyes glancing at him, but he ignored them.

"Let me," he whispered softly, just for her to hear. His fingers brushed against her bun, and without waiting for her permission, he gently started to undo the tight knot.