YOU NEVER WALK ALONE

37-Falling for him

AUTHOR'S POV-

ONE WEEK LATER-

It had been a week since the incident at the party. Sarakshi had asked him to act like nothing happened, and he had obliged, staying silent about it. Each day, he would gently ask if she was ready to talk, even though he already knew her answer—always the same: no. Still, he kept asking, just in case.

Sarakshi noticed everything—the subtle shifts in Rashvik's behavior. Although he could still be rude at times, giving her reasons to keep calling him Mr. Rude, he wasn't as harsh as before. In fact, he was talking more, often the first to start a conversation.

He was laughing more, and most importantly, he was showing care in ways she hadn't expected. The realization almost brought tears to her eyes. He was looking out for her—the same man she once believed wouldn't even glance her way. Yet, day by day, he proved her wrong, making sure she was okay and helping her steer her mind away from the incident.

She was becoming more attached to him with each passing day, feeling closer to him than ever before. Though Rashvik still didn't reveal much of his inner world, she could sense him trying—trying to let his old self surface in front of her. Yet, she could also feel him holding back, as if something was stopping him from fully opening up.

Maybe he was still insecure, not quite ready to let her into his heart. But he was no longer the same Rashvik she had met a few months ago. He was changing, trying more each day. The progress was slow, but it was there. He was still scared, but he was trying.

On the other hand, Rashvik found himself caught in a whirlwind of confusion. He wasn't quite sure how to feel, yet he was oddly confident that, in time, things would eventually work out. A part of him regretted the way he had treated her, but despite that, he couldn't always stop himself from slipping into old habits.

Every time he looked at her, the image of her tear-streaked face flashed before his eyes, stirring something deep within him. He wanted to understand her, to dive into the parts of her life she kept hidden. But he held back, knowing she wasn't ready to share, and respecting that was the least he could do for her.

Currently, Sarakshi sat in class next to Ananya, barely aware of the lecture going on around her. Meanwhile, Rashvik was stuck in a meeting, eager for it to end so he could go pick up his dear wife from college.
Neither of them could fully concentrate on their work, but while Rashvik managed to push thoughts of her aside and focus, Sarakshi wasn't having the same luck.

She kept zoning out, not catching a single word the professor said. Her mind was consumed by thoughts of Rashvik—his recent tenderness, his quiet care for her. A small smile played on her lips, her heart and mind completely wrapped up in thoughts of her husband.

SARAKSHI'S POV- 

I couldn't fully comprehend anything at that moment—I was too overwhelmed with emotions. But the next morning, when I woke up, everything registered. Every little thing he had done for me came rushing back, crystal clear. My entire day was consumed by thoughts of him and only him. I realized he had been there for me the whole time, never leaving my side, not even for a moment.

He's not the same person I met; he's changed. And maybe—just maybe—he's trying to change for me. I might be imagining it, but I see him making an effort, starting conversations, reaching out in ways he never used to. It's hard to ignore the fact that he's trying, even if he won't admit it.

The way he held me, gently patting my head, whispering soothing words as I broke down—it helped me more than I can say. If he hadn't been there, I would've ended up fainting like always, waking up confused the next day. That's what usually happens when I hyperventilate. But this time, he was there, and that made all the difference.