The Mafia heart ( book 1 )

chapter 29 The Caregiver

The soft morning light filtered through the curtains as Vikram stepped into Mehek's apartment. The familiar scent of her lavender candles filled the air, but today it felt heavy with unspoken words and tension. He glanced around, noting the warmth of the home that contrasted sharply with the cold reality of the situation.

"Hey, Mehek," Vikram called softly, his voice barely above a whisper. He moved into the living room where she was sitting on the couch, wrapped in a blanket. Her hair fell over her face, but he could see the signs of exhaustion in her eyes.

"Hi," she replied, her voice flat and emotionless. It was just one word, but it cut him deep.

Vikram took a deep breath. "I made breakfast. Do you want some?" He held up a plate of toast and scrambled eggs.

"I'm not hungry," Mehek replied, her gaze still focused on the floor.

"Please, just a little bit," he insisted, moving closer. "You need to eat to get your strength back."

She turned her head slightly, her eyes meeting his for a brief moment. "I said I'm not hungry, Vikram."

The hurt in her voice was palpable, but Vikram pushed through it. "I know this is hard, but I'm here for you. Let me take care of you."

Silence fell between them, thick and suffocating. Vikram felt a wave of frustration wash over him. He wanted to reach out, to comfort her, but he was terrified of making things worse.

"Mehek," he said gently, kneeling beside her. "I can't change what happened, but I can help you heal."

"I don't need your help," she snapped, her tone sharp.

Vikram flinched, but he didn't back down. "You need someone, and I want to be that person for you. You don't have to go through this alone."

Mehek's expression softened slightly, but she still didn't say anything. Vikram took a chance, placing the plate on the coffee table. "Just sit with me while I eat, okay? I can't leave you alone like this."

She looked at him, a mix of anger and pain in her eyes. "Why do you care so much?"

"Because I love you, Mehek," he said, his voice steady. "I always have. Even when you hated me, I cared."

Her expression faltered, and for a moment, he thought she might say something, but then she turned away again, her face hidden behind her hair.

"Let me help you get cleaned up," he offered, trying to change the subject. "I brought some supplies."

Mehek sighed, clearly torn. "Fine," she muttered, her voice barely above a whisper.

Vikram stood and walked into the bathroom, gathering some toiletries and a warm washcloth. He returned and gently lifted her chin to meet his gaze. "I'm just going to clean your wounds, okay? It might sting a little."

"Just do it," she replied, the edge in her voice softened by exhaustion.

He nodded, carefully dabbing the washcloth on her arm, where bruises had formed. "You're so strong, Mehek. You've been through so much."

"Don't say that," she whispered, her voice breaking slightly.

"Why not? It's true," he insisted gently. "You survived. You're still here."

As he worked, he could feel the tension slowly melting away, if only a little. The warmth of her skin against the washcloth made his heart ache. He missed the times they'd laughed together, the times she'd looked at him with love instead of disdain.

After a moment of silence, Mehek spoke again, her voice quieter. "I just want to forget everything."

Vikram paused, his heart heavy. "You can't erase the past, but you can start to heal. We can face this together."

She finally looked up at him, her eyes filled with unshed tears. "Why did you let this happen, Vikram? I thought you were supposed to protect me."

His heart sank. "I know I failed you. And I can't express how sorry I am for that. But I'm here now, and I won't let you go again. I'll do everything in my power to keep you safe."

"Even if I don't want you around?" Mehek challenged, her voice barely a whisper.

"Even then," he replied earnestly. "I'll be here, waiting for you to let me back in."

The silence that followed was filled with unspoken promises and lingering pain. Vikram finished cleaning her up, and they sat together in the quiet, both lost in their thoughts. He hoped that, with time, she would come to trust him again. For now, he would be patient, offering her the care she needed, no matter how long it took.