Anaya-His heartbeat

Chapter 29

SHIVARTH POV

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I stood at the doorway, leaning against the frame, watching the scene unfold before me. Anaya, Vivaan, Ayaan, and Samaira were sprawled on the living room rug, the air thick with laughter and the lighthearted banter of their truth and dare game. I felt a pang of something I couldn’t quite identify as I watched Anaya’s laughter ring out, bright and infectious. There was an ease about them, a connection that seemed to radiate warmth, and it stirred something in me—something I rarely allowed myself to feel.

Jealousy twisted in my gut. I wanted to join them, to share in the laughter, but the thought made me uncomfortable. Could I really step away from the serious, authoritative version of myself? Would they even accept this different side of me? I was so used to being the responsible one, the one who didn’t engage in such carefree moments.

“Come on, Shivarth! Join us!” Ayaan called out, his excitement almost palpable. Samaira chimed in, her eyes sparkling with invitation, and Vivaan shot me a cheeky grin that made me want to smile back but also hold my ground.

Then Anaya turned to me, her gaze locking onto mine. “Shivarth, just go to sleep. We have to get up early tomorrow to visit your dadi in the village.” Her tone was playful yet commanding, and I felt a strange mix of irritation and admiration.

“Really, I think you should all rest,” I insisted, trying to sound firm. “It’s going to be a long day.”

But even as I said it, I could see the disappointment in their faces, especially in Anaya’s. It was as if I were the only one missing out on something vital. Everyone began to protest, insisting they could manage their sleep later. “We’ll wake up in time, we promise!” Samaira added, trying to sway me.

Anaya leaned back, arms crossed. " its fine shivarth we will play one more round It will hardly take half and hour"
" You are informing or asking"
" Informing"

Her  DOMINANAT PERSONALITY  struck a chord. I felt my defenses begin to crumble. There was something captivating about her, an energy that drew me in despite my reservations. I had never seen her like this, so vibrant and alive, and it made me want to be a part of it.

With a resigned sigh, I finally said, “Fine. Just one round.” The words slipped out before I could overthink it, and a smile broke through my usual stoic demeanor.

As the game continued, I found myself getting swept up in their laughter, especially Anaya’s. She was in her element, her playful spirit lighting up the room. I watched her with a mixture of admiration and disbelief at how easily she fit into this world of fun and freedom. It felt good to laugh, to let go of the weight that had been pressing down on me for so long.

But I was still acutely aware of how different this felt for me. I was the serious one, the one burdened with expectations and responsibilities. Yet here I was, enjoying the banter, allowing myself to forget, even if just for a moment.

Eventually, the laughter began to feel like a warm embrace, and as the game progressed, I excused myself with a grin, wanting to preserve this newfound feeling. Maybe I didn’t have to be just the serious Shivarth all the time. Maybe, just maybe, I could explore this other side of me, the one that craved connection, laughter, and a little bit of joy.

As I walked away, a sense of lightness enveloped me. Perhaps I could let Anaya and the others in, share in their laughter, and maybe even learn to embrace the parts of myself that I had kept hidden for so long. The thought was both exhilarating and terrifying, but for the first time in a while, it felt like a step towards something new.

ANAYA POV

As I opened the door to my room after the game, I was greeted by the sight of Shivarth lounging on the couch, blankets pulled around him, focused intently on his phone. A playful smirk spread across my face. “You were the one asking us to sleep, and here you are on your phone?” I teased.

He looked up, amusement dancing in his eyes. “I was just catching up on some things,” he replied, a hint of a grin tugging at his lips.

“You know, it’s pretty unfair that you can scroll through your phone while I’m over here trying to keep my eyes open,” I said, crossing my arms. “You were the one who told us to stop our game and here you are the one awake

Shivarth raised an eyebrow, pretending to consider my suggestion. “What if I told you I’m currently in a heated debate with my fantasy football team?”

" You  actually like football"
"I lovee...."
" Cricket is better"
. It felt easy to talk to him, like the tension that often hung between us was fading away. But then, just as I was getting into it, he picked up his phone again, scrolling through notifications.

“Seriously?” I exclaimed, my amusement turning to annoyance. “ your  rules apply to just playing playing , not texting.”

He glanced at me, and I could see the hint of a smile playing on his lips. “I’m just checking something quickly. It won’t take long.”

“Nope, no way! "
He surrended and kept his ohone down and closed his eyes
Am I talking too much after whatever argument we had? But dude i cant keep quiet for more than 1 hour  har vkt  bhaukne ki adaat h merkooo  kher jo bhi h
I decided to gather my courage and ask him, “How did you know I liked novels?”

He shifted under the blankets, his eyes darting away. “Annie told me,” he admitted, his voice slightly sheepish.

“Why did you want to know?” I pressed, genuinely curious.

“I just wanted to understand you better,” he replied, his tone sincere. His words sent a flutter through my heart, and I couldn’t help but feel a connection forming between us.

He closed his eyes, and I found myself lost in thought, captivated by his presence. Suddenly, he opened his eyes and caught me staring. “Hey, don’t stare at your husband like that,” he teased, and I felt my cheeks heat up at the word “husband.”

“Uh, I wasn’t staring!” I stammered, looking away quickly, flustered.

“Sure, sure. Just try not to get too lost in thought,” he said with a chuckle, and I couldn’t help but smile at his playful nature.

After a moment, I finally turned off the light and crawled under the blanket, my heart still racing. The evening had been unexpectedly enjoyable, and as I lay there, I thought about how easy it felt to connect with him. I closed my eyes, my mind swirling with excitement and embarrassment as I drifted off to sleep, hopeful for what tomorrow might bring.