His Forced Bride

15. Have I fallen for him?

Rohini's POV:

It started with the little things. The way he'd leave a cup of tea by my bedside every morning, not expecting a thank you or even a word of acknowledgment. It was just there, warm and waiting, a gesture so thoughtful that I'd find myself smiling before I'd even taken a sip.

For weeks, I brushed it off. After all, this was a marriage of convenience, forced upon us by our families. Love wasn't part of the deal—just companionship and duty, a partnership of two strangers making the best of an arrangement.

And yet, with every passing day, my heart betrayed me a little more. This morning, it was the smallest of gestures that shook me.

Aditya had come back from his morning jog, his face flushed from the cold, his hair tousled in that way that should have been illegal. Without thinking, he'd reached for my tea mug, topping it up without a word. He didn't even look at me, just filled my cup, as if it were the most natural thing in the world to take care of me. The ease of it left me speechless.

Have I fallen for him?

---

A few days later, we were attending a family gathering at his parents' place. It was one of those big events, bustling with relatives and kids running around, each guest wanting to say hello.

I stood on the sidelines, feeling a bit like an outsider, uncertain and out of place in the sea of familiar faces. I had been tugging at the edge of my saree, trying to blend into the background when I felt a hand slide around my waist, pulling me in close.

I looked up, surprised to find Aditya smiling down at me."You look nervous," he whispered, his gaze softening as he held me there, a shield between me and the crowd.His touch was gentle, yet there was a strength in it as if he'd stand guard by my side no matter what.

My cheeks flushed, my heart racing in a way I couldn't understand. The feeling was strange, unfamiliar, but undeniably comforting. I smiled up at him, my eyes saying the thank you my voice couldn't seem to manage.

As the evening went on, he stayed close, guiding me through introductions, translating family jokes with a smirk, and sharing quiet asides that made me laugh. For the first time, it felt as if I truly belonged, wrapped in a sense of warmth and acceptance that I hadn't felt before. 

And it was because of him. It left me with a strange, fluttering feeling that I couldn't ignore.

Was this what it felt like to be in love?

---

One night, after dinner, we ended up on the balcony, looking out over the city skyline. We hadn't planned it; it just happened. He'd been talking about something from work, something about a project that had been stressing him out, and I found myself listening, genuinely interested.

As he spoke, I watched him, noticing the little things. The way his brows furrowed as he explained something complicated, the way he'd run a hand through his hair when he was frustrated. He was so alive in those moments, passionate and open, and I felt my heart ache with something I couldn't quite name. 

He turned to me suddenly, as if he'd sensed me watching him.

"What?"I shook my head, caught off guard.

"Nothing. It's just... I don't think I've ever seen you so passionate about something. He laughed, a sound so warm it made me feel like I was wrapped in sunlight.

 "Well, you're easy to talk to," he said, his voice softening. "It's nice, you know? Having someone to come home to. Someone who listens."I felt my cheeks grow warm, and I looked away, my heart racing.

There was a tenderness in his gaze that made me feel vulnerable, and exposed. He saw me in a way that no one else ever had, and for the first time, I wasn't afraid of what he might find in love that made me feel this way. This strange, soft vulnerability?

--

Then there was the night I fell ill. It was sudden—a fever that hit hard and fast, leaving me shivering under the covers, my head throbbing. I'd tried to brush it off, not wanting to be a burden, but Aditya had noticed almost immediately. 

He didn't hesitate. He'd brought me warm water, wrapped me in blankets, and stayed by my side, his hand resting gently on my forehead, checking my temperature.

His voice was low, and soothing as he asked me to let him know if I needed anything.

"Why are you doing all this?" I'd asked, my voice weak. He'd looked at me, his expression so gentle it made my chest ache. "Because I care about you, Rohini. Isn't that what husbands or fiances do?"

The simple honesty in his words left me speechless. I watched him, unable to look away, feeling something shift in my heart. At that moment, I knew—he'd become more than just my partner. He was someone I trusted, someone who made me feel safe and valued.

---

One rainy afternoon, we got stuck inside during a power outage. I'd been reading a book, curled up on the couch, when he joined me, stretching out beside me with a sigh.

"Bored?" I teased, smiling as he glanced over at me."Very," he replied, his tone exaggerated. Then he smirked, holding up a deck of cards.

"Care to play?"We spent hours playing games, laughing and talking, the sound of the rain a soothing backdrop. Somewhere between a winning hand and a joke, I looked up and found him watching me, his expression softer than usual.

"You know, I think this is the most fun I've had in ages," he murmured, his voice low, almost shy. My heart skipped a beat, and I looked down, hoping he didn't see the blush creeping up my cheeks. There was a tenderness in the moment that felt fragile, and precious.

And in that instant, I realized how much he meant to me. How much his happiness mattered, how much I wanted to be the reason he smiled.

I think I'm in love with him.

---

The thought left me breathless, my heart racing as I looked at him. All those little moments, those small, quiet gestures—they'd all added up, slipping under my defenses until I was left with a feeling I could no longer deny.

The next day, I woke up with a new sense of clarity, an understanding of what my heart had known all along. When I saw him in the kitchen, pouring tea, I found myself smiling, my chest warm with affection.

I watched him, letting myself truly feel everything I'd tried to ignore. And as he turned, catching my gaze, he smiled back, his eyes crinkling in that familiar way that made my heart flutter. At that moment, I knew that whatever lay ahead, I wanted it to be with him. 

I'd fallen for Aditya. And maybe, just maybe, he'd fallen for me too.

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