The Pricking Love

Bridges Of Rebuild

Anusha’s POV

“...he’s your brother,” Ekant continued, his brow furrowed in thought. “And he cares about you. I don’t think he’ll react as badly as you fear. He might just need time to adjust.”

I nodded, though a knot of worry twisted in my stomach. “You didn’t see the look on his face when I mentioned that I had someone in my life. I could see that he was protective. I just hope he doesn’t feel like I’ve replaced him or shut him out completely.”

“Tulip, you’re not replacing him. You’re simply moving forward with your life,” Ekant reassured me, his voice warm and steady. “You need to show him that you’re happy and safe now, and that it’s okay for him to be a part of that.”

“But how do I even begin to explain everything? The past, the present, and how you fit into all of this?” I ran a hand through my hair, feeling overwhelmed. “What if he can’t accept our relationship?”

“Then we deal with that together,” Ekant replied, stepping closer. “You’re not alone in this. I’ll support you every step of the way. You just need to trust that you can handle this. You’re stronger than you know.”

I could see the sincerity in his eyes, and it calmed my racing heart a bit. “You’re right,” I said, finding my voice again. “I just need to take it one step at a time.”

“Exactly,” he said with a nod, a faint smile creeping onto his lips. “You’ve already taken the first step by reaching out to him. Just continue being honest with him.”

“Thanks, Ekant. I really appreciate your support.” I reached for his hand, grateful for his presence.

“Always,” he replied, giving my hand a reassuring squeeze. “Now, let’s take a moment to relax before we tackle the next big conversation.”

I managed a small smile as I leaned against him, feeling the warmth of his body next to mine. As the evening wore on, we settled into a comfortable silence, but the weight of the conversation loomed in the back of my mind. I knew that soon I would have to confront my brother again and tell him the truth about everything—about my past, my pain, and the new life I was building with Ekant

---

The Next Day

The morning dawned bright and clear, but I could feel the tension still lingering in the air. After breakfast, I decided to text Ansh to see if he was available to meet again. I needed to keep the momentum going.

Me: “Hey, can we meet again? There’s more I want to share with you.”

His reply came quickly.

Ansh: “Sure! How about later today? I want to hear everything.”

I glanced at Ekant, who was leaning against the kitchen counter, sipping his coffee. “Ansh wants to meet again this afternoon.”

Ekant looked up from his cup, a hint of a smile on his face. “That’s great. It means he wants to understand. Just remember to stay calm and be honest.”

“Right,” I said, my heart racing again at the thought of diving deeper into our conversation. “I’ll try.”

As the hours passed, I prepared myself mentally for the meeting. I wanted to tell Ansh everything, but I still felt apprehensive about how he would react to the truth about my marriage.

When the time finally came, I headed to the café again, my stomach in knots. I arrived early, needing a moment to gather my thoughts. I was still lost in my thoughts when I saw Ansh walk in, looking as nervous as I felt.

“Anu!” he exclaimed, waving slightly before making his way to our usual table.

“Hey, Ansh,” I greeted, trying to match his enthusiasm.

He took a seat across from me, and for a moment, we just stared at each other, the unspoken words hanging heavy in the air.

“Okay, so tell me everything,” he said, leaning forward. “What’s been going on in your life?”

I took a deep breath, ready to share my truth. “It’s been a journey, Ansh. After everything with Mom and Dad, I felt so lost. I moved away to find myself, and honestly, it was hard. But I’m in a better place now.”

He nodded, his expression serious. “I can’t believe you were dealing with everything alone. I wish you would have let me help you.”

“I know, and I’m sorry for that,” I said, feeling the weight of guilt. “I didn’t know how to reach out. But I found someone who’s really helped me through the darkness.”

“Someone?” Ansh asked, the curiosity in his eyes growing.

“His name is Ekant,” I said carefully, gauging his reaction. “He’s been my rock during this time.”

Ansh’s expression shifted slightly. “Ekant… I still don’t know that name. Is he someone I should know? Or be worried about?”

“No, no! It’s not like that,” I rushed to explain. “He’s not a bad influence at all. He genuinely cares for me and has been there for me when I felt like I was falling apart.”

“But he’s not family,” Ansh countered gently. “I don’t want to sound protective, but I just want to make sure you’re safe.”

“I appreciate that,” I said, taking a moment to collect my thoughts. “But he really has been great for me. I just hope you can accept that.”

Ansh leaned back, a contemplative look on his face. “I want to understand, Anu. But why not introduce me to him? If he’s as good as you say, I want to meet him.”

I hesitated, my heart racing. “I want to, I promise. But it’s complicated. You need to understand that I’ve been through a lot, and I don’t want to overwhelm you.”

“Anu, please. Just be honest with me,” Ansh urged, his voice softening. “You’re my sister, and I want to be there for you, no matter what.”

I felt a wave of emotion rush over me. “Okay. I will. But just give me a little time. I promise you’ll meet Ekant soon.”

Ansh nodded, his expression earnest. “I can wait for that, but just remember, you don’t have to go through this alone. I’m here for you.”

I felt the weight of his words settle into my heart, bringing a sense of comfort. “Thank you, Ansh. That means more than you know.”

As we continued to talk, I felt the walls I had built around my heart beginning to crack. For the first time in years, I could see a future where my past and present could coexist, where I could embrace the love I had found with Ekant while rebuilding my bond with Ansh.

But just as hope began to blossom within me, a sense of unease crept back in. What would happen when I finally introduced them? Would Ansh be able to accept the life I had chosen? Only time would tell, but I was determined to face whatever came next. Together.

Hey sweetums
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Anusha x Ekant