Beneath The Storm (Completed)

Chapter-18:Cracks in the Armor

In the quiet of the room, Inaara's eyes wandered around, a hint of anxiety lingering in them as the realization struck her.

There was no couch. No sofa. Only one bed-a large, luxurious bed, but still... just one.

Atharv noticed her expression as he moved toward the bed.

"What's the problem?" he asked, raising an eyebrow, his tone as usual, firm but laced with subtle curiosity.

Inaara hesitated, looking at him with a mix of uncertainty and discomfort.

"There's... there's no couch," she replied, casting another quick glance around. "Where will I sleep?"

Atharv took a quick survey of the room, as if he hadn't noticed this small detail before.

He exhaled, glancing back at her after a moment. "We could share the bed, if you're alright with it," he said, his voice neutral.

"It's big enough. Should be comfortable for both of us."

Inaara looked at him as though he had just spoken in a completely foreign language. Sharing the bed... with him?

Atharv noticed her expression and calmly continued,

"Look, it's late. I don't think the staff can bring another bed or couch now, and the bed is spacious."

He picked up his iPad again, signaling that he wasn't going to debate it further.

Inaara stared at the bed in silence, her thoughts racing. She couldn't sleep on the cold floor or in the balcony without freezing.

After a few seconds, she sighed, reminding herself that the bed was massive-practically big enough for five people.

It would be fine, she reasoned. It was just for a few nights, after all.

Without saying anything, she left the room, and Atharv watched her go, momentarily puzzled.

He waited, wondering where she'd gone, and after a few minutes, she returned, carrying an extra blanket.

She climbed onto the bed, laying out the blanket before creating a neat pillow barrier right down the middle of the bed.

Atharv watched her ritual of settling in, noticing how she even paused to murmur her soft prayers, her hands folded as she always did before sleeping.

She then wrapped herself completely in the extra blanket, curling up under its warmth.

He now understood why she'd brought the extra blanket; she was ensuring they didn't have to share even that.

Atharv smirked slightly to himself, noting the pillow wall she had built, a faint amusement flickering in his eyes.

Turning back to his work, he focused on his iPad for a while, occasionally glancing over at her.

Eventually, he put the iPad aside, ready for sleep.

When he turned, he noticed her completely bundled up, only a small part of her face peeking out from the heavy blanket.