𝐌𝐚𝐟𝐢𝐚 𝐊𝐢𝐧𝐠'𝐬 𝐢𝐧𝐧𝐨𝐜𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐛𝐢𝐰𝐢

"31. A Kiss that Heals"

"Mujhme unki mehek ab tak hai
Is dil ko unki pyaas ab tak hai
Vo un hothon ka pehla sparsh tha
Par in labon pe unka ehsaas ab tak hai"

-Fictionflare_
(Ruhaksh)

Ruhanika had been glowing with happiness since morning. Though Rudraksh had gone to the office, Ashvik had chosen to stay home and dedicate his entire day to her. His thoughtful gestures filled her heart with joy as he showered her with attention and affection. Ashvik had brought her a collection of thoughtful gifts, each one carefully chosen to make her smile. He made it clear that he wanted to spoil his little sister, making up for the lost time over the years. From preparing her favorite meals to sitting beside her while they watched movies, Ashvik ensured she felt cherished. Ruhanika also gently placed the neck chain back around Ashvik's neck, the chain being the sole keepsake of their parents. They laughed and played games, including a session of cards where he patiently taught her the tricks. His effort to create a memorable day touched her deeply, and the bond between them felt stronger than ever. Ruhanika couldn’t stop smiling, feeling lucky to have such a caring and loving brother by her side.

In the afternoon, Ashvik had to leave for the office to attend to an urgent matter regarding his project. Before leaving, he made sure Rudraksh would return home to keep Ruhanika company. When Rudraksh entered the room, he found Ruhanika sitting on the bed, her eyes glued to the laptop screen with intense focus. A soft smile tugged at his lips as he watched her, amused by how engrossed she seemed. Placing his watch on a nearby table and slipping off his blazer, Rudraksh was about to head toward the closet when Ruhanika noticed him. Her face instantly lit up with joy, and she grinned widely, her happiness contagious.

Before Rudraksh could react, she jumped off the bed and ran toward him. Without hesitation, she threw herself into his arms, wrapping her arms tightly around his neck. The force of her excitement made him lift her off the ground effortlessly, chuckling at her usual antics. It was becoming a habit of hers to leap onto him, and he found it both endearing and amusing. As he held her close, Rudraksh couldn’t help but think about how much he was learning about her each day. She wasn’t naturally a quiet or reserved girl—life’s circumstances had pushed her into that shell. Watching her small but significant displays of happiness reminded him of his goal: to ensure she lived freely, happily, and without fear.

Rudraksh: "Jaana?? "
(Sweetheart?)

Rudraksh could feel the warmth of Ruhanika's face pressing against his neck as she buried herself there. Her shyness was evident, and he couldn’t help but wonder why she was reacting this way. He hadn’t done anything to make her feel shy. She seemed to be lost in her emotions, and her delicate blush only made him more curious.

Rudraksh: "Ruhh, maine toh kaha hi nhi kuch toh ye sharam kaisi?? Kya hua t..."
(Ruhh, I didn’t say anything, so why are you feeling shy? What happened y...)

Rudraksh was in the middle of speaking when suddenly, Ruhanika leaned in and, without warning, pressed a quick, kiss to his lips. Before he could even process what had just happened, she buried her face shyly in his neck, her arms wrapped around him as if nothing unusual had occurred,  her warmth sending a shiver down his spine. Rudraksh froze, his entire body going still. His eyes widened in utter shock as the warmth from the kiss lingered on his lips. He hadn’t expected this at all. The shock hit him like a wave, and it took him a few seconds to even register what had just happened. His grip on her waist instinctively tightened as a rush of heat spread across his face, his ears burning with bashfullness and surprise. The softness of her touch, the surprise of the kiss, and the tenderness in her actions were almost too much for him to process. He stood there, still holding her, his mind racing as he tried to regain his composure. Did she just kiss him? He had never imagined this kind of boldness from her. He knew she had come a long way out of her shell, but this? This was unexpected, to say the least. He blinked rapidly, as if trying to shake off the overwhelming surprise that had taken him completely off guard.