Marked By Darkness

Chapter 83- Unexpected Proximity

Ruhan watched as Ruhi lay there, her face pale and her body limp. He couldn't help but feel the weight of the situation pressing down on him. She had fainted again, and he was determined to make sure she was okay. Carefully, he reached for a small bottle of water on the nearby table, his hands trembling slightly as he splashed a bit of it on her face.

Her eyelids fluttered, and slowly, her eyes opened.

"Ruhi?" Ruhan asked softly, his voice barely a whisper, trying not to startle her.

She blinked, her gaze slowly focusing on him. "I... I'm okay now," she whispered, her voice still weak.

Ruhan let out a breath of relief, but something in him couldn't fully relax. "I'm glad you're okay. But, your room is a mess right now," he said, trying to make light of the situation. "So I brought you here. You'll be more comfortable in my room."

She blinked, her eyes scanning the room, and he could see her reaction change when she noticed the rose petals and the soft decor he hadn't planned but had found, for some reason, necessary to lay out. There was an awkward tension in the air as she looked at the bed.

He couldn't help but notice how nervous she seemed. He wasn't sure if it was because of the flowers or just the situation, but he had to do something to break the silence.

"You should change your clothes. There's an attached washroom right there," Ruhan suggested, his voice sounding more casual than he felt.

She nodded, her cheeks flushing as she grabbed a towel and hurried into the washroom. Ruhan sat on the bed, rubbing his hand over his face, wondering what was going to happen next. He tried to distract himself, but his thoughts kept drifting back to her-her nervous energy, the way she carried herself so delicately yet with a strength that both intrigued and unnerved him. He couldn't understand what was going on in her head.

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Ruhi's POV...

I stepped into the washroom, feeling the steam from the warm water still clinging to the air around me. The soothing sensation of the bath helped calm my nerves, but then I realized something: I didn't bring any clothes with me. The realization hit me like a wave, and my heart skipped a beat.

I could feel the heat in my cheeks as embarrassment flooded my body. What was I supposed to do now? I couldn't ask Ruhan for clothes. Ijust couldn't. That would be too awkward.

I wrapped the towel around me tightly and took a deep breath. Slowly, I cracked open the door, peeking into the room to see if Ruhan was anywhere nearby. To my relief, I didn't see him. The coast seemed clear.

I stepped out cautiously, my feet barely making a sound on the floor. I had to get to my room to grab some clothes. Moving as quietly as possible, I approached the door of Ruhan's room, ready for the doorknob. I wasn't sure why I was being so careful, but something in me u me to be discreet. I didn't want to face him like this.

But as I reached for the door handle, I heard it--Ruhan's footsteps. The door to his room swung open, and I froze in my tracks. My breath caught in my throat as I looked up to see Ruhan stepping inside,

We both froze.

My heart raced as I stood there, wrapped in nothing but a towel, my body still slightly damp from the bath. He stopped, his eyes wide in shock as he stared at me. I could see the surprise in his gaze, and it only made my embarrassment grow tenfold.

Both of us just stood there, frozen for a moment. Ruhan's eyes darted up and down my form, lingering on the towel wrapped around me. I couldn't even bring myself to look at him. All I could feel was the heat of embarrassment spreading through my entire body