Layers of Us

Chapter 12: Whispers in the Moonlight

The hotel room was silent, save for the faint hum of the air conditioner. Tripura entered, her heels clicking softly against the tiled floor. She locked the door behind her, leaned against it, and let out a deep sigh. 

The night with Ram replayed in her mind like a vivid dream she couldn’t shake off. His eyes, his touch, the warmth radiating from him as they danced — it all swirled in her head, leaving her restless. She shook her head, trying to dismiss the sensation, but it lingered. 

She stepped out of her heels and climbed onto the bed, not bothering to change out of her dress. Pulling the blanket over herself, she closed her eyes, willing sleep to take over. But it was futile. 

Her chest felt heavy, her thoughts muddled. Memories of the past began seeping in — dark, consuming shadows that clouded her mind. Her fingers tightened around the edge of the blanket, a lump forming in her throat. 

Why now? she thought, frustrated. Why, after all these years, did her past still haunt her? And why was Ram affecting her in ways she didn’t want to admit? She pressed her palms to her eyes, trying to stop the tears that threatened to spill. 

Her heart raced, her breathing uneven. The walls of the room seemed to close in around her. She needed to escape, to find solace somewhere — anywhere. 

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Without a second thought, Tripura grabbed her car keys and phone. She didn’t care about the time or the fact that she was still in her pink anarkali. Her heart guided her as she drove through the quiet streets of Mumbai, the city lights a blur around her. 

Soon, she arrived at her destination — Malhotra Mansion. The grand estate stood tall and familiar, a place that had always felt like a haven. 

She parked the car in the driveway and stepped out, clutching her phone tightly. Her hands trembled as she dialed Palash’s number. 

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Palash was seated on his couch, his laptop glowing faintly in the dimly lit room. He was typing an email when his phone buzzed. Seeing Tipsy flashing on the screen, he smiled. But a glance at the clock made his brows furrow. 

“Tipsy? At this hour?” he muttered, picking up the call. 

“Tipsy, you okay?” he asked, concern lacing his voice. 

There was silence on the other end. Then, a soft, shaky voice replied, “Palash... I... I...” 
Palash’s heart sank. “Where are you, Tipsy? Are you okay? Tell me,” he pressed urgently. 

“I’m... outside your house,” she said softly. 

Palash froze. He put his laptop aside and rushed to the balcony. Sure enough, there she was, standing in the driveway, her phone pressed to her ear. She looked up at him, her face pale, her eyes distant. 

“Come up,” he called out, his voice firm yet gentle. She nodded and made her way inside. 

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The terrace was quiet, the moonlight casting a soft glow over the space. Tripura stood near the railing, her gaze fixed on the moon. Palash approached her cautiously, his heart heavy with worry. 

“Tipsy,” he said softly, standing beside her. “What’s wrong? You’re scaring me.” 

She didn’t respond, her eyes glistening with unshed tears. 

Palash had enough. He turned her toward him, cupping her face gently. “What’s wrong, Tipsy? Are you okay? Please, talk to me,” he urged, his voice trembling. 

And then, the tears came. Silent at first, then flowing freely down her cheeks. Palash’s heart ached as he watched her crumble. 

“Tipsy, baby, what happened? Did someone say something? Did something happen?” he asked, his voice panicked as he wiped her tears. “You’re freaking me out here. Please, talk to me.” 

Tripura struggled to speak, her voice choked with sobs. “I... I’m scared, Palash...” 

“Scared? Of what?” he asked, his voice softer now, his hands steadying her. 

“I... I think I’m falling for him,” she admitted, her voice breaking. “For Mr. Kapoor...” 

Palash blinked, her confession catching him off guard. But he recovered quickly, his grip on her firm. “Baby, there’s nothing wrong with that,” he said gently. “Why are you crying like this?” 

“No, Palash,” she cried, shaking her head. “You know I can’t let this happen. I can’t...” 

Her tears came harder now, and Palash’s own eyes filled with unshed tears. Seeing her like this was unbearable. 

“Why not, Tipsy?” he asked softly. “Why can’t you?” 

“Because he affects me, Palash,” she said, her voice filled with anguish. “In ways I don’t understand, in ways I can’t control. My heart, my body — they react to him, and I hate it. I hate not having control over myself.” 

Palash held her tighter, his own heart breaking. 

“I see the way he looks at me,” she continued, her voice trembling. “With those genuine, caring eyes. And it... it pulls me in. But I can’t let it. I can’t let myself feel this way.” 

Her sobs grew louder, and she covered her face with her hands. “I don’t deserve this, Palash. I don’t deserve him...” 

Palash couldn’t hold back anymore. He pulled her into a tight hug, his tears mingling with hers. “Tipsy, please don’t do this to yourself,” he whispered. “Please...” 

He held her for what felt like an eternity, letting her cry against his chest. His own emotions threatened to overwhelm him, but he stayed strong for her. 

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When her sobs turned to hiccups, Palash loosened his grip. He cupped her face again, wiping away her tears. “Tipsy, listen to me,” he said firmly. “You can’t let your past control your future.” 

Her eyes searched his, vulnerable and lost. 
“Whatever pain you’ve been through, it’s in the past,” he continued. “Don’t let it stop you from finding happiness now. Maybe... just maybe, Ram is the happiness you deserve. Don’t push him away.” 

His words hung in the air, heavy and profound. Tripura stared at him, her mind racing. 

Palash leaned forward, pressing a gentle kiss to her forehead. “You deserve love, Tipsy. Real, genuine love. Don’t deny yourself that.” 

Tripura closed her eyes, leaning into his embrace. The steady rhythm of his heartbeat calmed her, grounding her in the moment.   

Palash held her close, silently vowing to stand by her side, no matter what came next. 

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Stay tuned for the next update! :)