The soft chirping of birds filtered through the windows, accompanied by the faint rustle of leaves swaying gently in the morning breeze. Tripura stirred, stretching her arms and letting out a soft yawn. She rubbed her eyes and blinked a few times, her gaze slowly adjusting to the room around her.
The room was warm and inviting, filled with Palash's personality. The walls were a soft beige, adorned with framed sketches — probably Palash’s creations during his leisure time. A sleek desk stood in one corner, cluttered with notebooks, art supplies, and an open laptop, which still had its screen glowing faintly. The shelves above were lined with books, an eclectic mix of classic literature and, along with several small figurines — souvenirs from his travels. By the window, a cozy armchair sat with a soft blanket draped over it, facing the morning light.
She sighed, leaning her head against the headboard, reflecting on the events of the night before. The vulnerability she had shown Palash, her emotional outburst, the way he comforted her — it all felt like a blur now, though her heart still carried the weight of those feelings.
The door creaked open, pulling her from her thoughts. Palash entered, a cheerful smile on his face, carrying two steaming mugs of coffee.
“Ah, good morning, Sleeping Beauty!” he teased, placing the mugs on the bedside table.
Tripura chuckled softly, shaking her head. “Good morning, Palash.”
He plopped himself down beside her, throwing an arm around her shoulders and pulling her into a side hug. With a mischievous grin, he kissed her temple. “Did you sleep well, Tipsy?”
Tripura couldn’t help but smile at his playful tone. “Yes, I did,” she replied, taking a mug and inhaling the comforting aroma of coffee. “Thank you for being there last night, Palash. I don’t know what I’d do without you.”
“Stop talking rubbish,” Palash said, waving her off dramatically. “I’ll always have my princess’s back. No matter what.” He winked, making her laugh softly, a sense of gratitude filling her heart.
Taking a sip of coffee, she glanced at him. “Palash, I don’t even know what’s happening anymore. It’s all so overwhelming.”
Palash leaned back against the headboard, stretching his legs out comfortably. “Okay, spill. What’s running in that overthinking mind of yours now?”
Tripura hesitated, gathering her thoughts. “It’s Krishna Maa’s request, Palash. Then, yesterday...the time I spent with Mr. Kapoor... I don’t know why his closeness is affecting me so much.”
Palash’s brow arched, his expression turning serious but still tinged with his usual teasing. “Affecting you how? Elaborate, Tipsy. This sounds juicy!”
Tripura rolled her eyes but couldn’t help a smile. “Palash, I’m serious.”
“Okay, okay, sorry! Go on.”
She sighed, gripping the mug tightly. “I mean, I felt things I shouldn’t feel. His presence... it’s so... consuming. The way he looks at me, the way he speaks — so genuine, so caring. It’s messing with my head.”
Palash studied her carefully, nodding. “And you’re scared because it’s stirring feelings you’re not ready for?”
“Yes!” she exclaimed, frustrated. “You know I can’t let this happen, Palash. After everything that’s happened in my past, after the walls I’ve built, I can’t...” Her voice trailed off as she struggled to articulate the turmoil within her.
Palash reached out, placing his hand over hers. “Tipsy, listen to me. You don’t have to have all the answers right now. Stop trying to control every emotion and just... feel. It’s okay to be confused. It’s okay to be scared. But don’t push away something potentially beautiful just because you’re afraid.”
Tripura stared into her coffee, letting his words sink in. “But what if it’s not beautiful, Palash? What if it’s just another heartbreak waiting to happen?”
“Then you’ll deal with it when it comes,” he said softly. “But don’t deny yourself the chance to experience something real just because of what could go wrong.”
A silence settled between them, comfortable yet heavy with unspoken emotions. Palash finally broke it, a playful grin lighting up his face. “Also, let’s not forget, this is Ram Kapoor we’re talking about. The man’s head over heels for you. I mean, have you seen the way he looks at you? Like a lost puppy!”
Tripura let out a reluctant laugh. “Palash, stop!”
“I’m serious!” he insisted. “You could drop your coffee mug right now, and he’d probably write a poem about how gracefully you did it.”
She laughed harder this time, shaking her head. “You’re impossible.”
“And you, my dear princess, are in denial.” Palash smirked, taking her empty mug and placing it on the table. “But that’s okay. I’ll let you figure it out at your own pace. Just promise me you won’t shut yourself out completely, okay?”
Tripura gave him a small smile, nodding. “I promise.”
Palash pulled her into another side hug, ruffling her hair playfully. “That’s my girl. Now, get up and get ready. We’ve got a whole day ahead of us, and you are not spending it moping around here.”
Tripura rolled her eyes, swatting his hand away. But deep down, she felt lighter, comforted by his words and his unwavering support.
As she got out of bed, Palash added with a grin, “Oh, and one more thing — don’t think for a second that you can escape from the Ram Kapoor’s charm. That man’s determination is off the charts. You’re doomed, Tipsy.”
“Shut up, Palash,” she said, laughing, but the thought lingered in her mind as she headed to the bathroom.
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Stay tuned for the next update! :)
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Layers of Us
General FictionIn a world where tradition dictates the heart, Tripura Nagrajan finds herself trapped in an arranged marriage she never wanted. A compassionate soul with a passion for animals and a thriving career as a psychologist, actress, and business tycoon, T...
