Aarohi And Dev

CHAPTER 58

Dev POV

It had been days, and Advik was trapped in a relentless loop of misery, reliving his torment with no escape in sight. The trauma he was enduring would become the most savage of nightmares, a torment he could never wake from. Reports from my men painted a grim picture, his mental and physical state was rapidly unravelling. Yet, I found no room for pity, no shred of sympathy for his suffering. Instead, I welcomed it.

Sequestered within the confines of my room, my mind was captivated by the disquieting vision of her solitary presence in the house. Seeking solace in the familiar rhythm of physical exertion, I resolved to engage in a set of push-ups to divert my thoughts. Yet fate intervened, manifesting in an unexpected knock on the door that shattered my focus.

I strode towards the source of the interruption, unveiling a petite and striking figure at the threshold. Our eyes converged, eliciting a diversion of attention from my exercise to the captivating aura she exuded. It was only when her gaze descended that I registered my bare torso, prompting an immediate retreat behind the door to hastily don a T-shirt before inviting her inside.

As she crossed the threshold, melodic laughter spilt from her lips, infusing the air with a light and carefree ambience. “May I come in?” she inquired, her voice a harmonious blend of serenity and mischief. Caught off guard, I fumbled for coherence, managing a hesitant, “Um… sure?”

“I’m having trouble sleeping,” she admitted, her expression softening. "So, I was wondering if we could talk for a bit?”

Rendered momentarily speechless by her unexpected request, I grappled with my awkwardness in the presence of her unanticipated visit.

"Please, come in," I responded, inviting her into my room. She sank comfortably into the bean bag while I settled into the nearby chair.

"You seem a tad flustered by my unexpected visit," she teased, her tone lighthearted and playful.

"It just caught me off guard," I replied, attempting to downplay the moment. But her grin widened teasingly as she remarked, "Or is it because your shirt seems to be on inside out?"

In that instant, any remnants of my smile vanished as I comprehended the full extent of my blunder. "I’ll just be a second," I remarked casually, endeavouring to conceal the embarrassment welling up inside. She nodded, still amused, and I swiftly slipped into the bathroom to correct my attire before rejoining her.

"By the way, how old are you?" she asked, her curiosity evident. Instantly, a pang of self-consciousness coursed through me, memories of Devika's cautionary words resurfacing: "She's the same age as your daughter."

What if she thinks I’m too old for her? I can already picture her calling me ‘Grandpa’, just like Devika said. I mean, come on, I’m only 31! What if she takes one look at my grey hair and runs for the hills? No, I can’t live without her! I'd rather face a pack of wild raccoons than lose her.

"How would you envision the ideal age range for a partner?" I inquired cautiously, aiming to approach the subject delicately before disclosing my age. After pondering for a moment, she responded thoughtfully, " I think a maximum age difference of seven years is ideal. Beyond that, you might run into some awkward communication and generational gaps." Her words pierced my heart like sharp daggers.

"U-uh," I stuttered, realizing she might not receive news of my age warmly. "I'm... I'm 31," I confessed, opting for honesty while bracing myself for her reaction. As soon as the words left my lips, her response was audible, marked by surprise.

"What? 31? That results in a ten-year age gap! That's quite the jump!" she exclaimed, her eyes widened in disbelief, her words striking a heavy blow to my spirit.