Blueprints of Love

23. Breaking Barriers

The morning sun filtered through the sheer curtains of the bungalow, casting soft golden light across the room. Outside, the world felt renewed after the storm—fresh, vibrant, and full of possibilities. Savi stood by the window, sipping a steaming cup of tea. The breeze carried the scent of wet sand and sea, a reminder of last night's storm—and everything that had passed between her and Rajat.

Her heart was still conflicted, torn between fear and the tentative hope that had sprouted during their stolen kiss. She wasn't sure what today would bring, but there was an odd sense of calm settling in her. Maybe, just maybe, things were beginning to shift.

Savi heard footsteps behind her. When she turned, Rajat was standing at the door, his hands casually tucked into the pockets of his jeans. There was an easy smile on his face, the kind that suggested the tension between them had eased—at least for the moment.

"Morning," he greeted, his voice warm and familiar.

"Morning," Savi replied, suddenly feeling self-conscious under his gaze.

Rajat walked over to the small dining table and poured himself a cup of coffee. "Do you remember that watch I once gave back to you?" he asked casually, not looking at her directly, as though it were just a random thought that had popped into his mind.

Savi froze, the ceramic cup warming her palms as the memory crashed over her. The watch.

It had been her father's gift—something precious, something she'd lost during the chaotic early weeks of college. She had thought it was gone forever, but Rajat had found it and returned it without much fanfare, like it was no big deal. Back then, she hadn't known that the small act would carve out a space for him in her heart, setting off a chain of feelings she hadn't been able to control.

"You remember that?" she asked, her voice softer than she intended.

Rajat leaned against the edge of the table, his gaze steady and sincere. "Of course I do. How could I forget? It mattered to you."

His words, so simple yet heavy with meaning, tugged at something deep within Savi. She realised that Rajat hadn't just returned the watch—he had seen her, really seen her, in a way no one else had back then. And now, years later, he still remembered the little things. Details she had buried somewhere in the clutter of her mind.

Savi swallowed hard, her heart beating faster. "I... I'd forgotten about that."

Rajat's smile was small but knowing. "You were always good at pretending things didn't matter when they did."

Savi looked away, the vulnerability in Rajat's words stirring something raw inside her. She wasn't used to being seen this clearly—especially not by someone who had hurt her before. Yet here he was, holding up pieces of her that she thought had long since crumbled to dust.

"I guess I was trying to protect myself," Savi admitted, her voice barely above a whisper.

Rajat took a step closer, his gaze unwavering but gentle. "From me?"

Savi met his eyes, unsure of what to say. Yes, she had tried to protect herself—from the heartbreak, the disappointment, the fear of feeling too much. But in doing so, she had built walls so high that she had shut out more than just pain. She had shut out happiness too.

"I thought... if I didn't care, it wouldn't hurt," she confessed, her words faltering. "But it still did."

Rajat nodded slowly, understanding the weight of what she was saying without pressing her for more. "Savi... I didn't mean to hurt you. I didn't realise how much you felt back then, but I see it now. And I'm sorry it took me this long to figure it out."

For the first time, Savi allowed herself to lower her guard just a little. "It wasn't all your fault, Rajat. I never told you how I felt... I guess I didn't think you'd care."

Rajat's voice was soft, filled with quiet conviction. "I care more than you know, Savi."

They stood there for a moment, the air between them humming with unspoken emotions. It wasn't just about the past anymore—it was about everything they could become if they dared to move forward.

Rajat reached out, brushing his fingers lightly against her hand. The touch was tentative, almost hesitant, as if waiting for her permission. Savi didn't pull away. Instead, she let his fingers intertwine with hers, the warmth of his skin grounding her in a way she hadn't expected.

"It's scary," she admitted, her voice barely audible.

"I know," Rajat whispered. "But I'm here. And I'm not going anywhere."

Savi looked up at him, her heart pounding in her chest. For the first time in a long while, she allowed herself to believe that maybe—just maybe—he meant it.

"I don't know if I can be what you want," she said honestly, the fear still lingering in her voice.

Rajat gave her hand a reassuring squeeze. "You don't have to be anything but yourself, Savi. That's all I've ever wanted."

His words settled over her like a balm, easing some of the fear that had taken root in her heart. She wasn't sure if she was ready to jump into the deep end just yet, but maybe she could take one small step at a time.

They stood like that for a while, hands intertwined, neither of them speaking. The silence between them was no longer heavy with tension but filled with quiet understanding.

Finally, Savi broke the silence with a small, hesitant smile. "So... Do you still think I look good in sarees?"

Rajat grinned, the playful spark returning to his eyes. "You look good in anything, Savi."

She rolled her eyes, but the smile on her face remained. "Smooth, Thakkar. Real smooth."

Rajat chuckled, the sound warm and comforting. "I will try."

As they stood there, the morning sun shining brightly through the windows, Savi felt something inside her shift. It wasn't a complete transformation, but it was a start—a crack in the walls she had built, a glimmer of hope that maybe, just maybe, she could let someone in again.

And maybe, just maybe, that someone could be Rajat.

The day ahead was still filled with wedding tasks and preparations, but for the first time, Savi felt lighter. She wasn't entirely sure what the future held, but as she looked at Rajat, standing there with a smile that made her heart flutter, she thought—maybe she was ready to find out.

One step at a time.

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