Ruhanika Arora (Ruhi)
A broken soul who was raped by her own uncle at the age of 16.
She is arranged with someone who seems to love her existence in front of him.
But she is too shy and scared to face him coz of his history.
Abhiraj Rathore (abhi...
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The days after Ruhanika confronted her uncle felt like a mixture of triumph and exhaustion. She had taken the first step in reclaiming her life, but the journey ahead was far from over. The heaviness in her chest hadn’t entirely disappeared, but she could feel a shift—a subtle change within her, like the first light of dawn after a long, dark night.
Adhiraj had been her anchor through it all. His quiet support and steady presence were the things that had kept her grounded when the waves of fear and memories tried to drag her under. Even when she doubted herself, even when the weight of the past threatened to pull her back, he was there—patient, understanding, and always reassuring.
That evening, as they sat together in their living room, the silence between them was comfortable. Ruhanika felt a calmness she hadn’t known for so long. The hum of the refrigerator, the rustling of the trees outside in the wind—everything felt peaceful, almost surreal.
"Are you okay?" Adhiraj’s voice cut through the stillness, his tone gentle, but with that familiar concern. He was sitting beside her, close enough that she could feel the warmth of his body, and his eyes never left her face, reading her, even when she wasn’t saying anything.
Ruhanika smiled, her heart swelling at the sight of him. She hadn’t realized how much she had needed someone to just be there for her, without any expectations. He had never pushed her to talk when she wasn’t ready, and he had never tried to fix everything. He had simply listened.
“I’m okay," she said softly, turning her head to meet his gaze. "I’m still… processing, but I’m okay."
Adhiraj nodded, his hand resting on the back of the couch beside her. "You know, you’ve done something incredible, Rooh. You faced him. You didn’t run away from your fears. That takes a lot of strength."
Ruhanika felt a warm flush spread across her cheeks, and she looked down at her hands, fidgeting with the edge of her sleeve. She knew it had been a huge step, but hearing him say it out loud made her heart swell with emotions she couldn’t quite put into words.
“Thank you," she whispered, her voice thick with gratitude. "For being there for me. For not letting me face it alone."
Adhiraj’s eyes softened, and he leaned closer, brushing his fingers lightly against her hand. “You don’t have to thank me for that. I’m always going to be here for you, Rooh. Always.”
Ruhanika’s breath caught in her throat, the sincerity in his words both grounding and comforting. She knew deep down that he meant every word. But she also knew that she had to start facing her own battles, no matter how hard it was. She had taken the first step in confronting her past, and now, she needed to start healing.
She turned her hand over and gently laced her fingers with his. "I want to heal, Adhiraj. I want to be able to breathe freely again, without constantly looking over my shoulder. But it’s hard. It feels like every time I start to feel better, something pulls me back into the darkness."
Adhiraj’s thumb brushed over her hand in a soothing, repetitive motion. "Healing isn’t linear, Rooh. There’s no map for it. But you’ve made so much progress already, just by facing your fears. And I’m here with you, no matter how long it takes."
She leaned her head against his shoulder, allowing herself to close her eyes. It had been so long since she had allowed herself to rest, to not constantly be on edge. With him by her side, she felt safe—like she could finally let her guard down.
"I don’t know what I’d do without you," she whispered, a small sigh escaping her lips.
Adhiraj smiled, his voice soft but filled with affection. "You’ll never have to find out. I’m not going anywhere, Rooh."
The evening passed slowly, comfortably. They didn’t have to talk about anything heavy, anything that made her anxious. They didn’t have to rehash the past. They simply sat together, enjoying the peace of the moment.
Later that night, as they prepared for bed, Ruhanika felt a sense of calm wash over her. She wasn’t there yet, not completely healed. But she was starting to trust again. She was starting to believe that maybe, just maybe, she could move forward and leave the past where it belonged.
Adhiraj tucked the blankets around her, his touch gentle, careful. "I’ll be right here, Rooh," he said softly. "No matter what."
She smiled up at him, her heart full of something she hadn’t felt in a long time—hope.
---
The next few weeks passed in a blur of small, yet significant moments. Ruhanika continued her therapy, the first steps of confronting her trauma slowly beginning to make sense. She was still wary, still carrying the weight of the past on her shoulders, but she felt a little lighter every day.
Adhiraj had been her constant—his love, unwavering and quiet, had given her the space she needed to heal. He didn’t push her to open up, didn’t force her to talk when she wasn’t ready. He simply let her be, showing his support in small, meaningful ways: making her favorite tea after a tough therapy session, holding her hand through moments of anxiety, and just being there when she needed him most.
It was one of those quiet evenings when Ruhanika found herself once again curled up next to him on the couch, the soft flicker of the TV lighting up their faces.
"Do you remember when we first met?" she asked, breaking the silence.
Adhiraj turned his head to look at her, his eyes full of warmth. "Of course. How could I forget? You were so... guarded, yet so vibrant at the same time. I couldn’t get enough of your laughter. It was like nothing could bring you down."
Ruhanika smiled, the memory bringing a flutter to her heart. "I was trying so hard to hide all my pain. I never let anyone see the real me back then."
Adhiraj reached out, tucking a strand of hair behind her ear. "I always saw you, Rooh. I saw you for who you truly are—someone strong, someone who deserves love and happiness. And I’m glad you’re finally seeing that too."
Tears welled up in her eyes as she smiled at him, her heart full of gratitude. The love she had once doubted was real, was tangible, and it filled every corner of her life.
"Thank you, Adhiraj," she whispered, her voice breaking. "I don’t know how to explain what I feel. But you’ve given me more than I ever thought I could have."
He cupped her face gently, pressing a soft kiss to her forehead. "You deserve all the love in the world, Rooh. All of it."
In that moment, as they held each other close, Ruhanika finally allowed herself to believe in the possibility of a brighter future—a future that, with Adhiraj by her side, she could face without fear.
The road to healing was still long, but with love, patience, and the strength she had found in herself, she knew she could walk it. And Adhiraj would be right beside her every step of the way.
꒰⑅ᵕ༚ᵕ꒱˖♡♡˖꒰ᵕ༚ᵕ⑅꒱ Okieee I love you always Byieee 🩷🦢
