Layers of Us

Chapter 25: Whispers of a New Dawn

The morning sun filtered gently into the room, casting a golden glow across Tripura's face.

She stirred awake, her face relaxed and peaceful, and a small, contented smile tugged at her lips.

Lazily, she stretched her arms, letting out a soft yawn as she tried to shake off the remnants of sleep.

Just as she was about to slip back under the covers, the doorbell rang.

Startled, she sat up straight, wondering who it could be so early in the morning.

She hesitated for a moment before dragging herself out of bed, her bare feet padding softly on the floor as she made her way to the door.

When she opened it, her eyes widened in pleasant surprise. Standing there, with his ever-charming smile, was Ram.

He was dressed casually in a pair of track pants and a sweatshirt, looking effortlessly handsome with his hair slightly tousled.

In his hands was another bouquet of fresh roses, their vibrant red color catching the morning light.

For a moment, Tripura was completely lost in him. The way he looked at her, with a blend of mischief and warmth, made her heart skip a beat. She was so entranced that she didn’t even notice when Ram stepped inside.

Without warning, he pulled her into a tight, comforting hug. His arms wrapped around her waist effortlessly, his strength and warmth enveloping her completely.

His face buried itself into the crook of her neck, the soft strands of her hair brushing against his skin.

Tripura was taken aback at first, her heart racing from the sudden closeness. But the woodsy, musky scent of his cologne mixed with his natural warmth soon had her sinking into the embrace.

Her eyes fluttered shut, and for a moment, she simply let herself enjoy the intoxicating feeling of being in his arms.

Her hands slowly found their way around his neck, and she hugged him back, matching the firmness of his hold. Time seemed to stand still as they stayed like that, their breaths syncing in the quiet intimacy of the moment.

After what felt like an eternity, Ram gently pulled back but not before placing a tender kiss on her forehead. The touch of his lips was so soft that it sent a shiver down Tripura’s spine.

He held out the bouquet to her with a smile that could light up any room.

“Good morning, wifey,” he said, his voice a low rumble that seemed to vibrate through her very being.

He reached out to tuck a stray strand of hair behind her ear, his fingers lingering for a fraction of a second too long.

Tripura composed herself quickly, though her cheeks carried the faintest hint of a blush. She smiled at him and replied, “Good morning, Mr. Kapoor. And thank you for the roses... again.”

Ram winked, his grin widening. “Pleasure is all mine, wifey.” He strolled past her into the room, leaving Tripura shaking her head with an amused smile. Closing the door behind her, she followed him inside.

She watched as Ram made his way to the small kitchenette, rolling up his sleeves as he began preparing coffee.

His movements were fluid and confident, as if he’d done this a thousand times. Tripura, on the other hand, went to place the new bouquet into the vase where the roses from last night were already arranged.