Estranged lovers

Chapter 45

This chapter contains 🔞scenes.

AUTHOR'S POV

As they entered the house, the weight of the confrontation still hung heavy in the air. Siddharth's anger hadn't fully subsided, but he could feel Annika's presence beside him, and it grounded him in a way nothing else could. She was still reeling from everything, and he knew she needed comfort.

Annika moved to sit on the couch, her shoulders slumped as she stared blankly ahead. Siddharth took a deep breath, trying to shake off the frustration that still simmered within him. He wanted to help her, to ease the tension between them.

He moved towards her, sitting down beside her and gently cupping her chin, lifting her face so that she would meet his eyes. "Hey, look at me," he said softly, his voice calm and soothing.

Annika hesitated but eventually met his gaze. The depth of pain in her eyes made his heart ache. He hated seeing her like this.

"You've been through so much," Siddharth murmured, his thumb brushing across her cheek. "And I hate that it's been so difficult for you. But you don't have to carry all of this alone, Annika. I'm here. Always."

Annika's lips trembled as she swallowed the lump in her throat, nodding slowly. "I don't want to feel like this anymore, Siddharth. It's just... so much."

"I know," Siddharth said, his voice low, almost like a whisper. "But you don't have to carry it all at once. We'll take it one step at a time, alright? You and me."

Annika gave a small, grateful smile, her eyes softening as she leaned into his touch.

Siddharth, seeing the sadness still lingering in her eyes, knew he had to do something to lighten the mood. He pulled back just enough to look at her with a playful grin. "You know," he said, his tone teasing, "you've got that frown on your face, and I can't have that. I think I know something that will cheer you up."

Annika raised an eyebrow, her lips curving slightly, still a bit skeptical. "Oh? And what's that?"

Siddharth's grin widened. He stood up and pulled her gently to her feet. "A little bit of romance, to remind you that life isn't all bad." He led her to the middle of the room, where he had set up a small dinner table with candles earlier in the day. He had intended to make it a peaceful evening, but the confrontation had taken over. Now, it felt like the right time to focus on the moment between them.

Annika blinked, surprised by the sudden romantic gesture. "What is this?"

"Dinner. Just the two of us," Siddharth replied, his voice soft but confident. "And maybe some dancing afterward, if you're in the mood."

Annika laughed lightly, the tension beginning to lift from her shoulders as she looked at him with warmth in her eyes. "You're serious?"

"Absolutely." He reached for her hand, guiding her to the table. "Tonight, we forget everything else and focus on us."

As they sat down to eat, the atmosphere in the room shifted. Siddharth was doing his best to make her smile, to make her forget for a while about everything that had happened. The evening was filled with lighthearted conversation, gentle teasing, and the quiet comfort of being together.

After dinner, Siddharth stood and extended his hand to Annika. "Ready for that dance?"

Annika hesitated for a moment before smiling softly and taking his hand. "I suppose I'm ready."

Siddharth led her into the center of the room, the soft music filling the silence between them. As they swayed together, Siddharth held her close, his voice barely above a whisper. "You deserve to be happy, Annika. Don't forget that."