Here After!

38. Rekindling the Flame

Giri

Lying next to Anu, listening to her soft, steady breathing, I felt a sense of peace I hadn't experienced in what felt like ages. The way she curled into me as if she belonged right there, made me realize just how much I had missed this—missed her. I ran my fingers gently through her hair, careful not to wake her, and let out a quiet sigh.

Last night felt like a dream, a moment where all the tension, misunderstandings, and distance between us seemed to melt away. But deep down, I knew this was just the beginning. Apologies were made, and feelings were laid bare, but rebuilding the trust and love we once had would take time, patience, and effort—from both of us.

I tightened my hold around her ever so slightly, silently promising myself that I wouldn't take this second chance for granted. Her request to extend our stay had taken me by surprise, but it also brought me immense relief. It was as if her words erased the lingering doubts I'd carried about whether she'd enjoy the place or even the time spent with me.

As I gazed at her peaceful, exhausted face nestled against my chest, my thoughts drifted to our early days together. I couldn't help but smile at the memory of how she used to clutch my T-shirt tightly while falling asleep, her fear of the dark evident in the way she wouldn't let go. That vulnerability, her trust in me to protect her, had always filled me with a sense of purpose. And now, seeing her completely relaxed in my arms, I felt a flicker of that same feeling—an unspoken responsibility to cherish and nurture the bond we were slowly mending.

The quiet moments were what I missed the most, the ones where no words were needed to communicate how much we meant to each other. This was one of those moments, and I didn't want to let it go. As her soft breaths mingled with the faint hum of the morning breeze outside, I found myself wishing that time would pause, just for a little longer.

With those thoughts settling in, I closed my eyes, feeling the gentle rhythm of her breathing against me. There was something so soothing about holding her like this, as if all the chaos of the past few days had finally found its place—right here, in my arms.

At some point, I drifted off, only to wake up again to the subtle movement beside me. When I opened my eyes, I saw Anu shifting around, trying to adjust herself to avoid the bright sunlight streaming through the curtains. A soft smile tugged at my lips—I knew her well enough to understand that she was more of a daytime sleeper than a night owl.

Without a second thought, I gently pulled her closer, shielding her face from the light by tucking her into my embrace. She let out a soft sigh of contentment and settled back into sleep, her body molding into mine as if she belonged there. I lay there for a while, just watching her, memorizing every little detail—the way her eyelashes fluttered slightly, the warmth of her skin against mine, and the faint smile that still lingered on her lips.

Eventually, curiosity got the better of me, and I glanced at the clock on the bedside table. I blinked in surprise—it wasn't just morning anymore; it was almost noon. A part of me wanted to wake her up, but another part, the one that wanted to cherish this moment a little longer, decided against it.

I lay there for a while, letting the quiet moments stretch between us. The world outside felt distant, and for the first time in a long time, I didn't feel the urge to rush into the day. Instead, I ran my fingers gently through her hair, enjoying the simple pleasure of having her so close.

A few more minutes passed, and I felt her stir slightly in my arms. She mumbled something incoherent and nuzzled closer, making me chuckle softly. I knew she would sleep the entire day if left undisturbed, but my stomach had other plans, growling loud enough to break the silence.

I shifted carefully, not wanting to wake her, but she slowly opened one eye, a sleepy frown forming on her face. "Giri, stop moving," she mumbled, burying her face deeper into my chest.