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۶ৎ Inayah's pov ۶ৎ
I came home to the smell of paint and the soft glow of fairy lights flickering through the hallway. My brows furrowed as I toed off my shoes, stepping carefully to avoid the stray specks of lavender paint splattered on the floor.
"Arhaan?" I called out, my voice echoing through the quiet house.
"Upstairs!" he shouted back, sounding way too chipper for someone who might've just vandalized our home.
I followed the trail of paint and faint hints of vanilla and jasmine - my favorite scents - until I reached the room next to our bedroom. The door was slightly ajar, and I pushed it open carefully, my heart pounding for reasons I couldn't explain.
And then I saw it.
My chest tightened.
It was smaller than a room but bigger than a closet, just enough space to breathe without feeling like the walls were caving in. The walls were painted a soft lavender, fading into creamy off-white at the edges, like the sky melting into clouds.
Tiny, golden fairy lights dangled from the ceiling, twinkling like stars. A plush, oversized chair sat in the corner, draped with the blanket Arhaan wrapped around me when I had nightmare. The air smelled like lavender and vanilla, a gentle hum of calm settling over my skin.
My books lined a small shelf, neatly organized. And there, resting on a side table, was the painting I had made for Arhaan, on my first flight,the one I thought he kept in his study.
Fresh flowers bloomed in a delicate vase.
I couldn't move. Couldn't speak.
"You said you used to hide in the attic," his voice came from behind me, quiet and careful. "But I thought... maybe you should have a place to hide that feels like home."
I turned around, tears already blurring my vision.
He was standing there, paint smudged on his cheek, shirt speckled with lavender. But his eyes were soft, watching me like he was afraid I might break.
"You did this... for me?" I whispered, my voice cracking.
He stepped closer, gently taking my hand and threading his fingers through mine. "Always for you," he said, lifting my hand to kiss my knuckles. "I just wanted you to have somewhere you feel safe. Somewhere that's yours. "
I couldn't stop the tears, so I just let them fall, burying my face in his chest to hide them. His arms wrapped around me, holding me close, steadying me like he always did.
"You don't have to hide anymore," he whispers. "But if you ever need a place to breathe, you'll always have one."
He kissed the top of my head, swaying us gently like we were dancing to a song only he could hear. "I love you." he whispered. "Always."
