Beneath The Storm (Completed)

Chapter-79: The Distance Between Heartbeats

Atharv gently lay Inaara down on the bed, careful not to disturb her sleep.

With slow, deliberate movements, he removed her shoes and pulled the soft duvet over her.

She didn't stir.

Her breathing was slow, even, the kind that only came from deep, unbothered slumber.

He walked to the washroom, freshened up quietly, and returned, settling down beside her with his head on the pillow.

But sleep didn't find him.

His mind was elsewhere-trapped in a loop of past mistakes and the silence with which she had endured them.

His eyes were open, staring at the ceiling fan that hummed quietly above.

Guilt pressed against his chest like a weight.

Some time passed.

Then, without warning, in her sleep, Inaara shifted.

Her hand found his chest, her face burying into the curve of his shoulder like it belonged there. She let out a soft sigh-content, trusting.

Atharv stilled.

Slowly, a smile broke on his lips. Not wide.

Not rushed. A quiet one-one that belonged to a moment only he could feel.

His hand moved to her head, gently caressing her scalp, his fingers threading lightly through her hair.

He leaned in and kissed her forehead softly, whispering against her skin, "My baby..."

And somewhere between the hum of silence and the rhythm of her breath, Atharv's eyes finally dropped shut.

---

A couple of days later...

The study room was dimly lit, bathed in the soft golden hue of the late afternoon sun filtering through the tall glass window.

The scent of baked cheese and tomato lingered faintly as Inaara entered, balancing two plates of freshly made lasagna in her hands.

She walked up to Atharv, who was seated with a file resting on his lap, and held one plate in front of him.

"I made it," she said, eyes sparkling with nervous excitement. "Taste it."

Atharv looked up, chuckling softly at her expression.

"You didn't need to, Aara," he said, tone low but warm.

"Please taste it and tell me. But honest review, okay?"

Her voice was soft, but her eyes didn't blink, waiting, watching.

He hummed in response and took the plate from her.

They both sat near the glass window, side by side.

The city stretched out before them in muted silhouettes, buildings and sky blending into one soft painting as dusk approached.