Layers of Us

Chapter 92: Tujhse Naraz Nahi Zindagi 🩹💔

The garden was quiet. A light breeze danced through the leaves, softening the weight of the day.

Tripura and Ram now sat on a nearby bench, tucked into the shade.

She leaned slightly against him, head resting near his shoulder, while his arm stayed protectively wrapped around her.
Her sniffles had quieted. Only the trace of tears lingered.

Ram gently took her hand in his, lifted it, and pressed a soft kiss against her knuckles.
“Tipsy… baby…” he said, his voice full of concern, “Are you okay?”

Tripura turned her head slightly, looking up at him.
She gave a faint smile and nodded.
“Yeah… I am.”
But her eyes told a different story.
And her next words confirmed it.
“But I’m still worried about Bhoomi…” she said, staring into the garden as if the trees could answer her fears.

Ram didn’t hesitate.
“She’ll be fine, Tipsy.”
He looked at her gently, pressing a kiss on her temple.
“She’s your girl. Strong, fierce, and full of fire. She’ll bounce back… just like you always do. Don’t worry, hmm?”

Tripura gave a small nod, a tiny shaky breath escaping her lips.

Then she turned to him again, brows furrowing slightly.
“Aap yahan kaise?”
She hesitated.
“Matlab… why are you here?”

Ram gave her a sheepish smile, scratching the back of his neck with his free hand.
“Woh… I felt like you were calling out to me,” he said with a playful shrug, “So I came.”

Tripura blinked at him, her mouth parting slightly.
“Really?” she asked, deadpan.

Ram laughed — that soft, boyish laugh she hadn’t heard in months — and the shake of his shoulders made her shake too, since she was still leaning into him.

He looked down at her and grinned.
“I did try calling you, you know.”
“Even texted you. But no reply... as always.”
He winked.

Tripura rolled her eyes, trying to hold back a smile.

Ram continued, his voice gentler now.
“Honestly… I wasn’t feeling good yaar.”
He glanced away for a second, then back at her.
“I don’t know why… but I felt like something was wrong. I thought maybe if I spoke to you, I’d feel better. But since you didn’t answer… I called your mom.”
Tripura’s eyes widened a little.

Ram gave a tiny nod.
“She told me about Bhoomi. And the moment I heard that, I just… I knew you’d be in a bad state. I didn’t even think twice. Took the first flight out.”

He exhaled, eyes narrowing with emotion.
“But when I landed… all those news flashes were everywhere. And for a second I was like—no way you were behind this. You?”
He chuckled, shaking his head.
“But then I called Ireen. And she told me…”
He looked at her knowingly.
“You’d gone to visit the jail.”

Tripura finally smiled, shaking her head as she let out a soft sigh.
“Of course she told you…”

Ram raised a brow.
“I mean… I wasn’t surprised anymore.”
He grinned.
“I should’ve known. You always finish what you start.”