Layers of Us

Chapter 103: Handle with care! 🥲

Morning around 6:30 Ram's sleep broke slightly. He stretched lazily, running his hands across the bed to find the familiar softness he was curled around - but found it empty.

He cracked one eye open. Nothing.

With a groggy sigh, he sat up, yawning wide, scratching his head like a little boy. That's when he heard her faint voice echoing from down the hall.

Half-stumbling, half-dragging himself, he walked out - still scratching his stomach, face half-asleep.

And then he froze.

There she was. Standing by the dining area, bowl in hand, munching on her musli while talking on the phone.

But more than that - she was dressed head-to-toe in gym wear. Sports shoes laced up, sweat-free three-fourth pants hugging her legs, a fitted jacket shaping her body, hair pulled high in a ponytail.

Ram squinted at her like he was still dreaming.

Tripura: "Ya, Ireen, I'll be there. I'll leave in five minutes... ya ya, I heard Bhoomi also wanted to come... okay."

By now, Ram had descended the stairs and, without a word, came up behind her. He slipped his arms around her waist and dropped his entire weight onto her back like a lazy bear.

Tripura jolted forward a bit to balance, rolling her eyes. She ended the call quickly: "See ya, Ireen."

She tapped at his hands around her stomach.
"Ram... if you're so sleepy, why don't you just sleep properly in the bedroom?"

He mumbled against her shoulder, voice thick with sleep, "You vanished. Couldn't sleep."

Tripura's heart softened. She turned in his arms so she was facing him.

Oh, he looked adorable. Messy hair sticking in all directions, eyes half-shut, lips pouting slightly. He looked like a giant sleepy puppy.

She laughed, ruffling his hair.
"God, you're cute like this."

Slipping out of his hold, she carried her empty bowl into the kitchen, then came out and picked up her gym bag.

Ram blinked at her. "Where are you going?"

"Gym," she replied simply, slinging the bag on her shoulder.

He frowned dramatically.
"Why, yaar? Who goes to gym this early in the morning?"

Tripura chuckled. "Ram, people go to gym in the morning. That's normal."

Ram rubbed his eyes. "But why you? You're already perfect."

Tripura shook her head with a small smile. "No, Ram. I need to get back in shape. My shoot starts next month."

That woke him up a little.

He yawned, running his hand through his hair.
"Uff... if you lose more weight, how will I hug you? You're so squishy - like a toy."

That earned him a sharp smack on his arm.

"Ouchhh!" he yelped dramatically, rubbing it. "Zaalim aurat!"

Tripura just laughed, shaking her head, heading toward the door while Ram trailed behind like a sulky little boy refusing to let go.

"Accha listen," he piped up suddenly, "even I will come to gym then."

Tripura stopped mid-step, turned, and raised a brow at him.
"Are you sure? Isn't your elbow still paining?"