Layers of Us

Chapter 107: No One Hurts Her ✨️

Morning sunlight filtered softly through the curtains. Everything was ready - bags packed, clothes organized, and a sense of quiet anticipation hung in the air.

Tripura glanced at herself in the mirror for one last time. It was time to leave.

But Ram wasn't letting her go so easily. He pulled her into his arms, holding her close as if he could keep her there forever. He pressed kisses all over her face, a soft peck on her forehead, a lingering kiss on her nose, a playful one on her cheeks, and then finally, multiple gentle pecks on her lips.

"Take care, Tipsy," he murmured, voice husky with sleep and emotion. "Don't forget... I'll be waiting for you."

Tripura smiled, resting her forehead against his. "I'll be careful. You too take care of yourself. And... I'll miss you too," she whispered.

He hugged her tighter, inhaling her scent. "I'll miss you more baby... work hard, and come back to me."

She nodded, wrapping her arms around him in a long, tight hug. "I will," she said softly, and then pulled back, a small smile lingering on her lips.

Heading downstairs, Tripura found Siya waiting, sleepy-eyed. She scooped her up and hugged her tightly. "Be a good girl while I'm gone, okay?"

Siya nodded, her tiny arms wrapping around her mother's neck. "Yes, amma," she said softly, then pressed a quick kiss to Tripura's cheek, before almost dozing of on her shoulders.

Tripura chuckled, planting a kiss on the side of her head. "That's my girl," she whispered, ruffling Siya's hair gently.

She let Siya go to her room, to complete her sleep, while she turned to her mother, standing right beside her. Tripura enveloped her in a warm hug. "Take care, Amma...."

Her mother patted her back, smiling gently. "Don't worry, kanna. Everything will be fine. You just enjoy your work, and we'll manage here."

Tripura pulled back, smiling at the reassurance.

________________________

Ram - being the ever-oriented, ever-dependable husband that he was - had taken every word Tripura said as gospel.

From spending time with Siya to helping her mom around the house, keeping an eye on Bhoomi's needs, and tending to the fur babies - he had done everything with quiet dedication.

He had even made a schedule - because of course, this was Ram Kapoor, the man who believed in balancing chaos with care.

His mornings started with making sure that Siya ate her breakfast and later he dropped her to school, then checking in on Bhoomi's arrangements, a quick grocery run for Amma, and wrapping up work calls before evening.

He did it all.

But even with all that, the silence of the house gnawed at him.

After marriage, this was technically the first time Tripura had to travel - a full-fledged schedule of back-to-back shoots - while he other work commitments.

Every night, they'd connect over video calls. She'd talk about her day, the director's tantrums, the sweet makeup girl who adored her, and her exhaustion that only melted when she saw his face.

And Ram - the storyteller he unknowingly was - would fill her in on everything from Siya's tantrums to how the fur babies had refused to eat without hearing her voice on call.

They were managing - two people, one love, and a distance bridged through giggles and sleepy "I miss yous."

Everything was smooth.
Till that one afternoon.