Rehnuma ❤️

Chapter - 17

A soft golden hue slipped into the room through the curtains, gently disturbing the stillness of the night. The world outside was just beginning to wake up, but inside the room, everything felt calm… warm… safe.
Taani stirred slightly in her sleep, her brows knitting for a moment as she adjusted herself. It took her a second to realize why she felt so comfortable… so protected.
She slowly opened her eyes.
And the first thing she saw—
Was Aditya.
Not fully… but enough.
His arm was wrapped securely around her waist, pulling her close to him, while her head rested perfectly against his chest. She could hear his heartbeat—slow, steady, reassuring.
For a moment, she didn’t move.
She just… stayed there.
A soft smile curved on her lips as she realized where she was, how she had fallen asleep, and how he hadn’t let go of her even once.
Carefully, she lifted her head just enough to look at him properly.
He was still asleep.
Peaceful.
His face looked softer, calmer—completely different from the composed, mature man everyone saw outside. Here, in this moment, he looked… hers.
Her fingers moved almost instinctively, brushing lightly against his cheek, tracing the faint stubble there.
Then, without overthinking—
She leaned in and pressed a soft kiss against his cheek.
Aditya stirred at the touch.
His hold on her tightened for a brief second, as if even in sleep he didn’t want to let her go. Slowly, his eyes fluttered open, adjusting to the light before settling on her face.
For a second, he just looked at her.
And then a slow, warm smile appeared.
“Good morning, jaan…” his voice came out husky, heavy with sleep yet filled with affection.
Before she could respond, he leaned forward and kissed her lips—soft, unhurried, like he had all the time in the world.
Taani smiled into the kiss, her cheeks warming slightly as she pulled back.
“Good morning…” she whispered, her voice just as soft.
For a few seconds, neither of them spoke.
They simply stayed like that—close, wrapped in each other’s presence, letting the quiet morning stretch a little longer.
Aditya gently tucked a strand of hair behind her ear, his fingers lingering near her cheek.
“Chalo… fresh ho jao,” he said finally, though his tone clearly showed he didn’t want to break the moment. “Main aapko wapas drop karta hoon.”
Taani made a small face, clearly not happy about leaving, but nodded anyway.
“Ji, sir,” she said lightly, trying to sound formal.
He narrowed his eyes at her playfully.
She giggled softly and slipped out of his hold.
They got ready in separate rooms, but even in that small distance, there was a strange comfort—like they didn’t need constant words to feel connected.
When they stepped out, the silence between them wasn’t awkward. It was full.

The sky was still painted in shades of deep blue and faint orange when Aditya’s car slowed down near the back lane of the college.
The world was quiet.
Too quiet.
The kind of silence that exists just before the city wakes up.
Inside the car, Taani sat curled slightly towards him, her head resting softly against the seat, her fingers still loosely wrapped around his hand—as if even in sleep, she didn’t want to let go.
Aditya glanced at her.
A small, helpless smile appeared on his lips.
“Jaan…” he whispered softly, not wanting to startle her.
She stirred slightly, her brows knitting for a moment before her eyes slowly fluttered open.
For a second, she looked confused.
Then she saw him.
And everything settled.
“Aap… hum aa gaye?” she murmured, her voice still heavy with sleep.
He chuckled softly. “Hum kabse aa gaye, bas aapko uthana nahi chah rahe the.”
She straightened instantly, realizing where she was.
“Oh God…” she whispered, quickly looking outside. “Kitna time ho gaya? Main late toh nahi ho gayi na?”
Aditya gently held her wrist before she could panic further.
“Relax,” he said calmly. “Sab so rahe honge abhi. Aap perfect time pe ho.”
She exhaled in relief, then looked back at him.
For a moment… neither spoke.
That quiet moment carried something unspoken.He leaned a little closer, her breath hitched slightly. Before she could respond, he lifted his hand and gently tucked a loose strand of her hair behind her ear.
“Take care,” he whispered. “Aur please… training mein don't over exhaust yourself.”
She nodded like an obedient child, then added softly, “Aap bhi… kaam ke chakkar mein dheer raat tak jage mat rakhna.”
He smiled.
“Order de rahi hai aap?” he teased lightly.
She frowned cutely. “aap bhi toh order karte ho aur main koi order nahi kar rahi thi, I was just concerned…”
He leaned forward and pressed a soft kiss on her forehead, then smooch her lips.
“Accepted.”
Taani’s eyes fluttered shut for a second.
That one simple gesture always calmed her.She slowly opened the car door, then paused.Turned back, looked at him.
“Main call karungi,” she said.
“Main wait karunga,” he replied.
She smiled and quietly slipped out of the car, then turned once before leaving.
He was still looking at her.Of course he was. She waved lightly.
He nodded. Only when she disappeared inside did he finally drive away.