Layers of Us

Chapter 120: Hum Saath Saath Hain

Time didn't slow down. It slipped forward, quiet and unstoppable, until the Tuesday morning finally arrived.

Ram was in the room, moving between the bed and his bag, packing the last few things with practiced ease.

His jacket lay folded neatly, his watch glinted on the side table, and his phone buzzed constantly with reminders for the day ahead.

Tripura walked in without a sound.
She simply went up to him from behind and wrapped her arms around his torso, holding him tightly, her cheek resting against his back.

Ram gently placed his hands over hers, holding them where they were.
"Stop being guilty, will you?" he said softly.

She didn't answer anything.

Her grip loosened slowly as he turned around to face her, his hands coming up to cradle her face.

She looked into his eyes, and the words slipped out quietly, "I'm really really sorry, Ram..."

He shook his head, a faint smile on his lips. "Maine bola na, don't be," he said gently.
"It's no one's fault actually... so chill, please."

She looked down slightly guilty.

"Agar tum aisa karogi na..." he added, tilting her face back up,
"then main bhi nahi jaunga."

That made her react instantly.
"No," she said, shaking her head.
"You should go, Ram."

He raised an eyebrow. "Then behave, alright?"

She huffed, her lips forming a stubborn pout.

Ram chuckled softly at the sight. He pulled her closer slightly and pressed a kiss on her pout. "You do good in your conference, okay? Call me before your event, alright?"

She nodded. "You too... keep me on video call."

"Done," he said.

He pulled her into a tight hug, holding her closer and kissed the top of her head.

They walked downstairs together.

Siya ran to him instantly, hugging him.
"All the best, momo!" she said brightly.

Ram smiled and hugged her back. "Thank you, sunshine," and dropped a kiss on her head too.

Tripura's mother stepped forward, placing her hand over his head in blessing. "All the best, beta."

Ram nodded respectfully, taking her in a warm side hug. "Thanks, maa."

He picked up his bag, glanced around once, his eyes pausing on Tripura for just a second longer, then said a simple, "Bye."

And with that, he walked out.
The door closed behind him.

And just like that, two journeys began in different cities, on different stages but tied to the same heartbeat.

__________________________________________

Wednesday arrived with a quiet kind of importance, a steady awareness that something meaningful was about to unfold.

Ram didn't wake up to an alarm or a call sheet. He woke up to his phone vibrating beside him. A video call from Tripura.

A faint smile appeared on his face even before he picked it up.

"Good morning dear husband," she said, already awake, already composed, her hair neatly done as she got ready for her own day.

"Very good morning wifey," he replied, his voice still heavy with sleep.

They spoke for a while, the conversation easy and unforced. Nothing dramatic, nothing intense-just small check-ins. Whether he slept well, whether she had eaten, reminders to not overthink, not stress. The kind of comfort that didn't need big words.