Chapter 18: Chapter 13: An Unexpected Beginning

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Ananya

Each day seems to pass in a whirlwind of work. I’ve been deeply engrossed in our new project, collaborating with my team and, of course, Arjun. While we don’t interact much at the office, our real connection happens at home. Amid this repetitive routine, the moments I cherish most are the ones I spend with Arjun. He makes me feel safe—something I’ve never truly experienced, especially around men.

Talking to him feels natural, comforting, and effortless. And when he holds me as we sleep, I feel a peace I didn’t think was possible. Obviously, he was careful to ask for my consent, ensuring I was comfortable. At first, I was hesitant, nervous even. I worried that my past would resurface and make it unbearable. But to my surprise, all I felt was warmth, serenity, and a sense of belonging in his arms.

Some men in my office are overly touchy, which I despise. Thankfully, they back off when I subtly avoid their advances. The idea of being touched by anyone else makes my skin crawl, but with Arjun, it’s different. I trust him, and his touch feels nothing but reassuring.

Yet, there’s a lingering doubt that holds me back. After all that happened in my past, do I have the right to let myself feel something for Arjun? Is it fair to him or even to myself? But deep down, I know I want to try. I want to give this a chance—give us a chance.

We came back from the office—separately. Arjun is in the shower while I’m in the kitchen, preparing dinner. I don’t always cook. Sometimes, Arjun takes over, and I love how he insists I rest when I need to, without me even asking. That’s why I don’t mind cooking today, even after a long day at work.

I don’t know when Arjun finished his shower, but suddenly, I felt a pair of hands gently holding my waist from behind. For a moment, fear gripped me, but I quickly realized it was him. He pulled me closer, my back pressing against his chest. My heart skipped a beat, and butterflies swirled in my stomach. Then, I felt his chin rest lightly on my shoulder.

"Arjun…?" My voice was barely a whisper.

He didn’t say anything at first, but I could feel his breath tickling my neck. He inhaled deeply, as though taking in my scent, and then finally whispered, “I missed you, Firefly.”

Confused, I replied, “But we were together all day.”

“It’s not the same,” he said softly. “You didn’t even look at me in the office. You were only talking to Dev.”

I scoffed, a small chuckle escaping my lips. “We were working on our project, Arjun. You know that.”

“I know,” he admitted, “but still, I felt left out.”

“Karan Bhai was with you, wasn’t he?” I teased.

He groaned in protest. “How can you compare your presence to that rascal’s?!” His indignation made me laugh.

“Okay, okay, my fault,” I said playfully. “So, what do you want me to do?”

“Nothing. Just let me hold you,” he murmured, his voice filled with a quiet longing. Before I could respond, his phone rang.

He let out a frustrated sigh before answering. I couldn’t hear the other side of the conversation, as his replies were limited to curt "Yes," "Okay," and "Thank you." After hanging up, he turned to me, his face lighting up with a smile.

“The project we’ve been working on—” he began, and I nodded for him to continue.

“They loved it!” he exclaimed.

A gasp of joy escaped me as I threw my arms around him. “Oh my God, Arjun! That’s amazing! I can’t believe it!”

“Yes, I’m happy too,” he said, holding me close.

Then I froze, realizing what I’d just done. I was hugging him—really hugging him, not one of those hugs in our sleep. This felt different, intimate. My heart raced as I tried to pull away, but before I could, he tightened his hold. In one swift motion, he lifted me off the ground, forcing me to wrap my arms around his neck to steady myself.

“Don’t pull away, Firefly,” he whispered. “We got the deal. You worked so hard for it too. I’m so proud of us.”

His voice was warm, full of joy. He buried his face in the crook of my neck, and for the first time, I felt the true comfort of being in someone’s arms. It was so soothing, so safe, that I wished the moment could last forever.

“I’m happy too,” I said softly. “Congratulations to us.”

He chuckled. “Thank you.”

We stayed like that for a few moments, his arms secure around me while I hung in the air.

“Arjun…” I called softly.

“Yes, Firefly?” His voice was just as gentle.

“Put me down. I need to finish cooking.”

Reluctantly, he set me down but kept his hands on my waist, his touch grounding me. There was barely any space between us now, just enough for me to tilt my head and meet his gaze. He looked down at me, his eyes dark with emotion. My heart hammered in my chest. I wanted to kiss him, to know how it felt. Maybe he was thinking the same, as he slowly leaned closer.

But the moment his hand cupped the back of my head, angling me toward him, dread washed over me. A flood of memories from the past—the fear, the pain—came rushing back. Panic seized me, and I pushed him away with trembling hands.

“Stop. Don’t,” I said, my voice shaky.

The hurt on his face was fleeting, replaced instantly by concern. “Firefly…” His voice was gentle, coaxing.

“I’m… I’m sorry, Arjun,” I stammered, panic evident in my voice. “I didn’t mean to… I’m so sorry…”

Tears welled in my eyes as I struggled to breathe. Before I could spiral further, he cupped my face, his warm hands steadying me.

“Hey, hey, hey… Firefly, look at me,” he urged softly.

I met his gaze, his calm demeanor slowly grounding me.

“You didn’t hurt me,” he said firmly. “You could never hurt me. And don’t apologize for listening to your heart.” His thumbs gently wiped the tears from my cheeks. “If you’re not comfortable, then it’s not happening. Nothing will ever happen against your will. I should be the one apologizing. I’m sorry for putting you in that position.”

His sincerity, his understanding—it unraveled something within me. For the first time, I felt safe, truly safe, in someone’s presence.

His presence, his voice, and the way he cupped my face stopped the panic attack before it could take hold. I felt a wave of relief wash over me—grateful that I didn’t lose control in front of Arjun.

It wasn’t until he gently wiped my cheeks that I realized I had been crying. The tears weren’t overwhelming—just a few that had slipped through the cracks of my composure. Still, the warmth of his touch and the concern in his eyes made me feel both exposed and comforted. I was thankful it wasn’t more than that—just a few tears and nothing more.

But even those few tears revealed more than I intended.

Arjun

Fuck. How could I lose control like that?

I scared Ananya with my sudden attempt to kiss her. Now, she’s standing in front of me, repeatedly apologizing for hurting me when, in truth, I’m the one who should be apologizing—because she’s the one who’s hurt. Scared.

It’s the first time I’ve seen her cry, even if it was just a few tears. But those tears broke something inside me, shattering my heart into pieces.

I gently wiped her tears, trying to reassure her. “If you’re not comfortable, then it’s not happening. Nothing will ever happen against your will. I should be the one apologizing. I’m sorry for putting you in that position.”

She shook her head adamantly. “No, it’s not your fault. It’s me… I… I…”

Before she could blame herself further, I interrupted her. “Hey… listen to me, Firefly. Stop worrying about hurting me because I’m not hurt. Everything is fine. I’m here for you. So just breathe, okay?”

I smoothed a hand gently over her hair, hoping to calm her. “Now, go freshen up. I’ll finish the cooking. And don’t worry about anything else. Deal?” I said, bending slightly to meet her eyes.

She nodded silently and turned to leave, heading to the bathroom to compose herself.

As I watched her go, my chest tightened. Today, for the first time, I truly realized how sensitive Ananya—my Ananya, my Firefly—is. No matter how strong or composed she appears to others, beneath that exterior lies a fragility I can’t ignore.

Pooja’s words echoed in my mind. She had said Ananya was the most sensitive person she’d ever met, no matter how tough she pretended to be. At the time, I didn’t give it much thought. But now, I know Pooja was right.

I need to be more careful with her. More patient. More gentle. Because Ananya isn’t just anyone—she’s mine. My Firefly. And I’ll do whatever it takes to protect her.

♡♡

I was already in bed, ready to sleep, but my thoughts lingered on Ananya. She was still in the bathroom, and I couldn’t shake the feeling that she was blaming herself for what had happened earlier. God, she cared too much, more than she should.

I heard the soft creak of the bathroom door opening, and moments later, Ananya stepped out. She climbed onto the bed silently, her movements careful, almost hesitant.

Turning to face her, I held out my arms. “Come here, Firefly,” I said gently.

She hesitated for a second before moving closer, resting her head on my arm. As soon as she settled, I pulled her closer, cradling her against me. My fingers traced soothing patterns on her cheek.

“You don’t have to keep blaming yourself for something that isn’t your fault,” I said softly, my voice firm yet tender.

She looked up at me through her lashes, her eyes shadowed with uncertainty. Before she could respond, I added, “It’s okay to say no, Firefly. It’s okay if you don’t want to do something. It’s okay if your heart or your body doesn’t agree. You don’t have to force yourself into things just to please others. Understand?”

“But... everyone has expectations of me,” she murmured, her voice barely above a whisper. Her gaze dropped, avoiding mine, as if she were afraid to see disappointment in my eyes. “What if I let them down? What if... I let you down?”

I cupped her face gently, tilting it so she had no choice but to look at me. “Ananya, you haven’t let anyone down. And you could never disappoint me.”

Her lips parted slightly, her breath hitching, but I continued before she could say a word.

“I’m proud of you, Firefly. I always will be. And I know—I know—that the people who matter are proud of you too. You don’t have to carry the weight of everyone’s expectations on your shoulders. You’re enough, just as you are.”

Her eyes shimmered with unshed tears, and I leaned forward, pressing a kiss to her forehead. As she nestled closer into my arms, I felt her let out a shaky breath, as if some of her burdens had been lifted.

In that quiet moment, I vowed to make her see what I already knew—that she was perfect in her own way.

Ananya’s breaths grew steadier, her body softening against mine as if she finally allowed herself to relax. For a while, neither of us spoke. The room was bathed in the faint glow of the moonlight streaming through the curtains, wrapping us in a cocoon of serenity.

Her fingers lightly played with the fabric of my shirt, a nervous habit I’d come to notice over time. She wasn’t done processing everything yet—I could feel it—but she was trying. That was all that mattered.

“Do you really mean it?” she asked suddenly, her voice so soft I almost missed it.

I tilted her chin up, locking my gaze with hers. “Every single word, Firefly.”

Her lips curved into a faint, hesitant smile. It wasn’t much, but it was a start.

“You know,” I said, trying to lighten the moment, “for someone who’s as stubborn as you, it’s surprising how quickly you believe the nonsense others tell you.”

She frowned, her brows knitting together. “What’s that supposed to mean?”

“It means,” I teased, brushing a stray strand of hair from her face, “that you need to stop being so hard on yourself. You’re stronger than you give yourself credit for. And much smarter than you think.”

Ananya gave a small laugh, a sound that filled my chest with warmth. “You’re just saying that to make me feel better.”

“Maybe,” I said, grinning. “But that doesn’t make it any less true.”

She rolled her eyes but nestled closer, her head resting against my chest. The weight of her body against mine felt right, like she belonged there.

“Thank you,” she murmured, her voice muffled against my shirt.

“For what?”

“For always knowing the right thing to say.”

I kissed the top of her head, the scent of her shampoo filling my senses. “You don’t have to thank me, Firefly. "

She gave me her soft smile.

As the room fell into silence once again, I felt her breathing slow, signaling that she was finally drifting off to sleep. Holding her close, I made a silent vow to protect her from every storm, to be her anchor whenever she felt adrift.

She didn’t need to carry the world alone anymore—not when she had me.

♡♡

The entire day at the office, I noticed Ananya wasn’t herself. Her usual vibrant smile that lit up her eyes was nowhere to be seen. Something was off. I wanted to ask her if everything was okay, but she seemed so withdrawn.

Later in the evening, when I finished work and was ready to head home, I realized she wasn’t in the office anymore. I texted her, but there was no reply. I called her, but she didn’t pick up. Panic gripped me instantly. Was she okay? Was she in danger? My mind spiraled into worst-case scenarios.

Unable to bear the uncertainty, I sought out Dev and asked him about Ananya’s whereabouts, trying to keep my voice steady. He told me she had left for home about an hour ago. A wave of relief washed over me, but I still couldn’t understand why she wasn’t responding to my calls or messages.

I quickly made my way home, anxiety gnawing at me the entire drive. I needed to see her, to know she was safe.

The moment I unlocked the door, I scanned the living room, but she wasn’t there.

“Ananya?” I called out, but there was no response.

I headed to our bedroom, and to my immense relief, I found her curled up on the bed, fast asleep. Only then did I realize I’d been holding my breath. I walked over and sat beside her, gently brushing my hand through her hair. She didn’t seem to have a fever when I checked her forehead. Thank God. I leaned down and placed a soft kiss on her temple before heading to the bathroom to change.

Ananya must not be feeling well. That much was clear.

After freshening up, I decided to cook dinner for us. Once everything was ready, I returned to the bedroom to wake her up.

“Ananya, get up. Dinner’s ready. You haven’t eaten anything all day,” I said softly, nudging her gently.

She stirred, her eyes fluttering open slowly. “I don’t want to eat anything,” she mumbled, her voice thick with sleep.

“Firefly, you have to. You can’t sleep on an empty stomach,” I coaxed.

“I’m not feeling well,” she murmured weakly.

Concern immediately flared up within me. I cupped her face, searching her expression. “What’s wrong, Firefly? Are you hurt? Come on, let’s go to the hospital,” I urged, already standing to help her up.

But she caught my hand, stopping me. Now sitting up in bed, she shook her head. “I’m fine, Arjun. We don’t need to go to the hospital. It’s normal.”

“How can it be normal if you’re feeling unwell?” I pressed, worry lacing my voice.

A weak smile graced her lips. “Arjun… it’s nothing new for me.”

Her words unsettled me. Did this mean she often felt like this? Why hadn’t she told me before? “What’s wrong, Firefly?” I asked again, my tone gentle but insistent.

She hesitated, avoiding my gaze. Finally, after a moment’s pause, she muttered, “I’m…on my period.”

Ah. Everything she said earlier now made sense. I sat beside her again, gently rubbing her back. “Are you okay? Do you need anything? Chocolate? Ice cream? Anything at all?”

She chuckled weakly at my enthusiasm. “Arjun, I don’t usually have cravings during my periods.”

I frowned. “That’s okay, but surely you need something. Rest, comfort, anything?”

She shook her head with a small smile. “Honestly, I’ve never really done anything special during these days. I didn’t even know girls had cravings until much later in life.”

What? My chest tightened at her words. She’d never been pampered or cared for during her periods? What about her family? How could they not make her feel special or comforted? What the fuck?

“Ananya, please come and at least eat something. I’ve made dinner for us,” I said, determined not to let her go without a proper meal.

Finally, she nodded and joined me at the dining table. She ate just a little, but at least she ate. It was a start.

After dinner, Ananya excused herself, saying she had some work to finish, and went back to our room. I stepped out for a while, but half an hour later, I returned. Quietly entering the room, I walked over to her. She looked up from her desk, her eyes widening in confusion as I stood before her.

Without a word, I placed a variety of chocolates, tubs of ice cream, Pringles, and an assortment of snacks on the bed. Her lips parted in astonishment.

“Arjun?!” she exclaimed, her voice laced with surprise. “You didn’t have to do this. I told you I didn’t need anything.”

Before she could continue, I interrupted gently. “I know what you said, but I wanted to. This is how you deserve to be treated.”

Her eyes softened, and I caught the unmistakable sparkle of emotion in them. In that moment, her expression said everything words couldn’t.

The next few days were tough for Ananya. She tried her best to mask the discomfort, but I could see through her. Her pale face and the way she unconsciously placed her hand over her stomach told me everything.

When I walked into the room that evening, I found her curled up on the bed, her laptop abandoned on the nightstand. Without saying a word, I climbed onto the bed and gently placed my hand on her stomach. She flinched at first, looking at me in surprise.

“It’s okay,” I whispered. “Just let me take care of you.”

I started rubbing her stomach in slow, gentle circles, and within minutes, I felt her body relax under my touch. She sighed softly, her eyes fluttering shut.

“You don’t have to push yourself like this, Firefly,” I said, my voice low. “You need rest.”

“I can’t just take time off like that,” she muttered, opening her eyes to look at me. “What will I tell my colleagues? They’ll wonder why I’m suddenly on leave, and you didn’t even mention anything about it…”

I cut her off gently. “You don’t have to worry about that. I’ll take care of everything. As the CEO, I have enough authority to sign your leave for the next four days. You deserve this rest, Firefly. Let me handle it.”

She stared at me, her eyes wide with surprise and perhaps a touch of gratitude. “You… you’d do that for me?”

I smiled softly, brushing a strand of hair from her face. “Of course I would. You’re my wife, Firefly. It’s my responsibility to make sure you’re okay. You’re not just an employee; you’re my priority.”

Her lips curved into a small smile, and I could see the tension ease from her face.

"Do you know," Ananya said softly, her voice barely above a whisper, "it’s the first time someone has ever thought of me as their priority."

Her words caught me off guard, and I turned to look at her. There was a vulnerability in her eyes that tugged at something deep inside me.

I reached out, brushing a strand of her hair away from her face. “You should’ve always been someone’s priority, Ananya,” I said, my tone gentle but firm. “If no one else saw your worth, that’s their loss. But from now on, you’ll never feel that way again—not as long as I’m here.”

Taking her hand in mine. “You’re not just my wife, Ananya. You’re someone who deserves to be cherished, every single day. And I’ll make sure you never forget that.”

For a moment, she just looked at me, her expression softening into something I couldn’t quite describe. Then, she smiled—a small, tentative smile that felt like a quiet victory.

For the rest of the evening, I stayed by her side. I made sure she was comfortable, fetched her warm water, and even heated the lavender pad she used for her cramps.

By the time the night settled, she was curled up beside me, her breathing even and peaceful. And in that moment, I realized something—taking care of her wasn’t just a duty. It was a privilege.

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