Chapter 50

Abhimanyu

I didn’t deserve this.

Her warmth. Her presence. The way she looked at me like I was someone worth saving.

Yet, here she was. Sitting next to me, holding my hand as if it was the most natural thing in the world. As if she wasn’t afraid of getting burned by the mess that I was.

I wanted to push her away. Tell her she was wasting her time. But the truth? I didn’t want to let go.

The silence stretched between us, comfortable yet heavy with unspoken words.

“I still don’t understand you,” I admitted, my voice quieter than I expected.

She tilted her head, a soft smile playing on her lips. “Maybe you don’t have to.”

I sighed, running a hand through my hair. “You should hate me, Subhi.”

She frowned, her grip on my hand tightening. “And why would I?”

I looked away. “Because I keep pushing you away. Because I’ve been a jerk. Because I don’t—” I stopped, the lump in my throat making it hard to speak.

She didn’t let me finish. Instead, she shifted closer, her shoulder touching mine. “You think you’re the only one allowed to be scared, Abhimanyu?”

I turned to look at her. “I’m not scared—”

She raised an eyebrow, clearly not believing me. “You’re terrified.”

And she was right.

She always saw through me, didn’t she?

I let out a shaky breath, my fingers tightening around hers. "I don't know how to do this."

"Do what?" she asked softly.

"Be... happy."

Her expression softened, and before I could react, she leaned forward and rested her forehead against my shoulder.

"Then let me show you how," she whispered.

Something inside me cracked. Maybe, just maybe, for the first time... I wanted to believe her.