18. Closeness

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Ishika sat on the edge of the bed, her mind racing.

She realized, with a deep sense of guilt, that she had let her anger get the better of her.

It wasn’t just Rudraksh; her frustration had spilled over in a way she hadn’t intended.

Now, the weight of her outburst hung heavily on her heart, leaving her feeling embarrassed and regretful.

"I-I’m sorry..." she mumbled, her voice barely above a whisper. Her head hung low, eyes focused on the ground, unable to meet Rudraksh's gaze.

There was a pause before she continued, her voice trembling slightly, "I was frustrated about something else, and I... I didn’t mean to... take it out on you."

Shame laced her words as they spilled from her lips, and her face flushed with embarrassment. She wanted to take it all back, to erase the harshness in her tone, but all she could do was apologize.

Rudraksh, though still taken aback by her sudden outburst, softened. "It's alright," he said quietly, his voice reassuring. "I understand."

His expression was a mix of surprise and empathy, though he didn't fully know what had triggered her outburst. It didn’t matter, though; he could tell it wasn’t personal.

Before Ishika could say more, Rudraksh’s phone buzzed, indicating an incoming call from his office.

He looked at her, then back at his phone, his face hardening with the weight of the work awaiting him. "I have to take this," he said, his tone neutral but firm. "You should rest now. We’ll talk later."

With that, he stepped away, walking toward the balcony to take the call, leaving Ishika alone in the quiet of the room.

The silence felt oppressive, almost suffocating, as she replayed the entire scene in her head, regretting every moment of it.

She leaned back against the headboard, her eyes closed, trying to steady her racing thoughts.

Why had I yelled like that? she thought. I shouldn’t have done that... It was so unfair to him.

A deep sigh escaped her lips, and she muttered to herself, "I have to apologize again... I shouldn't have yelled at him like that..."

Her words hung in the air as she closed her eyes, exhaustion settling in. The tension in her shoulders slowly began to release, but the guilt remained, gnawing at her conscience.

Time passed, and after what felt like an eternity, Rudraksh returned.

He stepped into the room, still speaking on the phone as he entered. When he noticed Ishika, his gaze softened.

She had dozed off while sitting upright on the bed, her body slumped, her head leaning against the wall behind her.

Her face, though relaxed in sleep, bore the traces of the emotional turmoil that had preceded it.

Rudraksh paused, taking in the sight. He noticed the wedding jewelry still adorning Ishika—her delicate necklace, the earrings, the bangles—all reminders of the ceremony earlier.

But it wasn’t just the jewelry that caught his attention. There was an uncomfortable tension in her expression, a slight furrow in her brow even as she slept.

He could tell she hadn’t been able to fully relax, probably because of the outfit and the jewellery on her.

With a quiet sigh, he walked over and gently placed the phone down on the side table. He didn’t wake her, though he wanted to—he just stood there for a moment, watching her.

Rudraksh stood there for a moment longer, watching Ishika as she slept, her face peaceful yet troubled.

The tension between them was still palpable, but he knew she needed rest, and he didn’t want to wake her just yet. After a deep breath, he finally moved toward her.

He leaned down slowly, his movements deliberate and soft, careful not to disturb her too abruptly.

His gaze lingered for a moment on her face, noting how serene she looked in sleep, yet there was an undercurrent of vulnerability that tugged at his heart.

He knew how much she was battling within herself.

With tender hands, he reached for the necklace that adorned her neck, its delicate chain glinting softly in the dim light.

His fingers brushed against her skin as he began to unclasp it, and a strange, electric shiver shot down his spine.

He could feel the warmth of her skin, the soft pulse of her neck beneath his touch. For a brief moment, he hesitated, caught in the intimacy of the act.

It wasn’t just the physical proximity, but something deeper that lingered between them—something unspoken, fragile, and yet undeniable.

He continued with careful precision, removing each piece of jewelry one by one.

He took off her heavy jhumkas, the cool metal in stark contrast to the warmth of her skin.

As he slid them gently from her ears, he noticed how her long, dark hair cascaded around her shoulders, framing her face in a way that only added to her beauty, even in her slumber.

Next, his fingers moved to the bangles around her wrist, the delicate tinkling sound they made as he slid them off both soothing and sorrowful.

He took his time, every action laced with a quiet tenderness, as though he were handling something precious, something fragile.

The weight of each ornament, the same ones that had made her feel like a bride just hours ago, now seemed heavy in his hands, as though symbolizing the weight of the emotions they had both been carrying.

Each piece he removed felt like a silent promise, a step toward healing, toward unspoken understanding.

He didn’t rush, allowing himself a moment to just... be there, present in that space between them.

Finally, with the last piece of jewelry removed, Rudraksh stood back, his gaze lingering on Ishika for a heartbeat longer.

Her expression, though peaceful in sleep, still bore the subtle traces of the turmoil she had felt earlier.

And for that, he felt a deep, almost protective ache inside him.

As Rudraksh stepped back, his gaze lingered on Ishika. The absence of jewelry on her only seemed to enhance her natural beauty.

Her bare neck, free of adornments, and her serene face, relaxed in sleep, made her look even more ethereal.

He found himself mesmerized by the soft glow of her skin in the dim light of the room.

His eyes wandered to the slow, steady rise and fall of her chest as she breathed deeply, lost in her dreams.

The rhythmic motion tugged at something deep within him—an unfamiliar feeling he couldn’t quite name.

It wasn’t just admiration or attraction; it was something far more profound. A warmth spread through him, filling the space that had always felt cold and empty.

For a moment, he felt a pull, an urge he had never experienced before.

His heart ached with the desire to hold her, to feel her close to him, to let her know without words that she was safe and cared for.

He clenched his fists slightly, fighting the instinct to scoop her up and let her sleep in his arms. He knew he couldn’t. Not yet.

This was all too new for both of them, and he wasn’t sure if he was ready—or if she was.

Instead, he crouched down gently and slid an arm under her, lifting her with care.

She stirred faintly in her sleep, but her eyes remained closed, her breathing steady. Rudraksh cradled her for a brief moment, his heart racing at the feel of her warmth against him.

He carefully laid her down on the bed, making sure she was comfortable. Her head rested softly on the pillow, and her body relaxed further into the mattress.

He pulled the blanket over her, tucking her in like she was the most delicate thing he’d ever held.

Straightening up, he looked down at her one last time.

A part of him wished she would wake up, even if just for a moment, so he could see her look at him without the barriers they both often put up.

But she remained asleep, blissfully unaware of the storm of emotions churning within him.

Letting out a quiet sigh, Rudraksh walked to the other side of the bed. He lay down, careful to maintain a respectful distance between them.

Yet, as he stared at the ceiling, his thoughts remained fixed on her.

The room was silent save for the soft sound of their breathing. And though they were not touching, Rudraksh felt a strange sense of comfort, knowing she was close.

The battle between his heart and mind continued, but for now, he let the quiet moments wash over him.

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SHINE BRIGHT LIKE A DIAMOND 💎