44. Good Night

How many of you are artists?✨

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Divya returned to her room, her heart still heavy from the sight of Anu’s panic attack.

She had tried to be strong, but the image of Anu struggling with her own emotions was too much for her.

Her hands still trembled slightly, and her mind raced as she replayed the moment over and over in her head.

As she stepped into the room, the soft sound of her anklets caught Daksh’s attention.

He was seated on the couch, working intently on his laptop, but the moment he heard the familiar jingle of her anklets, he looked up.

His gaze softened as he saw her standing in the doorway, her face pale, and tears still glistening on her cheeks.

Worried, he immediately set aside his laptop and stood up, his eyes full of concern.

He could feel the weight of her distress before she even spoke.

Without a word, he crossed the room, closing the distance between them, and gently cupped her face in his hands.

His touch was warm, tender, as he wiped away the tears that had escaped down her face.

“What happened, Honeypie?” Daksh asked, his voice laced with worry.

His brow furrowed slightly, his concern deepening as he noticed how shaken she was.

Divya let out a shaky breath, trying to steady herself, but her voice trembled as she spoke.

“Anu... she was having a panic attack... I couldn’t... I couldn’t do anything to help her.” Her words came out in a rush, as though she had been holding them in for too long.

She looked up at Daksh, her eyes wide with helplessness. “I’ve never seen her like that before, Daksh. It... it hurt so much seeing her like that, and I couldn’t do anything.”

Daksh’s expression softened, and he pulled her into his arms, holding her close. He could feel her body shaking against him, her breath uneven.

He ran his hand soothingly over her back, offering comfort, his voice calm yet firm.

“Honey, you did the best you could. Anu will be okay,” Daksh said gently. “Panic attacks... they’re overwhelming, but they pass. You just need to be there for her, like you always are.”

He pulled back slightly, looking into her eyes. “You can’t always fix everything, but your presence—your support—it means more to her than you know.”

Divya nodded, though the weight of the moment still lingered heavy on her chest.

“I just can’t stand seeing her like that,” Divya whispered, her voice barely audible. “It makes me feel so... helpless.”

Daksh’s embrace tightened, his arms pulling her closer, as if offering her his strength.

“You’re not helpless, Divya. You’re her pillar, even when you feel like you're falling apart. Just being there for her—that’s all she needs. You’re doing more than enough.”

Divya let out a soft sigh, leaning into him. “I wish I could do more, Daksh ji.”

“You’re already doing everything,” Daksh replied, his tone firm and comforting. “I’ll always be here for you, Honeypie. Always.”

She smiled gently, feeling the warmth of his words seep into her. “Thank you, Daksh ji,” she whispered, the tenderness in her voice reflecting her gratitude.

“Shall we sleep now?” Daksh asked, his hand gently caressing her hair.

“Hmmm,” she hummed softly, closing her eyes and savoring the warmth of his touch.

Daksh smiled hearing her contented hum, his heart swelling with affection.

He pulled back from their embrace, his hand still resting lightly on her shoulder as he led her to the bed.

He set his laptop aside, and Divya reached over to turn off the lights. The room was enveloped in a peaceful darkness, broken only by the soft rhythm of their breathing.

Together, they lay in the quiet of the night, with Daksh holding Divya close, the weight of the world outside no longer seeming important.

Wrapped in each other’s arms, they fell into a deep, restful sleep, comforted by the peace they had found in one another.

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Ishika was returning to her room, her footsteps slow and her mind heavy with thoughts about Ananya.

But as she passed by the puja room, something made her stop.

She took a deep breath and turned towards the sacred space, stepping inside with quiet reverence.

The soft glow of the diya illuminated the serene faces of the idols. Ishika folded her hands, her eyes closing as she bowed her head.

"Hey Bhagwan (God) , please make Ananya normal again and take care of her. Please lead her away from her nightmares. Give her peace and strength." she whispered, her voice trembling slightly as her emotions surfaced.

Unbeknownst to her, Rudraksh had just returned home. As he walked through the hallway, his sharp eyes caught sight of Ishika standing in the puja room.

Her small, fragile figure, illuminated by the flickering flame, caught his attention.

"Is everything okay?" he wondered, his brows furrowing slightly as he took slow steps toward her.

Ishika wiped away the tears that had unknowingly escaped her eyes. She was about to turn around and leave, but she paused.

Something in her heart felt unfinished.

She folded her hands again, her eyes sparkling with a hint of mischief despite the lingering sadness.

"Hey Bhagwan ji… Please pleeeaaassseee… Rudraksh ji ko at least 10% ka kind ya thoda soft behaviour sikha dijiyega… pleeeaaassseee!"

(Oh God, Please pleeeaaassseee... teach Rudraksh ji at least 10% kind or soft behaviour... Pleeeaaassseee!)

she said softly, her voice taking on a childlike innocence as she swayed slightly on her feet.

Rudraksh, who had been quietly observing her from the doorway, froze in place.

His lips twitched, almost forming a smile, but he quickly composed himself.

"Is she… praying for me to be softer?" he thought, a flicker of something unfamiliar passing through his cold eyes.

Ishika sighed dramatically after her little request and turned around—only to freeze when she saw Rudraksh standing there, his arms crossed and an unreadable expression on his face.

Her eyes widened, her hands still frozen in a half-folded gesture.

"Aap… yahan kab aaye?" she stammered, her cheeks flushing slightly in embarrassment.

Rudraksh raised an eyebrow, his voice calm yet firm. "You were… praying for me?"

Ishika's eyes darted everywhere except at him. "Uh… woh… nahi… I mean… I was just… um…"

Rudraksh took a step closer, tilting his head slightly. "10% kind, hmm?"

Ishika’s eyes widened further, and she clamped her hands over her mouth. "You—You heard that?"

The corner of Rudraksh’s lips twitched again, but he suppressed the smile. "I heard enough."

Ishika lowered her hands and pouted slightly. "Well… it’s true! Aap thode se rude ho. A little kindness wouldn’t hurt, you know!"

(You are somewhat rude)

Rudraksh looked at her for a moment, his gaze intense yet oddly soft.

Without another word, he turned around and walked away, leaving Ishika standing there, flustered and slightly confused.

"Did he… just walk away without saying anything rude?" she thought to herself, blinking rapidly.

A small smile crept onto her lips as she turned back to the idols.

"Thank you, Bhagwan ji. I think… you already started working on him."

With that, Ishika left the puja room, her heart feeling a little lighter and her smile a little brighter.

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He Didn’t Believe In Love... But Her Smile Made Him Question It.❣️