57. Hidden Pyaar...
Fractured Crowns
Indian Army Day ðªð®ð³
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Aditya came home late at night, his steps hurried as he entered his room.
He scanned the space, his sharp eyes searching for Ananya. But the room was empty.
"Where is she?" he muttered under his breath, frustration creeping into his tone.
He began checking every corner, opening cupboards, even looking under the bed as if sheâd be hiding somewhere.
When she was nowhere to be found, he stormed out of the room, his movements swift and restless.
He checked the guest rooms, the study, and even the kitchen, but there was no sign of her.
Descending the stairs, Adityaâs steps slowed as he noticed Daksh standing near the open door of Neelimaâs room.
Dakshâs arms were crossed, and a soft smile adorned his face. Curious and still agitated, Aditya approached him.
"Whatâs going on?" Aditya asked, his voice low but firm.
Daksh didnât answer immediately; instead, he gestured for Aditya to look inside. Aditya peered through the doorway, his tense posture softening the moment his eyes landed on her.
There she wasâhis kittenâcurled up beside Neelima and Divya, a look of rare satisfaction etched on her face.
Her features, usually so lively and mischievous, now looked serene and peaceful.
She seemed vulnerable, as though every defense she had built had melted away in her sleep.
Aditya felt a strange warmth spread through his chest. A small, rare smile tugged at his lips as he watched her sleep.
She looked so different from the feisty troublemaker he knewâso delicate, so calm.
Daksh slowly closed the door, careful not to make a sound. "We should let them sleep," he whispered.
Aditya nodded, his smile fading back into his usual stoic expression. Without another word, they both headed back to their respective rooms.
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Daksh entered his room, feeling unusually restless. He freshened up and lay back on the bed, but something felt off.
His arms felt empty, and the silence of the room was almost suffocating. He sighed, running a hand through his hair as he stared at the ceiling.
"This is going to be a tough night..." he muttered, turning onto his side. But no matter how much he shifted, sleep evaded him.
His mind wandered to Divyaâher shy smiles, her soft voice, the warmth he felt when she was in his arms. He couldnât help but miss her presence.
Sitting up abruptly, he ruffled his hair in frustration. "Gosh... Itâs hard to sleep without her..." he mumbled, glancing at the clock.
Instead of trying to force himself to sleep, Daksh decided to channel his longing into something productive.
Grabbing his phone, he began jotting down ideas for a surprise. It had to be something special, something that would make her smile brighter than ever.
For hours, he brainstormed, sketching out plans and making notes. By the time dawn broke, he had a detailed plan in place.
As he looked at his list, a tired but content smile formed on his lips. "Youâre worth every sleepless night, Honeypie," he whispered to himself, already looking forward to the moment he could see her smile again.
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Aditya sat on his bed, glaring at the object that had been irritating him all nightâMr. Puppy.
The plush toy sat innocently on the nightstand, mocking him with its very existence.
"Whatâs so special about you?" Aditya muttered angrily, his sharp gaze fixed on the lifeless doll.
"Why does she hold you so tightly and sleep like youâre the reason she breathes?"
The room remained silent, except for the faint ticking of the clock. Of course, Mr. Puppy had no reply.
Aditya sighed in frustration, running a hand through his already tousled hair.
His eyes narrowed as he picked up the stuffed toy and scrutinized it, as though trying to uncover some hidden secret.
"She clings to you like youâre irreplaceable," he muttered before throwing the plushie across the room.
It hit the wall and fell to the floor, looking just as lifeless as before.
Aditya flopped back onto his bed, staring at the ceiling. A thought crept into his mind, one he didnât want to entertain.
Was he... Jealous?
"No," he said aloud, shifting onto his side. "Why would I be jealous of a stupid doll?"
He scoffed at the very idea. "Itâs ridiculous," he muttered. "Iâm Aditya Raghuwanshi. I donât get jealous. Especially not over her doll."
But no matter how much he tried to convince himself, the irritation in his chest refused to fade.
He huffed and turned onto his back, closing his eyes in an attempt to sleep.
The problem remained. Sleep wouldnât come.
Frustrated, Aditya sat up and began pacing the room. His thoughts were a whirlwind of annoyance, confusion, and something he refused to acknowledge.
His pacing led him to the walk-in closet, and he stopped in front of her section.
Ananyaâs clothes were neatly hung, her scent lingering faintly in the air.
Without thinking, Aditya reached out and grabbed a soft pink dress. Holding it close, he returned to the bed.
He lay down, the dress clutched in his arms. Her familiar scent calmed the storm inside him, and for the first time that night, his racing thoughts began to slow.
"Iâm not in love," he mumbled, his voice barely audible. But even as the words left his lips, they felt hollow.
Sleep finally claimed him, and he drifted off, holding the dress as though it were her, the faint smell bringing him a comfort heâd never admit to needing.
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Meanwhile, in her room, Amrita jolted awake, her breath ragged, her chest heaving as the familiar grip of her nightmares faded into the shadows.
She barely registered the trembling of her hands when a glass of water appeared before her.
Startled, she looked up to find Aaryansh standing there, his warm smile a balm to her frayed nerves.
"You always know," she murmured, her voice still shaky, as she took the glass from him and drank.
Aaryansh sat down beside her, watching her closely. His calm presence anchored her.
"How did you know Iâd wake up?" she asked, setting the empty glass on the nightstand.
He tilted his head, his lips curling into a soft smile. "You always have nightmares at this timeâ11:37. Itâs like clockwork."
Her breath caught, her eyes widening. "You noticed?"
His gaze softened further as he reached out, his fingers gently brushing against her cheek.
"Of course, I noticed," he said, his voice tender.
"How could I not? When something troubles you, it troubles me too. I canât help but keep track of everything about you."
His thumb caressed her cheek. "Because no matter what, I want my buttercup to feel safe. Always."
A small, genuine smile broke across Amritaâs face, rare but radiant, and Aaryansh felt his heart soar.
"Can I ask you something?" he ventured, hesitance lacing his tone.
She nodded, her smile fading slightly. "Yes."
"What are these nightmares about?" he asked gently. "Why do they haunt you so much? And... why always at this time?"
Amrita looked away, her fingers fidgeting in her lap. Her walls went up again, silent but heavy.
Aaryansh sighed softly, his hand tilting her chin up, making her meet his gaze once more. His black eyes brimmed with understanding, not pressure.
"Itâs okay if youâre not ready to tell me," he whispered. "Iâll wait, Amrita. Iâll wait forever if thatâs what you need. But Iâll be here. Always."
He pulled her into a gentle embrace, his warmth surrounding her like a shield against the darkness.
As always, she didnât reciprocate the hug, her arms hanging limp by her sides.
But it didnât matter to him.
"Letâs sleep," he murmured, his breath warm against her temple.
He stayed beside her, his presence a silent promise of protection, waiting for the day when her walls would crumble and she would let him in.
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Hit the star!â
Their hearts screamed what their lips refused to say.ð«â¨â£ï¸