Holding You, Holding Me

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The night had settled in, wrapping the room in a comfortable haze of warmth and lingering laughter. After an exhausting day, the gang had finally found their sleeping arrangements, settling their heated debates on who gets which space. Saumya and Sia had claimed Manan’s parents’ room, while Raj and Manan grudgingly agreed to share Manan’s room. That left Dhruvin and Aashna in the living room, sprawled out on the oversized couch, lost in their own little bubble.

Aashna, full from the night’s endless snacking, had dozed off in Dhruvin’s lap, her soft breaths fanning against his hoodie. He sat with one arm draped over the back of the sofa, the other resting protectively around her. His fingers absentmindedly brushed against her hair, playing with the strands, his heart swelling at the way she fit so perfectly against him.

Manan, noticing this, smirked and leaned over from his spot on the floor. “Bhai, bedroom le lo. You must be dead tired after all that badminton practice.”

Dhruvin barely spared him a glance. “We’re fine here.”

“We? Oh, so now you guys come as a package deal?” Manan teased. “Soon we’ll have to send invites addressed to ‘Mr. and Mrs. Dhruvin Deshmukh’.”

Dhruvin rolled his eyes but didn’t retort. He was too lost in the warmth of Aashna nestled against him, her arms tucked into his hoodie like she belonged there. The stress that had been weighing him down for weeks seemed to dissipate, replaced by a soothing calm. He exhaled, tightening his hold on her. He had missed this—missed her. Between intense badminton practice sessions and her drowning in assignments, they had barely spent quality time together.

As the night deepened, the only sounds left in the room were the occasional murmur of the ceiling fan and the quiet rise and fall of Aashna’s breathing. He placed a gentle kiss on her forehead, then another soft peck on her lips, careful not to wake her. With her heartbeats as his lullaby, he finally drifted off, holding her close.

But peace didn’t last long.

Aashna stirred awake to the faint sound of mumbling. Confused, she lifted her head slightly and looked at Dhruvin. His brows were furrowed, his lips parted as he whispered incoherent words, his breath coming in short gasps.

She immediately knew what was happening. His nightmares—ones he rarely talked about but couldn’t seem to escape.

Her mind flashed to what Aaji had told her a few days ago—his parents’ death anniversary was nearing. The weight of it must be pressing on him, combined with the pressure of his upcoming tournament.

“Dhruvin,” she whispered, cupping his cheek.

His eyes squeezed shut tighter, his breathing turning erratic. His fists clenched around the fabric of her top as though trying to hold onto something.

Aashna’s heart clenched at the sight. Without hesitation, she shifted so he was resting against her, wrapping her arms around him, his head against her chest. She stroked his hair gently, pressing a kiss to the top of his head.

“I’m here,” she whispered, her voice barely audible over the silence of the night. “It’s okay. You’re safe.”

She felt his body tremble slightly, the nightmare gripping him even in sleep. So she continued, her voice a steady lull. “You don’t have to do this alone. I know you act like you’ve got everything under control, like nothing bothers you, but you don’t always have to be strong.” She kissed his forehead softly, her fingers running along his back in soothing circles. Humming the song, she had last hummed when the episode of nightmare had happened in the NGO. "Lag ja gale ki phir yeh haseen raat ho na ho........shayad phir iss janam mein mulaqat ho na ho."the song that had calmed him down.

Slowly, his grip on her loosened, his breathing evening out. His body, once tense, melted into hers, surrendering to the comfort she offered.

Aashna smiled faintly, pressing her cheek against his hair. “You always take care of me… it’s my turn now.”

As he fell back into a peaceful slumber, she stayed awake for a while longer, holding him close, silently promising to be his anchor—just like he had always been for her.

❤️❤️❤️❤️

Author’s Note

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