Devyani periods
You all must be wondering why I unpublished my book and deactivated my Instagram account.
Yes, it was because some groups were reporting and getting accounts banned. Thankfully, nothing happened to mine, but for safety reasons, many authors decided to unpublish their books and deactivate their accounts.
Those were really chaotic and stressful days for me. Anyway...let's hope they don't start this again??????
Now my exams are coming up, and I really need to focus on my studies. Things are pretty intense at the moment, so I won't be able to post updates for a week.
I hope you all understand and support me during this time. Thank you so much ??
Miss meee????????????
Sorry guys for all the chaos and trouble:(
HAPPY VALENTINES DAY BABIESS??????
_____________________
Devyani stood there like a statue.
Eyes widened.
Mouth slightly open.
Brain completely hang.
She slowly leaned toward Aradhya and whispered in a trembling voice
"Aru... are they doing...
woh wala kaam... jo couples karte hain?" ??
Aradhya's eyes nearly popped out.
Devyani swallowed hard.
Aradhya nodded very seriously, like some expert researcher.
Devyani blinked.
"How weird?"
Aradhya whispered dramatically
Devyani's soul left her body.
Her eyes darkened.
Without another word, she marched forward.
At that exact moment
Rivan and Reyansh turned.
And froze.
They saw
A furious Devyani,
and a traumatized Aradhya behind her.
Before anyone could react
Rivan PANICKED.
He instantly grabbed Reyansh and shoved him behind his back like a shield.
Reyansh, half naked, half dead, squeaked
Devyani crossed her arms slowly.
She looked at Reyansh from head to toe.
Devyani (arms crossed, full serious face):
"Aap ye sab karne aate ho gym?"
(So you come to the gym to do all this?)
RIVAN's soul left his body.
Rivan (panicking):
"N-no baby, listen—"
Devyani (sharply):
"Kya listen haan?"
(What listen?)
She narrowed her eyes and pointed between them.
Rivan's eyes widened so much Reyansh thought they might fall out.
Rivan:
"WHO said this nonsense?!"
Aradhya gulped loudly.
Oops... meri fielding SET HAI, she thought.
Devyani:
"Why are you acting like I'm a kid?"
(Main bacchi hoon kya?)
"I can see clearly."
"Gym mein romance chal raha tha."
Rivan (hands up):
"No no baby, we were just doing... exercise."
Devyani (gasps):
"Exercise? Shirtless?"
(Kapdon ke bina?)
"What kind of exercise is this?"
"And that too leaving your wife alone?"
She turned to Reyansh.
Reyansh's brain short-circuited.
Reyansh (screaming):
"NO NO NO DEVU—"
"CHUP HO JA!"
(Stop it!)
He quickly covered himself more properly.
Reyansh (fast-fast):
"Shhh! Pehle sun."
(First listen.)
"We were ONLY doing exercise."
"Nothing else!"
Devyani tilted her head innocently, eyes big.
She pointed.
Rivan almost cried.
Devyani (eyes sparkling):
"So you were holding my husband?"
Rivan Reyansh together:
"NOOOOO."
Devyani stormed out of the gym, her footsteps loud, anger practically radiating from her back.
The moment she disappeared
Reyansh kicked Rivan straight in the stomach.
"Fuck you."
"You deserve it."
"Abhi gym, gym... bkl."
(Now gym, gym... idiot.)
Rivan groaned, bending slightly.
Reyansh angrily grabbed a towel, wrapped it around his waist, and marched out.
Rivan stayed there for a second... frozen like a statue.
"...Okay," he whispered to himself, swallowing hard,
"now this is a serious issue."
She didn't move.
Didn't look at him.
Didn't pull her hand away either.
That scared him more.
He gently pressed her hand, silently pleading.
Before he could say anything
Virendra entered and took his seat at the head of the table, adjusting his glasses calmly.
Everyone else followed.
And the moment Reyansh walked in
Every single pair of eyes turned toward him.
Teasing.
Smirking.
Holding laughter.
Aradhya bit her lower lip.
Jinal covered her mouth.
Payal's shoulders were shaking.
Reyansh sat down stiffly.
"Stop it." he muttered under his breath, rolling his eyes.
Aradhya leaned forward innocently.
"Gym acha gaya bhaiyya?"
(Good workout?)
Reyansh shot her a death glare.
Virendra sipped his tea calmly.
Rivan internally screamed.
Devyani calmly lifted her glass... took a small sip...
and then
"Papa," she said casually, as if she were talking about the weather,
"didn't you once say that if I ever give you a solid reason, you'll find me another husband?"
Virendra froze.
The spoon in Yashodha's hand stopped mid-air.
Aradhya's mouth fell open.
Jinal blinked.
Payal forgot to breathe.
Rivan's hand slipped from the table.
"...What?" Virendra asked slowly.
Devyani turned her innocent, furious eyes toward him.
Reyansh spat his juice.
"KHA KHA—WHAT?!"
He coughed violently, eyes wide, panic written all over his face.
Devyani continued, calm as poison.
Silence.
Dead.
Absolute.
Funeral-level silence.
Reyansh stared at her like his soul had left his body.
Rivan didn't move.
Didn't blink.
Didn't breathe.
He looked like someone had just unplugged his soul.
Virendra slowly turned his head toward Rivan.
Aradhya's eyes sparkled with pure chaos.
Jinal immediately made an "ewww" face and leaned away from Reyansh.
Reyansh looked at her horrified.
Reyansh's brain short-circuited.
Rivan finally found his voice.
"Devyani—" he whispered, broken.
She turned to him slowly.
"I'm saying," she replied sweetly,
"that my husband disappeared for three months, came back, did romance in gym with my bhaiyya, and now expects me to stay calm."
She smiled.
Virendra cleared his throat heavily.
"Devu," he said carefully,
"are you serious?"
She nodded.
Rivan's world collapsed.
Reyansh stood up abruptly.
Everyone jumped.
He pointed at Rivan.
Then at Devyani.
"And you—" he softened instantly,
"—are angry. Very angry."
Devyani crossed her arms.
"So?"
"So," Reyansh said desperately,
"you are punishing the wrong criminal."
Then RIVAN looked at Devyani.
Devyani looked at him.
Really looked.
Then she turned away.
Reyansh sank back into his chair.
And the breakfast table?
Officially declared
WAR ZONE. ??
Virendra's lips curved into a slow, evil smirk.
He enjoyed this a little too much.
With deliberate calm, he said loudly,
"Devu... don't worry. I'll shortlist some good men for you."
He paused, eyes flicking toward Rivan pure provocation.
"Handsome. Mature. And most importantly—"
his smirk deepened,
"—men who love women, not men."
Rivan's jaw tightened.
His fists clenched so hard his knuckles turned white.
For a second just one second
it looked like the mighty Rivan Thakur might actually commit patricide before breakfast.
His eyes slowly lifted to Virendra.
Cold. Sharp. Lethal.
The kind of stare that didn't shout
it promised.
Devyani, already overwhelmed, didn't stay to hear more.
She turned and walked away, her steps quick, heart pounding.
The moment she disappeared
Rivan stepped forward.
"Mr Thakur," he said, voice dangerously calm,
"we'll talk about this."
He leaned closer, eyes dark.
"Wait for me."
Virendra chuckled, completely unfazed.
"Sure, son," he replied, enjoying every second.
"I'm waiting."
Rivan didn't respond.
He turned sharply and ran.
Not walked.
Not strode.
He ran after his little wife
the same man who ruled boardrooms, empires, and fear itself.
Because right now
And Devyani?
She was already storming ahead.
"This is what happens when you marry an inhuman man," she muttered.
"Gym romances... three months disappearances!"
Rivan caught up, breath uneven.
"Kitten—"
She didn't stop.
He winced.
Okay.
This was bad.
Very bad.
But somewhere behind the anger,
behind the jealousy,
behind the ridiculous misunderstanding
there was love.
And Rivan Thakur was ready to fight everyone for it.
Rivan stood outside the locked door.
Still.
Silent.
The echo of the lock clicking shut felt louder than any scream.
Those words kept replaying in his head like a punishment loop.
For the first time, Rivan Thakur didn't know what to do.
He raised his hand to knock
then stopped.
Just then
Footsteps.
Kaizen.
He hadn't been in the haveli for few days. Today he had returned quietly, saw his father from afar... and before Rivan could even say
Kaizen walked past him.
Didn't stop.
Didn't look.
Didn't acknowledge.
Rivan's chest tightened.
That hurt him.
Both mother and son were now inside.
And Rivan was left outside.
Alone.
Inside the room.
Her eyes suddenly lit up.
"KIAZEEEEENNNN!"
Her voice instantly softened, emotions flipping like a switch.
"Kaliyaaaa! You came!"
Kaizen barely had time to react before she rushed to him.
He went straight to her, tail wagging furiously, stood on his hind legs and
licked her face messily.
"Awwww!" Devyani laughed through her tears.
"I missed you so much, Kaizuuuu!"
Kaizen let out a soft growl, pressing his head into her chest.
She hugged him tightly, burying her face in his fur.
"See? At least you didn't leave me for three months," she muttered dramatically.
Kaizen growled in agreement, almost like,
I would never.
She pulled back, holding his face.
"Promise me you won't go to gym with Reyansh bhaiyya," she said seriously.
Kaizen tilted his head.
Growled again.
She nodded.
"Good boy."
Outside the door
Rivan leaned his forehead against the wall.
Even his son was on her side now.
"Okay," he whispered to himself,
"This... is officially very serious."
And somewhere deep inside, beneath the fear and guilt
He smiled faintly.
Because seeing her smile again, even through anger
Meant hope.
And Rivan Thakur never gave up on what was his.
She was doing unnecessary things in anger.
Opening cupboards just to shut them loudly.
Straightening cushions that were already straight.
Moving things from one place to another without any reason.
Pure, royal ignorance.
Rivan entered the room quietly.
He stood there for a moment, watching her drama with tired eyes and a faint smile tugging at his lips.
"Devyani," he called softly.
No response.
"Devyani," he tried again.
She walked past him as if he didn't exist.
Completely.
Royally.
Professionally ignored.
Rivan exhaled slowly.
Okay... plan A failed.
He stepped closer, blocking her path when she tried to walk past him again.
She turned her face away instantly.
He caught her wrist and pulled her closer
so close that her breath tangled with his.
She stopped moving.
She hit his chest, his arm locking her hands gently but firmly behind her, not hurting just claiming space. With his free hand, he brushed her hair away from her face, fingers lingering at her temple.
Devyani gulped.
Her anger wavered for a split second.
She cleared her throat, forcing confidence.
"Y... yes."
Rivan's eyes darkened instantly.
Not rage something deeper. Possessive. Dangerous calm.
She panicked.
Devyani swallowed hard.
Her heart was pounding now, not from fear
from him.
She lifted her chin stubbornly.
"What if I say yes?"
A slow smile curved his lip
"Then," he said huskily,
"I'll kiss you hard enough to make you forget why you were angry... and breathless enough to stop arguing."
Devyani paused, actually thinking.
Then she smiled small, stubborn, fearless.
"And if you think I'll get scared and say no just because you said it in a cold voice," she said calmly,
"then you are wrong, pati ji."
She stepped a fraction closer, eyes steady.
"That trick is old.
Men speak cold, wives get scared."
She shook her head.
"I'm not scared of you."
Rivan's brows lifted slightly.
She inhaled, voice dropping to a whisper.
"Let's keep the fight aside for a moment...
and come on, kiss me.
I waited a long time for this."
Rivan froze.
Completely.
Eyes widened.
Breath stuck.
For once
Rivan Thakur had no words.
Devyani blinked at him innocently.
"So... you are doing na?" she asked.
Rivan cleared his throat, very audibly.
"W-what??"
She tilted her head.
"Kiss... or what?"
Then, with genuine curiosity, she added,
"Why? You want to do more?"
His eyes widened again.
"M-more?"
His voice cracked just a little.
"What... do you mean by more?"
She frowned, as if he was being silly.
"Arre... the things which are done between couples."
He swallowed. Hard.
"And what," he asked carefully,
"can be done between couples?"
She smiled brightly, as if revealing a great secret.
"That only... puchi puchi poo."
Silence.
Complete. Absolute. Dangerous silence.
Rivan froze.
"...WHAT do you mean by puchi puchi poo?"
Devyani made a face duh.
"Like you really don't know?" she said, waving her hand.
"Little little kisses... cheek, nose, forehead...
puchi... puchi... poo."
His heartbeat, which had been racing in the wrong direction, suddenly slowed.
"Oh."
That was all he managed.
She leaned closer, eyes sparkling mischievously.
"Why? What were you thinking?"
Rivan looked away instantly.
"Nothing. Absolutely nothing."
Then muttered under his breath,
"God save me from my own wife."
She giggled, finally soft, real.
"Then come," she said, tugging his sleeve.
"Do puchi puchi poo.
And don't think too much, pati ji."
Rivan sighed in defeat...
and smiled.
Because honestly
this kind of innocence was far more dangerous than anything else. ??
But his peace shattered when she added, very casually
Rivan narrowed his eyes immediately.
"What exactly do you know?"
Devyani counted on her fingers, very seriously.
"Kiss is just puchi...
and after that... puchi puchi poo is left."
Rivan closed his eyes for a second.
"Oh God," he muttered.
"Kitten, this puchi puchi poo of yours will actually kill me."
He opened one eye, looking at her dramatically.
"I'm already scared because you're this wild in your innocence phase."
He sighed.
"I wonder about our future now."
Then, completely deadpan, he added,
"Should I save Purush Helpline number?"
Devyani blinked.
"What do you mean?"
He leaned closer, about to explain
"Means—"
Suddenly
Her eyes widened as if realization hit her like lightning.
"AYYYYY—"
She gasped, face turning red instantly, and ran straight to the bathroom, slamming the door shut.
Rivan froze.
He went after her, but the bathroom door was already closed.
He paused.
"Maybe she just wants to use the washroom," he thought, stepping back.
He waited.
One minute.
Two.
She still didn't come out.
Then
A soft sound reached his ears.
A broken, muffled sobbing.
Rivan's chest tightened instantly.
He rushed to the door and knocked gently.
"Kitten?"
No response.
He knocked again, a little louder this time.
"Devyani?"
Silence.
"Baby, what happened?" His voice dropped, worried now.
"Talk to me, please."
From inside, a shaky whisper came.
"...Nothing is right."
Panic crept in.
"Hey," he said quickly, pressing his forehead against the door,
"listen to me. I'm getting worried now. Is everything alright?"
Another pause.
Then, barely audible
Rivan froze.
"Jinal?"
He frowned.
"Baby, at least tell me what happened."
Her voice came again, stubborn, broken, and small.
That hurt more than he expected.
But he swallowed it down.
"Okay," he said softly, immediately.
"I'll call her. Don't cry, please."
He stepped back, already pulling out his phone
heart racing, mind full of a thousand fears.
"Just... stay there," he added gently through the door.
"I'm right here. I'm not going anywhere."
And for the first time since morning
Rivan Thakur was truly scared.
But of not understanding the tears of the woman he loved most.
He stopped dialing midway.
His body went still, then his voice softened careful, serious.
"Baby..." he asked quietly,
"did you get your periods?"
Inside the bathroom, Devyani froze.
Her eyes widened.
"H–how... do you know?" she whispered back, panicked and embarrassed.
Rivan exhaled slowly, relief and worry mixing together.
"Devyani," he said gently, keeping his tone calm,
"open the door. I'll explain, hmm?
Trust your pati ji."
"No na..." she cried softly, voice shaking.
"You... you won't understand. Please call Jinal."
A pause.
"I... I don't even have cloth to use. It's urgent."
That did it.
Rivan's tone changed not angry, but firm. Protective.
"I said come outside," he said clearly.
"And I'm not requesting. Did you hear me?"
She flinched.
Slowly... hesitantly...
the door creaked open.
Devyani stood there, eyes red and teary, lips trembling, sobs barely held back.
She looked small. Vulnerable. Embarrassed.
Rivan's heart clenched.
He immediately stepped closer but stopped himself from touching her suddenly.
"Hey..." he said softly.
"Look at me."
She lifted her eyes, unsure.
He cupped her face gently, wiping her tears with his thumb.
"Baby, I'm here, right?" he said softly.
"Okay, stop crying now. No need to cry... it's normal."
He smiled reassuringly.
"Every girl gets this. So relax, haa."
Devyani sniffed and frowned slightly.
"O...okay, that's what I'm saying," she muttered.
"You are not a... girl, so please call Jinal."
Rivan raised an eyebrow, half amused, half helpless.
"I'm not a girl," he said patiently,
"I'm your husband, Devyani. Let me help you."
She shook her head stubbornly, eyes still watery.
He sighed dramatically, lifting his hands in surrender.
"Okay, okay.Madam," he murmured and dialed Jinal.
When Jinal picked up, he spoke calmly,
"Come to our room. She needs you."
After cutting the call, he looked at Devyani.
"I'll wait outside," he said gently.
"Call me back when you feel like it... when you want me."
And with that, he stepped out, closing the door behind him giving her space, without complaint.
A few minutes later, Jinal entered and immediately froze seeing Devyani standing there, embarrassed, eyes red.
"Aww, my baby," Jinal said, rushing to her.
"Stop crying. See, I'm here."
Devyani's lips trembled again.
"Jinalll..." she sniffed,
"I... I got my periods and I don't have any cloth with me."
She hesitated, then added innocently,
"So... can you give me those white pads to wrap?"
"The ones they show in TV ads?"
Jinal smiled softly.
She handed her the pad and patiently explained everything
how to use it, how often to change it, what to do and what not to panic about.
Devyani listened carefully, nodding like a sincere student.
After that, she went to the washroom.
Since it was her first time wearing a pad, she felt extremely awkward.
Uncomfortable. Strange.
When she stepped out, her walk was slow and stiff, almost funny
like she was scared the pad might run away if she moved too fast.
Jinal noticed immediately and bit her lip to stop laughing.
"Relax," she said softly.
"It feels weird at first. You'll get used to it."
Devyani nodded, still walking like a tiny robot
confused, uncomfortable, but a little calmer now.
Devyani quietly went and sat on the couch instead of the bed.
She kept adjusting her saree again and again, still feeling odd and unsure.
She was about to ask Jinal a few more questions
Is it normal to feel this uncomfortable?
Why does it feel so strange to walk?
But just then Jinal's phone rang.
"Devu, give me a minute," Jinal said softly.
"I'll be right back."
And she left the room in a hurry.
The door clicked shut.
A few seconds later, Rivan entered but not casually.
He stopped near the door.
Cleared his throat.
"May I come in?" he asked gently.
Devyani didn't reply.
Not because she was angry
she was just too embarrassed to even look at him.
Rivan took that silence as permission and stepped inside, closing the door softly behind him.
She could feel his presence now.
Her ears turned red.
Suddenly, she stood up in a panic.
Her mind raced.
Her eyes widened slightly as she stared at the couch cushion, then at herself, then back at the couch pure overthinking.
Rivan noticed the sudden movement.
"Kitten?" he asked softly.
"Why did you stand up like that?"
She hugged her saree tightly, cheeks burning, not meeting his eyes.
"I... I can't sit there," she mumbled.
He frowned in confusion.
"Why?
Oh.
That's what this was.
He walked closer, but very carefully, keeping his tone calm and reassuring.
"Devyani," he said gently,
"nothing about you is dirty. Do you understand?"
She bit her lip, eyes glossy again.
"But still..." she whispered.
Rivan didn't answer her immediately.
Instead, very calmly, he slipped one arm around her waist and gently lifted her
sitting down on the couch with her on his lap.
Devyani's eyes widened in shock.
She placed her palms on his chest, trying to push herself away.
"I am... impure," she said in a trembling voice.
"Aap... aap mujhe chhoo nahi sakte."
(You... you can't touch me.)
Her words hit him hard.
Rivan's jaw tightened not in anger, but pain.
He held her a little more firmly so she wouldn't fall, yet gently enough not to scare her.
"Who told you this nonsense?" he said softly but clearly.
"That you are impure?"
She looked away, eyes wet, voice barely audible.
She squirmed again, stubbornly trying to slide off his lap.
"No, no... please... mujhe neeche baithne dijiye,"
(Let me sit down...)
"I don't feel right."
Her movements were awkward, nervous
half fear, half embarrassment.
Rivan tightened his arm just a little, steadying her.
"Bas. Stop moving," he said gently.
"Gir jaogi."
She froze for a second, then whispered stubbornly,
Rivan leaned his forehead against her temple, his voice dropping, calm but firm.
"Devyani," he said,
"listen to me very carefully."
He lifted her chin with two fingers so she had no choice but to look at him.
Her lips trembled.
"But—"
He cut her off softly.
"Your body is doing what it is meant to do," he said.
"This is strength. This is nature."
"And you... are more than pure."
Her eyes filled instantly.
Still, she tried one last time, weakly pushing his shoulder.
"Phir bhi... mujhe ajeeb lag raha hai,"
(Still... I feel strange.)
"I know," he replied instantly.
"And that's why I'm holding you."
She finally stopped struggling.
Her hands slowly clenched into his shirt, fingers trembling.
Rivan wrapped his arms around her fully now protective, warm.
Her stubbornness melted into quiet nervous breaths.
"Please na..." she whispered, voice small.
"What if that... that makes you dirty... your lap..."
Rivan frowned softly, lifting her chin with two fingers so she would look at him.
"What will make my lap dirty, hmm?" he asked gently.
Her lashes trembled.
"You know na... you said you know..."
He smiled faintly, brushing his thumb under her eye.
"It's okay, kitten. You can say it. It's normal."
Her eyes immediately turned watery.
She hesitated, then asked innocently, almost fearfully,
"No blood till ankles... right?"
His heart clenched so hard it almost hurt.
Blood till ankles...
That one sentence told him everything
how little she knew,
how alone she must have been,
how she survived all those years without proper care.
He swallowed the lump in his throat.
He cupped her face with both hands.
"Hey... look at me."
She looked up, scared.
"Like... umm... it will make your lap dirty so please leave me," she said quickly, trying to move away.
"I don't want you to scold me."
He held her firmly, not letting her go.
"Jinal gave you a pad, right?" he asked softly.
She nodded.
"Yes... but it's small... and white too."
Her voice cracked.
"So I'm scared... what if it spreads? What if blood comes till ankles?"
She sniffed.
"Will you scold me then?"
Rivan's expression softened completely.
He pressed his forehead to hers.
He wrapped his arms around her protectively.
"And no blood till ankles," he added gently.
"That's not how it works, my love. You are safe. And even if anything happens anything at all I'm here."
He kissed her hair softly.
"My lap is yours," he murmured.
"And nothing about you can ever make it dirty."
He smiled at her gently, thumb brushing slow circles on her arm.
"Want to ask more?" he asked softly.
She nodded, eyes big and innocent.
"Yes..."
He shook his head, firm yet tender.
She nodded seriously.
"Yes... this is also right."
Then she shifted again on his lap, clearly uncomfortable.
He smiled softly, adjusting her position so she could sit more comfortably.
"Okay, first answer," he said patiently.
"You usually change it every few hours, or whenever it feels heavy or wet. I'll remind you if you forget."
Her brows knitted.
"And the walking?"
"That uncomfortable feeling," he explained gently,
"is because it's your first time. Your body is not used to it yet. After one or two days, it will feel normal."
She sighed in relief and leaned into him again.
"So I don't have to walk?" she asked hopefully.
He laughed quietly.
"No walking if you don't want to," he said.
"Today, you just sit, rest, and let your husband take care of you."
She looked at him with knitted brows, questions tumbling out faster than her breath.
He didn't even hesitate.
"Yeah, baby. Ask."
She spoke all at once, voice trembling but honest.
"Why am I impure now?
Why people say I make others impure too?
Why is this curse only for girls?
Why not boys?
Why boys are never cursed like this?"
She stopped, chest rising and falling, eyes glossy.
Rivan's expression changed completely soft, firm, protective.
"No," he said clearly, holding her face so she couldn't look away.
"Stop right there."
She flinched slightly, but he immediately softened his tone.
He brushed his thumb under her eye.
"Whoever filled your head with this nonsense is an absolute idiot," he said calmly, but there was steel underneath.
"And if I ever find out who taught my wife such stupid things, I swear I'll give them a lesson they won't forget."
Her lips trembled.
"But everyone says—"
"Everyone is wrong," he cut in gently.
"This is biology. Nature. Strength.
Not dirt. Not shame."
She whispered, "Then why only girls?"
He sighed softly, resting his forehead against hers.
"Because girls carry life," he said.
"And the world, instead of respecting that power, chose to fear it. So they made rules, lies, and labels."
He lifted her hand and placed it over her heart.
"This," he said, tapping lightly,
"is not impurity.
This is your body doing exactly what it's supposed to do."
Her eyes filled again, but this time with relief.
"And boys?" she asked softly.
"Boys aren't cursed," he replied,
"but they also don't go through this strength.
This doesn't make them better.
It just makes you different and powerful."
She stayed quiet, processing.
"So..." she murmured,
"I am not bad?"
He smiled, slow and sure.
Her body suddenly tensed.
A sharp wave of pain curled inside her lower abdomen
deep... heavy... pulling.
Her stomach cramped badly.
She sucked in a shaky breath.
The pain wasn't new.
These days were always like this for her
the abdomen, the lower back, the vaginal area
everything hurt at once.
Because her periods were irregular,
when they came, they came cruel.
Her fingers dug into Rivan's shirt without her realizing.
She shifted slightly on his lap, uncomfortable
the pad felt strange, bulky, unfamiliar
and sitting like this suddenly felt too much.
Her cheeks burned red with embarrassment.
She lowered her eyes, staring at the floor,
as if it could swallow her whole.
Another cramp hit.
She winced silently, lips pressing together so she wouldn't make a sound.
Rivan felt it.
The way her body stiffened.
The way her breath hitched.
He immediately loosened his hold, concern flooding his face.
"Kitten?" he asked softly.
"Kya hua?"
(What happened?)
She shook her head slightly, not trusting her voice.
"I'm fine," she whispered
a very obvious lie.
He slid one hand to her back, the other resting protectively at her side.
"No, you're not," he said gently.
"Your body is saying something else."
Another sharp pain made her flinch.
Her eyes watered.
She hated this
the pain, the weakness, the awkwardness.
"I... it hurts," she finally admitted, barely audible.
"Bahut zyada..."
(A lot...)
Her voice cracked.
He gently helped her lie back on the couch, adjusting the cushions so her body could relax.
Before she could protest, he moved quickly, returning with a hot water bag, checking the temperature with his own hand first careful, attentive.
On his way back, he noticed Jinal standing at the door, hesitation clear on her face as she silently asked for permission to enter.
Rivan met her eyes and gave a small shake of his head.
Not now.
She understood instantly.
Without a word, Jinal stepped away, closing the door quietly behind her
giving them the privacy they needed.
Rivan returned to Devyani.
He placed the hot water bag gently over her lower abdomen, making sure it wasn't too hot.
"Tell me if it's uncomfortable," he murmured.
Her shoulders slowly eased as the warmth spread.
He then carefully lifted her again, settling her against his chest
one arm around her shoulders, the other steady at her waist
protective, secure.
She stiffened for a second, then slowly relaxed, letting her head rest against him.
"Better?" he asked.
She nodded faintly.
He pressed a soft kiss to her hair, holding her close,
rocking her just a little
as if trying to soothe the pain away with nothing but his presence.
And for the first time since morning,
she felt... a little lighter.
Glimpses:
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