27. First Photo Together #3
He didn't want her to overthink.
But somewhere… he knew she was.
After finishing the soup, Rakshit walked towards the balcony to call her.
But she didn't respond.
She was too lost.
He didn't call her again.
He just stood there, looking at her… wondering what was going on in her mind.
After a few moments, Shivika felt his presence.
She looked up and found him standing there, staring at her… his eyes filled with concern.
She forced a small smile.
But Rakshit wasn't a fool.
He didn't believe that smile.
Instead, he walked closer… and suddenly sat on his knees in front of her.
Before she could react, he wrapped his arms tightly around her.
Pulling her into a firm, protective hug.
His hold tightened.
And that was it.
The moment he held her like that... everything she was holding back… broke.
Her arms wrapped around him instantly, her face burying into his shoulder as tears started streaming down her eyes, soaking into his shirt.
"Please… speak whatever is going on in your head, Ika," he said softly, his hand moving up and down her back. "I told you before also… I am here to listen. Just say everything…"
But Shivika only held him tighter.
As if letting go would make her fall apart completely.
Her silent tears turned into soft sobs.
(What happened, baby?)
Her sobs grew louder.
Rakshit's heart clenched.
He wanted to see her face… to wipe her tears… but she wasn't letting go.
She held him tightly, not allowing him to move even an inch.
"Bacche, don't cry na… your health will get deteriorated, and tomorrow we have a doctor's appointment. The doctor will think that I just keep making you cry," Rakshit said, trying to ease the situation.
But it didn't work.
She kept crying.
"I… I am sorry…" Shivika's broken voice came out between her sobs.
Rakshit frowned, confused.
He couldn't understand why she was apologizing. But before he could even ask, she spoke again,
"I am sorry… I am sorry… I am sorry…"
She kept repeating it continuously, not even giving him a chance to speak. Each word hit his heart harder, making it ache seeing her like this.
He gently broke the hug, just enough to look at her face.
"No more sorry. It's enough… shhh…" Rakshit said a little sternly as he wiped her tears.
She looked at him… and more tears slipped out.
"Shhh… now enough, stop…" he said again, wiping them carefully.
He pressed continuous kisses on her forehead, then pulled her into a gentle hug again, trying to calm her down.
She hiccuped as her tears slowly began to stop.
"Shhh… relax…" Rakshit whispered, rubbing her back soothingly.
After making sure she had stopped crying, he stood up and carefully picked her up. Shivika held his neck weakly, still a little shaken.
He made her sit on one of the dining chairs, then poured a glass of water and held it for her.
"Drink," he said softly.
She obeyed quietly.
After placing the glass back, he went to the bedroom while Shivika just sat there, a little puzzled, waiting for him.
He returned with a wet towel and gently cleaned her face, wiping away the tear marks with utmost care.
(Why do you cry so much?)
"Intentionally thodi roti hu, aajata h apne aap," Shivika muttered, earning a small chuckle from him.
(I don't cry Intentionally… it just comes.)
He placed the towel aside on the bed, then pulled a chair in front of her and sat down, taking her hands into his.
"Now say… why were you saying sorry, and why you cried so much? And dare you cry again. And if you can't tell me without crying, then don't… but you are not letting even one drop of tear fall from these beautiful eyes," Rakshit said, looking straight at her.
"I will cry if I tell you… is it fine if I tell you tomorrow?" Shivika asked softly.
"It's completely fine, bacche. Just don't overthink like this. I know this time too it's something you overthought again," Rakshit said calmly.
She gave him a small smile.
"Bhook lagi h…" Shivika said softly.
(I'm feeling hungry.)
"Ohh… finally. I thought you would fill your stomach just by crying tonight," Rakshit said teasingly.
She lightly hit his chest, whining, "Aksh…"
"Okay, okay… let me heat the soup again," Rakshit said, moving towards the kitchen, not before pressing a soft kiss on her knuckles.
He gently made her drink the soup and had some himself too. After that, he started cleaning everything while Shivika walked slowly around the hall, as he had told her to walk a little since she had been sitting for long.
"Aksh, why didn't we attend the mehendi function?" Shivika asked as she walked towards the kitchen counter.
Shivika just looked at him, completely flabbergasted.
"Then you must have asked about attending the haldi ceremony too?" Shivika asked, crossing her arms.
"Of course, I did," Rakshit replied, switching off the kitchen lights after finishing his work.
"Are you even serious, Aksh?" Shivika said, still in disbelief, as he wrapped his arm around her shoulder and started walking her towards the bedroom.
AUTHOR'S NOTE:-