Rajveer watched, a mixture of confusion and admiration in his gaze. The way she seemed to embrace the morning, so relaxed and at ease, was a stark contrast to the intense emotions of the previous night. It was as if she had shed all pretence and was simply enjoying the moment.
"Good morning," she said cheerfully, her voice carrying a hint of playfulness. The words felt almost out of place given the intimate situation they had just shared, but they also felt oddly fitting. It was as if she were trying to balance the scales, shifting from one extreme to the other with ease.
Rajveer cleared his throat, trying to regain his composure. "Good morning," he replied, his voice sounding rough and unsteady. He rubbed his neck, still feeling the lingering warmth from where she had bitten him earlier. "You, uh, had quite a night."
Mahnoor laughed softly, a light, carefree sound. "Yeah, I guess I did. Sorry about that." She gave him a mischievous glance, as if daring him to comment further on her sleep-talking confession or the bites.
"It's fine," Rajveer said, trying to sound nonchalant, though he could feel his cheeks warming slightly. "Just didn't expect... this."
Mahnoor stretched again, this time with more deliberate movements, as if she were savoring every bit of her relaxation. "Well, it's not every day you wake up to find yourself in a rather... compromising position," she teased, her tone light and easy.
Rajveer chuckled, shaking his head in disbelief. "No, it's definitely not."
As Mahnoor continued to stretch and move about, Rajveer took a moment to reflect. Despite the strange and often confusing moments between them, there was something undeniably genuine about this morning—something that felt like a fragile, new beginning.
"Want some coffee?" Rajveer offered, hoping to shift the conversation to something more mundane. The prospect of a simple, normal activity seemed like a good way to navigate the new, slightly awkward dynamic that had developed between them.
Mahnoor's eyes lit up with interest. "Yes, please. I could use a cup. Or two."
Rajveer smiled, feeling a sense of relief. Maybe this morning was a chance to start over, to redefine their interactions in a way that made sense to both of them. As he got up to prepare the coffee, he glanced back at Mahnoor, who was now sitting up and watching him with a relaxed, almost curious expression.
For the first time, Rajveer felt like there was a possibility for something real to grow between them, despite the chaos and confusion that had defined their relationship up until now. As he moved toward the kitchen, he realized that maybe, just maybe, this strange connection was something worth exploring.
With two steaming mugs of coffee in hand, Rajveer made his way back to the couch, where Mahnoor had already settled. She looked far more relaxed now, her legs curled beneath her as she leaned back, her face still softened by the remnants of sleep.
He handed her a mug, and she accepted it with a small, appreciative smile, taking a sip before letting out a contented sigh. For a moment, the room was quiet, filled only with the sound of soft sipping and the occasional creak of the couch beneath them. It felt almost peaceful, as if the earlier confusion had dissolved into a companionable calm.
Rajveer settled down beside her, feeling the tension in his muscles ease as the warmth of the coffee spread through him. It was a strange contrast to the awkwardness that had lingered between them earlier.
"Rajveer," Mahnoor's voice broke the silence, a little hesitant but laced with expectation.
"Hm?"
"Give me a belly rub."
Rajveer nearly choked on his coffee. He turned to her, his brow furrowed. "A what?"
"A belly rub," she repeated, shifting slightly and placing her mug on the table. "For the cramps."
He blinked, unsure if he had heard her right. "You... want me to give you a belly rub?"
Mahnoor rolled her eyes, clearly impatient. "Yes. Come on, it helps with cramps. You're here, you might as well make yourself useful." She looked at him expectantly, her hand resting on her lower stomach. Rajveer hesitated for a moment, unsure of how to react. This was new territory, but then again, everything with Mahnoor seemed to be. Finally, he placed his coffee aside and shifted closer, his hand hovering over her belly awkwardly before gently pressing down. Mahnoor sighed, closing her eyes and relaxing into the touch almost immediately. "There you go," she murmured, her voice soft. "Much better."
Rajveer felt a mix of emotions—awkwardness, sure, but also a strange sense of intimacy. His hand moved in slow, soothing circles across her stomach, careful not to press too hard. The tension in her body seemed to melt away under his touch, and for the first time in days, she looked genuinely at ease.
"Is this... helping?" he asked, his voice low.
"Mhm," she replied, her eyes still closed. "You're surprisingly good at this."
Rajveer couldn't help but chuckle. "Well, that's good to know."
They continued like that for a while, Mahnoor nestled against him on the couch, her body warm and pliant under his hand as he rubbed her belly. The room was quiet again, but this time, it wasn't awkward. It was... comfortable.
After finishing their coffee, Rajveer sat back, stretching his arms over the back of the couch as Mahnoor finally moved to a more upright position, looking much more refreshed.
"So, uh," he began, a teasing glint in his eyes, "about last night…"
Mahnoor raised an eyebrow, her lips curving into a half-smile. "What about it?"
Rajveer smirked. "You were, uh, pretty intense. Especially with the whole... biting thing."
Mahnoor blinked, clearly confused. "Biting?"
"Yeah," Rajveer said, trying not to laugh. "You started biting me while you were asleep, then just... stopped midway. I wasn't sure if I should be more scared or amused."
Mahnoor's eyes widened slightly, and she let out a surprised laugh. "I did what?"
Rajveer grinned. "Oh yeah, you left a mark. I've got the evidence."
Mahnoor shook her head, her face turning slightly red, but there was a playful glint in her eyes. "Okay, okay, I admit, I might have a... habit of biting when I'm high on emotions. But I don't usually do it in my sleep."
"Well," Rajveer teased, "you were pretty into it. I wasn't sure if I was going to make it out alive."
She laughed again, a soft, genuine sound. "Guess you'll have to get used to it then."
Rajveer raised an eyebrow. "Oh? Planning on biting me more in the future?"
"Maybe," she said coyly, her smile lingering as she took another sip of her coffee.
Rajveer was about to respond when he remembered the other part of last night—the part that had stayed with him, even more than the biting.
"Speaking of last night," he began carefully, "there's something else."
Mahnoor looked at him curiously. "What?"
He hesitated for a moment, wondering how to bring it up. "You... said something in your sleep. Or at least, I thought you were asleep."
Mahnoor's brow furrowed. "What did I say?"
Rajveer cleared his throat, unsure of how to phrase it. "You said... 'you are cute, don't leave me.'"
Mahnoor's eyes flickered with surprise, but then she relaxed, her expression softening into something more thoughtful. "Oh, that," she said, leaning back against the couch. "I wasn't actually asleep."
Rajveer blinked, surprised. "You weren't?"
She shook her head. "I was in the process of waking up, and I guess... I spoke my mind." Her eyes met his, her usual guardedness slipping away for a brief moment. "I just put my ego aside for once."
Rajveer was caught off guard by her honesty, but he appreciated it. He smiled, leaning back beside her. "Well, I'm glad you did."