The days passed in a similar rhythm. The family continued to support Aarohi, trying new ways to bring her comfort. Aarav's antics grew more elaborate-he even dressed up as a clown one evening, earning a soft chuckle from Aarohi. Aarushi stayed by her side constantly, talking to her about anything and everything.
Raghav cooked meals every day, ensuring Aarohi ate properly. Rudaraksh never left her side, holding her hand at night and whispering words of love and reassurance.
Though Aarohi smiled occasionally, her sadness lingered, like a shadow that refused to fade. But the family didn't give up. They knew healing would take time, and they were ready to wait as long as it took.
By the end of the week, Aarohi looked at them all-her family, her pillars of strength-and felt a glimmer of hope. She wasn't alone in her pain. Together, they would face whatever came next.
The moonlight cast a silvery glow across the room as Aarohi sat by the window, the faint chill of the night brushing against her skin. Her fingers traced invisible patterns on the frosted glass, her thoughts tangled in memories of her sister. The ache in her chest had dulled but never disappeared. Tonight, though, it felt different-less like a weight pulling her down and more like a nudge, urging her to rise.
She heard soft footsteps behind her. She didn't turn; she didn't need to. Rudaraksh's presence was unmistakable-warm, grounding, and so achingly familiar.
Without a word, he placed a shawl over her shoulders, his hands lingering on her arms. "You'll catch a cold," he murmured, his voice a tender caress.
Aarohi smiled faintly, clutching the shawl tightly. "You're always worrying about me," she whispered.
"Someone has to," he replied, crouching beside her. His dark eyes searched hers, and she could see the quiet determination in them, the unwavering devotion that had kept her afloat in her darkest moments.
For a long moment, neither of them spoke. The silence was comfortable, filled with unspoken words and shared understanding. Finally, Aarohi broke the quiet, her voice trembling.
"Rudar..." she began, her lips quivering as she fought to find the right words. "I've been lost for so long. I let the pain consume me. I let it take everything from me... except you."
He reached up, brushing a stray tear from her cheek with his thumb. "You didn't let it take you," he said softly, his voice steady but thick with emotion. "You're still here, Aarohi. You're still fighting. That's what makes you stronger than you realize."
A tear slipped down her cheek, and she closed her eyes, leaning into his touch. "I want to stop fighting, Rudar. Not because I'm giving up, but because... I want to live again. I don't want my life to be just about loss. I want it to be about me-who I am, who I can be. But I don't know where to start."
Rudaraksh stood and gently pulled her to her feet, wrapping her in his arms. His embrace was firm, protective, yet overflowing with tenderness. He pressed a kiss to her temple, his lips lingering there as if to seal a silent promise.
"You start here," he said against her skin, his voice a mixture of strength and vulnerability. "With me. I'll be with you, Aarohi. Every step, every stumble, every triumph. You're not alone. You'll never be alone."
His words broke something inside her-a dam she hadn't realized was still holding back the tide. She sobbed into his chest, clutching at his shirt as if he were the only thing tethering her to the earth. And maybe he was.
When her tears subsided, she pulled back slightly to look at him. His gaze was intense, filled with a love so deep it made her heart ache. "Will you help me?" she asked, her voice barely audible. "Help me find out who I am? Beyond the grief, beyond... all of this?"
He cupped her face with both hands, his thumbs brushing away the remnants of her tears. "I will," he said, his voice steady but filled with emotion. "I'll help you find yourself, Baccha. No matter who you are you are mine.And I'll remind you every single day how extraordinary you are."
Aarohi felt something shift within her-a tiny ember of hope reigniting. She reached up, placing her hand over his. "You're too good to me, Rudar. What did I ever do to deserve you?"
"You existed," he replied without hesitation. "And that's all I've ever needed."
She smiled, a soft, tentative smile that felt like the first rays of dawn after a long, dark night. In that moment, she knew she wasn't alone in her journey. With Rudaraksh by her side, she could face her past and discover her future-step by step, together.
The dining table was set with care-a warm, inviting glow from the candles, the delicious aroma of home-cooked food wafting through the air. Aarohi stood in the kitchen, her hands trembling slightly as she adjusted the last dish. Her heart raced with anticipation. For the first time in months, she had felt like herself while cooking, pouring her love and gratitude into every recipe.
She glanced at the clock, just as Aarushi's voice rang out. "Aarohi! Something smells amazing. Are you hiding a feast in there?"
"Not hiding-sharing," Aarohi called back, stepping into the dining area with a tray. The family was already gathered, their expressions a mix of curiosity and surprise.
Aarav's eyes widened as she placed a steaming bowl of his favorite butter chicken on the table. "No way," he gasped, feigning disbelief. "Is this what I think it is? Aarohi, are you trying to bribe me?"
"Maybe," Aarohi said with a shy smile, placing a plate of crispy dosas next to him, specially for Aarushi. For Rudaraksh's father, she had made his beloved daal baati, the recipe painstakingly perfected from his old notes. And for Rudaraksh-a special mutton curry she had seen him savor countless times.
"I can't believe this!" Aarushi clapped her hands. "Aarohi, this is incredible. Are we celebrating something?"
Aarohi hesitated for a moment, then said softly, "I wanted to thank all of you. For everything you've done for me. I didn't have the words... so I did this instead."
The room fell quiet, her words sinking in. Then Aarav broke the silence with a dramatic sniff. "You're going to make me cry. And over butter chicken? Aarohi, how dare you!"
Everyone laughed, the mood instantly lightening. Aarushi leaned over to smirk at Rudaraksh. "Look at him, just grinning like an idiot. I bet Aarohi made something extra special for him."
Rudaraksh raised an eyebrow but didn't deny it. "Maybe she knows I'm her favorite," he said, the corner of his mouth twitching into a smile.
Aarav seized the moment, wiggling his eyebrows. "Oh, we know who her favorite is, alright. Look at how bhabhi maa is blushing! Bhai, you're one lucky guy."
Aarushi chimed in, "Honestly, it's almost unfair. Poor Bhabhi maa cooks all day, and you just sit there looking smug."
Rudaraksh, never one to back down, leaned back in his chair, his voice calm but teasing. "What can I say? I inspire her."( Rudaraksh and cooking)
Author;ek baar ki this kitchen Kya Haal baanya tha YAAD hai na....
Rudaraksh: 😅😅
Aarohi shot him a mock glare, though her cheeks were flushed. "If you're not careful, you'll inspire me to make this mutton curry spicier next time."
The room erupted in laughter, and Raghav-Rudaraksh's father-chuckled, shaking his head. "Alright, alright, enough teasing. Let's eat before Aarav finishes the butter chicken."
As they dug in, the table was filled with laughter, playful banter, and clinking plates. Aarohi's heart swelled at the sight of her family enjoying the meal, their happiness infectious. Rudaraksh caught her eye across the table and gave her a small, knowing smile, as if to say, You did this. You brought this joy back.
Later that night, the house had fallen into a comfortable silence, the echoes of laughter and joy still lingering in the air. Aarohi stood by the dresser, her fingers absentmindedly undoing the small clasps of her earrings. Her reflection in the mirror looked different tonight-lighter, freer. She wasn't sure when it had happened, but something inside her had shifted.
Behind her, the door creaked softly, and she turned to see Rudaraksh stepping inside. His presence filled the room, calm yet electrifying, as it always did. He closed the door quietly, his gaze fixed on her, something unspoken flickering in his eyes.
"jaan" he said softly, his voice carrying a warmth that made her heart flutter.
"Hmm," she replied, her voice barely above a whisper.
He moved closer, his steps slow and deliberate. By the time he reached her, the air between them was thick with a tension that neither of them could ignore. Gently, he took her hands in his, his thumbs brushing over her knuckles.
"You were incredible tonight," he murmured, his tone low and filled with emotion. "Watching you at that table... the way you brought everyone together... it was like seeing the old Biwi again. The one who lights up every room she's in."
Her cheeks flushed, but she didn't look away. "I couldn't have done it without you, Rudar. You've been my strength through everything. I wouldn't have made it this far if you hadn't been here."
"You give me too much credit," he said, shaking his head. "All I did was remind you of the woman you already are-strong, kind, unstoppable." His voice softened, his eyes locking with hers. "Jaan, you don't know how much you mean to me."
Her breath caught in her throat at the intensity in his gaze. "Rudar..."
He raised a hand, gently tucking a loose strand of hair behind her ear. "I've wanted to tell you this for a while," he admitted, his voice trembling slightly. "But I didn't want to rush you. You've been through so much, and the last thing I wanted was to add to your burden."
She reached up, placing a hand over his. "You could never be a burden," she whispered. "Not to me."
His expression softened, his thumb tracing delicate circles on her cheek. "Jaan," he said, his voice barely audible now, "may I kiss you?"
Her heart skipped a beat, her lips parting slightly in surprise. She had never been kissed before-never allowed herself to be vulnerable in that way. But as she looked into his eyes, all she saw was love, patience, and an unwavering promise. She nodded slowly, her voice trembling. "Hmm"
He smiled-a soft, breathtaking smile that sent warmth flooding through her. Leaning in slowly, he gave her time to pull back, but she didn't. His lips brushed against hers, feather-light at first, as though he were afraid she might break. But when she leaned into him, her hands clutching his shirt for support, the kiss deepened. It was tender, yet filled with an intensity that spoke of everything they had held back-their fears, their hopes, their love.
When they finally broke apart, he rested his forehead against hers, both of them breathing heavily. "You have no idea how long I've wanted to do that," he confessed, his voice thick with emotion.
Aarohi laughed softly, tears welling in her eyes. "If I'd known it would feel like this, I wouldn't have made you wait."
He chuckled, pulling her close and wrapping his arms around her. "You were worth every second of the wait," he said, his voice steady and sure.
In his embrace, Aarohi felt a sense of completeness she hadn't known was possible. Tonight wasn't just about their first kiss-it was about a new beginning, a step forward into the unknown, together.
For the first time, the darkness that had surrounded her seemed to fade entirely, replaced by the steady glow of love and hope.
Target 🎯: 20 likes
Comment; 10
Guys I am posting this bczz I am going to post this chapter after my exam I have only one week left so I will not able to write and plzz guys vote you guys are
not at all ,plzz guys comment
And support my non frictional book I request you guys.🎯❤️🐾🐼
Bye Panda's 🐾 💗 🧿