She moves closer, resting her head on my shoulder. Her touch is soft, grounding. It makes me feel that I can trust her.
“You don’t have to be afraid with me, Rudra,” she whispers, her words coming gentle but firm. “I’m not her. I would never do anything to hurt you.”
I take a deep breath. Her words soothe something raw inside me.
“I know,” I whisper. “I know you’re not her. You’re the best thing that’s ever happened to me. But sometimes, the fear of being betrayed again... it’s overwhelming.” She lifts her head, her gaze steady, fierce with emotion.
“I’m not going anywhere,” she assures me, hugging me tightly.
A lump forms in my throat as her words settle in my chest. No one’s ever said that to me and meant it like she does.
“Thank you,” I whisper. “Thank you for understanding.”
She kisses my cheek, her lips warm, reassuring. “I love you, Rudra. I’ll wait for you,” she says softly, offering me a small smile.
I pull her into my arms and hold her tightly, not wanting to let go. Her presence feels like safety, like peace I didn’t think I deserved. She smiles against my shoulder, her breath warm on my skin. “We’ll take it one day at a time. Together.”
“Together,” I repeat, feeling the weight inside me lift, just a little.
Then she pulls back, eyes narrowed playfully. “Now, promise me you’ll never fake anything in front of me. Not even your smile…”
I lower my head and suck gently on her pulse point, making her moan. “…and definitely not your orgasms.”
She shoves me with a laugh, her eyes wide in mock offense. “Did anyone ever tell you what a dirty mouth you have?”
A blush creeps up her neck.
“Oh, darling,” I smirk, brushing her hair behind her ear, “haven’t you admitted to yourself how much you love it when I talk dirty to you?”
Her jaw drops slightly, and she tries to glare at me, failing miserably.
“I’m sure you’re wet right now. Want me to check?” I ask, deadpan. Tension evaporating as I tease her.
She glares harder, but her voice is breathless. “Fine. You’ve made your point.”
I grin, victorious. “I know I did,” I say, leaning in to kiss her again. This time, the kiss is slower, more tender. I want to savor her. To make her feel everything I’m too afraid to say.
Her fingers tangle in my hair, pulling me closer. “Rudra,” she whispers against my lips, “I want us to be open with each other. No secrets.”
I pull back, just enough to look into her eyes.
“I promise, Shivani. No more secrets. Just us. Real. Honest.” I trail kisses down her neck, tasting her skin, drinking in the way she shivers under my touch.
“You drive me crazy, you know that?” I murmur, my hands exploring her body, mapping every inch like I’ve never touched her before. Her breath catches. She arches into me.
“And you, Rudra… You make me feel alive,” she whispers, her voice thick with emotion.
And in this moment—wrapped in each other, nothing hidden—I know we’re going to be okay.
46
SHIVANI
As I stand in front of the mirror, adjusting my dress for the umpteenth time, I can’t help but feel a mix of excitement and nervousness swirling inside me. Simbu rubs his head against my leg as if trying to calm his nerves. I look at the small bundle of fur and almost get another cuteness attack urge, but I refrain from doing so. I named him Simba, but everyone calls him Simbu lovingly, and the name grew on him. Now he only responds to that. I only use Simba if I have to scold him for something, like when he knocks down things, because he loves doing that.
Today is the day I’ve been dreaming about for years. My book—my labor of love—is finally complete after all the tears, sleepless nights, and, of course, imposter syndrome to the point where I wanted to erase everything. I’m meeting with publishers to finalize it. It doesn’t feel real yet.But it is.
"You look absolutely gorgeous," Rudra comments, coming up behind me and wrapping his arms around my waist. He plants a kiss on my neck, sending a shiver down my spine.
