Abhi knew that Akshu's condition was dire—her body was freezing, and the blankets weren't enough to warm her up. Desperation clawed at him as he realized that he needed to act quickly to save her from the cold that was seeping into her bones.

Without a second thought, Abhi slid under the blankets beside her, pulling her close against his body. He could feel the chill of her skin against his warmth, and it sent a wave of determination through him. Holding her tightly, he wrapped his arms around her, using his body heat to try and raise her temperature.

"Stay with me, Akshu," Abhi whispered urgently, his breath warm against her ear. "I won’t let anything happen to you."

Akshu was barely conscious, her body still trembling, but she instinctively moved closer to him, seeking out the warmth he offered. Abhi held her tighter, his heart pounding with a mix of fear and protectiveness. He could feel her starting to relax, the warmth slowly returning to her body as he continued to hold her close.

Minutes felt like hours as Abhi remained by her side, refusing to let go. He kept whispering reassuring words, his hands rubbing her back and arms to increase the circulation and generate more warmth. Gradually, he noticed that her trembling had lessened, and her breathing had become steadier.

"You're going to be okay," Abhi murmured, his voice filled with relief. "I’ve got you, Akshu. I’m not going anywhere."

Akshu, now more aware, nestled into him, her head resting against his chest. She could hear the strong, steady beat of his heart, and it gave her a sense of security she hadn’t felt in a long time. The cold that had once gripped her was fading, replaced by the warmth of his body and the comfort of his presence.

In that moment, as Abhi continued to hold Akshu close, it became clear that the bond between them was still strong, despite everything that had happened. The warmth he provided wasn’t just physical—it was a reminder that, no matter how much they had gone through, they were still connected in a way that couldn’t be easily broken.

As Akshu's strength slowly returned, she looked up at Abhi, her eyes reflecting a mix of gratitude and vulnerability. "Thank you," she whispered, her voice barely audible.

Abhi brushed a strand of hair away from her face, his gaze softening as he looked down at her. "You don’t have to thank me, Akshu. I’d do anything to keep you safe."

For a moment, they simply lay there, holding each other in the quiet of the night, the threat of the cold now a distant memory. In Abhi’s arms, Akshu felt warmth, not just in her body, but in her heart—a warmth that she hadn’t realized she missed until now.

As the warmth between them grew, the barrier that had formed over the years began to melt away, allowing emotions long buried to rise to the surface. Akshu, still nestled in Abhi's arms, could feel the steady rhythm of his heartbeat against her cheek. It was a sound that once brought her comfort, and now, in this vulnerable moment, it resonated deeply within her.

Abhi’s hands, which had been gently rubbing her back to restore warmth, began to slow as he realized just how close they were. His fingers traced small, soothing circles on her back, his touch becoming more tender. He hadn’t held her like this in years, and the sensation of her in his arms stirred something within him that he couldn’t ignore.

Akshu, too, felt the shift. The safety she found in his embrace brought back memories of a time when things were simpler between them—when their connection had been untainted by betrayal and pain. She looked up at Abhi, her eyes meeting his, and for a moment, the world outside ceased to exist.

The intensity of their gaze spoke volumes. Neither of them said a word, but the unspoken emotions hung heavy in the air. Abhi’s eyes were filled with a mixture of longing, regret, and an undeniable affection that he could no longer hide. Akshu’s gaze reflected her own turmoil—the hurt she still felt, but also the undeniable pull she still had towards him.

Without thinking, Abhi’s hand moved from her back to gently cup her cheek. His thumb brushed lightly over her skin, as if he were afraid she might disappear if he wasn’t careful. “Akshu...” he began, his voice hushed, laden with emotion.

Akshu didn’t respond with words. Instead, she leaned into his touch, closing her eyes for a brief moment as she allowed herself to savor the warmth of his hand against her face. When she opened her eyes again, the vulnerability she saw in Abhi’s expression made her heart ache.

He leaned closer, his forehead resting against hers, their breaths mingling in the small space between them. The proximity made every breath, every heartbeat, feel more intense. “I’ve missed you,” Abhi whispered, his voice breaking slightly. The words were simple, but they carried the weight of years of longing and regret.

Akshu felt tears prick at the corners of her eyes. She had missed him too, more than she ever wanted to admit. But the pain of the past still lingered, making it hard for her to fully surrender to the moment. “Abhi... I... I don’t know if I can—”

Before she could finish, Abhi gently pressed his lips to her forehead, his kiss lingering as if he were trying to heal the wounds they had inflicted on each other. “You don’t have to say anything,” he murmured, pulling back just enough to look into her eyes again. “Just let me be here for you. That’s all I want.”

Akshu searched his eyes, looking for any trace of the man who had hurt her. But all she saw was the man she had fallen in love with—the one who, despite everything, still made her heart race. Her resolve wavered, and before she knew it, she was closing the distance between them, her lips brushing against his in a tentative kiss.

The kiss was soft at first, almost hesitant, as if they were both testing the waters. But the moment their lips met, the tension that had built between them over the years finally released. The kiss deepened, becoming more urgent, as they both gave in to the emotions they had been holding back for so long.

Abhi’s arms tightened around Akshu, pulling her even closer as he poured all his pent-up feelings into the kiss. It was as if he were trying to make up for all the time they had lost, to prove to her that his love had never wavered. Akshu responded in kind, her hands gripping his shirt as if she were afraid to let go, afraid that this moment might slip away.

When they finally broke apart, both were breathless, their foreheads resting against each other once again. The intensity of the moment left them both reeling, their hearts pounding in sync.

Abhi opened his mouth to say something, but before he could, Akshu placed a finger against his lips, shaking her head slightly. “Don’t,” she whispered, her voice thick with emotion. “Just... stay with me tonight. Don’t say anything. Just... stay.”

Abhi nodded, understanding what she needed. No more words were necessary. He pulled her back into his arms, holding her close as they lay together in the quiet of the night. The warmth of their bodies intertwined, not just to keep the cold at bay, but as a reminder that, despite everything, they still had each other.

As they drifted off to sleep, the lingering tension between them began to fade, replaced by a sense of peace that they hadn’t felt in years. In that moment, in each other’s arms, the past and the future didn’t matter—only the present, where they were together, was real.

And in the darkness, under the safety of the blankets, they found a closeness that neither of them had expected, but both desperately needed.