The storm had passed, but its echoes remained. The sky outside was still dark, streaks of golden hues just beginning to creep over the horizon. The air smelled fresh, washed clean by the rain, but inside the room, a different kind of stillness lingered.

Shivani stirred first. A soft sigh escaped her lips as her lashes fluttered open. Her body felt unusually warm, a firm presence pressed against her back. For a second, she didn't move, her mind still clouded by sleep.

And then realization struck.

Her breath hitched. Abhimanyu.

She was wrapped in his embrace.

Her entire body went stiff as she became aware of his arm draped over her waist, his steady breath fanning against the side of her neck. At some point in the night, she must have turned toward him, seeking warmth, and he... he hadn't let go.

A deep flush crawled up her cheeks.

Carefully, she tried to shift, but the movement must have disturbed him because the next moment, Abhimanyu stirred awake. His grip on her loosened slightly as his dark eyes slowly opened. For a second, he seemed disoriented, blinking against the soft morning light.

And then, like her, he realized their position.

His entire body tensed. He withdrew his arm quickly, sitting up in bed. His jaw clenched slightly as he ran a hand through his hair.

"I—" He cleared his throat, his voice lower than usual. "I hope I didn't make you uncomfortable."

Shivani sat up too, holding the blanket close to her. She looked at him, noticing the slight crease between his brows, the uncertainty in his eyes. He thinks I'm upset.

A strange kind of warmth spread through her chest at his concern.

Shaking her head, she softly replied, "No... not at all. I never feel uncomfortable with you."

Abhimanyu's shoulders relaxed slightly. "Pakka?" (Are you sure?)

She offered a small smile. "Pakka" 

For a moment, there was silence. Something unspoken passed between them—an understanding, a shift. Neither of them said it out loud, but they both felt it. Something had changed.

After a moment, Abhimanyu glanced at the clock. "It's still early... no one else is awake yet."

Shivani nodded, tucking a strand of hair behind her ear.

He stretched his arms and stood up. "Tum fresh ho jao. Main workout ke liye jaa raha hoon." (You freshen up. I'll go for my workout.)

Shivani nodded again, thankful for the momentary escape from the sudden rush of emotions.

By the time Abhimanyu returned from his workout, his T-shirt was drenched in sweat, his muscles taut from exertion. He grabbed a towel and wiped his face before stepping inside.

And then he saw her.

Shivani stood in front of the mirror, adjusting her dupatta. Her damp hair clung to her bare back, droplets of water trailing down her smooth skin. The backless suit she wore was tied delicately at the nape, revealing the graceful curve of her spine.

For a second, Abhimanyu forgot to breathe.

He had always known she was beautiful, but this—this was different. The way her wet hair framed her face, the way the morning light made her skin glow—it was mesmerizing.

Just as his gaze lingered a second too long, Shivani caught his reflection in the mirror. Their eyes met.

Her breath hitched.

She noticed the way his eyes darkened slightly, lingering on her longer than necessary. A deep blush crept up her neck.

Quickly, she turned away, grabbing her dupatta properly. Abhimanyu, realizing he had been caught staring, turned abruptly on his heel and strode toward the bathroom. What the hell was that?

Inside, he took a deep breath, running cold water over his face. Why was he suddenly noticing things about her that he had never paid attention to before?

---

By the time Abhimanyu came out, dressed in fresh clothes, the aroma of food filled the air.

He followed the scent to the kitchen and found Shivani standing by the stove, stirring something in a pan.

He leaned against the counter. "You're cooking?"

Shivani turned, startled. "Ji... aaj toh ghar mein akelay hain na. Mujhe laga kuch bana doon." (Yes... we are the only one at home. I thought I'd cook something for you.)

A soft smile played on his lips.

As she plated the food, Abhimanyu pulled out a chair and sat at the dining table. She served him before sitting across from him.

They ate in comfortable silence, stealing glances at each other. There was an unspoken understanding between them, a quiet shift in their relationship that neither was ready to put into words yet.

After breakfast, Abhimanyu left for the hospital.

---

When Abhimanyu returned home that evening, he expected to find Shivani reading or watching something. Instead, he found her curled up on the bed, her face buried in a pillow.

His heart clenched. She was crying.

Rushing to her side, he knelt beside the bed. "Shivani? Kya hua?" (Shivani? What happened?)

Shivani turned her face slightly, her eyes red with embarrassment. She hesitated before mumbling, "I... I'm on my period..."

Abhimanyu blinked. That's all?

"Do you need anything?" He asked running a hand through her hair

She looked away. "Mujhe pharmacy se kuch lena tha..." (I needed to get something from the pharmacy...)

Understanding dawned on him. He stood up immediately. "Mujhe batao kya chahiye, main le aata hoon." (Tell me what you need, I'll get it.)

Shivani's eyes widened. "Nahi! Main khud jaa lungi." (No! I'll go myself.)

Abhimanyu frowned. "Tum rest karo. Batao kaunsa brand chahiye." (You rest. Just tell me the brand.)

Though extremely hesitant, Shivani finally mumbled the brand name. Abhimanyu nodded and left.

---

At the pharmacy, Abhimanyu picked up the pads, ignoring the curious glances from other male customers.

The female shopkeeper smiled at him. "Aapki biwi bohot lucky hain." (Your wife is very lucky.)

Abhimanyu raised an eyebrow. "Kyun?" (Why?)

She chuckled. "Aaj bhi bohot kam mard yeh sab lene aate hain. Par jo leke jaate hain, woh sacchmein pyaar karte hain." (Even today, very few men buy these things. But the ones who do truly love their wives.)

Abhimanyu's ears turned pink. He just gave a small smile, paid for the items, and left.

---

When he returned, Shivani was sitting up in bed, looking guilty.

"Yeh lo," he said, placing the packet on the table.

She hesitated before taking it. Then she noticed something else—her favorite chocolate.

Her lips parted in surprise. "Yeh kaise—" (How did you—)

Abhimanyu smirked. "Tumhare purse mein hamesha rehti hai." (It's always in your purse.)

Her heart skipped a beat.

Without thinking, Abhimanyu sat beside her and pulled her into a gentle hug.

He kissed her forehead. "Aaj tumhara sirf aaram ka din hai." (Today, you just need to rest.)

Shivani, flustered, hesitated before pressing a shy kiss to his cheek.

Abhimanyu blinked, his skin heating up. She kissed him?

A slow, rare blush spread across his face.

That night, as he held her close, they both knew—something between them had changed forever.

---

next ch aarohi and virat dedicated. for next ch update target is 55 votes and 25 comments. I wont publish until the number of comments are 25+. I really love it when readers express their views about the story.