"Love is not about fixing someone's brokenness, but about being present in the midst of their struggles."

Roohi's pov:

The evening had been peaceful, a comforting quiet that filled our new home. After the weekend spent with Meera and Dadi, Vivaan and I had returned to our space, a small world where I could truly call him mine. The soft glow of the lamp dimmed, and soon, the warmth of his presence had me drifting off to sleep in his arms.

We were cocooned in the stillness of the night, the comfort of our shared breath, and the softness of the sheets surrounding us. For once, I felt like nothing could disturb this tranquility, but the sudden shudder that ran through Vivaan’s body quickly shattered that peace.

I stirred in confusion, only to hear him murmur in his sleep, “I’m sorry, Maa… Please don’t leave me…”

His voice was shaky, filled with so much regret and pain that I instinctively reached out to pull him closer. His forehead glistened with sweat, and his breathing was shallow, as if he was fighting against something terrible.

“Vivaan,” I whispered gently, cupping his face, trying to pull him out of whatever nightmare haunted him. But his eyes remained closed, lost in the memories of a past he didn’t often share with me.

“I… I failed, maa,” he whispered, his voice cracking. “I failed to keep my promise. I couldn’t save my brother. I’m... I’m the worst son, the worst brother…”

I could feel the depth of his sorrow in every word. His body trembled beneath my touch, as if reliving the torment he had buried for so long.

“No, Vivaan,” I said, my voice soft but firm. “You didn’t fail anyone. You’re not the worst.”

But he shook his head, tears slipping from the corners of his closed eyes. “I’m sorry, Maa... I’m sorry... Please...”

I tightened my hold on him, wrapping my arms around him more protectively, wanting to shield him from whatever it was that tormented his soul. I didn’t know the full extent of what happened to him back then, but I knew enough to understand that his guilt was eating him alive.

“And Chachi… she beats me… why didn't you take me with you maa?Please, Maa…take me with you” His words tumbled out between broken sobs, and my heart cracked for him. This wasn’t the Vivaan I knew , the one who painted, joked and always had a smile on his face when he was with me. This was a boy who had suffered in silence for far too long, locked away in a cage of his own sorrow.

“Vivaan,” I said softly, wiping the tears from his face. “You’re not alone. I’m here, and I’m not going anywhere. You don’t need to apologize. We’ll face everything together.”

He clung to me then, his body collapsing against mine as if he had been waiting for someone to hold him together for so long. I held him close, rubbing circles on his back to soothe him.

“I want to go to Dadi Maa,” he whispered between his sobs. “Please... help me, Maa…”

“Shh,” I whispered, kissing the top of his head. “It’s okay, Vivaan. We’ll get through this. You don’t need to carry this burden by yourself anymore.”

Eventually, his body relaxed in my arms, and his breathing slowed, the nightmare’s grip on him finally loosening. But I didn’t let go of him. I stayed, holding him through the rest of the night, until the weight of his memories lifted just enough for him to sleep peacefully.

As I lay there, my heart heavy with the burden of his pain, I whispered to him, “I’m here for you, always. You’re not alone.”

And slowly, the steady rhythm of his breath was the only sound in the room, the calm after the storm.

The moonlight filtered softly through the curtains, casting a gentle glow over the room. I lay beside Vivaan, his steady breathing the only sound in the silence of the night. He looked peaceful, though I knew that deep inside, his mind was a battlefield he rarely spoke of.

I kept my eyes fixed on his face, tracing the contours of his features. I couldn't shake off the unsettling feeling in my chest. What kind of trauma has he endured? The question gnawed at me, even though I knew he wasn't ready to share.

I turned my head to glance at his slumbering figure. The way his hand rested on the pillow, his lips slightly parted, everything about him was so vulnerable. Yet, there was a strength in the way he held himself , like he was protecting everyone else from the weight of his own pain. I couldn’t even imagine what he had been through.

I curled my fingers tightly around the edge of the blanket, my thoughts racing. I had promised to be there for him, no matter what, but could I truly understand the depths of his struggles? The thought of him carrying such sorrow alone, unable to express it, broke my heart.

"I don't want to force you vivaan", I whispered softly, not sure if he could hear me. "But... what kind of pain are you hiding from me?"

I clenched my jaw, trying to hold back the tears that threatened to fall. I knew he was struggling, that much was clear, but I couldn’t help but feel helpless. I didn’t want to push him, to pressure him into speaking before he was ready, but I also couldn’t ignore the ache I felt, knowing that the man I loved was carrying such a heavy burden alone.

I sighed, my heart aching as I reached out to gently touch his hand. He stirred slightly but didn't wake. I smiled, reassured by the warmth of his touch.

"I can’t sleep," I confessed to the quiet room, as if admitting it out loud would make the worry inside me feel lighter. "But I can't leave you alone either."

I shifted my position so that I was closer to him, my head resting near his chest. As I listened to his heartbeat, steady and calm, a sense of peace began to wash over me. In this quiet moment, I knew I wasn’t alone either. Even though Vivaan might not be ready to share his pain with me yet, I wouldn’t leave him. I would wait, and when the time was right, I would be here - by his side.

"I’m here, Vivaan," I whispered, my voice barely audible. "I’ll always be here."

I closed my eyes and, for the first time that night, I let myself drift into a peaceful sleep, the sound of his heartbeat lulling me into comfort.

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