Saisha's pov:

The gentle drizzle soon turned into a heavy downpour. The rhythmic sound of raindrops against the window called out to me, and before I knew it, I was outside, standing in the rain.

The cold droplets soaked my clothes, but I didn't care. There was something peaceful about it—about feeling the sky so close, the earth so fresh.

I closed my eyes, letting the coolness wrap around me.

Then suddenly—

"Aishu!"

I turned just in time to see Pranay rushing toward me, his brows furrowed in irritation.

"What are you doing?" He grabbed my wrist and pulled me back inside. "Do you want to fall sick?"

I laughed, slightly breathless. "It's just rain, Pranu."

He shook his head, sighing. "You're drenched."

Before I could say anything else, he disappeared into the room and returned with a towel. Without a word, he gently started drying my hair.

I stilled.

His fingers ran through my wet strands, slow and careful. His touch was warm, protective.

My heart skipped a beat.

I had never thought about this before, but... why did it feel so different now?

As he tucked a damp strand behind my ear, I suddenly became hyperaware of him - the way his breath was steady, the way his lips were pressed into a focused line, the way he always, always took care of me.

For the first time, I felt something new.

Something that made my chest tighten.

I wanted to stay like this a little longer.

But before I could understand what I was feeling, he stepped back. "Change into dry clothes before you catch a cold."

I only nodded, but that night, I couldn't sleep.

I lay in bed, replaying the moment over and over, wondering why my heart was acting this way.

Pranay's pov:

The next day, work kept me busy. When I finally came home in the evening, I expected to see Saisha reading a book or waiting for me with that soft smile of hers.

Instead—

I found her curled up on the couch, trembling.

Panic surged through me as I rushed toward her. "Aishu?"

"Aishu?" I called, rushing forward. Her face was pale, her lips dry, and when I placed my hand on her forehead, it was burning.

Damn it.

She barely opened her eyes, her face flushed, her body burning with fever.

Without a second thought, I scooped her into my arms and carried her to bed.

She whimpered slightly, curling against my chest, and something tightened inside me.

"Aishu... you should have told me," I whispered as I laid her down.

She mumbled something incoherent.

I quickly got a wet cloth and placed it on her forehead, brushing her damp hair back. "I'm here," I murmured. "You'll be okay."

She clutched my hand weakly, her fingers small and warm in mine.

I didn't think twice before scooping her into my arms. She stirred slightly, mumbling something incoherent, but she was too weak to resist.

"It's okay, I got you," I murmured, holding her close as I carried her to the bedroom.

I gently placed her on the bed and pulled the blanket over her shivering form. Her body was burning up. A knot of worry tightened in my stomach as I quickly fetched a wet cloth and pressed it to her forehead.

She let out a soft whimper, her brows scrunching together.

"Shh... I'm here, Aishu," I whispered, stroking her hair lightly.

I stayed by her side, changing the cloth every few minutes, making sure her fever didn't rise dangerously high. The clock kept ticking, but I didn't move from her side.

Every time she shifted restlessly, I reached out to soothe her. Every time she whimpered, I whispered comforting words.

But she needed more than that. She hadn't eaten, and her body was weak.

With a final glance at her sleeping form, I got up and went to the kitchen. I made a simple soup wasn't difficult.

The aroma of warm broth filled the air as I stirred the pot, my thoughts only on her. Within minutes, I poured it into a bowl and carried it back to the room.

I sat beside her and gently shook her awake.

"Aishu, wake up," I murmured.

She stirred, her lashes fluttering open. "Pranu..." she mumbled, her voice hoarse.

I helped her sit up, supporting her against my chest. "You need to eat," I told her softly.

She shook her head weakly. "Not hungry..."

"Aishu," I sighed. "Just a little. You need strength."

She pouted slightly but didn't resist when I lifted the spoon to her lips. I fed her small spoonfuls, watching as she slowly ate, her head resting against my shoulder.

Once she finished, I took out the tablet. "Now this," I said firmly.

She wrinkled her nose. "Bitter..."

I huffed out a quiet laugh. "Do you want me to scold you like a strict husband?"

She shook her head quickly. "No!"

"Then take it," I insisted, holding out the pill with a glass of water.

She took it reluctantly, swallowing it with a small grimace.

I placed the glass aside and tucked her back into bed. "Sleep now, Aishu."

As I stroked her hair gently, her fingers curled weakly around mine.

"Thank you, Pranu..." she whispered, her voice drowsy.

I pressed a light kiss to her forehead. "Always."

And as she drifted off to sleep, I stayed by her side. Because nothing - absolutely nothing - felt more important than being here for her.

I stayed awake all night, watching over her, changing the cloth whenever it got warm, making sure she drank water.

Her breath was slow, soft. Her entire being felt fragile, and for the first time, I realized how much she had become a part of me.

I didn't even want to imagine a day without her.

As dawn broke, I found myself holding her hand tighter.

And in that moment, I knew...

I was falling for my wife.

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