Pranay's pov

It's been three days. Three full days since that argument about her photograph. Since I agreed with her professor's critique instead of just holding her when she clearly needed comfort.

I thought honesty would help her grow. But in that moment, maybe what she needed was just someone who believed in her, unconditionally.

And now... my aishu hasn't spoken a word to me.
No morning giggles. No sleepy rants about the peacock outside her window. No "Pranay, listen to this weird dream I had" as I poured her tea.

She wakes up before me, quietly goes out to college, and comes back just as quietly. Sleeps with her back turned. Doesn't even let me drop her off anymore.

Forget talking,she doesn't even meet my eyes.

And I hate this. This silence. This distance.

I hadn't realized how much space she filled in my day until she shut herself off. I can't even remember how I used to come home before she started waiting for me at the door, barefoot and beaming, as if I brought the whole sun back with me.

I need to fix this. Today. I need to bring her back to me.

She'll be home in a few hours. Maybe... maybe food could speak what words can't.

So I head to the market and pick up her favorite fish,fresh - just the way she likes. It's the least I can do.

Back home, I wash the basmati rice first, letting it soak for a good fifteen minutes,just like Amma used to say. Next, I rinse the toor dal and set it to cook with a dash of turmeric, a few drops of oil, and just enough water to get it soft but not mushy.

Then I move to the fish-cleaning each piece carefully, patting it dry, and rubbing it gently with mustard oil, red chili, turmeric, and a touch of salt. I let it sit, soaking up the flavors, while I temper the dal with cumin seeds, dried red chilies, garlic, and curry leaves. The aroma fills the kitchen and some small, distant part of me hopes it reaches her heart too.

Lastly, I heat the pan, crisp the fish golden on both sides - exactly how she likes it, crunchy at the edges but tender inside. I place everything on the table the way she would,neatly, lovingly, as if this meal could be an apology.

And maybe it is.

I wipe my hands and glance at the clock. She'll be home any moment.

I don't know if she'll speak. I don't know if she'll even eat.
But I do know this: I love her enough to try.

Saisha's pov:

It's been three days.
Three long, silent days since I last spoke to Pranu.

I'm not even angry with him. Just... disappointed. Mostly in myself.
Why did I argue that day? He wasn't trying to hurt me, he was just being honest. I asked him for his thoughts, and when he gave them truthfully, I snapped. I behaved like a child.

And now, all I feel is guilt. Like I'm good for nothing. A burden.
To him. To everyone.

I reached home, heavy heart, heavy feet. The moment I opened the door, I was greeted by the warm, comforting aroma of home-cooked food.

Pranu stepped out of the kitchen, wiping his hands with a towel, and smiled so brightly, like nothing ever went wrong.
"Aishu, you're home! Go and freshen up. We'll eat together, okay?"

I couldn't even meet his eyes.
"I'm sorry... I'm not hungry, Pranu."

I rushed into the washroom before he could see the shame on my face.

After freshening up, I stepped into the room to get my books. Pranu was sitting on the bed, scrolling through his phone, as if waiting.

I reached out to grab my book from the stand, already deciding I'd sit far away and study... maybe that would numb the ache inside.

But before I could move, his hand gently held my wrist and pulled me closer. In a sudden motion, I stumbled right onto his lap.

Startled, I tried to get up, but he wrapped his arms around me tightly,protectively. My heart cracked open in that moment, and I clung to him, curling into him as if I had been drowning these past three days and he was my breath.

I wrapped my legs around his waist, buried my face in his shoulder, and just stayed there. I didn't want to move. I didn't want to speak. Just hold him, and be held.

I don't know how long we stayed like that before he slowly pulled back. I was still in his lap, heart racing, face flushed.

I turned my head away-still too ashamed to look at him. But he held my chin gently and made me meet his eyes.

And then, in that calm voice of his, he said:

"Aishu... I'm so sorry. Despite knowing you needed comfort, I chose truth. I thought it would help you grow. But I should've known what you needed in that moment was someone to hold you, not correct you."

I blinked rapidly. The tears came too easily.

"Pranu... you're not wrong," I whispered. "I'm just guilty. I acted immature. I couldn't handle criticism and behaved like I'm not ready for this world. I feel incapable... like I'm not meant to do anything worthwhile. First, I was a burden to my parents... and now, I feel like I'm a burden to you too-"

Before I could finish, he pressed his hand gently to my lips.

"Don't. Please don't ever say that again."

His eyes were soft but serious. "You're not a burden, Aishu. You're a blessing. You've brought a kind of light into my life I didn't know I was missing. I don't even remember who I was before you."

He paused, his arms still around me.

"These three days without you... they were lonelier than all the years I spent living alone."

Then he smiled sadly and continued.

"You know, I was once working in an IT firm. It paid well, covered all my bills. But I wasn't happy. Photography was always my first love. So, I started working part-time at a local studio. The owner was kind, gave me a few opportunities to shoot weddings and small events.

But one day, I made a mistake-blurred an entire wedding album due to a lens setting I forgot to change. He humiliated me in front of everyone. Told me I wasn't cut out for this field. That I should go back to my 'safe' desk job and stop wasting time.

And the worst part? I had already quit my IT job by then.
I had no income. Just some savings and a dream."

I stared at him, stunned. I had no idea he had gone through all this.

"But instead of giving up," he continued, "I stood up again. I used whatever little I had left and started my own studio. Shot school annual days. Birthday parties. Slowly grew from there. Hired two people, then five. It was hard, but every small success told me I was doing what I was meant to do."

He looked into my eyes and held my hands tightly.

"And you, Aishu... you don't have to go through that kind of darkness alone. I'm here. If you fall, I'll catch you. If you want to learn, I'll teach. And when you win, I'll cheer the loudest. Just don't ever think you're alone."

Tears spilled from my eyes, and I finally spoke.
"I'm sorry, Pranu... I should have listened. I should've talked instead of shutting you out. I just... I felt like I failed. Like I failed you."

He smiled and wiped my cheeks with his thumbs.

"Failure is part of growth, Aishu. But communication - that's the heart of every relationship. So no matter how big or small the fight, promise me something?"

I nodded.

"Whenever we have a misunderstanding, an argument, anything... we talk. We sort it out then and there. Because I... I can't stay away from you. Not even for a day."

Before I could say anything more, he wrapped me in his arms again, holding me tight.
And this time, I didn't hold back either.

We stayed in each other's embrace for what felt like hours, the warmth of his arms melting away every layer of guilt I had wrapped around myself. My head rested on his shoulder, and just as I was starting to drift into a peaceful calm, my stomach let out a loud grumble.

Pranu burst out laughing.

I glared at him, utterly embarrassed.

"I'm sorry," he said between chuckles, "but someone just told me she wasn't hungry. Now who's going to eat the food I cooked with so much love?" He sighed dramatically like one of those over-the-top soap opera leads.

I couldn't help but laugh. "Stop behaving like an Indian serial's idealistic bahu, you dramatic fool!"

He gasped, mock offended. "Aishu! That's so mean."

I stuck my tongue out at him, and before I could react, he scooped me up in his arms effortlessly.

"Pranu!" I shrieked.

"Let's feed your little tummy before it starts growling loud enough to bring down the roof."

I blushed furiously. He noticed, grinning ear to ear.

"Oh myyy, Aishu is blushing. What a beautiful sight."

I smacked him gently on the chest. "Shut up pranu!!!!"

He chuckled and carefully placed me on the dining chair. I looked at the food in front of me and my heart melted.

Steamed rice, my favorite dal, and perfectly fried fish.

"You made this?" I asked, eyes wide.

He nodded, proud. "For my one and only aishuuu."

I beamed and leaned in to kiss his cheek. "You're the best, Pranuuu."

His ears turned red and he looked away shyly.

"Oh my god, is my Pranu blushing?" I teased, absolutely loving this rare sight.

"Eat now or the food will get cold," he muttered, trying to hide his flustered expression.

I took a bite and moaned, "Oh wow. Pranu, your hands have some serious magic! This is so good."

He scoffed. "I don't believe you."

I picked up a morsel and fed him. He smiled, chewing it slowly.

"Okay, now it tastes good."

I rolled my eyes playfully. "Eat, Mr. Dramatic king."

I reached for his plate to serve him, but he held my hand.

"I don't want to eat by myself... I want you to feed me."

"Pranu! Stop behaving like a child.",i replied

"Either you feed me, or I sleep on an empty stomach," he said with a stubborn pout.

I shook my head, completely exasperated but also completely in love. "Fine. Come here."

I fed him, watching the sparkle in his eyes with every mouthful. After dinner, I got up to do the dishes while he ranted animatedly about his day-how a client almost didn't pay and how one of his assistants forgot to charge the camera batteries. I laughed and listened, washing the dishes, while he continued his dramatic commentary sitting on the kitchen counter and drying and arranging the washed dishes neatly into the shelf.

Later, we headed to bed. We lay cuddled up, our legs tangled and his arms wrapped tightly around me. His steady heartbeat beneath my cheek felt like a lullaby I never knew I needed.

He pressed a gentle kiss to my forehead. "Good night, Aishu."

"Good night, Pranu," I whispered, feeling safe, forgiven, and loved.

In his arms... I was home.

AUTHOR'S NOTE

so how was the chapter guys???

And i have completed 1st year of engineering and got a month of leave and few internships to do...My is plotting a lot of stories ...

Any tropes or proffession suggestion about leads are welcome.

Also i have published a new book...i hope you'll like it...Do check it out.

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