She swallows hard. “You’re exhausting, you know that?”
I grin. “So I’ve been told.”
She takes a step back, and my hands drop. “Fine, I’ll keep it. But if you think this means I’m suddenly going to go all soft on you, think again.”
“Wouldn’t dream of it,” I say, raising my hands in mock surrender. “But maybe… just consider not arguing with me.”
“No promises,” she mutters, but her tone isn’t as sharp anymore.
Giving me a small smile, she walks past me. I turn to look as she sits on her bed, her fingers brushing over the laptop box. Then she glances back at me, her voice softer this time.
“Thank you.”
I shrug and sit down next to her. “You’re welcome.”
“Don’t make it a habit,” she warns.
“No promises,” I reply, tossing her words right back at her, and just like that, we burst out laughing.
After a few seconds, her laughter fades, and she looks at me.
“I’m sorry,” she says quietly.
I frown, watching her closely. “What for?”
“For being difficult. For making everything ten times harder than it needed to be when all you are doing is trying to help.” Her voice is tired but honest.
My gaze softens, the vulnerability in her voice hitting harder than any argument we’ve had.
I shake my head. “You’ve been through too much, Nisha. However, you survived all of that. You don’t owe anyone an apology. Least of all me.”
“I just…” she swallows, her voice cracking slightly. “I just want you to know it’s not you. It’s just that… after everything that’s happened, everything in my past… trusting people isn’t easy anymore.”
This time, I stay silent. I just sit there and let her speak, because I know how important it is for her to let it all out, to finally give voice to her fears.
“My life flipped upside down in seconds, Sidharth,” she whispers. “And the people I thought would be there… well, most of them aren’t in my life anymore. So when you started showing concern, I didn’t know what to do with it. I pushed. I snapped. Because I was scared that the moment I let my guard down, it would all fall apart again and I’d lose this… whatever this is. And worse, maybe once you saw my scars, you’d hightail it out. Realize what an emotional mess I really am.” Her lip trembles slightly, but she turns her face away before I can see her tears.
My heart pounds like a war drum at her words. I reach out, cup her face, and gently tilt her chin up, forcing her eyes to meet mine.
“Look at me,” I say, my voice low and rough. “I’m not afraid of your scars, Nisha.” I lean in just a little, keeping my gaze locked on hers. “And you can push, you can run… hell, you can throw up every damn wall you’ve got, but I’ll still be right here. You don’t scare me. Nothing about you ever will.”
Her eyes glisten, and she quickly blinks it away. “Don’t say things like that.”
“Why not?”
“Because it makes it harder to keep you out,” she admits, almost in a whisper.
“Good,” I murmur. “Because I don’t want a way out, Nisha,” I say, leaving no room for doubt. “Now get some rest, but before that,” I nod towards the MacBook. “Go ahead and check it out. Set it up. Break it in. It’s all yours.”
She nods, nibbling her lower lip.
“You’re safe, Nisha,” I say, pressing a gentle kiss to her forehead. The moment my lips brush her skin, a jolt runs through me, but I ignore the pull and straighten up.
I head towards the door when her voice calls out quietly behind me.
“Good night and thank you.”
I glance over my shoulder and offer her a soft smile. “Good night, Miss Always Stubborn.”
