Payal drifted in and out of sleep, wrapped in the warmth and security of Asra's protective embrace. For a whole day, time seemed to lose its meaning—she felt safe, cherished, and beyond the reach of the world's troubles. The lines between reality and imagination blurred; she often questioned if it was all a dream, her heart both soothed and confused by the gentleness with which Asra held her so close.Asra, for his part, was relentless in guarding her peace. He'd quietly informed the servants that no one should disturb them, ensuring their room was a sanctuary—just for the two of them. On the second day, he went further: he ordered every servant to leave the vicinity entirely. It wasn't just about privacy; Asra didn't want anyone else to witness Payal in this rare, unguarded state—her face soft with sleep, her defences down, her usual anxieties smoothed away by trust. To him, these moments were sacred, and the possessive urge to keep her to himself overwhelmed whatever reservations he had left.Throughout those two days, daylight and night slipped by in gentle cycles of whispered words and long silences. Payal rested her head on Asra's chest, sometimes peeking up at him and being met with an affectionate, almost reverent gaze. The world outside might have continued on, full of shadow and intrigue, but inside that room, time itself bent around their shared need for comfort and healing. For the first time in these three weeks in the mansion, Payal let go of every thing making her sacred—not because the world became less dangerous, but because, in Asra's arms, she discovered a tranquil safety that gave her strength to face the chaos yet to come.What neither of them voiced, yet both felt, was that these days were fleeting—a pause in a stormy life, a haven before separation or conflict returned. Still, they clung to one another, making the most of every unspoken promise .
Payal's eyelids fluttered, heavy with the weight of too much sleep, as golden sunlight spilled softly into the room. She shifted, feeling an unfamiliar tenderness in her limbs and the dulled comfort of a body unused to waking after such a long rest. Her cheek rested against Asra's torso, warmth and the steady thrum of his heartbeat lulling her on the edge of consciousness.A gentle voice coaxed her from sleep. "Wake up, Payal," Asra murmured. His dark eyes watched her, open and closing as she fought to stay awake, half-dreaming, half-aware. She mumbled incoherently, clinging to his side like a lifeline, even as her body begged her to return to sleep."I know you're tired, but you can't sleep now it's been two days…" Asra's fingers brushed softly against her cheek, his touch feather-light and full of concern. "Let's go eat something, hm?" The words were soft, but there was an earnest plea in his eyes—a worry that she might slip away from him again, even across the thin boundary between dreams and waking.Seeing her resistance, Asra leaned closer, pressing his forehead gently against hers. "I'm not leaving, okay?" he promised, his thumb tracing small circles over her hand. The affirmation was quiet but powerful, settling her anxiety. In that moment, Payal realized how deeply she had missed the feeling of being cared for and anchored.Around them, the room was peaceful, the outside world distant and irrelevant for a while longer. Every sound—a bird's muted call, the whisper of wind over the curtains—felt hushed, sacred. Payal let herself believe in the comfort, letting her walls drop for just a moment longer before finally stretching and beginning to rise, her heart buoyed by the certainty in his quiet vow.Their morning together was slow and precious, the kind of day that etched itself into memory not because of drama, but because of the simple, honest closeness between them.
Asra lifted Payal with surprising ease, as if she weighed nothing—his touch careful, almost reverent, yet laced with playful firmness. Wrapped up in his arms, Payal blinked drowsily, her lashes fluttering as she shifted her cheek against his chest. "Come on, you've been sleeping for two days," he coaxed gently, carrying her across the sunlight-dappled room. "Let's go brush your teeth, wash your face, and then we'll eat together."Payal pouted, still not fully awake, her expression childlike and innocent. "I can't eat before I've taken a bath," she murmured, barely above a whisper. There was a soft vulnerability in her words; she clung to this routine as if it could anchor her in reality.Asra smirked, mischief glinting in his dark eyes. "Do you want me to give you a bath?" He leaned closer, voice low and intimate, "But you know, if I do, you might see—or experience—something you aren't ready for right now."Her cheeks tinged pink, a rush of embarrassment battling the drowsy comfort. "It's okay…" she started, but with uncharacteristic boldness, Payal raised her finger and placed it gently on his lips to silence him. Before she could pull away, Asra pressed a kiss to her fingertip—a swift, unexpected motion that caught her completely off guard. Shock flickered across her face as she yanked her hand back, her heart fluttering wildly. "I'll… I'll go take a bath myself," she stammered, quickly slipping out of his hold.She hurried down the corridor, her feet barely making a sound on the polished floors. Just as she reached the junction and hesitated, unsure which way to go, Asra's teasing voice echoed after her: "Wrong direction, Payal."Flustered and acutely aware of his gaze, she spun around and muttered, "Tha…nk…" trailing off as she caught the growing smile on his lips—a mix of affection and pride. A breathless laugh escaped her, the moment lingering warmly in her heart as she finally found her way to the bath, her world momentarily graced with lightness, intimacy, and a sense of belonging she hadn't realized she needed so much.
While taking her shower, Payal couldn't shake the image of Asra's smile—the rare, genuine curve of his lips that she had glimpsed for the first time that morning. It replayed in her mind like a treasured secret. The warmth lingered long after the water ran cold, weaving its way into the fresh flutter in her chest as she finished getting ready.Toweled off, hair damp and cheeks still pink from the heat and a hundred racing thoughts, she tiptoed back toward the dining hall. The moment she crossed the threshold, she froze—captivated by the scene before her. Asra, usually so enigmatic and withdrawn, stood at the stove, sleeves rolled up and hair mussed just so, expertly tending to an array of sizzling pans and fragrant dishes. Eggs with herbs, warm cut bread, sliced fruit, and even a golden, slightly burnt pancake—far more food than two people could possibly eat.Unable to contain her affection, Payal slipped behind him, wrapping her arms around his waist and playfully threading her fingers through his blue hair. She nuzzled his back, giggling softly, "Isn't this too much for just us?" Asra turned his head, a gentle amusement in his eyes, but before he could reply, a sultry voice interrupted them:"Oh, sweetheart, have you forgotten about us?" Julian drawled, leaning back on the sofa in a relaxed sprawl, his red eyes smoldering with mischief. "It's enough to make me jealous, you know."Startled, Payal spun and saw William as well—seated beside Julian. William's gaze was level, quietly intense, as if he could read every stray thought in her mind. Payal, flustered, felt a shiver at the unspoken tension and blurted out, "What's with those looks? It's like I've betrayed you both!"Her outburst brought a round of laughter, tension melting into welcoming smiles. William's lips finally lifted at the corners, the shadows in his eyes giving way to fondness. Julian rose, coming closer, and offered her a languid wink, while Asra just shook his head knowingly, his hands never still as he plated breakfast.The air was thick with playful rivalry and genuine warmth, old wounds and new beginnings intertwining around the clatter of cutlery and echoing laughter. For the first time, breakfast felt like both a celebration and a promise—a fragile peace built on care, respect, and the complicated, ever-shifting bonds between them all.