Page 87 of Born in Grief

Ishaan’s brash grin softened. “Always Goody.” Then he smiled again, bright and cheeky. “I have to make up for beating you and winning the academic trophy, right?”

Dhrithi scowled at him. “It was half a mark and I’m pretty sure you cheated!”

“Seconded,” Amay said.

“Thirded,” Virat added. “If that’s even a word. Or else, I second it twice.”

“You people,” Ishaan informed them. “Are the worst.”

Dhrithi was still laughing as she slipped into the guest bedroom she was currently using and tossed a few clothes into her duffel bag. Amay had followed her in and stepped up to help. Between them, they were packed and ready to go in minutes.

“Shall we leave?” he asked her.

“Yes.” She glanced around her room one last time. There was nothing here she’d miss.

“Ready to go, Dhriths?” he called from the door.

“With you?” she asked, smiling. “Always.”

Chapter Fifty

AMAY

Much later, Amay walked out of his bathroom to find Dhrithi sitting on the side of his bed. Her hair lay in damp tangles down her back, wetting her t-shirt and dripping onto the sheet. Her face looked pale, exhaustion coating her like an extra skin.

“Everything okay?” he asked her.

She didn’t answer for a moment, her gaze brimming with a multitude of emotions.

“Dhrithi.” He took a step forward, alarm spiking within him. “What-“

“I don’t want to sleep in the guest bedroom.” The words spewed out of her in a flood. “I want to sleep here, with you.”

“There is nothing in the world I would like more than to wake up with you in my arms for the rest of my life,” he admitted, leaning down to cup her cheek and plant a gentle kiss on her lips.

“Really?” Her hand came up to grip his wrist, her slender fingers wrapping around them.

“Really.” He pressed his forehead to hers, the clean, citrus scent of her body wash filling his lungs as he inhaled. “Don’t you know how gone I am for you, Dhriths? I have been since the day I saw you standing on those school steps rescuing that butterfly.”

“So, what you’re really saying is … you’re the acid to my base?”

He laughed, his eyes opening to meet her own amused ones. “I’m whatever you want me to be, baby. As long as I am with you, it’s enough for me.”

Her fingers tightened around his wrist, a haunting sadness filling her eyes, draining the laughter from it. “I have a long haul ahead of me.”

“And I’ll be with you, every step of the way,” he promised. “Whatever you need, whenever you need it, I’m there.”

“On one condition.” She fell back on the bed, taking him with her.

He braced himself on his forearms, levering himself up so his weight didn’t rest on her. “Name it,” he said, tucking a wayward lock of her hair behind one ear.

“You don’t treat me like I’m damaged or fragile. I don’t think I could bear it if pity formed the base of our relationship.”

Amay stilled. “I promise you one thing, Dhrithi Sahay, the only thing I see when I look at you is strength. You are not a victim. You are a survivor. And most importantly, you are mine.”

“I am,” she whispered, arching up beneath him. “I love you Amay.”

He stilled, the words filtering through him, a golden warmth spreading through his very soul.

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