Third person's pov!

"Don't you have to go to the office today?" Shraddha asked, drawing circles on his bare chest.

"I have to.." Dhruv said with a sigh. The merger was closing in and there were many last minute details they had to work on. And he has a meeting scheduled with Vedant in the afternoon. He cannot miss that.

Dhruv ran a hand through his messy hair, exhaling a long sigh as Shraddha's fingers traced lazy circles on his chest. The warmth of her touch, the softness of her skin pressed against his, made it difficult for him to focus on anything beyond the moment. He knew he had to get up, get ready for the day ahead—the merger was at a crucial stage, and he couldn't afford to be distracted. But right now, with her nestled against him, it was nearly impossible to think about work.

"I have to..." Dhruv repeated, his voice tinged with reluctance. "There's a meeting with Vedant this afternoon. The merger's very near, and there's a ton of last-minute details to handle."

Shraddha smiled softly, her fingertips continuing their slow, soothing path over his skin.

"Sounds important," she murmured, though her tone was teasing, a subtle playfulness in the way she spoke. She understood how dedicated Dhruv was to his work, and yet, the thought of him rushing off so soon after their shared moment left her feeling a little selfish.

Dhruv turned his head to look at her, a lazy smirk tugging at the corner of his lips. "It is," he admitted, his hand coming up to gently brush a stray lock of hair from her face. "But so are you."

Her heart fluttered at his words, her cheeks warming slightly as she met his gaze. There was something different in his eyes now—something softer, more open, as if the last remains of the walls he had carefully built around himself had finally came down. She could see the shift in him, feel the change in the way he held her.

"I am not going anywhere," Shraddha whispered, her voice gentle. "I will be right here when you get back." She smiled, trying to ease the heaviness of the moment, though a part of her wanted him to stay just a little longer.

Dhruv's fingers skimmed down her back, tracing the curve of her spine before resting on her waist, pulling her just a bit closer.

"I wish I could stay," he said, his voice low, almost husky. "But I don't think Vedant would appreciate me showing up late." He chuckled softly, though there was a trace of regret in his tone.

Shraddha sighed, her head resting against his shoulder.

"You'll make it up to me later, won't you?" Her voice was playful, but the affection in her words was undeniable.

Dhruv tilted her chin up with his thumb, his lips brushing softly against hers in response.

"I promise," he whispered against her mouth, his breath warm. He kissed her again, this time lingering just a little longer, as if committing the taste of her to memory before he reluctantly pulled away.

With a final sigh, Dhruv pushed himself up from the bed, reluctantly disentangling himself from her warmth. Shraddha watched him as he walked into the washroom for a shower. She laid there, snuggled within the cosy blanket. Within ten minutes, he came out freshened up.

She watched as he reached for his clothes, her gaze softening as he dressed, his muscles flexing with each movement. She felt a surge of affection for him—a mix of admiration for his dedication and a quiet longing for the side of him he had shown her in their private moments.

"I'll wait for you," Shraddha said, her voice soft, watching as he buttoned his shirt. "Just don't work too late."

Dhruv flashed her a small smile as he finished dressing, leaning down to press one final kiss to her forehead.

"I won't," he promised. "And Shraddha..." He paused, his expression suddenly serious, his thumb brushing over her cheek. "Thank you. For everything. I don't think I would've made it through without you."

Shraddha's heart swelled at his words, and she reached up to cup his face, her thumb grazing his stubbled jaw.

"You don't have to thank me, Dhruv. I am here for you, always."

He kissed her palm, then reluctantly pulled away, straightening his shirt before grabbing his phone and keys. With one last look, he walked toward the door, casting a glance over his shoulder before he stepped out.

"Sleep for sometime. I will lock the front door on my way out. And when you wake up, call me. I will order you some food. No need to cook anything. I'll see you soon," he said, and with that, he disappeared through the doorway.

Shraddha lay back on the bed, smiling softly to herself as she listened to the sound of the door closing behind him.

As the door clicked shut behind Dhruv, Shraddha let out a soft sigh, her mind still swirling with the lingering sensations of their lovemaking. Her body felt both light and heavy at the same time, a pleasant ache reminding her of how deeply connected they had been just moments ago. There was something different about Dhruv today, something more tender in the way he held her, as if the walls he had so carefully constructed around his heart were slowly crumbling. She had felt it in the way he kissed her, in the way he whispered her name like a promise.

Lying in the warmth of their bed, she smiled, allowing herself to bask in the glow of their shared intimacy. But soon, her thoughts began to drift to other things—their life together, and more importantly, her own life. It had been a whirlwind since she had become a part of Dhruv's world, and although she loved him deeply, there was a sense of uncertainty that sometimes crept into her mind. She had found her footing with him, found love and a home she never imagined she'd have. But what about herself—beyond being with Dhruv?

Shraddha rolled over, staring at the ceiling as the questions she had been avoiding for some time began to resurface. What should she do with her life now? Should she consider going back to school, maybe finish her master's degree? She had always been passionate about education, but life had taken her on a different path. Now that things had settled down between them, maybe it was time to think about herself again, her career, her aspirations.

The thought of pursuing a job crossed her mind, but she wasn't sure what she was qualified for anymore. She had been away from the workforce for some time, and while her role as a nanny had taught her patience and compassion, it wasn't what she had dreamed of long term. Should she try her hand at something new, or should she focus on further studies?

Shraddha bit her lip, feeling a flicker of excitement at the possibilities. The idea of stepping out on her own, of doing something meaningful, both thrilled and terrified her. But as she glanced around their shared bedroom, she knew one thing for sure—whatever path she chose, she wanted it to be her own. Dhruv would support her, she was certain of that. But it was up to her to decide what came next.

With these thoughts, she drifted off to sleep..

A/N

The votes are going down...

Please do vote and comment...

Love,

SF❤️