Failing at yet another attempt to drift back to sleep, Rishi opened his eyes, annoyed by the uncomfortable position he found himself in. Adjusting his vision slightly, he noticed that the room remained dark and quiet. Despite the calmness, everything seemed unusually unsettling to him. A sharp pang of pain drew his attention, and he rubbed his temple with his thumb, trying to alleviate the ache. He closed his eyes briefly before opening them again, finding the glowing LED wall clock displaying 4:21 in the morning.

Taking stock of his surroundings, he widened his eyes and shook his head in an attempt to shake off the headache. At that moment, he realised that he wasn't in his own room, nor was he sleeping on his own bed. Turning his head towards the bed, he saw Anbu's sleeping figure, even in the dim light, her sleeping posture discernible. Memories of the events from the previous night flooded back into his mind.

Cursing himself mentally, he rubbed his face to shake off the remnants of sleepiness. Suddenly, the air felt thick with an unknown fear as he contemplated the consequences of his actions while under the influence of alcohol. Regret and guilt washed over him, enveloping him in a shroud of sorrowful contemplation.

What had he done to her? He had shattered her hopes for their future together. He berated himself for not exercising self-control and for burdening her with his unresolved past. How would he face her now? She would demand answers, and he wasn't sure if they would still be the same after everything that had transpired.

As each minute passed, he gained a clearer understanding of the events of the previous night, and it only fueled his anger further. He was furious with himself for being so weak, for breaking down in front of her. He had tarnished the one person who had brought light into his life, who had shown him what it meant to truly feel at home.

He couldn't bear to think of how she must have felt, witnessing him cry over his ex-girlfriend in front of her, his soon-to-be-wife.

Starting with the regret over drinking, Rishi questioned himself inwardly. Why had he even indulged in alcohol in the first place? And then, why had he delved into his past, reopening old wounds that should have remained closed? It all stemmed from his curiosity, he supposed, but he should have known better than to dwell on unanswered messages from his ex-girlfriend. His decision to come here had only compounded the situation, adding further chaos to his already troubled life.

Sighing heavily, he rose from the couch and sat upright, facing the empty wall. With the darkness still lingering outside, he deemed it the opportune moment to leave. The last thing he wanted was to risk being discovered by his soon-to-be in-laws, inviting unnecessary scrutiny and embarrassment for both himself and Anbu.

Running his fingers through his hair, he approached Anbu cautiously, ensuring his footsteps were barely audible. Kneeling down beside her, he kept his gaze fixed on her sleeping form. She lay on her stomach, one hand tucked beneath her chest and the other resting on the pillow. Her hair cascaded over her face, adding to her allure even in the dim light. Despite the messiness of her morning appearance, a small smile tugged at his lips.

She was perfect in his eyes, with her expressive eyebrows, almond-shaped eyes, and nose that delicately curved above her full lips. Upon closer inspection, he noticed a few blemishes on her cheeks, but they only served to enhance her natural beauty. Her skin wasn't flawlessly smooth like in cosmetic advertisements; it was dry and textured, but it made her seem more relatable, more human. She exuded authenticity, and it was that very authenticity that made her perfect in his eyes.

As Rishi pondered his situation, he couldn't shake the feeling of disbelief. Was this the same woman he had considered leaving? The same woman he had been willing to let slip away? His mind couldn't accept it. She seemed like a rare work of art, a sudden revelation that changed everything.

In his sober state, Rishi found himself thinking more logically than he had the previous night. He understood the potential challenges that lay ahead if either of them decided to end their marriage prematurely. But before making any drastic decisions, he wanted to reassess his perspective.

He realised that dwelling on his past would only lead to losing her. Was his past worth sacrificing the chance to be with someone who had the power to transform his loneliness into something beautiful – something shared?

After considering all these points, Rishi found himself in a moment of introspection. He had the opportunity to think calmly, without rushing to conclusions. Was it selfish to consider giving Anbu another chance? Rishi was tired and worn out. He longed to reclaim his happiness, to laugh genuinely, and to share every moment with her.

He wanted to experience life with her by his side – trying new things, reminiscing about old memories, and enjoying each other's company. Rishi couldn't deny his vulnerability. He needed someone to lean on, to support him, and to provide stability.

He envisioned a life filled with simple pleasures – taking silly selfies, enjoying home-cooked meals, and embracing their quirks and imperfections. Rishi wanted to create memories with her, to share stories with their future children.

Was it too much to ask for? All Rishi wanted was a friend in Anbu, someone to share his life with, to laugh with, and to rely on. It might seem selfish or foolish, but to Rishi, it felt like the most natural desire in the world. Wasn't this the kind of life everyone dreamed of?

After years of self-imposed isolation, Rishi longed for a return to normalcy and a chance to move forward in life. He saw hope in Anbu, sensing that she could bring a level of happiness beyond his expectations. Determined not to jeopardise their bond, he felt compelled to address the confusion from the previous night.

As he contemplated his thoughts, Rishi was drawn to Anbu's subtle movements in her sleep. Her nose scrunching caught his attention, prompting him to gently adjust her stray strands of hair. However, as she stirred awake, he felt a pang of regret for intruding on her slumber. They shared a silent exchange, each unsure of how to proceed, their eyes meeting in a moment of mutual understanding.

Uncertain if Anbu thought she was seeing things, Rishi remained silent, unsure of how to begin the conversation. Suddenly, Anbu flinched and shifted away, as if she had just awakened from a deep sleep. Wrapping the blanket around her, she asked in a groggy morning voice, "umm.. you here?" She paused to check the time before adding, "It's too early," with a tired yawn.

Feeling nervous, Rishi stood up and rubbed his hands together before replying, "I just woke up a minute ago. I wanted to talk to you before I leave."

With her hair tied back, Anbu looked at Rishi as he spoke, admitting his mistakes and expressing his genuine desire not to lose her. He confessed his insecurities and apologised for making her feel like an option. "I know I did wrong," he said. "I should have told you everything beforehand." Anbu narrowed her eyebrows, puzzled by his rambling at 4:30 in the morning. Rishi licked his dry lips before adding, "I don't know if it's right or wrong, but I feel something for you." He confessed about his past relationship with Anu and how it ended after he discovered she was cheating on him.

After a thick silence, Anbu softly said, "Okay." Surprised by her simple response,

Rishi asked, "Was that all?" Anbu snapped, "What else do you expect from me, Rishi?"

" I thought you would have something to say, something more than O.K.A.Y."

" I'm not you Rishi, I need some time, I can't make decisions like this. " Understanding her need for space, Rishi nodded silently.

Anbu calmly suggested, "It's early and still dark. You can leave now; it would be less risky." Despite feeling disappointed, Rishi realised that Anbu needed time to think. He understood that bombarding her with his emotions might influence her decision unfairly. She needed a quiet environment to contemplate what she truly wanted.

"It's early and still dark. You can leave now as it would be less risky," Anbu's calm voice resonated softly in Rishi's ears. Despite the polite tone, it was clear she was asking him to get out.

Understanding the need for space, Rishi acknowledged silently. He realised that bombarding her with emotions could cloud her judgement. Anbu needed time to figure out what she truly wanted.

"Umm... so... I'm leaving," Rishi trailed off, waiting for her response. Anbu simply nodded, causing a pang of hurt, though he knew he was the cause.

Despite his departure, Rishi felt a lingering need to make Anbu feel better, to reassure her of his feelings. Sitting on the edge of the bed, he called her softly Anbu seeking her attention.

As she looked at him, Rishi expressed his feelings, admitting to missing her and reaffirming his commitment. "You're my choice," he emphasised. "I have something strong and special with you."

He leaned in and placed a kiss on her head, hoping to convey his sincerity and make her feel loved and wanted. It was a gesture he'd seen in a random TV show, but he hoped it would bring comfort to Anbu in this moment of uncertainty.

Rishi didn't intend to manipulate Anbu; he was genuinely remorseful for causing her pain. As he quickly bid her goodbye after the unexpected forehead kiss, he dashed out of her room and down the balcony stairs.

Exiting her house, Rishi made his way to his car parked discreetly behind his in-laws' residence. Starting the engine, he checked the time on his wrist watch—it was exactly 5:00 A.M. Relieved that they hadn't been caught, he reached into his track pant pocket for his phone.

"Shit," he cursed, realising he had left his phone in Anbu's room. Panic surged through him. Now what?