The morning after was peaceful, the soft rays of sunlight filtering through the blinds and spilling across the room. 

Revathi slowly stirred, feeling the warmth of the blankets around her, and the comforting weight of Shubman's arm across her waist. 

She hadn't expected to wake up feeling so... content, so at ease.

She blinked a few times, her eyes adjusting to the light, and then glanced over at Shubman. He was still asleep beside her, his breathing steady and soft, a peaceful expression on his face. 

His hair was tousled from their night together, his face relaxed in a way she had never seen before.

Revathi's heart fluttered at the sight of him, and she couldn't help but smile. 

It was hard to believe that just the night before, they had crossed a line together—an experience so personal, so intimate, and yet it felt completely natural with him. 

There was no shame, no regret. Just a sense of connection and closeness that she hadn't thought possible.

She took a deep breath, savouring the quiet of the moment. 

Her mind briefly flickered back to the night, to the way everything had felt—how gently he had taken his time with her, how reassuring he had been, how he had made sure she felt comfortable and loved. 

It had been more than just physical; it had been emotional, deep, and full of trust.

As she lay there, she realized that this moment, waking up beside him, felt like the beginning of something new. She didn't feel rushed or pressured. 

It felt natural, easy. And she felt happy. Happy to be here, happy with him.

She shifted slightly, careful not to wake him, but her movements were too much for Shubman to ignore. His arm tightened around her waist, pulling her closer in his sleep. 

She smiled, her chest full of affection. He had always been the one to take care of her, to check in on her, and even now, in his sleep, he was protective of her.

Her hand instinctively moved to rest on his chest, feeling the steady rhythm of his heartbeat. It made her smile even more.

After a few moments, Shubman stirred, his eyes blinking open as he slowly woke. His gaze locked onto hers, and his lips curved into a lazy, sleepy smile. 

"Morning, beautiful," he muttered, his voice still thick with sleep, but warm and affectionate.

Revathi's heart skipped a beat at his words. It wasn't the first time he had called her beautiful, but each time, it felt like the first.

 She bit her lip, trying to hide the smile tugging at her lips. "Morning," she whispered back, her voice soft.

He shifted a little, bringing his hand up to tuck a strand of hair behind her ear, his touch tender as always. "How do you feel?" he asked, his voice quiet but full of care.

Revathi paused for a moment, considering the question. There were a lot of emotions swirling inside her, but most of all, she felt content. 

"Good," she said, her voice still a little groggy but full of sincerity. "I feel good. Really good."

Shubman grinned, his thumb brushing over her cheek. "You're incredible, you know that?" His words were soft but full of admiration.

 "Last night was... perfect. You were perfect."

Revathi's face flushed at the compliment. She wasn't used to being called perfect. No one had ever made her feel like that before like she was everything they had wanted. 

It was overwhelming but in the best possible way.

"You make it feel easy," she replied, her voice quiet, almost shy. "I've never felt so... safe."

He leaned in and kissed her forehead, his lips lingering for a moment. "That's because I'll always make sure you feel safe, Revathi. You deserve that. You deserve to feel loved and wanted, and that's exactly what you are to me."

Her heart thudded in her chest, and she couldn't find the words to respond. She simply nodded, her eyes welling with emotion. 

She had always wanted someone to see her—not just as a student or a daughter, but as a person, as someone deserving of love. 

And now, she was with someone who saw her for who she was, and loved her in return.

Shubman seemed to sense the shift in her mood, and he pulled her in closer, holding her tightly. 

"Don't worry, babe. We're good. I'm not going anywhere," he whispered into her hair, his voice full of quiet reassurance.

Revathi leaned into his embrace, feeling her body relax against his. "I know," she whispered back, her voice barely audible. "I trust you."

They stayed like that for a while, the quiet comfort of each other's presence enough to fill the space around them. 

The world outside could wait. Right now, in this moment, it was just them.

Eventually, the reality of the day began to seep in. Revathi had classes to attend, and Shubman had practice. But for now, they could be in their own little bubble, just enjoying the closeness.

"You know, I'm still processing last night," Revathi said, lifting her head to look at him, a hint of amusement in her voice. "But I think I'm ready for whatever comes next."

Shubman smiled, a mischievous glint in his eyes. "Trust me, babe, there's a lot more where that came from."

Revathi laughed, playfully pushing him away. "Okay, okay, I get it. But let's not get ahead of ourselves," she teased, though she could feel the butterflies in her stomach at the thought of what was to come.

He raised an eyebrow. "Oh, trust me. I'm all about taking it slow. But I'm not gonna lie—I'm excited for every part of this journey with you."

She smiled, her hand resting on his chest as she snuggled back into his arms. "Me too," she murmured, closing her eyes. "Me too."

SOUP RANTS!

Welcome to the twenty-seventh chapter of this book!
they're so adorable🥹
did we like this chapter?
I'll see you guys soon!
yours truly,

soup 🫶