In the Arms of Comfort

Aditya sat by the bed, his gaze fixed on Avira's sleeping form. A strange ache settled in his chest, something unfamiliar yet undeniable. He never thought seeing someone in pain could hurt him this much. Her face, usually so full of life and defiance, was pale, her brows knitted together even in sleep. He reached out hesitantly, brushing a stray lock of hair from her face. Just then, his phone buzzed, breaking the silence.

It was Raj.

"Raj, I'll talk to you later," Aditya said, his voice low, not wanting to disturb her.

"Sir, wait! It's about Avira."

At the mention of her name, Aditya immediately straightened. "What about her?"

Raj hesitated for a moment before sighing. "Her friend Ananya called on her phone. I picked it up. I told her Avira is with you. But sir… she also told me something else. Something you need to know."

Aditya's grip tightened around his phone. "What is it?"

"Sir, Avira was bullied at the office before she left." Raj's voice carried the weight of guilt, like he wished he could have done something to stop it. "Some coworkers taunted her, accused her of seducing you just like they accused her with Mehra. They kept pushing her, reminding her of things she didn't want to remember."

Aditya felt a wave of rage crash through him. His blood boiled at the thought of anyone daring to speak to her that way. "Who were they?" His voice was deadly calm, but Raj could hear the storm brewing underneath.

"I'll find out, sir," Raj assured. "But that's not all… Avira—she has nightmares, sir. And panic attacks. She can't handle darkness. She's on medication for it. Ananya didn't say much, only that she has gone through something terrible. She just wanted you to know, to keep her safe."

Aditya didn't say anything for a long moment. His gaze slowly shifted back to Avira. The woman who always put up a brave front, who faced him with stubborn fire in her eyes—was hiding this much pain?

He cut the call, placing his phone aside before reaching for her hand. Her fingers were cold, trembling slightly even in sleep. His thumb brushed against her knuckles as he whispered, "How can you hide so much pain behind that smile, Avira?" His voice was almost a plea, laced with emotions he wasn't ready to name. "This isn't the Avira I know… Seeing you like this—it hurts me."

Before he could pull his hand away, Avira suddenly gripped him back, her fingers clutching his tightly.

"Please… don't leave me."

Her voice was small, fragile. She was shaking, her breathing uneven as she whimpered in distress. "I'm scared… please don't… don't…"

Aditya didn't hesitate. He climbed into the bed beside her, wrapping his strong arms around her trembling form. He pulled the blanket over both of them, cocooning her in his warmth. His hand rested on her back, rubbing soothing circles, while his other arm held her close against his chest.

"I'm here, Avira," he whispered against her hair. "You're safe. No one can hurt you."

For a moment, her body remained stiff, as if fighting against her own demons. But then she melted into him, burying her face in his chest, her shaky breaths slowly calming.

Aditya didn't move. He didn't question why he was doing this. He didn't think about anything else except the fact that she needed him right now, and he wasn't going to let her face her fears alone.

Hours passed, the night dragging in silence, but then—it happened again.

She started shaking violently, a strangled cry escaping her lips. Her body jerked, her hands clutching his shirt desperately. "No! Please let me go! Don't touch me! Please… someone help me… please!"

Aditya's heart clenched painfully at the sheer terror in her voice. He held her tighter, shaking her slightly. "Avira! Wake up! It's just a nightmare! Look at me, you're safe!"

Her eyes snapped open, wide and wild, tears streaming down her face. She gasped for breath as if she had been drowning. And then—her gaze locked onto his.

For a moment, neither of them moved. Their breaths mingled in the small space between them. Her hands, still clinging to his shirt, tightened as she searched his eyes. The warmth of his embrace, the gentleness in his touch—it made her feel something she hadn't felt in a long time.

Safe.

Aditya reached out, cupping her cheek, wiping away the stray tear that slid down. "No one will hurt you," he whispered. "Not as long as I'm here."

Something inside Avira cracked. A wall she had built around herself trembled at his words, at the way he was looking at her—as if she wasn't broken, as if she wasn't a burden.

Her hand hesitantly rose, resting over his. And then, as if drawn by a force beyond their control, their faces inched closer. Her breath hitched. His lips barely ghosted over hers, lingering, waiting.

Neither of them knew who moved first, but in the next second, their lips met.

It wasn't rushed, nor desperate. It was soft, uncertain, yet filled with all the emotions they hadn't spoken. Avira closed her eyes, sinking into the warmth of his lips, letting herself feel something beyond pain for the first time in years.

Aditya kissed her with a tenderness he didn't know he was capable of. His hand cradled the back of her head, fingers threading into her hair as he deepened the kiss ever so slightly, savoring the way she fit so perfectly against him.

Minutes passed, but time felt nonexistent. When reality seeped back in, Avira gasped, pulling away, her lips tingling from the warmth of his. Her eyes widened in shock, realization hitting her.

"I—I…"

Before she could form a coherent thought, Aditya pulled her back into his arms, holding her against his chest as he murmured, "Sleep."

His fingers caressed her hair, his heartbeat steady against her cheek. Despite everything, she found herself closing her eyes again, her body relaxing into his hold.

For the first time in years, Avira didn't fear the nightmares.

Because this time, she wasn't facing them alone.