The night slowly faded into morning.
But this time…
Everything felt different.
Anaya woke up in a soft bed.
Safe.
Warm.
Her eyes slowly opened.
And the first thing she saw—
Was him.
Kabir Malhotra.
Sitting beside her.
Watching her.
His eyes looked tired.
Like he hadn't slept all night.
"You're awake…" he said softly.
Anaya blinked.
For a moment… she just looked at him.
Last night felt like a dream.
But the way he held her…
The way he said "I love you"…
It was real.
"You didn't sleep?" she asked quietly.
Kabir shook his head.
"I wanted to make sure you're okay."
Her heart softened.
"You always do that…" she whispered.
Kabir looked down.
Guilt filling his eyes.
"I didn't always…" he said.
"I hurt you."
Silence filled the room.
Anaya sat up slowly.
Her eyes lowered.
"Yes… you did."
Kabir's chest tightened.
"I thought pushing you away would protect you," he said.
"But it only broke you…"
His voice cracked.
"And I hate myself for that."
Anaya looked at him.
This time…
Not with pain.
But with understanding.
"You were scared," she said softly.
Kabir looked at her.
Surprised.
"Scared to lose me…" she continued.
He didn't deny it.
For the first time—
Kabir Malhotra accepted his weakness.
"Yes," he whispered.
Anaya's eyes filled with tears again.
"But I was scared too…" she said.
"I thought I lost you…"
Kabir immediately held her hand.
Firm.
Gentle.
"You won't," he said.
"Not anymore."
Their eyes met.
No fear.
No distance.
Just love.
Slowly…
Kabir moved closer.
"Can I…?" he asked softly.
Anaya understood.
Her heart raced.
But she didn't move away.
That was his answer.
Kabir gently placed his hand on her cheek.
Carefully.
Like she was something precious.
And then—
He kissed her forehead.
Soft.
Respectful.
Full of love.
Anaya closed her eyes.
A tear slipped down.
But this time…
It wasn't pain.
It was peace.
Later that day—
Anaya sat with his sister.
Laughing.
Talking.
Kabir watched from the door.
A small smile on his face.
His house…
Finally felt like a home.
Not because it changed.
But because…
She was there.
He walked inside.
Sat beside them.
His sister smiled brightly.
"Bhaiya, she should stay forever!"
Kabir looked at Anaya.
His eyes soft.
"She will," he said quietly.
Anaya's cheeks turned red.
For the first time—
She didn't feel like a stranger.
She felt like she belonged.
That night…
They stood under the sky.
Anaya looked at the stars.
"They're beautiful…"
Kabir looked at her.
"Not more than you."
She smiled.
And slowly…
She held his hand.
This time—
Not out of fear.
But love.
Kabir tightened his grip.
Because now—
He wasn't afraid anymore.
He had something worth protecting.
And that was—
Her.
❤️
✨ Moral of the Story:
Even the coldest hearts can love…
When they find someone who sees their pain, not their darkness.