Chapter 34 – Where It Hurts, I Stay

Ravi closed the door behind him and gently laid Gayathri on the bed.

For a second, he just looked at her.

The red mark on her cheek stood out too clearly.

His jaw tightened.

Without saying anything, he walked to the side table, took an ice pack, and came back. Sitting beside her, he lifted her chin slightly, careful, slow.

“Ravi… it’s cold,” she whispered as the ice touched her skin, her eyes squeezing shut for a moment.

“I know,” he said quietly. “Just bear it.”

She hissed softly, her fingers gripping the bedsheet.

Ravi’s gaze didn’t leave her face.

“I’m sorry,” he said.

Gayathri opened her eyes and looked at him. “It’s okay…”

“No,” he cut in immediately, his voice low but firm. “It’s not.”

She stayed silent.

His hand adjusted the ice pack gently, making sure it wasn’t too harsh on her skin. “You don’t get used to this, Gayu,” he said. “Don’t say that again.”

Her eyes softened slightly.

“It didn’t hurt that much,” she tried again, her voice quieter now.

Ravi looked at her.

Not convinced.

Not accepting.

“It did,” he said. “I saw it.”

There was a pause.

Then, slowly, he leaned forward and pressed a soft kiss on her cheek—right beside the mark, careful not to hurt her.

Gayathri’s breath stilled for a second.

He didn’t stop there.

He placed another gentle kiss, softer this time, like he was trying to take away the pain she wouldn’t admit.

Her fingers moved, holding onto his shirt lightly.

“Ravi…” she whispered.

He pulled back just enough to look at her, his hand moving to her hair, brushing it away from her face.

“You don’t have to be strong all the time,” he said quietly.

Something in her expression shifted.

Not breaking.

But softening.

He put the ice pack aside and pulled her into his arms, letting her rest against him.

“Sleep, Gayu,” he murmured.

This time, she didn’t argue.

Didn’t say she was fine.

She just leaned into him, her head on his chest, her hand resting over him like she belonged there.

Ravi adjusted himself so she was comfortable, his arm wrapped securely around her, his other hand resting protectively over her back.

He could feel her breathing slowly calm down.

Could feel the tension leaving her body.

His fingers moved gently over her arm, slow, reassuring.

“I’m here,” he whispered, almost to himself.

Gayathri didn’t reply.

But she moved closer.

And that was enough.

Within minutes, her breathing turned soft, even.

She had fallen asleep.

Ravi didn’t move.

He stayed exactly like that, holding her—

Not just because she needed it.

But because he did too.

And this time—

Where it hurt—

He didn’t step away.

He stayed.