Chapter 63 — Just Us

Arnav held Ritika close, his expression softer than before.

Arnav: Ritu, I want you whole to myself.

Ritika looked at him quietly.

Arnav: No past. Nothing between us.

He gently held her face.

Arnav: I want it to be just me, you and Rishi.

Ritika's eyes softened.

Arnav: And I'm scared.

Ritika: Scared?

Arnav nodded.

Arnav: I'm scared that one day you'll look back and realize that you still belong to the life you had before me.

Ritika slowly touched his cheek.

Ritika: Arnav...

Arnav: I know it's not fair.

He looked down.

Arnav: I know Pavan was your husband. I know Rishi's memories of him will always be important. I don't want to erase any of that.

He took a breath.

Arnav: I just want to know that when you look at your future...

He looked into her eyes.

Arnav: You see me.

Ritika smiled through her tears.

Ritika: I do.

Arnav remained silent.

Ritika: Arnav, listen to me.

She held his face.

Ritika: I cannot erase my past, and I don't want to.

Arnav nodded slowly.

Ritika: But I don't live there anymore.

She smiled.

Ritika: My life is here.

She placed his hand over her heart.

Ritika: With you.

Then she gently placed his hand against her stomach.

Ritika: With our family.

Arnav's eyes softened.

Ritika: And Rishi loves you.

Arnav: I know.

Ritika: He doesn't call you Baba because anyone told him to.

She smiled.

Ritika: He calls you Baba because he chose you.

Arnav closed his eyes for a moment.

Ritika: So don't be afraid of my past.

She kissed his cheek.

Ritika: Be part of my future.

Arnav pulled her into a tight embrace.

Arnav: I'm sorry, Ritu.

Ritika: I know.

Arnav: I love you.

Ritika smiled against his chest.

Ritika: I love you too.

For a while, neither of them spoke.

There was no past to fight.

No assumptions.

No accusations.

Only two people learning how to trust each other.