Chapter 18

The night had settled softly over the apartment,

wrapping everything in a quiet calm that felt almost intimate.

Zivah stepped out of her room, still toweling her slightly damp hair.

A faint smile already forming on her lips, unconscious, unplanned.

There was a certain anticipation in her steps, a lightness she hadn’t known before.

She expected to see Eraya.

Maybe near the window or balcony.

Maybe sitting quietly with a book.

Maybe just… being there.

Instead, She found Anamika on the couch.

And without meaning to her face fell.

“Wow,” Anamika’s voice broke through, amused.

“That face dropped faster than my patience during your lectures.”

Zivah blinked, startled, then frowned slightly.

“Anu? What are you doing here?”

Anamika leaned back into the couch, grinning like she had been waiting for this exact reaction.

“Relax, your highness. I didn’t kidnap your wife.”

Zivah narrowed her eyes slightly.

“Then where is she?”

Anamika’s grin widened.

“Next door. With Shivani. Doing assignments together.”

There was a pause.

A very visible, very dramatic sigh left Zivah.

“…oh.”

Anamika burst into laughter.

“Oh? That’s all? Where’s the ‘I don’t care’ attitude? Where’s the ‘I have my own life’ energy?”

Zivah rolled her eyes, walking over and dropping onto the couch beside her.

“Don’t start.”

“I will start,” Anamika said, nudging her shoulder.

“Because before this, you used to forget we existed.

Now look at you, one missing Eraya and suddenly life has no meaning.”

Zivah huffed softly, crossing her arms but not really denying it.

“…I just wanted to spend some time with her too.”

Anamika tilted her head, watching her closely.

“…you do not sound like someone who used to say relationships are a distraction.”

Zivah groaned. “Okay, that was before.”

“Before Eraya,” Anamika corrected, raising a brow.

Zivah glanced away, but there was no hiding the softness in her voice.

“…before her, it didn’t feel like this Anu.”

That made Anamika pause.

Just for a second.

Because that wasn’t teasing anymore, that was truth.

She smiled gently.

“You’ve changed, Zi.”

Zivah looked back at her.

“…is that a bad thing?”

Anamika shook her head slowly.

“No. It’s just… new. You’re softer. You notice things. You care loudly now. You don’t runaway from your feelings and you’ve started admitting things often.”

Zivah let out a quiet breath.

“…I think she makes it easy to care.”

Anamika studied her for a moment, then stood up.

“Alright, enough emotional growth for one night. I’m going to check on those two before Shivani turns studying into a motivational speech.”

Zivah laughed lightly.

“Please do. And save Eraya from her if needed.”

Anamika smirked.

“Oh, I won’t interrupt. I want to see how our ‘protective Shivani’ era unfolds.”

Zivah shook her head, smiling as Anamika walked out.

The apartment fell quiet again.

But this time-

Zivah didn’t mind.

Because she had an idea.

“Okay…” she muttered to herself, pulling out her phone.

“…if she’s tired, she shouldn’t cook.”

A few taps later,
order placed.

When the food arrived,

Zivah moved quickly, almost excited in a way she wouldn’t admit out loud.

She opened the bags, carefully placing everything on the dining table.

Then,

she picked up Eraya’s burger.

Paused.

“…onions,” she muttered.

One by one, she removed them.

Carefully.

Patiently.

Not missing a single piece.

Then she arranged the plate.

Fries on one side.

Nuggets on the other.

And with a bit of sauce,

she made a small, slightly uneven smiley face.

She stepped back.

Looked at it.

Smiled.

“…perfect.”

The door clicked open just then.

Zivah turned immediately.

And there she was.

Eraya stepped in quietly, adjusting her dupatta slightly, her expression soft but tired.

Zivah’s face lit up instantly.

“You’re back.”

Eraya nodded, a small smile forming.

“…we finished early.”

Zivah gestured toward the table.

“Good. Because dinner is ready.”

Eraya blinked, a little surprised.

“…you cooked?”

Zivah shook her head, walking closer.

“No, I ordered. But I did something important.”

Eraya tilted her head slightly.

Zivah leaned in just a little, her tone playful.

“I removed all the onions.”

There was a pause.

Then, slowly,

Eraya smiled.

Not small.

Not hesitant.

But genuinely warm.

“…you remembered.”

Zivah shrugged lightly, trying to act casual.

“…of course I did.”

Eraya looked at her for a second longer than usual.

“…you didn’t have to.”

Zivah softened slightly.

“…I wanted to.”

She pulled out the chair gently.

“Sit.”

Eraya hesitated for just a second, then sat, that small smile still lingering.

Zivah moved around, settling beside her.

Eraya looked at the plate.

The fries.

The nuggets.

And then,

the smiley.

A quiet laugh escaped her.

“…this is cute.”

Zivah leaned slightly closer, resting her elbow on the table, her tone playfull.

“Cuter than me?”

Eraya froze.

Her mind clearly short-circuiting for a second.

Zivah watched, amused.

“…well?” Eraya looked at the plate again.

Then at Zivah.

Then,

very softly,

“…probably.”

Zivah gasped dramatically.

“That is betrayal.”

Eraya smiled a little more this time.

“…it’s honest.”

Zivah shook her head, laughing.

“Unbelievable.”

Then her tone shifted slightly-gentler now.

“…you have to finish everything on that plate.”

Eraya looked at her, hesitant. “…it’s a lot.”

Zivah nodded.

“I know. But you need it. You need more appetite Eraya, you barely eat anything.”

Eraya tried to protest.

“I don’t usually-“

Zivah cut her off softly.

“I’m not asking you to eat more than you can. I’m asking you to try.”

A pause.

“…for me.”

Eraya looked at her.

Really looked.

Then nodded.

“…okay.”

They started eating.

Quiet at first.

Comfortable.

After a few bites, Zivah glanced at her.

“So… what did you and Shivani do?”

Eraya swallowed, then spoke, more than she usually would.

“…we studied at first. But then she started explaining things differently. She said I understand concepts deeply but don’t express them enough.”

Zivah smiled slightly.

“That sounds like her.”

Eraya nodded.

“…she also told me I should speak more in class.”

Zivah raised a brow.

“And what did you say?”

Eraya hesitated, then admitted quietly,

“…that I don’t know how.”

Zivah’s expression softened.

“…we’ll work on that.”

Eraya looked at her.

“…we?”

Zivah nodded, without hesitation.

“Yeah. We.”

And for the rest of the night,

the conversation didn’t stop.

Not rushed.

Not forced.

Just two people,

learning each other.

Slowly.

Gently.

And finally,

without fear.

It had become a routine now, something so small, yet so deeply theirs.

Zivah stood in the kitchen, slicing apples carefully,

the soft clink of the knife against the board echoing faintly.

She added a few mint leaves into the glass, poured water over it, and stirred it lightly.

“…just how she likes it,” she murmured to herself.

There was something calming about this ritual.

Not grand.

Not noticeable to anyone else.

But to her, it meant care.

She walked toward the bedroom door and knocked softly.

“Eraya?”

A quiet “hmm” came from inside.

Zivah opened the door just enough to step in, placing the glass on the bedside table.

“I made your apple mint water,” she said gently.

“Drink it before sleeping.”

Eraya looked up from where she was sitting on the bed, her expression softening almost instantly.

“…you do this every night,” she said quietly.

Zivah shrugged, trying to sound casual.

“Habit now.”

There was a small pause.

Zivah turned slightly, ready to leave.

“Goodnight-“

“Zivah.”

The way her name was said,

soft.

hesitant.

real,

made Zivah stop instantly.

She turned back, and her face lit up in a way she couldn’t hide.

“…yeah?”

Eraya hesitated for a moment, her fingers curling slightly into the bedsheet.

“…you can sleep here.”

Zivah blinked.

“…what?”

Eraya looked down briefly, then back at her.

“…on the bed. Beside me. If you don’t mind.”

There was a pause.

“…it’s been over a week,” Eraya added softly.

“…the sofa isn’t comfortable.”

Zivah let out a small laugh.

“I’m fine, really-“

Eraya shook her head gently.

“…you’re not.”

That simple certainty made Zivah quiet.

“…I’m comfortable enough now,” Eraya continued, her voice softer but steadier.

“…you can sleep here.”

Zivah searched her face carefully.

“…are you sure?”

Eraya nodded.

“…yes.”

That was all it took.

Zivah smiled,wide, unguarded, almost like a child who had just been given something precious.

“…okay.”

She lay down beside her slowly, careful not to invade her space.

The moment her back touched the bed,
a soft sigh escaped her lips.

“…I missed this,” she muttered without thinking.

Eraya let out a quiet chuckle from beside her.

“…did it hurt? Sleeping on the sofa?”

Zivah turned her head slightly toward her.

“…yes.”

“Why didn’t you say anything?”

Zivah smiled faintly.

“…because you needed the bed more.”

A pause.

Eraya looked at her in the dim light.

“…you always do that.”

“…what?”

“…make space for others,” she whispered.

Zivah shrugged lightly.

“…only for people who matter.”

Eraya didn’t respond immediately.

But something in her chest shifted.

They lay there quietly for a while.

The silence wasn’t empty.

It was… comfortable.

“…what were you thinking about?” Zivah asked softly.

Eraya stared at the ceiling.

“…today.”

“…hmm?”

“…it felt different,” she said slowly.

“…I spoke more. I didn’t feel… invisible.”

Zivah’s lips curved gently.

“…that’s because you’re not.”

Eraya turned her head slightly.

“…it still feels new.”

“…it will,” Zivah replied.

“…but you’ll get used to it.”

A pause.

“…with you?” Eraya asked quietly.

Zivah didn’t hesitate.

“…with me.”

Somewhere between those words,
they drifted into sleep.

But peace,
never stays uninterrupted.

The sound of rain came first.

Soft.

Then heavier.

Then,

thunder.

Sharp.

Loud.

Breaking through the silence like something violent.

Eraya stirred.

Her breathing changed.

Her fingers clenched the bedsheet.

Another thunderclap.

Her eyes snapped open.

But she wasn’t there.

Not really.

Her breath came out uneven.

“…no…”

Another flash of lightning.

Another sound.

Her body trembled.

“…please…”

Zivah woke up instantly.

Something felt wrong.

She turned,
and saw her.

Eraya was crying.

Not loudly.

But silently.

Shaking.

Lost in something far away.

“Eraya…”

Zivah sat up quickly, moving closer.

“…hey, hey-look at me.”

But Eraya didn’t respond.

Her eyes were unfocused.

Her breathing uneven.

Zivah’s chest tightened.

“…you’re safe,” she whispered urgently, cupping her face gently.

“You’re here. With me.”

Another thunderclap.

Eraya flinched violently,

and then,

without thinking,

she grabbed Zivah.

Held onto her tightly.

As if letting go would break her.

Zivah didn’t hesitate.

She wrapped her arms around her immediately.

Holding her just as tight.

“I’m here,” she murmured softly.

“…I’m here, Eraya. You’re okay.”

Eraya buried her face into her shoulder, her grip tightening.

“…don’t leave…”

The words came out broken.

Small.

Terrified.

Zivah’s heart clenched.

“…I won’t,” she whispered, her voice steady despite everything.

“I’m not going anywhere. I promise.”

Slowly,

very slowly.

Eraya’s breathing began to calm.

But she didn’t let go.

Even as her body relaxed slightly,

her fingers stayed curled into Zivah’s clothes.

Zivah adjusted gently, guiding her back onto the pillow.

But still holding her.

Still close.

“…you’re safe,” she whispered again, softer this time.

“…nothing will happen to you.”

Eraya’s eyes fluttered closed again.

But her hand,

remained wrapped tightly around Zivah.

As if she was the only thing keeping her grounded.

Zivah watched her for a long moment.

Her expression soft.

Protective.

Certain.

Then she leaned down slightly.

Brushed a gentle kiss against her forehead.

“…I’ve got you,” she whispered.

And this time,

when Eraya drifted back to sleep,

she didn’t fall alone

She fell,

held.
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