Chapter 26

The afternoon light had shifted by the time Eraya opened her eyes.

It wasn’t harsh anymore.

It had softened, stretching quietly across the room, resting on the edges of the furniture,

slipping gently through the half-drawn curtains.

For a moment…

she didn’t move.

There was always that small,

unfamiliar pause now.

That space between waking up and remembering, where she was.

Her body felt… different.

Not heavy.

Not aching in that dull, constant way she had grown used to.

Lighter.

Her legs,

they didn’t throb.

Didn’t pulse with that quiet, stubborn pain.

Her fingers curled slightly into the bedsheet.

And slowly…

a memory surfaced.

Zivah’s hands.

Warm.

Careful.

Patient.

The way she hadn’t rushed.

The way she hadn’t asked for anything in return.

Eraya exhaled slowly.

“…I slept.”

She whispered to herself.

It wasn’t disbelief.

It was… realization.

Because afternoon sleep,

for her,

had never been a thing.

It had always been replaced with something else.

Work.

Expectations.

Silence.

But today

she had slept.

Without guilt.

Without interruption.

Without fear of someone calling her name sharply from across the haveli.

A faint smile touched her lips.

She sat up slowly.

The blanket slipping slightly from her shoulders.

Her gaze lingered on the bed for a moment longer,

then shifted toward the door.

She must be outside.

The thought came naturally.

Not forced.

Not questioned.

Eraya stood up.

Walked toward the washroom.

Freshened up quietly,

her movements softer now.

Less rushed.

When she stepped out,

the apartment was calm.

No noise.

No voices.

She glanced toward the living room.

Empty.

“…Zivah?”

She called softly.

No answer.

A small pause.

Maybe she stepped out.

The thought didn’t create anxiety.

Just… awareness.

Eraya moved toward the kitchen.

Opened a few cabinets slowly.

I can cook.

The idea came with a strange warmth.

Not obligation.

Not expectation.

Just… something she wanted to do.

She reached for ingredients,

started preparing quietly,

That’s when her phone rang.

The sound startled her slightly.

She looked at the screen.

Parvati Di.

And instantly,

her face lit up.

She wiped her hands quickly with the towel.

Picked up the call.

Switched to video.

“Di!”

Her voice carried something bright.

Something soft.

Something… new.

On the other side,

Parvati appeared.

Her face,

tense.

Her eyes,

searching.

And the moment she saw Eraya-

Something in her expression… broke.

Relief.

Pure, overwhelming relief.

“Eraya…”

Her voice trembled slightly.

“…are you okay?”

Eraya’s smile softened.

“I’m… really good, Di.”

The words weren’t rushed.

They weren’t defensive.

They were… true.

Parvati blinked.

Her eyes filling instantly.

“Sach?”

(Really?)

Eraya nodded.

A small laugh escaping her.

“I’ve never been this good.”

That did it.

Parvati’s hand came up to her mouth.

Her shoulders trembling slightly as tears slipped down.

“I was so worried…”

She whispered.

“…you weren’t picking calls properly, and I kept thinking-what if you’re not okay there, what if-“

“Di,” Eraya interrupted softly.

“…I’m okay. I’ve never been this better.”

There was something steady in her tone.

Something that hadn’t been there before.

Parvati exhaled shakily.

Trying to calm herself.

“…tell me everything.”

Eraya leaned lightly against the kitchen counter.

Her fingers still holding the phone carefully.

And for a second,

she hesitated.

Not because she didn’t want to speak.

But because…

there was so much.

“…it’s… different here.”

She started slowly.

Parvati listened.

Completely.

“…how?”

Eraya’s gaze drifted slightly.

Not unfocused.

Just… remembering.

“…Zivah…”

She paused.

“…she… takes care of me.”

Parvati’s brows softened.

“…what does she do?”

And that question-

opened everything.

“She… notices things.”

Eraya said quietly.

“…like… when I eat, she… adjusts the food on my plate.”

Parvati blinked.

“…Really?”

Eraya smiled faintly.

“She… makes sure it’s not too much, not too little… and sometimes she… moves things around so it’s easier for me to eat.”

Parvati stared at her.

Her throat tightening.

“…she does that every day?”

Eraya nodded.

“…Every single day.”

A pause.

“…and… she noticed my books.”

“…books?” Parvati asked.

Eraya’s eyes softened.

“I used to keep one book with me all the time… and she saw that I like reading…”

A small breath.

“…so she made space for them in her bookshelf.”

Parvati’s lips parted slightly.

“…she did?”

“…and she said she’ll bring more.”

The simplicity of it.

The ease.

It hit differently.

Parvati sat back slightly.

Her eyes still fixed on Eraya.

“…and…?”

She asked gently.

Eraya hesitated.

Then-

her cheeks flushed just slightly.

“…we painted a wall.”

“…what?”

A small laugh escaped her.

“She brought green paint… and said we’re doing it together.”

Parvati’s brows lifted.

“…and you did it?”

Eraya nodded.

“…I… liked it.”

A pause.

“…a lot.”

Her voice had changed.

It carried something lighter.

Something… alive.

“…and…”

She hesitated again.

“…I’ve started… sleeping in the afternoon.”

Parvati went still.

“…Seriously?”

“…Zivah… makes me lie down.”

A faint smile.

“…and she… massages my legs.”

Silence.

Parvati stared at her.

“…she… what?”

Eraya looked slightly shy now.

“…Yeah she massages my legs.”

She repeated softly.

“…and Di…”

Her voice dropped.

Almost like a secret.

“…I didn’t know it could feel… that good.”

That,

broke something in Parvati.

Tears slipped freely now.

Uncontrolled.

“Eraya…”

She whispered.

“…you…”

She couldn’t finish.

Because she understood.

That this,

was not just care.

This was… healing.

And then,

Eraya continued.

“…and… I’m not alone in college anymore.”

Parvati looked up again.

“…Shivani is there with me…”

A small smile.

“…she’s very loud.”

Parvati let out a small laugh through tears.

“…I can imagine.”

“…but she’s… protective.”

A pause.

“…she doesn’t let anyone say anything.”

Parvati nodded slowly.

“…good.”

“…and Anu…” Eraya continued.

“…Zivah’s friend?” Shivani asked.

Eraya nodded.

“She’s… very calm.”

A small pause.

“…but she teases a lot.”

Parvati smiled faintly.

“…and you’re okay with them?”

Eraya thought for a moment.

Then nodded.

“…I think… I am.”

And then,

almost absentmindedly

she added,

“…Zivah makes me apple mint water every night.”

Parvati blinked.

“…every night?” She asked stunned.

“…hmm.”

A soft smile.

“…I feel… better after drinking it.”

Parvati closed her eyes for a moment.

Tears slipping down again.

“…I was so scared for you…”

She whispered.

“…I thought you’ll go there and… stay quiet… stay alone…”

Her voice broke.

“…but you…you’re happy”

Eraya stepped closer to the camera.

Her voice soft.

Steady.

“Di…”

Parvati looked at her.

“…you don’t have to worry anymore.”

Silence.

“…I’m okay.”

A small pause.

“…I’m… really okay.”

And this time,

Parvati believed her.

Parvati had wiped her tears by now.

Not completely,

they still clung to her lashes,

but her breathing had steadied.

She looked at Eraya again.

Really looked this time.

At the softness in her expression.

The way her shoulders weren’t tense anymore.

The way her voice… carried warmth instead of restraint.

And then,

almost gently,

she asked,

“…why green?”

Eraya blinked.

“…hmm?”

“The wall.”

Parvati tilted her head slightly.

“…why did you paint it green?”

Eraya paused.

The question settling in her mind for a second-

Then something flickered.

A memory.

“…I don’t know.”

She said softly at first.

Then she corrected herself.

“…no… I do.”

Parvati waited.

“…Zivah… asked me what my favourite colour is.”

“…and?”

Eraya let out a small breath.

Almost embarrassed.

“…I didn’t know.”

Parvati’s brows knit slightly.

“…you didn’t know?”

Eraya shook her head.

“I never… thought about it.”

A pause.

“…no one ever asked me before.”

Silence.

Parvati swallowed.

“…and then?”

Eraya’s gaze drifted slightly.

Her voice softer now.

“…she didn’t say anything at that moment.”

A faint smile formed.

“…but later… she just… came back with green paint.”

Parvati’s expression changed.

Subtly.

“…green?”

Eraya nodded.

“…she said I kept looking at green things.”

A pause.

“…plants… trees… even clothes in the store…”

Her fingers tightened slightly around the phone.

“…I didn’t even realize.”

Parvati leaned forward slightly.

Her voice barely above a whisper.

“…but she did.”

Eraya nodded.

“…she noticed.”

A silence followed.

Not empty.

Full.

Because Parvati saw it now.

Clearly.

The way Eraya’s eyes had softened.

The way her lips curved unconsciously.

That smile,

It wasn’t just happiness.

It was… something deeper.

Something quieter.

Something that settles when a person starts living inside your thoughts without asking.

Parvati’s voice lowered.

Gentler.

More careful.

“…Eraya…”

“…hmm?”

“…are you… in love with her?”

The question landed,

like still water suddenly disturbed.

Eraya froze.

Completely.

Her fingers stilled.

Her breath caught.

“…what?”

Parvati didn’t repeat it.

Didn’t push.

She just watched.

Because the answer,

It was already there.

Eraya shook her head immediately.

Too quickly.

“…no.”

Her voice came out rushed.

Unsteady.

“…no, Di… it’s not like that.”

But her cheeks,

they betrayed her.

A soft flush creeping up slowly.

Parvati didn’t smile.

Didn’t tease.

She just spoke quietly,

“…then why did you answer so fast?”

Eraya blinked.

“…I-“

She didn’t know.

Her thoughts scrambled.

“…because… it’s not true.”

She said again.

Softer this time.

Less certain.

Parvati tilted her head slightly.

“…is it not true… or is it just something you haven’t allowed yourself to think about?”

That,

made Eraya go silent.

Because it wasn’t a question she could answer easily.

Her gaze dropped.

“…Zivah deserves better.”

She said quietly.

The words didn’t come from insecurity this time.

They came from… belief.

Parvati frowned slightly.

“…what do you mean?”

Eraya inhaled slowly.

“…she takes care of me… yes…”

Her voice softened.

“…but that doesn’t mean she… loves me.”

A pause.

“…and even if she did…”

Her fingers tightened again.

“…I don’t think I would be enough.”

Silence.

Heavy.

Parvati’s expression shifted.

Not in disagreement.

But in… understanding.

“…Eraya.”

She said gently.

“…what you’re describing… isn’t just care.”

Eraya didn’t look up.

“…it is care.”

“…no.”

Parvati shook her head softly.

“…care is making sure someone eats.”

A pause.

“…what she’s doing… is noticing how you eat.”

Eraya’s breath hitched slightly.

“…care is asking if you’re tired.”

“…what she’s doing… is learning why you’re tired.”

Another pause.

“…care is giving someone a glass of water.”

“…what she’s doing… is remembering to make something you like… every single night.”

Eraya’s fingers loosened slightly.

“…care is helping someone once.”

“…what she’s doing…”

Parvati’s voice softened further,

“…is choosing you… again and again… without being asked.”

The words settled slowly.

Not loudly.

Not forcefully.

But deeply.

Eraya’s throat felt tight.

“…but that doesn’t mean…”

She tried again.

Parvati interrupted gently.

“…it might not mean love.”

A pause.

“…but it is not less than it.”

Silence.

“…and you…”

Parvati added softly.

“…you are not less than someone who deserves it.”

Eraya closed her eyes briefly.

Because something in her,

shifted.

Not fully.

Not completely.

But enough.

“…I don’t know what this is.”

She whispered.

Parvati smiled faintly.

“…you don’t have to.”

A pause.

“…some things… are not meant to be named immediately.”

Eraya let out a slow breath.

“…it feels… calm.”

Her voice was almost confused.

“…when I’m with her… it feels quiet, safe.”

Parvati nodded.

“…that’s how it begins.”

Eraya looked at her again.

“…what if I ruin it?”

Parvati’s eyes softened.

“…then you’ll learn.”

A pause.

“…but what if you don’t… and you let it grow?”

Eraya didn’t answer.

Because for the first time,

That possibility didn’t scare her.

It… stayed.

Quietly.

Inside her.
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