Chapter 35

The apartment had quieted down again.

Not the tense silence from before.

Not the suffocating kind.

Just… softer.

The door had closed behind Anamika and Shivani.

Their voices still lingered faintly in the air, like warmth that hadn’t fully left yet.

But inside,
it was just the two of them again.

Separated by a space that didn’t exist before.

Eraya sat on the bed.

Not lying down.

Not moving.

Just sitting.

Her hands rested lightly over the blanket.

Fingers absentmindedly tracing the soft fabric of the teddy bear beside her.

Brownie.

Her gaze wasn’t fixed on anything specific.

But her thoughts,
they were moving.

Slowly.
Carefully.

Across everything that had happened today.

The classroom.

The push.

The word wife.

The confrontation.

The confession.

The silence after.

And then,
the distance.

She exhaled slowly.

In the kitchen,
Zivah stood still for a moment longer than necessary.

Her hands resting against the counter.

Her head slightly lowered.

She hadn’t gone in yet.

Not after Anamika and Shivani left.

Because now there were no distractions.

No noise.

No interruptions.

Just her.

And Eraya.

And the words that had slipped out too soon.

She closed her eyes briefly.

I love you.

It didn’t feel like regret.

It felt like exposure.

Like something that had been inside her for too long had finally found its way out,

and now she didn’t know what to do with the silence that followed.

Her fingers tightened slightly.

Then relaxed.

She reached for the glass.

Prepared the apple mint drink for Eraya.

The familiar motions steadied her.

Water.

Mint leaves.

A slice of apple.

Care.

Routine.

Something she could control.

Because everything else,
she couldn’t.

She carried the glass toward the room.

Steps quiet.

Measured.

She didn’t look at Eraya when she entered.

Didn’t trust herself to.

She placed the glass gently on the side table.

Not too close.

Not too far.

Just… there.

A pause.

She turned.

Ready to leave.

“…Brownie,” Eraya’s voice came softly.

Zivah stopped.

Not turning.

Not moving further.

Just… stopping near the door.

“You know something?” Eraya continued quietly.

Zivah’s fingers curled slightly near the door handle.

“She confessed today.”

A small pause.

“And then didn’t let me answer.”

A faint breath of amusement in her tone.

“She’s been avoiding me the entire time.”

Zivah’s lips pressed together.

A small smile threatening to form despite herself.

“…even though she’s struggling with it.”

That did it.

The smile appeared.

Small.

Soft.

Almost reluctant.

Zivah stayed still.

Back still facing Eraya.

Because if she turned,
she didn’t know what would happen next.

Behind her,

Eraya’s fingers continued tracing the edge of Brownie.

“…you know, before her…”

She paused.

“…I used to think I understood my life.”

Zivah’s expression shifted.

The smile fading into something more attentive.

“…I thought I knew how things worked.”

Eraya continued.

Her voice didn’t break.

Didn’t tremble.

But it carried something deeper.

Something older.

“I was treated like… something temporary.”

Zivah’s hand tightened slightly against the handle.

“Something people could use when they needed, and forget when they didn’t.”

Silence stretched.

“And after a while… it stops hurting.”

Zivah’s breath slowed.

Listening.

Not interrupting.

“Not because it gets better.”

Eraya said softly.

“But because you stop expecting anything else.”

Zivah’s chest tightened.

“So when Ananya did the same thing…”

A faint pause.

“I recognized it.”

Her fingers stilled over Brownie.

“It wasn’t new. I felt like I deserved it.”

Zivah closed her eyes briefly.

“I knew how to stay quiet.”

Another pause.

“How to not react.”

Her voice dropped even softer now.

“How to just… accept it.”

Zivah’s jaw tightened slightly.

Not in anger.

In something else.

Something heavier.

“I did the same thing before,” Eraya continued.

Her gaze lowered slightly.

“…on the day my uncle decided my life for me.”

Zivah’s eyes opened instantly.

“That rainy day…”

Silence.

“I didn’t fight.”

Zivah turned slightly.

Just enough to listen more fully.

“I didn’t argue.”

A small breath.

“I just… accepted it.”

The words settled.

Heavy.

Still.

“And I thought that’s what life was.”

Zivah turned now.

Slowly.

Eraya wasn’t looking at her yet.

Still speaking to Brownie.

But her voice,
it wasn’t distant anymore.

It was closer.

Warmer.

“Then… she walked in.”

Zivah’s chest tightened.

“Changing things I didn’t even know could be changed.”

A small smile formed on Eraya’s lips.

“…changing me.”

Zivah stood there.

Completely still.

“She started noticing things I didn’t notice about myself.”

Her fingers moved slightly again.

“She cared about things I thought didn’t matter.”

A pause.

“She made me feel like I… mattered.”

Zivah’s throat tightened.

“And slowly…”

Eraya continued.

“She changed the pattern.”

The word lingered.

“That I had been living with for years.”

Zivah didn’t move.

Didn’t interrupt.

Didn’t breathe too loudly.

Because this,
this was something she couldn’t miss.

“…Parvati di was right,” Eraya said softly.

“Miracles do happen.”

A small pause.

“Especially when you don’t believe in them anymore.”

Zivah’s eyes softened.

“And after doing all that…”

Eraya’s voice dropped slightly.

“…she still thinks I wouldn’t fall in love with her.”

That was the moment.

Zivah turned fully.

And Eraya looked up.

Their eyes met.

Finally.

Fully.

No distance.

No avoidance.

Just truth.

“I did,” Eraya said softly.

Zivah’s breath caught.

“I fell in love with you.”

Silence.

Zivah blinked.
Once.
Twice.

“…Really?”

Her voice came out quieter than she expected.

Eraya smiled.
Soft.
Certain.

“How can I not?”

Zivah stood there.

Frozen.

“You made me live,” Eraya continued.

Her voice wasn’t loud.

But it carried everything.

“I was just existing before you.”

A pause.

“But I didn’t know what living felt like.”

Zivah’s eyes softened further.

“You came with your stubborn care.”

A faint smile.

“Your unnecessary rules about eating properly.”

Zivah almost laughed.

Almost.

“And your habit of noticing everything.”

A pause.

“And I… didn’t stand a chance.”

Silence.

“I was afraid,” Eraya admitted softly.

Zivah’s expression shifted.

“…that I wouldn’t be enough.”

Her gaze lowered briefly.

“That you would eventually realize one day that I’m not worth all of this.”

Zivah stepped forward.

Instinctively.

But stopped herself.

“I was afraid that if I said it…”

Eraya continued.

“…I would lose what I already have.”

Zivah shook her head faintly.

“You won’t-“

But Eraya didn’t let her finish.

“So I stayed quiet.”

A pause.

“But today…”

Her gaze lifted again.

“I don’t want to stay quiet anymore.”

Silence.

Zivah stood there.

Processing.

Feeling.

Understanding.

“…you love me?” she whispered.

There was disbelief in it.

Not doubt.

Just… disbelief that it was real.

Eraya nodded.

“I do.”

A small smile.

“I really do.”

Zivah’s eyes softened completely now.

And something in her finally,
finally-relaxed.

Not completely.

But enough.

Eraya stood up slowly.

Zivah didn’t move.

Didn’t step forward.

Didn’t step back.

Just… waited.

And then,
Eraya closed the distance.

Wrapped her arms around her.

Softly.

Gently.

But not hesitantly.

Zivah froze.

Because this,
this was new.

This wasn’t fear.

This wasn’t seeking safety.

This was…choice.

Her arms stayed at her sides for a second.

Just one.

Then,
they moved.

Wrapped around Eraya.

Tighter.

Closer.

Like she had been waiting for this moment without realizing it.

Eraya’s head rested lightly against her shoulder.

And Zivah,
held her.

Not carefully.

Not cautiously.

Fully.

Like she wasn’t letting go.

And for the first time,
that hug didn’t feel like protection.

It felt like love.

Real.

Mutual.

Alive.

The night had settled gently around them.

Not heavy.

Not quiet in a lonely way.

Just… calm.

The room was dim, lit only by the soft glow of the bedside lamp Zivah had forgotten to turn off.

The curtains moved faintly with the night breeze,
carrying a coolness that made the space feel even more intimate.

Eraya was already in bed.
Curled slightly on her side.

And in her arms,

Brownie.

The little teddy was tucked close to her chest, her fingers absentmindedly playing with its ear, her cheek resting lightly against its soft fur.

Zivah stepped into the room a moment later after turning off the kitchen lights.

She paused at the doorway.

And her eyes went straight to one thing.

Brownie.

Her expression shifted immediately.

A faint frown forming.

She walked toward the bed slowly.

Layed down on her side.

Watched.

Eraya hadn’t noticed her yet.

Still wrapped around the teddy, still half lost in her own quiet comfort.

Zivah tilted her head slightly.

Studying the scene like it personally offended her.

“…you’re still hugging that thing?”

Eraya blinked.

Looked up.

Then smiled.

Softly.

“It’s comfortable.”

Zivah’s frown deepened.

Just slightly.

But noticeably.

“Yeah, I can see that.”

Her tone was calm.

But something about it,
wasn’t.

Eraya shifted slightly.

Pulling Brownie closer just a little.

Zivah noticed immediately.

Her brows furrowed further.

“Stop hugging it.”

The sentence came out unexpectedly direct.

Eraya blinked again.

Then let out a soft chuckle.

“And what should I do then?”

Zivah didn’t hesitate this time.

She leaned in.

One hand slipped gently behind Eraya’s back.

Warm.

Firm.

The other settled at her waist.

And before Eraya could fully react,
Zivah pulled her closer.

Close enough that there was no space left between them.

“Do this,” Zivah murmured with a smile.

Her voice was lower now.

Softer.

But certain.

“Hug me instead.”

Eraya stilled.

Not because she didn’t expect it.

But because of how naturally it came.

Like Zivah didn’t even think twice about it.

Like this,
this closeness,
belonged.

A small smile formed on Eraya’s lips.

Slow.

Soft.

She looked at Zivah.

Really looked at her.

The faint seriousness in her eyes.

The hint of stubbornness.

The quiet vulnerability hiding underneath.

And something warm spread in her chest.

But then,
that familiar spark of mischief appeared.

She shifted slightly in Zivah’s hold.

And very deliberately,
placed Brownie between them.

Zivah froze.

“…what are you doing.”

Eraya smiled.

Barely holding back laughter.

“Brownie stays.”

Zivah stared at the teddy.

Then at Eraya.

Then back at the teddy.

Her expression turned into a full frown now.

“You’re kidding.”

Eraya shook her head lightly.

“No.”

A pause.

“Brownie feels softer.”

That did it.

Zivah’s jaw tightened slightly.

Her brows pulling together even more.

“Are you serious right now?”

Eraya couldn’t hold it in anymore.

She laughed.

Not loud.

Not dramatic.

Just… real.

Soft.

Unfiltered.

And the moment that sound filled the room,

everything in Zivah stilled.

Her frown faded.

Her shoulders relaxed.

Her eyes softened completely.

Because there it was.

That sound.

Her favorite one.

Eraya’s laughter.

Zivah didn’t interrupt it.

Didn’t complain again.

Didn’t argue.

She just… watched.

Like the rest of the world had faded out for a second.

Like nothing mattered as long as that sound continued.

Eraya noticed.

Of course she did.

Her laughter slowed.

Turned into a soft smile.

“…what?”

Zivah shook her head faintly.

“Nothing.”

A pause.

“…just laugh again.”

Eraya’s smile deepened.

“You’re weird.”

“Yeah.”

Zivah said quietly.

“But you like it.”

Eraya didn’t deny it.

She shifted slightly.

Still holding Brownie between them.

But this time,

her hand moved.

Slowly.

From the teddy,
to Zivah’s arm.

Her fingers resting there.

Lightly.

Zivah noticed immediately.

She didn’t say anything.

Didn’t react outwardly.

But her hold around Eraya tightened just slightly.

Not enough to trap.

Just enough to say,

stay.

They lay there like that.

Half close.

Half separated by a ridiculous little teddy.

And yet,
closer than they had ever been before.

Zivah let out a quiet breath.

“…I still don’t like that thing.”

Eraya smiled against the pillow.

“You’re jealous of a teddy.”

Zivah scoffed softly.

“I’m not jealous.”

A pause.

“I just don’t understand why it’s between us.”

Eraya turned her head slightly.

Looking at her.

“Maybe because it was here before you asked me to hug you.”

Zivah raised a brow.

“…so now I have to compete with it?”

Eraya grinned.

“Maybe.”

Zivah looked at Brownie again.

Then back at Eraya.

“…I’m winning.”

Eraya laughed softly again.

“Confident.”

“Very.”

A pause.

Then Zivah shifted.

Carefully.

She moved her arm further under Eraya.

Pulling her just a little closer,
even with Brownie in the way.

“Still hugging you.”

She murmured.

Eraya didn’t resist.

Didn’t tease this time.

She just… stayed.

And slowly,
without saying it,
she leaned in.

Closing whatever little space was left.

Her forehead almost brushing Zivah’s.

Zivah stilled.

Then softened again.

And in that quiet moment,
with a jealous complaint, a shared laugh, and a teddy awkwardly stuck between them,

something settled.

Not loudly.
Not dramatically.

Just… gently.

Like this was how it was always meant to feel.

Morning didn’t arrive loudly.

It slipped in.

Soft.

Golden.

The sunlight filtered through the curtains in thin, warm streaks, resting gently across the bed, across the sheets, across two people who had fallen asleep closer than they ever had before.

Eraya stirred first.

Not abruptly.

Not fully awake.

Just… slowly.

Her lashes fluttered.

Her breath shifted.

And then,
her eyes opened.

For a second,

she didn’t move.

Didn’t even blink properly.

Because she wasn’t sure if this was real.

Zivah’s arm was still wrapped around her.

Firm.

Secure.

Warm.

One hand resting at her waist.

The other tucked lightly beneath her back.

And between them,
Brownie.

Still there.

Still stubbornly present.

Eraya stared at the scene.

And then,

a soft laugh slipped out of her.

Barely a sound.

Just a breath of amusement.

“…you’re still here,” she whispered, glancing at the teddy.

Her gaze shifted upward.

To Zivah.

Sleeping.

Peacefully.

Her features relaxed in a way Eraya didn’t often get to see.

No tension.

No guarded expressions.

Just… softness.

Eraya’s heart tightened.

She loves me.

The thought didn’t rush.

Didn’t overwhelm.

It settled again.

Quiet.

Deep.

Real.

Eraya lifted her hand slowly.

Careful not to disturb her.

Her fingers hovered for a second.

Just above Zivah’s face.

Then,
they lowered.

Tracing.

Softly.

The curve of her cheek.

The faint line of her jaw.

The way her hair fell slightly over her forehead.

She traced her face Like she was memorizing her.

Like she needed to make sure this wasn’t something that would disappear if she blinked too long.

Her thumb brushed lightly near Zivah’s cheekbone.

And her lips curved again.

“You really love me…” she murmured under her breath.

There was disbelief.

Not because she didn’t believe Zivah.

But because she didn’t know how something like this had found her.

Her hand stilled.

And then,
impulsively,
she leaned in.

Placed the softest kiss on Zivah’s cheek.

It was light.

Barely there.

But it made something inside her flutter.

She pulled back slightly.

Eyes searching Zivah’s face.

No reaction.

Still asleep.

Eraya blinked.

A small smile forming.

“…that was real, right?”

She leaned in again.

Another kiss.

Slightly longer this time.

Still gentle.

Still hesitant.

And when she pulled back,
her smile grew.

“Okay… that was definitely real.”

Her cheeks warmed faintly.

She lingered for a moment longer.

Watching her.

Then whispered,
softly, like it was something precious,

“I love you.”

The words felt different now.

Not hidden.

Not swallowed.

Just… said.

And with that,
she carefully slipped out of Zivah’s hold.

Slow.

Careful.

As if leaving something warm behind.

She adjusted Brownie mischievously.

Tucking it closer to Zivah.

Then stood up.

And walked out quietly.

The apartment was still.

Peaceful.

Eraya moved through it softly.

She freshened up.

Left her hair loosely.

And then,
for the first time,

she stepped into the kitchen not as someone unsure.

But as someone who belonged there.

She opened cabinets.

Looked around.

A small smile forming again.

“I can do this…”

she murmured to herself.

She started simple.

Cutting fruits.

Preparing something light.

Something warm.

Not perfect.

But hers.

And the thought alone made her chest feel lighter.

Zivah stirred a while later.

Her grip tightened slightly,
instinctively.

Reaching.

Searching.

But the space was empty.

And then,
she frowned.

Her eyes opened.

“…where did she go?”

Her voice was still heavy with sleep.

Her hand moved again.

Expecting warmth.

Finding, nothing.

Her brows furrowed deeper.

“Why does she wake up before me every time…”

she muttered.

Then,
she noticed something.

Brownie.

Still tucked in her arm.

But closer.

Zivah stared at it.

Then narrowed her eyes slightly.

“…don’t look at me like that.”

Silence.

“You don’t get to take my place.”

She adjusted the teddy slightly.

“She’s mine.”

The words slipped out naturally.

Without thought.

And then,
she paused.

Her expression softened.

“…mine.”

Her lips curved.

Slowly.

And just like that,
last night came rushing back.

The confession.

The hug.

The way Eraya had said I love you.

Zivah sat up abruptly.

“…she said it.”

A soft laugh escaped her.

“She actually said it.”

She ran a hand through her hair.

Still half in disbelief.

Then quickly got up.

Eraya was focused.

Carefully placing things on plates.

When she felt it.

A presence behind her.

Before she could turn,
Zivah’s hands gently gathered her hair.

Lifting it.

Tying it loosely.

Eraya blinked.

“…good morning.”

Her voice came soft.

Natural.

Zivah hummed in response.

“…why did you leave me.”

Her tone wasn’t serious.

But there was a faint complaint hidden in it.

Eraya smiled.

“You were sleeping.”

“So?”

Zivah replied immediately.

“I still wake up and you’re gone.”

Eraya turned slightly.

Looking at her.

“You had Brownie.”

Zivah frowned instantly.

“Don’t bring that thing into this.”

Eraya laughed softly.

“You were literally holding it.”

“I wasn’t holding it.”

Zivah corrected.

“It was just there.”

Eraya raised a brow.

“Mm-hmm.”

Zivah crossed her arms slightly.

“You left me with a replacement.”

“I didn’t replace you.”

Eraya said, amused.

Zivah stepped closer.

“You better not.”

There was something in her tone.

Soft.

Possessive.

But not overwhelming.

Just… real.

Eraya’s smile softened.

“I won’t.”

A pause.

Zivah studied her for a second.

Then nodded slightly.

“Good.”

And then lightly ruffled her hair, making Eraya chuckle.

They sat together.

Closer than usual.

Not because they planned it.

Because it felt right.

Zivah reached for the plate.

Without asking,
she started arranging portions.

Carefully.

Neatly.

Placing them in front of Eraya.

“Finish this.”

Her tone was firm.

But softer than before.

Eraya leaned back slightly.

Watching her.

“You always do this.”

Zivah glanced at her.

“And you always need it.”

Eraya smiled.

“What if I don’t want to?”

Zivah raised a brow.

“You do.”

“No, I don’t.”

Zivah leaned in slightly.

“Eat.”

Eraya tried to hold her ground.

“…make me.”

Zivah paused.

Then smirked slightly.

“You really want to try that?”

Eraya’s eyes widened slightly.

Then she laughed.

“Okay, okay.”

She picked up a piece.

Took a bite.

Zivah watched.

Satisfied.

“Good.”

Eraya shook her head lightly.

“You’re impossible.”

Zivah shrugged.

“And you still love me.”

Eraya paused.

Mid-bite.

Then smiled.

“…I do.”

Zivah didn’t look away this time.

Didn’t hide.

She just… held that moment.

Quietly.

Because this,
this normal morning
this teasing
this closeness,

It wasn’t something she was used to.

But it was something she didn’t want to lose.

And across the table,
Eraya felt it too.

Not loud.

Not overwhelming.

Just… steady.

Like something had finally found its place.
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