Third person’s pov!

Shraddha laid in the darkness of her small room, staring up at the ceiling. Sleep seemed impossible as her mind churned with thoughts and doubts. Dhruv’s words from earlier in the evening kept playing over and over in her head, like a song she couldn’t shake.

Why was he so insistent on pursuing something between them? They barely knew each other, yet he spoke with such conviction, such certainty that there was something real between them. It was confusing, overwhelming, and, if she was honest, a little frightening.

Shraddha had always been cautious, especially when it came to matters of the heart. She had spent most of her life on her own, moving from one place to another, trying to make a living. Being an orphan had taught her to be wary, to protect herself from getting too attached to anyone or anything. Trust wasn’t something she gave easily, and she certainly didn’t let her guard down without good reason. And now, here was Dhruv, a man she had only known for a short time, pushing her to let him in, to explore something she wasn’t sure she was ready for.

What did he really want from her? The question gnawed at her. Dhruv had a presence that was hard to ignore. He seemed used to getting what he wanted, and she couldn’t help but wonder if she was just a challenge for him. Did he truly see something in her, or was this just a game to him? A game where she could end up getting hurt?

Siddhant ji had said that Diya Ma’am is from a privileged background. So, Dhruv must have a wealthier background than Siddhant ji. Was this just the whim of a rich boy? After all, she is an orphan with no one to question him if he ever hurts her.

But then she remembered the way he had looked at her, the softness in his eyes when he spoke to her, the sincerity in his voice when he said those last words.. Could someone like Dhruv be so deceptive? It didn’t add up. He was Diya Ma’am’s brother, after all, and from what she had seen, the Kotharis were people of integrity. Diya was insecure but she was deeply in love with Siddhant ji. Anybody can see it. And Siddhant ji had always treated her with respect. Could Dhruv really be so different?

And yet, that lingering doubt remained. What if she was just an easy target for him? A vulnerable, orphaned girl with no family to protect her, no one to stand up for her if things went wrong. It wouldn’t be the first time someone had tried to take advantage of her situation. The thought made her stomach turn, and she felt a pang of fear at the idea of being hurt.

But she had also seen a different side of Dhruv. He wasn’t just some arrogant man used to getting his way. There was a depth to him, a complexity that intrigued her. He had been open about his feelings, and that had shaken her. Could it be that he was genuinely interested in her? That he saw something in her worth pursuing?

Shraddha sighed, rubbing her temples in frustration. She was overthinking everything, but how could she not? Her life had been simple before Dhruv entered it. She had her routine, her duties, and she was content. Now, everything felt complicated and uncertain.

She turned over, pulling the blanket up to her chin, seeking comfort in its warmth. Maybe she was being unfair to Dhruv, judging him based on her own fears and insecurities. After all, he hadn’t done anything to suggest that he had bad intentions. But she couldn’t ignore the little voice in her head that warned her to be careful, to protect herself from getting hurt.

Her thoughts drifted back to the way Dhruv had touched her, the way his hand had gently tucked her hair behind her ear. It had felt so intimate, so natural, and yet it had sent her heart racing in a way she wasn’t prepared for. There was a connection between them, something undeniable, but was it enough to risk everything for?

She didn’t know. And that uncertainty scared her.

As the night wore on, Shraddha’s mind continued to swirl with questions and doubts. She didn’t want to make a mistake, didn’t want to let her guard down only to be hurt in the end. But she also couldn’t deny that there was something about Dhruv that drew her in, something that made her want to take a chance, despite her fears.

She needed time, she decided. Time to think, to figure out what she really wanted. Dhruv was intense, and his pursuit was overwhelming, but she didn’t have to rush into anything. She would take things slowly, get to know him better, and see if there was something real between them. And if there wasn’t, she would walk away before things went too far.

With that resolution, Shraddha finally felt a small measure of peace. She would take things one step at a time, listen to her instincts, and protect herself. If Dhruv was serious about her, he would understand. And if he wasn’t, then she would know soon enough.

Eventually, exhaustion took over, and Shraddha drifted into a restless sleep, her thoughts still tangled.

In her deep sleep, little Sid came running after her.

‘Shrey…’ He called out with a laugh as he chased after her.

*****

She had woken up early the next morning. The whole house was asleep. But she could hardly sleep. 

She was making coffee when she heard the chair scraping sound and she turned around to find Dhruv sitting at the small table in the kitchen.

“You are awake?” Shradda asked in surprise, because it was too early.

“Did you sleep well?” Dhruv asked and Shraddha coloured up a bit. She was awake the whole night thinking about him and she didn’t want him to know that.

“Yes..” She muttered, turning around to face the stove again.

“I didn’t.” Dhruv’s admission made her stiffen.

“Probably the cold..” Shraddha murmured.

“You and I both know it is not the cold.” Dhruv said and Shraddha sucked in a sharp breath.

He is being persistent. Maybe this is the time to make things very clear to him. She poured the coffee into a mug and placed it in front of him, surprising him.

“Thank you..” He said with a genuine smile.

“Dhruv, we need to talk.”