Beyond Destiny ~ A Saga Of Timeless Love

24 ~ Gift

"In your smile, I find my sunshine. In your arms, I find my home. Simple joys, boundless love ~ that's what you mean to me."

Ruhanika

We sat in the dressing room, wrapped in a profound, intimate silence as his arms remained securely around me. I had been sobbing moments ago, my body shaking in his embrace, but now, the tears had dried. His presence was like a balm, soothing the ache in my heart. Yet, as I shifted slightly, I noticed something—he had been kneeling for what seemed like an eternity, and the thought of him in pain stirred concern deep within me.

"Dev, get up or your knees will hurt," I whispered softly, my voice still raspy from the crying, the vulnerability clinging to each word like a ghost. It came out hoarse, cracked by the weight of the emotions I’d been battling for hours.

His gaze flickered down to me, and there it was—his signature strength, his unwavering protectiveness. “Your man is potent enough to endure these small pains, just don’t ever cry. I cannot stand the sight of tears in your beautiful eyes.”

His words hung in the air, carrying both warmth and gravity. Your man. That phrase echoed in my mind, as though it had reached deep inside me, filling a void that had been there for as long as I could remember. I pulled back just a little, just enough to look at him—really look at him. His olive-green eyes met mine, brimming with tenderness, compassion, and something so much deeper. Love. It was written all over his face, raw and unhidden, and it took my breath away.

I felt the rhythm of my heartbeat quicken, thudding against my chest. My brown eyes locked with his, and the millions of emotions dancing between us were almost overwhelming. His words made me feel something I hadn’t in years—complete. Your man. It felt surreal, like a dream I had waited my whole life for. A dream of belonging, of being someone’s, and of having someone who was wholly mine.

After losing my family, I’d wandered through life with a deep, persistent yearning. Yes, my friends were there, always supporting me, but they had their own lives, their own families to return to. There was always a part of me that felt utterly alone, incomplete, as if a vital piece of my heart was missing. That aching void had become a constant companion, especially during festivals and ceremonies when everyone gathered with their loved ones. I always felt like the outsider, looking in. We often take for granted the things we have—until they’re gone, far beyond our reach.

But now... now, there was Dev. Maybe my wait had finally ended. Maybe I had found that person. The one who could fill that void, the one who could be my home, my anchor in a world that often felt too vast, too cold. But then, fear crept in. How long could this last? What if I lost him too? I knew, deep down, I wouldn’t survive that kind of pain again. Not after the way he had become my everything. In his arms, I’d found a home—one I couldn’t imagine leaving.

I continued to stare at him, silently absorbing the depth of his words, the warmth of his gaze. He leaned forward, brushing his lips against my forehead, lingering there as if sealing a silent promise. It was something he did often, a quiet gesture of affection, and yet, every time, it made me feel cherished in a way I couldn’t fully explain. When he pulled away, his eyes still held mine.

"Why do you keep pecking my forehead?" I asked, unable to resist the curiosity building inside me.

His lips curled into a smile, the kind that made my stomach flip, and he lifted his hand to caress my cheek, his thumb gently grazing my skin as if I were the most delicate thing in the world.

“Because I cannot kiss your lips... yet, darling,” he murmured, his voice dropping an octave, his smirk playful but filled with intent. The moment hung between us, thick with unspoken desire, and I felt a shiver run through me. Goosebumps erupted on my skin as the intimacy of his voice washed over me, stirring something deep within.