The night was unusually quiet, and the only sound in the house was the soft breathing of Ovi as she slept peacefully in her crib. I had just finished tidying up and was about to sit down with a cup of tea when the doorbell rang. My heart skipped a beat. It was late, and I wasn’t expecting anyone. For a moment, I hesitated, wondering who could be at the door at this hour. I quickly glanced at Ovi to make sure she was still asleep before making my way to the door.

When I opened it, I was shocked to see Ritvik standing there. His eyes were intense, and before I could even ask what he was doing here, he stepped inside and, without a word, kissed me hard. His sudden action took me completely by surprise, and I instinctively tried to push him away.

“Ritvik, stop!” I managed to say as I pulled back, breathless. “What are you doing?”

But he didn’t answer. Instead, he kissed me again, this time gentler but still filled with a desperation that I couldn’t quite understand. He pulled me close, his lips brushing against my ear as he whispered, “I want to marry you, Rashmi.”

His words hit me like a storm. Marry me? I couldn’t believe what I was hearing. I pushed him harder this time, finally breaking free from his grip. “What are you saying, Ritvik?” I asked, my voice shaky with confusion. “This is wrong. Whatever you’re thinking—it’s not possible. Don’t say such things.”

He looked at me, his face softening as he spoke. “I missed you, Rashmi. I can’t live without you. I’ve gotten used to you… and to Ovi.” His voice was full of emotion, and he reached out to hug me again.

I froze for a moment, my mind racing. This wasn’t the Ritvik I had known—confident, always in control. This Ritvik seemed vulnerable, and his words stirred something deep inside me. But I couldn’t let myself get swept up in this. Whatever he was feeling, it couldn’t be real. It couldn’t be right.

“Stop it, Ritvik,” I said firmly, pushing him away once more. “Whatever you’re saying, it’s not true. You’re confused, and I can’t let you say things like this.”

He stepped back, but instead of arguing, he looked at me with a sadness I hadn’t expected. “I’ll do whatever you say,” he whispered. “Just don’t push me away.”

His words made my heart ache. Part of me wanted to believe him, but I knew I couldn’t. This situation wasn’t fair—to me, to him, or to Ovi. I had to think about my daughter first, about the life we were building. Ritvik couldn’t just come into our lives like this and expect everything to fall into place.

He took a step toward me again, his hand reaching out to touch my cheek. “Ritvik, no,” I said, more forcefully this time. “You need to leave.”

But instead of leaving, he tried to kiss me again. Something inside me snapped, and before I knew it, I had slapped him. The sound echoed in the room, and we both stood there in silence, shocked by what had just happened.

Ritvik didn’t say anything at first. His hand went to his cheek, and his eyes filled with tears. He looked at me, and then, without warning, he hugged me tightly, burying his face in my shoulder.

“Please, don’t leave me,” he whispered, his voice trembling with emotion. “I can’t live without you. I’ll go crazy without you and Ovi. I’ve gotten so used to both of you being in my life… I love her so much.”

His words broke my heart. I didn’t know what to say. This man, who had always been so strong, so composed, was now falling apart in my arms. I couldn’t ignore the sincerity in his voice, but I also couldn’t let myself get caught up in this emotional storm.

I stood there, frozen, as Ritvik continued to cry, his tears soaking into my shirt. His body shook as he clung to me, and all I could do was gently pat his back, trying to calm him down. Eventually, his sobs quieted, and his grip loosened. His breathing became heavier, and I realized that he had fallen asleep on my shoulder, completely exhausted.

I gently guided him to the couch, carefully laying him down so he could rest. He looked so peaceful now, his face soft and free of the tension he had carried earlier. I sighed, running a hand through my hair as I watched him for a moment. This was too much. Everything was happening too fast.

Quietly, I grabbed a blanket and draped it over him, making sure he was comfortable before turning off the lights in the living room. My mind was still racing, but I knew I needed to rest too. I had to be strong—for myself and for Ovi.

I tiptoed back to my room, where Ovi was still sleeping peacefully. As I looked at her small, innocent face, I felt a wave of emotion wash over me. I had to think of her first, no matter what Ritvik was going through. Ovi was my priority, and I couldn’t let anything—or anyone—disrupt her life.

Lying down beside her, I closed my eyes, but sleep didn’t come easily. My thoughts kept drifting back to Ritvik—his words, his desperation, the way he had broken down in front of me. I didn’t know what to do. I cared about him, but could I trust him? Could I really let him be a part of our lives like this?

The night seemed to stretch on forever, and when I finally drifted off to sleep, it was with a heavy heart. I knew that tomorrow would bring more questions, more uncertainty, and I wasn’t sure if I was ready for any of it.

The next morning, I woke up to the sound of Ovi stirring beside me. She blinked her big, bright eyes at me and smiled, her tiny hands reaching out for a cuddle. I smiled back, but there was a weight in my chest that I couldn’t shake. I glanced at the door, wondering if Ritvik was still here.

After getting Ovi dressed and ready for the day, I stepped out of the bedroom and found Ritvik still asleep on the couch. His face looked peaceful, but I knew that last night’s emotions were still lingering beneath the surface.

I sighed quietly, not wanting to wake him just yet. There was so much to think about, so many decisions to make. But one thing was clear: whatever happened, I needed to stay strong—for myself and for Ovi.

Another Update!!

Like, comment and share.