chapter 21

YOU ARE THE RHYTHM OF MY HEART!Chapter 21 :Sensing her nervousness, Nandu tightened his hold around her, his voice dropping to a low, husky whisper.“Aadu... what are you doing to me? Do you have any idea how you’re driving me crazy? You make me feel like a lovestruck teenager, waiting desperately just to catch a glimpse of his crush. Do you even know what you do to my heart? Every time you steal a glance at me, those cheeks of yours turn  that sweet shade of pink... it’s like my heart forgets how to beat”.Aadhya’s breath hitched. Her voice trembled as she stuttered,“Krish... wh... what… are you saying?”Tilting her chin up with his finger, Nandu made her look into his eyes. His gaze burned with emotions she couldn’t fully comprehend.“Do you even know what you’re doing to me?”, he murmured, his tone filled with longing. “Every time I see you stealing glances at me, Every time you get flushed when our eyes meet, Every time I see you blush, I... I wish to trace those cheeks... not just with my fingers... but also with my...”.He trailed off, realizing his words were becoming too intense. He didn’t want to scare her, she was still young, innocent, and untouched by the complexities of desire. He respected that.Cupping her face in his palms, he softened his tone, his eyes reflecting nothing but warmth and affection.“Aadu... do you know how you’ve changed my life? Before you, it was all work, business meetings, deals, and empty flings that meant nothing. I was living a mechanical life, wearing a mask to maintain my reputation. But with you… every moment feels real. I feel alive… as though I’m finally being myself, without pretenses. You’ve brought light into my life… What are you doing to me?”His voice carried a tenderness that made Aadhya’s heart ache.Lowering her eyes shyly, she felt her cheeks warm under his intense gaze. Her fingers trembled slightly as she whispered, “Krish... I... I don’t understand what you see in me. How can a simple girl like me make you feel this way? I don’t even know how to take care of you… how to make you happy… or keep you cheerful. Whereas you’ve always been the one keeping your siblings happy, involving yourself in every part of their lives. But me… I’m just a spoiled brat. My father showered me with love and gave me everything I wanted. I’ve only made you suffer, with my insecurities, my stubborn principles… and my fears. I’ve pushed you away… even when all you ever wanted was to fill my life with your love.”Her voice trembled with guilt and anguish, as though afraid she had hurt him beyond repair.Nandu listened intently, his heart swelling with both love and pain. He could see the vulnerability behind her words, the fear of not being enough for him. But to him, she was everything.Tightening his hold around her waist, he leaned closer, his forehead resting gently against hers. “Aadu… you are more than enough. You’ve given me what no one else ever could, your pure heart. That’s all I ever wanted.”Their breaths mingled, the air around them thick with unspoken emotions.Gently pressing a tender kiss to her forehead, Nandu cupped her face with care, his voice soft yet filled with earnest emotion.“Aadu... never look down on yourself. You are not a spoiled brat. You are a strong, determined woman, the one who pulled her father out of the depths of suffering and gave him a reason to live again. You didn’t just bring light into his life, you brought it into mine too. You’ve painted my world with colors I never knew existed, filling it with emotions I never thought I’d feel”.Looking at her with admiration, he continued,“The way your eyes reflect admiration when you look at me... the warmth in your every touch... the care and affection you pour into even the smallest things... all of it makes me believe, for the first time, that maybe... maybe I’m worthy of love. But the truth is… I’m the one who doesn’t deserve you. You are the purest, most innocent soul I’ve ever known. And when I look at you, I hate myself for not keeping my heart and soul as untainted as yours, to be worthy of you”.Holding her more tightly, he declared,“You are the most precious, significant, and irreplaceable part of my life. I will be forever grateful to God for bringing you to me. You are the best thing that has ever happened to me… and you always will be”.His voice was laced with love, reverence, and adoration, reflecting the depth of his feelings for her.-  *KRISH*